A long time had passed.
After the spring and the mid-autumn, the wind was getting colder and colder. Winter was coming.
Uto had been completely defeated, and in the next ten years, it would be impossible for him to have any thoughts about Da Wei. Jiuchuan, Ji County, Yunzi, and Bingjiang sent the news back to Shuo, and countless people celebrated.
Amidst the excitement and joy, there were also some sad events. For example, the death of Lieutenant General Guide Yan Nanguang in battle.
When the news reached Shuo and the Yan family, Yan He's mother fainted on the spot, and his wife, Xia Chengxiu, went into labor early.
Probably because she was heartbroken, the labor was extremely dangerous, and even the midwives were helpless. At the moment of life and death, Lin Shuanghe's father, Lin Mu, rushed over with his female disciple and personally helped Xia Chengxiu deliver the baby.
Everyone in the Yan family gathered outside the delivery room, and when they heard the weak voice of the woman inside and saw the basin of blood being carried out, they couldn't help but be shocked. Master Yan, who had never believed in Buddhism, went to his ancestral hall and knelt on the ground to pray for the safety of the mother and son.
In the room, Xia Chengxiu's forehead was covered in sweat, and her expression was pained. She could only feel the strength in her body slowly disappearing.
Even as she was dying, she could still feel the pain in her heart. The pain in her heart was greater than all the pain in front of her, and it made it difficult for her to even breathe.
Yan He had died in battle.
As the wife of a general, from the day she married Yan He, she should have been prepared for this day. War was cruel, and the battlefield was constantly changing. No one could guarantee that they would be the one to survive. Xia Chengxiu had thought countless times that since she had decided to become his wife, when the day came, she should be calm and magnanimous. Even if her heart was filled with unwillingness, she should be able to withstand the hardships on her face.
However, when the day came, she realized that she was weak. She was weaker than she thought.
In the eyes of outsiders, that man who was fierce, bad-tempered, and liked to provoke her had never said a harsh word to her. Ever since they got married, Xia Chengxiu was grateful to the heavens. This marriage was indeed a happy one that she had never imagined. However, the good things in the world were not firm, and the colorful clouds scattered easily. It was because it was too perfect that it was so short.
While she was in a daze, she seemed to see a familiar figure in front of her. It was Yan He in his silver robe and long spear. He seemed to have returned from the outside and was covered in dust. His eyes were fixed on her and there was a familiar smile on his lips. It was a little proud and a little boastful. Just like in the past, he had returned after winning a battle.
Yan He extended a hand towards him.
Xia Chengxiu stared at him in a daze, subconsciously wanting to place her hand in his.
The female doctor beside her saw her expression and was shocked. She shouted, "Madam Yan, hold on, don't fall asleep, don't be discouraged!" Then she looked at the curtain and said anxiously, "Master, Madam Yan can't hold on!"
Lin Mu's heart tightened behind the curtain. He couldn't care about anything else and shouted, "Madam Yan, think about the child in your belly. Don't you want to see what he looks like? Don't you want to be with him as he grows up?"
"Madam Yan, even if it's for your child, you have to be strong!"
Child?
It was as if a clear hole was torn open in the chaos. Child … Muxia … She suddenly opened her eyes.
This was her and Yan He's child. Before Yan He left, he had sincerely apologized to her belly for not being able to stay by her side. He hoped that it would be a young lady, but if it was a young master, he would love it just as much. Just as he had guessed countless times what the child would look like in the future, Xia Chengxiu had also described the child's features many times.
If he was a young master, he would look like Yan He, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and high spirits. If he was a young lady, he would be like her, gentle, delicate, obedient, and cute.
She hadn't even seen the child, how could she let go and leave?
She couldn't!
Xia Chengxiu suddenly sobered up. She couldn't. At least, she couldn't wallow in her sorrow now. She was Yan He's wife, she was also his mother!
"Wah — —"
A baby's cry sounded in the courtyard of the Yan family. Master Yan, who was praying in the ancestral hall with his hands clasped together, was stunned. Then, tears flowed down his face.
The female doctor smiled and said, "Congratulations, Madam Yan, it's a young master — —"
Lin Mu, who was behind the curtain, suddenly heaved a sigh of relief. When the news from Ji County came, he also felt sad for Yan He. Lin Shuanghe couldn't save Yan He, but at least he saved his child.
