Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Desire/Loss of news
Lan Nongnong straightened up suddenly, her eyes sparking with sparks. This thought burned more and more fiercely in her heart, making her unable to sit still any longer, and she stood up suddenly.
Unlike him, she wasn't burdened by the family fortune, where a single move could easily affect her entire body. She was unfettered, free to explore the vast expanse of the world. She also had ample savings, and as long as she made the right arrangements, she could embark on a long journey at any time!
Lan Nongnong slapped her forehead. She was truly confused by the situation. She had initially refused to go with him because, firstly, it was too hasty, triggering her instinctive attachment to and uneasiness about this place of travel. Secondly, she also knew that his invitation was merely a temporary measure, intended to appease her.
The most fundamental thing is that she was subconsciously limited by the traffic concepts of this era, and unconsciously trapped herself in the cage of passive waiting.
It was really just a matter of one thought that caused them to be separated for so long.
Lan Nongnong was a man of action. Once she made up her mind, she immediately took action. She rushed into the bedroom in two steps, leaned over to the secret compartment inside the bed, and took out a small wooden box with flower patterns.
Although she wasn't extravagant over the past year, she never compromised on food, clothing, or daily expenses, living entirely to her heart's content, and her expenses were not small. Fortunately, she had a good way of making money, and the Chinese instinct to store grain for fear of starvation was ingrained in her bones.
He didn't try to make money on a daily basis, and with his income and expenditure, he managed to save more than 600 taels of silver!
In this era when two or three taels of silver were enough for a family of four to eat and drink for a month, six hundred taels was indeed a huge sum of money. Thinking about how long it would take to go to Longshuo, and how expensive things were in the capital, and how the house would inevitably attract thugs if it hadn't been lived in for a long time,
Lan Nongnong thought for a moment and immediately decided to take all the cash and valuables with her. She would take the rest of the valuables with her when she went to her aunt's place.
By the way, she also needs to give the drawings she has drawn to kill time during this period to Sister Wen Niang in case of emergency, and then redeem the profits and donate them to the merit box in the nunnery.
Fortunately, she had the habit of exchanging silver for banknotes on weekdays, and always kept some loose change for daily expenses, so she avoided the risk of attracting attention by exchanging money at the last minute.
I heard that the climate in Longshuo is hotter than Yuqing. Now it is the hottest time of June, and it will be unbearably hot on the way. So I just brought two sets of summer clothes. Anyway, I will need to buy new clothes when I get to Longshuo, so there is no need to bring too much.
I also need to tell Aunt Liu and give her a red envelope as a doorkeeper, asking her to help look after the house on a daily basis.
Although she had acquired a great many things over the past year, she had kept them in perfect order, as she loved to take them out and admire them from time to time. Now, while she was counting and calculating, she had packed her belongings in less than half a day.
In addition to the things that were to be taken to the aunts, which were packed in boxes, the clothes and other things that were to be taken away were wrapped in a half-new indigo bag.
As for silver and money, she kept small change in the small shoulder bag she carried with her, and hid the banknotes in the sewn inner pockets.
Lan Nongnong also carefully kept the shop deeds that the two girls insisted on leaving to her in a secret pocket on her inner collar, waiting to return them to him in person.
"Phew, it's done!"
Lan Nongnong clapped her hands, looked around, and sorted out the thoughts in her mind. Suddenly, she clenched her right fist and smashed it on the palm of her left hand. Her eyes suddenly widened.
I almost forgot the most important thing, the carriage and guards have not been arranged yet!
Although the villa has ready-made carriages and horses for escort, the journey is long and people's hearts are unpredictable. To be safe, we should find a reputable carriage and escort agency, sign a contract in black and white, and then get a government guarantee. Then, let Sister Wen Niang and the aunts know, so that if something happens, they will have a place to go.
Lan Nongnong agreed deeply and nodded heavily.
But in the next moment, her eyes suddenly flickered, and a sly smile appeared in them. If Qin Jingyao saw this, he would definitely see through her scheme and would have to prepare for it in advance, nipping any possible disturbance in the bud.
Unfortunately, he was thousands of miles away, so naturally he had no way of knowing her plans. When he unexpectedly ran into her in Longshuo City one day, the surprise he felt, and how he secretly planned and quickly arranged everything, were all stories for later.
Lan Nongnong simply missed him too much and didn't want to be separated from him any longer. She secretly hoped to see the surprise on his face, so she decided not to tell him her itinerary for the time being and even stopped sending him letters.
As for the villa and the shop, he just said that he was staying with his aunts for a while.
She had waited anxiously for so long, and it was time for him to experience the feeling of worry. Thinking of his restlessness when he didn't receive the letter and had no news from her, Lan Nongnong couldn't help but smile.
