A long time has passed.

After a long spring and Mid-Autumn Festival in Shuojing City, the wind is getting colder and colder, and winter is coming soon.

The Wutuo people had been completely defeated and had suffered a great loss of vitality in this battle. For the next ten years, it would be impossible for them to have any illusions about attacking the Wei Dynasty. The victory reports from Jiuchuan, Ji County, Yunzi and Bingjiang were sent back to Shuojing, and countless people applauded and celebrated.

Amidst the excitement and joy, there were also sad events, such as the death in battle of Yan Nanguang, the Lieutenant General of Guide.

When the news reached Yan's family in Shuojing, Yan He's mother fainted on the spot and Yan He's wife Xia Chengxiu gave birth prematurely.

Probably because she was heartbroken, childbirth was extremely dangerous and even the grandmother was helpless. At this critical moment of life and death, it was Lin Shuanghe's father Lin Mu who rushed over with his female apprentice and instructed her to deliver the baby for Xia Chengxiu personally outside the curtain.

The whole Yan family gathered outside the delivery room, listening to the woman's weak voice inside and watching the basins of blood being brought out, and couldn't help but feel terrified. Old Master Yan, who had never believed in Buddhism, went to his own ancestral hall and knelt on the ground to pray for the safety of Chengxiu and his son.

In the room, Xia Chengxiu's forehead was covered with sweat and he looked in pain. He felt that all the strength in his body was gradually disappearing.

Even as she was dying, she could still clearly feel her heartache. That heartache was greater than any pain she was experiencing, and it made it difficult for her to even breathe.

Yan He died in battle.

As the wife of a military commander, she should have been prepared for this day since she married Yan He. War is cruel, the battlefield is ever-changing, and no one can guarantee that they will be the one who survives. Xia Chengxiu had thought countless times that since she had decided to become his wife, when this day really came, she should be calm and open-minded, even if she felt very sad and reluctant in her heart, her face would be able to withstand the wind and frost.

But when that day finally came, she realized her own weakness. She was weaker than she had imagined.

The man who was fierce, bad-tempered and provocative in the eyes of outsiders had never said a harsh word to her. Since the marriage, Xia Chengxiu was grateful to him. This marriage was indeed the happiest thing she had ever thought of. However, good things in the world are not solid, and colorful clouds are easily dispersed and glass is fragile. It is because it is too perfect that it is so short-lived.

In her daze, she seemed to see a familiar figure in front of her eyes. It was Yan He in a silver robe and a long spear. He seemed to have come back from outside, with dust all over his body. He stared at her with a familiar smile on his lips, which was somewhat proud and a bit boastful, just like in the past, returning after a victory.

Yan He stretched out a hand toward him.

Xia Chengxiu looked at him foolishly and subconsciously wanted to put her hand in his palm.

The female doctor beside her was shocked when she saw her face. She shouted, "Madam Yan, hold on. Don't fall asleep. Don't lose your temper!" She turned her head to look at the curtain and said anxiously, "Master, Madam Yan is dying!"

Lin Mu, who was behind the curtain, was so nervous that he could not care about anything else and shouted, "Madam Yan, think about the child in your belly. Don't you want to see what he looks like? Don't you want to accompany him to grow up?"

"Even if it's for your child, Madam Yan, you have to be strong!"

child?

It was as if a clear hole was torn in the chaos, the child...Muxia...she suddenly opened her eyes.

This was her and Yan He's child. Before Yan He left, he had sincerely apologized to her belly for not being able to accompany her. He hoped it was a little girl, but if it was a little boy, he would love it just as much. Just as he had guessed countless times in his mind what the child would look like in the future, Xia Chengxiu himself had already sketched the child's features many times.

If he was a young master, he would look like Yan He, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a high spirit. If he was a young lady, he would be like me, gentle, pretty, well-behaved and lovely.

How can you just walk away when you haven't even met this child?

Can't!

Xia Chengxiu suddenly came to her senses. She couldn't, at least not now, wallow in grief. She was Yan He's wife, and she was also a mother!

"Wow--"

A baby's cry was heard in the Yan family courtyard. Old Master Yan, who was praying with his hands clasped together in the ancestral hall, was startled and then burst into tears.

