Chapter 266: Conclusion (6)
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A long time had passed.
Long enough for Shuojing City to experience spring, endure through mid-autumn, and now, with the chill in the air growing stronger, winter was fast approaching.
The Wutuo people had been thoroughly defeated, their morale shattered by this battle. Within the next ten years, they would not dare harbor any thoughts of invading Great Wei again. Reports of victory from Jiuchuan, Jijun, Yunzi, and Bingjiang spread back to Shuojing, prompting countless citizens to rejoice.
Amidst the lively celebrations, there were also moments of sorrow, such as the death of General Yan Nan Guang.
When the news reached Shuojing and then the Yan household, Yan He’s mother fainted on the spot, and Yan He’s wife, Xia Chengxiu, went into premature labor.
Perhaps due to extreme grief, the delivery was extremely perilous. Even the midwives were helpless. At the critical moment of life and death, it was Lin Shuanghe’s father, Lin Mu, who rushed over with his female disciple to personally assist Xia Chengxiu in giving birth.
The entire Yan household gathered outside the delivery room, listening to the weak cries of the woman inside and seeing the blood being carried out in basins, their hearts couldn’t help but tremble with fear. Old Master Yan, who had never believed in Buddha, went to their ancestral hall, kneeling on the ground, praying for the safety of Chengxiu and her child.
Inside the room, Xia Chengxiu was covered in sweat, her expression twisted in pain as she felt her strength gradually slipping away.
Even in her last moments, she could keenly feel her heartache, which surpassed all the pain she was feeling physically, making it difficult for her to even catch her breath.
Yan He was dead.
As the wife of a military general, since the day she married Yan He, she should have been prepared for this moment to come. War was cruel, and the battlefield was ever-changing. No one could guarantee that they would definitely survive. Xia Chengxiu had imagined countless times that when this day truly arrived, she would be calm and composed, able to endure the pain even though she felt immense sorrow inside.
However, when this day truly arrived, she realized her own weakness, which was far greater than she had imagined.
The man who, in the eyes of others, was fierce, bad-tempered, and prone to provocation, had never said a harsh word to her. Since they got married, Xia Chengxiu had been grateful to the heavens. This marriage was indeed a happy one she had never imagined. But good things in the world are not stable; colorful clouds disperse easily, and glass is fragile. It was precisely because everything was so perfect that it was so short-lived.
In a daze, she seemed to see a familiar figure before her eyes—it was Yan He in his silver robe, holding his long spear. He seemed to have returned from the outside, covered in dust, his eyes fixed on her, his lips curling into a familiar smile, partly proud and partly boastful, just like in the past when he returned from victorious battles.
Yan He reached out his hand to her.
Xia Chengxiu stared at him dumbly, subconsciously wanting to place her hand in his palm.
The female doctor beside her was startled when she saw her complexion and shouted, “Madam Yan, hold on, don’t sleep, don’t lose heart!” Then she turned to the curtain and exclaimed urgently, “Master, Madam Yan is not doing well!”
Behind the curtain, Lin Mu’s heart tightened, and without considering anything else, he shouted, “Madam Yan, think of your child in your belly. Don’t you want to see what he looks like? Don’t you want to accompany him as he grows up?”
“Even for the sake of your child, Madam Yan, you must stay strong!”
A child?
As if a clear path had been torn through the chaos, the child… Muxia… she suddenly opened her eyes.
This was her and Yan He’s child. Before Yan He left, he had apologized earnestly to her abdomen, unable to accompany her. He hoped for a daughter, but if it were a son, he would love him just as dearly. Just as he had speculated countless times about what the child would be like in the future, Xia Chengxiu herself had already imagined countless times the features of this child.
If it was a son, he would look like Yan He—thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a spirited demeanor. If it was a daughter, she would be like herself—gentle, graceful, and adorable.
She couldn’t leave before seeing this child she hadn’t even seen yet.
No, she couldn’t!
Xia Chengxiu suddenly became clear-headed. She couldn’t afford to indulge in grief, at least not now. She was Yan He’s wife, and she was also a mother!
“Waa—”
The cry of a baby rang out in the Yan family courtyard. Old Master Yan, who was praying in the ancestral hall, was stunned for a moment, then burst into tears.