Oh, and I still need to go to the Lin family shop to look for Aunt Qingfeng's nephew, Master Lin. It's been two months since Aunt Qingfeng sent her letter, and I wonder if they've verified it.
The last time she went to the shop to deliver a letter, the clerk said he had gone to Longshuo and had not returned yet. A few days ago, when she went to Caichunju to submit a manuscript, she heard that he had returned. It was a good opportunity for her to ask him about Longshuo's situation.
After everything was arranged, Lan Nongnong looked up at the sky. Seeing that the sun was still high, she immediately straightened her clothes and hair, carefully locked the doors and windows, and left.
*
The Lin Family Grain Store is a time-honored brand in Yuqing City, with business spread across several surrounding towns. It is now planning to open a store in Longshuo.
As the young master, Lin Siyi personally traveled to Beijing to build connections. Unexpectedly, the Chen family grain store, a longtime rival of the Lin family, was suddenly accused of treason, with the entire family imprisoned and all their assets confiscated. This golden opportunity to annex the family was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that must not be missed.
As soon as he received Yuqing's letter, Lin Siyi made a quick decision and rushed back. He had been busy closing down the Chen family shop these days. When Lan Nongnong visited, he was counting the account books in the shop.
Because of Aunt Qingfeng, Lan Nongnong had met him several times. Although they were not familiar with each other, they could still chat and laugh when they met. At this moment, she was led into the upper room by the waiter. When she saw the figure of that person, she bowed with her eyebrows curved, "Brother Lin, how are you?"
Lin Siyi was infected by her smile, and his elegant and handsome features also smiled. He invited her to sit down, picked up the celadon teapot, poured the emerald green tea into the cup, and gently pushed the cup to her hand. Then he smiled gently and said, "Nong Nong, how are you? Why did you take the time to come to see me today?"
"I knew Brother Lin was coming back a few days ago, but you were in a hurry and I couldn't disturb you. I hope Brother Lin won't blame me."
Lin Siyu smiled and shook his head, "It's okay."
Lan Nongnong thanked him, took a sip from her cup, exchanged a few pleasantries with him, and then put down her teacup and stated her purpose. "Brother Lin has been very busy lately, so I shouldn't have bothered you. But two months ago, I came to deliver a letter at Auntie's request, but Brother Lin happened to be away in Longshuo, so I wasn't able to see him. I wonder if he received the letter and if there was any result."
Lin Siyi had already anticipated her intentions and could not help but smile when he heard her words. She was still so frank and honest.
"I received the letter the day I returned home, and I've already completed everything my aunt asked me to do. Last month, when I visited her at the nunnery, I explained every detail to her."
Under her slightly nervous gaze, Lin Siyi smiled gently and nodded gently: "Everything in the letter is true."
He stroked the edge of the celadon teacup with his fingertips and added meaningfully, "Aunt has a keen eye and always sees through people and things."
Seeing her expression suddenly relax, the dimple on her left cheek faintly appearing, and her expression unable to hide her inner thoughts at all, Lin Siyi paused slightly. He was about to mention that the man had been engaged, but changed his tone at the tip of his tongue: "Is Nongnong going to the nunnery soon?"
Lan Nongnong was filled with joy, her dimples growing deeper, and she was completely unaware of the deeper meaning behind his words. "I will go back to the nunnery to visit my aunts tomorrow."
Lin Siyi nodded slightly, his eyes tenderly observing her joy. He pondered in his heart that since she was going back to the nunnery, given her aunt's love for her, she would tell her everything in detail.
Such girl's concerns are secret, and it would be rude and abrupt if he mentioned them rashly.
Lan Nongnong leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Brother Lin, could I take up a moment of your time and ask you to tell me about Long Shuo? No matter what big or small things, or any strange stories, anything is fine."
Lin Siyi had been amused by her witty words, but his smile suddenly froze when he heard her words. His hand holding the cup paused in mid-air, and he raised his clear eyes to meet her sparkling ones, his jade-like face filled with joy.
The smile in his eyes suddenly faded, and an absurd guess suddenly popped into his mind. He calmly put down the teacup, and the celadon bottom touched the sandalwood table, making a clear ding sound.
"Longshuo is under the rule of the emperor, and there are princes everywhere. Naturally, the rules are ten times stricter than those in Yuqing."
He suddenly raised his eyes and looked directly at her, his voice calm, "The city wall is six feet high, Suzaku Street is twenty-five steps wide, and even the patterns on the tiles must be fired according to the grade."
He paused slightly and asked with a smile, "Why are you suddenly so concerned about these things?"
