If we meet again when the flowers are in full bloom and the moon is full, it will surely be...
The spring rain in March fell in a steady drizzle.
Inside the Luo residence, Qin Weixi had just finished breakfast with Old Madam Luo when a funeral bell, sounding from the direction of the palace, suddenly pierced the sky and resounded throughout the capital.
Luo Lingben was on leave at home today. Upon hearing this, he, along with Old Madam Luo and Xiao's maternal grandfather and others, came out of the house one after another.
Qin Weixi turned deathly pale in an instant and looked at Luo Ling, who was walking up to her. Luo Ling stood in the courtyard with a solemn expression, looking up at the direction of the palace, and slowly said, "Little sister, it must be that Grandmother Zhao has passed away. Your brother must go to the palace immediately."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Luo behind her suddenly felt dizzy, her dragon-headed cane fell to the ground with a thud, and she leaned backward.
Inside the Wan Chong Gate, the palace servants of Cining Palace were all kneeling, each one bowing their heads and weeping bitterly. Qin Weixi, having been summoned by Jiang Yuanjun and accompanied Luo Ling, rushed to Cining Palace and witnessed this scene.
Ding Wei stepped forward, his face pale and his eyes dark, clearly having not slept all night.
“Miss Qin, Lord Luo, Her Majesty just passed by at dawn this morning.”
Qin Weixi's lips trembled as she said, "Yesterday..."
Just yesterday, she had dined with Grandmother Zhao at Cining Palace. They chatted and laughed about her brother's child, Jiu Bao, and she also mentioned that her grandson, Ye Ning, had done a very good job.
Ding Wei continued, "Last night, when you left Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was fine, but she was plagued by nightmares in the latter half of the night. His Majesty immediately summoned the imperial physicians to treat her, but the Empress Dowager remained unconscious and kept invoking the name of the founding emperor. Later, the imperial physicians administered acupuncture, and His Majesty personally fed the Empress Dowager medicine before she finally settled down and rested."
"Just before dawn, a commotion suddenly broke out in the palace. When I went in to see what was happening, I found the palace maids on night watch kneeling on the ground. The Empress Dowager had somehow changed into ordinary civilian clothes and was holding a hibiscus hairpin..."
After saying this, Ding Wei seemed to remember something and took out a letter from his pocket, handing it to Qin Weixi. He said, "Miss Qin, this was written by the Empress Dowager seven days ago. She asked me to give it to you at a suitable time. I was wondering when that would be the right time, but now I think the Empress Dowager knows that she is about to..." Ding Wei suddenly burst into tears and covered his eyes with his sleeve.
The Empress Dowager's funeral was a great loss, and the entire nation mourned. Ministers visiting the palace all wore mourning clothes and wept before the coffin for many days, until four days later when they were finally received by the court officials with three kneelings and nine prostrations. In the common people, sacrifices, weddings, and theatrical performances and celebrations were immediately suspended for one hundred days.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Qin Weixi's childhood was spent under the care of the Empress Dowager. Every one of the Eight Sworn Brothers of the Peach Garden Oath in the capital had received the Empress Dowager's love and concern.
However, as the daughter of the former Duke of Dingguo, a high-ranking official, she did not have the same right as other court officials who held official positions and were entitled to perform the three kneelings and nine prostrations. She also did not have the opportunity to attend the funeral of the Empress Dowager. But given this opportunity in her childhood, the current emperor would surely make an exception for her because of the sibling bond they had formed since childhood.
But one night, after returning home, Luo Ling spoke to her earnestly: "Little sister, today my brother had a private conversation with A-Jun. Grandmother Zhao had given him some instructions a few days ago, saying that when she passes away, none of us should be allowed to attend her funeral."
“Ah Jun said this was Grandma Zhao’s only last wish.”
After the brother and sister entered the palace that day, Qin Weixi did not leave the palace and return home until dawn the next day. In the past two days, due to the sudden news of the Empress Dowager's passing, Old Madam Luo was seriously ill and took care of her without taking off her clothes, so she had no free time.
It wasn't until Luo Ling returned home that evening that she remembered the letter Ding Wei had given her.
Only one candle was lit inside Tingyuxuan, its flickering light casting the image of a figure who had suddenly become thinner in just a few days onto the wall.
She sat down at her desk and took out the letter with a faint medicinal scent from the box.
Those she cherished all left her over the years.
