Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Thousand Miles Away
The injury on her foot had completely healed on the fifth day after he left, but Lan Nongnong felt as if her backbone had been taken away. She was dejected all day long, and compared to before, she always lacked the spirit.
In the past, she would go out every now and then, but now, she would not go out unless it was necessary, for fear of missing his letters.
Once again, she unconsciously paced to the entrance of the alley. After eagerly looking at the messenger in vain, Lan Nongnong sighed deeply, her shoulders suddenly slumping. In the afterglow of the setting sun, her once shiny black hair seemed now covered with a layer of gray.
With both hands, he plucked the wild chrysanthemums he had picked from the roadside, but his steps seemed to be filled with lead. He had to look back every three steps, as if the sound of horse hooves would chase him at the next moment.
She had asked him, and it was about 1,200 to 1,300 li from Longshuo to Yuqing, a journey that would take seven or eight days by fast horse. A caravan would have to travel more slowly, so it would take ten to half a month. Today was the tenth day since he left.
His family was urging him so urgently, and he rode away at full speed. Even if the accompanying caravan slowed down the journey, he should have reached Longshuo by now.
Including the days the messenger spent traveling along the way, it would take at least three or two days to get a reply. The road is full of high mountains and long rivers, I wonder if you have encountered rainstorms and dangerous passes?
His family called him back in such a hurry, could something have happened?
Or maybe he was so busy dealing with important matters at home that he had forgotten her parting instructions?
Thinking of this, Lan Nongnong's heart suddenly tightened. She was urging him to return in such a hurry, could it be... that she wanted him to go back and get married?!
Thoughts run wild like wild horses, and once people face the unpredictable unknown, they will always involuntarily guess the worst outcome.
The torment of having no news at all is the most exhausting thing. As we wait day after day, every moment of silence gnaws away at that pitiful sense of security.
Every time this happened, Lan Nongnong would miss the technological products of later generations. That way, even if they were thousands of miles apart, they could still see each other and whisper in each other's ears.
Although he gave her the address of Longshuo, she didn't dare to write to him before receiving his letter. In matters of the heart, one should avoid one-sided wishes. Even if she was very courageous, she couldn't rashly send her daughter's concerns to his house.
"well......"
I have never felt lovesickness before, and then I will feel it, and then I will suffer from it. 1 When I read it before, I only thought the words were elegant, like looking at flowers through the fog, there is always a layer of separation. Now that I have experienced the pain of lovesickness, I know that these fourteen words are like they are tempered from my bones and blood. Even if I write for a thousand years, I can't express the true twists and turns in my heart.
"well......"
If Qin Jingyao is a pit, then her thoughts are water. After pouring more and more into it day by day, it has already become a lake. If he doesn't write to her again, I'm afraid it will turn into an ocean in no time.
"well......"
"Nong Nong is back? What a coincidence! Open the door quickly and I'll bring you the food."
A refreshing and gentle laugh suddenly broke through the air, waking Lan Nongnong from her trance. She quickly concealed her sad expression, wrapped the crushed petals into a white handkerchief, and tucked it into her waist.
The corners of his mouth were raised brightly, and he took two steps at a time towards the source of the sound.
"I can smell the fragrance from so far away! Aunt Liu, just call me and I'll get it. No need to bother bringing it specially. Thank you so much! I can take it in myself. You can go back and have dinner soon."
"It's only a few steps away, it's not a big deal. It's what you said, Nong Nong, stretching your muscles is good for your health! Eat it while it's hot, I'll be leaving first. You've just recovered, so try not to touch cold water. Leave the dishes here for now. I'll take them when I bring breakfast tomorrow. Come on in."
Aunt Liu spoke to her with a smile, but her toes were standing outside the door, with no intention of going in. To be exact, she had not stepped into this door since a guest came to visit her house a few days ago.
Lan Nongnong didn't notice it at all. She took the food box and responded with a smile. Unable to refuse, he went into the yard first and locked the gate after she repeatedly reminded him.
When the brown wooden door closed, the smile on Aunt Liu's face fell. She stood there for a moment, then looked at the houses in the alley, some with their doors open, some locked, all of which were quiet without exception. She sighed softly, turned around and left.