Lan Nongnong's action could be considered bold, not to mention in today's world with its strict ethics and morals, even thousands of years later. However, the girl's thoughts were the same as those of all other young girls in the world.
At this moment, the tips of her ears felt slightly hot, and her fingers unconsciously rubbed the tip of her nose. A rare hint of shyness flickered in her eyes. She forced herself to calm down and pretended to be calm, but in fact she was rambling on. "It's just that I've been hearing so much about the heroic deeds of General Qin lately. After hearing so much, I can't help but wonder what it must be like in the capital of Longshuo, which could nurture such a person."
Her attempt to cover up the truth made Lin Siyi's guess even more certain.
My aunt had lived a rough life, and after seeing through the mundane world, she lived in a nunnery, her family desolate and peaceful, like a still well. It was not until her arrival that the cold nunnery was filled with a bit of life.
Since his aunt treated her like her own daughter, he naturally treated her like a younger sister. For his aunt's sake, and for her own, he hoped that she could always be carefree like this.
Seeing that she might make a mistake, he couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Lin Siyi's expression suddenly grew serious, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Since Nongnong calls me Big Brother, would you please tell me the truth? Do you intend to go to Longshuo?"
Lan Nongnong raised her eyes suddenly upon hearing this, and met his solemn gaze, her heart trembling. However, she had always been open and honest, so now that she had been exposed, she simply straightened her expression and said solemnly, "Brother Lin treats me very kindly, so I must be frank with you. To be honest, I have indeed decided to go to Longshuo."
Upon hearing this, Lin Siyi closed his eyes and let out an almost inaudible sigh from his throat.
As a man, he knew too well that the men in this world were fickle and fickle, and that most of the vows they made were as fleeting as dew and lightning.
From the moment they set their sights on life, whether serving the emperor with civil and military achievements in the imperial court, or devoting their lives to fulfilling their ambitions, even peddlers and hawkers in the marketplace all hoped to earn a living through hard work. Although there were differences in status, everyone put their ambition to rise to the top first.
Those romantic feelings are, after all, just embellishments at the end of life and can be discarded like worn-out shoes at any time. Even if you give all your sincerity, it only nourishes the despicable vanity of others. Even if you have a moment of deep love, it will eventually be like a mirage.
Talking about love with a man is the most foolish thing in the world.
Those who throw themselves into the arms of others and belittle themselves will be looked down upon by others forever.
Since her aunt had asked him to investigate, she must have known about her relationship with Yao Jing. Although he did not say it explicitly, his expression showed his disapproval. Lan Nongnong knew that her actions were extremely against the moral principles of the world, but she was unwilling to compromise herself for the sake of worldly views.
She would rather face public criticism than obey against her will.
"Brother Lin, don't worry. I will find a reliable carriage and escort company. My family is in Yuqing, and my relatives and friends are all here. This trip to Longshuo can be regarded as a long journey to broaden my horizons and see the grandeur of the imperial capital."
The way she said it, it was clear that she had made up her mind.
Even though Lin Siyi had a thousand things to say, he could only keep silent at this moment. He only hoped that his aunt could persuade her, although he knew in his heart that this would most likely be in vain.
How could a woman who can make a living with her skills and does not rely on others live so freely in this world if she did not have some decisiveness and courage?
Lin Siyi sighed softly and shook his head, saying, "If that's the case, aunt, I won't persuade you any further if you agree. As for the matter of the carriage and horse escort agency, don't worry. I'll take care of it for you when the time comes."
Brother Lin's family was wealthy and powerful, with his own fleet of escorts. Naturally, his connections were much more reliable than the unfamiliar escort agency she had hired on short notice. Although this was a pleasant surprise, Lan Nongnong felt a surge of guilt. She had caused others to go to such lengths just for her own personal matter.
Lin Siyi smiled and shook his head, a hint of indulgence in his eyes: "Auntie repeatedly asked me to take good care of you, but Nongnong is so capable that I have no place to use my talents. Since you call me brother, isn't it my duty to take care of all this for you?"
He hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand to gently stroke the top of her head. With a gentle smile, he said, "Instead of feeling ashamed in front of me, why not think carefully about how to explain this to your aunt? Go."
After leaving Lin’s Grain Store, Lan Nongnong walked to the corner of the street. She looked around and saw that no one was paying attention, so she suddenly cheered softly.
Seeing that it was still early in the morning, he walked lightly towards Caichunju.
He went to find Sister Wen Niang and handed over the drawings, receiving about a hundred taels of silver in exchange. Facing her surprised expression, he simply smiled and said he was going to Longshuo to visit relatives, which might take some time, so he provided the drawings in advance and asked them to exchange important matters by letter.