Thinking of this, she suddenly remembered that figure covered in armor and holding a spear, and her heart tightened.
Then she took out the page of paper, with black ink on white paper. Even though Grandma Zhao was on her sickbed, she could still write beautiful characters that were strong enough to penetrate the paper.
She opened the book.
Xi'er, don't attend the funeral, don't shed tears for me. Fucheng has now seen her husband Zhongting and a few old friends. In this life, Fucheng and Zhongting owe the Qin family and Peizhen so much. If it weren't for Peizhen's actions, I would have long been separated from my husband Zhongting by death. Zhongting reigned for twenty-six years, and those twenty-six years were stolen by Fucheng.
I have failed to be a good mother in my life, nor have I properly raised my granddaughter, which has caused her to gradually lose her true self. This is my fault.
I am too ashamed to face my old friends in Fucheng. But in these decades, I have also gained eight clever and adorable grandchildren, and I have no regrets in this life.
Xi'er, on the day of my passing, I will certainly observe the national mourning rites. But do not attend my funeral, nor follow these rituals and regulations. With the blessings of all our loved ones, you and Ye Ning will finally be united in marriage. I will see Zhongting again in your shared world.
A single tear quietly fell onto the paper, mingling with the ink.
Qin Weixi quickly got up and took the hexagonal food box that Pu Niang had wiped clean with a handkerchief from the display case behind him, and then quickly opened it.
This food box was given to her by the kind-looking old man who asked Baozhu to give it to her when she left Xiaguang Peak.
Chestnut cake will spoil over time, but a box full of crystal-clear, spherical ice beads will never spoil.
Qin Weixi scooped up several ice beads in her palm, and unexpectedly, tears fell one after another into the box.
She immediately took a handkerchief and carefully wiped each of the ice beads in the box. But inadvertently, her fingertips touched something different from the smooth ice beads.
Qin Weixi was taken aback. Then she reached into the box and searched further.
She carefully held it in her palm, her face already blurred with tears.
Those are the earrings. One is set in gold, and the other is a tourmaline earring without gold. They also symbolize a woman's complete life from girlhood to womanhood.
But on that spring day, when she first returned to the capital, at Liang Lang's coming-of-age ceremony, she witnessed firsthand the dazzling halo hanging on Liang Xi's ear, and later, at Zhen Hui's birthday banquet, the earrings were also thrown into the Jinshui River.
No, it wasn't that Grandmother Zhao later sent palace servants to retrieve it. The food box had been placed on the display shelf behind her when she returned to the capital in the spring.
Qin Weixi trembled all over, clutching the tourmaline earrings tightly in her palm, sobbing softly in the warm candlelight.
Spring rains lasted for three days, and the capital city was clear after the rains, but the mother of the nation, who was once beloved by the people of the Great Xia, had left this land forever.
Mu Tong would take Qin Weixi to the ancient pavilion on the outskirts of Beijing every day to wait for the triumphant return of the "young" general who had left with the wish she had made on that spring day eleven years ago by the lake.
As the rainy season arrived in the capital, with incessant spring rain, Qin Weixi found himself trapped in a nightmare, just as he had been on his first day back in the capital.
In the darkness, she stood under the grapevine in the courtyard, holding a lantern. It was supposed to be a drizzly night, but the moon was bright in the sky, and the spring scenery was alluring.
Her father and mother, who had long since passed away, sat on the stone bench under the grape vine, their backs to her, gazing up at the moon. Just as she was about to take the lantern and peer closer, a figure in a bluish-green hue suddenly flashed before her.
Under the moonlight, the young man was as graceful as an orchid and as handsome as a bright moon.
"Little sister, come and eat some grapes. Mother peeled some grapes for us."
It's my older brother!
She immediately called out, while her brother, Shuoguang, simply stood under the grapevine, smiling and waving at her.
Just as she was about to walk away, a small figure jumped into her arms. When she looked up, she saw the lovely Luo Jia Xiaoxing.
"Sister—" Luo Jia Xiaoxing smiled sweetly at her.
She tried to examine the scene more closely by the light of the night and the lamp in her hand, but suddenly everything before her eyes was a vast expanse of white, unlike either the human world or the road to the underworld. Instead, it seemed to be the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Several figures slowly walked past her; they were her closest relatives.
Pu Niang was no longer dressed in blood-stained clothes. She was now waving a silk fan she had bought for the New Year, as if she were in the Jiangnan region with apricot blossoms and spring rain, where the fragrance of flowers and trees was strong, and a gentle breeze was blowing on her.
