"Oh?" Guo Honglei frowned in surprise, then said calmly, "What's the matter? Just tell me if I should scold you."
Guo Hongzhe stood there nervously, his eyes shifting, hesitating several times to speak. Finally, he bit the bullet and asked, stammering, "When we were little, there was a jade brush washer in our father's study with a fish playing on a lotus leaf. It was incredibly exquisite and elegant. Do you remember it?"
"I remember." Guo Honglei sat down, his armor and weapons clacking against each other. He said slowly, "That was my grandfather's favorite, unparalleled in the world. He passed it down to my father. It's a pity it was broken."
"Actually, I accidentally broke it, not you." Guo Hongzhe felt extremely guilty and clenched his fingers in fear. In reality, he wasn't afraid of being scolded, but rather of being disliked and ignored.
Guo Honglei was stunned, deeply surprised. "So you broke it? I had assumed it was my fourth brother, after all, he's been naughty and playful since childhood, but he steadfastly denied it. Then I thought it might be a relative's child. I never expected it to be you."
"It was me. But I definitely didn't mean to!" Guo Hongzhe's lips trembled, his face flushed with anxiety as he explained in frustration, "Back then, our family had a banquet, and many cousins came. It was a lively occasion, and eight or nine of us, about the same age, gathered together to play hide-and-seek. While we were playing, my fourth brother ran into Father's study! For some reason, the door happened to be open, and the servants didn't dare to stop us, so we went in. Curious, we looked around, and in the crowd, I lost my balance, and my arm accidentally swept across, dropping the jade brush washer."
Guo Honglei paused for a moment, then sighed, "I don't think you'd dare to deliberately break something that's dear to our elders."
"After the incident, my father had a sullen face and was very unhappy. He blamed my mother for not sending someone to look after the children. My mother got angry, and the two of them argued... Alas, I wanted to admit my mistake, but I was so panicked that I didn't dare to speak." Guo Hongzhe was ashamed and confused, asking, "Brother, why did you take the blame?"
Recalling the past, Guo Honglei smiled and replied helplessly, "The banquet was still going on, and the guests were still seated, but my parents were arguing endlessly. They were so angry that they kept saying things like, 'We have our own family rules, and we'll get to the bottom of this.' I was so upset that I took the blame to stop them."
"As a result, you were wrongly accused, scolded, and made to kneel."
After so many years, Guo Honglei had long since let it go. He said nonchalantly, "It's okay. I knew what I was talking about before I said it. I was sure my father wouldn't believe me, and my mother would calm down after she'd vented her anger. The jade may be valuable, but the child involved is only five or six years old. How can I investigate? I can only let it go."
Yes, my father trusted my second brother, and my mother let her anger out; she didn't hate her own son. But if I had taken the initiative to admit my mistake, she would have seized upon it, taking the opportunity to lash out and punish me harshly... Born a bastard, Guo Hongzhe felt aggrieved and resentful. He gritted his teeth and confessed, "And there's another thing! Once, at my grandfather's birthday party, I wasn't ill, but my mother insisted I was and refused to bring a bastard to the banquet. Furious, I feigned illness and tried every possible means to get you to stay home. And that, in turn, caused you to be scolded."
Guo Honglei smiled and asked slowly, "And it happened more than once. When you were a child, you were wronged and pretended to be sick even if you weren't sick, right?"
"You, you actually knew that?" Guo Hongzhe looked up in shock and looked at his brother awkwardly.
Guo Honglei's shoulder injury has healed 70% of its size, but he still wears his arm in a sling to protect him from the jolting effects of horseback riding. He stretched the bandage and spoke frankly, "At first I believed it, but then I gradually saw through it, but I just didn't expose it. My father knew it, too, but he never blamed you."
"Why?" Guo Hongzhe's eyes welled up as he murmured, "Father must have turned a blind eye out of pity, but why did my brother help cover it up?"
Guo Honglei frowned and replied sternly, "Because I don't like attending banquets too often. Almost every time, the elders always like to challenge the younger generation to a competition of talent, whether it's poetry, couplets, calligraphy, painting, chess, horseback riding, archery, etc. It's hard to guard against, and it's annoying. It's hard to judge the right balance between winning and losing, and it can easily damage the relationship."
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"So you're too lazy to go?"
Guo Honglei nodded and said with emotion: "Instead of competing with old friends and peers, it's better to stay at home and be quiet and comfortable."
