asshole
The capital city survived the cold winter and finally welcomed spring one morning.
The news from the border was suppressed under the memorials, which Fu Huaiying had no authority to read. She could only piece together the victory or defeat of each battlefield from the Emperor of the Universe's eyebrows.
Ever since Emperor Huanyu fell ill, his health has been declining, and most of the government affairs have been handed over to Chen Huanli.
Fu Huaiying lowered her head to grind ink, but suddenly heard the Emperor of the Universe burst into laughter. She looked up, and the Emperor of the Universe slammed the table and stood up, "Victory! Victory!!"
Fu Huaiying's expression softened a bit, and his eyes, which had been gloomy all day, became clearer. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The ice and snow have been melting in the past few days, and the news of victory at the border has arrived. This spring has arrived just in time."
Emperor Huanyu's smile never faded, and he looked much more energetic. "Yes, it's spring now, and it's time to hold a spring banquet. When Chu Yan and the others come back, we'll hold a welcoming banquet for them. Huaiying, have the Ministry of Rites start preparing now."
"yes."
When Fu Huaiying left the hall, she happened to see a palace maid bringing in soup.
"Your Majesty, this is the nourishing soup that the Fourth Prince specially prepared for you. Your Majesty has been standing guard over the fire for an hour."
"Old Four is still considerate."
Fu Huaiying paused slightly, curled her lips, and walked out.
Yes, Huanli is the most caring.
"Fu Zhibi..."
When Fu Huaiying heard the familiar voice, she did not stop or look back.
"Fu Huaiying!"
Suning caught up with him and said, "I said those words because I was anxious that day..."
Fu Huaiying looked back and said in a cold voice, "I have always believed that what is said in times of crisis is what is truly spoken."
Su Ning sighed, "I have already asked to leave Beijing and will be heading south in two days."
Fu Huaiying was a little surprised. Suning valued fame and power the most, but he was willing to give up his current position?
As if he could read her thoughts, Su Ning smiled bitterly, "My mother is always in poor health in winter. She said she didn't know if she would have the chance to visit the south in this lifetime. I thought I'd take her there."
"What about King Huan?"
Suning shook his head, "Forget it."
He hesitated for a moment, then looked up at the clear sky. "I think one day, you will resolve your father's obsession."
Fu Huaiying smiled but didn't respond.
Suning waved and left, his robe swaying gently in the wind.
…
On the day when Dingbei Hou and Wen Chuyan returned triumphantly, the streets were unprecedentedly bustling, with silk flowers and handkerchiefs thrown onto their horses.
Fu Huaiying didn't go. She was very tired and just leaned on the rocking chair in the yard to bask in the sun. This rocking chair was the most comfortable because it was made by Lin Yan'an himself, and he also consulted the master craftsman in Beijing.
Da Hu went into the yard and took out a fox fur coat to cover her.
Fu Huaiying raised her eyes to look at her, "It's very lively outside today, why didn't you go?"
"You didn't go either?"
Fu Huaiying smiled, "That bastard said that when he returns victorious, I will go to pick him up, and he also said that he will come back alive."
As he spoke, his eyes gradually became moist.
Originally, he was one of the people who came back.
Da Hu turned sideways and wiped away his tears. "The situation was originally unclear. It was said that it was the Marquis who turned the tide and defeated Di Rou."
"Ji Yuan is right. The old marquis is a fierce general who pacified the northwest."
"There's a celebration banquet tonight. Miss, are you going? The soldiers have already been invited into the palace."
Fu Huaiying shook her head and said, "No, just rest at home."
"Okay, what would you like for dinner, young lady? I'll have someone prepare it."
Fu Huaiying couldn't think of anything after thinking for a long time, so she could only shake her head and say, "What do you want to eat? It depends on your taste."
Da Hu spread his hands helplessly, "Okay, I want to eat roast chicken."
"Want to eat outside? Ask them to buy it back."
"Okay!"
Fu Huaiying half closed her eyes, letting the sunlight hit her body, absorbing the warmth. After they got married in her previous life, there was always a charcoal fire in the house. Lin Yan'an was afraid that she would be cold, but he himself was sweating. Later, she accepted Yan'an. He was like a stove, and lying beside him made her feel warm.
But when she was at the Fu family, the winters were even colder. Without enough charcoal to burn, she could only huddle in her quilt. Now, she had a house granted by the emperor, enough charcoal to burn, thick quilts, and a constant flow of gifts, but even in spring, she still felt cold... even colder than at the Fu family...
The snow at the foot of Yunfeng Mountain covered Lin Yan'an, but also did not let her go, keeping her in the ice all the time.
It rained at night. Fu Huaiying stood by the window and looked out to see the rain. "It's raining, spring rain..."
Da Hu walked behind her and gently put a piece of clothing on her, "Yes, it's raining."
Fu Huaiying closed the window and turned to go to bed. Dahu went to prepare the heater and blew out the lights.
With a creak, the door was pushed open.
Fu Huaiying's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly drew his sword from the side, holding it in front of the uninvited guest. "Who?"
The man didn't say anything. Thunder roared outside, and the sky brightened. Fu Huaiying saw the man in front of her clearly...
The sword in her hand fell to the ground. She raised her hand, touched the warm face, and suddenly, slapped it hard...
Fu Huaiying raised her hands, trembling slightly, tears filling her eyes. She was overwhelmed by the intense emotion of loss and recovery, and she couldn't say a word...
Lin Yan'an was slapped, and before he could come to his senses, a warm body appeared in his arms. He lowered his head, held back his tears, and hugged Fu Huaiying tightly in his arms.
The heater in Da Hu's hand fell. She stood for a moment, wiped her tears, and squatted down to pick it up.