After explaining everything in a few words and listening to Sister Wen Niang's earnest instructions, he politely declined the farewell and returned home alone.
*
At dawn the next day, before the sun rose in the east, Lan Nongnong had already packed up. To avoid being seen, she didn't call for a carriage from the other courtyard, but instead found a familiar driver and left the city alone.
When he reached the stone steps outside the nunnery, he paid someone to carry the box to the platform. He asked the driver to wait at the foot of the mountain, then he rolled up his sleeves and walked into the nunnery himself.
On this day, the sky was clear and the air was blue.
There happened to be no pilgrims visiting the nunnery at that time, so everyone was not surprised to see her return. They all stepped forward to take the boxes, put down their work for the time being, closed the nunnery door, and gathered in the quiet room.
Lan Nongnong reverently placed the banknote into the merit box and, just as she finished bowing to the Buddha, was pulled away. She was suddenly startled. The last time she had witnessed such a scene was when she had insisted on leaving the nunnery and heading to the state capital to make a living. But back then, everyone had given her earnest instructions, their brows filled with reluctance to leave.
This time, the aunts all looked solemn and their eyes were sharp. She sat alone in a corner, surrounded by everyone's scorching gazes. She felt as if she was in a court, and had a sense of oppression like a joint trial by three judges.
Thinking about the purpose of this trip, Lan Nongnong's heart couldn't help but feel empty. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she wondered if Brother Lin had agreed to it yesterday, but had secretly leaked it to the aunts?
Her throat felt strangely dry, so she swallowed slowly and said with a dry, awkward laugh, "Why are the aunts looking at me like this? But, is there something wrong?"
Everyone looked at each other in silence, recalling what was in the letter sent by Master Lin yesterday, and their blood boiled.
The head of Qingfeng Temple had eyes as bright as water as he slowly swept over everyone, and only then did they force themselves to suppress their emotions.
Yun An spoke at the right moment: "Master Lin has already found out about Master Yao's background. Does Nong Nong know about it?"
Lan Nongnong nodded respectfully and said softly, "Yesterday I visited Brother Lin, and he told me that Yao Jing's identity was exactly as I had told the aunts before. It was not false."
Yun Ting continued in a sullen tone, "Then did you know that Master Yao had ever been engaged?"
Lan Nongnong was stunned for a moment. She really didn't know about this, but the current custom is to get married when the baby is still in swaddling clothes. Considering Yao Jing's age and appearance, it is not surprising that he has been engaged.
Although she felt a little uncomfortable because he had not spoken frankly about this matter, she then felt relieved. After all, it was a thing of the past, and bringing it up again would only cause trouble and make people unhappy.
Lan Nongnong understood everything and was able to smile. "My aunt also said that it happened in the past, not now. When I was dating him, he was innocent and had no involvement with anyone."
"Does Nong Nong know that he's been wandering around since breaking off the engagement, and hasn't remarried yet? It seems this isn't the first time he's stopped by Yu Qing. His family background may be true, but what we know is only what he's willing to reveal to others. Who else but himself could know the secrets?"
As Yun Ning finished speaking, everyone in the hall saw the calmness on her face gradually fade, and they couldn't help but feel relieved. As their eyes met, they all contained a hint of relief. It's difficult for any woman to tolerate even the slightest bit of sand in her eyes, let alone someone like Nong Nong, whose likes and dislikes were so obvious.
Lan Nongnong, as everyone had expected, was in a state of turmoil, her feelings resistant to the slightest flaw. She couldn't help but wonder: Was he still unmarried, but still entangled in their past relationship? Was he deeply in love with that woman when they made the contract? Had he ever been as gentle and considerate to her as he was today?
What kind of woman is that? Is she stunningly beautiful? Or is she kind and refined? Is her family background a good match for her? The thought of this makes my heart ache, and I can no longer calm down.
It is more like a wildfire that suddenly breaks out and spreads across the prairie in an instant, and the desire to win can no longer be suppressed.
Lan Nongnong suddenly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her usually lively eyes were as bright as torches, emitting a sharpness that had never been shown to anyone before.
If he still harbored memories of the past, she would make him forget them completely. No matter how good others were, she was no less. The past was like a passing cloud; how could one dwell on the past? Only the present and the future were of the utmost importance.
Now, the two of them are in love with each other. Lan Nongnong has already fallen in love with him, so she should be prepared to defend this relationship with all her might.
Nor will we make rash judgments or act arbitrarily just because the situation is unclear, nor will we be timid, hesitate, or give in easily.
She thought so in her heart, and when she raised her head, she expressed her thoughts firmly. There seemed to be stars shining in her eyes, and her voice was as clear as the collision of metal and stone.
