Chapter 29 029 Waiting for him to come back
A sliver of dim light hung in the west, with drifting clouds casting shadowy shapes.
Occasionally, one can see a few specks of starlight.
Inside the camp on the outskirts of the capital, the air was bitterly cold. Yun Xiu flicked the wick, and the flame seemed unable to withstand the heat, swaying back and forth before suddenly leaping up with a hiss after two breaths.
The surroundings were completely quiet, without even the sound of insects chirping. I wondered if I was sleeping because of the cold, or if this place was simply not suitable for me.
It was so quiet that you could hear your own heartbeat and the sound of pages turning on a book at a nearby table.
Yun Xiu subconsciously gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist, his whole body tense as if an arrow were on a bowstring.
Meng Qingshan lowered his gaze, his face indifferent, but his eyes full of mockery. The account books and rosters, half true and half false, were done so perfectly that anyone who had not experienced military life would be fooled by these details.
I just don't know whose orders this camp in the outskirts of Beijing actually listens to.
With a snap, Meng Qingshan closed the book. "Blow out the lamp and rest."
Yun Xiu flipped onto the crossbeam, and as Meng Qingshan passed by, the candles behind him went out, and wisps of black smoke rose and disappeared.
Inside a house not far away, the glint of blades was menacing as two groups of men faced each other, swords drawn.
The moonlight was dim, and the room was extremely oppressive; any sound seemed like a spark about to ignite.
No one gave an inch, yet no one dared to advance further; they were locked in a silent standoff, each vying for dominance.
Zhao Ying, who was near the door, saw the light in the distance disappear. He turned around and gave Peng Gu a provocative look. The two were about the same age and had once been brothers who had shared life and death. They had entered the camp in the suburbs of the capital together, but unexpectedly, Peng Gu used him to lure the guards out of their trap.
Peng Gu, however, secretly gathered a large number of soldiers and took control of the camp in the suburbs of Beijing.
He was being completely honest with Peng Gu, but Peng Gu had ulterior motives. Just thinking about it made him furious.
He's not lacking in anything; by simply copying the model, he's still managing to get Peng Gu to do nothing about him.
"What do you want? Let's settle this now and have a showdown."
Peng Gu inwardly despised his reckless and impulsive actions, but he was unwilling to swallow his anger, and said coldly, "Let's have a contest then!"
Both sides took a step forward, and sparks flew as their swords clashed.
In the tense moment, Peng Gu remembered what that person had said, and his rationality returned. He roared, "With a formidable enemy before us, we must put aside our prejudices. Meng Qingshan is not to be underestimated!"
"What is Meng Qingshan anyway? The real danger is that the people around you have ulterior motives and might try to harm you."
“You…” Peng Gu cursed under his breath as an idiot, then coldly analyzed, “The garrison commander has been imprisoned. We have leverage over him, so we’re not afraid of him turning against us. As long as we send Meng Qingshan away, who’s in charge of this camp will be decided by the two of us brothers.”
Zhao Ying scrutinized Peng Gu for a moment, pondered, and then asked, "Whom do you listen to?"
Peng paused for a few moments, then stepped forward and whispered something in his ear.
Zhao Ying suddenly turned her head and gave her a sinister look, then mocked, "What great skill you have to climb such a high branch."
"Once it's done, the master will surely summon you. At that time, we will become his right-hand men, and we will have no worries about wealth and power."
Zhao Ying took a step back, sized him up to see if he was telling the truth, and threatened, "I don't have your cunning mind. Just one word: if you stab me in the back, we'll just part ways."
Peng Gu's expression hardened, but he chuckled and put his arm around Peng Gu's shoulder. "Of course."
"Then how do we get rid of Meng Qingshan?"
Peng Gu also felt the situation was tricky. He stared at Zhao Ying for a moment and flattered him, "I would like to hear your opinion, Brother Zhao."
The following day, dark clouds covered the sky, and the sounds of fighting on the training ground were deafening.
Zhao Ying and Peng Gu exchanged a glance, thinking they would embarrass Meng Qingshan today, but Meng Qingshan didn't show up at all.
Inside the room, Yun Xiu lit a charcoal brazier and placed the hot food he was carrying on the table. Next to him, on a dark table, a small red clay stove was boiling water, steaming and bubbling.
Meng Qingshan sat up in bed and looked at the items that had been added to the room overnight: writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, white porcelain teacups, and the window that had been leaking air last night, now covered with tung oil paper. He sighed, "How virtuous."