Fu Huaiying hugged Lin Yan'an tightly, fearing that it was a dream.
Da Hu lit the lamp silently.
After a while, Fu Huaiying pushed Lin Yan'an away and looked at him carefully.
Lin Yan'an raised his hand and wiped away her tears, his voice a little hoarse, "I'm back. I promised you that I would come back alive."
"Bastard..." Fu Huaiying raised his hand and slapped him again.
He knew that he had no say on the battlefield and that his life or death depended on fate, but he couldn't help himself...
Lin Yanan nodded, "I am a bastard."
Meeting again after many months, Lin Yanan couldn't take his eyes off her for a moment, "The palace celebration banquet hasn't ended yet, I sneaked out because I'm hungry."
Da Hu immediately opened the door and went out, "The girl didn't eat much tonight, I'll ask someone to make it."
Lin Yanan smiled and said, "Sister, you are so nice to me all of a sudden. I'm a little uncomfortable with it."
Da Hu's somewhat sad mood suddenly disappeared, he rolled his eyes and walked away.
Fu Huaiying stared at him closely. "Are you hurt? Why did my brother say you were missing?"
Lin Yan'an lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead. "The trap we set was set. The Queen was incredibly powerful and formidable. We had no choice but to attack from the rear. I led my men to burn their food supplies and captured Cha Hanli alive. Something went wrong in the rear, so the Queen had to rush back. Wen Chuyan and I attacked from both sides, but the Queen was a formidable foe. We couldn't stop her, and we only managed a narrow victory."
After he finished speaking, he stared at Fu Huaiying for a moment, "I heard from Wen Chuyan that you and Dahu, two men and two horses, searched for me all the way and even found your way to the foot of Yunfeng Mountain?"
Not getting an answer, Lin Yan'an pulled the corners of his mouth open, "In my previous life, I always asked you, if I died, would you go to collect my body... Now, I have the answer, Huaiying," he paused, "I'm sorry, I made you so sad these days. The border is much colder than the capital. He said you were sick, but I was not here. I'm sorry..."
Fu Huaiying's tears started to flow again. She had never cried as much in all the years before as she had in these days.
Lin Yan'an hurriedly wiped her tears and kept saying sorry.
Fu Huaiying looked up at him, silent tears rolling down her cheeks, and Lin Yan'an's heart was broken.
Huaiying rarely complains about her grievances, but her eyes always make people feel guilty.
Lin Yan'an lowered his head and looked into those eyes, unable to utter a word. All the guilt and heartache were stuck in his heart.
Dahu opened the door and came in with a food box, "Are you hungry? Eat."
Lin Yan'an nodded in response, then took out a box of lip balm from his sleeve and handed it to Fu Huaiying. "I bought this from the lip balm shop in Yongdingguan. They said it's different from the ones in the capital. I thought I'd bring it back for you to try."
Fu Huaiying took it and placed it on the dressing table. "Let's eat. We've been traveling for days and haven't had much at the palace banquet."
Lin Yanan nodded.
The three of them sat down and had a reunion dinner.
When Lin Yan'an came back, Dahu went back to his room to rest.
Late at night
Lin Yan'an stood in front of the bronze mirror, combing Fu Huaiying's hair. Looking at her slightly red eyes in the mirror, he suddenly regretted asking Wen Chuyan to hide it from everyone.
When he looked at Fu Huaiying, she was also staring at him through the bronze mirror.
"Lin Yan'an," her voice was no longer as hoarse as before, but with a hint of calmness, "A few days ago, I ordered a double coffin."
Lin Yan'an's hand trembled, and he accidentally pulled out two strands of her hair. Fu Huaiying said expressionlessly, "Next time this happens, tell me in advance that you are still alive. Otherwise, I won't be sure whether you will come back faster or I will leave faster."
Lin Yanan was terrified at this moment. He immediately knelt on his knees and swore with his hands raised, "I swear, I will never let you worry again. I will ask someone to tell you whether I am dead or alive."
Fu Huaiying stood up and said, "Get up."
She stood in front of the lamp, her face flickering in the candlelight.
Lin Yan'an climbed onto the bed in the dark and hugged her sideways, "Sister Huaiying, I was wrong..."
"I'm not blaming you, but no matter what, you have to tell me about life and death, right? Going missing on the battlefield is equivalent to..."
Lin Yan'an hugged her tighter. "Wen Chuyan said you were seriously ill and freezing at the border. You came looking for me at the foot of Yunfeng Mountain. Huaiying, is the snow thick there? Are you cold?"
"Endless mountains, the sky and the earth are all white," Fu Huaiying closed her eyes. "My mother died on a snowy day. In my previous life, I also retrieved my brother's body on a snowy day like that. I don't hate snowy days, but all the people I care about disappeared on a snowy day. Lin Yan'an, you almost became the third one."
"Huaiying, I'm sure. I promise I won't."
Fu Huaiying turned her back to him and shook her head gently. "When you set up this game with my brother, you never thought about coming back alive. Lin Yan'an, I don't understand the battlefield, but I understand you. You led your men across Yunfeng Mountain and went to Dirou. If you miscalculated even one step, the Queen and Cha Han would have caught you in a trap. Taking your life would be as easy as taking candy from a sack."
Lin Yan'an was silent. Huaiying knew him too well. He had no other choice at that time. The Queen's tactics were changeable, and he and Wen Chuyan could not figure it out. They could only take risks. Yongding Pass was the lifeline and must not be broken.
"You are on the battlefield, your life or death is uncertain. It is best if you are alive. If you die, I will follow you. But whether you live or die, I want an answer."
Lin Yan'an nodded against her neck, tears soaking her collar...
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