The Journey Home (Part 7)
Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, I hesitated for a long time before asking, "My lord, when... will you set off?"
Xiong Tu's eyes were full of anticipation: "The report was sent to the capital by express courier seven days ago. If everything goes smoothly in the court discussion, we will set off immediately upon receiving the Ministry of War's official document. It should be within the next two days!"
I sincerely said, "Take care, my lord."
Xiong Tu laughed loudly: "Securing peace and protecting the borders is my long-cherished wish since I came to the southwest to serve as an official! If I can personally lead the Changning Army to take down the Shimen Fan, I will have no regrets after ten years of ups and downs in my official career!" After saying this, he stopped laughing, took my hand, and said, "Although I am eager to expand the territory and make achievements, I also hope that Qing Niangzi and the people of Nanguang will no longer suffer from the hardships of the border."
I returned the salute with a single fist and solemnly said, "What you wish for, sir, is also the aspiration of us border people. We hope you will achieve a resounding victory and complete success!"
Xiong Tu stared at me, his eyes burning with passion: "I still owe Qing Niangzi a drink; I wonder when I'll have the chance to make it up to her."
I lowered my eyes and smiled lightly: "'Debts from drinking are common wherever you go,' so you don't need to worry about it, sir."
Xiong Tu stood silently for a long time, then half-turned around and let out a deep sigh: "It has been thirty-seven days since we last parted at the inn. I never expected to meet you again at Yanziping today. You spoke nine sentences to me, and called me 'Sir' eight times." As he spoke, he curled the corners of his mouth in a self-deprecating smile, "Qingcheng, have you forgotten... that you still have a friend like me, Xiong?"
The afternoon wind was as sharp as a knife, blowing the armor of the person next to him, with cold, hard echoes all around.
I crossed my arms and looked up at the green canopy above me. The dark green branches and leaves intertwined and swayed in the wind, creating a hazy, swirling green. I composed myself and said gently, “Qingcheng will never forget your kindness, my lord. Listen carefully to this tenth sentence: May my friend Xiong Botong achieve his ambitions and return in full armor.”
As evening approached, light snow began to fall from the sky, drifting like grains of salt, and soon the ground was covered with a layer of white.
The climate in Nanguang is warm and humid, and the terrain is mainly river valleys. Except for the Daxue Mountain in the south, it is rare to see frost or snow all year round. This is the only two snowfalls I have ever seen in my life.
The elders of Xidong firmly believe that the snow in the last month melts away all the evil spirits, which must be the mountain god showing his power to help them drive away the jackals.
Because Wang Yunhui said that snow water is good for brewing tea, and Liu Yu said that snow in the last month of winter can be used as a medicinal ingredient, Huai Xu, Feng Qiao, and I found a bunch of pots and pans and moved them outside to wait for the snow.
This was the first time Huai Xu had ever seen snow in her life, and she ran around the yard like a child. She made one small snowball after another and threw them at Feng Qiao.
Feng Qiao didn't dodge, just stood there smiling, his gaze following Huai Xu wherever he went, not moving even as he was covered in snow. Huai Xu couldn't bear to watch any longer and rushed over to help him brush off the snow. After brushing off the snow, the two ran to the bean trellis to build a snowman.
Behind them stood the "Red Bones" statue, its cloak billowing in the snow. I couldn't help but recall the beautiful scenery of Wei Ji's hometown that day at Yuzui Cliff. It seems that the spirit of "plucking plum blossoms and exploring snow" can be carried on not only in Jiaxing, but also in the vast mountains and rivers of the southwest border.
"Sigh." Wang Yunhui sighed softly, sat down next to me, and helped me tidy up my things. "Qingcheng, are you going back tomorrow? Why don't you stay and stay with me for a few more days?"
I turned away from the window and looked at her, saying, "Don't be hypocritical. Mr. Liu should be back tomorrow; you don't need me anymore."
"No, that's not it." Wang Yunhui waved her hand. "I was too busy the other day, and I really wanted to keep you here to talk more. As for Lao Liu, I miss him when he's not around; but the thought of him coming back and starting to nag again is really annoying."
I covered my mouth and laughed: "Mr. Liu is a man of great vision and wisdom, comparable to Zhuge Liang. People are eager to seek his guidance. And you, on the contrary, complain that he is nagging!"
Wang Yunhui folded the clothes and said, "It's not that I find him nagging. It's just that we've been together for decades, and I know what he's going to say without him even opening his mouth."
"Once he opens his mouth, it's already the second time it's been heard by me. I often think, why is it always the same few lines? Can't he come up with something new?"
I snatched the clothes she was about to hand me and said in a feigned huff, "Stop! I don't want to talk to you right now."
"Don't be like that." Wang Yunhui put her arm around my shoulder. "Qingcheng, listen to me—" Suddenly she exclaimed "Huh?", picked up the wine jar beside me, weighed it in her hand, and said, "There's a jar of good wine hidden here!"
I glanced at her: "It hasn't even been opened yet, how do you know it's good wine?"
Wang Yunhui smiled and said, "Tell me first, where did you get this from?"
I lowered my head and continued folding clothes: "These were sent by Commander Zheng of the Changning Army. I suppose someone had been eating and staying at my place for a long time without paying, and they felt bad about it."
Wang Yunhui remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "This celadon glaze is warm and lustrous, and its shape is exquisite. It is a top-quality piece from the official kilns. Since it is to be used to hold wine, it must be paired with fine wine." After speaking, she slowly put down the wine jar, got up, and walked to the window.
I reminded him, "Don't stand there, be careful of the wind."
