Chapter 28: Luo Gulan throws a tantrum and tries to stop Brother Yi from setting up a love trap
After completing military affairs in Anyang, Luo Guyun was about to depart for Nanjing. That day, he was conferring with Yishui and the soldiers at the guard camp next to Luo's mansion. Qionghua came running over, panting, and before she could even stand still, she shouted, "Young Master... hurry... hurry back to the mansion! The young lady is back!" Startled, Luo Guyun jumped from his seat. "Speak... speak slowly. Which young lady?" Qionghua gathered herself and said, "A lady just arrived. She said her name is Luo Gulan, and she's the young master's biological sister!" Yishui also stood up. The two exchanged glances, and without further ado, they rushed back to the mansion together.
Standing in the courtyard was a beautiful young woman, about thirty years old, wearing a Western dress and with an elegant temperament. She looked somewhat similar to Luo Guyun in her eyebrows.
Luo Guyun stood at the door, looking at the people in the yard in disbelief. The woman also stared at the handsome young man in front of her, tears welling up in her eyes, and called out in a trembling voice, "Brother Yun!" Luo Guyun came to her senses, ran over and hugged Luo Gulan tightly, choking with sobs, "Sister... I didn't expect you to be alive..."
Luo Qifeng and his wife, Mrs. Li, had a son and a daughter. Their daughter, Luo Gulan, was four years older than Luo Guoyun, and the two had a very close relationship. At the age of seventeen, she married Feng Shijie, the only son of the Feng family, the richest family in Guangdong. Luo Gulan, like her mother, Mrs. Li, was beautiful, gentle, and well-mannered. As the only daughter of Commander-in-Chief Luo, she was deeply respected and loved by her husband's family. However, after many years of marriage, they had no children. Finally, at the age of twenty-two, she became pregnant. Mrs. Li felt sorry for her daughter and asked Luo Gulan, who was five months pregnant at the time, to return home for the Mid-Autumn Festival to reunite with her family and stay for a while to recuperate. However, the Luo family mutinied, and more than twenty members of the family were shot to death or burned to death.
"Sister...how did you escape that disaster? Where have you been these years? Why did you come back just now? Why didn't you contact your brother?" After taking a breath, Luo Guyun grabbed his sister's shoulders and asked repeatedly.
Yi Shui grew up in the Luo Mansion and had a deep relationship with Luo Gulan. He was also very excited at this moment. He stepped forward and said, "It's good that Big Sister is back. Let's not just stand there. Let's go inside and sit down and talk."
When Luo Gulan returned home to visit her family, she encountered a mutiny at the Luo residence and, in the chaos, was shot in the abdomen and collapsed. Yang Rui, a trusted subordinate of Yang Laosi, had previously accompanied Yang Laosi to the Luo residence for meetings and had been struck by her beauty. Unfortunately, due to his lowly status, he could not even dream of her, and could only secretly admire her. Later, Luo Gulan married and returned home only once or twice a year. Each time, Yang Rui would find an excuse to visit the Luo residence, and even a glimpse of her from afar was a source of satisfaction. Seeing Luo Gulan lying unconscious after being shot, Yang Rui seized the opportunity and took her to a secluded spot in the backyard. He then evacuated her before Yang Laosi could set fire to the Luo residence, secretly transporting her to her rural hometown outside Anyang. Due to a shortage of medical care in the countryside, she survived, but the unborn child was miscarried. She spent the better part of six months nursing before she could barely walk. Yang Laosi, searching for the fleeing Luo Guyun, believed Luo Gulan had perished in the fire, and relaxed his vigilance in Anyang City. Yang Rui, also deeply devoted, devotedly cared for Luo Gulan, never harboring the slightest desire to intrude. Seeing that the situation had subsided and Luo Gulan's injuries had fully healed, he scraped together some money and helped her return to her husband's home in Guangdong.
Luo Gulan's husband, the Feng family, was a prominent family in Guangdong. Naturally, they had long known about the murder of Commander Luo's entire family. They had assumed Luo Gulan had long since passed away. Unexpectedly, nearly a year later, their daughter-in-law had returned. Wealthy families place great importance on reputation, and with the Luo family now in decline, her in-laws were somewhat lukewarm towards her. Fortunately, her husband, Feng Shijie, remembered their past friendship and treated her well, allowing her to manage for two years.
