Chapter 20 Chapter 20 The Nightmare of Loneliness
After days of overwork, I hadn't eaten much rice. My stomach was already empty, but it was still cramping, squeezing out waves of acid. Even after I vomited out all the bile, my throat was still twitching violently, with nothing left to vomit.
A faint rusty color soaked into the handkerchief. Lan Nongnong stared at the bloodstain in a daze. Suddenly, she felt as if thousands of bronze bells were ringing in her head at the same time, causing her vision to alternate between black and white.
His body trembled uncontrollably, his breathing became rapid and fragmented, sobs that he could not suppress escaped from his throat, and tears that had not yet dried rolled down his clothes.
She suddenly fell to the ground, the blood-stained handkerchief slipping from her fingertips, her distracted eyes scratching at the void in vain, as if trying to dig out a life-saving straw in this lonely courtyard.
The pair of eyes that were always filled with smiles were now immersed in the mist of tears, shaking with broken light, and all the vivid colors faded to pale white.
"Mom, Dad..."
She murmured unconsciously, but the whole courtyard was silent, and only her sobs echoed on the blue brick floor.
The wooden swing in the north corner of the yard was wrapped with a soft cushion made of flower vines that she had sewn stitch by stitch. Not far away were the pear and peach trees transplanted from the hill behind Qingfeng Temple. They were now in bloom.
Under the eaves of the hall door hung a row of bamboo wind chimes she had made herself, each with a pink ribbon hanging from its bottom. When the wind blew, they made a tinkling sound, a clear and pleasant sound.
There were several silk lanterns hanging from the eaves, and a few more hanging in the courtyard. There was a rattan lounge chair in the shade just below the wind chime.
In front of the hall stood a half-meter-high bluestone. On the stone rested a pottery jar, less than a meter wide. Inside lay two lotus flowers, one pink and one white. She had just changed the water yesterday.
The yard is not big, but she has decorated it with everything, making it warm, beautiful and full of life.
When she is alone, she can enjoy herself. The yard faces the sun, and the sunlight shines down, coating everything in the yard with a gentle halo, which is beautiful and comfortable.
The sun was scorching, and the scenery in the courtyard was still as peaceful and tranquil as before she left. However, Lan Nongnong could not stop trembling all over. She curled up on the ground, waiting for an unknown amount of time. When the sobs in her throat gradually subsided, she was left with only a splitting headache.
Folding my arms tightly, I stood up unsteadily.
She stumbled and wanted to complain to her parents, but she was afraid that if she saw them helpless at this moment and got no response, it would be even more painful.
I wanted to pour a cup of hot water to warm myself, but I forgot that the water in the pot had already cooled down. In my drowsiness, I felt that the porcelain pot in my hand was still warm, but my hands were shaking so much that the water splashed around the edge of the cup and finally all over the table.
He lifted the kettle and raised his head to pour the water, but the mouth of the kettle broke his lip. Cold water mixed with blood flowed down his chin and soaked his front. He coughed and fell out of his hand and the porcelain kettle shattered.
Lan Nongnong clutched the edge of the table tightly, her knuckles turning white. She stared at the mess in a daze, her face wet, and she couldn't tell whether it was the splash of cold water or scalding tears.
My chest felt like it was being pressed down by a huge rock, and every breath was like swallowing broken glass.
She looked up blankly, her eyes still searching for something, completely unaware that there were broken porcelain pieces under her feet. She took a mechanical step, and the sharp pain pierced from the soles of her feet straight to her head, but it was only half a beat late that it turned into a whimper.
But she couldn't stop, as if her body no longer obeyed her orders, and only left a gradually spreading bloodstain on the blue brick ground.
*
Although the rebels have been executed, Chiang Kai-shek has been operating for many years, and his followers are spread throughout the government and the country. It will take time to investigate the assassins he has recruited, the cliques he has formed, the money he has amassed over the years, and the confidential account books, etc.
