Chapter 111 I don't remember going to find my grandmother...
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, early in the morning, or even in the middle of the night, we set off.
This is what Gu Fang meant: if we set off a little earlier, we'll arrive a little earlier, since there's plenty of time to sleep along the way anyway.
He was so excited that he hadn't slept for almost two days and two nights, and his dark circles under his eyes looked quite eerie.
Shan said that not wanting to spend the New Year on the road was just an excuse; what she really didn't want her father to take her back immediately. The situation was changing too quickly and drastically, and she was afraid that if she left in a hurry, she wouldn't be able to explain herself clearly, and Liu Min would overthink things. Right now, his heart is her heart, and she has no more reservations.
So I left without any regrets.
The escorts were Gu Xun's personal guards, led by one of Gu Xun's lieutenants, a former servant of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion who had served as Gu Xun's bodyguard. Therefore, he addressed them as Third Master and Fourth Miss.
Ten carriages were used, two for Gu Fang and Shan Lai's living quarters, and the rest were used to carry things, mostly furs and medicinal herbs that Gu Xun had sent people to bring home along the way, as a sign of the brothers' filial piety.
First, he bid farewell to the military household family. They were all kind people, and Shanlai was genuinely grateful. Although he feared he might never return, he couldn't give them anything because Liu Min was still around. So, he simply held the woman's hand, repeatedly expressing his gratitude, and reiterated that if anything happened, she should go to the government office. If the office was ineffective or handled improperly, she could write to him. The reason he said this was because the family deeply felt reluctant to leave their homeland and considered themselves to have only helped a small amount, not daring to take credit. They resolutely refused any further suggestions from Shanlai, leaving him with no choice but to remain silent.
Then he bid farewell to Liu Shen, bowed, and respectfully addressed him as "Master." Since he was certain they would meet again, he didn't have much to say, only wishing him well.
As for Liu Min, there was nothing more to say; he had already said everything. So she simply took his hands in hers and looked up at him tenderly.
The morning star shone brightly.
"I'm leaving now. Take care, you and the master."
He nodded and hummed in agreement.
I'm still a little reluctant to leave, but I have to go eventually.
Shanlai was a sensible person. Without delay, he gently grasped Liu Min's hands with both of his, then released them and turned to get into the carriage.
The charcoal fire on the carriage was burning brightly. As soon as you got on, your face turned red and you started sweating. Shanlai took off his fur cloak and reached out to lift the curtain of the side window.
Liu Min was indeed standing obediently by the window.
Shanlai couldn't help but think to himself, "I can't help but miss him whenever we're apart."
She held a sachet in her hand, shook it at him, and asked with a smile, "Do you know what's inside?"
He didn't speak, but just smiled and gently shook his head.
"The New Year's money you gave me yesterday, I'm going to keep it with me until I see you again."
I really wanted to touch his face again, but there were just too many people.
"I swear, I will come to pick you up."
After saying that, I suddenly became bolder for some reason, and I didn't care about the people around me anymore. I reached out and touched his face.
What kind of behavior is this in public?
"Get on the bus! Let's go!"
My father-in-law suddenly spoke up in a loud voice.
"Lower the curtains! It's cold, and your head will hurt if you keep blowing in the wind!"
Father is right, but Shanlai doesn't care.
The carriage started moving, and Shanlai was still leaning out of the window, later even sticking half his body out to look at the lone person standing on the snow.
Liu Min had originally decided not to go any further, not wanting to appear too vulnerable, but as he watched the carriage slowly disappear into the distance, his foot unconsciously lifted...
Snow was everywhere, everything was white, only snow, only white.
He knew she loved him, that she couldn't bear to part with him, that she kept watching him, and that she tirelessly swore oaths to him...
But he was still afraid, afraid that if he let go, he would never find her again.
The world is so vast, and humans are pitifully insignificant.
He stood in the snow, feeling empty inside.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but it was a long time. He was completely cold. His father came to his side and spoke to him in a comforting tone, "Go back."
He had always hated this person, and now he hated him even more.
"I wish I were still the son of a high-ranking official. Why did you have to resign from your post? You really are my nemesis..."
Liu Shen was speechless.
The road back to Hindu was easy to travel. It was the Spring Equinox before the new year, and the climate got better the further south you went. Although it was still cold, it was only slightly cold. The ground had thawed and was very soft. The new grass was not yet in patches, and the light green was sparse and varied in shade, like someone had accidentally spilled some fragrant powder on the ground.
The carriage started moving very fast, almost as if it were running for its life. Although it was covered with very thick mattresses and blankets, it was still very bumpy. Shanlai endured it for two days, but she couldn't take it anymore. She told Gu Fang, and then the carriage slowed down so that she could have time to enjoy the scenery.
When not admiring the scenery, take out the sachet to look at it, and once you've had your fill, put it against your chest to warm it up.
The carriage traveled slowly, covering 2,500 li (approximately 1,250 kilometers) in almost three months. When they arrived in Xingdu, it was after the Flower Festival, and all the flowers were in full bloom, making the place bright and beautiful. Willow branches swayed in the wind, and swallows and sparrows chirped softly.
Gu Fang felt no trepidation at the prospect of returning home; instead, he was overjoyed.