A gunshot wound to the abdomen rendered Luo Gulan completely infertile. Feng Shijie, the only son in the family, was met with cynicism from his parents-in-law, who urged their son to take a concubine to continue the Feng family line. Unable to resist, Feng Shijie took three concubines, who subsequently bore him two sons and a daughter. Luo Gulan, a proud and proud woman, found this life intolerable. Disheartened, she journeyed to Southeast Asia five years ago, residing alone on the Feng family's rubber plantation in Malaysia. She lived in seclusion for several years, oblivious to the outside world. It wasn't until this past Spring Festival that a personal servant returned to China with a letter informing her that Luo Guyun had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest and Northwest Defense Forces, a position of immense power and prestige across mainland China, surpassing even Luo Qifeng's former prestige. Upon learning her brother was still alive, Luo Gulan quickly packed her belongings and returned home. She first took a ship to Guangzhou Port and then hurried to Anyang, arriving at the Luo residence just before Luo Guyun departed for Nanjing.
The three siblings sat down in the main hall and recounted their separation. Yi Shui said bitterly, "The Feng family has gone too far. My eldest sister has suffered so much injustice. I must make them pay double!" Luo Guyun sneered, "No wonder the Feng family has been so evasive all these years. They didn't even take the initiative to announce that my sister was still alive! It's been so long since we've been reunited. This account must be settled!"
Luo Gulan gazed at the newly renovated, magnificent Luo Mansion, overwhelmed with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "If my parents were still alive, they would surely rest in peace watching you three brothers build this legacy together! ... I have no other wishes. I've returned home this time, firstly to reunite with my brothers, and secondly to find my benefactor, Yang Rui, to repay his kindness in helping me in times of trouble."
Yi Shui said, "Such a kind and righteous person should be rewarded. However, when Yang Lao Si was defeated, most of his men died or fled. I don't know if Yang Rui is still alive. Don't worry, big sister. I will give orders to send more people to investigate thoroughly. As long as he is still alive, we will definitely find him. I will let you know as soon as I have any news."
Luo Guyun said, "Sis, now that you're home, there's still a long time to go. We can slowly consider other matters. Tomorrow, we'll go to our parents' graves to pay our respects. In two days, I'll go to the central government with my brother. We also have mansions in Shanghai and Nanjing, and they're both your homes. Don't worry, from now on, no one will dare to bully you. As for Feng Shijie, I'll write a letter and have him announce the divorce in the newspaper to prevent you from being burdened by this marriage in name only. Then, we'll drive the Feng family out of Guangdong, uprooting them completely so they won't have a single place to stand."
Luo Gulan sighed, "Brother, please don't be like this. Feng Shijie treated me well before, but he changed his mind and betrayed me because I can't have children..." Luo Guyun said angrily, "Just because you can't have children, you can ignore the relationship between husband and wife and find a new lover? Are women just machines for giving birth?" Seeing Luo Gulan silent and sad, he hurriedly comforted her, "Don't be sad, sister. Rest for a while first. If you find your benefactor Yang Rui and you are willing to marry him, I will support him well, make his status match yours, and marry you off in glory. If he is not interested, then find another suitable husband. From now on, I will always make sure you live a happy life."
Luo Gulan said with relief: "After nearly ten years of separation, Brother Yun has grown up and become more sensible. His words are also very soothing to our hearts." Luo Guyun winked and said playfully: "That's because someone always makes my brother feel very soothed, so my brother has also learned how to treat others from their own perspective."
The tomb of Luo Qifeng and his wife had been renovated two years earlier. The marble cemetery, surrounded by verdant pines and cypresses, was magnificent and serene. As the siblings burned incense and knelt before the grave, Luo Gulan couldn't help but burst into tears. Luo Guyun consoled her with all his might, only then did she manage to contain her grief.
Luo Gulan stroked the solemn marble tombstone, staring at the words carved into it: "Son Luo Guyun, son-in-law Xiao Xiangyue." Wiping away her tears, she said, "Last night, I heard from Brother Yishui that the person Brother Yun likes is a man. Is that true?" Luo Guyun said, "I was just about to tell you, sister. Brother Yun has already married Yue'er in our hometown of Lizhuang. To you, sister and Yue'er are the most important people. When Yue'er returns from studying abroad, let him meet you formally. Sister will definitely like him. I hope you will cherish him as much as you cherish your brother."
Luo Gulan shed tears and said, "My brother suffered a great change when he was young. His parents died young, and I am not around anymore. He has to support the family alone. He led the troops in battles, faced life and death, and had no emotional support. It's understandable that he craves temporary warmth. But now that I'm back, how could I let you be with a man? Not only will it bring disgrace to our Luo family, but it will also ruin my brother's life!"
Luo Guyun was worried that his sister wouldn't accept his relationship with Yue'er, so he asked Yi Shui to test her opinion last night. Luo Gulan was shocked and adamantly opposed. She also scolded Yi Shui for not trying to persuade her brother, even though he was right beside her, and for letting him go astray.
Luo Guyun and Luo Gulan have a deep bond and both respect their only biological sister. He spent the entire night thinking that it would be best if his family could bless and approve of his relationship with Yue'er. If his sister can't accept it right away, he can only make his stance clear and try to convince her slowly. Hearing Luo Gulan's words, he lifted his skirt, knelt upright in front of the grave, and said aloud, "I swear before my parents' graves that Yue'er and I will be together forever, not just for a momentary warmth. In this life, I will only have Yue'er and will not think of anyone else. I hope my parents and sister will understand and support me."
