Chapter 296: People have sorrows and joys, but the moon is not full of reunion

Xun Ke is still very 'young'.

He is only over eighty years old, which is far from the grandmaster's lifespan of one hundred and twenty years, not to mention that he is now a grandmaster, and his lifespan will only be longer than that of a grandmaster.

So it is not an exaggeration to describe it as young.

He was extremely energetic. As he grew older, gained more experience, and improved in strength, his power grew stronger and stronger, enough to influence the entire world of the Xia Dynasty and become the guardian of the Xia Dynasty.

He led the Confucians to revise the laws and re-educate etiquette. There were so many things he wanted to do, but he had only just begun.

Fortunately, he still has plenty of time.

His abundant energy and even foresight were enough to support him in completing the transformation of the Xia Dynasty.

Unfortunately, although he is indeed in the prime of his life, the people around him can no longer keep up with him.

The road of life is long, but those who can accompany you from beginning to end are, after all, a minority among the minority, and may even just be a luxury.

At this moment, Xun Ke suddenly understood the feelings that Gu Dan had experienced several times before.

Unspeakable pain and torture suddenly came upon me.

At a loss.

The leader of Confucianism, the guardian of the Xia Dynasty, and the great master, no matter how many titles he has, it doesn't matter? In the face of the power of time, everything is so pale and powerless.

He is still young, but his partner is about to reach the end of his life and will never wake up again.

"Mr. Gu Gu."

Xun Ke grabbed Gu Dan's hand, his eyes revealing the helplessness and panic of his youth. He seemed unprepared for all this.

Or rather, he deliberately made himself forget about it.

But some things will not disappear just because you don’t think about them.

When it was really about to come, Xun Ke realized that it was useless to deceive himself.

Gu Dan looked at him dimly without saying a word.

Xun Ke understood.

His hands were shaking constantly, and his spine, which was as straight as a pine tree, suddenly collapsed. He slowly squatted down, covered his face with his hands, and his whole body was twitching slightly.

When he had just reached the peak of his career and started to make great plans and accomplish something great, the person closest to him was destined not to see it.

His life may have just begun halfway, but this half is already the end point that many people cannot follow.

It is said that the most painful thing in the world is seeing the young die before the elderly.

But how do we know that it won’t be more painful for the young to see the old die?

The most difficult thing to keep in this world is the red face leaving the mirror and the flowers leaving the trees.

The lively and beautiful girl who once teased him in the same small courtyard has now become an old woman.

Sheng Yanhua allowed her to stay in the beauty for a while, but ultimately she could not bring back her lost youth.

Xiaoying is already over eighty years old.

In this era, for an ordinary person to live to this age is already considered a blessing from heaven.

What's more, she was healthy and free from all kinds of troubles in her old age, so she could be considered to have lived a long and happy life.

But people are never satisfied.

The partner I sleep with is getting old, but I am still in my prime.

Should we be happy or sad?

Gu Dan did not comfort Xun Ke.

Just like he did not comfort Wang Mang at the beginning.

There are always some things that cannot and should not be comforted.

Gu Dan also called Cang back to the Gu family courtyard.

"Master, are you really allowing me to live here?"

Cang was very surprised and very happy.

He knew that his master still loved him.

"Only you can live here."

Gu Dan reiterated and emphasized it several times.

"Okay, okay."

Cangmei smiled and said, "Let me show my filial piety to you."

"Oh."

Gu Dan just sneered.

The little fat boy of the past has become a big fat man, but it seems that he was born with an ability that makes Gu Dan want to beat him up at any time.

The Gu family courtyard became lively again.

Cang himself was not a diligent person. To be precise, he only completed his official duties within the time specified by the Xia Dynasty. Once the time was up, he would leave without any hesitation.

After working in Yuzhou for so many years, he was only now brought back to the imperial capital. It has to be said that this has a lot to do with Cang's style.

This kid doesn't like to suffer at all.

Today, Gu Dan, Xun Ke, Xiaoying and Cang have all returned to the Gu family courtyard. Except for Qin Lisheng who has gone far away, all the familiar people from the Gu family courtyard in the past are here.

"Why aren't you busy?"

Xiaoying was very surprised that Xun Ke suddenly started to take root in the Gu family courtyard and was no longer busy with Confucianism and legal matters.