The female doctor smiled and said, "Congratulations, Madam Yan. Congratulations, Madam Yan, it's a little master——"

Lin Mu, who was behind the curtain, heaved a sigh of relief. When the news from Ji County came, he also felt sad for Yan He's experience. Lin Shuanghe failed to save Yan He, but at least he saved his child.

Xia Chengxiu was already exhausted, her sweat-soaked hair stuck to her cheeks. In a trance, she saw Yan He again.

The man smiled warmly, as if with a hint of apology, and said to her, "I'm sorry."

Xia Chengxiu's tears welled up. She reached out and tried to grab the man in front of her, but he smiled: "Chengxiu, I'm leaving."

“Nan Guang…”

The man turned around and strode forward. His back was elegant and neat. As he walked, his figure completely disappeared from her sight.

…

When Xia Chengxiu's baby boy was one month old, Xiao Jue returned to Beijing with the Southern Army.

Emperor Zhaokang was very pleased and gave countless gifts. The court officials secretly thought that the new emperor wanted to reuse General Feng Yun. A new emperor appoints new ministers. Now that Xu Jingfu is gone, the Xiao family of Wei will rise again in the future.

The court officials all had their own thoughts, but the common people did not think so much. They just thought that General Feng Yun was General Feng Yun, and that even if the battle was tough, he would still be able to win a great victory.

Not long after Xiao Jue returned to Beijing, General Hu Wei also led his troops back from Bingjiang.

At this point, only the Fuyue Army led by He Yan and the Yan Family Army had not returned.

However, even though they have not returned, everyone knows that it is too late. After all, Jiuchuan and Ji County have been recovered. Calculating the time, they should be on their way back to Beijing now.

He Yunsheng got up earlier every day. In addition to going to school, he got up before dawn and climbed up Donghuang Mountain to chop wood. Nowadays, their livelihood is not so hard. He Yunsheng chopped wood not for a living, but just wanted to improve his skills.

If one day, his skills could match He Yan's, then when He Yan goes to the battlefield in the future, he can also go with him.

He would go to Xiao's house every day after school. Every time he saw Xiao Jue, the first thing he would ask was, "Brother-in-law, is there any news about my sister?"

Xiao Jue always shook his head and said calmly, "No."

No, what a depressing answer.

Ji County won the battle, but He Yunsheng also learned that He Yan was seriously injured in the battle. After that, there was no news from the other side. Even if there was a news, it did not explain He Yan's condition. He Yunsheng resisted telling He Sui about these things. He Sui was old, and he was afraid that He Sui would know about this and worry every day.

But He Yunsheng himself still looks forward to good news every day.

Not long after this, Bai Rongwei also gave birth to a daughter.

Xiao Jing was extremely happy. Because of the incident that happened to the Xiao family, Bai Rongwei suffered from a chronic illness, and this pregnancy was particularly difficult. Now that mother and daughter were safe, it was a good thing.

Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao came to see Bai Rongwei and brought a lot of gifts. At present, the Xiao family is a favorite in the eyes of Emperor Zhaokang, and the relatives in the past remembered the "old feelings".

Cheng Lisu asked the servant of the Xiao family to collect the cloth and supplements that his mother had sent over. He looked around and did not see Xiao Jue, so he asked Xiao Jing: "Uncle, isn't my uncle in the house?"

He hadn't seen Xiao Jue for some time.

Xiao Jing was startled: "At this time, he should be in the ancestral hall."

Cheng Lisu stood up and said, "I'll go find him!" Then he ran away.

He and Xiao Jue had a close relationship, and Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei were no longer surprised. However, Song Taotao, after Cheng Lisu ran away, asked Bai Rongwei: "Grandma Xiao, is there any news about Lord He?"

Bai Rongwei sighed and shook his head when he heard this.

Song Taotao became a little disappointed.

On the other side, Cheng Lisu ran out of the ancestral hall.

The weather was getting colder, leaves were falling in the yard, and a layer of white frost accumulated on the tiles. He tiptoed inside and saw a young man standing with his hands behind his back in front of the tablet in the center of the ancestral hall.