The rich and powerful are not much worse, in short, they are all big figures that ordinary people like them cannot afford to offend.
Threats and threats, as well as bribes to keep her quiet, were used. Even though some people were privately discussing that Nong Nong was having an affair with a man before she got married, she was even more secretive about the man who came with such force, and in the end, no one dared to say anything in front of her.
Although the man had left, he still sent his maidservants to visit him every day to ask how he was doing.
Nong Nong has outstanding looks and a pleasant personality. She is also capable of making money and has quite a bit of savings. It's a pity that she is an orphan after all. Now she is favored by a noble man and is spending money like this.
Even if she is taken as a concubine, it is a rare fortune.
But I still have to find an opportunity to remind Nongnong in the future to ask someone to welcome her into the house as soon as possible, and never let her become someone else's concubine without any status.
-
There were often people coming and going in her house during those days, and Aunt Liu didn't invite her to dinner, so Lan Nongnong expected that the neighbors would gossip about her. However, since everyone had been acting as usual these days, she just thought that the neighbors were considering her face and saved her from many tests and inquiries, and she was happy to have some free time.
As soon as he entered the courtyard and looked at the elegant little house he had personally decorated, his shoulders unconsciously slumped. He had only been here with her for a few days, and now that he was gone, the whole courtyard seemed empty and desolate.
She opened the food box with a dull look, and saw three dishes, a soup, and a rice, all in perfect portions, all to her taste.
But faced with these delicious foods, she found them tasteless. She ate them hastily and then floated back to her bedroom like a wandering soul. She took out the portrait of the two of them, slowly unfolded it on the dressing table, stared at it for a long time, and finally sat down dejectedly with her back slumped.
Her chin rested lightly on her folded arms, her head tilted slightly, her slender white jade fingertips lingered on the portrait, gently caressing the figure of the person in the painting. Although the face was a little blurry, she remembered the outstanding appearance by heart.
Her lips trembled slightly, and her whisper was as soft as a mosquito: "Yao Jing, why hasn't your letter been delivered yet?"
"Yao Jing, you didn't forget to write to me, did you? If you dare to forget, I will not forgive you easily when we meet next time."
Her low voice was tinged with annoyance, and her fingertips were about to strike the man's face in the painting, but at the moment they were about to touch, she changed her touch to a gentle caress. Fearing that she would damage the painting, she reluctantly rolled up the scroll and put it in the plain silk dust bag she had made. She then took out the jade pendant that had been carefully stored in the dressing niche to recall the man.
Sometimes she would hold the jade in her palm, lips parted, whispering softly, her fingertips carefully tracing the lines on the jade like a pen. Sometimes she would hook her fingers on a rope knot hanging high in the air, gazing at the jade in the swaying light, the jade's shimmering light seemed to reflect the figure she longed for so long.
*
On the 13th day of the fifth month in midsummer, in the 32nd year of Chengping in the Sheng Dynasty, the Imperial Commissioner Qin, who had served on the Imperial Guards for over two years, returned to the palace in triumph, bringing with him the good news of peace in all directions and the well-being of the people, as well as the merits of eliminating the rebels.
At the grand court meeting that day, the emperor personally wrote an edict, promoting him to the rank of Shangshu Ling, the second rank, while still holding the position of Taiwei. He was also granted the title of Cheng'an Hou, meaning "to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the country and ensuring its eternal peace."
The title of Marquis was just the icing on the cake, and the newly appointed Shangshu Ling, who was in charge of the confidential matters of the six ministries and concurrently in charge of the affairs of the Secretariat, was only one step away from the purple ribbon and golden seal of the Prime Minister.
From then on, he was given two titles and became a powerful figure throughout the world.
That night, the lights in Jihua Palace were as bright as day, and the emperor held a special banquet to welcome Qin Jingyao.
The emperor and empress came to the banquet with the little prince. The royal family's majesty was temporarily subsided and it seemed like an ordinary family's reunion banquet.