Luo Gulan said anxiously, "Brother, have you been bewitched? That Xiao guy is more handsome, but he is a man after all! The harmony of yin and yang is the way of heaven! Brother, do you want my Luo family to be extinct?" Luo Guyun stiffened his neck and said, "Brother, I don't care about the way of heaven or man. Yue'er and I love each other and swear to be together forever. What's the problem with having no children?" Luo Gulan became even more angry and cursed, "You keep saying Yue'er, Yue'er! What kind of drug did Xiao give you? He made you so devoted and stubborn! Have you ever thought about my parents? Have you ever thought about my Luo family? Have you ever thought about your reputation and status? Have you ever thought about how the world will slander you!"
Despite his high position and command of numerous armies, Luo Guyun remained respectful to his sister, who was four years his senior. He gritted his teeth and said solemnly, "Sister, you can speak freely in front of me. But Yue'er is very sensitive. Please don't say such things in front of him from now on. I don't want to have any grudges against him."
Luo Gulan burst into tears, beating her chest and stamping her feet: "Dad! Mom! Open your eyes and look! What nonsense has Brother Yun done and what nonsense has he said! Lan'er is incompetent and can't persuade him. If the Luo family is extinct, I might as well die in front of my parents' graves..." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly threw herself at the tombstone. Luo Guyun was shocked and hugged her, calling out: "Sister... Let's talk it over, don't do this..."
Yi Shui and Li Erhu, who were waiting outside the cemetery, saw that things were not going well and rushed in to stop the wailing Luo Gulan. Yi Shui advised, "Sister, you know that Third Brother is a man of noble character and acts prudently, not someone who would act rashly. We siblings have finally been reunited, so we should discuss anything slowly. How could he commit suicide?"
Luo Gulan was tired of crying. She thought that there was still a long time to go. Pushing her brother too hard would hurt their relationship. She could only wait for the future to heal slowly. With the support of Luo Guyun and Yi Shui, she returned to the Luo Mansion.
Although there were voices of disapproval regarding Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue's relationship, none of them were enough to sway them. His sister was his only blood relative, and her vehement opposition was truly a headache. Fortunately, Yue'er still had two years before she returned home. No matter what, he had to convince her before she did. Sincerity can move mountains, and one day, she would accept.
Luo Gulan, barren and discriminated against by her husband's family, prioritized the issue of having children. She couldn't understand why her brother could be so devoted to a single man. No matter what, with her by his side, she would persuade him to marry and take concubines, ensuring a long line of children. Two days later, each with their own concerns, the siblings embarked on their journey to Nanjing.
Time flies, and another year has passed.
Luo Guyun traveled back and forth almost year-round, building railways, opening steel mills, and training troops. Originally, he had only built a line from Shanghai to Hanchang, hoping that when Yue'er returned, she could take a direct train to Anyang and then to Jincheng, closer to Lizhuang. He allocated a substantial sum of money to build a railway connecting Hanchang, Anyang, and Jincheng. Last month, he made a special trip to Jincheng to attend the groundbreaking ceremony.
After the ceremony, Luo Guyun did not attend the celebratory dinner, leaving Yishui and his lieutenants to deal with a group of local officials. He went to Jincheng Night Market alone and sat in the same seat at the restaurant where he and Yue'er had eaten wontons three years ago. He ate a bowl of red oil wontons.
Xiao Xiangyue wrote letters almost every week. From summer to late autumn, she traveled with Mr. Charade to various European countries, and Xiao Qin accompanied him throughout the trip and took personal care of him. He went to William and his wife's winery in France and held concerts in royal palaces in Britain, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain and other countries. Mr. Charade was of high status and received the highest standards of reception in every country. He met many new friends and many interesting things happened. Before the arrival of winter, he returned to Sweden. Mr. Charade learned from last year's lesson and hardly let him go out in winter. He spent most of his time playing the piano and composing music indoors, helping Mr. Xiangyue to organize the music scores. Occasionally, when he went out, he would be picked up and dropped off by car, for fear that he would catch a cold. On his nineteenth birthday, he still took a photo and sent it back. On the back was still his crooked handwriting, which read: Brother Yun, Yue'er is nineteen years old! April 1, 1936. This time there was an extra line of words:
Longing for you, longing for you.
If you ask when my longing for you will end?
Unless we meet.
Longing for you, longing for you.
To whom can I tell my longing for you?
A lover knows nothing of his shallowness.
Xiao Xiangyue's letters only talked about fun things. Qin Xiao also wrote to Luo Guoyun from time to time to report on the situation.
