Chapter 29: Mother-in-law knocked the porcelain on the table...
The porcelain hit the table with a "dong" sound. Ji Yunchan's eyelashes trembled and she looked up at Yan Heng.
Yan Heng didn't say anything, just looked at her coldly.
"General?" Ji Yunchan asked tentatively.
Seeing Yan Heng didn't answer, she explained softly, "I can't eat."
How can I explain to you that I can’t eat because you’re not here? Will you believe me?
"I ate it." Yan Heng was very frugal with his words.
Ji Yunchan's expression suddenly became somewhat sad. She nodded obediently, "I'll eat it. General, don't be angry."
As she spoke, she picked up the bowl of medicinal food under Yan Heng's gaze and ate it mouthful by mouthful with some difficulty.
He slowed down his eating as he went on, his brows slightly furrowed, and it looked like he really couldn't eat anymore.
Yan Heng finally couldn't bear to watch it anymore and reached out to grab it.
He felt distressed and angry, and asked in a deep voice, "What's wrong with you?"
"Don't be angry, General."
She subconsciously pulled Yan Heng's sleeve with a pleading look on her face.
Yan Heng grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. His voice was a little sharp out of nervousness. "It's only been a few days, why are you eating less?"
There was no smile on his face, and his brows were frowned, as if he was silently forcing someone.
Ji Yunchan lowered her head and avoided answering.
Yan Heng was not one to give up easily, so he asked again, "What have you been doing at home these past two days?"
This time Ji Yunchan answered, she stammered, "I want to make a nightgown for the general."
As he said this, he turned his head back and motioned Yan Heng to look at the prototype of the dress.
Yan Heng followed her gaze and looked behind her. Beyond the moon-white silk, the chessboard had never moved.
The girl in front of him lowered her head timidly, her wrist was red from being pinched by him, but she begged him not to be angry.
Yan Heng was not angry at all, he was just heartbroken for her.
He reached out and held the person in his arms, as if comforting a wounded butterfly.
Ji Yunchan rested her head on his chest, and the reassuring warmth of her body could be felt through her clothes.
She clutched his clothes and heard him say in a low voice, "It's not a big deal, don't do it." As if that wasn't enough, he added, "Don't do things you don't like."
Ji Yunchan was stunned for a moment.
Even now, is he still willing to do so?
The fabric against the tip of her nose was the blue of a sunny day, with a hint of cold fragrance, which kept blocking her eyelashes and made Ji Yunchan's eyes a little sore.
She tightened her grip on her clothes and murmured "hmm" softly.
Neither of them spoke, and they were gentle for a moment.
Gradually, Ji Yunchan's heart began to condense again. "The general will still live..."
Yan Heng also spoke: "I will accompany you home..."
The two people who spoke at the same time paused for a moment, moved a little further apart, and there was surprise in their eyes.
Yan Heng's voice was hoarse. "Go on."
Ji Yunchan looked at him with her heart pounding. Although she didn't understand why, it was what she was thinking: "Is the general done with his work? Will he still stay in the barracks?"
Those eyes sparkled with anticipation, and when they fell into Yan Heng's eyes, it was like a draft passing through his lungs, and the strange feeling in his heart lingered for a long time.
Ji Yunchan was actually... actually looking forward to my return?
He stared at it intently, in love with the shimmer of water, as if it were devoted entirely to him.
He tightened his voice and said, "I'm done with my work and will be back starting today."
When Ji Yunchan heard the voice, her eyes widened.
She nodded reservedly, then looked up again. She was a little embarrassed to speak, so she asked cautiously, "General, just now you said...will you accompany me back home?"
Yan Heng's heart was burning. He held Ji Yunchan's cheek and rubbed it lovingly with his fingertips.
In her expectant eyes, he smiled from the bottom of his heart. If he hadn't tried hard to restrain himself, his voice would have trembled: "Well, I'll accompany you back home."
Ji Yunchan's eyes suddenly turned red.
She hugged Yan Heng again, her voice muffled: "General, you are so kind."
Yan Heng patted her back silently without saying anything.
......
When Yan Heng accompanied Ji Yunchan to the door of Ji's house, Ji Qinnian was already waiting there.
Seeing Yan Heng come with his sister, Ji Qinnian was very happy. He saluted Yan Heng and led the two of them to the courtyard, shouting excitedly: "Mother, the general is back with my sister!"
It was rare to see her brother so happy, Ji Yunchan couldn't help but smile, and felt even more tender and sweet.
The two followed their brother into the house. Mother Ji was a little surprised to see Yan Heng again after so many years.
But now it was different from the past, her status was different, she bent down to salute, but was lifted up by Yan Heng.
He said, "Aunt Ji, no need."
It was a consistent name, it had been used in the past and it was still used today, and it didn't make anyone present feel awkward.
Yan Heng supported Ji's mother and asked her to sit back.
When Ji Yunchan returned home for the first time, she knelt down and kowtowed respectfully to her mother, looking at her with emotion: "Mother."
Ji's mother was also moved. After her daughter stood up, she took her hand and looked at her carefully.
Seeing her in red and her expression relaxed, he felt relieved.
She turned to look at Yan Heng, her voice earnest and loving: "General, my daughter Yuanyuan is wayward and has caused you trouble."