The female physician smiled and said, “Congratulations, Madam Yan. Congratulations, Madam Yan. It’s a little master—”
Behind the curtain, Lin Mu sighed in relief. When news of Jijun came, he also felt sorry for Yan Nanguang’s fate. Lin Shuanghe couldn’t save Yan Nanguang, but at least he saved his child.
Xia Chengxiu was already exhausted, her hair soaked with sweat, sticking to her cheeks strand by strand. In a daze, she saw Yan Nanguang again.
The man’s warm smile carried a hint of apology as he said to her, “I’m sorry.”
Tears welled up in Xia Chengxiu’s eyes. She reached out her hand, trying to grab the person in front of her, but he just smiled, “Chengxiu, I’m leaving.”
“Nanguang…”
The man turned away, walking away briskly. As he walked, his figure disappeared completely from her sight.
…
When Xia Chengxiu’s child turned one month old, Xiao Jue returned to the capital with the Nanfu Army.
Emperor Zhaokang was overjoyed and rewarded him generously. The courtiers secretly speculated that the new emperor intended to reappoint General Fengyun. One emperor, one minister, now that Xu Jingfu was gone, the Xiao family of Great Wei was poised for a comeback.
The courtiers had their own thoughts, but the common people couldn’t think of so much. They only knew that General Fengyun was General Fengyun. Even in difficult situations like Yunzi, he could still achieve complete victory.
Not long after Xiao Jue returned to the capital, General Huwei also returned from Bing Jiang with his army.
At this point, only the Fuyue Army led by He Yan and the Yan Family Army had not returned.
However, although they had not yet returned, everyone knew it was only a matter of time. After all, Jijun and Jiuchuan had already been recovered, and it was time for them to return to the capital.
He Yunsheng got up earlier every day, except for going to school, he got up before dawn and climbed Donghuang Mountain to chop firewood. Their family’s livelihood was not so hard now, and He Yunsheng’s chopping wood was not for a living, but to improve his skills a little bit more, and then a little bit more.
If one day his skills could match those of He Yan, then when He Yan went to the battlefield, he could join her as well.
Every day after school, he would run to the Xiao family, and the first question he would ask Xiao Jue when he saw him was, “Brother-in-law, any news of my sister?”
Xiao Jue always shook his head and replied softly, “None.”
None, what a frustrating answer.
They may have won the battle in Jijun, but He Yunsheng also learned that He Yan was seriously injured during the battle. Since then, there had been no further news. Even if there were messages, they did not mention He Yan’s condition. He Yunsheng endured without telling these things to He Sui, fearing that he would worry about them day by day.
But He Yunsheng himself still hoped every day for good news to come.
Not long after, Bai Rongwei also gave birth to a precious daughter.
Xiao Jing was extremely happy. Because of the incident in the Xiao family years ago, Bai Rongwei’s body was weakened. This pregnancy was especially difficult, but now both mother and daughter were safe, which was also a good thing.
Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao came to see Bai Rongwei and brought many gifts. The Xiao family was now a favorite in the eyes of Emperor Zhaokang. Those relatives who had forgotten about them in the past now remembered their “past relationship”.
Cheng Lisu asked the servants to take the cloth and supplements his mother had sent and put them away. After looking around and not seeing Xiao Jue, he asked Xiao Jing, “Big Uncle, isn’t little uncle in the mansion?”
He hadn’t seen Xiao Jue for quite some time.
Xiao Jing was startled. “At this time, he should be in the ancestral hall.”
Cheng Lisu stood up and said, “I’ll go find him!” and ran off.
He had a close relationship with Xiao Jue. Xiao Jing and Bai Rongwei were already used to it. Song Taotao, on the other hand, asked Bai Rongwei after Cheng Lisu left, “Madam Xiao, any news about Lord He?”
Bai Rongwei sighed at the question and shook her head.
Song Taotao felt somewhat disappointed.
On the other side, Cheng Lisu ran to the outside of the ancestral hall.
The weather was getting colder, and fallen leaves littered the courtyard. A layer of white frost had accumulated on the tiles. He walked cautiously inside and saw a young man standing with his hands behind his back in front of the tablet in the center of the ancestral hall.