Her father, standing beside her, smiled and said, “My daughter, I am so pleased. My dear daughter has grown up now. But I have only had eight years of father-daughter relationship with you. For the first thirty years of my life, I have only been a good husband, not a good father. I have left you to shoulder this heavy responsibility alone for the rest of your life.”
"The wine that brat sent... well, I received it." Her father still had the same handsome face she had when she left the capital for Jiangnan. He seemed to ponder for a moment, then lowered his eyes and smiled, "I'll accept him as my son-in-law."
She smiled gently, her eyes crinkling with tears. Her mother simply stroked her thick, black hair with utmost tenderness.
"My son has found a good match, and I have no regrets."
At this time, her grandparents, who had passed away many years ago, came from afar and said to her kindly, "My dear granddaughter, you did very well."
The thick white fog seemed to be gradually dissipating, but at this moment, the figures she had seen in her dream were also gradually becoming blurred. She tried to embrace the figures she had longed for day and night in that light and shadow, but she found nothing.
When I looked up, I was met with a handsome face with a smile as bright as the moon.
"Brother—" she called out again.
Her brother, Shuoguang, gently patted her head and said, "Little sister, I am content to have been your brother in this life."
Chaos recedes, the great dream awakens, and the sky is already bright with light.
Tears soaked the pillow, flowing over the pair of luminous pearls she had been holding in her palms without her noticing.
Feng Hua heard the noise from the inner room and pushed the door open. She saw that the undergarment she wore when she went to bed was already soaked, so she quickly prepared hot water for her to take a bath.
"The rain has stopped today, why is Miss having nightmares again?"
“No, this is not a nightmare,” Qin Weixi said.
After bathing and washing, she sat in front of the bronze mirror with her hair still wet, without letting Feng Hua serve her. She simply took a handkerchief to wipe herself, when suddenly a figure appeared in the gleaming bronze mirror, clad in armor, who instantly took the handkerchief from her hand and gently wiped her face.
"Chu Yening!"
Qin Weixi suddenly turned around.
"Fourth Brother! When did you get back?" she called out again, then looked him over from head to toe.
It remained exactly as it was when it left, completely unharmed and unscathed.
Qin Weixi immediately pounced on him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and then left a kiss on his lips.
Chu Yening chuckled softly and said in a low voice, "Dirty."
"I was rushing back and hadn't taken a shower in a long time."
But the girl in his arms said, "Chu Yening, I like her. Then let's get dirty together." He then looked intently at her, "Have you been to the palace first? Fifth Brother has been very worried about you these past few days. And..."
She meant to refer to Grandmother Zhao.
Chu Yening smiled again upon hearing this: "I know. Fourth Brother knows too."
He turned to look at the clear sky outside the window, then suddenly reached out and scooped her up in his arms: "The rain has stopped. Let's go to our Taoranju restaurant. I'll let you kiss me as much as you want when we get there..."
*
In a quiet little village, a magnificent carriage with a lantern bearing the character "Chu" slowly came to a stop. A handsome young man in black robes stepped out. After landing, he quickly turned around, his starry eyes filled with tenderness as he looked at the girl who peeked out from the carriage, and then took her hand in his.
Before long, the two walked together toward a quaint wooden house hidden behind lush trees.
After returning from suppressing the bandits, the Marquis of Jingning went to the palace but did not receive any reward from the new emperor before disappearing without a trace. Soon, court officials who had been watching the spectacle saw the Marquis of Jingning's residence, along with the Luo family and the Qin family, heading to Anning Town on the outskirts of the capital.
Some people said, "Why does the Marquis of Jingning leave his huge mansion at night and go to that desolate village? He has to go in and out to attend the morning court and handle official business. Doesn't he find it troublesome? How strange!"
The Minister of Revenue leaned forward and smiled, saying, "Do what he wants to do."
Due to the death of the Empress Dowager, the two pillars of the Luo family, the old lady and the old master of the Xiao family, consulted the opinions of their two children and then chose to hold a simple wedding ceremony in this village.
After the happy ending, everyone gathered together for a simple meal. Then, the Luo family and Xiao's maternal grandfather set off for their home. After the meal, they embarked on their journey back to Jiangnan.
