A cold lamp illuminates the paper, pear blossoms fall like rain; I await another year of wind and snow.
After quickly packing her things, Liu Yiwan called a carriage. Qin Jiujiu pulled Tang Feng aside and said, "Don't think I'm nagging. Your godfather is happy that you're going to do business this time, probably because of your resignation from your official post. But I still have to say, although I feel more at ease with you having Liu Yiwan with you, but... Shanghan is not Yanyun after all. If you are bullied or wronged outside, don't keep it to yourself. If you really can't handle it, come back."
Tang Feng was touched but also found it somewhat amusing. "Sister... I'm not a child anymore, don't worry so much. Don't worry, I'll write to you when I get to Shanghan. Besides, Ziliang will escort me to the border."
"He's going too?" Qin Jiujiu felt much relieved to hear that Zhou Ziliang was also going. Putting aside any preconceived notions, Zhou Ziliang was, after all, a seasoned marquis. With him protecting Tang Feng, she could finally relax.
Watching the packages of luggage being loaded onto the carriage one by one, Qin Jiujiu sighed, "Back then... it was the same when you went to Lishan Academy. In the blink of an eye, Xiaofeng has grown up so much."
Tang Feng sat at the doorway, smiling helplessly. Girls are so easily sentimental; it's such a small thing! Zhou Ziliang arrived before they finished packing. Seeing Tang Feng at the door, he didn't dismount. "Xiao Feng, I'm going to the military camp. You pack first, and I'll wait for you there." Tang Feng nodded in agreement, and Zhou Ziliang rode away.
He didn't bring much; most of the items were local specialties from Yanyun that Tang Feng had instructed Liu Yiwan to buy a few days prior. Since he was going to do business, he felt he had to bring something of value. After watching the goods being loaded onto the carriage, Tang Feng prepared to mount his horse. He turned to look at Qin Jiujiu and said with a smile, "Sister, I won't wait for Father to return. Don't worry too much. With Liu Yiwan and Ziliang here, I'll be fine. And Liu Liu, I'll take good care of him." Seeing Qin Jiujiu nod, Tang Feng mounted his horse, glanced at the carriage behind him, and set off.
Before even reaching the entrance to the military camp, Tang Feng saw Chen Ke, who had been waiting for him. "Young Madam! Over here! The young marquis asked me to wait here this morning. I didn't expect you to arrive so early."
Where is Zhou Ziliang?
"Our Dingbei Army has been resting here in the camp for so long, so we need to rein in our troops. Otherwise, when we go north, General Qin will probably give us another round of sarcastic remarks."
Tang Feng chuckled after hearing this, "Then you guys better take good care of yourselves, don't let them outdo you." Just then, Zhou Ziliang came out. "You're riding a horse without wearing enough layers. It's already autumn, be careful." With that, he tied his cloak around Tang Feng's neck.
"Brother Ziliang, it's been so long!" Qin Liuliu hadn't seen Zhou Ziliang since Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang's argument. Zhou Ziliang was usually very kind to Qin Liuliu, often buying him snacks. Qin Liuliu liked anyone close to Tang Feng, like Zhang Mobai and Zhou Ziliang. Qin Liuliu's biggest dream was to go to the Marquis's mansion with Tang Feng. Tang Feng had told her this himself, saying that after his marriage, she would help him into the family and then follow him into the Marquis's mansion. What a wonderful thing that would be! Her brother doted on her, and once they got to the Marquis's mansion, her sister-in-law would dote on her too. She could even get two servings of candied hawthorns!
When Zhou Ziliang saw Qin Liuliu, he patted his head and said, "Long time no see, Liuliu. Your brother agreed to bring you out."
"My brother said I should start training too," Qin Liuliu smiled at Zhou Ziliang, then pulled him aside. Making sure Tang Feng wasn't looking at them, she whispered, "Brother Ziliang... you'll marry my brother, right?"
Of course.
"Well... when I help my brother get married, could your family arrange a nicer room for me? Also, if I live at your house... will your mom and dad treat me well?"
Zhou Ziliang couldn't help but chuckle to himself, wondering what this kid was thinking. "You silly child, I'm marrying your brother, not you. Why are you asking such detailed questions?"
Unlike his journey to the Qiang and Hu tribes, where he was constantly on edge and walking on thin ice, this time, despite the lack of inns and having to sleep outdoors every day, Tang Feng was quite happy. At least the soldiers were all very simple and honest, and coupled with Tang Feng's status, everyone got along very well. This allowed Tang Feng to gradually forget the pressure from Li Yunrui and Li Yunheng in Xiling, and also the threat posed by Yu Lingzi and Su Zili.
In truth, Tang Feng was deeply conflicted. Although he loved Zhou Ziliang, and Zhou Ziliang loved him in return, and their relationship was one of mutual affection and loyalty, it was precisely because of this profound and unforgettable love that Tang Feng felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
She even once thought that if she hadn't made that flamboyant resistance to the marriage, hadn't gone to Lishan Academy, and had just let things take their course, then Zhou Ziliang might not have fallen for her, and perhaps none of these things would have happened between them.
If Zhou Ziliang were to leave this place one day, what would become of him? Would he live out his days alone, or would he commit suicide out of love?
"Xiao Feng... the border of Shanghan is just ahead, so I won't see you off any further." Zhou Ziliang stopped in his tracks. He had just arranged for Chen Ke to hand over the responsibilities to General Qin. After so many years, he had returned here. The last time he came was because of Tang Feng, and this time it was also because of Tang Feng.
Tang Feng turned to Zhou Ziliang, took his hand, and said, "Since you're waiting for me, I naturally don't want to let you down. I'll seriously consider our relationship while I'm in Shanghan. So..."
“I know,” Zhou Ziliang gently smoothed Tang Feng’s wind-blown hair. “At Daze, you told me to wait for your answer, and I did. Now I’m here, still waiting for your answer. Like pear blossoms in the cold rain on paper under a cold lamp, I wait through another year of wind and snow.”
Tang Feng slowly opened his arms and gently hugged Zhou Ziliang. "Alright, I hope the first person I see when I return to Yanyun is you. If you find another man or woman behind my back, I'll be angry when I come back."
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