xchapter103 Big...
In fact, Shen Yan did not sleep well.
In his dream, he saw many people.
His stepmother, Little Bell, his mother, and Shen Jiao. In his dream, each of them smiled gently at him, then turned and left, and no matter how he called out, they never turned back.
"No, no, little bell, stepmother, don't leave me, don't leave me."
Chen Yan was startled awake. When he opened his eyes, it was already broad daylight.
"Hiss." The hangover made Chen Yan gasp for breath. He got up to get dressed when there was a knock at the door. "Knock knock knock."
"What is it?" Shen Yan asked.
"General, the lady has arrived and says she wants to see you," Yunyin said.
It must be about Shen Jiao's matter. They arrived quite quickly.
"What time is it?"
"Reporting to the General, it is already past 9 AM," Yunyin replied.
It was the end of the Si hour, which means that his mother had rushed over as soon as the city gates opened in the morning.
Even though she had known for a long time that her mother favored Shen Jiao, Shen Yan still couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at this moment.
They are both her flesh and blood, so why is there such favoritism?
Shen Jiao lacked paternal love from a young age, and he, too, lost his father at a young age.
Shen Yan sneered, but quickly dressed, washed up, and went to the front hall.
Three years had passed since they last met. Shen's mother was still as elegant and dignified as Shen Yan remembered, but because she was in a hurry to catch the train, her face showed undisguised fatigue.
Facing her son whom she hadn't seen for three years, Mother Shen didn't even look at him properly, grabbing his hand anxiously, "I heard that A-Jiao has been arrested by the authorities?"
“That is indeed true,” Shen Yan said.
"Then what are you standing there for? Hurry up and save your sister!" Mother Shen said, and was about to push Shen Yan out the door.
Shen Yan pulled away from his mother's hand and distanced himself from her. "Mother, calm down. Shen Jiao kidnapped someone and was caught red-handed by the magistrate. I can't help her with this."
"It's just a kidnapping of a child, no real harm was done, we can just pay her some money and that's it." Mother Shen only cared about Shen Jiao's safety and had no sense of right or wrong.
"Enough!" Shen Yan roared, unable to bear it any longer. "Mother, how long are you going to spoil Shen Jiao? This is illegal, illegal!"
"I don't care, you must rescue Ajiao, otherwise, you can pretend I don't exist as your mother." Seeing that her son was disobedient, Mother Shen resorted to her usual trump card to threaten him.
But what Shen Yan said stunned her.
"OK!"
"What...did you say?" Mother Shen slowly turned around, wondering if she had misheard.
“I said, okay.” Three years of neglect had left him with no expectations of his mother anymore. Shen Yan gave a bitter smile. “Mother, you knew that Shen Jiao faked her death, didn’t you!”
“You knew she faked her death, yet you still cruelly avoided me for three years. Even when we met again after three years, you didn’t even look at me properly. Shen Jiao kidnapped no one but my daughter, the only daughter my stepmother left me.”
"Mother, you and Shen Jiao have caused me so much suffering."
If his mother hadn't threatened suicide, he wouldn't have orchestrated the separation of Aman and Fu Yunxiu. If Aman hadn't left, Wan Niang wouldn't have died saving her. He believed that there would eventually be a day when she and Wan Niang could reconcile.
Shen Yan looked at her, his face as calm as a walking corpse. "Anyway, I have nothing left now. If you want to sever ties with me, then so be it. But I will definitely not save Shen Jiao. I will ask His Majesty for a decree to station me on the frontier for the rest of my life. I will not return to the capital unless summoned. I also ask Madam Shen to take care of her health, be happy and carefree, and live a long and healthy life."
Shen Yan knew that if he stayed in Yongzhou or the capital, his mother would do everything she could to force him to save Shen Jiao, and might even risk her life. After all, she was his mother, and Shen Yan knew he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
But he already owed his stepmother so much, and this time, he didn't want to wrong his daughter again.
Shen Jiao hurt her, so she should pay the price.
Compared to her own lack of family ties, Aman's presence seemed to be more conducive to her growth.
"Are you really leaving?" Xie Chen asked. "If it's to counter your mother, I can directly issue an edict ordering He Yuan to thoroughly investigate this case. That way, your mother will know that forcing you is useless."
