At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, Wei Min received a letter from the doctor, saying that Master Wei might not survive until the end of autumn, and asked her to prepare herself mentally.
The next day when Wei Min attended court, he asked for leave from the emperor and planned to return to Qingping County immediately to at least see his teacher for the last time.
There was nothing to do in the court for the time being, so Jiang Kunjun simply agreed, but just said that he should go early and come back early.
Wei Min went to the court to ask for leave, but A Ruan was not idle either. He asked Erjiu to buy a lot of specialties from the capital, and personally selected gifts for his sister, brother-in-law, Wei Luo, and a gift for Wei Qi for their first meeting.
Wei Min's return home this time was a glorious one, completely different from the last time she was exiled from the capital. Now that she was a second-rank official, she could have returned in a grand manner and made those who once looked down on them shut up and kowtow to her. However, Wei Min was afraid that she would not have enough time, so she did not dare to delay any longer and only brought Erjiu and Shiba with her to serve her.
On the road in the carriage, Wei Min raised his hand and patted the back of A Ruan's hand on her leg, saying, "I won't be in such a hurry when I come back next time."
A Ruan smiled, shook her head indifferently, lowered her eyes, and held Wei Min's hand with her backhand, with a gentle expression.
He doesn't care about these things that much. He is living a good life and doesn't need to tell others.
Shi Ba drove quite fast, and there were no delays on the road, so he arrived in Qingping County in about two months.
Wei Lian had received Wei Min's letter a long time ago, and guessed that Wei Min and A'ruan would probably arrive today, so she brought her family to wait at the door early.
Wei Luo was the happiest when she learned that Wei Min and A Ruan had returned. She ran all the way from the yard into the main hall as soon as she got up in the morning, holding her dress in her hand. Her little face was flushed, and she asked Sun Shi anxiously without even taking a breath, "Are they here? Are they here?"
Sun raised her hand and tucked Wei Luo's messy hair behind her ears, smiling and saying angrily, "No, no. You are so old, but you are like a child. You will be able to get married in a few years, so why are you still so unstable?"
Wei Luo pouted and wrinkled his nose, saying dissatisfiedly: "I'm only ten years old, it's too early."
Sun smiled and tapped Wei Luo's forehead, calling him to come over and have dinner together.
After a while, Wei Qi also came over. Seeing that Wei Luo did not go to the academy, he was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion: "Brother, are you skipping school again?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Luo raised his hand to pinch Wei Qi's face and said through gritted teeth: "Can't you expect me to order something good?"
Six-year-old Wei Qi is almost as tall as ten-year-old Wei Luo. The two quarreled for a while before Wei Lian came out from the inner room and said to the two children, "Your aunt and uncle are coming back today. You two should behave well and call for help."
Wei Qi bit his chopsticks and his eyes lit up, "Aunt is coming back?"
Although she had never met this aunt, she often received things sent back by her aunt and her uncle. When she was still little, her father always praised her uncle for his cleverness and skill in front of her, saying that the clothes she was wearing were made by him.
Although Wei Qi had never met these two people, he had always heard about them from his parents and was vaguely looking forward to them.
After breakfast, the whole family opened the door and waited for Wei Min to come back.
Wei Lian now had some spare money. At least he had his own mansion in Qingping County, with a dozen servants.
Wei Lian used the silver that Wei Min sent to her to start a small business with Sun. Now that the business is doing better and better, the whole family moved to the county.
Wei Min intended to bring A'ruan back to settle down after many years, so he asked Wei Lian to help her choose a place with good scenery and buy a house.
Wei Lian chose the house personally, and had it cleaned carefully every once in a while.
Wei Min happened to be back this time and could move in directly.
Eighteen drove the carriage according to the address Wei Min gave him. He was afraid that he would not be able to find the place, but after the carriage entered the alley, he saw the family waiting at the door at a glance.
The carriage stopped and Erjiu got off from the front swiftly. He moved a footstool swiftly and placed it beside the carriage. He stood respectfully by the side waiting for his master to get off.
Wei Min first lifted the curtain and walked down, then turned around and picked up A'ruan, who was half bent over, from above.
Seeing the two of them standing in front of the carriage, Wei Lian's hands were shaking with excitement. She took two quick steps forward and hugged Wei Min, her voice sounding a little choked up, "You're back."
Wei Min smiled and patted her on the back, saying, "Yeah, I'm back."
Sun's eyes were also wet. She pushed the two children in front of her and whispered, "Go call someone."
After all, they had not seen each other for many years. Wei Luo was looking forward to it very much, but she was still a little nervous when they met suddenly. She twisted her skirt with her fingers and looked at A Ruan with eager eyes.