At the imperial banquet, golden cups and jade goblets shone brilliantly, and delicacies were laid out in between. After three rounds of wine, the sound of stringed instruments gradually faded. The emperor, over fifty years old, leaned against a dragon-patterned table, his pale and sickly face appearing even more haggard under the palace lanterns. He said casually, "My return to the capital this time is two days later than reported. Did you encounter any unexpected incident along the way?"
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, Qin Jingyao put down his silver chopsticks, stood up and left the table, bowing deeply: "This minister has handled things in a careless manner. I was tied up in personal matters before leaving, which delayed my journey and almost affected the national affairs."
He bowed, his crimson robe with a dark cloud pattern edging swaying in the candlelight. "Your Majesty, please punish me for my lateness."
The emperor tapped him twice with his silver chopsticks, a knowing smile in his eyes: "A true man should establish himself in the world by making achievements. Romance is only the icing on the cake after success. You are far away in Yuqing, and the Queen and I are out of reach, so some private matters are inevitable."
After saying this, he personally picked up the gilded ivory chopsticks and picked up a piece of shad sashimi from the green jade cup. The fish meat shone like pearls under the candlelight, but when it fell into Qin Jingyao's silver-gilded sunflower plate, it left a few traces of creamy amber soup.
The fish jelly, which should have been golden and shiny, had now solidified into cold and hard glass, reflecting fragmented spots of light under the candlelight.
"It's better than causing any unnecessary trouble. Besides, although we set off two days late, we rode as fast as we could all the way back to the capital on time. There's nothing wrong with that. I actually feel sorry for those horses."
After saying this, he tilted his head and smiled at the Queen, his tone seemed helpless, and he sighed, "Gu Yan is becoming more and more strict in his words and deeds now."
He then turned to look at the young prince sitting on his left, "Your cousin's actions this time have really brought to life the four words in the Book of Rites: 'A gentleman should be cautious when alone.'"
His fingertips suddenly turned in the direction of Qin Jingyao, and he said to the little prince, "You should go to the Shangshu Province duty room every day at noon to see how your cousin reviews the memorials."
The young prince immediately stood up and saluted, his childish voice filled with solemnity: "Your son will follow your father's instructions."
A trace of satisfaction flashed across the emperor's eyes, and he turned to wave at the tall and graceful figure in the hall. "Today is a celebration for you, and it is also a family dinner. Let's skip the empty formalities."
"Your Majesty's grace, I am ashamed to accept it."
Qin Jingyao took a half step back and bowed deeply to the emperor. "Etiquette is the foundation of a country. I will reflect on myself from time to time and never make the same mistake again."
When he raised his eyes, his gaze met the little prince's admiring gaze. He did not show any expression on his face and nodded very lightly.
The emperor was kind and spoke in a friendly manner. Qin Jingyao still responded respectfully, then lifted his clothes and sat down leisurely.
The empress's golden phoenix hairpins swayed gently as she held a jade spoon and poured a bowl of snow fungus and lotus seed soup for the emperor. She smiled gently and said, "I heard a while ago that Gu Yan had found a beautiful woman in Yuqing, who was always by her side and doted on her. Did you bring her back with you when you returned to the capital this time?"
She looked at the emperor with a smile, then turned back to Qin Jingyao, "You've been busy for the court these past two years, and you've always lacked someone who understands your needs and cares for you. Now that you've met someone you like, as long as you like him, regardless of his family background, you can bring him into the palace."
"You've been married for several years, but there's still no baby crying in the house. When that girl comes home, ask Imperial Physician Lu to take good care of her. If she can give birth to a child for you soon, your aunt will reward her handsomely."
The Queen took a jade spoon and personally scooped out two golden and shiny fried dumplings for him. The maid standing by immediately stepped forward with a gilded tray, on which lay a peony sticker.
"In half a month, the Princess's Mansion will hold its peony banquet. I heard they specially transplanted eighteen Green Dragons into the Ink Pond this year. All the ladies from the third-rank mansions and above in the capital will attend the banquet, and there will be many beautiful women with talents that can evoke poetry and figures as graceful as stunning swans."