Xia Chengxiu was exhausted. Her sweat-soaked hair stuck to her cheeks. In a daze, she saw Yan He again.
The man smiled warmly, as if he was a little apologetic. He said to her, "I'm sorry."
Xia Chengxiu's tears gushed out. She reached out and tried to grab the person in front of her, but he smiled. "Chengxiu, I'm leaving."
"Nan Guang … …"
The man turned around and strode forward. His back was elegant and neat. As he walked, his figure completely disappeared from her sight.
When Xia Chengxiu gave birth to her son, Xiao Jue returned to the capital with the Nan Fu Army.
Emperor Zhaokang was very happy and rewarded her countless times. The courtiers secretly thought that the new emperor wanted to put General Fengyun in an important position. Now that Xu Jingfu was no longer around, the Xiao family in Da Wei would rise again in the future.
The courtiers had their own thoughts, but the common people didn't think so much. They only thought that General Fengyun was General Fengyun. Yunzi was in danger, but she still won.
Not long after Xiao Jue returned to the capital, General Huwei also led his army back from Bingjiang.
At this point, only the Fuyue Army led by He Yan and the Yan Family Army had not returned.
However, although they hadn't returned, everyone knew that it was only a matter of time. After all, Jiuchuan and Ji County had already been recovered. Calculating the time, they should be on their way back to the capital.
He Yunsheng woke up even earlier every day. Other than going to school, he would wake up before dawn and climb up Donghuang Mountain to chop firewood. He Yunsheng didn't have to work so hard to make a living now. He chopped firewood not for the sake of living, but to improve his skills.
If one day, his skills were better than He Yan's, then when He Yan went to the battlefield in the future, he could go with him.
Every day after school, he would run to the Xiao family. Every day, when he saw Xiao Jue, the first thing he asked was, "Brother-in-law, is there any news about my sister?"
Xiao Jue always shook her head and said, "No."
No, what a depressing answer.
Ji County won the battle, but He Yunsheng also learned that He Yan was seriously injured during the battle. After that, there was no more news. Even if there was a message, it didn't explain He Yan's situation. He Yunsheng resisted telling He Sui about this. He Sui was old, and he was afraid that He Sui would be worried every day if she knew about this.
However, He Yunsheng still hoped for good news every day.
Not long after, Bai Rongwei also gave birth to a daughter.
Xiao Jing was very happy. Because of the Xiao family's accident, Bai Rongwei's body became ill, and this pregnancy was especially difficult. Now that both mother and daughter were safe, it was a good thing.
Cheng Li Su and Song Taotao came to visit Bai Rongwei with many gifts. Xiao family was very popular in Emperor Zhaokang's eyes, and the relatives of the past remembered their "old relationship".
Cheng Li Su asked the servants of the Xiao family to take care of the cloth and tonics sent by his mother. He looked around and didn't see Xiao Jue, so he asked Xiao Jing, "Eldest Uncle, is Little Uncle not in the residence?"
He hadn't seen Xiao Jue for a long time.
Xiao Jing was startled, "He should be in the ancestral hall at this time."
Cheng Li Su stood up and said, "I'll go find him!" Then he ran away.
He had a close relationship with Xiao Jue, so Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei were used to it. Song Taotao, on the other hand, waited until Cheng Li Su ran away and asked Bai Rongwei, "Young Mistress Xiao, is there any news about Lord He?"
Bai Rongwei heard this and sighed, shaking her head.
Song Taotao was a little disappointed.
On the other hand, Cheng Li Su ran to the entrance of the ancestral hall.
The weather was getting colder, the fallen leaves in the courtyard were falling, and a layer of frost had accumulated on the roof tiles. He tiptoed inside and saw a young man standing in front of the memorial tablet in the middle of the ancestral hall.
His dark blue robe made him look cold and distant. His gaze was calm and peaceful as he looked at the memorial tablet. Cheng Lisu suddenly remembered a summer afternoon many years ago when the thunderstorm was endless. He was also like this. In order to chase a cat, he accidentally hid here and accidentally bumped into the heart of a cold and emotionless youth, the gentleness that was hard to see in the world.