Yan Heng shook his head: "No."
Ji's mother smiled with satisfaction. The boy who always climbed over her wall has grown up now. He has become a handsome man with a graceful figure and a calm and upright appearance.
But he was no longer her son-in-law, and there was a hint of loneliness in Ji's mother's smile.
"Mom, are you feeling well these days?" Ji Yunchan's question interrupted what Ji's mother was thinking.
She came back to her senses, holding her daughter's hand lovingly and cherishingly, not letting go for a moment: "I'm fine, home..."
On the day of returning home, mother and daughter met and expressed their feelings to each other.
Yan Heng tactfully pulled Ji Yunchan's brother away, leaving enough space for the mother and daughter.
......
Outside, Ji Qinnian served tea to Yan Heng.
When the two families were in Beijing, Ji Qinnian was still young. He was a child who studied seriously with a stern face. He and Ji Yunchan were indeed siblings.
Whenever Yan Heng met him, he couldn't help but tease him.
Looking at that little face that couldn't keep a serious expression, it only withdrew reluctantly after being glared at by Ji Yunchan.
In just three or four years, Ji Qinnian has grown so big.
Yan Heng sighed a bit and took the initiative to ask, "Are you adapting well in the army? I heard from Chang Sui that your superiors have high praise for you."
"I've adapted quite well, General." Ji Qinnian nodded and briefly talked about his thoughts and feelings, acting like a little adult.
Yan Heng looked at him and saw that he frowned again as he spoke. Without waiting for Yan Heng to ask, he took the initiative to say that he was troubled by the matter of his boss sending him out of town a few days ago, and wanted to ask him for advice.
This is much better than Ji Yunchan. Yan Heng thought, your elder sister is a gourd with the mouth sawed off.
He looked at his childish brother-in-law, raised his chin slightly towards him, and said in a domineering tone: "Call me brother-in-law."
Ji Qinnian paused and looked at Yan Heng in surprise and suspicion.
Yan Heng didn't move, looking at him meaningfully.
Seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, Ji Qinnian had a thousand words in his mind.
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He only murmured, "Brother-in-law."
Yan Heng's smile widened, and he patted Ji Qinnian's shoulder with satisfaction. He coughed lightly and happily answered his questions: "This matter is somewhat risky, and the experience is also..."
......
After Yan Heng left, Ji's mother pulled Ji Yunchan into the bedroom.
After carefully locking the door, he took his daughter to sit down and have a private conversation.
She smoothed her daughter's hair and asked with concern, "Is he treating you well?"
Ji Yunchan nodded without hesitation. Seeing her mother's concerned expression, she felt a sense of dependence, and all her defenses dropped.
Thus, all those secret grievances in one's heart and private matters that no one could tell now found an outlet for venting.
She lowered her head and whispered, "But he hasn't consummated his marriage with me yet..."
Ji's mother paused, caressing her daughter's hair. She listened to her daughter's grievance and then defended him, saying, "Maybe he still has some grievances in his heart. That's just Yan Heng's personality."
Don't be awkward, because love brings worry.
How could Ji's mother not see it?
She sighed slightly, patted her daughter's back, thought for a moment, and said in a gentle voice, "Although the bridal chamber is particular about this, it's not absolute."
Ji Yunchan was filled with sadness. When she heard her mother say this, she looked up with a puzzled look.
Then she listened to her mother talking about the past with her father, and her close friends. The sunlight climbed up the window sill to her mother's temples. These old stories in the boudoir were slowly told from her mother's mouth through the years. Ji Yunchan's eyes trembled slightly, and she stopped feeling aggrieved and looked at her mother intently.
Mother Ji looked at Ji Yunchan softly, "I really have you in my heart. Otherwise, why would I come back with you?"
Ji Yunchan nodded in surprise.
Ji's mother stopped talking at that point, but a deep sigh rose in her heart.
She just said, "Don't worry, Yuanyuan, take your time."
......
At noon, the family gathered together for dinner.
Ji Yunchan was in a good mood today and ate more. Yan Heng saw this and ate more too.
When they were almost done eating, Yan Heng saw Ji Yunchan put down her bowl and chopsticks. He thought for a moment and turned to call her, "Yuanyuan."
It has been a long time since I heard these two words come out of his mouth, probably three or four years.
Ji Yunchan was sitting next to him. When she heard the voice, she felt as if she was in another world and met his gaze blankly.
Yan Heng smiled, then said in a gentle and serious voice, "Ask my sister to accompany you for a walk. I have something to say to my aunt."
Ji Yunchan did not agree immediately, her eyes lingering between her mother and Yan Heng.
Until the mother also said, "Go."
Then he stood up and called Yun'e, who had also put down her bowl and chopsticks, to accompany him out.
Yan Heng watched the two people until he was sure that Ji Yunchan had turned the corner and could no longer see the situation in the house, then he withdrew his gaze.
Ji's mother came from behind and asked, "I wonder what the general wants to tell me alone without letting Yuanyuan know?"
Yan Heng turned around and knelt down in front of Ji's mother without hesitation.
He looked at the mother who had watched him grow up and kowtowed solemnly: "Mother-in-law, please accept my son-in-law's greetings."
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