As Mr. Charade's last disciple, Xiao Xiangyue was highly sought after wherever she went. Everyone was filled with admiration and curiosity for this beautiful young man from the mysterious Eastern land. Included in Xiao Qin's letter were clippings from newspapers and magazines, covering reports of Mr. Charade's visits to various European countries. These reports were in German, French, Spanish, and Portuguese... Luo Guyun had always insisted on having teachers teach him various languages, so he could understand them. These reports were filled with praise for Xiao Xiangyue, calling her a "genius," "a prince of the East," "one of the brightest rising stars in the world of music," and so on.
Qin Xiao's letter also mentioned several things: First, when they were at the French winery, William and his wife knew that Xiao Xiangyue loved sweets. Mangoes are native to the tropics and are extremely precious fruits in Europe. To entertain him, they specially made a dessert with the extremely rare fresh mangoes into a paste. But less than half an hour after eating, he felt chest tightness, shortness of breath, and a rash all over his body. Mr. Charade and William and his wife were terrified and rushed him to the hospital. Xiao Qin guessed that the young master's illness was caused by eating mangoes, so he gave him Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder on the way to the hospital. After arriving at the hospital, he was injected with some desensitization injections. He slept for a day and a night before he recovered. From then on, Mr. Charade and Xiao Qin paid more attention to his diet. Whenever they went to a place, they would ask what the ingredients of any food they brought to the young master were before they dared to let him eat it.
Secondly, Westerners are open-minded. At parties, banquets, and after concerts, people often publicly express their love for Xiao Xiangyue. He always shows off the diamond ring on his ring finger and repeatedly explains that he is already married in China and cannot accept other people's advances...
Third, an unpleasant incident occurred in Spain. The Brook brothers, sons of Prince Brook of the Spanish royal family, are two famous playboys. Mr. Charade and his students held a concert in the palace. After the concert, the Brook brothers insisted on pestering Xiao Xiangyue to drink. He never drank outside, so he refused to drink. When the two failed to persuade him to drink, they dragged him to the sofa in the lounge and forced him to drink. During the struggle, Xiao Xiangyue took out the knife that Luo Guyun gave him when he was a child and scratched the arm of one of them. That night, he performed a piano solo in a snow-white, straight tuxedo. The bright red blood splattered on the white dress was particularly glaring, and he became hemophobic again. Fortunately, Mr. Charade never relaxed his protection of Xiao Xiangyue. If he couldn't see him for a moment, he would immediately send people to look for him everywhere. A Japanese classmate named Shinji Watanabe ran into the lounge and witnessed the Brooke brothers attempting to lift a blood-soaked, unconscious man onto a sofa. Terrified, he frantically cried for help, alarming the entire palace. Mr. Charade was furious, accusing the Brooke brothers of shamelessness for committing indecent acts against their own students within the palace. The King of Spain, deeply humiliated by this scandal, ordered Prince Brooke to personally apologize to Mr. Charade. Xiao Xiangyue was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, and upon waking, the doctor recommended a one-night stay for observation. He remained terrified in his sleep, constantly calling out, "Brother Yun, Brother Yun..." Yue'er was terrified... Xiao Qin and several close classmates stayed by his side. Mr. Charade was deeply distressed and vowed to seek justice for Xiao Xiangyue. He planned to file a formal notice in the name of Sweden, accusing the Brooke brothers of openly insulting members of the Swedish delegation and demanding severe punishment, stripping them of their titles, and expelling them from the royal family. Horrified, Prince Brooke personally came with his two sons to apologize. Xiao Xiangyue, having stabbed someone for the first time, was filled with remorse, but upon seeing the two men's sincere repentance, he immediately forgave them, averting a diplomatic crisis. The Brooke brothers were reckless and dissolute, and never before had they been more disastrous than this time. Not only did they get stabbed, but they also ended up in disgrace. They told everyone they met that this prince from the East seemed to possess mysterious powers, blessed by God, and not to be tampered with...
Xiao Qin's letter also mentioned that Princess Bena of Sweden was in love with Xiao Xiangyue. She was heartbroken to learn that he was married in China, and she expressed her desire to be his best friend. However, Xiao Xiangyue deliberately kept her distance. Princess Bena questioned him about his dislike for her. He replied solemnly, "Princess Bena is very beautiful, and I don't dislike her at all. It's just that if I were to be ambiguous with you, my beloved would be heartbroken, and I don't want her to be unhappy in the slightest."
Upon learning of Luo Gulan's return, the Feng family was horrified and arrived at the Luo residence with several carts of gifts to apologize. Luo Guyun had already uncovered the Feng family's opium smuggling in Guangdong and was about to crack down on them. Remembering their past relationship, Luo Gulan begged her brother to spare Feng Shijie's life, only confiscating some of their property and ordering him to publish a public announcement of his divorce from Luo Gulan. The matter was resolved.