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but my mind is made up,” Shen Yan said. “In my life, I have been forced to make many decisions, but this time, I want to live for myself.”
"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more. As for your daughter, I will send people to visit her from time to time and write to you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Yan knelt down to express his gratitude.
"Get up quickly, there's no need for this between us." Xie Chen said, then remembered another matter, "Speaking of which, Fu Yunxiu and Lin Yuechu broke up because of me. Now that I see the two of them still entangled, do you think I should bestow a marriage upon them or something, and give them a push?"
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t,” Shen Yan hurriedly stopped him. “When it comes to matters of the heart, only the person experiencing it knows whether it’s hot or cold. You can’t force it. Just let them be. Those who are meant to be together will eventually be together.”
"Alright, whatever you say. The day after tomorrow, I will hold a banquet in the palace to bid you farewell."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
On the second day after the farewell banquet, Shen Yan and Shen Jiajun set off on time.
Over the years, Dongyu has enjoyed its current peace and tranquility, and the Shen family army has made invaluable contributions. Now, knowing that the Shen family army is going to guard the frontier again to protect the peace of the region, the people have come to see them off.
"General Shen is a man of great righteousness."
"The Shen family army is righteous."
"We thank General Shen."
"Thank you, General Shen."
"Thank you, General Xie Chen, and thank you, Shen Family Army."
Tens of thousands of people knelt down, their shouts echoing through the sky, stirring Xie Chen's heart with overwhelming emotion as he watched them depart from the city wall. Shen Yan was also moved to tears.
He dismounted and knelt heavily in the direction of the crowd. "Thank you all for coming to see me off. I, Chen Yan, hereby swear that I will guard the border for the rest of my life and never allow the Xiongnu to invade my border for even half a year."
"General Shen is a man of great righteousness."
"Respectfully seeing off the general."
The people's shouts grew louder and louder. Shen Yan stood up and saw Madam Shen in the crowd.
She stood at the back of the crowd, looking at him with a hesitant expression. Perhaps she was still waiting, waiting for Chen Yan to ask her first.
Unfortunately, Shen Yan no longer wanted to know what she was going to say.
He mounted the horse, gently spurred it, and said, "Giddy up!"
The horses' hooves clattered as they headed out of the city.
Under the rising sun, the Shen family army marched with the strides of dragons and the gait of tigers, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
After leaving the capital, Shen's army continued along the previous route. After reaching the territory of Yongzhou, Shen Yan turned into a small road and disappeared from sight.
Fu Yunxiu wrote to him, saying he wanted to see him off.
Shen Yan originally didn't want to go, but Fu Yunxiu said in his letter that Xiao Lingdang would also go.
He ultimately couldn't resist the temptation and gladly accepted the invitation.
In a small pavilion in the mountains, Fu Yunxiu raised a cup of wine to toast him, "This cup of wine is to General Shen, for General Shen's great righteousness."
To be honest, the two were originally friends, but they became enemies because of Shen Jiao. During the years that Shen Jiao faked her death, Shen Yan intended to avenge Shen Jiao and fulfill her last wish, but in the end, he was too soft-hearted and did not really kill her.
Thinking about all this, Shen Yan felt quite sorry for him. If it weren't for his siblings interfering, the two of them might have been married long ago, and their children would be old enough to run errands.
"This toast is for you. I was deceived and almost caused a disaster."
Fu Yunxiu knew what he was referring to, and lightly clinked glasses with him, saying, "It's not all your fault. It's my lack of willpower that led to this situation. I can't blame you."
The two men were drinking together, while Aman quietly ate with her little bell. Between hiking and waiting for someone, the little bit she ate that morning had long since been digested.
After the mother and daughter had eaten and drunk their fill, and after a few rounds of drinks, Aman finally spoke.
She took a uniquely shaped pendant from her sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "Take this."
"What is this?" Shen Yan asked, puzzled.
"The peace amulet you gave to your stepmother was broken when Shen Jiao's men grabbed Xiao Lingdang and pushed her away. I later had someone retrieve it from the dilapidated house and had a craftsman repair it. One piece is with Xiao Lingdang, and you can keep the other one."
Shen Yan took the broken jade pendant, his nose stinging with tears.
He remarked that the material and color of the jade looked familiar, only to discover it was the same jade pendant he had given her. So, in the end, he couldn't even protect the last thing his stepmother owned?