Everyone was shocked but not surprised when she heard her words. She was always as bright and lively as the rising sun, and even the wind and rain could not dim her brilliance. Although her worries were still there, the admiration in her eyes became more intense, and she finally spoke from the bottom of her heart.
"You two haven't established a relationship yet. When you go to look for him, what identity will you assume? Did he mention marriage to you when he left? What kind of identity will he use to treat you in the future? Since you trust him so much, he must be in a hurry to leave. Two months have already passed. If he was truly sincere, he would have come to meet you personally or sent someone to pick you up. Why would you have to travel thousands of miles to look for him?"
Facing the barrage of questions, Lan Nongnong remained resolute and responded calmly, "My aunts know that we have only known each other for a few months, and it is too early to talk about marriage. Even if he came to propose, I still have no intention of getting married. Although he is far away in Longshuo, we have been writing letters to each other. I want to go there now because I don't want to endure the pain of missing him."
"Since I arrived here, I've never left the Yuqing land. It feels like I'm trapped in a cage, looking at the world from afar. So, I also want to see the different customs and people of the north and south, and the beautiful mountains and rivers in this peaceful and prosperous era in my lifetime."
"I know I must have some shortcomings, but there is a saying that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, and traveling ten thousand miles is not as good as meeting countless people. Even if there are thousands of truths, it is ultimately not as good as experiencing them personally and understanding them firsthand."
After these words were spoken, the hall fell into silence.
She usually looked innocent and naive. Although everyone knew she was intelligent, they still treated her like a delicate flower that needed to be carefully cared for. Who would have thought that she was so insightful, her words were full of wisdom, and she was astonishing.
This also shows how determined she is to go to Longshuo.
Everyone was stunned by her words and was speechless for a moment. They could only look for help to the abbot sitting at the head of the abbey.
The abbot of Qingfeng Temple was silent for a moment, then asked her, "Longshuo is 1,300 miles away. The long journey is arduous, and you've never traveled far before. Can you really endure it? If you go to find him, how will he and his family view you? You must know that Longshuo is his base, and everyone there knows you. If his feelings change in the past two months, how will you cope? Even if we meet, what good will it do?"
"He comes from a wealthy family in Longshuo. Even if your love is strong enough to break through the shackles of family background, your aunts and I are too far away to rely on him. Have you ever considered leaving your hometown and facing the harsh realities of Kyoto? Is your love for him enough to warrant a desperate gamble?"
Although every word Aunt Qingfeng said was heartbreaking, Lan Nongnong sensed a hint of hope within those harsh words. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and her entire spirit was lifted.
Her back was as straight as a pine tree, her chin slightly raised, her hands resting on her knees. Her eyes were as clear as snow, and her voice was like broken jade. "If I can't even endure this little hardship, I'd be ashamed of myself. I'm going to find him just to preserve our love. This love comes from the heart, regardless of family background or worldly opinions."
"If he truly is unfaithful, then as the old saying goes, 'If you have no feelings for me, I'll let you go.' Now, I must sever the ties of our affections. If that's the case, I should go and investigate in person. Otherwise, am I destined to remain a fool, my feelings for him growing deeper day by day, and remain in the dark?"
"I trust my own judgment, his character, and I'm even more convinced that he won't lie to me!"
“No one can predict what will happen in the future, but I would rather travel through mountains and rivers now than be trapped in the cage of “what could have been” for the rest of my life.”
The hall was completely silent. Lan Nongnong suddenly softened her voice and looked at everyone with eyes full of intimacy and dependence. "I know that every word you say is from the bottom of your heart, worrying that I'll meet the wrong person, that I'll be tired from traveling, and that I'll suffer injustice. But I also want to tell you that I'm not Yao Huang or Wei Zi, a figure enshrined in a porcelain vase. I have the courage to face the storm and the guts to bear the consequences."
At the end of the words, the voice gradually became clearer.
"Don't worry, aunts. Brother Lin will help me arrange for carriages and guards. Just think of me as traveling to Longshuo to broaden my horizons. I will write back regularly so that you don't miss me. My home is in Yuqing, and the aunts are even here. My treasures are also staying in the nunnery. Although I will be traveling thousands of miles, my heart will always be with you."
"I have also prepared enough money for the journey, and I will also bring back some new things from Kyoto for my aunts."
Her eyes moved, and she smiled brightly, "When I return, I will tell my aunts in detail about the prosperity of the imperial capital."
She had already made all her arrangements, and her intention to leave was like an arrow on a bowstring, with no turning back. Even though everyone felt sympathetic, they knew it was impossible to stop her.
