Chapter 165 Holding Hands - The Scenery Along the Way is Unique
That winter came exceptionally early and was exceptionally cold.
Although the snow in Jiangnan is not as wild as that in the north, it carries a damp chill that penetrates to the bone.
In the warm pavilion of Shenyuan Garden, the underfloor heating was scorching hot, and the plum blossoms in the corner were in full bloom.
Jiang Mianmian lay on the rocking chair, covered with the old but still soft silk quilt. She squinted, watching the snowflakes falling outside the window, listening to the familiar footsteps approaching.
"Da, da, da."
Her footsteps were much slower than when she was young, but they were still steady and powerful, each step feeling like it was treading on her heart.
"woke up?"
Shen Jin pushed open the door and entered, carrying a bowl of freshly cooked red bean paste, steaming hot.
He was very old. His hair was completely white, and his back was slightly hunched, but his demeanor was all the more composed. He walked to the rocking chair, placed the bowl on the small table, and then skillfully reached into the quilt and took Jiang Mianmian's hand.
It's cold.
"Why are your hands so cold?" Shen Jin frowned, pressing her hands against his face to warm them. "Is the heating not hot enough? I'll have someone add some more charcoal."
"No need to bother anymore."
Jiang Mianmian shook her head, her voice somewhat aged and hoarse, yet still carrying a smile, "I am getting old, my blood and energy are insufficient, plus it's cold, it's normal."
【Why……】
I'm really getting old.
I used to be able to lift a gold brick with one hand, but now my hands shake even when I'm holding a bowl.
This old body is probably about to fall apart.
Shen Jin listened to her heartfelt words and tightened his grip on her hand.
Although her voice was no longer clear and her heartbeat was no longer strong, to him it was still the most beautiful music in the world.
"Here, have something sweet."
Shen Jin helped her up, scooped up a spoonful of red bean paste, blew on it to cool it down, and fed it to her mouth. "This is this year's new red beans, it's very smooth."
Jiang Mianmian took a bite.
sweet.
It's so sweet it warms your heart.
"Calm and cautious."
"Um?"
"Shall we... go for a walk?" Jiang Mianmian suddenly suggested.
Shen Jin glanced at the heavy snow outside the window: "It's cold outside."
I want to see snow.
Jiang Mianmian acted like a spoiled old woman, "And... I want to sit in that pavilion. It's the pavilion where I looked at the scenery and you looked at the official documents when we first came to Jiangnan."
Shen Jin couldn't persuade her otherwise.
Or rather, he had hardly ever gone against her wishes in his entire life.
"good."
Shen Jin got up, took the thick white fox fur coat, and wrapped her up tightly, leaving only her bright eyes showing.
"Hold on tight."
He reached out his arm and let her take it.
The two of them, supporting each other, slowly walked out of the warm pavilion and into the swirling snow.
...
The snow fell on their white hair, as if symbolizing a silent promise of growing old together.
Two lines of footprints, some deep and some shallow, were left on the garden path.
"Chen Jin, do you still remember?"
Jiang Mianmian asked breathlessly as she walked, "What was I thinking when we first met?"
Shen Jin slowed his pace to match her speed.
"Remember."
He chuckled softly, "You're thinking: 'Why isn't this bastard dead yet? If he dies, I can inherit his estate and keep male lovers.'"
"puff--"
Jiang Mianmian burst out laughing, and then coughed from laughing.
"Cough cough... I was so young and naive back then."
She patted Shen Jin's hand. "Actually, I thought you were quite handsome back then. It's just... you were too fierce, like a devil."
[The main reason was that we were too poor back then, and we felt insecure.]
Who would have thought that this King of Hell would eventually become my... guardian angel?
Shen Jin turned his head to look at her.
Snowflakes landed on her eyelashes, turning into glistening water droplets.
"Then do you remember," Shen Jin asked, "when was the first time... you fell for me?"
Jiang Mianmian tilted her head and thought for a moment.
"Was it... when you were warming my stomach?"
"Or... when you confiscated the property of that Vice Minister of Rites to prevent me from taking a concubine?"
"That's not right either..."
She stopped and looked into Shen Jin's eyes, which, though aged, were still full of affection.
【actually……】
[It's when I know you can hear my heart, yet you still choose to accept and cherish me.]
It was when you told me, "I am your light."
"It was probably... in my past life."
Jiang Mianmian smiled slyly, "I had my eye on you in my past life, which is why I traveled thousands of miles to find you in this life."
Shen Jin smiled.
Her eyes were full of wrinkles from smiling, yet she was so beautiful that you couldn't take your eyes off her.
"What a coincidence."
He tucked her hands into his sleeves. "So do I."
The two walked to the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
The pavilion was surrounded by curtains to block the wind, and charcoal braziers had already been prepared inside.
Jiang Mianmian sat on the stone bench, looking at the vast expanse of white outside.
"Calm and cautious."
"Um."
"If one day... I'm the first to leave."
Jiang Mianmian's voice was very soft, as soft as the sound of snowflakes falling to the ground, "Don't cry. Don't be sad."
"Just bury my ashes... in the cellar where we used to save money."
Hehe, that way I can keep my money forever!
[And... when you go to collect your money each day, you can also check on me.]
Chen Jin's hand trembled suddenly.
He didn't say anything, but just held her hand tightly, so tightly it hurt a little.
After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:
"no."
"Why?"
"Because... I forbid it."
Shen Jin looked at her, his eyes stubborn like a child's, "We have to go together. Neither of us is allowed to leave the other behind."
"Why are you so domineering?"
Jiang Mianmian muttered, "There has to be a first-come, first-served order, right?"
"Then I shall take my leave."
Shen Jin said decisively, "I will go down there to scout things out for you, clean up that Yama's Palace, beat all the little devils to a pulp, take the best spot, and then... replace Meng Po's soup with red bean paste."
"Then, I'll wait for you there."
As Jiang Mianmian listened, tears began to fall.
This idiot...
Even my death is arranged for me?
Are you trying to make me... cling to you in my next life?
"good."
Jiang Mianmian sniffed. "Then it's settled. The red bean paste has to be extra sweet. And... you're not allowed to drink that forgetfulness potion."
"I won't drink it."
Shen Jin reached out and gently wiped away the tears on her face. "I can't bear to forget."
"Whether it's the way you curse, the way you're greedy, or... the way you love me."
"I want to remember everything clearly."
The snow fell heavier and heavier.
Inside the pavilion, two elderly people embraced tightly.
Their lives took a dramatic turn, from mutual distrust to life-and-death dependence, from court intrigue to retiring to the countryside.
They have experienced war and also enjoyed prosperity.
We've argued, we've fought, we've cried, we've laughed.
But the only thing that remains unchanged is this hand that has always been held and never let go.
"Holding your hand."
He murmured softly and cautiously.
"To grow old together."
Jiang Mianmian continued with the second half of the sentence.
[Calm and cautious.]
Thank you for accompanying me through this long and interesting life.
If there is an afterlife...
I still want to... be your queen.
Even if I had to listen to your nagging for the rest of my life, I would be willing.
Shen Jin heard it.
In his heart, he solemnly replied with a single word:
"good."
The wind and snow may have covered the footprints on the way home, but they could not conceal the deep affection that transcends time.
The scenery along the way was exceptionally beautiful.
Just because you're with me.
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