Chapter 76 Drinking Snow (Sixteen) Yuan Zhan got to go, that's his...
In the seventh year of Shuode, early summer.
The rain in the capital is becoming more and more frequent. The trees, which have been shrouded in moisture for a long time, are filled with a fishy smell.
Until late April, when the rain subsided and the setting sun cast shadows on the eaves, Chang Yu's only son, Chang Jinchen, entered the room wearing wet leather boots, leaving behind a trail of footprints on the blue bricks.
"Mother," he said, bowing in greeting.
The child, who is only about seven years old, always tries to imitate his father's mannerisms, trying to act like a little adult. However, his mischievous nature is revealed in the details, and it is not difficult to see his true character.
Ling Xi was putting a stack of letters into a box when she heard the sound. She glanced at him, her gaze falling on the muddy marks, and smiled helplessly: "Chen'er is back."
"Father asked me to come and keep Mother company." After saying that, he walked over to Ling Xi's side. A servant brought him a stool, and he sat down with a straight back, looking at her pregnant belly with some curiosity.
"Will it be a younger brother or a younger sister?"
Ling Xi asked, "Does Chen'er prefer a younger brother or a younger sister?"
Chang Jinchen frowned and thought for a moment before decisively saying, "I like younger sisters. Ling Wu and Ling Qi both have younger sisters, and their sisters are very beautiful, like the white doves that my grandfather gave me..." They have round faces, big eyes, and are extremely cute.
Speaking of this, she added another possibility: "If it's a younger brother, that would be great too. When he grows up, he can protect Mother with me and Father."
Because they were often away from home, they didn't have many opportunities to meet. It was only in recent years, after the war ended, that the father and son gradually spent more time together.
Ling Xi laughed at his childish words and reached out to pat his head: "Whether it's a younger brother or a younger sister, your mother only hopes that you will take care of each other and be considerate of one another."
Chang Jinchen raised his lips and assured Ling Xi with certainty, "Mother, don't worry, I won't let anyone bully her."
Ling Xi smiled slightly, then remembered to ask, "Where's Xiao Wu? Wasn't he with you today?"
Mentioning Ling Wu, Chang Jinchen's handsome face paled slightly, and he pouted, "Grandfather was fishing outside the city, and Ling Wu and his third brother went there. I don't understand what's so fun about fishing; I'd rather go to the training ground with me to practice swordsmanship."
They had originally planned to visit the immortals at Xiaocang Mountain today, but Ling Wu broke his promise. He was unhappy, so he went outside to catch crickets by himself.
Ling Xi looked at his puffed-up cheeks and shook her head with a smile: "Xiao Wu doesn't like these things, so don't force him."
"What do you dislike?" Chang Jinchen raised his chin, his voice slightly raised, whether from anger or something else, "Ling Wu said he dislikes it because he's shorter than me and can't beat me."
Ling Xi just smiled and stopped trying to restrain him.
In June of the same year, Ling Xi gave birth to a daughter.
Overjoyed, Chang Yu stayed in Ling Xi's room that night. Chang Jinchen tried to disturb him several times, but he chased him away and spent the night embracing and talking with the mother and daughter.
He had already decided that if it was a daughter, her nickname would be Xiao Huan; if it was a son, he would call him Xiao Xi.
On the fifteenth of July, Xiao Yan turned one month old. The Chang family hosted a banquet and invited relatives and friends to come and celebrate their beloved daughter's coming of age.
Wei Jingfan and Ling Xi were the closest of acquaintances, and Chang Yu was also a close friend. Naturally, the Marquis's residence was among those invited to the baby's one-month celebration.
The weather was hot and dry at this time of year. Xu Yueqing trimmed the candle and returned to bed, her hair still in a bun. She glanced sideways at the man inside, who was resting his head on her arm, and said hesitantly, "Should we take Mingying and the others? The children are so young, they might be naughty..."
Wei Jingfan turned his chin toward her, saw her frowning, and then suddenly smiled, with a hint of melancholy.