Her husband is not a man who can sit idle. He has his own insights and ambitions. After all, he is a disciple of Mozi and has not known what the word "rest" means for all these years.

Now that he is suddenly around her every day, Xiaoying feels a little uncomfortable.

"His martial arts skills have made some breakthroughs, and he needs some time to consolidate them, so I let him come back and stay for a while longer."

Gu Dan had already found an excuse for Xun Ke.

"oh oh."

Xiaoying nodded, not quite understanding.

She had not practiced martial arts, and although she had come into contact with top masters in martial arts, she was naturally uncertain about the details. Since Gu Dan had said so, there was naturally no doubt about it. After all, Gu Dan had gone out for nearly ten years in order to come up with a suitable set of skills for himself!

It is reasonable to take a break for a while after practicing martial arts.

The four of them lived in the small courtyard, but they never caused any trouble. After all, they were no longer children, and many unreliable things could not be done now.

Every night, they would sit at the stone table under the big willow tree and chat idly. Gu Dan and Xun Ke were not enthusiastic people, but fortunately Xiaoying and Cang were more energetic, so they were the ones talking most of the time.

Occasionally they would chat about family matters, and they were all related to Cang - he had too many wives and concubines, and Cang would no longer touch any of his wives and concubines after they gave birth to children.

Therefore, Xiaoying scolded Cang many times.

But Cang also had a good reason: "I have never done anything wrong to them. I have provided them with adequate food and clothing, never excluded them, and never treated them with disdain. How could I have done anything wrong?"

Then he was punched several times by Xiaoying.

As for Xun Ke and Xiaoying's children, they did not come here. Their children are now in Yuzhou, taking over Cang's position and becoming the governor of Yuzhou. They are also capable people.

Just can't be compared with Xun Ke.

It’s like Cang doesn’t dare to compare himself with Gu Dan. Having a particularly capable elder is itself a huge pressure.

The days continued to move forward peacefully, without any major events.

One day in January.

At the stone table under the willow tree, when they came to sit as usual every evening, Xiaoying suddenly said, "I dreamed of Grandpa Xu and Mom yesterday!"

As soon as these words came out, Xun Ke froze completely.

Gu Dan suddenly raised his head.

Even Cang, who was kept in the dark, seemed to realize something at this time. His eyes wandered between Xun Ke and Gu Dan, and the hand holding the teacup suddenly began to tremble.

The boiling tea flowed out of the teacup. Cang hurriedly put the teacup back on the stone table, forced out a bitter smile and said, "The tea is too hot."

Finally, it was Gu Dan who reacted first and asked, "Oh? What did you dream about?"

"I dreamed that Grandpa Xu asked me if I was doing well and if anyone bullied me. Mother was beside Grandpa Xu. She didn't say anything, but just patted my head, hehe."

Xiaoying smiled and rubbed her gray hair, her face still showing some of her little girl's demeanor. She looked around the table and said with some regret: "There are only four of us left here. I miss them a little."

Yes, the four of them are permanent residents of the Gu family compound.

But in the past, many years ago, there were still a few people who would come here from time to time to take a look.

Now the four of them are together again, but those who used to come to visit can no longer come. No wonder Xiaoying had this dream.

Xun Ke felt relieved, but his heart suddenly tensed up again.

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The worry and fear of loss are beyond words.

He just held Xiaoying's hand and said as lightly and softly as possible: "I'm still here."

"What are you doing?"

Xiaoying was a little shy. She felt embarrassed to show affection in front of an elder like Gu Dan and a junior like Cang, and she wanted to pull back the hand that Xun Ke was holding.

But Xun Ke held her hand very tightly and did not let go, so she naturally could not pull it away, but her face became a little more red.

Fortunately, neither Gu Dan nor Cang took the opportunity to tease him. Cang just looked up at the dim sky tonight and muttered to himself: "Today's moon is so round!"

A breeze blew from the sky and fell on people's bodies, making them feel a little cold.

Autumn is coming again, and thick dark clouds are pressing down on us, refusing to give up.

All the exotic flowers and plants planted by Xiaoying in the yard began to wither one after another, and a new cycle began.

The bleak autumn wind is here again.

"Let's tidy up the yard!"

When autumn comes, Xiaoying looks at the fallen leaves all over the yard and says with a headache.

Growing flowers and grass is good, but they will be gone once autumn comes.

