Side Story 6: Each Has Their Own Happiness
Five years.
Enough for a dynasty to consolidate the rule of a new emperor, enough for a piece of land to go through several seasons, and enough for many people and events to become unrecognizable.
The breeze stirred up by the opening of the wooden door stirred up a thin layer of dust on the ground.
Sunlight streamed through the lintel, illuminating the fine particles dancing in the air.
A familiar scene came into view; the old locust tree at the village entrance seemed even thicker and more lush.
Under the morning sun and gentle breeze, they dance freely, carrying the unique vitality of early summer.
In the distance, the fields stretch out in a crisscross pattern, the crops are growing well, lush and green, full of vitality.
The houses in the village have also changed somewhat, with several new houses added and some old houses clearly renovated.
It was afternoon, and the village was quiet except for the chirping of cicadas, the occasional bark of a dog, and the faint sounds of children playing, exuding a sense of abundant peace and tranquility.
Five years have passed.
Jiang Ling silently recited the words to herself and stepped out.
She didn't disturb anyone, and just walked slowly along the familiar road.
The workshop was still there, but it seemed to have grown larger. The door was closed, and there was no sound from inside; they were probably taking a midday break.
Today, Jishui Village has two workshops: one is a cannery workshop, and the other is a perfume and lipstick workshop.
The sound of children reciting their lessons echoed from the school, still so innocent, but now belonging to a different group of children.
Aunt Zhao's persimmon tree is laden with new fruit, still lush and green. We should be able to make a lot of dried persimmons this year.
The walls of Si Xi's courtyard have been raised, and baby clothes are now being hung out to dry in the yard.
Since Grandpa Zhao passed away, they have been living separately.
Zhao Yin's house was unusually quiet. Only then did I realize that his whole family had moved to Ping'an County. They said that Xiao Qi's wife was about to give birth, and it would be more convenient for them to stay in the town.
Old Shi also rented a shop and opened a pharmacy. Every time I pass by, I can smell the strong aroma of medicine.
Azhu married Qian Dama's nephew and now lives in the town.
She tried several times to bring Mr. Shi to live with her, but he refused each time, saying he didn't like living in town.
There were a few children playing under the shade of the tree, but Jiang Ling couldn't remember their names anymore.
Everything is fine, yet everything is different.
Jiang Ling walked along the edge of the field until she reached the stream.
The stream remains clear, flowing down from above and meandering until it disappears from sight.
If you keep walking forward, you'll reach the White Dragon Temple.
The trees on the mountaintop had become somewhat sparse, making the spire more prominent. However, its colors were brighter, suggesting it had been renovated.
After wandering around for a while, I walked back to the entrance of the general store and stood in the open space for a while.
The sun was shining so brightly that the ground was hot, and in a daze, she recalled the scene when she first opened the wooden door.
Like a revolving lantern, all these memories are played out.
The sun was so hot that my head was burning, and that's when I remembered I should go back.
I grabbed a bottle of soda from the fridge to cool off.
I had just happily drunk about half a bottle when I looked down and saw a round little head peeking out from the doorway. It wasn't even half the height of the door.
Jiang Ling was stunned for a moment, then walked over: "Little one, what do you want to buy?"
That round little head, topped with big, round eyes, scanned Jiang Ling from head to toe, then peeked into the shop, showing no stage fright whatsoever.
Finally, he said, "I'm not buying anything, I'm just looking around."
Jiang Ling found it amusing and teased, "You little brat, what are you doing out here in the middle of the day instead of sleeping? Where are your parents?"
The little head didn't turn to her; instead, it seemed quite interested in her, scrutinizing her from head to toe. "Your surname is Jiang?"
As he stared at her, Jiang Ling also looked at his face several times. She suddenly remembered the first time she opened the wooden door, and the injured boy who came to the shop.
He's much more polite than this little kid in front of him.
Finally, she reached out and pinched that rosy little face: "Your surname is Qin, and your name is Qin Zheng, right?"
Xiao Qinzheng's eyes instantly turned to confusion. "How did you know?"
Jiang Ling smiled meaningfully, straightened up, and stopped teasing him.
This is the current crown prince. Although he was somewhat disrespectful to him, he only pinched his cheek and let it go. He wouldn't dare to do anything more to him.
A soft laugh came from outside the door, and then a man dressed in a moon-white robe leaned out.
He smiled, looked at Jiang Ling, and bowed slightly: "Miss Jiang, how have you been?"
Behind him, another woman in a light purple dress stepped forward and curtsied to Jiang Ling. "Sister Jiang."
Upon seeing this, Jiang Ling immediately returned the greeting: "You two are too kind."
Qin Zhao.
Five years seemed to have left few traces of hardship on his face; instead, it had honed the sharpness of a young crown prince into the unique majesty of an emperor and the strategic shrewdness of a master strategist.
His current empress is none other than Pei Shishi's daughter, Pei Shishi.
When the two got married, Jiang Ling even sent a congratulatory gift.
When little Qin Zheng saw his father, he immediately opened his arms and called out in a childish voice, "Daddy!"
Jiang Ling led them into the shop for a short rest, and for safety reasons, the guards immediately stood watch at the door.
Jiang Ling was playing with the adorable little child in front of her when Qin Qian rode back from Ping'an County.
Looking at his nervous face, Jiang Ling felt both sad and amused.
After dinner, the two snuggled up on the sofa to watch a movie.
This is something new that Qin Qian has recently fallen in love with.
Halfway through the movie, Jiang Ling suddenly said, "By the way, Mo Chen called today and said that the contract for the New Year's Eve fireworks has been officially signed. Grandma Mo also asked when she would take you back for dinner again."
After learning that Mo Chen and Jiang Ling were not destined to be together, Old Madam Mo adopted Jiang Ling as her granddaughter.
Qin Qian played with her hair: "It's up to you."
He can now calmly face situations like the Mo family's, after all, he has seen many grand occasions, such small scenes are nothing to him.
“Then let’s do it next weekend.” Jiang Ling leaned on his shoulder. “Grandma likes you a lot. She says you’re calm and composed, unlike Mo Chen’s friends who are so impetuous. She even wants Mo Chen to spend more time with you.”
Qin Qian smiled but didn't say anything.
He wondered what the old lady would think if she knew that the composed young man in her eyes had once commanded thousands of troops in another world.
It was late at night when the movie ended.
Jiang Ling fell asleep, her head resting on his lap.
Qin Qian gently turned off the TV, picked up the sleeping child, and went back to his room.
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