Yun Xiu grinned and chuckled, "This house is a bit too simple, I'm afraid of neglecting the general."
Meng Qingshan never cared about such details, and deliberately put on a stern face, saying, "You've developed a wasteful and extravagant lifestyle after only a few days in the capital."
Yun Xiu's smile froze on his face as he muttered tremblingly, "It's all because the general demanded that his subordinates prepare the best for the young lady, which has made him picky."
"You even complained that the carvings on the jewelry box I bought weren't auspicious enough. It's just a box, why did you insist on having it carved from ivory? What's the point?"
"Where do you need money?"
Meng Qingshan had just forgotten her hurtful words when Yun Xiu brought them up again, which made him completely lose his temper. He scolded, "Do you need to meddle here?"
He sat down, unfolded the oil paper package, and looked at the Ke Xiang Ju buns on it. They were white, soft, tender, and fragrant. He thought to himself, "I wonder how she is doing now, and whether she can keep the unruly servants in the mansion in check."
Inside the Dongwan Garden of the Meng residence, Qingli finished dealing with the day's affairs. She glanced at the time and saw that it was a quarter of an hour earlier than yesterday. Everything was on track and she was becoming more and more adept at handling things, so she felt somewhat pleased with herself.
Granny Qiu also entered the room to serve, and at the right time brought a cup of warm milk tea. She took a sip, and the fragrance of the tea mixed with the milky aroma of the milk, the rich and mellow taste exploded in her mouth. She sighed with satisfaction. In just three days, she had already become inseparable from this delicious food.
She wasn't one to indulge in gluttony, but now she couldn't bear to put it down. In the end, she picked it up and sipped it slowly. Her skin was already as white and tender as tofu, and now a thin layer of red beneath it resembled the morning glow reflecting on snow, making it almost too beautiful to look at directly.
She lowered her eyes for a moment, and finally picked up a piece of rose milk pastry. The first taste was the softness of the pastry, followed by a rich milky aroma. She couldn't tell if it was the milky aroma of milk tea or the milky aroma of rose milk pastry. After swallowing, a faint rose fragrance spread to the back of her tongue. It truly left a lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth, and her breath was as sweet as orchids.
She sincerely praised, "Granny Qiu's skills are superb."
“If Miss likes it, I will make it every day. However, if Granny Huaying were here, she would control the heat and temperature even better, and the taste would be even better.”
"Do you know when the old woman Hua Ying you mentioned will return?"
“This servant did not know. When Hua Ying asked the general for leave that day, she did not set a return date. She only said that she had something to do and then left.” Worried that the young lady would not like such an unruly manner, Qiu Mama added, “Hua Ying is not only good at cooking, but also has excellent embroidery skills and knows some other tricks of the trade.”
Hearing the protective tone in Granny Qiu's words, she became interested in Granny Hua Ying, whom she had never met before.
She changed her clothes, and when she went out, the butler and the gatekeeper dared not stop her.
The carriage headed towards the palace, but halfway there she changed into a sedan chair, turning left and right into a narrow alley. As she entered, she put down her cloak and hood, where the steward and Tai were waiting.
Because of her whereabouts, the steward's eldest son, Song Zhang, had been protecting her these past few days. As an elder in the household, Qing Li naturally treated him with great respect and greeted him, "Master Song, how have you been lately?"
Butler Song exclaimed, "Miss, you flatter me! I'm perfectly fine."
"Master instructed this old servant to go and do his work. Miss, please go ahead to the Kunwei Liuli Garden." Steward Song bowed slightly and then led Jiang Zhao away.
After a moment's thought, Qingli realized that her grandfather was testing her. She glanced at the sun overhead, made a mental calculation, and then took the first step.
Half an hour later, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead. Looking at the two directions, she hesitated for a moment, then walked to the left. After a while, she had no choice but to turn back and walk to the right. There was still no way forward. The sound of pine trees and bamboo rustling in the wind made her heart beat faster and faster.
She immediately realized something was wrong, so she quickly closed her eyes to calm herself down, slowly controlled her breathing, and took a step forward, constantly changing her position until she felt a heat on her head. When she opened her eyes, she saw a small and exquisite residence nestled among the green willows, with glazed tiles on the roof that shimmered and shimmered.
The interior is quiet and elegant, with flowers and trees complementing the scenery. The doors and windows are carved with flowers, birds, fish and insects, and the lines are lifelike. One can imagine that if you look out the window from inside the house and see the floating clouds like flowing water and the lush vegetation, you will feel the vastness of the world.