Not long after Luo Gulan returned home, Yi Shui helped him find his benefactor, Yang Rui. After sending Luo Gulan away, Yang Rui had left Yang Laosi and escaped the defeat. Later, when Luo Guyun reorganized the army, he joined them again, becoming a small company commander. Luo Guyun promoted him directly to commander of the vanguard brigade and gave Luo Gulan and him a grand wedding. He also had Yi Han buy separate houses for his sister in various locations, so she could live separately from her husband and easily reunite with her.
Besides enjoying a simple life with her new husband, Luo Gulan devoted all her attention to finding wives and concubines for Luo Guoyun. She searched through nearly every prominent lady in the land. Finally, she settled on a few distinguished ladies of good character and appearance, and every so often, she organized dinners and parties, inviting her brother to attend. Luo Guoyun, knowing his sister's intentions but reluctant to offend her, could not refuse, so she obliged. After some time, Luo Gulan, seeing her brother showed no interest, assumed he had no interest in shy, demure women. She then turned her attention to several glamorous actresses and movie stars, but he remained unmoved.
Luo Guyun held a high position of power, and naturally, many sought to curry favor with Luo Gulan. One of his close friends suggested that Young Master Xiao's good looks were the reason the Commander-in-Chief would be so devoted to him. Since the Commander-in-Chief was attracted to men, why not find some handsome men to bring to his side to break his devotion? This would make matters easier. Perhaps when Young Master Xiao returned and saw the Commander-in-Chief had a new lover, he would give up... Luo Gulan then selected several handsome young men, prepared to train them, and then present them to Luo Guyun.
The Spring Festival was approaching, and Luo Guoyun rushed back to Nanjing to attend the annual meeting of the central government.
The domestic situation was turbulent. The Generalissimo had just been rescued from Xi'an, and Commander-in-Chief Zhang in the Northeast had been placed under house arrest. The conference room was filled with smoke, and the various parties, each holding their own political stance, were arguing fiercely. Luo Guoyun, chain-smoking, frowned, and listened absently. He was worried about the chaos and Yue'er back in Sweden.
Xiao Xiangyue hadn't written to him since before the winter solstice, saying she was preparing for the New Year's concert. She hadn't written to him in over a month, and even Qin Xiao hadn't written. Could she be ill again? Luo Guyun was genuinely worried, planning to return to his Shanghai residence immediately after the meeting. Ocean liners from Stockholm docked in Shanghai, so if there was any letter, he wouldn't have to wait for another transfer and could see it immediately.
The meeting ended at midnight, and Luo Guoyun, unable to wait for the next day, left Nanjing that evening on a special train. The train arrived at the station the following morning. Yi Han, accompanied by a group of officials, greeted him at the station. Upon meeting him, they handed him a newspaper, which boasted the news of Mr. Charade's death.
Mr. Charade was a world-renowned musical master. News of his passing was reported in various countries, though the timing varied. This article must have been telexed from overseas: Mr. Charade, the greatest Swedish musician of this century, tragically passed away on January 3, 1937, from heart failure, at the age of 81. Sweden mourned the loss and held a state funeral for him. The article also included a photo of the funeral. Mr. Charade's coffin was draped with the Swedish flag, surrounded by a dense crowd. Xiao Xiangyue, dressed in a black suit, stood in the center of the crowd, holding Mr. Charade's portrait. The photo was blurry, his facial features unclear, but his handsome figure was vaguely discernible.
Luo Guyun was struck by lightning. Every letter from Xiao Xiangyue mentioned Mr. Charade's love for him. Although his father and uncle loved him, they were very strict with him and occasionally punished him. Mr. Charade, having suffered the pain of losing his son, poured all the love an elderly father would have for his son into him, treating him like a treasure. They were not father and son, but more than father and son. Now, he has passed away so suddenly... How could God always let Yue'er suffer this pain of separation?
On the way back to the mansion, Yi Han kept him updated: Big Brother Sun and his family had gone to his wife's hometown for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Senior Brother Lu and Ike were filming a movie in Peking and wouldn't return to Shanghai until after the tenth day of the Lunar New Year. Tiannian Conservatory of Music, under the stewardship of Jianmei and Xiaoxin, was nearly ready and expected to begin enrolling students in March of next year. The day after tomorrow was Lunar New Year's Eve, and my eldest sister had prepared a banquet for my brothers and me to reunite at her house...
Luo Guyun felt heavy-hearted, his eyes slightly closed as he thought about Yue'er suffering this blow, wondering if she could handle it...
Yi Han tried his best to comfort him, "Don't worry too much, third brother. Yue'er has Xiao Qin, teachers, and classmates by his side, who will always persuade him to think positively. Besides, there's Madam Daisy here, who will definitely not let him get into any trouble." Luo Guyun sighed, "Third brother, I understand what you said, second brother. But when I think of Yue'er being sad and upset where I can't see, my heart aches."