Two children who had watched each other grow up had come together after losing their parents at a young age, and it had been a long ten years. So everyone followed their wishes and got rid of all the formalities.
Bi Tan and Xia Zhi originally intended to return to their small mountain village in Jiangnan with the Luo and Xiao families. Qin Weixi gave Xia Zhi and Bi Tan the ten 1,000-tael silver notes that her mother had given her, which she had placed in the wooden box at the Qin family's old house that day.
Bi Tan Xia Zhi, however, refused to accept it no matter what. Qin Wei Xi looked at Xia Zhi, who was now a married woman, with a look of relief but also reluctance: "Mu Tong Zi is by my side now, and I still have the chance to give them to you again. But after this parting, we don't know when we will meet again. Xia Zhi, we were master and servant, but we are also sisters. You must accept my blessing for you."
But for some reason, the young couple ultimately chose to stay at the Marquis's residence.
Xia Zhi later said to her with red eyes, "Now that Feng Hua is in the Duke's mansion, where else can Bi Tan and I go? Miss, there is no one left to serve you."
Qin Weixi said, "Why should I serve you? You just need to go back to Jiangnan with Bitan."
Xia Zhi firmly replied, "Everyone is here; this is Xia Zhi's home."
As for Mu Tong and Zi Jin, Qin Weixi's original intention was for them to live the simple life they wanted, or travel the world together, without having to stay in the capital. He also gave them all the profits from the teahouses and taverns that Zi Jin had brought back during his search for Lu Yu.
However, the two insisted on staying at the Marquis's residence to protect her. Qin Weixi looked at Mu Tong's resolute eyes and asked him if they had chosen an auspicious day. Zi Jin blushed upon hearing this and said, "We must wait until after Miss. We haven't decided yet."
*
Dusk.
The three prominent families of Chu, Qin, and Luo, along with Xu, Lin, Zhou, Quan, Kang, Xiao, and others, and their entourage from the three mansions, all looked towards the dazzling light and color, at the pair of beautiful women dressed in bright red brocade robes and wedding gowns.
A golden phoenix crown, crimson brocade, red lips, and head adorned with pearls and jade.
This was a wedding dress that he specially commissioned from skilled embroiderers and weavers in Suzhou to make for her.
The girl who once wore a silk robe, with bright eyes and white teeth, and asked him to stand up for her in the palace walls under the setting sun, is now standing in front of her.
A promise made in youth, burning with pure passion.
"Fourth Brother, if I get married in the future, you must support me!"
He looked at the little girl with almond-shaped face and peach-like cheeks, and agreed without hesitation: "Okay!"
Who else could I marry but him? Of course, I'll marry him!
The sky was painted with a brilliant orange-yellow hue, and wild geese flew high.
Witnessed by all his "family" who were closer than relatives, Chu Yening remained steadfast in his promise, just as he had kept it that day.
"Today, with heaven and earth as witness, Chu Shi Ye Ningcheng marries Qin Shi Weixi, and they will be husband and wife, their black hair turned to snow, and they will stay together for this lifetime."
The crimson wedding dress appeared even more vibrant and fiery in the afterglow of the setting sun. Qin Weixi looked at the red-clad "young man" before her, and suddenly smiled: "Only you, my love will never waver in this life."
The moon hangs high in the sky at night.
The elders had all returned to their residences in the city, and the entourage had also gone back to their own homes, leaving only the few who had been childhood sweethearts and often played together. At dusk, the new emperor was unable to attend the ceremony due to important matters at court, but he sent Cui Lu with many palace lanterns and congratulatory gifts symbolizing happiness and good fortune, and ordered many gift boxes to be presented.
As dusk fell and the setting sun cast a blood-red glow, the palace lanterns painted with twin blooming flowers stretched from the small courtyard all the way to the stream in front of the little wooden house.
But in this moment, in their own little world, Jiang Yuanjun will definitely come.
There was no food or fruit; all that was in front of them were cups of sake.
Tao Qingyun, unusually, shed her perpetually unchanging blue robe and donned a rose-colored long gown that she rarely wore. Adorned with a striking jeweled headband, she laughed heartily, clamoring to see the newlyweds drink the nuptial wine again.
Chu Yening made a move to kick his butt, but Tao Qingyun had anticipated this and jumped up from the stone bench: "Groom, don't be violent!"
The group laughed heartily. Zhu Ruo looked at the handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth from back then, now a dashing figure. She also remembered how he would always come to visit her in the nunnery over the years, and her heart was touched.