The young man's voice sounded, "Why are you hiding behind me?"
Cheng Li Su was surprised that he had been discovered. He walked in obediently and called out, "Uncle."
Xiao Jue didn't look at him.
It was a habit he had since he was young. Whenever he felt uneasy or irritated, he would walk here and light three sticks of incense. After three sticks of incense, everything would go on as usual.
His uneasiness and fear couldn't be seen by outsiders. Just like now, under the seemingly calm surface, there were turbulent waves.
"Uncle, are you worried about Aunt?" Cheng Li Su asked.
Xiao Jue was silent.
After a long time, so long that Cheng Li Su thought Xiao Jue wouldn't answer him, Xiao Jue said, "Yes."
Cheng Li Su looked at him.
"I just want her to be safe and sound."
Coming out of Bai Rongwei's room, Song Taotao felt a little depressed.
She was also worried when she heard about He Yan. Even though she had been secretly distressed for a long time because of the fact that He Yan was a woman, but now, those were all things of the past.
In all fairness, even if He Yan was a woman, she actually liked He Yan very much.
Death was fair to everyone. That was why the battlefield was so cruel. When one truly realized the cruelty, one would begin to grow up.
The biggest worries of a carefree young girl in the past were that her hairpin didn't look good today, and her new lipstick was too dull. Now, she finally understood the feeling of helplessness.
Perhaps, she was also beginning to grow up.
A young man in green walked towards her. His features were delicate and arrogant, and he was somewhat similar to the cheerful and lively young girl. Song Taotao stopped in her tracks. "He …"
She remembered this young man. He was He Yan's younger brother. His temperament was completely different from He Yan's, but the determination and determination in his eyes were especially similar.
He Yunsheng also saw her.
She seemed to be a young lady from a rich family that He Yan met in the Liang Province Guard. Perhaps she was a guest of the Xiao family. He came to the Xiao family today to inquire about He Yan. Of course, he didn't hear what he wanted. He forgot Song Taotao's name. He only nodded slightly as a greeting and was about to walk past.
"Hey …" Song Taotao instinctively called out to him.
He Yunsheng stopped in his tracks and looked up. "Miss, is there anything else?"
Song Taotao pursed her lips and thought for a moment before saying, "Don't worry. Marquis Wu An will definitely return safely."
He Yunsheng was startled, as if he didn't expect her to say this. After a moment of silence, he said to her, "Thank you." Then he turned and left.
Song Taotao looked at his back. She didn't know if he was looking at the person walking away or at herself. She whispered to herself, "She will definitely return."
It was snowing all night. The fruits on the pomegranate tree in front of the window had turned red at some point. They fell on the branches, and the shadow of the tree was like a remnant of red.
The little girl, Bai Guo, stood under the tree. Early in the morning, she was drooling as she looked at the biggest and reddest pomegranate on the branches. The Second Young Master's courtyard was cold and cheerless. The most lively thing was this pomegranate tree. The biggest pomegranate was like a small lantern. It looked very sweet.
Qing Mei walked past. Seeing Bai Guo's infatuated expression, she couldn't help but lightly knock on Bai Guo's head. "Greedy."
Bai Guo smacked her lips. Just as she was about to speak, she looked up and saw Xiao Jue walking out. She hurriedly said, "Young Master!"
Xiao Jue glanced at her. "What's the matter?"
Bai Guo pointed at the tree. "Look, the pomegranate has turned red!"
Xiao Jue turned his head to look. The fruits on the tree added a thin layer of color to the green, like a lamp burning in the night.
"It's so red. It must be very sweet." Bai Guo said as she bit her finger.
Qing Mei couldn't help but whisper, "The Young Master wants to leave the sweetest pomegranate for the Young Mistress. What are you looking at?"
Bai Guo explained in a low voice, "I know. I just wanted to ask if the smallest one could be left for us …" Her voice gradually trailed off. In the end, she didn't dare to finish her sentence.
Xiao Jue walked to the side of the pomegranate tree. Suddenly, she recalled a time last year. There was a girl who stood under this pomegranate tree and tried her best to pick the pomegranates on the tree. Later on, the matters in the capital piled up like a mountain. She didn't have time to pick the biggest pomegranate and it was already ripe on the branch. She regretted it for a long time. Now, the time was just right, but the person who picked the pomegranate had not returned.
