When we returned to the Zhuang Mansion in the evening, Mrs. Zhuang was still waiting for us on the steps.
I suddenly remembered that I would have to go back tomorrow night, and today's joy was immediately diluted.
Song Heng also saw Madam Zhuang and suddenly turned around and said, "Shuang'er, we need to stay here for a few more days."
My eyes lit up as I heard Song Heng explain, "I ran into an old friend on the street today. It would be nice if we could resolve some issues now."
I thought for a moment, "Did we meet when we were separated?"
"Yes," he nodded, "it's one of my brothers, Prince Shen'an."
I was shocked to meet a royal relative here, and he was even crowned a king! ?
Then isn't the fact that we sneaked out of the capital together like a fire wrapped in white paper?
"Don't worry," he said gently, "He and I have a very special relationship. We've both respected and hated each other since we were young. Since he took the initiative to invite me, he won't make a big deal about me leaving Beijing."
I nodded. Respect each other but also hate each other? That's really a strange relationship.
When he walked up to Mrs. Zhuang, Song Heng explained to her in a low voice. Mrs. Zhuang instantly showed joy on her face, as if the extra few days were a gift from God.
Today, Eunuch Afu and Guard Li who followed us were very quiet. I can understand that Afu was humble and respectful, but I was quite curious that Guard Li, who used to be very noisy, was also very silent.
*
Mrs. Zhuang has been even more enthusiastic towards me these past few days. I am grateful but at the same time I feel that the more so, the more reluctant I will be to leave her in the future.
One day during lunch, Mrs. Zhuang was quiet for a long time. When I went to see her, I saw that she seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Although Song Heng had been eating quietly, he was more perceptive than me and had obviously noticed this before me. "Madam Zhuang, do you have anything to say to us?"
Madam Zhuang's lips moved, and Song Heng continued in a gentle voice, "Shuang'er has known Master Mu and Madam Zhuang since childhood. There's no need for us to be awkward and polite."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhuang seemed to finally muster up some courage. "Master Wang, you know I once had a son. He, he and Shuang'er were close friends since they were young. Now that you are leaving, I want to ask if I can take Shuang'er to visit his grave?"
Although I thought about my childhood sweetheart, I never told him about it.
Song Heng frowned almost imperceptibly, but then he looked at me and said softly, "This is Shuang'er's business. Madam Zhuang, you don't need to ask me. Just ask Shuang'er."
I looked into his dark eyes. He wasn't threatening me, was he?
I was sure he wasn't as jealous as he was when I asked Editor Han about cherries. I was surprised and relieved. Finally, I looked at Mrs. Zhuang's eager eyes and said, "Yes."
I immediately started to explain, "Old playmates, even though I've lost my memory now, I still cherish the fun we had together as children, so naturally I'll go."
He and I just played together when we were kids. Song Heng, please don't think too much about it.
Song Heng suddenly laughed softly: "Yeah."
After lunch and a short rest, Zhuang and I took a carriage out of the Zhuang Mansion. Before leaving, Song Heng asked Guard Li to follow behind us.
Mrs. Zhuang's son was buried on the mountain. After reaching the mountainside, there was a long stone staircase and the carriage could not go any further. So the maid helped Mrs. Zhuang and me get out of the carriage and walk up the mountain.
Guard Li followed us, holding a piece of dogtail grass he had picked at some point in his mouth and a sword in front of his chest.
The weather is bright and sunny today. As we climb the stairs, we see lush and vibrant woods on both sides. Birds are singing in the woods, and occasionally we can hear one or two children laughing.
There were woodcutters carrying bundles of firewood and walking down the mountain noisily, and a few women were traveling with them, perhaps going to the mountains to pick wild vegetables.
As I walked beside Madam Zhuang, I suddenly remembered that due to my amnesia, I didn't even know the name of this "childhood sweetheart." I turned around and asked casually, "Madam Zhuang, what is your son's name? You know, I've lost some memory, so..."
Madam Zhuang suddenly stopped on the stone steps. She glanced at me and seemed to suddenly remember something. "Hey, Shuang'er... I'm so sorry. It might not be convenient to sweep my son's grave today..."
I was a little confused by this sudden turn of events: "Huh?"
Guard Li, who was following us, had been some distance away. Now that we were all stopped on the stone steps, he caught up with us and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Guard Li," Madam Zhuang quickly looked at Guard Li and said, "Today, today may not be convenient for us to visit my son's grave. Let's go back now..."
"Ah?" As soon as Guard Li opened his mouth, the dogtail grass fell to the ground. He was obviously as surprised as I was.
"I just remembered that the name on my son's tomb was blurred due to the rain some time ago. It would be better to find someone to repair it before we come to worship..." Mrs. Zhuang continued to say to Guard Li.
Guard Li blinked suddenly. "Yes, yes, yes! The tomb needs to be repaired before we can offer sacrifices. I will escort you down the mountain now!"
I naturally noticed their strangeness, but since it involved other people's family affairs and funeral etiquette, I thought about it and didn't ask any more questions: "Okay, then I'll come with Madam Zhuang next time when I have time."
I’m just afraid that there won’t be a next time. After Song Heng meets his brother, we will have to return to Beijing. I don’t know when Song Heng will go to meet him?
When we were going down the mountain, suddenly some children were playing and trying to go up the mountain, and they ran into us head-on.
"Aiya!" I heard a somewhat rough voice shouting. I looked in the direction of the voice and felt that the boy in coarse white clothes and with a dark face looked somewhat familiar.
"Sister, do you still remember me?" The boy approached me enthusiastically and said, "You helped my brother up that day, but I left in such a hurry that I forgot to thank you!"
It turned out to be the brother who left in a hurry at the "Fire Festival".
I smiled and said, "I'm glad he's okay. I remember him!"
"Father and Mother told me they'd come back to thank you so much!" the boy continued, "But there were so many people on the street, and we couldn't find you when we got back. Sister, why don't you come to my house for dinner tonight?"
I was a little surprised by this sudden invitation. Moreover, Madam Zhuang and Guard Li were still beside me, and Song Heng was still waiting for me at the Zhuang Mansion. I smiled and waved my hand: "It's just a small favor. If you want to thank me, just remember to help others when they fall in the future!"
"But you must pay attention to your own safety first!" I quickly added.
The boy also noticed the person next to me and must have realized that I had something else to do.
After thinking for a moment, he handed me a wooden slingshot with both hands: "I don't have anything on me right now, so I'll take this as a thank you gift. Please don't refuse it, sister!"
I looked at the slingshot and saw that it was probably made by the child himself, so I accepted it without hesitation: "Okay, I'll take it!"
When he saw me take it, a row of snow-white teeth appeared on his dark face: "Yeah!"
Madam Zhuang and I continued down the mountain. Madam Zhuang said softly beside me, "Shuang'er is so nice."
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