Just as he was about to speak, Jiu Bao, who was beside him, asked, "Uncle Tao, now that you've had your drink, where are you going?"
Tao Qingyun was stunned for a moment, then, facing the gazes of everyone, she scoffed, "What do you mean, where are we going?"
Jiu Bao opened her bright eyes, stood up, tiptoed, put her hands on her hips and said, "I heard you whispering to Fa Cai today."
Tao Qingyun downed the sake in her hand in one gulp and muttered, "I don't know."
The others continued to stare at him intently, and then Qin Weixi smiled at him, her eyes crinkling, and said, "Third Brother, we all know. Go, go where you want to go, and see the vast landscapes you desire."
Tao Qingyun suddenly lowered her eyes, then quickly glared at the people in front of the stone table one by one. Finally, she stood up and flicked Jiu Bao on the head: "You brat, I originally wanted to sneak away. I'm too old to bear seeing farewells, and I can't bear to see you all reluctant to part with me."
Chu Yening glanced at him briefly and poured him another cup of sake: "Who can't bear to part with you?"
Tao Qingyun chuckled upon hearing this: "That's right, you old fox."
Then he looked at everyone and said, "Now that things are settled, I'm thinking of going out for a walk, to see the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, to see what the sky is like outside the capital. As for the old man, I'll leave Facai at home."
Many people never asked how long this talk of going out to see the world would actually take, but they already knew that this young man from the Tao family, who once longed to see the world, would definitely return to their side after seeing all the landscapes of the world, and return to the land where they grew up together in their youth.
The group felt a pang of reluctance, but none of them expressed it openly. Qin Weixi, recalling something the Empress Dowager had mentioned to her before her death, suddenly asked Zhao Shuhan, "Shuhan. Oh, no, sister-in-law, are you going into business? I heard you've already bought a shop on Gulou Street? Is it a clothing store?"
Zhao Shuhan blushed upon hearing this: "Luo Luo..."
Qin Weixi immediately said, "Sister-in-law, don't call her Luo Luo."
Zhao Shu smiled and asked, "Then why did Ye Ning call out to you?"
Upon hearing this, the group burst into laughter again.
Then Zhao Shuhan said, "It's a clothing store." She then looked at Luo Ling, who was also looking at her, with a smile, "Now that A-Ling is in the cabinet, I was afraid of involving A-Ling..."
Luo Ling replied, "You just do what you like, and I'll take care of the rest of the troublesome things. Besides, Grandmother Zhao has already given instructions beforehand."
After hearing this, Qin Weixi went back to her room and retrieved a small, locked wooden box. It contained her salary from Luo Ling during her year at the Luo family, after deducting household expenses.
She smiled and said, "Then I'll take one share, just one. I trust Xiaoshu."
Zhao Shuhan looked at the wooden box in surprise for a moment, but she refused to accept it no matter what.
Luo Ling recognized the wooden box she was holding. He smiled helplessly and said, "Little sister, haven't I said that an elder brother is like a father? I am your elder brother. What's given to you is given to you."
Looking at her elder brother, who always had a gentle smile on his lips and spoke in a soft, gentle tone, Qin Weixi said, "I know. Brother, it's just that I want to do something for you."
Luo Ling accepted the gift without hesitation, but said, "Then I will return it to you double by the end of the year."
Everyone smiled as they looked at Qin Weixi, who stood there in astonishment.
The group gazed at the bright moon overhead, drinking cup after cup of clear wine until dawn, when they finally prepared to go their separate ways. Jiang Yuanjun, having not returned home all night, was unable to resist the insistence of the stubborn old men in the court that he return to the palace before daybreak.
The remaining people stayed in the wooden house that night. Jiang Yuanjun also intended to come and leave quietly. Unexpectedly, when he stepped out of the house, he found a pair of people in the courtyard holding a lantern, as if they were waiting for him.
He slowly walked forward.
Qin Weixi's black hair was half-loose over her shoulders, and she was still dressed in the same clothes as before her wedding. She wore a bright red cloak and carried a lantern in her hand. The lantern shimmered, and her features were as beautiful as a painting.
Jiang Yuanjun looked at the two of them and smiled gently: "Ye Ning, Seventh Sister, why haven't you rested?"
Qin Weixi said softly, "I've come to see Fifth Brother off. After today, I think it will be difficult for Fifth Brother to leave the palace."