Everyone says that Shen's army is unstoppable, and that he is a master strategist who safeguards the peace of the country. But while he can protect the people, he cannot protect a mere stepmother. How ironic.
A single tear fell, soaking the broken jade.
Seeing him shed tears, Aman's resentment towards him lessened somewhat, and she offered a rare word of comfort, "You don't need to blame yourself. Perhaps this is Wan Niang's arrangement in the dark, wanting to leave you with something to remember her by."
Seeing that Xiaolingdang was busy playing with the little wooden sword that Chenyan had given him and had no time to pay attention to her, Aman continued, "If war really breaks out, be alert on the battlefield. Don't forget, you still have a daughter to raise."
"I know." Shen Yan wiped away his tears. Even though he was reluctant to part, he knew he had to say goodbye eventually. He stood up and gave a graceful bow to Aman and Fu Yunxiu. "Thank you, take care."
"Take care," Fu Yunxiu said.
Aman, holding Little Bell's hand, said, "Little Bell, say goodbye to Uncle Chen."
Little Bell, who usually listens to Aman very well, was acting strangely today. She took two steps forward, stretched out her little arms, and wanted to be hugged by Chenyan.
Wearing armor, Shen Yan was afraid of hurting her, and also afraid that the more he hugged her, the more reluctant he would be to let her go, so he just squatted down and patted her head. "Little Bell, be good. You must listen to your father and mother from now on, okay?"
Little Bell didn't say anything, but took two steps forward, stood on tiptoe, and hugged Chen Yan's neck tightly, as if she knew he was leaving.
Shen Yan finally couldn't hold back and hugged her back, "Sweetie, Uncle will miss you very, very much."
"Waaah..." After holding back for so long, Little Bell finally burst into tears, burying her face in Shen Yan's neck and wailing.
"Waaaaah... Little Bell will miss Uncle Chen too, waaaaah..."
It really is a father-daughter bond!
Fu Yunxiu couldn't help but sigh as he watched this scene.
Little Bell usually avoids Shen Yan, but now it seems she knows he's leaving and is reluctant to part with him.
Blood ties and instincts are indeed powerful.
Finally, after a great deal of effort, Shen Yan managed to soothe Xiao Lingdang. His clothes around his neck were completely soaked with Xiao Lingdang's tears and saliva.
Before leaving, Chen Yan spoke with Aman alone for a while.
“Aman, you must already know what happened back then. It all started with my brother and me. Yunxiu was forced into it. He didn’t like Shen Jiao, and marrying her was just a temporary measure. Over the years, he’s been looking for you everywhere, and even though he knows I want him dead, he’s never stopped. I’ve seen it all. Things shouldn’t be like this between you and him.”
“But it’s not just that between him and me,” Aman said. Between them was the life of Wan Niang, which was what Aman cared about most and couldn’t let go of the most.
Her stepmother died for her, and she had no way to turn back.
"I know you're troubled by Wan Niang's death. But if I told you that Wan Niang didn't die because of you, but because of me, would you believe me?"
Aman looked at him in confusion, and Shen Yan continued to explain, "Some of the people Shen Jiao sent to hunt you down back then were guards who were responsible for protecting Wan Niang. Wan Niang recognized them and was afraid that I would find out her whereabouts and continue to imprison her and take away Xiao Lingdang, so she had no choice but to jump off the cliff."
Speaking of this, even breathing hurts. "I checked with the people from before, and it's true. So, you don't need to feel too guilty, nor do you need to put unnecessary burdens on yourself. And I believe that, given Wan Niang's personality, she would definitely prefer that you marry the person you love and live a fulfilling and happy life, rather than be trapped by her departure and confined to your own little world."
"...So give him a chance, and give you a chance too. Consider it as giving Xiaolingdang a complete family."
Aman remained silent, but Chen Yan knew she had taken his words to heart. He patted her shoulder, "Go, take my and Wan Niang's share, and be truly happy."
After saying that, Chen Yan mounted his horse and rode away.
Aman stood there, thinking for a very, very long time. So long that Fu Yunxiu began to worry and came looking for her with Little Bell.
"What's wrong?" Fu Yunxiu stepped forward and tugged at her sleeve. "What are you thinking about so intently? You didn't even hear me when I called you."