New Year's Eve.
Luo Gulan's residence, on Qingsong Road, was a Chinese-style courtyard house. While not as grand and magnificent as the Luo Mansion, it was nonetheless elegant and unique. Luo Gulan loved opera and even built a stage in the courtyard, often inviting famous actors to perform at his residence.
As soon as the brothers' motorcade arrived, Luo Gulan came out to greet them. The two siblings hadn't seen each other for two months, and they were particularly affectionate. Luo Guyun asked with a smile, "How are you, sister? Are you getting used to Shanghai?" Luo Gulan smiled happily, "Everything's fine, everything's fine! It's just that you work hard, running around all year round, and only have a little free time during the New Year. Come in and rest..."
As they entered the mansion, they were greeted by a room full of beautiful women, including several popular movie stars, famous actresses, and two handsome young men of seventeen or eighteen. Luo Guoyun frowned and said, "Today is New Year's Eve, a day for our family to get together. Why did you invite these irrelevant people?" Luo Gulan smiled and said, "We're all friends. Let's have some fun together."
Luo Guyun ignored everyone and sat down in the inner room with Yi Shui, Yi Han and others. After three rounds of drinks, Luo Gulan winked and two handsome young men came close to him with wine glasses, trying to clink glasses with the commander-in-chief in a flattering manner. Luo Guyun could tolerate Luo Gulan's behavior in the past, but he was worried about Xiao Xiangyue these past two days and was in a bad mood. His face immediately darkened, and he raised his hand and smashed the wine glass to pieces, angrily saying: "Sister, what are you doing? You said Yue'er was a man before and didn't agree with your brother being with him, but today you called these people here, what's your intention? How did Yue'er offend you? Why are you targeting him like this?"
Luo Gulan's always respectful brother was embarrassed in front of everyone today. She stamped her feet and cried, "Yue'er... Yue'er... You only care about Yue'er! For your precious Yue'er, you want to make our Luo family extinct! The ancestors of the Luo family are watching over you in heaven! I heard that the Xiao guy is just a sickly person with a short life! If he dies, do you think you will stay by his side forever?"
If someone else had insulted Xiao Xiangyue like this, the people around him would have exploded before the commander-in-chief could even open his mouth. However, since the person in question was his own sister, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what to do.
Gu Yun was so angry that his face turned blue. He gritted his teeth and said, "If Yue'er dies, I will become a monk! No need to worry about it, sister."
Luo Gulan gasped, slumped down on the stool, and muttered, "Crazy... Crazy! Who on earth is this evil man surnamed Xiao? What tricks did he use to bewitch you into this?"
Luo Gulan's husband, Yang Rui, was a simple man. He quickly supported her and said, "Madam, calm down. Young Master Xiao is not some evildoer. The soldiers have all seen him. He's handsome and talented. He even taught us military songs..." Luo Gulan was furious and had no place to vent her anger. She pushed her husband away and cursed, "Good! You all speak in favor of the Xiao family and only know how to curry favor with the commander-in-chief. Have you ever thought about our Luo family? If our Luo family is extinct, how can I face my ancestors?"
Luo Guyun sneered, "Sister, there's no need to take your anger out on others! If you feel that your brother has brought shame upon the Luo family, from now on, I will no longer be surnamed Luo. It would be fine to change my surname to Xiao. I'm leaving now!" He stood up and was about to leave angrily.
As soon as Yi Shui entered the mansion and saw the situation inside, he knew that today was going to be a disaster. Luo Guyun was a man of great talent and strategy, and he was quite cunning. He lost his temper when it came to Xiao Xiangyue's affairs. The day before yesterday, he returned to the mansion and sighed and worried. He didn't know how sad Yue'er was, and there was no news from her. Could she be seriously ill?
Since he couldn't sleep last night, Yi Shui and Yi Han accompanied him to drink and chat, and they talked all night.
Although brothers Yishui and Yihan had no plans to marry, they were never short of bedfellows. With just a wink, they'd eagerly bring anyone to their side. After a few days, they'd tire of someone and move on to something new. The Commander-in-Chief, for all these years, had remained chaste for Xiao Xiangyue. The brothers admired him but also found it a little unbelievable.
Luo Guoyun sighed, "If you truly love someone, when he's sad, you'll be sadder than him. You won't let him suffer even a little bit, and you won't do anything to let him down. If you have something to rely on in your heart, even if the days are hard, every day of pain is sweet."
Yi Han sighed, "Second brother will never be able to reach the state that Third Brother and Yue'er have reached in their lifetime. I have been rolling in the world of mortals, wandering among the beauties, but in the end, I found it boring and ended up alone for the rest of my life." Yi Shui said, "Love is the most fragile thing. Most people abandon their lovers after having an affair. Just like Commander-in-Chief Zhang in the Northeast, he obviously has a wife, but he still falls in love with every woman he meets. Maybe he thinks this kind of life is interesting."
