500 large quilts
The morning sun arrives, warm and sweeping away the gloom of the night.
Those who received the news have mostly returned, and those who haven't are on their way back. Lin Yi has already started arranging for people to clean up the collapsed houses.
The roosters crowed and the dogs barked, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys on the rooftops. The old and young, who were hiding in their homes, slowly inquired about what had happened last night and what would happen in the future.
A new day dawns, the sun shines brightly, and everything remains shrouded in mystery.
In a border town, in a loess county, at Mr. Wang's private school, a cup of light tea, and a man in simple clothes.
A rich, ink-scented fragrance lingers. In the early morning, sunlight spills onto the stone steps of the school, casting dappled shadows, as if telling the story of how He Chen once studied here long ago.
Inside the school, Mr. Wang, dressed in simple clothes, sat quietly at his desk with a cup of tea. His eyes were deep and calm, as if they could encompass all things in the world.
The aroma of tea filled the air. My fingertips gently glided across the pages of the book. Before me were a few sheets of paper, each filled with words of concern from my master and junior apprentice, asking if everything was alright.
In my memory, it's as if I've returned to the time when I left home as a child, full of vigor and ambition, achieving some things and achieving nothing. A sword must be sharp, and so must a person. I've become indifferent to half my life, never marrying or having children, and having no romantic feelings for anyone. Now, I don't have many attachments.
Outside the window, the daily life of Huangtu County has awakened. The streets are starting to bustle, with vendors' cries and pedestrians' laughter rising and falling.
Three gentle knocks sounded on the wooden door of the private school, and a familiar figure waited quietly.
Mr. Wang put away the letter, got up to open the door, and said with a soft, casual laugh, "Please come in. Master Gui San is quite a rare guest."
Upon seeing Mr. Wang open the door, Gui San, carrying a food box, bowed respectfully: "Good morning, Mr. Wang. I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning."
Mr. Wang smiled gently, walked to the table, slowly poured a cup of tea from the teapot, and said softly, "Good morning. Come, sit down and have a cup of tea with me."
Gui San smiled, gently placed the breakfast he had brought for Mr. Wang aside, took a sip of tea, and said softly, "I apologize for disturbing you this morning, Mr. Wang. I knew you probably hadn't eaten yet, so I brought you some breakfast. I hope you won't mind."
Mr. Wang didn't stand on ceremony and opened the food box with a smile. A rich aroma wafted out. There were meat pies, meat buns, sesame cakes, and fried dough sticks, all golden in color and fragrant.
Mr. Wang didn't stand on ceremony at all. He took a deep breath, a satisfied smile on his face, and said, "Come on, let's go together."
Having said that, she picked up a meat pie. The pie had a thin crust and a generous filling. Taking a small bite, she found it delicious and delightful. She murmured, "One bite, and the flavor is endless. Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation; firewood, rice, oil, and salt—this is life."
Gui San didn't stand on ceremony and picked up the sesame cake, taking big bites.
After finishing the meal, he drank a cup of tea, looking completely happy.
After Mr. Wang finished eating, Gui Sancai spoke softly with a smile. His previous anxiety had vanished, replaced by a sense of tranquility and satisfaction. This tea was truly a fine tea.
Mr. Wang patted his belly contentedly. "Delicious food!"
The two exchanged a smile, and Gui San explained with a soft laugh, "We received a letter from Madam Yun Su, requesting that you come over. She mentioned in her letter that you should come in person to discuss this, but it is not advisable to leave at this moment."
Mr. Wang nodded slightly, knowing that it was not advisable for Yun Su to leave the border city at this time. Not only Yun Su, but the others should also not leave, lest they be plotted against by those with ulterior motives.
She nodded slightly in agreement. Having nothing else to do, she figured she might as well see what it was about. She couldn't think of anything she needed help with at the moment, but a smile spread across her face as she said, "Alright, it's rare for Yun Su to personally ask for my help; I should certainly go as soon as possible."
Gui San smiled, stood up, clasped his hands in thanks, and said, "Mr. Wang, the carriage is ready."
Mr. Wang sensed something, gently shook his head, went outside, and gestured for Gui San to close the courtyard gate. His movements were fluid and natural, as if he had become one with his surroundings.
Then, he took out a paper crane from his pocket and tossed it gently. The paper crane seemed to have a spirit of its own, twirling in the air before slowly growing larger.
Once it grew to about two zhang long, Mr. Wang lightly touched the tiptoe and landed steadily on the back of the paper crane.
He turned back to Gui San and smiled gently, "I'll go first, we'll talk again later."
The paper crane flapped its wings, carrying Mr. Wang swiftly forward. The speed increased until it finally transformed into a streak of white light and disappeared into the horizon.
In Huangtu County, the giant paper crane caused quite a stir, with people looking up at the sky in amazement.
On the paper crane, Mr. Wang looked down at the people working below and the teams that were constantly sweeping away wild beasts and ghosts around him. A slight wavering occurred in his mind, but he did not stop moving forward. A sudden realization came to his mind.
Look at the vast sky and the boundless earth, where kites soar and fish leap; their wondrous workings are ever-flowing. This can be shared with those who understand; do not speak of it to the common folk.
In the border region, Yun Su and her companions sat in the inner courtyard hall, where the charcoal fire was warm. A hint of worry lingered in their hearts. Wei Lan, Wei Qinghui, Bi Yunyan, Fanghua, Wanqing, Huifu, Bai Rong, Lian Xiuxiu, and Jingzhai waited quietly.
While comforting everyone, Wei Lan, Jing Zhai, Ji Xixi, and the others gently reassured the waiting crowd, telling them to go and rest first.
In the hall, Yun Su said softly, "Changzhou, with Shen Lang personally going, is naturally not surprising. However, Changzhou needs to be re-governed to ensure order is maintained."
Jingzhai nodded, and Wei Qinghui, Han Linling, and Yun Qing nodded silently.
Yun Su spoke softly, a hint of deep thought about the situation lurking beneath the surface, making the situation seem more like the calm before the storm.
Seeing the questioning looks from the crowd, Yun Su continued softly, "Prefect of Changzhou, I intend to invite Mr. Wang to come out of retirement."
The women listened quietly. Mr. Wang was Shen Lang's teacher during his studies, and they had many connections within the capital. Local talent hadn't been discovered yet; everyone knew that time was needed, and stability was required.
While forceful military might can protect order from collapse, long-term development always depends on outstanding talent and diversity.
Jingzhai nodded slightly, looking at the worried crowd, and said softly with a smile, "My sisters, please go and get some rest. We can discuss this again tomorrow."
Yun Su and the others nodded and quietly returned. In the main room, Wei Lan, Lian Xiuxiu, Wan Qing and the others leaned together, quietly waiting for the others to return.
Seeing them return, Ji Xixi smiled gently, waved, and said softly, "You're back. Go and get some rest."
Jingzhai and the others smiled gently, a happy smile on their lips. In the lively atmosphere, all their worries vanished at that moment.
The people leaning gently on each other are: Wanqing nestled softly in Xixi's arms, Tao'er held in Xiuxiu's embrace, Huifu gently beside Qing'er, and Liu Qianqian nestled against Fanghua, understanding the language of flowers...
All worries vanished, replaced by laughter and joy, and beautiful dreams of the future. Those simple and pure joys drifted into their dreams, and everyone slowly drifted off to sleep.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
