Chapter 225
The mist was so thick that it almost blocked Lin Shuge's vision. He felt the temperature was a little high, so he reached out and pulled his underwear beside him, put it on, and sat down by the pool. He picked up the wine and took a sip. The aroma of the wine was so strong that he couldn't help but take another sip.
The breeze blew by, and the wind chimes in the corridor jingled, crisp and pleasant. Lin Shuge was staring into the distance in a daze, but the wine jug in his hand was snatched away by someone.
He knew who it was without even looking. The person sat next to him, very close to him, and said, "Brother, drink less. You'll get drunk soon."
"When have you ever seen me drunk?" Lin Shuge smiled and tried to take the wine jug from him.
Xie Chen raised the wine jug high as if jokingly, "I really can't drink any more. Drinking too much of this stuff is harmful to your health."
Lin Shuge didn't care, climbed onto his shoulders, stretched out his hand to take the wine, and said softly: "This is the last sip."
Xie Chen put one arm around his waist and held the wine jug in the other. Seeing that he was almost hanging on him, he simply put his arm around him and turned around.
Lin Shuge's feet slipped and he was about to hit the stone wall next to the hot spring. He closed his eyes in fear.
He heard a chuckle in his ear, and before he could open his eyes, he felt a chill on his lips, followed by the aroma of wine sliding into his mouth. The wine, which he did not have time to swallow, flowed down his chin to his chest.
Lin Shuge was only wearing a thin coat at this time. The action just now made a large area of his body wet, and the water droplets mixed with the wine made his body look vivid and fragrant.
Xie Chen's eyes followed the falling water droplets all the way down, and his throat instantly felt itchy. Lin Shuge felt his naked gaze and smiled a little seductively, "Xie Lang, what are you looking at?"
Xie Chen raised his eyebrows and pulled him out from the shore, "Brother, don't say no later."
Maybe he was really drunk, Lin Shuge put his arm around his shoulders and whispered in his ear: "I'll wait and see."
Xie Chen's steps slowed down slightly, perhaps because of the heat from the hot spring. His throat felt more and more uncomfortable, his eyes looked dark and unbearable, and he walked into the house holding Lin Shuge.
There was a cool breeze in the evening and Lin Shuge was a little unable to sleep. He glanced to the side and saw Xie Chen next to him with a peaceful expression, sleeping soundly.
Lin Shuge didn't wake him up. He put on his coat and went out. The sky was full of stars. He stood in the corridor and watched quietly. The night wind blew up his wide coat, and he felt as if he was floating like an immortal.
Familiar footsteps were heard, and then he felt warm. A bony hand reached out to him and fastened the laces of his cloak. "Can't sleep? It's cold at night. Why don't you put on more clothes, brother?"
Lin Shuge held the large hand and asked, "Did I wake you up?"
"No," he hugged him from behind, "Brother, are you thinking about Ayuan and Axuan?"
The night sky was vast and silent. Lin Shuge said nothing, "My first wish when I came to this world was to make a lot of money and support my family. But now, I have the ability to support my family, but I am the only one left."
Xie Chen tried hard to recommend himself: "Then brother will support me now."
Lin Shuge laughed helplessly, and Xie Chen continued: "Brother looked calm and relaxed during the day, why is he feeling sad now?"
After she finished speaking, Lin Shuge hit her arm with his elbow. Xie Chen felt the pain and covered her chest, complaining loudly: "Someone is trying to murder my husband."
Lin Shuge was annoyed by his jokes, and the worries in his heart disappeared, "You haven't even got married yet, and you don't have a legal status."
Seeing a smile on his face, Xie Chen hugged him with both hands, "Then I'll try harder, otherwise when we get to the northwest, some people will be dazzled by the names of young masters and princes."
Lin Shuge said something casually during the day, but he still remembered it. He said with a smile: "Then you have to behave well, otherwise when I get to the northwest, you will be left alone."
"How did you perform?" Xie Chen came closer, hugged Lin Shuge and shook him, and asked, "Did I perform badly tonight?"
Lin Shuge was shocked by his shamelessness. Xie Chen was still asking: "Huh? Why doesn't brother speak? Did I hurt brother? Or did brother not..."
Lin Shuge quickly covered his mouth. Xie Chen looked at him teasingly, and Lin Shuge's eyes were wandering. After a long while, he let him go.
He walked to the porch and sat down. "Come back with me tomorrow to pack your luggage. It's time for us to set off."
Xie Chen also followed his example and sat on the ground. The two were so close that they could almost hear each other's heartbeats. Xie Chen raised his eyebrows, glanced at him, and responded.
