Chapter 94 Chapter 94 Four eyes met and one voice...
Lin Xia's voice echoed throughout the yard. Her voice was as clear as ice falling to the ground. Lin Qiuran's hand, which was flipping through the account book, stopped instantly.
Lin Xia ran into the house, paused to catch her breath, and swallowed her saliva before saying, "Madam, the army has returned to the capital! They're coming back from the north city gate. I heard from people outside that they'll be here today."
Sun heard the commotion and quickly walked to the door. She poked her head in and rubbed her ears. "Qiuran, did I hear correctly? The army is back?"
Tang Yuan looked confused, but he equated Da Jun with his father. "Dad is back?"
Lin Qiuran closed the account book and looked at Lin Xia. Lin Xia nodded vigorously, "That's what I heard from outside."
Lin Qiuran said, "Mom, let's go to the city gate to welcome them."
The army returned to the capital. Even if it wasn't to wait for Xiao Xun, it had to greet the meritorious officials of the Yue Dynasty. By this morning, everyone had received the news and had probably already gone. Lin Qiuran was afraid that he would be too late to see them, so he hurriedly got in the carriage and left.
The north wind howled in the streets, unlike the warm, spring-like warmth inside. There were quite a few people out there; it was the end of the year, so the streets were much more crowded than usual.
A woman came out clutching a child, wiping away tears, her face terrified. An elderly man wept uncontrollably, needing to be supported. Most of these people had relatives in the army, and they were either excited or nervous about finally meeting them.
Some people had smiles on their faces, holding egg buns in their hands, and some were holding the wings of a big rooster. A few feathers fell off after they took a few steps, and then the feathers were stepped on by the people who followed behind.
The streets were packed with people, people crammed together, those in the front were squeezed by those behind them, leaving no room to step. The crowd surged towards the north of the city, and the streets were completely deserted.
Lin Qiuran and her companions arrived late, and since the streets were crowded, they parked their carriage in an empty alley in the north of the city. After getting off the carriage, they could only follow the periphery of the crowd. She had never seen so many people at once, some dressed simply, some dressed lavishly, and even servants from various mansions... It was a sea of people.
There was no way they could go together in this situation, so Lin Qiuran could only ask the maid to look after Sun while he held Tangyuan tightly.
Tangyuan was small, struggling to move between the legs, almost being squeezed into a meat patty. Tangyuan now knew that his name meant the same food, and it was a very delicious food. Now he was thinking inappropriately that the round ones were called Tangyuan, and the flat ones were no longer called Tangbian.
Tang Yuan: "Mom, I think I stepped on someone's foot."
The mother and child were quickly surrounded by a new group of people. Lin Qiuran apologized to everyone around them, but no one said anything. She picked up the child, and Tangyuan took the opportunity to put her arms around Lin Qiuran's neck to save her some effort.
Lin Qiuran asked him, "Are you cold?"
Tang Yuan shook his head, "It's not cold."
Lin Qiuran breathed a sigh of relief. In just a moment, there were only a few people between her and Sun. Sun waved her hand and said, "Just look after Tangyuan. Don't worry about me."
There were too many people, and it was impossible to walk together. If you were not careful, you would be squeezed away. Sun had a maid with her, so Lin Qiuran no longer cared about her.
After standing outside for a while, Lin Qiuran felt a little cold. She stamped her feet, and Tangyuan hugged her tighter.
There were people all around, unfamiliar faces, with different expressions. Tang Yuan whispered in Lin Qiuran's ear, "Mom, when will the army arrive?"
Lin Qiuran and the others were now near the north gate of the city. There were still people ahead of them, and looking further ahead, she could see the red tassels on the helmets of the imperial guards maintaining order. She saw a clear path ahead, with no clear path, and the commotion ahead, so she didn't intend to push forward. The army had returned from the city gate, and where they were going, Lin Qiuran didn't know, but the commander was definitely going to the palace and would definitely pass through the city gate.
As soon as she opened her mouth, a puff of white air came out. She said to Tang Yuan, "Listen carefully. If you hear the sound of horse hooves, it means they are coming back."
Lin Qiuran asked him to listen quietly and find something to do so as to avoid arguing when he opened his mouth.
She even pulled down the brim of Tangyuan's tiger-head hat, feeling lucky that Tangyuan hadn't asked his father if he still liked him or recognized him. When Xiao Xun left, Tangyuan couldn't walk yet and didn't remember anything. Now that he's grown up, he's different.
After holding her like this for a while, Tang Yuan stared at her with big eyes and asked, "Mom, are you tired?"