The dark blue robe made him look cold and distant, and his gaze towards the memorial tablet was also peaceful and calm. Cheng Lisu suddenly remembered that summer afternoon many years ago, when thunderstorms continued, and he was also like this, chasing a cat, and accidentally hid in this place, and accidentally encountered the tenderness in the heart of the cold-blooded young man, which was difficult for the world to see.

The young man's voice sounded, "What are you doing hiding in the back?"

Cheng Lisu was stunned, as he was discovered. He walked in obediently and called out "Uncle".

Xiao Jue didn't look at him.

It was a habit he had developed since he was young. Whenever he felt restless or unbearable, he would come here and light three incense sticks. After three sticks of incense, everything would return to normal.

His anxiety and fear must not be seen by outsiders. Just like now, beneath the seemingly peaceful situation, there are turbulent waves.

"Uncle, are you worried about my aunt?" Cheng Lisu asked.

Xiao Jue was silent.

After a long time, so long that Cheng Lisu thought Xiao Jue would not answer him, Xiao Jue finally spoke. He said, "Yes."

Cheng Lisu looked at him.

"I just want her to be safe."

…

After coming out of Bai Rongwei's room, Song Taotao felt a little depressed.

She knew the news about He Yan and was also worried. Even though she had been secretly troubled for a long time because of the fact that He Yan was a woman, now, that was all in the past.

To be fair, putting aside the fact that He Yan is a woman, she actually likes He Yan very much.

Death is fair to everyone, that is why the battlefield becomes particularly cruel. When people truly realize the cruelty, they will begin to grow up.

The carefree girl's biggest worries in the past were that her hairpin didn't look good and her new lip balm was too dark. But now, she finally understood the feeling of helplessness.

Maybe, she is starting to grow up too.

A young man in blue came towards them. He had delicate features and looked arrogant. He looked somewhat like the cheerful and lively girl. Song Taotao paused and said, "He..."

She remembered that this young man was He Yan's younger brother. His personality was completely different from He Yan's, but the determination and perseverance between his eyebrows were very similar.

He Yunsheng also saw her.

It seemed that this was a rich lady that He Yan knew in Liangzhouwei, and perhaps a guest of the Xiao family. He came to the Xiao family today to inquire about He Yan's news. Of course, he did not hear the news he wanted. He forgot Song Taotao's name, and just nodded slightly as a greeting, and then turned aside to walk away.

"Hey..." Song Taotao called him subconsciously.

He Yunsheng stopped, looked up, and asked, "Miss, what else do you want?"

Song Taotao pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and then spoke, "Don't worry, Marquis Wu'an will definitely return safely."

He Yunsheng was stunned, as if he didn't expect her to say that. He was silent for a moment, said to her, "Thank you," then turned and left.

Song Taotao looked at his back, not knowing whether she was talking to the person going away or to herself, and whispered to herself: "She will definitely come back."

…

One night there was a frost, and on the pomegranate tree in front of the window, the fruits had turned red at some point and fell to the top of the tree, leaving a little bit of residual red in the shadow of the tree, and the pistils were as red as fire.

Little Baiguo stood under the tree, drooling at the biggest and reddest pomegranate on the top of the tree early in the morning. The courtyard of the Second Young Master was deserted, and the most lively one was this pomegranate tree. The biggest one was like a small lantern, and it looked very sweet.

Qingmei walked by and saw her looking at him infatuatedly. She couldn't help but tapped Baiguo's head gently and said, "You're greedy."

Bai Guo smacked his lips and was about to speak when he looked up and saw Xiao Jue coming out. He hurriedly said, "Young Master!"

Xiao Jue glanced at her and asked, "What's the matter?"

Baiguo pointed to the tree and said, "Look, the pomegranates are red!"

Xiao Jue turned his head to look. The fruits on the tree added a hint of green, like a lamp burning in the night.

"It's so red, it must be very sweet." Bai Guo said while biting his finger.

Qingmei couldn't help but whispered, "The young master is saving the sweetest for the young mistress, what are you staring at?"

Bai Guo defended herself in a low voice, "I know, I just wanted to ask, can the youngest one be left to us..." Her voice gradually faded away, and she did not dare to finish her words.