“I don’t know about Mingying, but Yuanzhan has to go. That’s his destined marriage. Wouldn’t it be good for him to meet her sooner?”
It's too early to talk about marriage with a one-year-old child.
Xu Yueqing observed that although he had a dignified appearance, his words were incoherent, and her brows furrowed even more: "What nonsense are you talking about, Marquis? Madam Chang may not necessarily approve of Yuanzhan. It was just a joke. Don't take it too seriously, Marquis."
"How can you say it's a joke?" Wei Jingfan raised an eyebrow, then turned his face back, his tone quite arrogant.
“My son, Wei Xingjian, will surely be a man of outstanding talent and promising future. Zishen’s youngest daughter may very well fall in love with him.”
Who can say for sure what will happen more than a decade from now? Xu Yueqing thought it was absurd to get engaged at this time. Knowing that he had a very close relationship with Chang Yu and his wife, and that he was a long-time friend of the Ling family, she kept quiet and let him be.
On the day of the banquet at the Chang residence, the weather was fine, the garden was lush with flowers and trees, and lanterns were lit in celebration.
It was still daytime when Xu Yueqing saw Madam Chang and her son talking to someone across the street. They hadn't seen each other often, but Madam Chang's face was just as beautiful and serene as when they first met.
When she noticed the gazes directed at her, she smiled kindly at her with her bright and beautiful face. Xu Yueqing paused slightly, then bowed her head in respect.
As evening fell, the banquet began, and guests gathered, chatting and laughing.
The women were seated in a separate courtyard. Wei Yuanzhan, who was still young, was led by a servant and sat down with Xu Yueqing.
The young Chang was brought out by her wet nurse. She was just a tiny baby, wrapped in a swaddling cloth embroidered with auspicious patterns. Her fair face completely inherited her mother's appearance, and her eyes were like stars, yet they had an amber hue.
The crowd gathered around, and seeing the baby girl's beautiful appearance, they all praised and congratulated her. Several young women whispered to each other about the child's condition, mostly about her daily care.
Xu Yueqing watched from the side, and suddenly remembered that last night, the Marquis had told Yuanzhan to go see his destined match, and smiled softly.
Perhaps to fulfill her husband's wishes, she actually led Wei Yuanzhan up and said to him, "This is your little sister, Yuanzhan, call her sister."
As the southern breeze of late summer swept by, the wet nurse placed the little girl in a specially made armchair. Her baby clothes shifted slightly, revealing a fist shaped like a flower bud.
Wei Yuanzhan was only about the height of a table, just over a year old, and could only speak a few words. His voice was still very childish. He looked at the baby in the armchair and obediently opened his mouth: "Sister..."
Xiao Jun seemed to understand, her long eyelashes fluttering as her gaze remained fixed on Wei Yuanzhan's face.
This way of communicating without words was wonderful, perfectly natural. Wei Yuanzhan seemed encouraged by it, took two quick steps to approach her, and extended his hand.
Wei Yuanzhan was stunned when he saw Xiao Jun grab his index finger. He felt his index finger being surrounded by a warm force. She seemed to be trying to hold on tightly. Her light eyebrows furrowed slightly, innocent yet earnest.
Wei Yuanzhan couldn't pull it out.
The women all laughed when they saw this, and Ling Xi's best friend quietly teased, "It seems that Xiao Jun is just like you, liking handsome men."
Chang Jinchen had just heard the commotion and slipped away from his father. Seeing everyone's joyful scene, he felt very unhappy. He immediately ran to the armchair, pried the two people's hands apart, and muttered under his breath, "She is my sister."
After that, every day after school, Chang Jinchen would go to Ling Xi's yard without even changing his clothes and ask, "Where's Xiao Jun? Where is Xiao Jun?"
Seeing that bright and beautiful figure sitting under the tree, he smiled and said, "Mother, I'm back."