A monarch stands between heaven and earth, in the supreme position, yet there are too many things he cannot do, and he is as lonely as a shadow.
Jiang Yuanjun nodded: "Okay."
At this moment, Chu Yening suddenly spoke up: "I wonder where Zhoufeng has gone. I'll go and take a look elsewhere."
It seemed as if a small space was being reserved for the two of them for a brief period of time.
Jiang Yuanjun watched Chu Yening's departing figure, shook her head and chuckled, then turned to look at the girl in front of her: "Seventh Sister, seeing you happy, Fifth Brother will be happy before you. Fifth Brother will hold onto that position, wholeheartedly serving the people and all living beings, watching them live in peace and happiness."
Just as he said back then, only by protecting the Eastern Palace could he protect everyone he wanted to protect.
And you are one of them.
Jiang Yuanjun continued, "Grandmother originally intended to prepare 137 loads of dowry for you, but after thinking it over, she decided to turn it into cash instead. She was planning to have Cui Lu leave the palace to give it to you later, but since Fifth Brother is here today, she thought it would be better to give it to you personally. Including Fifth Brother's, it will be exactly 300,000 taels."
Qin Weixi said decisively, "Fifth Brother, the last thing I lack right now is money. I know that Grandmother Zhao wants the young lady to have money to rely on." She couldn't help but joke, "But I have food and clothing now, and I have several brothers to support me. I don't lack anything right now, so Fifth Brother can keep it for me for now."
In the quiet house, Tao Qingyun and Luo Ling walked out one after the other.
Qin Weixi turned around and asked, "Brother, Third Brother, did I disturb you?"
Tao Qingyun yawned and shook her head repeatedly: "No, I can't sleep because I have something on my mind."
He walked to the two of them, patted Jiang Yuanjun on the shoulder, and said heavily, "Today we are seeing the old blockhead, not the current emperor. Seventh sister, just take this as the old blockhead's last indulgence."
Luo Lingxiao: "Why must it be such a life-or-death separation?"
Chu Yening also returned to the courtyard at this time.
Tao Qingyun looked up at the gray sky and laughed, "It's almost dawn, I need to pack my things and set off." As he spoke, he looked at the newlyweds, who were happily married, and said, "I hope that when I come back, I will see your... little bean sprout. Hmm, if it's a girl, I'll search for countless beautiful dresses for her to wear. If it's a boy, your third brother will take him on his travels."
Luo Ling said from the side, "No."
Tao Qingyun was stunned: "Why not?"
"As your elder brother, I must teach you carefully."
Tao Qingyun did not object after hearing this, but said, "Alright, then we'll have our uncles come one by one."
Qin Weixi suddenly said, "It's still Uncle."
Tao Qingyun frowned upon hearing this, but fearing she might wake the person who was still fast asleep, she said softly, "Hey, you're already siding with outsiders right after getting married? Is that it?" She made a move to flick the other woman's head.
Qin Weixi, giggling as she ran, lifted the hem of her bright red skirt, and then hid behind Chu Yening.
As dawn broke and another spring day arrived before their departure, neither of them said goodbye nor said they would never see each other again. However, they both understood each other implicitly that if one of them were in trouble, they would go through fire and water and cross mountains and seas to come to him.
Everyone wanted to see off the carefree and elegant Hermit Hanqing as he was about to depart.
Qin Weixi was no longer laughing as happily as she had yesterday; she was now crying her eyes out.
"...Third Brother, it's getting cold, so wear more clothes. Don't skimp on your food and drink. When you're out and about, remember to find a comfortable inn to stay in. If you miss us, send us a message. If you get tired, remember to come home."
Tao Qingyun's eyes were red and tears were also falling. He secretly wiped them away, saying, "I know, I know. Why are you becoming more and more like A-Ling? If you keep doing this, I won't be able to leave." As he spoke, he stretched out a fingertip to wipe away the girl's tears.
"What are you crying for, Third Brother's mountain king?"
Qin Weixi suddenly burst into laughter through his tears.
Tao Qingyun turned to Luo Ling and patted him on the shoulder as she had done this morning when she saw Jiang Yuanjun off: "Ah Ling! Take care. I can't be there for your and Xiao Shu's auspicious day, but please consider me as if I'm here."