Xiao Jue walked to the pomegranate tree, and suddenly he recalled a time last year when a woman stood under the tree, jumping and trying to pick pomegranates from the tree. Later, the capital was overwhelmed with work, and the largest pomegranates were ripe before she could pick them, which she regretted for a long time. Now the time is right, but the pomegranate picker has not returned.

He casually picked up a stone from under the tree, looked towards the farthest branch, moved his fingers slightly, and the stone flew towards the branch. The fiery red pomegranate like a lantern fell into his palm.

Heavy and bright red.

He withdrew his hand. The pomegranates of this season should be placed in the well in the yard and soaked in cool water. This way, they would be just right when He Yan came back.

Just as Xiao Jue was about to leave, Chi Wu ran in from outside, panting and begging, and said, "Young Master... Young Master... has persuaded the Yue army to return to the capital!"

Qingmei and Baiguo were stunned for a moment, then became happy. Just as they were about to speak, they looked up and felt a strong wind sweeping past them. When they looked again in the yard, Xiao Jue was no longer there.

Only the pomegranate tree with fruits is more beautiful than the early winter plum blossoms.

…

The city gate was already filled with common people who had rushed in upon hearing the news, tightly blocking both sides of the street.

Most of those who came to greet them were those whose family members had joined the army. Many women stood in the wind with their young children, carefully looking for familiar faces in the crowd. If they saw a living relative, they would rush over regardless of the occasion and cry with the person. There were also old men who came out trembling with their crutches, looking from beginning to end until their eager eyes turned cold with disappointment.

A war tore countless families apart. Separation and reunion, joy and tears, all the tragedies and comedies of the world were played out one by one without exception.

When Xiao Jue arrived, the troops had already passed the city gate. Of the many soldiers and horses that had set out before the expedition, only half were left. Everyone's face showed a mixture of fatigue and joy. However, in the front, there was no familiar, cheerful figure riding a steed.

His gaze suddenly froze.

When the army returns to the capital to ask for rewards, the chief general, as a meritorious official, will always walk in the front, without exception. But now, no one does.

There was no sign of He Yan.

When He Yan was the "Flying General", he didn't see him when he returned to the capital. Later, He Yan joked with him, "Xiao Jue, one day, I will definitely let you see my heroic figure when I return from a victorious battle."

But now, she was nowhere to be seen from the beginning to the end of the long line of soldiers.

For many years, perhaps since the death of Xiao Zhongwu and Mrs. Xiao, he had never felt so lost. For a moment, he didn't even know where and when he was.

The bustling crowd seemed to be far away from him. Someone walked by without noticing that this distraught young man was the commander of the right army of Wei. The pomegranate he was holding tightly slipped from his hand and rolled into the crowd, leaving no trace.

He seemed to have returned to that night in his youth. All his calmness and tranquility suddenly shattered, and he was so panicked that he didn't know what to do.

It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it also seemed like only a short time had passed.

He seemed to realize what he was going to do next, turned around, and then froze.

There was a young woman leaning against the wall on the street. She was wearing a red outfit and had a long sword at her waist as green as a pine tree. She was looking at him with a smile and tossing a red fruit up and down in her hand. It was the pomegranate that he had just dropped into the crowd.

"Hey," she shouted frivolously when he looked over, "Young Master across the street, my leg is injured and I can't go any further. Could you please help me and walk forward?"

The young man's gaze passed through the passing crowd and stayed on her for a long time. Then he walked towards her.

Step by step, as if crossing all the mountains, seas and years, in the long life, finally found the home in the world.

The girl smiled and opened her arms wide towards him, as if asking for a hug. He quickly stepped forward and hugged her tightly in his arms.

In an instant, everything was silent, only each other in their arms, which became the most enduring attachment.

In the crowd beside me, some are happy, some are crying, some are reunited, and some are leaving. They are just in this bustle between heaven and earth, leaning on each other, and although there are thousands of things, they are unspoken.

The young man was dressed in gorgeous clothes and patted her head gently. The warmth from his palm made He Yan's eyes hot and tears fell unconsciously.

"Long time no see, Commander Xiao," she said softly.

In this world, people come and go, but fortunately, they can always meet and reunite.