Chapter 1289 Go

Chapter 1289 Go

"This year has passed especially quickly..." The courtyard of Cuiwei Hall was already covered with snow. Pei Lingyan reached out to catch some snowflakes, and only felt a bone-chilling chill.

"Hua Nu, is His Majesty back?" Lu Xun asked softly while lying on the bed.

"After Laba, the army ended its exercises. News came yesterday that His Majesty stayed overnight at the Bajiao Longxiang Mansion, which is very close to Bianliang." Pei Lingyan returned to the house, turned around, closed the door, and replied.

"He is already 47 years old and still running around." Lu Xun sighed softly.

Liu Xiaohe and Pei Wan, who were also sitting in the room, sighed secretly.

Everyone has their own destiny. Xunniang just caught a cold and immediately went to bed. She got better for a while, but eventually her condition took a turn for the worse, catching everyone off guard.

But it's normal at this age.

Pei Lingyan tucked the corner of the quilt for Lu Xun, then looked at Pei Wan and said, "Let's leave after the New Year."

Pei Wan nodded slightly.

She had gone to her hometown in Hedong before, met her relatives who were still alive, and stayed there for several months, but her wish was fulfilled. Now it was time to return to Jiangnan and guard Wangzhi's grave until the day she died.

Having been husband and wife for a lifetime, even though they have quarreled, cursed at each other, and even fantasized about each other, they can't give up the love and affection when they grow old.

"Let Yan Fengxian go back to Jianye to mourn. He has been out for so long that there have been criticisms from outsiders." Pei Lingyan sighed, "How many people from Jiyin followed him south?"

"Two people."

"It's good to go south." Pei Lingyan said: "There is one family in the south and one family in the north. We have separated before."

The two of them were referring to the Bian brothers from Jiyin.

The five brothers had been in mourning for several months, and the eldest brother Bian Tao had been waiting for a vacancy. After hearing this, Pei Lingyan found an opportunity to mention the Bian brothers. Shao Xun quickly remembered Bian Mao, who had been breeding horses at home, and asked about him.

Bian Tao soon got a position: the seventh-rank official in the Imperial Household Department.

Even his second brother got an official position as a county doctor. He didn't want to go at first, but if Bian didn't work hard, he would be in trouble. So he made up his mind and went to a county in Shangjun to educate the Di and Qiang people, because the official rank of a county doctor in a border county was slightly higher.

The third and fourth sons of the Bian family are likely to follow the Pei mother and son south and settle down in Jiangnan in the future.

The fifth brother is young and still stays with his two elder brothers. His favorite "General" may not be able to adapt to the climate of the south of the Yangtze River.

The Bian family of Jiyin is the epitome of the northern gentry.

Those who hold official positions in the North can stay in the North. Their lives will not be bad. After all, they can still occupy land according to their official ranks.

Those without official positions can stay in the north and wait for death, or they can go to the south of the Yangtze River to manage their family business.

The world is undergoing profound changes.

"Is there anything missing in Jianye's home?" Pei Lingyan asked again.

"More than 40 hectares of farmland in Kuaiji were sold to the family of Minister Hou of the Ministry of War. There are still more than 190 hectares left, which is enough." Pei Wan said.

"How did Minister Hou buy it?" Pei Lingyan asked.

"The price that Minister Hou offered is very fair, and the land is also very good." Pei Wan said, "But his family can't afford so much money right now, so they agreed to pay it off within five years, and I accepted it."

The land purchase money can be paid off in five years, which is a great bargain, but some things are just like that. At least Hou Feihu is willing to put in the surface effort, and if everyone takes a step back, it can be considered a good relationship.

After these words were spoken, the room fell silent.

Pei Lingyan and Pei Wan both knew that this was the last time they would spend together in this life. After separation, there would only be separation.

******
At dusk, Shao Xun returned to Bianliang with his guards, entered the Liang Palace from Guanfeng Gate, and went straight to Cuiwei Hall.

Pei Lingyan and Pei Wan stepped forward and saluted.

Shao Xun waved his hand, then sat down next to Lu Xun and said, "Xun Niang, I'm back."

Lu Xun subconsciously pulled up the quilt and tried to cover his face.

"Am I such a superficial person?" Shao Xun sighed, reaching out to stop Lu Xun's movements, then touching her haggard face, and said: "In my heart, you are still the woman who was frantically hiding the book under her skirt."

Lu Xun rolled his eyes and vaguely remembered the past.

At that time, the emperor rushed to Xuchang, seized the armory, and came to the Palace of Prince Fanyang, where the two met.

At that time, she was full of resentment and liked to read some poems and essays describing the grievances of women in the boudoir, but she did not dare to let outsiders know, so she could only hide it in a hurry.

She told Shao Xun about this later and was laughed at at the time.

She forced a smile and said, "That was really good..."

"I didn't know how good you are until I got you." Shao Xun stood up, took off his cloak, and asked, "Have you had dinner?"

Lu Xun shook his head.

"You should eat something. I'll go out with you after you get better." Shao Xun said, "You made Shuiyin cakes for me before, and I finally learned how to make them after all these years. Since I have nothing to do today, I'll make some myself."

After saying that, he turned and walked out the door, his feet covered with fine frost and snow.

When Pei Lingyan and the others saw this, they all sighed, stood up and left, ready to help Shao Xun.

In the warm kitchen stove, Tong Qianjin was boiling water, while Shao Xun was sifting flour, his beard turning white.

"Wanniang hasn't come to see me since she came to Beijing." Shao Xun smiled and asked, "When was the last time we met?"

