C128
It had been so quiet, so eerily quiet, that it did not seem like the place where the rebel army had attacked.
"Yes, sir."
He had already made enemies with the Zhao Family. No matter how Zhao Zheng planned to set up a trap, no matter what happened in the future, he had a plan in his heart.
Wan Jing twenty-two years, New Year's Eve.
At the beginning of the new year, the sounds of firecrackers could be heard in the Central Plains.
The Great Wei City was bustling with noise and excitement. The winter cold could not freeze the enthusiasm of the people. There was no lack of children playing in the streets.
From the street to the bridge, there were peddlers selling goods.
The night market was bustling with activity, carriages and BMWs, beauties travelling side by side.
Clothes, umbrellas, potted flowers, fresh fish, pigs, sheep, pastries, preserves, fruits, everything.
Xiao Ren Square sold balls, Qin An Square sold ten colors of soup balls, City West Square sold bubble nut, Pingping Square sold candy and so on.
After eating dinner, every household came out to the streets to play.
The capital was in a prosperous state, and it was crowded to the point that not even a drop of water could trickle through.
In the Eastern Palace of the Royal Capital, there was a thin youth wearing clothes sitting under the lantern. He looked exhausted as he lightly coughed without end.
As soon as the night came, the lanterns were lit. The liveliness of the new spring did not extend to the East Palace, and the clamor of the gongs and drums was cut off outside the high wall of the city.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has just sent someone to inquire about your situation."
The youth stared at the painting on the table. His long and slender eyelashes trembled, and his eyes became somewhat empty from the illness.
He looked up and could not help but cough. "It's alright. After you go and report to my royal father and mother that I'm not feeling well, I won't be accompanying them on their nightly tour."
The eunuch received the order and respectfully bowed, "Well, this servant will pass on the message now."
After the eunuch left, the empty hall seemed even more desolate. The youth held his chin as he stared unblinkingly at the picture scroll on the table, muttering to himself, "I already said that big sister Su will definitely come back."
He touched the woman on the scroll, his cherry lips curling up into a smile, as if she were March.
His thoughts flew back to that night six years ago. Summer flies filled the sky, and the woman who rashly broke into the Imperial Garden to fight the fireflies was simply adorable.
The eleven-year-old asked, "What are you chasing with a fan?"
The woman replied, "A light fan pounced on Liuying."
"Then you should bring the net. How can you throw yourself at it like this?"
The young woman blushed and pursed her lips, ignoring him.
"Do you want to learn from the books, to be a bit of a coquettish?"
As if her thoughts had been exposed, the woman stomped her feet and made a face at him.
Even after so many years had passed, the girl's charming and beautiful appearance was still engraved in his mind, unforgettable.
Lu Chenming's health had never been good, from his parents to the palace maids and eunuchs, everyone was worried about his long illness. Only that woman would bring him along to act wildly without any scruples, causing the palace servants behind her to complain incessantly.
"You are a man, how can you be like this? "She's even more delicate than a lady from a pavilion."
The youth would also be unconvinced. He would stubbornly ride his horse to show his resolute side. He would also endure the feeling of being unable to breathe as he ran in the wind ..
It had been so long since they had parted, and the time of their youth had been so sweet.
"After you leave, the palace is very boring."
The youth stared at the portrait as he muttered to himself.
Six years ago, during the palace fire, he was sent to Wutai Mountain to pray for blessings.
However, he had a nagging feeling that if that woman didn't die, she would return one day.
The youth stood up and opened the tightly shut door.
The palace maid immediately surrounded him in alert. He waved his hand and called back the palace maids who were on standby.
He looked up and saw a golden moon in the sky, hovering in a cloud of red and green mist.
"Look, another year."
Tonight was New Year's Eve, and Spring Leaf Alley was even more lively than usual.
While Su Zhi was taking care of the two fireworks in the yard, the next-door Gu Sister-in-law arrived with Shen Ge.
"Oh, Lil 'Su, happy new year."
"Sister Gu, come in quickly."
Sister-in-law Gu smiled and held Su Zhi's hand, saying, "Someone from another alley has hired a crew, why don't you come and take a look as well?"
"No, sister-in-law. There are two people at home who are inconvenient to move around. You can go now."