The Empress glanced at the Emperor's expression and said, "Gu Yan, why not go and relax a bit and enjoy the last bit of beauty of late spring."
The nine-year-old prince rested his hands lightly on his knees, his back as straight as a pine tree. His jade-like face still had a childish look, but between his brows was a calmness beyond his years.
At first glance, this demeanor seems to have copied someone else's character.
"I have long been thinking of having little nieces and nephews. When they can talk and walk, I will bring them to the palace and teach them personally. Don't worry, cousin."
When Qin Jingyao left the capital, the Crown Prince was just over six years old. With a twenty-year age difference between them and their relationship by marriage, Qin Jingyao had assumed the responsibility of educating the Crown Prince from a young age. Over the years, he personally taught him lessons, etiquette, and the ways of life.
Although we haven't seen each other for two years, we still keep in touch. Now that we meet again, our relationship is even closer than before.
Because he still had no children, the Empress had repeatedly inquired about him, but Qin Jingyao remained calm and composed, saying gently, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I am grateful. However, there is no point in forcing an heir. It is better to wait and wait for God's will."
He then smiled and bowed to the little prince who was looking up at him, "I would like to thank Your Highness for your kindness."
The queen heard his hidden meaning and although she was anxious, she did not dare to persuade him any further for fear of repeating the same mistake.
As it was a family dinner, the atmosphere was naturally relaxed and comfortable, with both host and guests enjoying themselves. The Empress treated him as her own son, personally raising him with care no less than her own son. Reuniting after two years, she felt both delight and sadness.
Considering his tiredness from traveling, and the fact that it was late and he was a little tipsy, the Queen wanted to let him rest in the outer palace bedroom to avoid the fatigue of traveling again. However, Qin Jingyao declined on the grounds that he had not returned home for a long time, and then said goodbye to the three people and left the palace.
*
It was almost three o'clock in the morning, and the lights in the Tan Mansion on Danfeng Street were still brightly lit, with light streaming through the double eaves of the red gate.
Upon entering the palace, Jiang Ting, the official stationed in the capital, stepped forward and reported the most pressing matters in the capital. After he had finished, he lowered his voice and said, "There is one more matter I must report to you, Your Excellency. Half a month ago, the Lin family of the Yuqing Grain Store were trying to find out the identity you were using at Yuqing. As you instructed, I have secretly leaked the forged details. Upon verification, they have indeed not raised any suspicions."
Qin Jingyao hummed softly and walked straight into the courtyard where he lived alone. Without permission, even the mistress of the mansion could only wait outside the moon-shaped gate and pay her respects from afar.
He walked straight into the inner room and stood with his arms outstretched. The maids held their breath and came forward, gently untied the jade belt, removed the jade crown, and took off his robe. Under the candlelight, the body muscles exposed were like blades, the lines of his shoulders and back were like a bow with a full string. When he stretched his arms and took a step, every inch of his muscles and bones contained the power ready to be unleashed.
When stepping into the bathtub, the steaming hot mist instantly swallowed up the sharp outline, leaving only the black hair winding in the water like a waterfall, and the wet eyelashes long and sharp, slowly falling like an eagle folding its wings.
During the nap, it seemed that some unfinished business passed through my mind, but this thought was as fleeting as dew or lightning. Since it was not urgent, I just put it behind my mind.
*
Within three days, the ringleaders of the rebellion, who had been escorted to the capital, underwent an initial trial at the Dali Temple, a review by the Ministry of Justice, a joint investigation by the Imperial Court, and a final verdict by the three courts. Their crimes were blatant, the evidence overwhelming, and within the confines of the prison, they signed and confessed their crimes.
Five days later, the people of Longshuo thronged the Meridian Gate, a scene of great commotion. The entire court, filled with officials and nobles, sat at the execution platform. The newly appointed Minister of the Chancellery, Grand Marshal Tan, wore a crimson robe and a goldfish pouch, and sat solemnly on the execution platform.
At three quarters past noon, the soul-chasing cannon was fired, and eighteen main and accomplices were stabbed with beheading targets on their backs. The executioner raised and lowered his knife, killing them one by one. Their heads were hung at the Meridian Gate for public display for three days.