The deep blue robe made him appear cold and distant. His gaze towards the tablet was calm and peaceful. Cheng Lisu suddenly remembered the afternoon many years ago, when thunderstorms raged endlessly. He had accidentally stumbled upon this place while chasing a cat. He had seen the gentle side of this seemingly cold-hearted young man, a tenderness hidden from the world.
The young man’s voice rang out, “What are you hiding behind for?”
Cheng Lisu was stunned, realizing he had been discovered. He obediently walked in and called out, “Uncle.”
Xiao Jue didn’t look at him.
Since he was young, whenever he felt uneasy or impatient, he would come here. After lighting three incense sticks, everything would return to normal.
His anxiety and fear couldn’t be seen by others. Just like now, beneath the seeming tranquility, turbulent waves roiled.
“Uncle, are you worried about Aunt?” Cheng Lisu asked.
Xiao Jue remained silent.
After a long time, when Cheng Lisu thought Xiao Jue wouldn’t answer him, Xiao Jue spoke. “Yes.”
Cheng Lisu looked at him.
“I only wish for her safety.”
…
Coming out of Bai Rongwei’s room, Song Taotao felt a bit depressed.
She learned about He Yan’s news and was very worried. Even though she had secretly struggled for a long time because He Yan was a woman, all of that was in the past now.
To be honest, disregarding He Yan’s identity as a woman, she actually liked He Yan very much.
Death is fair to everyone, which is why the battlefield becomes particularly cruel. And when one truly realizes the cruelty, they begin to mature.
The carefree girl, whose biggest worry in the past was only that her hairpin today wasn’t pretty, or that the new lipstick was too dark, now finally understood the taste of helplessness.
Perhaps, she had begun to grow up.
A young man in a green robe walked towards her, his features handsome and proud. He bore some resemblance to the cheerful and lively girl, causing Song Taotao to hesitate mid-step. “He…”
She remembered this young man, He Yan’s brother, whose temperament was completely different from He Yan’s, but the determination and resilience in his eyes were remarkably similar.
He Yunsheng also noticed her.
She seemed to be a rich girl He Yan had met in Liangzhou. Perhaps she was a guest of the Xiao family. He had come to the Xiao family today to inquire about He Yan’s news, but of course, he did not hear the news he wanted. He forgot Song Taotao’s name and just nodded slightly as a greeting before intending to walk past.
“Hey…” Song Taotao instinctively called out to him.
He Yunsheng stopped his steps and looked up, asking, “Miss, is there something else?”
Song Taotao hesitated for a moment, then said, “Rest assured, Marquis Wuan will definitely return safely.”
He Yunsheng was taken aback, seemingly not expecting her to say this. After a moment of silence, he said to her, “Thank you,” before turning and leaving.
Song Taotao watched his back, unsure if she was speaking to the departing figure or to herself, murmuring softly, “She will definitely come back.”
…
Frost covered the night, and the pomegranate tree outside the window had turned red, with fruits hanging at the tips, casting a hint of crimson in the shadow of the tree, like glowing pearls.
Baiguo, the little girl stood under the tree, drooling at the largest and reddest pomegranate early in the morning. The courtyard of the second young master was cold and deserted, and the liveliest thing was this pomegranate tree. The largest fruit resembled a small lantern and looked very sweet.
Qingmei walked by and saw her longing gaze. She couldn’t help but lightly tap the little girl’s head and said, “You’re craving it.”
Baiguo licked her lips and was about to speak when she looked up and saw Xiao Jue coming out from inside. She hurriedly said, “Master!”
Xiao Jue glanced at her. “What is it?”
Baiguo pointed to the tree. “Look, the pomegranates are red!”
Xiao Jue turned his head to look. The fruits on the tree were casting a thin blush over the green leaves, like lights burning in the night.
“They must be very sweet when they’re this red,” Baiguo said, nibbling on her finger.
Qingmei couldn’t help whispering, “Master wants to keep the sweetest ones for Madam. Why are you craving them here?”
Baiguo whispered in defense, “I know, I just wanted to say, can we keep the smallest one for us…” Her voice gradually trailed off, afraid to finish her sentence.