Ling Xi turned her gaze to Chang Jinchen, who was as disheveled as ever, seemingly off somewhere again: "Why aren't you changing your clothes?"
"I've come to see Xiaohun. Is she with Lady Qi?"
Ling Xi nodded.
Chang Jinchen strolled over and sat with her for a while, but the stone bench seemed to be burning hot, making it impossible to sit still. He stood up and bowed to her, saying, "Mother, I'll take my leave now."
Knowing that he was going to see Xiao Jun, Ling Xi gently instructed, "Change your clothes before you go."
Chang Jinchen was too busy to keep up and strode out.
Lady Qi was the wet nurse of the Chang family and lived in the southwest courtyard. When Chang Jinchen arrived, Lady Qi was holding Xiao Jun and pacing in the garden outside.
He bowed to Lady Qi, then approached to look at Xiao Jun, his eyes shining.
Soon, he sighed again and lowered his eyebrows.
Before Lady Qi could ask him what was wrong, he said, "Why isn't she grown up yet? I want to take her to catch butterflies."
The child spoke frankly, and Lady Qi smiled and said, "My little master, everyone grows up step by step, just like a seed. Our little girl has only just been planted, how can it be so fast?"
“Qi Niangzi is right, I was too hasty.” Chang Jinchen nodded, and after a short while, he sighed again, “But I really want her to play with me.”
He wanted to catch butterflies together, climb trees together, and fight... No, no, Xiaojun is a girl, and she's prone to getting hurt while practicing martial arts. He didn't want Xiaojun to get hurt.
His thoughts expanded and grew ever more expansive, until they stopped at a certain spot, when suddenly a voice sounded from behind him: "Chen'er."
Chang Jinchen turned his back, his eyes regaining their brilliance: "Father!"
As King Wu approached from the bottom of the stone steps, Chang Yu walked by. This young general had a refined appearance, but the long years on the battlefield had forged a hidden, sharp edge in him. His steps were steady, and Lady Qi curtsied, saying, "General."
Chang Yu picked up Xiao Jun and said, "You can go down now. Let's take a walk together, father and son."
The sunlight shone from the side, illuminating people. Often, one would glance down at the lively little shadow beside them, a faint smile playing on their lips. Before long, they would still ask, "Did you disrespect the teacher again at school today?"
Upon hearing this, Chang Jinchen paused slightly, his lightness freezing in an instant, and he refused to utter a sound.
Chang Yu also stopped, one hand stroking the jade pendant at his waist: "Do you know why I wear it on my body?"
Chang Jinchen looked up and saw that the jade pendant was shaped like a beast, with a coiled dragon pattern carved on its surface, and an ancient character that read "Encounter".
He thought for a moment and replied, "A gentleman wears jade to show his virtue. Father wears it to remind himself to be kind and gentle."
Chang Yu nodded slightly and told him, "A jade ring implies that when one is full, one will lack something. I want to remind myself not to be complacent and to always remain humble and vigilant."
Chang Jinchen paused for a moment, then said, "I understand." He pressed his head firmly, "Chen'er will remember Father's teachings."
Inside the room, Qing Si traced the jade pendant inch by inch. Su Du ran his thumb over the engraving, the hard texture pressing against his fingertip. He watched silently, a tearing pain shooting through his heart.
The past is like a broken dream, in which all the people are gone, leaving only him to eke out a living.
He will definitely avenge the Chang family.
But why is Father's jade pendant in Song Zhirou's hands?
Su Du was inclined to question her, but then he thought that this woman was as cunning as a fox, and he wondered if he could believe what she said. He frowned, put away the jade pendant, and pondered for a long time.
As he stepped out of the room, a soldier suddenly reported, "General, the man seems to have fainted."
Su Du looked suspicious: "Where's the army doctor? Did he see her?"
The soldier pursed his lips slightly, not looking directly at him: "The army doctor doesn't want to go." Everyone would rather see this Han Chinese lad die on his own.
But Su had her own selfish motives; she couldn't die yet.
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