*
Above the vermilion lacquered gate, the gilded plaque of the Shangshu Ling Mansion shone brightly. In front of the gate, carriages and horses blocked the alleys, and the door was filled with Diao Chan. Most of the people coming and going were nobles with purple ribbons and gold medals, but the owner never appeared.
The steward of the Qin residence, a man in his forties, led a procession of blue-robed servants, greeting and seeing off guests. A silver sparrow, bearing a branch, appeared on his gilded bronze waist badge as he walked, its beak dangling in three strands of gold tassels, a fitting reminder of the formality and dignity of a second-rank official's residence. Though he accepted the various gifts, as was customary, with a smile, his smile never reached his eyes. His measured gestures seemed to draw an invisible barrier between the guests and the gates of the residence.
The guests were all discerning people. They spoke their congratulations respectfully and with just the right smile on their faces. After handing the congratulatory gifts to the steward for registration, they tactfully bowed and left one after another.
The front yard was bustling with laughter and chatter, yet it seemed as if blocked by an invisible wall, preventing even a single sound from reaching the study in the backyard. Qin Jingyao sat alone behind a rosewood desk, where secret reports and documents piled like a mountain. They were the backlog of court affairs that had accumulated over the past two years, and half of them remained unopened.
In the study, the rosewood bookshelves and desks glow with a dim luster, and an official kiln celadon brush washer sits quietly in a corner. The room is filled with such restrained objects, without embroidery or color, only the wood texture and the icy pattern of the porcelain glaze are intertwined, plain and almost cold.
This spacious space is big enough to accommodate three houses, but it only has a few pieces of furniture, each one is more than ten feet apart. The doors and windows are wide open, and the morning sun pours in, making the whole hall transparent and bright.
The refreshing scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, warmed by the red clay stove. It was made from the ancient tea trees in the ancestral hall of the guilty ministers. After drinking it, the teeth remained cold for three days. The court officials secretly called it a mirror of loyalty and treachery. Those who changed color after drinking it had a guilty conscience.
The tea fragrance slowly rises with the water vapor and turns into wisps of light smoke in the beam of light.
He was relaxed and at ease, not feeling the burden at all, but Fu Zhirong could no longer contain himself. He had already found out about the guests who would come to congratulate him and the gifts they would give him. He passed by the door several times and looked inside, but saw that the man still had his eyes lowered, slowly turning the pages of paper, his posture and speed did not change at all, as if he could do this until the end of time.
I looked back at the sky. The sun was already high in the sky. It had been nearly two hours since I followed him to the mansion from the court.
"Master Taiwei, Lord Marquis, Master Linggong, Brother Gu Yan, now that you've returned to the capital, why can't you attend to your official duties? It's been two years since we last met, so it's time to drink and reminisce!"
He paced back and forth outside the porch, his hands on his hips, the bricks creaking under his boots. Inside, the man sitting at the desk was as steady as a rock, not even a quiver of eyebrows moving.
This is a confidential place where the emperor's secret decrees are always kept. Anyone who enters without permission will be killed without mercy. Even though Fu Zhirong was extremely anxious, he did not dare to overstep the line.
Seeing that he still showed no sign of rising, Fu Zhirong, deep in thought, suddenly had an idea. He leaned against the pillar with his arms folded, a hint of mockery crossing his handsome face, "I heard that Lord Ling met a beautiful woman in Yuqing and was so overwhelmed with joy that he didn't want to leave. Not only did he publicly protect her before leaving, but he also returned two days late."
He deliberately drawled out his tone, "This makes me curious. How could she be so stunningly beautiful that even someone like Lord Linggong could be attracted to her?"
Suddenly, he changed the subject and pretended to sigh, "But Brother Gu Yan, you didn't handle this matter properly. Since you're so in love with her, why don't you bring her back to the capital? Are you going to follow the example of those heartless men and do something like that, seducing her and then abandoning her?"
Qin Jingyao didn't look up, but his eyelids trembled, not because of his noise, but because he suddenly thought of the woman. He lowered his eyes and glanced at his left wrist. The wrist was strong and empty. The red bracelet that was originally tied around the wrist had been taken off on the way back, and now he didn't know where it was kept in.