Pei Wan didn't dare to look directly into his bright eyes, and only said: "Maybe it was thirty years ago."

"It seems so." Shao Xun nodded and said, "I was penniless at that time. Liu Qia falsely accused me, and I was very nervous before the summons. If Hua Nu had ordered to arrest me at that time, there would be nothing I could do."

Pei Wan chuckled when she heard this, and her mood seemed to improve a lot.

The oppressive atmosphere before the man came made her feel uncomfortable, but now it is much better. "Thirty years, thirty years..." Shao Xun sifted the powder and sighed.

Pei Lingyan also felt a little touched and looked at Shao Xun quietly.

At that time, the world was in chaos, and bad news was heard everywhere. Many men and women fell into the hands of rebel soldiers and barbarians. It was a horrible sight.

She and Pei Wan were both a little frightened after hearing this, worried that they would end up like this one day, and subconsciously wanted to do something.

She let Shao Xun off lightly. After all, she had no one to use, and it would be better to use her strength than to waste it. Besides, it was no problem to say that such a thing was a false accusation.

Pei Wan followed her husband to join Sima Rui, and they were able to meet only after the north and the south were reunified.

In the past thirty years, we have gone through so many ups and downs, but we have finally overcome them.

If you haven't experienced it yourself, it would be difficult to understand the emotions of their generation and what they were thinking.

"It's the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and another year is about to pass." Pei Lingyan said softly.

"Yes, the years go by so fast, and the affairs are so complicated." Shao Xun said, "If I'm not dealing with foreign enemies, I'm busy with internal affairs. I have no time to rest."

Pei Lingyan glanced at him, as if to say, you have plenty of free time.

Shao Xun pretended not to see it and continued to sift the flour, mix the dough, knead the dough, cut it into pieces, and then went to the stove to light a fire.

Tong Qianjin began to prepare the minced meat to be poured on the noodles. His movements were extremely skillful and it was obvious that he was a veteran.

"Put less meat and make it lighter." Shao Xun reminded behind the stove.

Tong Qianjin responded.

Er Pei also started to help, some washed vegetables, some cut vegetables. The people from the Taiguan Office were completely unable to help and were at a loss.

******
After the Shuiyin cake was ready, Shao Xun personally brought it to the bedside, helped Lu Xun up, and fed her.

A moment later, Liu Xiaohe and Jing also came.

Perhaps because the sisters who had played together with her when they were young were all there, Lu Xun was in a good mood and actually ate half a bowl of rice.

Several people talked about the past when they lived in Guangchengze.

Especially after Huanlang was born, Lu often held him in her arms and strolled along the embankment.

Jing said that the willow trees on both sides of the long embankment were much more beautiful than before.

Liu Xiaohe said that the pear trees from Liuhuayuan are everywhere in the mountains. The fruit trees they planted together for fun have now grown into a forest. After getting through this winter, they will definitely try the pears sent by Liuhuayuan.

Lu Xun listened quietly, tears streaming down her face.

She felt that she was satisfied with her life and had no regrets, except for some concerns.

Late at night, everyone went to rest, only Shao Xun half-lying beside her, reading a book quietly.

"Your Majesty." Lu Xun said softly.

Shao Xun put down the book, gently held her hand, and indicated that he was there.

"I spoiled Hulang, and I feel a little regretful." Lu Xun suddenly burst into tears.

"Huang Lang is actually very hardworking." Shao Xun said, "When he was working in Zuoguo Garden and Shanyu Mansion, he was quite diligent."

Lu Xun shed more tears and said, "I just spoiled him too much. He had everything he wanted when he was young, but felt lost when he grew up. He has actually come to terms with things a lot, so you should be more tolerant of him. I thought I would never have children in this life, so I had to adopt one. After Hulang was born, I was overjoyed..."

"Hulang is also my child." Shao Xun looked into Lu Xun's eyes and said, "He will be fine."

Lu Xun's mood stabilized a little.

This is all she cares about, a mother's attachment to her child.

"Go to bed early." Shao Xun patted her hand gently and said, "I will help you get up tomorrow and watch the snow scene under the window. You don't know how beautiful it is outside. You like reading so much, can you write one or two poems about snow? I only know how to fight and kill, but I don't understand these."

Lu Xun's tears gradually stopped and a smile slowly appeared at the corners of her mouth.

"In the next life, I will sneak out and marry you." She said softly.

"Okay, it's a deal." Shao Xun also smiled and said, "Then I will be able to conquer the world much faster."

“I will marry you secretly without letting Hua Nu and the others know…” Lu Xun seemed to be cheering herself up, talking softly to herself, her eyeballs still trembling slightly until she fell asleep.

On the 16th, Huanlang brought Princess Zu to Cuiwei Hall.

Father wrapped his mother in a blanket and looked at the snow scene in front of the window.

A strange light bloomed in the mother's eyes, and she spoke a word or two to the father from time to time, being extremely intimate.

For the next three or four days, he came every day, and Princess Zu stayed in Cuiwei Hall to take care of Gu.

On the afternoon of the 20th, the golden crow was high in the sky, shining on the window, bringing warmth.

The mother looked at him lingeringly, then leaned her head in her father's arms and slowly closed her eyes.

Finally, Hulang couldn't hold it in any longer and fell to his knees, crying.

The person who cared about him most in the world is gone, and he feels empty, helpless and lost.

Zu gently held his hand, her eyes blurred with tears.

Shao Xun gently looked at the paper in his hand: "Huayue has returned and knocked on the window to recognize me..."

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month in the first year of Zhenming, Xiurong Lu died at the age of 61.

(End of this chapter)