After all, although they are as close as family, they are not blood relatives after all, so it is difficult for them to exercise the right to discipline and restrain them.
Once a person becomes obsessed, it will be difficult to turn him back even with all your strength.
Several people looked at each other, none of them were surprised. They knew her character very well. Ever since Master Lin's letter arrived yesterday, they had expected that she would make this decision.
At this point, instead of forcibly obstructing her, it would be better to make proper arrangements rather than letting her travel alone.
Having decided to fulfill her wish, everyone's expressions suddenly turned solemn, and they pulled her aside to give her detailed instructions: when to set off, whether her luggage was complete, and whether she had enough money.
Worried that she would be tired from the journey, he took out a queyun bag embroidered with a Pixiu pattern, and some apricot blossom cake he had just made that morning, and carefully wrapped them up for her.
As they said goodbye, they gave me earnest instructions, saying that the journey was long and I should be cautious of strangers and stay on the main roads when traveling alone. Once I arrived in Longshuo City, I should not be afraid to travel around as usual.
Before leaving, he held her hand and repeatedly reminded her not to force herself when encountering difficulties. Even though they were thousands of miles apart, he had already written a letter to the Lin family's business in Beijing to ask for their help.
As she spoke, she stuffed the heavy embroidered bag into her sleeve, saying that it was some money for her personal use and that she should keep it and not mistreat herself when she was away from home.
Lan Nongnong's eyes were already filled with tears after hearing this, so how could she accept it? As she held the door open and was about to leave, she flicked her sleeve and the embroidered bag slid through the door like a fallen petal returning to dust. She took in the figures of all her aunts, finally bowed politely and turned away.
She had to leave immediately. If she looked at her aunts' forced smiles for a moment longer, the hesitation in her heart would turn into chains, trapping her here.
These people who were not related to her by blood, gave her a roof over her head and taught her the foundation for life. The needlework under the lamp and the medicine she took when she was sick, which of them was not the deep affection that only her closest relatives could show?
But now, because of a man, she made them worry and cry for her...
Armed with the bags my aunts had packed, I descended the stone steps one by one. At first, I was hesitant, but after three steps, my feet felt like they had taken root, each step feeling deeper and deeper, turning any hesitation into a firm resolve to move forward.
Lan Nongnong suddenly stopped and looked back. Outside the nunnery, the figures of her aunts standing side by side were vaguely visible in the morning light. She suddenly smiled brightly, raised her arms high and waved them vigorously, her wide sleeves fluttering in the wind like a butterfly spreading its wings.
Finally, I turned around and walked forward, never looking back.
If she gave up because of this momentary weakness, she would regret it in the future. As she advised her aunts, she just wanted to follow her heart in this life and not have the regret of "what if".
Now that the decision has been made and everything is ready, we should move forward like a river flowing into the sea!
*
In the 32nd year of Chengping in the Sheng Dynasty, the first month of spring
Urgent news from the border broke like thunder in the air: the Uluolan clan beyond the Great Wall had suddenly rebelled. Their leader had brazenly declared himself Chanyu, seeking to carve out the land and claim his own kingdom, thus rebelling against the Celestial Empire. Beacon fires suddenly rose, and the border defenders hastily engaged in battle. Ultimately, the suddenness of the incident left them outnumbered. The governor, Babaili, urgently petitioned the court to dispatch troops to quell the rebellion in the northern border.
At that time, General Qin was on a tour of inspection on behalf of the emperor, stationed in Yinzhou City, 500 miles away. He held the imperially bestowed dragon-patterned military token, which gave him the power to make arbitrary decisions on any matter. Upon hearing the news, he immediately mobilized 3,000 powerful troops from the border, wearing Mingguang armor and wielding Modao, to rush to the rescue overnight.
After eighteen days and nights, they finally surrounded the rebels at the Canglang Mountain Pass, captured the rebel leader alive, and the rest of the rebels surrendered.
Although the rebellion was quelled, the blame for his negligence could not be escaped. After the new king of the Red Di tribe, Ashina Zhuori, swiftly suppressed the rebellion and restored the people to peace, restoring the prestige of the tribe, he immediately dispatched an envoy to the capital to present an audience with the emperor and apologize.
The memorial stated that he would personally capture 26 rebel leaders and drive 30,000 cattle and sheep and 5,000 war horses as tribute to thank the Heavenly Dynasty for suppressing the rebellion. He also begged for the Spring and Autumn Annals, the Book of Rites and other classics, and was willing to lead his troops to naturalize.
Before the Red Di envoys had even left Canglang Mountain, the smoke signals from the sentry towers along the way had already reached Longshuo, accompanied by eight hundred expedited horses. In the imperial court, memorials from the Censorate and the Ministry of War piled up on the imperial desk. The debate over how to deal with this apologetic army had shaken the nine-story palace before the clap of the envoys' horses.