Wang Yunhui sighed and turned back, bending down to press the clothes in my hands.
I had no choice but to let go and looked up to meet her gaze: "What's wrong?"
Wang Yunhui's eyes held a hint of regret, but even more so, concern: "Qingcheng, I see that Lord Wei and Lord Xiong both seem... to have feelings for you. I wonder what your plans are?"
"Plans?" I shook my head with a smile. "Qingcheng considers you two as friends."
“Qingcheng,” Wang Yunhui said earnestly, holding my hands, “Actually, both of them are just like my husband, Lao Liu. They are talented and responsible, and they are men worthy of a woman’s lifelong commitment.”
"Looking back, when I married into Tongcheng, I was a devoted wife and mother, and life was peaceful and quiet. Everyone respected me and called me 'Madam Liu.' I thought that my life would always be like this, and there was nothing wrong with that. But unexpectedly, at the age of fifty, God suddenly sent down the obstacle of 'exile three thousand miles away,' waiting for me to overcome it."
"I stumbled and fell along the way, and by some twist of fate, I ended up being Wang Yunhui again. The experience was like drinking water; only I know whether it was hot or cold."
I listened intently, my palms becoming warm and damp, and I unconsciously gripped her hand tightly in return.
Wang Yunhui said emotionally, "Qingcheng, I don't want to use my seniority to advise you on what to choose or what to give up. I sincerely hope that wherever you go, you will always be the most beautiful hollyhock flower."
I grasped her hand, clasped it together, and shook it vigorously, saying, "I understand—"
The next day, the wind stopped and the snow cleared, and the long-awaited red sun lay quietly on the mountain ridge, looking down upon the world.
The sounds of rice pounding mingled with cheerful folk songs as the villagers of Yanziping eagerly began their preparations for the New Year.
I led my horse and bid farewell to everyone, but Huai Xu and Feng Qiao lingered on the side. I asked them what was wrong and learned that the kitchen was steaming rice cakes, and they wanted to try them before leaving. I couldn't be bothered with these gluttons, so I rode back to my inn alone.
The gate was ajar, and the snow at the entrance had been cleared away. I slid off my horse and slowly tied the reins at the hitching post. Some inexplicable emotions suddenly welled up from the bottom of my heart and grew wildly like vines.
I held my breath and walked to the door, then suddenly pushed it open and shouted at the figure under the flower stand, "When did you get back?"
Lin Zhong turned halfway around and replied without looking up, "Slightly earlier than you."
I quickly stepped forward: "Since you were here earlier than me, why didn't you come to Yanziping to pick me up? Everyone else had someone to pick them up."
"It's quiet here." Lin Zhong turned around with his hands behind his back and went to clear the remaining snow from the flower stand.
I snorted coldly: "Looks like I'm the one who disturbed your peace and quiet."
Lin Zhong remained silent, and for a moment, only the soft sound of falling snow could be heard.
Some ill-timed plans made before entering the door, like vines, grow quickly but wither even faster.
I took a deep breath and said in a tight voice, "Eight years. It seems like we've never been apart for so long. I never imagined that after so many days apart, you would treat me like this when we meet again."
Lin Zhong's hand paused for a moment, then the rustling sound of snow sweeping resumed: "Now you know."
A fire suddenly ignited in my heart, instantly extinguishing all the absurd and ridiculous thoughts I had once had.
I walked to the eaves, put my bundle aside, dragged over a stool, sat down facing Lin Zhong, and looked at him and his precious plants: "Don't waste your time. It hasn't snowed in Nanguang for nearly twenty years. These hollyhocks you planted will definitely freeze to death this year."
Lin Zhong bowed his head as he trimmed the branches and leaves: "They won't freeze to death."
I scoffed, then added maliciously, "Look at that stem, it's almost drooping, and the leaves are all wilted, there's not a trace of life in it."
Lin Zhong glanced at me and said calmly, "Gen is still alive."
I looked up at the wind chimes hanging high under the eaves. The bamboo joints trembled slightly, but made no sound. The weather was so clear today—there wasn't even a breath of wind.
I stood up, raised my hand and brushed it across the bamboo tube. A "ding-dong" sound rang out, crisp yet tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Just as they were about to carry their bundles into the house, Lin Zhong suddenly asked, "Why didn't Huai Xu and Feng Qiao come back with the master?"
"Boss?" I haven't heard that title in a while.
Hmm, once those vine-like distracting thoughts are cut away, the mind immediately becomes as clear and bright as a mirror.
I thought to myself: It's time to reclaim my authority as the boss...
I sat back down on the small stool. "They're making rice cakes in the kitchen. The two hungry cats are just waiting there, so I'll head back now." I casually pulled a celadon jar from my bundle, waved it across the table, and laughed, "You've worked hard these past few days! Finally, the clouds have parted and the moon is shining. How about we have a couple of drinks to celebrate?"
Before he could finish speaking, a figure flashed past, and his hand went limp as the wine jar was snatched away by Lin Zhong. With a flick of his wrist, the jar somersaulted in mid-air before landing back in his palm: "Crimson Cloud Spring?"
"Really? The name sounds nice. Have you tried it?"
"This is the best wine in Luzhou."
"In your opinion, which tastes better, this or our Rong family's Chongbichun?"
"Chongbichun is brewed from five grains, resulting in a mellow and rich taste; Chixiachun is fermented from a single grain, giving it a purer aroma. As for which one tastes better, it depends on the drinker's preference." After saying this, Lin Zhong expressionlessly tossed the wine jar back to me.
I smiled and pressed, "If I had to choose one, could you give me your advice? Which one should I pick?"
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