Seeing that little Wei Luo, who used to be as tall as his thighs, had grown into a handsome young man, A Ruan couldn't help but sigh that time flies. In the blink of an eye, the child who used to run around him every day has grown up.
A Ruan smiled and waved at Wei Luo.
Wei Luo's eyes lit up, and he no longer pretended to be reserved. He quickly ran over and threw himself into his arms, wrapping his arms around A'ruan's waist, and complained in a tearful voice: "Why did you take so long? Aunt lied to A'luo before, saying that you would be back after passing the imperial examination. How come you were gone for so many years... I miss A'luo so much."
A Ruan raised her hand and stroked Wei Luo's hair hanging behind her back, then smiled and glanced sideways at Wei Min.
Wei Min's eyes were full of smiles. He raised his hand and patted Wei Luo's head, saying, "Aren't you back? When our Luo gets married in the future, aunt will come back to support you."
When Wei Luo heard that the adults were teasing him with this, he couldn't hide his shamelessness. His ears slowly turned red. He withdrew from A Ruan's arms, twisted his dress with his hands, and said with his neck stiff, "I'm still young."
His words, coupled with his awkward and shy actions, made the adults laugh out loud.
Compared to Wei Luo, Wei Qi was a little shy. He stood beside Sun at a loss. He was pushed by Sun several times before he walked in front of Wei Min. He looked up and called out, "Auntie." He then looked at the extremely handsome man next to her and said, "Uncle-in-law."
Wei Qi had an inexplicable awe in her heart for this aunt who was a member of the political party. Compared with her mother, she was more afraid of this aunt whom she had never met. She wanted to get close to her, but she didn't dare to go over rashly.
Wei Min had a better temper than Wei Qi had imagined, or rather, she was more patient and tolerant with her relatives than with strangers. She even raised her hand and touched her head, saying, "In a few more years, you will be able to support the Wei family for your mother."
Knowing that this was Wei Min's expectation for him, Wei Qi immediately straightened up and nodded solemnly.
A'ruan was even more easy-going. He took out a red purse from his sleeve and handed it to her. He stood beside Wei Min and smiled gently. He was afraid that Wei Qi didn't understand what he was saying, so he didn't raise his hand.
Wei Min spoke for him, "This is a gift from my uncle-in-law. Take it."
Seeing that A'ruan didn't say anything, Wei Qi immediately reacted. He bowed to him with his purse in hand, and then used sign language to say "thank you" to him.
Wei Min and A Ruan were both stunned. Wei Lian had never mentioned in the letter that Wei Qi had learned sign language. For a moment, they were both a little surprised.
After A Ruan reacted, he smiled gently and looked at Sun. Sun had been standing behind the two children with a smile on her face. She stopped and met A'ruan's eyes. She smiled again, came over, took A'ruan's hand, and "talked" to him.
Wei Min's eyes were filled with praise for Wei Qi, and he turned his head to Wei Lian and said, "Sister, you have educated Qi very well."
Wei Lian was not a person who loved to laugh, but the smile in her eyes had not disappeared since Wei Min came back today. When she heard her sister praising her daughter, she couldn't help but raise her hand and touch Wei Qi's head, and said as a matter of course: "A Ruan is a member of our Wei family, and family members must understand what their family members say."
Wei Min is not someone who would take the initiative to get along with children. Wei Luo often followed her when he was a child, and she watched him grow up, so Wei Min is closer to him.
As for Wei Qi, today was the first time they met since childhood. Wei Min didn't care much whether she was close to her, but now seeing that Wei Qi was very respectful to A Ruan, Wei Min felt that she was worthy of being the child of her old Wei family and was very likable.
Wei Min returned home in glory. Wei Lian knew that she came back to visit the seriously ill Master Wei, so she did not ask someone to play suona at the door, but instead asked someone to light a plate of firecrackers.
In fact, since Wei Min came back just now, many neighbors have been peeking out from behind their doors to see what distinguished guest has come to the Wei family. Now, when he heard the crackling sound, he guessed that it was Wei Da's sister who was an official and had returned. When he wanted to come out and say a few words of greeting, the Wei family members had already entered the house.
The family had lunch around a table. Sun cooked by himself, A'ruan helped him, and Wei Luo lit the fire.
While the men were cooking, the three women of the Wei family sat in the main room and talked.
Wei Lian handed the house deed to Wei Min and said disapprovingly, "The family has reserved the house for you and A'ruan. You just came back, why don't you live in the mansion?"
Wei Min said, "I'm only back this time, and I won't be back until a few years after A'luo gets married. I'll take A'ruan to see the house first and let him live there. If he doesn't get used to it, I'll ask you to help me find another one when we leave. If he's satisfied, let him see if there's anything else he needs to buy, and I'll add a little each time I come back."
When Wei Lian heard that she still loved A'ruan so much and put him first in everything, she just smiled and didn't persuade her any further.