As the prefect of Yuqing City, Lu Tingwen was unaware of the remnants of the rebels under his jurisdiction. He was originally responsible for negligence, but although he captured them, he was also guilty of meritorious service. He had to submit a petition to apologize to the emperor, and he also had to appease the people and deter the scoundrels. It is understandable that he was exhausted from the anxiety of the past few days.
Shortly after noon, I heard that the man had returned. I put aside all my work and went to look for him. However, I saw him half-leaning in a rocking chair among the swaying shadows of flowers, with his eyes closed, resting. His clothes were hanging down, and he looked very uncomfortable.
He couldn't help but wonder, "Why did you return to Yuqing City when you were supposed to go back to Longshuo to report? Could there be someone who slipped through the net?"
Qin Jingyao opened his eyes, raised his long legs, and the soles of his python-patterned boots landed on the ground. His wide sleeves billowed like clouds, and the attendants behind him propped up the crescent-shaped backrest of the sandalwood rocking chair.
His eyes turned slightly, his chin raised slightly, and Tongze stepped forward and brought the dark lacquer box on the stone table. The box was as long as his arm and the black lacquer was as black as ink. He flipped his wrist and the lid of the box opened with a click.
"Mingyuan has governed Yuqing for three years, and his reputation for governance is outstanding. Although he has made meritorious contributions despite his crimes, he will be returning to Longshuo to resume his duties after completing his examinations at the end of the year."
Lu Tingwen lowered his eyebrows and looked into the box. He lifted the indigo coarse cloth with his fingertips and saw five blue-sealed account books neatly stacked on the left, with the cinnabar inscriptions still fresh. On the right, the brocade box was only the size of a palm, but it contained Zhang Juan's leather scroll neatly.
He casually pulled out the account book, and his brows jumped as his fingertips brushed across the pages. When the leather scroll was slowly unfolded, his eyes suddenly fixed on it. Winding along the snow-white leather surface was the secret map of the Jiang party's silver storage in Wucheng, with some black and brown blood scabs on the edges.
Although the crime of negligence of the Yuqing remnants was offset by merit, their promotion will be delayed by three to five years. However, with the Wucheng account book and the secret map of the hidden silver, not only can their previous sins be washed away, but they will also be awarded new merits.
Returning to Beijing is a foregone conclusion.
Lu Tingwen slowly exhaled and carefully put the account books and maps back into the box. Although the remnants of the Chiang Kai-shek Party had been weakened, if he dealt with them alone, even if he could eliminate them, it would be time-consuming and laborious.
He has neither elite soldiers nor strong generals under his command, and it is difficult for him to control foreign places. Moreover, the remaining members are like frightened birds, and will move away at the slightest sign of trouble. Now he has the help of Brother Gu Yan Lei Ting, which is truly a blessing from heaven.
He straightened his collar and stood at attention, bowing solemnly. "I dare not disturb your Excellency's rest. I will now check the account books and seize the hidden silver. I will take my leave."
Three days ago, Long Shuo's letter arrived at the other courtyard. Qin Jingyao received a secret order to order Lu Tingwen to eliminate the rebels in Yuqing City. He led his personal soldiers to secretly go to Wucheng to seize Jiang's account books and hidden silver.
He had been recuperating in Yuqing for a long time and it was time for him to return to Beijing. Moreover, he had to report back after arresting the rebels. Wucheng was relatively close to Beijing, so he originally planned to return directly after completing his mission. However, he received a secret letter before leaving and changed his mind.
It was at this time that he remembered something and called someone to ask, "Has anyone come to look for you in the past few days?"
The housekeeper of the other courtyard bowed deeply to the ground and said, "Your Excellency, no one has requested to see you recently."
Qin Jingyao frowned slightly. There had been no news for several days. With her personality, could she bear it?
He tapped the armrest lightly with his long fingers and said calmly, "Give the order and leave in two days to return to Longshuo."
The attendant responded, "Yes."
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