The moon was bright and the wind was gentle, and the bamboo forest beside them was rustling. The two sat and talked for a long time, until the sky turned pale, and then they went back and lay down for a while.
The next day, as soon as the two returned to the Lin Mansion, they saw the servant who had been looking out at the door. The servant saw the carriage from afar and hurried over and said, "Sir, the emperor's edict has arrived."
Lin Shuge and Xie Chen looked at each other and quickly got off the carriage. When they arrived at the mansion, they saw the eunuch beside Emperor Yongyuan sitting there waiting for them.
"I came back late because of something just now. Thank you for keeping me waiting for a long time." Lin Shuge stepped forward and said.
The eunuch smiled and said, "It's okay, Sir Xie, Sir Lin, please accept the order."
Lin Shuge and Xie Chen knelt down together, and the eunuch said, "Xiping Hou Xie Chen led the people to attack the Xiongnu and stabilized the border. I will appoint Xie Chen as the General of Fuyuan to guard the counties in the Western Regions... Taizhong Dafu Lin Shuge has performed his duties conscientiously and made great contributions to the country. I will appoint Lin Shuge as the Protector General of the Western Regions and concurrently the Governor of Xiping County. I hope you will be loyal and work together and do not disappoint me. Announce it to the world so that they will know my intention. I respect you!"
"I accept your command and thank you." Lin Shuge and Xie Chen said in unison.
"His Majesty also asked me to bring a message to General Xie and Envoy Lin. His Majesty said: You must help me guard the northwest." The eunuch handed the imperial edict to Lin Shuge with both hands and said.
"I will keep this in mind and will not betray your majesty's trust." Lin Shuge said with a smile. The eunuch nodded and said, "Look at my memory. Madam Ruan also asked me to tell Envoy Lin that Ms. Lin is doing well in the palace. Envoy Lin should not worry about her."
Lin Shuge said happily, "Thank you, sir." He quickly took out a heavy bag of money from his arms and said, "Axuan is young, I hope you can give her some advice."
The eunuch said, "Your Excellency, what are you talking about? Miss Lin is smart and prudent, and she has done great favors to Madam and the little prince. Anyone in the palace who dares to mess with her will only mess with Madam Ruan and the little prince. Your Excellency, don't worry."
"Then I'll be relieved."
The eunuch bowed to him and went back to the palace.
"Zhongxuan, Axuan is now a female historian." Lin Shuge said in surprise as soon as the eunuch left.
"Let's just say that Axuan is very capable. The female historian is responsible for documents, the words and deeds of concubines, and the etiquette of the harem. She is considered the inner court historian. This is not an insult to her." Xie Chen also said.
"What? What? What happened to Xuan?"
Lin Qingyuan ran over in a hurry, "Brother, Erlang, I heard someone came from the palace, is there any news about Axuan?"
Lin Shuge smiled and told him the news about Lin Xuan. Lin Qingyuan was overjoyed, but when he saw his two brothers, he felt a little uncomfortable. "Big brother, when are you leaving?"
"Your Majesty has appointed me as the governor of Xiping County and Zhongxuan as the general of Fuyuan. They will take up their posts immediately."
"Xiping County?"
"That's right. Zhongxuan defeated the Huns and drove them out of the Western Regions. The territory was expanded to the west of Jiwei Mountain. Therefore, Your Majesty set up the Western Regions Protectorate in imitation of the previous dynasty, and established Xiping County and Fuyuan County under it." Lin Shuge explained.
Lin Qingyuan looked enlightened, and pretended to be strong and said, "Congratulations to Big Brother and Erlang for their promotions."
Lin Shuge patted his head and said, "Since you are not on duty today, come and help us pack our luggage."
Lin Qingyuan then regained some spirit, running around to get servants to help, wishing he could pack up the entire Lin Mansion and let his brother take it away.
Lin Shuge picked up Xiaobai, who was circling around his legs, and stroked his increasingly round furry belly. He said with a smile, "Xiaobai has followed us through wind and rain. He is definitely a cat that has seen the world, isn't he, Xiaobai?"
Xie Chen was wiping his spear with a piece of velvet cloth. He looked up at the man and the cat getting close. He raised his mouth and said, "Brother, I have to go say goodbye to my aunt."
Lin Shuge put Xiaobai down, thought for a moment and said, "I'll go with you."
"good."
As soon as the two walked out of the room, they saw Xie Ning, Ruan Qingyun and others had already entered the mansion. Lin Shuge and Xie Chen hurriedly greeted them, "Aunt, Lord Ruan."
Xie Ning scolded, "Why are you leaving in such a hurry? I was originally planning to give you a good farewell party, but I just got the news that you were leaving, so I rushed over."