He casually picked up a stone under the tree and looked at the farthest tip of the tree. With a slight movement of his fingers, the stone flew towards the tip of the tree. The fiery red pomegranate that looked like a lantern fell into his palm.
It was heavy and bright red.
He withdrew his hand. At this time of the year, pomegranates should be placed in the well in the courtyard and soaked in cold water. This way, when He Yan returned, it would be just right.
Xiao Jue was about to leave when Chi Wu ran in from outside. He was panting as he said, "Young Master … Young Master … The Fuyue Army has returned to the capital!"
Qing Mei and Bai Guo were stunned. Then, they became happy. Just as they were about to speak, they raised their heads and felt a strong wind sweep past them. When they looked at the courtyard again, Xiao Jue was already gone.
Only the pomegranate tree that bore fruit was more beautiful than the winter plum blossoms.
The city gate was already filled with commoners who had rushed over after hearing the news. They blocked both sides of the street.
Most of the people who came to welcome them were those whose family members had joined the army. Many women held their young children's hands and stood in the wind, carefully looking for familiar faces in the crowd. If they saw a family member who was still alive, they would ignore the situation and rush over to hug the person's head and cry. There were also old men who shakily came out with crutches. They looked at the crowd from head to toe until their eyes turned cold with disappointment.
A war, countless families were torn apart. Separation and reunion, joy and tears, tragedy and comedy, without exception, were played out one by one.
When Xiao Jue arrived, the army had already passed through the city gate. The number of soldiers and horses that had set out before was now reduced by half. Everyone's face was filled with fatigue and joy. However, at the front, there was no familiar hearty figure riding on a horse.
His gaze suddenly froze.
When returning to the capital, the chief general who had performed meritorious deeds would always be at the front. There had never been an exception. But now, there was no one.
There was no sign of He Yan.
That year, when He Yan was the "General Feihong", he didn't see him when he returned to the capital. Later, He Yan joked with him, "Xiao Jue, one day, I will definitely let you see my heroic appearance when I return from a victorious battle."
But now, from head to toe, there was no sign of her in the long line of soldiers and horses.
For many years, perhaps since Xiao Zhongwu and Madam Xiao had passed away, he had never been at such a loss. For a moment, he didn't even know where and when he was.
The bustling crowd seemed to be very far away from him. Some people walked by in front of him, but did not notice that this young man who seemed to have lost his soul was the Great Wei's Right Army Commander-In-Chief. They were so crowded that the pomegranate in his hand slipped out of his hand and rolled into the crowd without a trace.
He seemed to have returned to that night when he was young. All of his calmness and calmness suddenly cracked. He was so panicked that he didn't know what to do.
It seemed like a long time had passed, but also like not much time had passed.
He seemed to understand what he had to do next. He turned around and then froze.
There was a young woman leaning against the wall by the street. She was wearing a red warrior's outfit, a green sword at her waist. She was looking at him with a smile. She tossed a red fruit up and down in her hand. It was the pomegranate that he had dropped into the crowd.
"Hey." Seeing him look over, she called out in an indecent manner, "Young Master over there, my leg is injured and I can't walk forward anymore. Can I trouble you to walk forward a bit?"
The young man's gaze passed through the crowd and focused on her for a long time. Then, he walked towards her.
Step by step, it was as if he had crossed all of the mountains and seas and finally found his place in the world after a long life.
The girl smiled and opened her arms wide, as if asking for a hug. He quickly walked forward and hugged this person tightly in his arms.
In that instant, there was silence. Only the two of them in each other's arms became the most long-lasting attachment.
In the crowd around them, some were happy, some were crying, some were reunited, and some were parting. They snuggled up to each other under the bustle of the world. Even if there were thousands of things, they couldn't be said.
The young man's brocade clothes were like a painting. He gently patted her head. The warmth of his palm made He Yan's eyes burn. Unknowingly, tears fell.
"It's been a long time, Military Governor Xiao," she said softly.
In the world of North, South, East, West, Birth, and Old, it was such a blessing that they could always meet and reunite.
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