Chapter 822 Five Years Later (XI) I entrust my sorrowful heart to the bright moon, and follow you all the way to Yelang in the west.
Xu Jingzhen watched as Li Sanniang and her entourage's carriage sped towards Chang'an City. Once it was out of sight, he turned around, tightened his cloak, spurred his horse, and rode forward.
When Xu Jingzhen arrived at the gate of Duoshou's house, the snow was really falling heavily; it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was snowing heavily, like goose feathers.
Wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, Duoshou was still standing at the door waiting. As soon as Xu Jingzhen dismounted, he stepped forward and tried to take the reins.
"My lord, why don't you come inside and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up?"
My wife has also made soup dumplings in the kitchen. Would you like a bowl, my lord?
Xu Jingzhen refused Duoshou's offer to lead the horse, and instead led it into the courtyard herself, tying it next to the donkey.
"Duoshou, please come with me to see Chengxian first. We can have tea and soup when I get back."
Duoshou didn't try to persuade him further, but simply nodded in agreement with Xu Jingzhen.
Duo Shou led the way, while Xu Jingzhen followed behind, carrying a basket filled with incense, candles, and paper money. The two of them braved the wind and snow to climb up the mountain.
Upon arriving at the location, Xu Jingzhen saw the incense and candles that had burned down to almost nothing, the frozen cakes and fruits, and a pot of unidentifiable drink in front of Fang Chengxian's tombstone. He knew that these must have been left behind by Li Sanniang and the others when they came.
"When Doctor Li came to see the young master earlier, he brought Miss Wang (Lu Zhu'er's real name is Wang Wanlu). These things were set up by them."
Xu Jingzhen nodded without saying much, but the wind was so strong that it was very difficult to light incense and candles. In the end, Duoshou found some stones and built a small earthen stove. He managed to start a fire with a tinderbox.
After offering incense, Xu Jingzhen took out a pot of pear blossom wine from the basket. He first poured half of it onto the ground in front of the tombstone, and then tilted his head back and drank the remaining half of the wine in one gulp.
The wine, carrying the fragrance of pear blossoms, slid down his throat with a clear, icy coolness. In the last rays of daylight, Xu Jingzhen stared blankly at the three characters "Fang Chengxian" on the tombstone for a long while.
"Chengxian, I've come to see you."
Have you tasted the flavor of this pear blossom white?
Xu Jingzhen tilted her head back and closed her eyes. After a while, she opened her eyes again. "Why does this pear blossom white taste a little bitter to me today?"
Chengxian, have you already been reincarnated and come back to this world?
Will we ever meet again?
Where in the world is there any response?
All Xu Jingzhen could hear was the howling of the cold wind. As the last rays of sunlight faded, Duoshou walked over from the crossroads: "My lord, the snow is falling even harder. Shall we go down the mountain?"
Xu Jingzhen followed Duoshou down the mountain dejectedly, returned to Duoshou's home at the foot of the mountain, and ate a large bowl of soup noodles made by Duoshou's wife.
Duo Shou, who came with a lantern to escort Xu Jingzhen to his room to sleep, explained to Xu Jingzhen in an embarrassed tone: "My lord, the things in our house are not as good as what you used to have, but the bed and quilts are clean and were just made this winter, they are brand new."
"Later, I'll bring you a bucket of hot water. It'll be good for you to soak your feet and relax."
A tiny oil lamp sat on a small square table, and by its light, Xu Jingzhen sat on the edge of the bed, warming his feet.
Xu Jingzhen felt the warmth of the hot water in his numb toes, his unfocused eyes fixed on the teapot beside the oil lamp, his mind wandering to the words Fang Chengxian had spoken to him on the day he left.
Perhaps those who are about to die have a premonition, for on the day he was dying, Fang Chengxian, whose life was nearing its end, asked Duoshou to invite him to his home.
When Xu Jingzhen arrived at Fang Chengxian's residence, he saw Fang Chengxian sitting half-reclined on the brocade quilt. He assumed that the herbal medicine prescribed by the old doctor Liang had taken effect.
After all, when he last visited Fang Chengxian, Fang Chengxian couldn't even turn over, let alone sit up.
But today, when Xu Jingzhen walked over and sat down by Fang Chengxian's bedside with great joy, before he could say a word, he heard Fang Chengxian coughing incessantly, as if he was coughing up his lungs.
Xu Jingzhen quickly stepped forward to pat Fang Chengxian's back, and after a while, Fang Chengxian's cough subsided.
Because of the violent coughing, Fang Chengxian's face, which was originally somewhat pale, now appeared somewhat rosy.
"Jingzhen, thank you for coming here."
Just as Xu Jingzhen was about to speak, Fang Chengxian stopped him with a look.
“I know we are close friends, but I am ultimately relying on you, so I must say thank you.”
Fang Chengxian smiled at Xu Jingzhen, a smile on his withered and thin chin that made one's heart ache.
“Jingzhen, I feel my days are numbered. Don’t worry, listen to me first,” Fang Chengxian raised his hand again to stop Xu Jingzhen from saying what she was about to say.
"I've already benefited from living this long."
Many thanks to you for finding medicine for me over the years, and to Dr. Liang, Dr. Li, and Third Sister for their dedicated treatment and efforts to save my life.
Over the years, you have spent a great deal of time and effort to extend my life. I am deeply grateful that my life has not been in vain, and that knowing you is the greatest blessing of my life.
Now, I'm at my wit's end, but there are still a few things I can't let go of.
Hearing Fang Chengxian's last words, Xu Jingzhen could no longer hold back his tears. His eyes reddened, and he struggled to keep them from falling.
Fang Chengxian reached out his hand, which looked like a twig, and grasped Xu Jingzhen's hand, continuing, "Although I am bitter because of my father's actions, he did it for the sake of the entire Fang family. Now, I have long since let go of my resentment."
I truly do not wish to be buried in the Fang family ancestral cemetery after my death. Please bury me on the mountain in my small village on the outskirts of Chang'an.
I have already made arrangements for Duoshou. I released him from his indenture, bought him land, and gave him silver.
He said he would guard my grave, and that it would be a good deal for you all if you wanted to visit it later.
Duo Shou, who was standing by Fang Chengxian's bedside, was already crying his eyes out. He cried so silently and restrainedly, with large tears streaming down his face.
"Also, Jingzhen, my only relative in this world is my elder sister who married and moved to Luojing."
I've already given half of my things to my older sister, and I'll need your help to find someone to deliver them to her later.
"If my elder sister ever suffers misfortune in the future, Jingzhen, please help me bring her back to Chang'an. You'll stand up for her, okay?"
"good!"
After receiving Xu Jingzhen's affirmative answer, Fang Chengxian nodded in satisfaction, and then a long coughing sound rang out again.
"Haha, Jingzhen, don't look so sad. I've left something for you, Third Sister, and Luzhu'er."
I told Duoshou to put them away and lock them in the box. I'll have him give them to you when I get there.
After making arrangements for his final affairs, Fang Chengxian seemed to have used up all his strength. His face quickly turned ashen, and he could no longer sit up.
Looking at Fang Chengxian like this, Xu Jingzhen understood everything perfectly.
"Duoshou, quickly go and call Third Sister and the others! Go now!"
Finally, just after midnight, Fang Chengxian left this world forever on his bed, accompanied by his close friend and loyal servant.
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