"Don't blame me, aunt. Zhongxuan and I were originally going to say goodbye to you." Lin Shuge said hurriedly.
"I don't mean to blame you, Huai Ting, come here." Xie Ning directly pulled Lin Shuge aside, "Last time it was really... Alas, Erlang looks cold-tempered, but he is actually loyal and righteous. I don't ask for anything, I just hope that you are all well."
She took out a crystal clear jade bracelet and said, "This is what my mother gave me when I got married. Now I give it to you. Erlang's parents are gone, and I am his only elder. I am shameless to wish you a long and happy life together on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law."
"Aunt, this is too expensive." Lin Shuge couldn't help but call her and declined.
Xie Ning said, "Huai Ting, I'm sorry for wronging you. I'll make it up to you when you get married..."
"What do you want to make up?" Xie Chen poked his head over. He had been chatting with Ruan Qingyun for a long time and he hadn't seen this person finish his conversation, so he came over on his own.
Xie Ning glared at him unhappily, and then said to Lin Shuge, "I will take care of Ayuan and Axuan, you don't have to worry about these. Erlang said that you are weak and came to me for help. It just so happens that I know a good doctor who is going to the northwest to sell medicinal materials. He can go with you. The northwest is bitterly cold, so you must take good care of yourself."
"Thank you, aunt." Lin Shuge was moved when he heard her concern.
"Why be polite to me? We are all family." Xie Ning snatched the cloak from Xie Chen's hand and forced it on him despite Lin Shuge's refusal. Looking at the fair and jade-like face in front of him, he once again sighed that Erlang had good taste.
"It's getting late, Aunt, Lord Ruan, we'll leave now." Lin Shuge looked at Lin Qingyuan who was about to cry and said, "Ayuan, my elder brother is not here, take care of yourself."
When Lin Qingyuan heard this, she burst into tears and rushed forward, hugging Lin Shuge's waist tightly and refusing to let go.
Lin Shuge looked at the boy in front of him who was not much shorter than him, "If you encounter problems and cannot solve them, there is still my brother. Ayuan, let's go."
Lin Shuge boarded the carriage first. After Xie Chen checked the horses and luggage, he also got on the horse. "Aunt, Lord Ruan, Ayuan, take care."
Xie Ning's eyes were red, and she pulled Lin Qingyuan, whose eyes were also red, and said, "Erlang, Huaiting, take care of yourselves, and remember to write to us to let us know that you are safe."
"Got it." Xie Chen said loudly. The horse neighed loudly, and the sound of horse hooves began. In the blink of an eye, the horse disappeared.
Two months later.
The cool breeze blew. Lin Shuge took the axe from Lu Yuechuan, picked it up and dug a small piece of land. He announced, "Today we are breaking ground at the County Magistrate's Mansion. Thank you for your hard work."
Lu Yuechuan smiled and said, "Today's breeze is gentle and pleasant, which must be a good sign. Coupled with the place carefully selected by the envoy, our Xiping County will surely be prosperous in the future."
Zhou Du also said: "Brother Huai Ting has traveled almost all over the city to choose this place. It can be said that he was not careless. Once the county governor's mansion is completed and the people who are relocated by His Majesty's order arrive, we will be busy."
Before Lin Shuge arrived in the northwest, he asked Emperor Yongyuan for permission to transfer Zhou Du and Lu Yuechuan to Xiping County. Fortunately, Envoy Wei was willing to release them, otherwise he would have to go there in person to snatch them away.
Unfortunately, the two of them started quarreling after only a few days of peace, and now they were arguing loudly over the resettlement site for the people. Lin Shuge listened with a smile as the two of them first argued with reason, and then started to attack and expose each other's shortcomings.
He shook his head and took a few steps away. Xu Yu would also be here in a few days, so it should be more lively.
At this time, a clear eagle cry was heard, and Xiao Hei flew towards this side steadily. Lin Shuge looked up and saw a handsome young general riding a horse towards him, with his scarlet cloak fluttering like a meteor.
Lin Shuge took a few steps towards him, but before he could react, he saw Xie Chen lower his body, and with a reach of his long arms, he was already sitting in front of Xie Chen.
Zhou Du and Lu Yuechuan laughed wildly from behind. Xie Chen also laughed quietly, and the vibration of his chest was transmitted to Lin Shuge. "What are you laughing at?"
"Of course I'm smiling because I'm happy. Brother, let's go horseback riding." Xie Chen pulled the reins with one hand, and the horse galloped away, with Xiao Hei circling over their heads.
Lin Shuge looked at the vastness of heaven and earth, listened to Xie Chen's heartbeat, and felt that they were the only two people in the world.
"Zhongxuan, let's get married."
—End of article—
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