It has been half a month since I left Yuqing. After returning to Beijing, I was busy with official business. Her earnest instructions before leaving were long forgotten. Even she herself did not recall them. Now that I think of her, her shy smile and the worries that she wanted to say but could not, seem to come alive before my eyes.
I still remember that day of separation. Her fingertips trembled slightly as she tugged at the hem of his sleeve, tears welling in her eyes as she forced a smile as she said goodbye. Now that I think about it, I haven't even sent a single word since returning to Beijing. I wonder if that silly girl is hiding in her bed, secretly wiping away tears.
Qin Jingyao shook his head almost imperceptibly, and a smile gradually appeared in his eyes. Given her stubborn nature, she would have turned her tears into anger long ago, and she was not sure how she would frame him at this moment.
When we meet again in the future, I will definitely bring up this matter and will definitely pester him again.
Qin Jingyao was distracted for only a moment before he came back to his senses. The faint smile in his eyes disappeared like dew, and his face became sharp. He lowered his eyes to read the document in his hand, then casually put it on the right corner of the table. When he stood up, his wide sleeves brought with them a scent of pine ink.
He walked out of the study slowly and the carved door behind him closed immediately. The guards immediately stood still with their swords drawn. Tongze and Jiangting followed silently. The footsteps of the three of them echoed in the corridor.
"I heard that your family has been very lively in the past two years."
Fu Zhirong walked out side by side with him. He didn't shy away from what he said and sneered, "That idiot is neither good at literature nor martial arts. He is uneducated and obsessed with women. If I really sacrifice my reputation to find him an official position, then our mansion will be on the verge of decline."
He tutted his tongue irritably, then turned around to look around at the quiet and peaceful mansion, feeling truly envious. "Your place is so much better. The front yard is so quiet that you can even hear the wind clearly. Not only is the backyard peaceful, but you can even go out for a walk from time to time and run into a beautiful woman. It's truly a pleasure."
Suddenly he took another half step closer, winked and said, "Tell me how you and that girl came to be together. She's so gentle and considerate, and she's as pretty as a fairy."
Qin Jingyao ignored his curiosity and said calmly, "Marquis Zhenwu has a righteous character and hates favoritism. If you feel your backyard is empty, I will send a few people to your house later. They will all be as gentle and considerate as you say, and as beautiful as fairies."
Fu Zhirong was struck by lightning when he heard this. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He dared not dare to offend the tiger again. He waved his hands and begged for mercy: "Your humble words have been out of place! Your Excellency, please forgive me! I will not ask any more questions. Your Excellency does not bear grudges. But please shut up, or I will become the laughing stock of the whole court tomorrow."
Others might just say it casually, but these words come from the mouth of General Qin, and no matter how close or distant you are to him, they will not fall into the trap.
Although Fu Zhirong had practiced martial arts since childhood and was tall and strong with a handsome appearance, he was known throughout the capital for being henpecked. He had been married to the eldest daughter of the Wang family, who was also a military commander and skilled in spearmanship, for five years, but he had never taken a concubine and had no women to serve him.
His mother, Lady Zhenwuhou, was not without complaints and had even sent a beautiful maid to him. However, in the end, not only did she not get the maid, but despite his humble apologies and attempts to please him, he still received a severe beating. The next day, he went to the guard with a face that was blue, red and purple, which made him a laughing stock.
But he was not ashamed, but proud of it, saying that fighting with his wife was a sign of love, scolding was a sign of affection, and that they were in perfect harmony. It was also because of this that no one sent anyone to his side anymore. If a woman really came to his house today, it would not be a second offense, but a third offense.
Qin Jingyao always strikes at the weakest part of the snake's body, but since he knew what was good for him and kept his mouth shut, he rarely showed mercy and let him go.
He was calm and composed, but Fu Zhirong was still frightened. He secretly gritted his teeth and complained, "You are protecting her so closely, why don't you bring her into the mansion?"