However, Gu Shisui was in no hurry to leave. She smiled mysteriously as she whispered into her ear, "The man you're on good terms with hasn't come to accompany you for the new year?"
Su Zhi blushed, not knowing how to reply.
"I know, does that man come looking for you every night?"
"Sister-in-law .."
Seeing the embarrassment on her face, Gu Sister-in-Law quickly explained, "I'm not talking nonsense. We're neighbors, so I just care a little." Besides, I'm on good terms with you, and I like your character, so I won't gossip behind your back anymore. "We're all women, and there's so much difficulty. Besides, you don't have a father-in-law or mother-in-law for a widow. Since you don't have a chastity arch, it's reasonable for you to be married.
Su Zhi didn't know who else knew about this other than Gu Sister-in-Law. Every time Xiao Qian came here, it was at night, but he didn't deliberately avoid everyone's eyes.
It would not be honorable if word of this were to spread. The two of them had never married, so the only thing they could do was to say it was a reunion between lovers. Thinking of He Qiniang's fate, Su Zhi unconsciously tightened her clothes.
"Sorry for making sister-in-law worry."
"That person is Lord Liu, right?"
What?! What kind of gaze was that? It was obviously Xiao ..
Su Zhi's face was full of shock. Gu Sister-in-Law assumed she was right. She then said, "I saw that Liu Family servant came several times to deliver the message."
Twice, just twice!
"Did he fall in love with Lord Liu?"
Su Zhi...
"Sure, Little Su." That is the current Zayad! "
I have a younger brother who's got a small job in the East District. He doesn't have much of a future, and I'll have to rely on your help in the future.
Su Zhi's face stiffened, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "Sister-in-law, things aren't what you think. I have nothing to do with Lord Liu."
Gu Shisui rolled her eyes. "Hey, you big sis, what's there to be embarrassed about?" [He comes all the way from the capital to see you without any effort at all. How many men can do such a thing?] You should hurry and respond when the time is right. If you have already sent a servant to invite you into the palace, then old mister Liu should know. It is only a matter of time before you choose a day to get married. "
The explanation was unclear. It was the new year, so Su Zhi had the urge to jump into the Yellow River.
"Alright, alright, I'm not talking to you anymore. My kids are saying that they are going to watch a show, so I'll be leaving first."
"Sigh, sister-in-law, take care."
After seeing off Sister Gu, Su Zhi deeply felt the meaning of wanting to cry but having no tears.
That man, Xiao Qian, was really stingy. If he knew that his neighbors mistook him for Liu Yuan, then he might have had a temper.
Day after day.
"Madam."
While he was in a daze, a call sounded from behind him.
Su Zhi turned around and saw Bi Yue supporting her mother as they walked into the yard.
"Mom Ding, it's a cold day. Why don't you lie down in your bed?"
"After lying down for so many days, it's time to get better. "This courtyard is a bit more peaceful. Take Brother Jin and Sister Lan and go out for a walk. Don't bother about my old woman."
Dan Xue also stood up. Her condition was better than that of her mother's and she had recovered quickly. Now, she could help with some light jobs.
"That's right, Madam. The general won't be able to accompany you when you're outside. It's not good for him to have you holed up in the courtyard with us for the rest of our good times."
Su Zhi didn't really care. It was different whether Xiao Qian came back or not.
"Don't think too much about it. New Year's Eve is our family's reunion. It's so cold outside, and I'm afraid the two children won't be able to endure the cold."
Mama Ding wanted to persuade her again, but Su Zhi said, "Since you've gotten up, let's set off fireworks together."
Bi Yue was the first to clap her hands. "Alright, your servant will go and get the fire seed now."
Although she couldn't wait for Xiao Qian to come back, Su Zhi still happily took her child and crossed the year with the servants.
The colorful balls of fire shot up into the sky, and the children's smiling faces and sincere smiles on the faces of the people around her made Su Zhi feel a sense of accomplishment.
At the same time, he also missed the man who was thousands of miles away and could be in danger at any time. He didn't know how the peace was progressing and he couldn't get any news from the outside.
Su Zhi let out a faint sigh. Throwing away her frustration, she started to play with the child's firework.