"When we were little, I often bothered you. We studied and practiced calligraphy together, went fishing and flew kites. I even climbed up the rockery to catch crickets and nearly broke my leg." Guo Hongzhe missed me so much that after a long sigh, he asked cautiously, "Brother, do you hate me now?"
Guo Honglei raised his head and asked instead of answering, "Anything else? Come on, tell me everything in one breath!"
"No, cough, no more." Guo Hongzhe lowered his head, feeling a wave of weakness in his heart. He thought to himself, tormented: Actually, there is still some. My father is fair, but my mother always favors the eldest son and favors the youngest. My eldest brother is the crown prince, so I dare not disrespect him, but I have played tricks on my fourth brother...
Guo Honglei stood up and said sternly, "Father and eldest brother have passed away. Now there are only three males left in the family: you, my fourth brother, and me. Siblings, unless there are serious faults, must tolerate and care for each other. Ah Zhe, the old stories you just mentioned were simply due to your youth and ignorance. They are harmless and not worth mentioning. Don't take them to heart."
"Are you really not angry?" Guo Hongzhe was uneasy.
Guo Honglei, three years his senior and always tolerant of his brothers, replied cheerfully, "Are these trivial childhood matters worth getting angry about? You think I'm too narrow-minded!" He then changed the subject and sternly warned, "But you're already fourteen. You're getting older. After I'm gone, you must listen to your sister-in-law's advice. Consult with her whenever you have to. Don't get mad or sulk. Do you understand?"
"I understand! Don't worry, I'll take care of the family." Guo Hongzhe nodded enthusiastically as if he had been granted amnesty, choking back tears as he said, "Thank you, second brother, for your generosity and understanding. I know I'm narrow-minded, and sometimes I can't help but be mean to mother—in short, I'll do my best to change from now on."
Every family has its own problems. Between wives and concubines, legitimate sons and illegitimate children, the rifts between them accumulate over time and are difficult to resolve in a short time. Since ancient times, even an incorruptible judge has struggled to settle family disputes.
Guo Honglei was young and powerless. He sighed and said gently, "Now that our family is separated, we have a good time to think things over. In the future, as long as your sister-in-law or I are present, we will do our utmost to uphold justice."
"Oh, this is so great!" Guo Hongzhe smiled and cried, his shoulders shaking.
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"Fighting bravely, good!"
Jiang Yushu took out four coarse cloth money bags she had prepared in advance and handed them to them, encouraging them: "You have made great contributions and have worked hard. Although there is no reward in the army, there will be a reward at home! Keep them all and take them back to the camp for daily expenses."
"Thank you, Madam, for the reward!" Peng Changrong took the purse respectfully.
Lin Qin smiled and said, "There's still some left from what you gave us last time. Actually, we don't spend much money in the camp."
"Last time was last time, this time is this time. Just keep it safe, you deserve it! You can't go out without some money." Jiang Yushu distributed the money to each of them, encouraging them and alleviating their frustration of not being rewarded for their merits, so as to prevent them from feeling resentful or losing morale and suffering losses in battle. Finally, she handed the fourth purse to Lin Qin and instructed:
"Please help keep his."
"Yes!" Lin Qin took it with understanding.
At this moment, the two brothers Guo Honglei walked out of the main room. The younger brother lowered his head, his eyes red. He pressed the hilt of his knife and asked loudly, "Is everything done?"
"Yes." Jiang Yushu turned around and took a few quick glances, pretending she hadn't noticed Guo Hongzhe had cried. "The horses have been taken out. You should hurry back to camp before the evening hour. Let's set off now. It gets dark early in the winter, so avoid traveling at night."
It was inconvenient to do so in public, so Guo Honglei nodded, took the lead, and a group of people followed him.
After a while
At the gate of the courtyard, we said goodbye reluctantly.
"Second brother, your injury has not yet healed. Remember to rest for a few more days when you go back." Guo Hongzhe was reluctant to let you go.
"Hmm." Guo Honglei mounted his horse, gazed deeply at his wife, and whispered, "I'm leaving now. You've been taking care of all the hard work at home. Take care of yourself."
Jiang Yushu looked relaxed, her eyes fixed on him as she spoke, "There are more than a dozen people in my family now, and we can all take care of each other. I don't have anything to worry about. But you guys, please be careful on the battlefield and take good care of yourselves!"