But when his eyes glanced at her, she put on a flattering smile and said, "I took a day off to come here today. Last time, I was cut off by Brother Mingyuan in Yuqing. This time, you have to accompany me to the horse racing in the western suburbs."
"I heard there's a new Dayuan colt there. It's snow-white and runs like lightning..."
After returning to Beijing, the government affairs piled up like silk, and it was indeed necessary to relax a little. Qin Jingyao pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.
*
"...In my opinion, the Jiang family's grain and salt businesses have brought this upon themselves! They chose to collude with the rebels, abandoning their peaceful and prosperous lives. Now, their entire family has been executed, and their entire clan has been implicated. They've truly harmed both themselves and others!"
"The Grand Marshal holds military power, the Minister of State oversees government affairs, and the Marquis of Cheng'an enjoys a noble title. Lord Qin holds all three positions before he even turns thirty. Such extraordinary talent is truly admirable!"
"...Even the son of a phoenix and the grandson of a dragon pale in comparison to Lord Tan. As the Empress's relative and the Emperor's right-hand man, he already oversees military and political affairs before even reaching adulthood. Such brilliance is more than just the blessing of his ancestors; it must be the reward for generations of accumulated virtue!"
"I heard that the gifts sent couldn't even fit into an entire yard. How much silver must they be worth..."
"I heard..."
Lan Nongnong walked out of Caichunju. The streets were full of discussions. In the teahouses and wine shops, everyone was talking about the new notice posted by the government office, saying how heroic Mr. Qin was and how many great achievements he had made.
She paid no attention to the gossip, only counting the days with her eyes downcast. It had been thirteen days since Yao Jing left. To prevent herself from wasting time indulging in thoughts and longing, she had taken on twice as many orders as usual. Now she had even handed in the last drawing, and her knuckles had been worn out with calluses.
But the letter hasn't arrived yet.
On the fifteenth day, Lan Nongnong was so distracted by her painting that she scrapped two drafts. Just when she could no longer contain herself and was about to throw aside her reserve and write him a letter, on the morning of the eighteenth day, the maid who came to greet him every day finally knocked on the door, holding a wax-sealed letter in her hand.
Lan Nongnong hurriedly thanked him, took the letter with trembling fingers, and hurriedly opened the sealed wax seal. He saw the familiar handwriting. The letter said he had arrived safely in Longshuo and had a smooth journey. He also explained that he had been busy since returning home, which delayed his reply.
There was a sense of comfort between the lines, and at the end he added, "If you have anything, just tell the servants in the other courtyard, and just wait for me to pick you up." It was as if he had anticipated her restlessness in the past few days.
Although there were only a few sentences, Lan Nongnong felt warmth from the cold words. Her nose couldn't help but feel sore and she let out a long sigh. The heart that had been hanging in the air for days finally slowly settled down. Those sleepless nights and tasteless days now turned into slightly blurred ink marks on the letter.
She read it over and over again, and could recite it by heart even with her eyes closed, even backwards. Then she reluctantly folded it up, not forgetting to smooth out the crease that didn't exist.
The next moment, she hurried back to the study, holding up the hem of her skirt, and took out the letter paper she had prepared long ago from the bottom of the camphorwood box. The letter paper had been soaked in the dew she had brewed with fallen flowers in the yard, and it still had a faint scent of peach blossoms.
There is no need to think about it at all, the words that have been turning over in your heart thousands of times will flow out naturally.
She was sensible enough not to ask him what he was busy with, but only told him not to tire himself out by being too busy. Of course, she also complained that he wrote so late, which made her anxious and unable to sleep at night. She was afraid that he would have trouble on the way, that he would have trouble getting back, and that he would forget her when he was busy.
She also said that she couldn't eat these days because she missed him. What else did she do every day besides thinking about him? She even wrote down every embarrassing thing about the wasteful draft. Finally, she repeatedly reminded herself to write to her every day and remember to think about her.
When she stood up, Lan Nongnong realized that she had written five full pages of letter paper. She bit her lower lip shyly and rubbed her cheek with the tip of the pen. Her eyes, which were filled with spirit because of his letter, curved into a smile.