Luo Guoyun said: "I don't care what others do. I just think that spending the rest of my life with Yue'er is the most interesting thing."
Yi Han said, "The human heart is unpredictable, and true love is hard to find in this world. Third brother is lucky to have met Yue'er, and she is worth your efforts. If you had met someone so heartless and infatuated as you are, you would have been the one who got hurt in the end." Yi Shui said, "Second brother, you are absolutely right. As the saying goes, husband and wife are birds of the same forest, but they fly away separately when disaster strikes. People are selfish, and at critical moments, feelings are meant to be sacrificed." Luo Guyun smiled and said, "Have you two brothers seen through the world? When third brother is with Yue'er, every pore feels comfortable and soothed. You can't understand that."
Yi Shui was well prepared at this moment, and hurriedly stopped Luo Guyun and said, "It's the New Year, and the family is finally reunited. Where are you going, third brother? I have specially arranged for the famous Kunqu Opera actress Hua Xiaolou to sing a little song for you today. I guarantee you will like it. Come on, it's not too late to leave after listening to it..."
Seeing that her brother was really angry, Luo Gulan felt distressed, but she said angrily: "If you want to leave, just go. I am a miserable person. From now on, I will just live a lonely life without a brother like you!" After saying that, she started to cry.
Luo Guyun had always been very kind to his only sister. Seeing her heartbroken, his heart softened. He hurried over to hold Luo Gulan's shoulder and said, "My brother was a little reckless today. Please don't take it to heart. I'm sorry, and I'll punish you. But Yue'er is innocent and kind, not what you think. Please don't misunderstand." It was New Year's Day, and Luo Gulan didn't want to make things awkward with her brother, so the siblings reconciled. Everyone moved to the other courtyard and sat down.
Hua Xiaolou, a famous Kunqu opera actress, was a beautiful woman with a brilliant voice and was a frequent visitor to Luo Gulan's residence. Just now, Yi Shui saw the siblings quarreling and tried to figure out how to resolve the situation. He quietly walked over and whispered a few words in her ear. Hua Xiaolou understood what he meant and, after everyone was seated, she embraced her pipa and shyly began to sing:
I've never experienced lovesickness before, but now I'm feeling it, and it's killing me. My body is like a floating cloud, my heart like flying catkins, my breath like a gossamer thread. A lingering fragrance remains, but I long for the wandering lover, where is he going? When do the symptoms appear? When the lights are half dim, when the moon is half bright.
Last night, the three brothers were chatting, and Luo Guoyun mentioned that Yue'er had written a poem called "Longing" on the back of a photo, which brought him to tears. Hua Xiaolou was good at singing ditties, and Yishui thought that this song "Zheguiling" would definitely suit his taste.
Luo Guoyun was truly entranced, lost in thought. He often missed Yue'er in the dead of night, unable to sleep, so he'd sit by the bed, smoking under the lamp until dawn. Isn't it... when the symptoms strike, when the lights are dim and the moon is half-bright? He stared at the singer, his eyes gleaming with deep affection, as if melting into his searing gaze... Anyone would be moved by such unparalleled affection from a handsome man, let alone the powerful, awe-inspiring Commander-in-Chief Luo. Hua Xiaolou blushed at his gaze, her heart fluttering, her shyness growing even more charming.
Luo Gulan saw this and was overjoyed. Luo Guyun was always so cold towards everyone, but today he had taken a liking to this actor. It seemed Yi Shui understood him. She would have to find some excuse to get Hua Xiaolou and her brother to interact more often.
Throughout the first half of the Lunar New Year, Luo Guyun was restless. For several days, he personally went to the ocean terminal to ask if there was any news, but each time he returned disappointed. His mood grew increasingly depressed. He turned down all invitations and social events, and stayed at the mansion, drinking alone. Yi Shui and Yi Han accompanied him all day, trying their best to comfort him.
It was the Lantern Festival again. Yishui suggested that since Brother Sun and Senior Brother Lu had both returned to Shanghai, why not invite everyone to the mansion to celebrate his third brother's twenty-sixth birthday? Luo Guoyun agreed without hesitation.
Sun Mu's son, Sun Xu, was over two years old and was playing and skipping around the house. Luo Guoyun loved children and used to hug and play with them, but today he wasn't in the mood.
Hearing that Yue'er had not been heard from for two months, Sun Mu was worried and sat in the chair in silence.
Lu Hankun and Ike had just returned from Peking. As soon as Ike sat down, he sighed, "I've been collecting Peking Opera scores in Peking for the past six months. I had planned to return to Sweden in two years to visit my teacher, but I never expected him to pass away! He even wrote to me six months ago, saying that he wanted Yue'er to inherit his legacy. Alas, I wonder how heartbroken Yue'er must be..."