Then he looked at Chu Yening, who was standing silently to the side: "Third Brother with a sharp tongue, Fifth Brother with an inkstone, oh, Fourth Brother with a fox, I think you and Old Wood are more like a bickering couple, right? And... don't miss me too much."
"As for that lonely ruler, I can enjoy myself in the world he governs without worry."
"I'm not saying anything more, I'm leaving."
Qin Weixi suddenly called out to him and took a sword from Chu Yening's hand and handed it to him.
All the people could see was that the sword, illuminated by the faint morning light, had the words "Shuoguang" (meaning "shining light") engraved on its hilt.
She smiled and said, "A precious sword is given to a hero, and Third Brother is the best hero in my heart. I give this sword to Third Brother today, hoping that it will protect him as he travels in the world, and that he will not be lonely on this journey."
Chu Yening also said at this moment, "Thank you."
Upon seeing this, Tao Qingyun suddenly jumped up, then took the sword, feigning surprise and raising her eyebrows, saying, "You flatter me, you flatter me!"
Then she took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to Qin Weixi: "Hey, Little Seventh Sister, I also have something for you. I almost forgot."
The two people in the wooden house watched the remaining people leave together before Qin Weixi opened the letter, which was written by Zhenhui.
Seventh Sister, I'm so sorry, I've lost one of the most precious things in the world.
Qin Weixi carefully put away the papers, looked up at the man who had been by her side the whole time and was staring intently at her, and said, "Fourth Brother, what are we having for dinner tonight? Hmm, I really want to eat mutton dumplings."
Chu Yening chuckled softly, then swept her up in his arms and whispered in her ear, "Why are you eating mutton dumplings?"
He then carried the girl he loved in his arms and hurriedly walked towards the wooden house.
The rising sun pierced through the clouds, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the quiet village, accompanied by the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs. A sudden gust of wind rushed in from afar, closely following behind the two men.
Chu Yening rushed into the house without looking up, saying, "Go, go, go find your wife..."
Spring is long and the yellow sand is endless. The young people have seen many things, and they all understand each other without saying it. If they meet again, it will be on a beautiful night with flowers in full bloom and a full moon, a time of reunion.
End of article
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Author's note: This concludes the article.
There will be another bonus chapter later today or tomorrow, because I feel this is the best ending for them. Third Brother Qingyun can travel far and wide, fulfilling the dreams he didn't have in his youth. Qin Weixi and the young man from the Chu family have finally found their happy ending, growing old together, having redeemed each other and deeply loving one another. Jiang Yuanjun has also protected everyone he wanted to protect. As for Afu, her elder brother's romantic affairs, their daily life as a married couple, and the eight children's childhood stories, those will be discussed in the next bonus chapter. There will also be a bonus chapter in a week. Thank you all for subscribing. Although the serialization data is dismal, I'm still very happy every day. Thank you everyone.
The book was originally intended to be called "Fine Clothes," because each of them was once a dashing and spirited young man, but we changed it because we realized there would be duplicate names. Then, just before the book was being signed, a sudden inspiration struck me: since the story begins and ends with snow, let's call it "Snow in the Capital."
If you enjoy childhood sweetheart stories, and especially if you like the carefree and irreverent male lead, you can check out "A Cherry Blossom in My Heart." But I'm going to spoil too much! Hehe.
The sun will rise every day, and the stars will hang high in the night sky. In these gentle, flowing moments, I will slowly weave my story into words. Today is the Minor Snow solar term. May you all find your soulmates and dearest friends along the long road of life, enjoying beautiful moments and laughter over drinks. May you have much joy, peace, and happiness every day!
The next story, "Her Girlname is Jiang Baolai," is expected to be published in mid-next month. Just between you and me, there's a reason why the female lead is so spoiled! I'll be releasing three chapters initially, and I'll continue updating daily. If you like the synopsis, please add it to your favorites. Thank you! I will continue to work hard to write every story well.
Finally, I want to thank the friend who tipped me when I first started writing on Jinjiang Literature City. Thank you for following my updates all the way, and thank you for subscribing to all chapters on the day it went VIP. Even though I had already read the first 100 chapters, I still subscribed. At that time, I thought it would definitely fail after going VIP. Thank you for being a ray of light for me from the height of summer to the depths of winter.
I also want to thank all the readers who followed the story to its conclusion, subscribed, bought all copies, and donated during the serialization. Thank you all sincerely for letting me know I wasn't writing alone. Finally, thank you again for reading my ramblings. [Rose][Heart]
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