She put down her pen, picked up the letter gently, and read it silently against the window light. Every word and sentence was like the affection flowing from her heart, and there was not a single mistake or omission. She was satisfied, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curled up. She took out the pink envelope she made, folded the letter carefully, and sealed it with wax with a red candle. Finally, she picked up the pen and wrote the four big words "Qinqi Yao Jing" on the cover in her unique handwriting.
Finally, he couldn't help but pick up the letter and gently pressed his lips against it.
Although she was the only one at home, Lan Nongnong suddenly felt her ears and cheeks burning. She scratched the corner of her letter uncomfortably with her fingers. She was secretly glad that she didn't often use lip balm, otherwise it would be too obvious if there was a lip mark.
As her eyes wandered, she caught sight of his thin piece of paper on the table. Comparing it with her own lavishly written piece of paper, she couldn't help but puff out her cheeks, poking his words with her fingertips, and said viciously, "Are you so frugal with your words? Are you so busy that you don't even have time to write a few more sentences? Humph, men really are unreliable. When we meet, I'll make sure you pay me back twice as much as I owe you!"
Lan Nongnong's distracted days were finally cleared up with the arrival of this letter. She couldn't wait to hand the reply letter to the maid in the other courtyard and began to look forward to the next letter.
She also knew that writing letters was inconvenient at the moment, so she waited patiently. During the days of waiting, in addition to the first letter being frequently read until the edges of the paper frayed, she also had a burst of inspiration and produced several drawings.
The days passed slowly as she waited. Lan Nongnong finally couldn't suppress her longing and sent several more letters. On the thirty-eighth day after he left, eight letters were neatly stacked in the wooden box on the desk, each tied with a different colored ribbon according to the order in which they were received.
She herself sent out nearly twenty letters.
The number of letters exchanged between the two of them was not only different, but also the content was very different. This was because she mentioned in a letter that sending letters by people was too slow and costly, so she asked him if he had carrier pigeons. Later, he really sent her a cage of carrier pigeons, which made the delivery more convenient.
Lan Nongnong didn't know that with the high status of Taiwei and Shangshu Ling of Qin Jingyao, he might not even read the visiting cards from princes and nobles personally, let alone exchange letters with others.
Sending eight reply letters in just over a month was a huge precedent. If those officials in the court who had requested his calligraphy but failed to get it knew about this, they would probably be shocked.
Although the letter was concise, the words were full of concern. From time to time, people were sent all kinds of things, such as small silk fans for summer, mutton-fat jade chains for playing, mother-of-pearl boxes for dressing tables, summer skirts, Huxuan dance porcelain dolls, soothing spices, and other rare and ingenious things.
If it weren't for the increasing summer heat, Long Shuo's perishable seasonal snacks would probably be sent to her continuously.
Even if Long Shuo was unable to deliver the items, the managers of Yuqing Villa and several shops would diligently send people to deliver them, but Lan Nongnong politely declined them one by one.
Though thousands of miles apart, the two exchanged letters frequently. The thin sheets of paper, laden with unwavering affection, made the long distance seem so close. This constant correspondence, morning and night, would be considered a folly even for ordinary people, let alone in these days of slow post horses.
However, these letters not only failed to ease her longing for him, but instead seemed to add fuel to the fire, making Lan Nongnong's longing burn even more fiercely.
The words are short, the feelings are deep, and it is hard to comfort her. The tender words between the lines only add to her melancholy, like scratching an itch through a shoe. She is no longer satisfied with these words conveying feelings through the air.
When she unfolded the familiar letter again, an idea suddenly emerged from the bottom of her heart, and then it took root like a vine, growing wildly.
Since he was tied up in affairs and couldn't get away, why bother waiting for the next time? Since he missed her so much, why not run a thousand miles!
As soon as this thought came to her mind, it was like a thunderclap in her ears, splitting the clouds and mist. Lan Nongnong suddenly felt her mind clear, and all the depression she had felt for days turned into determination!
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The author has something to say: 1 From the Yuan Dynasty Sanqu writer, Xu Zaisi's "Zheguiling·Spring Feelings"
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