Yi Shui noticed Luo Guyun's increasingly gloomy expression and winked at Lu Hankun. Lu Hankun understood and continued, "General, do you remember that year before my junior brother left, he recorded a music album for He Qisheng? In fact, he also recorded another record and asked me to give it to you on your birthday. But you went to the battlefield two years ago, and you were away traveling last year, so I haven't had the chance to see you. It's been almost three years now." He took out a mahogany box, presented it with both hands, and said solemnly, "I am now returning it to its owner."
Luo Guyun took the box with a look of surprise. He opened it and found a perfectly sealed film inside. The cover was printed with a pattern of clouds and moons. He was a little incredulous and trembling, "Is this... something Yue'er recorded specifically for me?" Yi Shui said, "It's absolutely true. Before she left, Yue'er told me that she had recorded a record for her third brother and was keeping it with you, my eldest brother, to give it to you on your twenty-fourth birthday. She told me to let you listen to it more often if you were feeling down. These past few years, I've been away fighting or traveling, so I've been so busy. I just remembered it the day before yesterday and asked my eldest brother to make sure to send the record over."
In the corner of the banquet hall stood a French-imported phonograph. Luo Guyun's hands trembled slightly as he carefully tore open the cover and placed the record on top. After a rustling sound of the machine turning, Xiao Xiangyue's clear, pure, and heavenly voice rang out:
Clouds drift in the sky, the moon swims in the water, their companionship a joyful one. Look closely: clouds entwine the moon, the moon chases the clouds, soaring through the heavens. The ethereal clouds, like a white handkerchief, rub and wipe, and the moon becomes brighter. The playful moon quietly tumbles, tumbling, tumbling, resting on the top of the clouds...
There was no accompaniment, it was a cappella, ethereal and graceful, beautiful beyond compare. Hearing the first line, Luo Guyun was stunned. After the song, Xiao Xiangyue's clear and sweet voice whispered in his ear:
Brother Yun, happy birthday. Even though Yue'er isn't around, you have to be happy too! Back in Lizhuang, Brother Yun hadn't been heard from for years, and Yue'er was very sad. Later, Yue'er understood that Brother Yun had never left her; he had simply been accompanying her in a different way. Brother Yun, at this moment, you must believe that even if Yue'er is at the ends of the earth, her eyes are always on you; you just can't see them.
After the gentle monologue, the melodious sound of the violin was heard. The beautiful and moving notes echoed in the banquet hall, lingering and sad, like the gurgling of pure and dry spring water, soaking the listeners' hearts. After the song was played, Xiao Xiangyue's pure voice was heard again:
Brother Yun, this is the song I didn't finish for your 23rd birthday. Later, Yue'er finished it. Do you like it, Brother Yun? From now on, Yue'er will write a song for you every birthday, okay? Oh, and Brother Yun said he loved the ballad Yue'er sang on horseback that year. I'll sing it to you now.
A clear and beautiful singing voice sounded:
Your green collar is always in my mind.
Even if I don't go, why don't you send me a message?
Your green jade pendant fills my mind with endless thoughts.
Even if I don't go, why don't you come?
I am on my way to the city wall.
A day without seeing you feels like three months.
There was still no accompaniment. The song was melodious and soulful, touching the heart and soul. After the song ended, the sound seemed to linger in the air. In the living room, Mei and Shufang were both moved to tears, their eyes red, and they were quietly wiping away tears. From the beginning, Luo Guoyun was like a stone statue, staring deep into the void, motionless. Everyone at the table was also silent, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. After the song ended, Xiao Xiangyue's soft voice came again:
Brother Yun, Yue'er wanted to cook you a bowl of longevity noodles, but now I can't. Yue'er will sing you a birthday song. Brother Yun, you must be happy. Even if Yue'er is not around or has no news, Yue'er's heart is always with you.
Next is a beautiful birthday song:
The mountains are majestic, the sky is vast, the waters are vast. The nights are bright with stars, the sun shines with blessings. May happiness last forever, may joy and friendship endure... like the constancy of the moon, like the rising sun. Like the longevity of the Nanshan Mountains, never collapsing... like the luxuriance of the pines and cypresses, may life be eternal...
The record lasted about half an hour. It had finished playing for a while, but everyone in the living room was still silent.
Lu Hankun spoke first: "I wasn't present during the recording. My junior brother only told me to hand it over to the general on my birthday. I didn't expect the content to be like this. It's really touching." Yi Han sighed: "The love between my third brother and Yue'er is truly... enviable..."
Luo Guoyun seemed to be both happy and sad, complaining and talking to himself, and said in a hoarse voice: "This record... why did you give it to me only today?"
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