He no longer rides in a carriage, but on horseback. Every day, he sits by the window, chatting amiably about the changes in people and events over the past eleven years—mostly happy ones. His brothers have gotten married, his eldest sister has also married, his second uncle's family has gained a little sister, and his niece has been born. Because of jealousy, he didn't send any gifts, pretending not to know. Now, thinking back, he realizes how impolite he was and will have to make up for it with a grand gift when he goes back. Not only the niece's gift, but also the gifts for his several grand-nephews are missing and need to be made up for. And then there's the Duke of Li, who has stopped raising fish and started growing flowers and raising birds. I heard he's acquired a huge estate, and now is the perfect time to see the flowers. When we go over, we can take whatever we like, just like before…
My daughter hadn't been very energetic the whole way, but she only perked up when he was talking about these things, so she became more and more enthusiastic as she talked, as if she was racking her brains to find something to say.
Shan Lai was half asleep when she was suddenly awakened. Gu Fang was knocking on the window and calling her name. She thought he was going to talk to her about those things again, so she got up, knelt down and moved over, and lifted the curtain. Gu Fang was already smiling, and when he saw her face, his smile widened. "Come down quickly, we're home."
I'm home.
Shanlai's heart skipped a beat. She turned around and saw two large stone lions and three large gates, all open. Above the middle gate hung a plaque with four golden characters that read "Duke Jingguo's Mansion"... Suddenly, her vision blurred. Yes, her home...
There were sounds of things being moved outside. The maid who served her in the carriage came over to put a curtain on her and help her up. As soon as she lifted the curtain, a hand was offered to her and someone called out, "Miss."
We entered through the middle gate.
Two old women helped them walk step by step into the distance. It seemed so far, with no end in sight. They walked until their bodies felt weak and they could barely stand...
After stepping over another threshold, the old woman whispered, "Come in, Miss, please take down the curtain. The old lady is just ahead."
Upon hearing this, Shanlai raised his hand to untie the ties, but he couldn't lift them; his hand trembled uncontrollably, and he couldn't muster any strength.
"Crane Fairy, my son!"
A cry of pain.
Shan Lai suddenly trembled, and then felt dizzy.
Before the curtain was even removed, the person had already rushed in front of her and lifted the veil in front of her eyes.
Even without the gauze, I still couldn't see clearly; all I could see was a silvery white expanse, because tears had spilled from my eyes.
Both arms are the same weight.
"My son! You've clearly come home, why won't you come to see me! Just let me see you for a moment! Just one moment! How could I not know you're my granddaughter! I've made you suffer so much! So much suffering! My son! My heart is breaking! How cruel you are!"
Many people, many voices—earth-shattering cries, heartfelt pleas, and the flapping of birds' wings, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes near, sometimes far…
Suddenly, someone shouted, "He Xian, why aren't you saying anything? Say something! Speak up, don't make your grandmother cry..." After saying that, she herself started crying loudly.
Shan Lai tried to speak, but her stomach suddenly spasmed, forcing her to clutch her chest and vomit. She vomited a lot of acidic fluid, tears streaming down her face as she did so, and her body slumped to the side.
Things got even more chaotic.
Shanlai's arms were held up, and a figure in a dark blue robe pressed towards her. Ignoring that she was still vomiting sour fluid, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly with one hand and stroking her hair with the other.
"Don't be afraid, Grandma is here. Don't be afraid, we're home. Once we're home, we won't be afraid of anything..."
A handkerchief was used first to wipe her tears, and then to wipe the stains from the corner of her mouth.
Shan opened his mouth several times, wide open, several times, before finally making a sound.
"...I fell seriously ill, I don't remember, I don't remember..." she wailed, "I don't remember the way to find my grandmother..."
Upon hearing this, Madam Rong paused for a moment, then burst into heart-wrenching sobs, repeatedly calling out, "My darling..."
Suddenly, Madam Rong stopped crying, hugged Shanlai, and said, "My dear, stop crying. You can't cry anymore. Your body can't take it. It would be terrible if you cried yourself sick. Let's go inside first."
Upon hearing this, Shanlai paused in her sobbing and actually stopped crying. She followed Madam Rong forward, wiping away her tears as she walked.
After passing the main hall, you enter the main courtyard, where Madam Rong resides in Shou'an Hall.
As soon as they entered, a group of maids brought water basins, and each master had one in front of him.
When it came to Shanlai, Madam Rong personally wrung out a handkerchief to wipe her face.
“I’ve lived for this day, and it’s finally come. I’m more blessed than your grandfather…” Speaking of her deceased husband, Madam Rong couldn’t help but cry again. “Your grandfather died in agony! He kept calling your name before he died…”
Shan Lai's nose tingled, and large tears streamed down her face again.
At this moment, someone choked up and said, "It's only a little while since you stopped crying, old lady, please stop talking about these things! If you do, you'll start crying your heart out again! Let's talk about something else!"
"Yes! Let's talk about something happy!" Old Madam Rong thought for a moment, "Where is my grandson-in-law? Why can't I find him?"
Gu Fang had stopped crying by now. Hearing her mother's question, she retorted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about, Mother! What grandson-in-law? My daughter is an innocent person!"
As soon as he left Wuyunwei, Gu Fang figured it out. He still couldn't stand Liu Min and couldn't accept him as his son-in-law. Moreover, he had thought of a solution. His daughter had only ever seen that good-for-nothing since she was a child and didn't know what was good about others, which was why she was so infatuated. Now that she was back home, she wouldn't have to worry about not having any talented young men to choose from. Once she was completely blinded by her choices, she wouldn't even remember who that good-for-nothing was!
Gu Xun had written home long ago, so Madam Rong already knew about the things Gu Fang had done at Wuyun Guard. She just hadn't had time to scold him.
Is your brain filled with water? All that commotion does you no good!
"What exactly are you trying to do! Your daughter is already showing! What nonsense are you spouting! What are you up to? You just can't stand to see her doing well!"
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