Lin Qiuran shook her head. "Just stay here. Mother isn't tired."
On weekdays, she stirs the wok and cuts vegetables with great strength, so the glutinous rice balls are heavier.
After holding her for a while, Tangyuan pried open his ears and said, "Mom, I hear the sound of horse hooves!"
Lin Qiuran was stunned. The expressions of the people around her did not change, and there was no one at the city gate. She was not sure whether Tangyuan had really heard it or not, but seeing Tangyuan's serious expression, she coaxed him, "Then he should be coming soon. Let's wait a little longer."
A moment later, the crowd to the north erupted in boisterous cheers. Some shouted, "Great Viet is mighty!" while others called out the names of General Zhao and several other generals. The sound was deafening. Lin Qiuran held her breath as the crowd began to move again. She was bumped twice on the back. Lin Qiuran, with her child in tow, didn't dare to push forward, so she settled at the back.
People were walking north, and there were only heads in front of Lin Qiuran. She couldn't see anything clearly. She could only see different hairstyles and different jewelry. Not only she couldn't see, but Tangyuan couldn't see either.
Lin Qiuran took a deep breath and lifted Tangyuan up. He couldn't squeeze in anyway, and someone in front of him was holding a child. They couldn't see anything, so they just lifted the child over their heads. Lin Qiuran had never done this before, and he couldn't do it either. He could only sigh inwardly.
Even if Xiao Xun came back, could she see him? With so many people around, Xiao Xun wouldn't be able to see her.
Tang Yuan was also squeezed hard. He hugged Lin Qiuran tightly and said, "Mom, I can hear the sound of horse hooves getting louder and louder. It was quite cold before, but now it's quite warm."
With so many people outside at night, it probably isn't cold.
Lin Qiuran saw Tangyuan frowning and couldn't help thinking, why not leave first, a stampede may happen when there are too many people. It would be fine for her, but Tangyuan is still here.
Just when she was about to back down and go back, Lin Qiuran caught a glimpse of several armored soldiers walking in from the city gate.
Their armor gleamed silver, and they wore no helmets, having endured the rigors of the road. The man at the front looked quite old, his face cold, his hair tangled in a bun, and a scar on his face. Lin Qiuran didn't dare look any further. She glanced back and saw a familiar face.
It’s Xiao Xun, he’s still alive.
Lin Qiuran opened her mouth but no words came out. Tangyuan leaned closer to her ear and said, "Mom, I didn't hear what you just said!"
The soft voice brought Lin Qiuran back to reality.
Lin Qiuran looked at the glutinous rice balls in her arms. Her nose felt a little sore. She took a breath and pointed at Tang Yuan. She whispered, "Look at the one in the second row... the tall one. He's your father."
Xiao Xun was still alive. Lin Qiuran blinked, wondering if Sun had seen him. But when she turned around, she could no longer see Sun.
The people in front were very loud, especially when the soldiers walked by, the cheers were endless.
Lin Qiuran had never thought that Xiao Xun could see her among so many people. She came to see him to welcome the benefactor who had protected her country, and now she was happy to see Xiao Xun alive. But miraculously, Xiao Xun looked over here.
The people around him cheered immediately, but Lin Qiuran just stood there in a daze.
Across the crowd, Xiao Xun lowered his brows due to the cold wind. He turned his head to look over here, and Lin Qiuran saw a hint of disbelief flash across his eyes.
Lin Qiuran was not sure that Xiao Xun was looking at her, so she waved at Xiao Xun. As the army moved south, Xiao Xun's gaze was always on this side. Tangyuan also waved his little hand, but did not call out "Dad" because he could not open his mouth.
Besides, it’s so far away that he can’t hear you even if he shouts!
Lin Qiuran wanted to follow the army, but there were simply too many of them. Those in front were on horseback, moving fast enough for the common people to wait. But the army behind them was walking back, several men in a row. The common people on either side, through the human wall erected by the imperial guards, forced their belongings into their arms. Some, seeing their loved ones, burst into tears.
Lin Qiuran couldn't see the person behind her at all, and it was too crowded here. She looked back and decided to go back.
There were quite a few people coming later, but not more than those coming in front. They all craned their necks to look, and some even criticized the people in front who were carrying their children on their shoulders.
Lin Qiuran saw that there were only two or three rows, so he could squeeze out even if he squeezed.
Seeing Lin Qiuran wanted to leave, Tang Yuan quickly said, "Mom, shouldn't we wait for Dad? We just moved, and Dad must not remember the way home."