Xiao Jue walked to the pomegranate tree, and suddenly, he remembered a woman standing under this same tree last year, jumping up and down trying to pick the pomegranates from the tree. Later, with the accumulation of affairs in the capital, the largest pomegranate on the tree couldn’t be picked in time and ripened at the top, leaving her regretful for a long time. Now, when the time was just right, the person who used to pick the pomegranates was nowhere to be found.
He picked up a stone from under the tree, looked at the farthest branch, and with a slight movement of his finger, he threw a stone towards it. The bright red pomegranate, resembling a lantern, fell into his palm with a sound.
Heavy and crimson.
He withdrew his hand. At this time of the year, the pomegranates had to be placed in the courtyard well with cool water. This way, when He Yan returned, they would be just right.
Just as Xiao Jue was about to leave, Chiwu rushed in from outside, panting, and said, “Young Master… The Fuyue Army has returned to the capital!”
Qingmei and Baiguo were taken aback, then delighted. They were about to speak when they looked up and felt a strong gust of wind sweep past. When they looked back at the courtyard, Xiao Jue’s figure was already gone.
Only the pomegranate tree, bearing fruits, stood there, its brilliance outshining the early plum blossoms of winter.
…
At the city gate, it was already crowded with people who had rushed there upon hearing the news. The streets on both sides were tightly packed.
Most of those who came to greet were families with members serving in the military. Many women stood in the wind, holding their young children, carefully scanning the crowd to see if there were any familiar faces. If they spotted a living relative, they would rush over regardless of the occasion and cry bitterly. There were also elderly people trembling as they walked with their canes, scrutinizing the faces from beginning to end until their hopeful gaze turned into disappointment.
In a war, countless families were broken and reunited, filled with joy and tears. It was a tragic comedy of life, without exception, all unfolding one by one.
When Xiao Jue arrived, the troops had already passed through the city gate. Compared to before departing, there were now barely half the number of soldiers and horses. Everyone wore expressions of exhaustion and joy. However, at the forefront, there was no familiar figure riding a spirited horse.
His gaze froze.
Returning triumphant and being rewarded was a common practice for the main commanders who had achieved military exploits. There were no exceptions. But now, there was none.
There was no trace of He Yan.
Back when He Yan was known as “Flying Phoenix General” and returned triumphant, Xiao Jue didn’t see her. Later, when He Yan joked with him, she said, “Xiao Jue, one day, you will surely see me return triumphantly from battle.”
And now, from beginning to end, in the long line of troops, there was no sight of her.
Perhaps, after the passing of Xiao Zhongwu and Madam Xiao, he had never felt so lost. For a moment, he didn’t even know where or when he was.
The bustling crowd seemed far away from him. Someone walked past him without noticing the disoriented young man who was the commander of the Right Army of Great Wei. He was squeezed so tightly that the pomegranate he was holding slipped from his hand and rolled into the crowd, leaving no trace.
He felt as if he had returned to that night in his youth, where all his calmness and composure suddenly shattered, leaving him at a loss for what to do.
It felt like a long time had passed, yet also like it had been just a moment.
He seemed to have just realized what he had to do next, turned around, and then froze.
By the street wall, leaned a young woman dressed in crimson armor, a long sword hanging from her waist like a verdant pine. She smiled at him, tossing a red fruit up and down in her hand, which happened to be the pomegranate he had dropped in the crowd just now.
“Hey,” she called out to him in a nonchalant tone as he looked over. “Young master over there, my leg is injured and I can’t walk any further. Could you please do me the favor and walk forward?”
The young man’s gaze passed over the bustling crowd, lingering on her for a long time, then he walked towards her.
Step by step, as if crossing all mountains, seas, and years, he finally found his place in the long journey of life.
The girl smiled and opened her arms wide as if asking for a hug. He quickly stepped forward and held her tightly in his arms.
In that moment, all sound seemed to fade away, leaving only each other in their embrace, the most enduring affection.
In the crowd beside them, there were cheers, tears, reunions, and farewells. Amidst the bustling world, they nestled against each other, silent about countless matters.
The young man in his picturesque attire gently patted her head, the warmth of his palm causing tears to well up in He Yan’s eyes. Unconsciously, tears began to fall.
“Long time no see, Commander Xiao,” she whispered softly.
In the vast expanse of the world, amidst the cycles of life and death, how fortunate they were to always find each other, to reunite.
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