Fu Yunxiu looked in the direction Shen Yan had left. "What did Shen Yan say to you?"
"It's nothing, let's go home," Aman said.
Seeing that she was unwilling to talk, Fu Yunxiu did not force her. He bent down, picked up Xiaolingdang, and let her ride on his shoulders. "Alright, let's go home!"
Little Bell had been crying sadly, but children's emotions come and go quickly. Now, riding on Fu Yunxiu's shoulders, she was laughing heartily.
The giggling laughter was almost constant throughout the journey.
Aman couldn't understand how the once aloof and detached person could now be so talkative, resembling a loving father.
Finally, the carriage reached a fork in the road, and it was time to part ways.
Fu Yunxiu jumped off the carriage and, through the curtain, instructed Aman, "Be careful on the road. The road ahead is dusty, so tie the curtain tightly to avoid getting choked by the dust."
"Okay, I understand," Aman said.
“Okay,” Fu Yunxiu nodded, “Then… goodbye…”
"Goodbye." Aman waved.
Fu Yunxiu took a deep look at the mother and daughter, reluctantly lowered the curtain, and reminded the driver to drive slowly and be careful.
Aman watched Fu Yunxiu's departing figure through the curtain. His tall figure stood alone between heaven and earth, and for some reason, he seemed so lonely and isolated.
Aman suddenly remembered what Shen Yan had said: give him a chance, and give yourself a chance too.
Perhaps, she could...
Thinking of this, she suddenly jumped off the carriage and called out, "Fu Yunxiu."
“…Hmm?” Fu Yunxiu stopped and turned around when he heard her voice.
"Didn't you say that Fu Bao has many children now? Aren't you going to take me to see them?"
"...?" Fu Yunxiu was stunned for a moment, seemingly not understanding what Aman meant. Until he saw the smile on Aman's face grow brighter and brighter, the guess took root in his heart and blossomed. "Thump thump thump," the rapid heartbeat made Fu Yunxiu feel a little dizzy for a moment.
“…Aman…?” With each heavy breath, Fu Yunxiu could no longer contain his surging emotions. He rushed forward and pulled Aman into his arms.
At that moment, Fu Yunxiu suddenly felt as if he had achieved fulfillment. It was like an empty jar that had suddenly been filled with water. The warmth of regaining what was lost overwhelmed his heart, turning into a comforting feeling that brought tears to his eyes.
"Aman, thank you."
Thank you, please forgive me.
Thank you for still wanting me.
"fool."
A hot tear fell onto his neck, and Aman hugged him back, laughing and then crying.
Fortunately, time slows down, and lovers stay together.
(End of article)
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Author's Note: The story is finished. I'm posting a pre-order link. Please subscribe to my author page.
The Daily Life of a Transmigrated Lacquer Girl
Ming Zhao, a working-class woman, transmigrates into the body of Jiu Niang, the youngest daughter of the Ming family in the Great Feng Dynasty.
The Ming family was a renowned lacquerware family, but unfortunately, they had few descendants. This branch even had three daughters in a row, and with no one to carry on the family line, the grandfather, Mingde, eventually died with regret.
Ming Zhao, who transmigrated from another era, received a favor from her grandfather. In order to repay her and carry on her last wish, she and her childhood sweetheart and fiancé, Zhou Yuanqing, searched through ancient books and studied diligently. Finally, they created a set of exquisite ancient lacquerware to use for the World Trade Conference.
Zhou Yuanqing said that the two of them would get married when he returned this time.
Mingzhao, awaiting marriage, received not the joyous news of her fiancé, but the news that he had been ambushed and killed on the way, and that the lacquerware had disappeared without a trace.
The newly appointed magistrate, Shen Tingsi, was in charge of investigating the matter and eventually discovered that the murderer was a Japanese.
*
Mingzhao said that at first, he just wanted to fulfill his grandfather's last wish and let him rest in peace. Later, he wanted to find a way out and pass on this skill.
Shen Tingsi: When I first met Mingzhao, I thought she was just a young lady living in the shadow of her parents. Later, I found that she was just like her name, wise and intelligent, and dazzling.
[The wise enlighten others with their own wisdom.]
It's probably the story of an inspirational young lady and her loyal magistrate.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