Tang Yuan said anxiously: "Let's wait, Tang Yuan doesn't mind the cold."
Lin Qiuran's eyes were slightly red, and she tapped Tangyuan's nose. "You don't need to worry about this."
Lin Xia will be here guarding, so Xiao Xun can go home and won't be unable to find the way home like the previous two times.
Tang Yuan cried out and moved closer to Lin Qiuran. "Mom, I'm just worried about Dad. I still like you more."
Lin Qiuran smiled, took the dumplings out, and asked Lin Xia to guard them here.
Lin Qiuran put Tangyuan down as soon as he left the crowd. Tangyuan didn't walk around, but jumped up on the spot to look. Unfortunately, he was too short and couldn't see anything.
After waiting for a while, Sun finally emerged from the crowd, her face radiating joy. When Xiao Xun hadn't returned, Sun couldn't help but complain, feeling that he was an incompetent husband and father, even less useful than Master Xu. He had been away when the family needed him most, having been gone for over a year without a word, only sending one letter home, which he had kept secret when he left.
In the past, Sun was filled with anger whenever she thought of these things, but when she saw Xiao Xun finally coming back, Sun felt only happiness in her heart.
She didn't blame anyone. She just felt that these soldiers had worked hard, and nothing was better than being alive. On the battlefield, swords were merciless, and being able to come back alive was good enough. How could she ask for so much more?
Besides, going out doesn’t mean you can live freely. Without them, we wouldn’t have the peaceful life we have now.
Lin Qiuran and Sun said, "Mom, I'll ask Lin Xia to wait here, let's go back first."
Sun nodded, "I saw Xiao Xun looking over here, he will definitely come back here, let's go home, go home!"
It's so cold, waiting here is torture, go home and wait.
Besides, even if Sun could wait, there were still Lin Qiuran and Tangyuan. Why should they suffer? They didn't know when Xiao Xun would come back, so they might as well go home first.
The alley was quiet; everyone had gone out to see the army return to the capital. The rustling of the carriage wheels was particularly noticeable on the street. Sun sighed as she swayed, "It's been so long! They're finally back."
Lin Qiuran nodded gently, "I'm glad you can come back safely."
So many lives have been lost.
Sun also nodded, looking at Lin Qiuran with a hint of apology in her eyes, "Qiuran, for more than a year, Xiao Xun has been away, and you have been busy taking care of the family. You also raised Tangyuan single-handedly. Even your father and I are filial and caring to you. When Xiao Xun comes back, I will definitely talk to him about this. He owes you and your son a lot over the years."
Lin Qiuran was stunned. She hadn't expected Sun to say this. She knew Sun meant well, and was relieved that she remembered her kindness. Now that Xiao Xun was an official, Lin Qiuran was happy he was back, but with children and a business, she also hoped Xiao Xun would stay true to his original intentions and treat her and Tangyuan even better.
Lin Qiuran nodded and said, "Mom, I should do this."
Sometimes she feels tired and complains, but what can she do?
Tangyuan was also there, and he didn't understand what was said, so Lin Qiuran could only say that it was what he should do.
When the carriage arrived home, Sun did nothing else after returning home. She didn't even drink a sip of water. She asked the maid to pack up her bedding and move it to Shou'an Hall.
Now that Xiao Xun is back, he will live in the capital. It’s okay for Lin Qiuran and Tangyuan to sleep together, but she definitely can’t stay in this room.
The bed has already been built in the other room, but there are so many rooms in the yard, and Sun also said that she would wait until the weather gets warmer and move in with her own yard, so it doesn't make any difference whether it's earlier or later. She won't wait until spring and will move in today.
Sun also asked Tangyuan, "Why don't you follow your grandmother to Shou'an Hall to sleep, it would be warm and lively, how nice!"
Tang Yuan shook his head and said, "I want to sleep with my mother."
Lin Qiuran quickly said, "Mom, he always wakes up at night. I can't let you take care of him at night."
Sun was a little helpless, but there was nothing she could do but wait like this. When she went to the street, it was still morning and daylight. Now it was dark and Xiao Xun had not returned yet.
Lin Qiuran waited patiently, but she was hesitant in her heart because Xiao Xun didn't see it earlier in the morning and she had seen it wrongly in her panic.
That's not possible. There were so many people on the street at that time. If he didn't come back, let Lin Xia come back.
Just as she was thinking this, Lin Xia's voice came from outside the house, "Madam! The master is back!"
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The author has something to say: Thank you for your support, I will not leave in the future [猫头]
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