The pro-peace faction said that the Celestial Empire should show mercy to the world. Now the Red Di King has personally tied up the rebel chieftain and driven tens of thousands of cattle and sheep to the court. If we punish him too harshly, it will only discourage the other tribes from assimilating. We should adopt a policy of appeasement and achieve long-term success.
The pro-war faction says the barbarians fear power but not virtue! Last year, the Snow Wolf tribe surrendered, and this spring they plundered our border markets. If we let the Red Di loose again, I'm afraid the other Hu tribes on the nine borders will follow suit. They are not of our race, so their hearts must be different!
We should send the Po Lu Army to station at Canglang Mountain, destroy their Burning Sky Pillar, and recruit their blacksmiths to the Central Plains, only then can we eliminate the trouble forever!
In the court, the two factions were arguing fiercely, and the sound of the quarrel was so loud that it lifted the caisson. The Minister of Rites and the Minister of War were questioning each other in the hall, and the sound of tablets hitting golden bricks was incessant.
The emperor already had a lingering illness, and this attack exacerbated it, with veins throbbing in his forehead and double vision. The disordered qi and blood flow caused a sudden onset of fever, and the imperial physician administered acupuncture overnight to stabilize his pulse.
He then issued an oral instruction, saying that I needed to rest for ten days and should not be disturbed unless there was urgent military information from eight hundred miles away. He ordered the cabinet to draft all matters concerning the Red Di's visit to the court, with the Ministry of Rites assisting in handling vassal affairs. All decisions must be stamped with the seal of the Five Military Commandery and signed by officials from the six ministries before they could be implemented.
Anyone who dares to make arbitrary decisions will be handed over to the Censorate for trial.
According to regulations, cabinet ministers must obtain the signatures of both the Left and Right Cabinet Ministers before deliberating on government matters. Ever since Left Cabinet Minister Chen Yanshan retired and returned home, Right Cabinet Minister Du Heng has held sole control of the cabinet for over a year. While ordinary government matters could be decided by one person, the Emperor's decree, "No decision can be made without joint consultation," has forced the matter of the Red Di invasion to remain unresolved, effectively leaving the Left Cabinet Minister's seal hanging in the balance.
In May, Tan Jingyao was promoted to Shangshu Ling, a position of the second rank, and was respected in the court together with the cabinet ministers.
However, everyone with a discerning eye knew that the Shangshu Ling held the seals of the six ministries and the real power over the selection of officials and the financial affairs. Although the Cabinet was respected, it was only a nominal position to approve and reply to memorials.
Until the emperor issued a secret decree from the Golden Casket, ordering Minister Tan to govern the country on my behalf, and the memorials from the nine frontiers could be decided first and submitted later.
The resettlement of the Red Di delegation, which had been on hold for several months, was finally resolved.
The Red Di were a vassal state, and this time, they had come to apologize for their crimes. According to the rules, they should have received simple ceremonies. However, the key to this matter was that the nine-guest ceremony, which should have been performed by the emperor himself, had now been delegated to a lower level. This decree clearly placed the power to conduct inspections on behalf of the emperor in the hands of his subjects.
Exercising the power of the Son of Heaven in Longshuo City is no ordinary imperial tour, it is truly a heavy responsibility to visit the nine palaces and have power over the eight wildernesses.
The imperially bestowed gilded tiger talisman and the Xuangui jade book were both bestowed on him, making him truly second only to the emperor and above all others.
Although Lord Du was deeply angry that this young junior was on the same level as him, he could not disobey the imperial order. Even though he was vomiting blood, he still acted humble and gave up a chance to shoot.
Although there were no beacons in the country, the six ministries were still plagued by trivial matters. Qin Jingyao presented the last grain tax change bill to the emperor. When he left the palace, he saw a bright moon in the sky and all the houses were locked.
Only the night watch lanterns under the eaves of the government offices still emitted a dim glow.
*
The sound of horse hooves shattered the curfew silence as a black, flat-roofed carriage barreled into the Shangshuling's residence. Two white lanterns flickered beneath the eaves. Before the carriage could even stop, the guards on either side had already sprinted forward, opened the door, set aside the step stool, and bowed before stepping back. All in one go, they waited for the crimson-robed, jade-belted occupant to descend.
A group of people walked into the bedroom in the moonlight. The vermilion lacquered door was locked heavily behind them. Eight guards with swords stood like pine trees, silently guarding various places in the corridor.