A maid in green at the door knelt down and called out in unison, "Miss."
Qingli clutched the hem of her skirt and stepped into the courtyard. She felt a little embarrassed when she saw her grandfather's teasing gaze, but she had learned a lot from this trip and would not spend so much time next time.
If one doesn't know the proper way to navigate the Huang family mansion, one will only get stuck inside. Otherwise, so many people wouldn't be surrounded like wolves, yet dare not set foot in the Huang family mansion.
She arrived here smoothly and indeed possessed extraordinary talent, surpassing even her father's.
"How is this courtyard?"
"This courtyard is cleverly designed and exquisitely crafted; my granddaughter loves it."
"Since you like it, why don't you move back in?"
Qingli paused, then said, "Grandfather, you know the Meng family's situation. If I abandon them, I fear..."
Her voice was soft and gentle, with a drawn-out ending, which gave it a coquettish quality.
Huang Pu snorted coldly.
"If you don't want to come back, just say you don't want to come back. Why make so many excuses? It's true what they say, once a girl grows up, she can't stay at home."
Qingli's cheeks flushed, and she said hurriedly, "Grandfather, you know that's not how it is."
Huang Pu harbored resentment towards Meng Qingshan, even though he sent his mother to a nunnery, it couldn't outweigh the five years of suffering his beloved granddaughter endured.
That wicked old woman, driven by jealousy and hatred, committed evil deeds and had lost all kindness. Yet Meng Qingshan treated Qingli exceptionally well. This ambivalent situation made it difficult to deal with the woman decisively, like a fly stuck in one's throat, utterly disgusting.
If Meng Qingshan continues to be unable to distinguish right from wrong, don't blame him for using some tricks against him.
He made up his mind in his heart, but put on a kind face and said, "Grandfather is worried about you expending so much effort."
Qingli was well aware of this, and she told her grandfather her plans, finally saying, "When he comes back, it will be a proper ending."
"good."
Huang Pu's heart disease has been cured, and he is full of energy. At this moment, he is dressed in a dark blue brocade robe with crane patterns embroidered on it, and his hair is tied up in a bamboo style. He has a rather otherworldly and ethereal demeanor.
I've gradually let go of my old obsessions.
"Are you interested in listening to your grandfather tell you about these past years?"
For some reason, just hearing those words made Qingli's eyes well up with tears. She blinked hard to suppress her surging emotions, straightened her posture, and solemnly said, "Okay."
Outside the courtyard, the slow wind swirled, carrying a hollow sound, and a low murmur echoed in my ears.
She found it somewhat jarring, so she raised her hand to press her ears. The strange buzzing disappeared, but a wave of sorrow washed over her. She looked up at her grandfather and unconsciously took his hand in hers. His wrinkled, aged hand spoke volumes about the relentless passage of time.
The world is also heartless.
Her throat seemed to be choked, unable to speak or know what to say.
She was far more fortunate than her grandfather.
The suffering she endured was magnified many times over by her grandfather, including his immense pain.
Qingli desperately wanted to reassure him, "Grandfather, you have me, we will definitely be alright in the future."
Huang Pu's life was full of ups and downs, both turbulent and difficult, but he paid a heavy price for it. He said these words not to hand over what he had to bear, but to explain, "Grandfather believes in you. He is telling you these things because he is worried that if your identity is known, you may be deceived and taken advantage of."
"To be frank, as in previous years, grandfather, since you trust me, you should know that I am not a fragile person. I will be more careful in my actions in the future, knowing who to befriend and who to treat with caution."
Huang Pu nodded with satisfaction, and as if instructing a student, he spoke of the current situation in the court: "Now that the vassal kings have been eliminated and the country is at peace, the court will inevitably value civil officials over military ones. The time has come for His Majesty to have no choice but to appoint me."
Are you in danger?
"As long as we do as His Majesty says, it won't happen."
“If you listen to him, you can also do your own thing.”
Though his words were naive and impetuous, they were indeed true: "So, it's time to give the truth back then. What do you think?"
Qingli pondered for a moment, then decisively said, "I think it should be so."
Instead of being fussy and hesitant, she was decisive and efficient. Huang Pu liked her personality very much and admired her even more than he cherished her. He thought, "If she had your will back then, she wouldn't have ended up like this."
She? She's probably Qingli's aunt.
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