Chapter 894 is all yours.
While eating the unidentified dried fruit brought by her senior brother and drinking tea while listening to their conversation, Song Chunxue gradually understood what was going on.
She appeared before the emperor with a Qilin beast, which, by a twist of fate, made the emperor realize that there was still hope for the country and that he could still fight for it.
The emperor was still the same emperor; he wanted to give Xie Zheng an important position, but he also didn't want him to be intimate with Song Chunxue.
The emperor's move terrified the various ambitious rebels who had been testing him repeatedly, hoping to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.
Lord Zhao and Taoist Han witnessed with their own eyes that Wu San's troops had all broken camp and moved back a hundred li.
This time, the eldest brother truly praised Song Chunxue, even saying that she directly influenced the fate of the nation.
Master Han said that if he had known the Qilin beast was so effective, he should have tied the emperor up in front of the untamed Qilin beast and let him get two kicks from it, and he would have behaved himself long ago.
Song Chunxue shook her head repeatedly. She didn't deserve such praise; it was just a lucky coincidence.
A leopard can't change its spots. The emperor may have acted on impulse, giving everyone a glimmer of hope.
But can the fate of a nation be altered by just one or two small things?
Throughout history, there have been so many talented and extraordinary people. Apart from severing the dragon veins and preventing too many changes in the country, could he really completely change the course of history?
Extending one's life by several decades or even centuries is fine, but changing an emperor's nature is against the will of Heaven, and few can bear the consequences.
However, she hadn't expected that she and Xie Zheng would be separated so soon.
Lord Zhao told her that Xie Zheng's northward march was a good thing, as the army leader was a victorious general, and at least it would prevent the capital from being captured by the barbarians on the grasslands.
Although Song Chunxue knew quite a few characters, she couldn't quite understand the more profound conversations between her senior brother and Master Han.
She also understood that her senior brother was worried that she would be too attached to her personal feelings and neglect the bigger picture.
She held the small rotating Bagua bronze ornament that her senior brother had given her, thinking to herself that she was no longer a little girl.
That evening, she waited for Xie Zheng to return to the Xie residence.
Xie Zheng bought her a beggar's chicken wrapped in lotus leaves, as well as a box of various trinkets.
The most eye-catching thing was the sign of the most famous rouge shop in the capital, and a bag of bright red hawthorns.
They tacitly agreed to the impending separation, without making it explicit.
After they finished eating, they sat on the wooden bed in the bedroom, each holding a pot of wine, chatting and eating melon seeds.
"Congratulations, Lord Xie, on your promotion! This is a joyous occasion. Why didn't you go out and invite your colleagues for a celebratory drink?"
Song Chunxue leaned against the carved wooden board by the bed and teased with a smile.
They were neatly dressed, knees touching.
Xie Zheng picked up a washed hawthorn and held it to her lips. "They already dragged me out to drink alcohol, but I lied and said I was taking medicine and didn't drink any."
His voice was gentle as he nestled close to her, shoulder to shoulder, gazing tenderly at the bright red new bed curtains above them.
"Why are others happier than I am when I get promoted?"
Song Chunxue replied, "Because they have to act according to your wishes for the time being."
Xie Zheng lowered his head and unbuttoned his undergarment.
"Ah Xue, one of my buttons is missing. Could you sew it back on for me?"
"..." What's wrong with this person? He's making her feel really sad.
She reached out and helped him take off his undergarment, then took out a sewing basket from her storage ring. "You'll have to find a few more. I remember your other two undergarments also need mending; the stitches under your armpits are coming undone. And your socks—you don't trim your thumb nails regularly, and you've worn out several pairs but can't bear to throw them away. Are you saving them in the closet for the New Year?"
Xie Zheng put his arm around her shoulder and pressed his cheek against hers. "Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
“How could that be? You’re too embarrassed to ask someone else to sew it. I was planning to sew it a few days ago, but I didn’t get around to it.” Song Chunxue raised her shoulders. “Just bring it over. I’m too lazy to get out of bed.”
Xie Zheng quickly brought out three pairs of clean, white socks, and a delicate wooden box—a thin bamboo box that looked quite exquisite.
He always liked to find different ways to give her gifts.
Song Chunxue greatly appreciated this charming gesture.
"What is it? It's all so mysterious."
The candlelight obscured his slightly flushed cheeks, but Song Chunxue heard him say, "Open it and take a look."
"Clatter~"
Song Chunxue lifted the lid and saw two peony-embroidered bodices lying inside, glowing in the candlelight.
"Smack."
She reached up and closed the lid, her neck instantly burning, her tone devoid of emotion, "You bought this?"
"I had someone make these a few days ago, and I picked them up on the way today." As he spoke, he awkwardly pulled out two pairs of silk socks. "People say these are more comfortable to wear, you should try them on."
The smooth fabric feels soft and delicate against your fingers; how could it not be comfortable to wear?
Song Chunxue cupped his face in her hands, "You bought it yourself, aren't you embarrassed?"
Xie Zheng smiled faintly, refusing to look into her eyes.
"Why did you buy these for me?" She suddenly wanted to ask clearly, and she didn't want to just let the bittersweet feelings in her heart pass by like this.
She didn't want to be subtle.
Xie Zheng grabbed her hand, turned around, picked up his drink, and took a sip. "You'll find it useful."
"Anything else?"
"You're going back now, and I'm also going on a long trip. I don't know when we'll meet again. Buy me some personal items so you'll think of me whenever you want." He looked at the quilt and replied in a hoarse voice, "I dare to ask, Xue, if you can wait for me."
"Waiting for what?"
"To become Daoist partners."
...
"I heard you're leaving, so I've come to see you off." Bai Caiwei handed her a large box, "We've known each other for a while now, and it's rare to meet someone as interesting as you. I'm quite sad to see you go. This is a farewell gift."
Song Chunxue smiled and took it, "Am I funny?"
Bai Caiwei looked around, covered her mouth and chuckled, "Of course it's interesting. I heard you even dared to hit the Emperor. You're so interesting."
"By the way, aren't you worried that Lord Xie won't be able to handle the journey north with the army? Aren't you afraid that someone will try to put people around him?"
Song Chunxue shook her head, "If I were to worry about this at my age, wouldn't I be making myself too restless? What about you? Lately, you've been with the monk..."
Bai Caiwei sighed, "Don't mention him, I haven't seen him since."
Fangyue came in from outside, carrying two paintings and calligraphic works in her arms.
“I remember you really liked the beauty of the national flower, so I found you a painting of it and also brought a bamboo painting by my senior brother.”
She lowered her voice and whispered, "You should ask Master Han for two more paintings later. I heard that his cave is full of calligraphy and paintings by famous people, and his own painting skills are unmatched. After all, he is getting old, so why not take them?"
Bai Caiwei also stepped forward and whispered, "How old is Master Han exactly? He's been inseparable from Lord Zhao lately, could it be...?"
"cough!"
The next moment, Master Han walked over from a distance, followed by Lord Zhao.
"How does she know these things? Just ask me." Master Han raised one hand, and a large box appeared in his hand. He slammed it on the table.
“Originally, everyone would have a share, but now, you two are gone,” he said, looking at Song Chunxue. “Give it to your children; maybe they can exchange it for a courtyard house after they pass away.”
Overjoyed, Song Chunxue hugged Fangyue and Bai Caiwei happily, despite their resentful stares. "Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"Junior brother, why didn't you say you liked my paintings earlier? Why don't you go to my storeroom and pick out a couple?" Lord Zhao stood to the side of the doorway. "Let's go now."
"Senior Brother! I'm going too!" Fangyue exclaimed anxiously.
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