Maids in plain clothes filed in, carrying lanterns and candles, illuminating the inner chamber as if it were daylight. After their master finished bathing and changed into a plain silk undershirt and a dark-patterned brocade robe, they took a seat before the rosewood table covered with brocade embroidered with gold auspicious clouds and tassels.
Inside, the room felt cool, a subtle chill permeating the air. Calming sandalwood rose from the Boshan stove, blending with the fragrance of night flowers drifting in from the window.
Qin Jingyao lowered his eyes, picked up the azure-glazed teacup, and took a sip of Bai Xin He Meng. The tea was warm and smooth, flowing slowly down his throat, traveling through his meridians like morning dew between pine trees, seeping into his lungs. When he finished, placing the cup on the table, the austere official authority seemed to be softened by the tea smoke.
He had been so busy with official duties for many days that he had forgotten to open her letter. He had been delayed for these days. He was sure that the letter would be filled with coquettish words, and every word would be meant to annoy him.
Thinking of this, Qin Jingyao unconsciously raised a faint smile at the corner of his lips. He didn't know since when, reading her writings, whether angry or happy, became a rare leisure time in his busy government affairs.
"Bring me all the letters from the past few days."
Tongze and Jiangting were both confidants, each with their own duties. Tongze accompanied the master on the outer side, while Jiangting stayed inside. At this moment, when the master spoke, the usually calm Jiangting's heart suddenly jumped.
While the master was temporarily recuperating in Yuqing, he was ordered to stay in the capital. Although Tongze often reminded him, he was still unable to understand the mystery between the master and the woman.
Until he received the secret letter from the Lord from Yuqing, he immediately took charge of the matter personally, forged identity documents, set up a secret residence, fabricated a comprehensive background, and even prepared a statement to deal with the interrogation. Every detail was arranged perfectly.
With the power of an adult, it should not be difficult to buy a house and fabricate a perfect identity, but this intention is really surprising.
What is even more surprising is that, despite the busy work recently, the master still exchanges letters with the woman. Although he does not reply to every letter, he will carefully select some fashionable hairpins, rings, clothing materials, and exquisite toys from time to time and send them to her.
All these things show that the adults treat that woman in an extraordinary way.
However, no letters from the woman had arrived at the mansion for several days. Previously, those letters were only handled by the adults, and no one else was allowed to see them. Therefore, there was no news this time. Whether she had neglected to write or there was something else hidden, it was impossible to guess.
The chill in the room was bone-chilling, and beads of sweat formed on Jiang Ting's forehead. He didn't dare hesitate, immediately stepping forward and bowing deeply, his voice strained as he said, "Your Excellency, the young lady hasn't received any letters... for five days."
Qin Jingyao raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes were bottomless, as if wrapped in the power of dark clouds pressing down on the city. Just one glance was enough to make people's breath hold and their spines chill.
After a soft click, the room suddenly became silent, as if no one was there. The white mist on the ice jar seemed to freeze suddenly, and the cold sweat on Jiang Ting's forehead fell to the ground, leaving a dark mark on the black and brown marble floor tiles, which was instantly absorbed.
Qin Jingyao slowly shifted his gaze, tapped the table with his knuckles, and said in a cold voice, "Bring me the last letter."
Jiang Ting solemnly agreed and walked quickly into the inner room, wiping the sweat from his temples with his sleeve. He then carefully took a half-arm-long maroon gilded wooden box from the antique shelf beside the wall, then walked out quickly and respectfully placed the wooden box on the table.
He gently opened the copper button and took out a piece of pink and white letter at the top. The letter was thick and crisp, with a faint elegant fragrance. A few budding apricot flowers were outlined with gold powder on the envelope.
His slender jade-like knuckles pulled the letter from the envelope and gently unfolded it. He lowered his eyes to examine it carefully, his gaze once again caressing the words he had leisurely read not long ago.
The letter contained her usual chatter, talking about the new design she had recently drawn on a sudden inspiration, and asked him directly if he missed her and how long it would take before they could meet again, thus expressing her intense longing for her.
There are several small portraits scattered on the corners of the letter paper. Although they are only drawn with a few strokes, they vividly depict her charm, whether she is angry or smiling, frowning or happy. The whole letter exudes a warmth that softens the heart, and there is no abnormality between the lines.
The corners of Qin Jingyao's lips suddenly tightened, and his eyes fell heavily on the corner of the letter. There was a picture of a girl with round cheeks, pouting, and looking at him with big eyes full of tears. Her small hands held high a wooden sign with the words "Miss You" written on it.
He stared intently, his eyes suddenly darkening, and there seemed to be a storm silently surging in his brown-black pupils.
"Send the messenger falcon to Yuqing, immediately."
"yes!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