Now she no longer has the energy to take care of the flowers and plants in the yard by herself, and she will feel sleepy and tired after just half an hour of activity.

After all, she is no longer young. She is no longer the little girl with unlimited energy who could play all day long. Now even the fallen leaves in the yard are enough to give her a headache.

"OK."

Gu Dan nodded slightly. Not all the flowers and plants in the yard had withered. The sun chrysanthemum still looked like the scorching sun waving in the world, and its fragrance was everywhere.

On the contrary, next to the scorching sun chrysanthemum, large areas of flowers and plants have shown signs of withering and curling up, waiting for reincarnation.

Xun Ke and Cang went to get a broom, while Xiaoying took a pair of scissors and trimmed the flowers and plants one by one.

She trimmed the plants slowly and carefully. Occasionally, when she found a few flowers and plants that could still stand tall and proud in the autumn, she would happily touch them and smell them.

With these things, the Gu family courtyard will not look monotonous even in autumn.

Xiaoying was mowing the yard all the way from the corner. Her speed was not fast, and she even seemed slow. Every movement was slow and a little stiff.

After sweeping the courtyard, Xun Ke and Cang wanted to go over to help, but were stopped by Gu Dan.

She kept trimming the flowers and plants she had planted decades ago, and finally came to the sun chrysanthemum.

Xiaoying wiped the sweat from her forehead with a slightly tired look and looked at the blooming sunflower in front of her.

Its whole body is as bright red as fire, and its petals are as crystal clear as glass. When it is in full bloom, it is like the scorching sun falling on the earth, and the faint fragrance fills the garden.

This was the birthday gift her mother gave her on her birthday. It has always received her most careful care and love and is Xiaoying's true favorite.

After so many years, this Fiery Sun Chrysanthemum had been destroyed by Cang's evil claws and healed by Gu Dan's miraculous hands. It survived and is still in full bloom today, never withering. It has almost become the most familiar scenery in the Gu family's courtyard.

The slender fingers gently tapped on the glass-like petals. The breeze blew, and even the sun was swaying gently.

“It’s so beautiful.”

Xiaoying stared blankly at the flower in full bloom in front of her, and countless memories flooded into her mind.

Are flowers more precious or memories more beautiful?

She couldn't tell the difference anymore.

"Uncle Gu."

Xiaoying suddenly turned her head and asked, "Do you like her?"

Gu Dan was also stunned.

After a moment, Gu Dan said slowly: "You can watch from a distance."

So Xiaoying smiled softly, as if she had let go of a worry. Her eyes swept across Xun Ke and Cang's faces, and her smile became more warm and gentle.

"I'm sorry to trouble you all."

Xiaoying said.

The scissors fell from her hand.

Xun Ke rushed forward.

Cangzhi stood there in a daze, at a loss as to what to do.

"Master Ying. Sister Ying."

Cang held Gu Dan's hand tightly, as if he was grasping at a life-saving straw.

He wanted to pull Gu Dan over.

But Gu Dan just stood there, like a wooden stake, and he couldn't pull him away.

When he arrived in front of Gu Dan, Cang was somewhat surprised to find that his master, who had rarely expressed his emotions, actually had some sparkling eyes.

His breathing became heavier, but his steps seemed to be of great weight.

Gu Dan raised his head and took a deep breath.

The deep and vast sky seems to have no end in sight.

And the creatures living on this land will face the endless cycle of birth, aging, sickness and death time and time again, just like water dissolving in water.

The autumn wind blows, and wild geese fly in groups and pairs, looking towards the southern sky.

Can the living beings that are still wandering between heaven and earth also accompany us from beginning to end?

Gu Dan had no answer.

Life is like a journey, and I am a traveler.

He had clearly anticipated what would happen long ago.

But I couldn't find any solution.

The autumn wind blew Gu Dan's gray hair and scattered his vision.

He heard Xun Ke crying bitterly, he felt Cang let go of the hand that he was holding tightly, and he sensed that in the Gu family courtyard, a person's heart stopped beating.

Gu Dan finally took a step forward. He walked towards the cabin. Every step was so precise and rigorous, as if the distance had been measured long ago.

He turned his back to the crowd and walked further and further away.

Only the green robe that had not changed over the years looked so familiar, as if I had seen it many years ago.

His figure finally disappeared in the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)