"Of course. I'll be back when I have time." Guo Honglei took one last look, hardened his heart, and shouted, "Go!"
Peng Changrong was reluctant to leave, but had to return to the camp.
"Brother Rong," Cuimei said with red eyes, "take care!"
Peng Changrong turned around and replied, "I understand. I'll come back as soon as I'm free."
At night, the north wind howls.
The bedroom doors and windows were closed, and the kang was burning, so it was very warm.
Jiang Yushu yawned, carefully putting away the preface Guo Honglei had carefully written, and said sleepily, "It seems that Xiaotao won't sleep with us anymore."
"I guess she's shy. It's actually pretty good for her to be with Nanny Pan." Cuimei leaned against the head of the kang, untied her coarse cloth purse, and carefully counted her money.
"Well, let her be." Jiang Yushu didn't want to force it. She took off her outer robe and lay down in bed. She asked jokingly, "Huh? Changrong just got the money with his left hand, and he gave it to you with his right hand?"
Cuimei replied shyly, "He insisted on giving it to me. I was worried, so I stuffed two taels into his pocket. Rong Ge said, he said—"
"What did your brother Rong say?" Jiang Yushu smiled.
Cuimei blushed and replied shyly, "He told me to save it and buy some clothes and jewelry in preparation for getting married."
"Evergreen is a good person with good character and appearance. He treats you sincerely and is trustworthy." Jiang Yushu rested her head on her elbow and asked with concern, "His parents are still alive. What does the old man mean?"
Cuimei blushed and whispered, "Brother Rong asked the young master to write to Changping and inquired about it. His parents both agree."
Jiang Yushu said happily, "Congratulations! It's a matter of informing the elders of your marriage. I wrote a letter home at the beginning of the month, along with yours, and asked someone to pass it on to the postman to deliver to the capital. I just don't know when I'll receive a reply. Winter winds and snow block the roads, so I'm afraid it will be slow."
"It's okay! We're not in a hurry. He's so busy, he could be gone for months. It won't be too late to discuss marriage after we've completely defeated the Northern Tribe." Cuimei held her purse in her arms, lost in thought for a moment. Suddenly, she sighed and asked anxiously, "Miss, when will the court grant amnesty? Will we, and even our children, have to live as exiles for the rest of our lives?"
"How is that possible?"
Jiang Yushu shook her head and consoled him, "My father is secretly watching, and several close relatives of the Guo family are willing to help. One day, we will be able to clear ourselves of this charge!"
"Please bless me, Buddha, and let that day come soon." Cuimei clasped her hands together.
It is already the twelfth lunar month. The weather is freezing cold, water turns to ice, the snow falls heavier, and the wind is howling.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, every household in Liu Village feels dull and worried, watching out for surprise attacks from the Northern Anglers day and night.
On the day of Little New Year, the Guo family members get up early and busy themselves preparing to worship the Kitchen God.
"Stir, stir non-stop! There's only this little bit in total, be careful not to make it sticky." Nanny Pan warned.
Xiao Tao was sweating from the heat, stirring the malt syrup vigorously with both hands, and answered crisply: "Hey."
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"Add some hazelnuts and some chestnuts. Oh, they smell so good!" Cuimei crushed the dried fruits and took a deep breath with greed.
Jiang Yushu smiled and said, "It is indeed sweet. After we offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God, let everyone try it."
"Kitchen God, please, bless the Guo family with peace and prosperity next year." Nanny Pan muttered, arranging the offerings respectfully.
A few old ladies were chatting and laughing, and were busy at work when Zou Gui suddenly arrived, panting, and banged open the half-closed door, announcing anxiously: "Oh no!"
"The border troops and the Northern Qi are fighting again! The people at the entrance of the village are hastily taking shelter in the mountains. I heard that a group of defeated enemy soldiers have fled into the village. Should we also take shelter in the mountains behind?"
"What?" Everyone was shocked.
Jiang Yushu immediately wiped her hands, rushed out, and shouted, "Hurry, follow the pre-arranged plan and go to the back mountain!"
"But, but the Third Young Master is sick, what should we do?"
Jiang Yushu ran to the main room and hurriedly replied, "Take the medicine and carry him with you!"
The author has something to say:
They will spend the New Year’s Eve in the mountains┓（ ′？` ）┏
Kitchen God: Where's the sugar melon you promised me? I've toiled all year, endured the smoke and fire, and before I go to heaven, I haven't even had a sweet moment...
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