Two people can say more when they chat face to face than through correspondence. Wei Qi didn't quite understand some of what they said, but she sat there obediently like a little adult, not causing any trouble or acting naughty.
When Wei Min learned that Wei Qi was also studying at Luoyu Academy, he asked her a few questions. Seeing that she was nervous but able to answer them, he couldn't help but nod with satisfaction.
Wei Min sat for a while and saw that A'ruan had not yet finished cooking. He became a little impatient and stood up to go out and take a look.
Wei Lian said to her, "You really can't be at ease if you can't see him for a moment."
Wei Min did not hide the fact that he was a husband's slave to his sister, nor was he embarrassed. He smiled and said, "I'll go take a look and be back soon."
After Wei Min left, Wei Qi dared to relax for a moment, calling Wei Lian in a low voice, with an expression that could not hide the excitement, "Mom, my aunt praised me just now."
Wei Lian nodded and took the opportunity to teach her: "Study hard in the future and learn from your aunt."
Wei Qi nodded heavily. When he thought of Wei Min praising him, he smiled as brightly as a flower in the sun.
After lunch, Wei Min took A Ruan to Luoyu Academy.
When the dean and the teachers learned that she had returned, they all came out to greet her. When they heard Wei Min ask about Master Wei, they all sighed and shook their heads.
The dean said to Wei Min, "Master Wei said that you are the most promising and the busiest, so she didn't tell you that she was seriously ill. The students who came to visit her came a few days ago, but she was annoyed by the crowds and sent them all away. She has been getting more and more exhausted in the past two days, and she even mentioned you when she was fuzzy. You... go and see her."
After Wei Min said goodbye to the dean, he took A Ruan to the small courtyard that she was most familiar with. Along the way, she told him how the teacher took care of her when she was studying.
Wei Min's tone was calm, but his hand was holding A'ruan tightly.
When he reached the gate of the courtyard, Erjiu took a step forward and knocked on the door. A tired voice came from inside, "Who is it?"
A moment later, the door was opened from the inside, and Wei Fu's husband, Li, stood at the door.
Li looked haggard. His once well-maintained black hair had now turned white. His face looked very old, and his body was thin and shriveled. The clothes he wore seemed empty inside and could not support him.
When Wei Min saw him like this, he felt extremely uncomfortable and depressed. Six years ago, his master, who looked elegant and dignified and only in his early twenties, now looked as old as if he was in his fifties or sixties.
Li's eyes were red and bloodshot. He had hardly slept in the past two days while taking care of his wife, and it was a little difficult for him to see people.
He held the door with his hand, squinted his eyes and looked at the guest in front of the door, with a somewhat uncertain tone, he called out tentatively: "Amin?"
Wei Min choked up a little and nodded, "It's me. I came back to see the teacher."
When Li heard that it was really her, she immediately opened the door, tears welled up in her eyes, and she wiped them away with the corner of her clothes, saying, "Why are you back, kid? Didn't she tell you that everything was fine..."
Wei Min smiled bitterly, "Teacher forgot that I hired her doctor."
Li immediately understood what was going on. He saw the gentle and virtuous man beside Wei Min, forced a smile, and said softly, "This is A'ruan, right?"
Ah Ruan nodded, raised his hand and called out "Master".
Li didn't understand sign language, so Wei Min called out the two words for A'ruan.
After hearing this, Li smiled with tears in her eyes and said hurriedly, "Come in, don't stand outside."
On the way, Li was sobbing and told Wei Min intermittently that the doctor said Master Wei might die in the next few days...
Wei Min held A Ruan's hand tightly, suppressed the grief in his heart, and asked him, "Master, where is my junior brother?"
Li heaved a sigh of relief when she mentioned her son. "Xiao'er went out to buy groceries. He has been accompanying me to serve his mother. There really is not much food left at home today, and he was worried about me going out, so he went to buy groceries with Jingshan."
Wei Xiao is the Master's son, and Jing Shan is his wife's mistress.
After hearing what Li said, Wei Min felt slightly relieved.
Li entered the room first, suppressed her sobbing voice, bent down and said softly to the person on the bed, "Wife, look who's here."
Master Wei opened his mouth slightly, his voice seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he asked indistinctly, "Who is it?"
Li half-lifted her up and stuffed a quilt behind her to support her waist.
As soon as Wei Min came in, he smelled the strong smell of medicine. Seeing Master Wei lying on the bed in agony, he clenched his fists and said after a moment, "Teacher, I am back to see you."
When Master Wei saw that it was her, he became a little excited, "Why are you back? Didn't you say everything was alright?"
Wei Min took a few steps forward, sat on the stool at the head of the bed, held Master Wei's trembling hand, and said softly, "I miss you and want to come back to see you."
