Chapter 262 The Last Meeting
The horse galloped wildly, its hooves submerged in snow.
The heavy snow had just passed, and even though the sun was shining brightly, few people went out.
The journey to Huihefeng Town in Yunhe County is not far, but the recent heavy snow made the trip take longer.
Wan Ziyan was on the road, but his heart had already drifted to the Wan family in Hefeng Town with his longing.
Doctor Ge kept saying that he might not survive the winter, but he never believed it.
Two days ago, Master Wan's complexion seemed to have improved a lot, so he felt relieved to go to the county government office.
Looking back now, it may have been a final burst of energy before death.
He desperately wished it was all a lie, a joke played on him by Master Wan and his servants because he wasn't coming back.
However, when he went to Yunhe County to accept the position of county magistrate, he had already acknowledged that Master Wan would pass away.
Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. Whether preparing for exams or taking a job, if one's parents pass away, one can only put everything aside and prioritize filial piety.
He had no opportunity to serve as a county magistrate.
Wan Ziyan firmly believed that Master Wan could hold out until spring, thus proving Doctor Ge wrong.
I didn't expect everything to happen so fast, so suddenly.
Chen Yongnian rode his horse behind Wan Ziyan.
Sunlight streamed down, but behind Wan Ziyan lay a shadow, as if the sunlight could not illuminate him.
He seemed to see his former self in Wan Ziyan.
When his father had the accident, he refused to believe it and ran away, hoping that everyone had made a mistake!
But... that's the truth.
He could understand Wan Ziyan's anxiety, but he couldn't truly empathize with him.
He lost his father, but he still has his mother and brothers. But Wan Ziyan lost his father, and now he only has Wan Qiqi.
This younger sister is already married.
No matter how you look at it, he's all alone now.
Chen Yongnian seemed to have long forgotten that Wan Ziyan and Wan Qiqi once shared a home.
Wanjia Village, Wanjia!
The residents of Hefeng Town organized themselves to clear the snow.
As soon as you enter the town, you can see that the snow on the main road has been cleared to both sides.
Many children rolled snow into large snowballs and built snowmen in front of their homes.
As the number of people on the road increased, the two had to slow down.
Although Wan Ziyan was anxious, he dared not let his horse gallop and injure others.
Many people on both sides recognized Wan Ziyan and offered him help.
“Master Wan, where have you come from? My wife was passing by your house and thought she saw Master Tao at your door.”
"Yes! I saw your servant go to fetch Doctor Ge today. Could it be that your father's illness has worsened again?"
"Come, everyone, hold your children and let Master Wan go first..."
Before Wan Ziyan could answer everyone's questions, the people had already spontaneously organized themselves.
Soon, the children playing in the street were taken away by adults.
A long street, with people standing on both sides, allowing unobstructed passage in the middle.
Wan Ziyan did not immediately ride away. Instead, he dismounted, bowed to the crowd, and said, "Ziyan thanks all the townspeople!"
"Master Wan, you don't need to say anything more, just go home!"
"That's right! Don't keep your family waiting!"
The people urged him to go back quickly.
Wan Ziyan felt as if a voice was calling out to him, urging him to hurry back, as if he would never see Master Wan again if he went too late.
He dared not linger, immediately mounted his horse, and galloped home.
Zhenbei, Wanjia.
Tao Ran held a scroll in his hand, lingering at the entrance of the Wan family's courtyard, without stepping inside.
His fair face was framed by two thick, furrowed brows, as if he had encountered some difficult problem that prevented him from relaxing.
Tao Jing stood to the side, pinching her brow, and put on a serious expression, saying, "Brother, don't hesitate. My eyes are getting blurry. You always say that a gentleman should not..."
Tao Ran looked up, her voice abruptly stopping.
Tao Ran scolded in a low voice, "A girl shouldn't be wandering around like this. Go home."
Although it was a reprimand, his voice was calm and not fierce; it carried a certain seriousness, clearly the attitude of a teacher seeking out a student.
Tao Jing pursed her lips, said nothing more, and showed no intention of leaving.
Strangely, Tao Ran didn't urge her to leave. It was as if he had just said something casually and then fell into deep thought again.
A moment later, the sound of horses' hooves grew closer.
Tao Ran looked around and saw a fine horse standing beside him.
"Ziyan, you're finally back..."
He went to greet him, and was about to say something when a servant took his hand and grabbed the reins.
Wan Ziyan ignored him and strode towards the courtyard.
Tao Ran stared blankly at the reins in his hand for a moment, then turned his head to look, but the figure had already disappeared.
If it weren't for the warmth still lingering on the reins in his hand, he would have almost doubted whether he had just made a mistake!
Chen Yongnian followed, dismounted, and bowed to Tao Ran with clasped hands, saying, "Brother Tao, I'll take the horse; you go in first!"
He could tell that Tao Ran had something very important to discuss with Wan Ziyan, which was why he stopped the other man when he dismounted.
However, Wan Ziyan's mind was only on Master Wan, so he had no time for Tao Ran.
Tao Ran stared at the reins for a long time before handing them to Chen Yongnian.
He turned his head to look at the Wan residence, his eyes filled with complex emotions, seemingly different from before, yet it was impossible to discern what was different.
Tao Jing was somewhat puzzled. Ever since Wan Ziyan fell ill last time, her brother had been investigating something.
Last night, while organizing the research materials in my study, I became somewhat absent-minded.
Not only that, he also ordered that no one was allowed to enter his study or rummage through his things.
I came to Wan's house early this morning, but I didn't go in; I just waited at the door.
Tao Ran exhaled a breath of stale air, as if he had made a great decision, before lifting his robe and stepping inside.
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