Master Wei smiled, raised his hand with great effort and patted the back of Wei Min's hand, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "It is enough that you have this intention."
Master Wei had something to say to Wei Min, so he asked Li to take A'ruan out first.
After only two people were left in the room, Master Wei said, "Is everything okay in the capital? You must be careful in handling the taxation issue, and don't let the princess catch you doing anything wrong. The emperor is neither wise nor mediocre, so you must be careful and cautious in everything..."
Master Wei was already having some difficulty speaking, and she took several deep breaths just to say a few words.
Wei Min held her hand tightly and nodded, "I'm fine, don't worry."
Master Wei smiled and put his hand on his chest, "I am worried. You are the most promising one and you have climbed the highest. I am proud and worried at the same time."
Even though he was so seriously ill, he still cared about her. How could Wei Min not be moved by this kindness?
Wei Min took advantage of the fact that Master Wei was still conscious and chatted with her for a few more words. When she took Wei Min's hand and started saying, "Don't tell A Min about this. She is busy enough. Don't add to her trouble," Wei Min knew that she was getting confused again.
The two were talking in the house, while Li and A'ruan were sitting outside.
When Wei Min came out, A Ruan saw that her eyes were a little red, and she pursed her lips worriedly. She took a few steps forward, raised her hand, held her hand, and gently stroked the back of her hand with her thumb.
Wei Min held A'ruan's hand, shook his head at him, and whispered, "Don't worry, it's okay."
The two of them talked to Li in the main room for a while until Wei Xiao and his wife came back.
Wei Xiao was also a little surprised when he saw Wei Min, "Senior Sister? You, you're back?"
Wei Min nodded, "Come back to see the teacher."
Jing Shan had never seen Wei Min before. When she heard her husband calling her "Senior Sister", she also bowed. After they all sat down, she suddenly remembered. She suppressed her excitement and looked at Wei Min several times before tentatively asking, "Senior Sister is the Minister of State Affairs of the Second Rank?"
Wei Min had been in the officialdom for more than six years and had rarely made mistakes in judging people. She heard that Jing Shan's tone was just pure admiration and curiosity rather than flattery, so she nodded.
Jing Shan raised his hand again, "I always heard mother mention you, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."
The mother she was referring to was Master Wei of Taiyue. Master Wei and her husband had only one son, Wei Xiao. Jing Shan took care of the two as her own parents and became their half-daughter. After getting married, she always called her husband dad and mom.
Wei Min saw Jing Shan in person and talked with her for a while before he put aside his worries about her.
Jing Shan was originally a student of Master Wei. Later, she went into business and proposed marriage after her business was successful. She was talkative and humorous. She and Wei Xiao had been married for seven years and had two daughters and a son. There was no maid in the backyard.
Jingshan's parents and Master Wei's wife and husband were also good friends. After Master Wei passed away, it was natural for Jingshan to take Li back to the Jing family.
When Wei Min left, he said to Jing Shan, "If you have any problems in the future, feel free to write to me in the capital."
Wei Min is an official and Jing Shan is a businessman. If someone from above can take care of things, Jing Shan's business will be much smoother no matter where he does it in the future.
Jing Shan naturally understood why Wei Min was willing to help her, and he didn't say anything good or bad, but just said seriously: "Senior Sister, don't worry."
Wei Min bowed to her, but Jing Shan naturally couldn't accept her greeting and returned it.
Wei Min took A Ruan directly to the new house that Wei Lian bought for them.
The house has three courtyards. As it has never had an owner, there are only three or two servants looking after the house.
I guess Wei Lian had given instructions in advance, so the house was cleaned inside and out, and seasonal flowers and plants were planted in the yard.
The food, clothing, and living facilities in this small courtyard are naturally not comparable to those in the large courtyard with four entrances in Beijing. There are also shortages of things, but it looks leisurely and casual, and Aruan likes it very much.
Wei Min looked a little tired. He put his arm around A'ruan's waist and asked him to sit on his lap. He told him to see if there was anything missing at home and then take Erjiu to the street to buy it.
A Ruan raised his hand to massage Wei Min's temples, and nodded indifferently when he heard it.
During the days that Wei Min was in Qingping County, he went to accompany Master Wei every day. When she was awake, he talked to her, and when she was confused, he played chess with Jing Shan in the yard.
A Ruan sometimes went to the academy with Wei Min, and sometimes went to Sun's house. When men got together, they always had endless things to talk about.
Just like that, five days later, Master Wei passed away peacefully.
The author has something to say: #On how to please Wei Min#
Liuliu: I know. Just please your uncle-in-law! My mother said she was my husband's slave (/▽╲)
Wei Min: _(:зゝ∠)_
A Ruan: -v-
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