"Dad, are you unhappy?" Li Hong moved Xiao Mazha over, sat in front of him, and asked softly, "You have been... very wrong lately."
Li Qing tilted his head and chuckled: "Everyone in the world has troubles, but they are all different."
"Then what is the godfather's trouble?"
"Godfather's troubles..." Li Qing repeated softly, his eyes losing focus.
Li Hong wanted to ask again, but in the end he didn't say anything and stayed silent with his godfather.
After a long time, Li Qing let out a faint breath, "Time passes so fast..."
Li Hong was stunned for a moment, nodded slowly, and agreed: "Yes, but... my godfather is still young, not old."
"Yes, my godfather is still young..." Li Qing smiled, and his smile became even bitterer.
"Godfather...what's wrong with you?"
"It's nothing. My godfather is a little tired. Let's take a nap." Li Qing leaned back on the recliner and curled up slightly.
On this hot day, he seemed very cold.
Li Hong looked at his godfather with his eyes closed, and saw deep fatigue and loneliness, as if he did not belong to this world, detached and lonely...
As time continued to flow, Zhu Gaoxu's body became worse day by day. Li Qing used Qi to warm and nourish him, but the effect was not significant.
Hanhan is really old. His organs are failing and his body systems are in disorder. No medicine or stone can cure him, and the effect of true energy is minimal.
In fact...if he had to stay in Cochin and never come back, he might be able to live half a year longer. Traveling long distances at the age of eighty would do too much damage to him.
But...this is Hanhan's choice and his obsession.
Under the shade of a tree, the two drank tea and chatted.
Li Qing sighed softly: "I thought you could survive this year, but now it seems... I'm afraid it will be quite difficult."
Zhu Gaoxu smiled: "They say they live a hundred years, but how many people can live a hundred years? Among the people in the world, I am already the best at this age. I have nothing to regret."
After a pause, "What specific arrangements does the emperor plan to make?"
The deadline is approaching, and Zhu Gaoxu is extremely concerned about his posthumous affairs. He comes back just to return to his roots.
"Being buried in Changling, everything about life, identity, etc. is all there." Li Qing said, "But... there is no way to erect a tombstone. There is nothing we can do about it."
"Understood." Zhu Gaoxu nodded slightly and sighed: "That's good." ΟиЪ.ōΓＧ
He breathed a sigh of relief, his weathered eyes became cloudier, and he said softly: "Soon, I will see the old man, the queen mother, the eldest son, the third son... I don't know if they will welcome me."
"We are all a family, how can we not welcome them." Li Qing smiled, "It's much more lively there than here."
"Yeah, it's definitely more lively there." Zhu Gaoxu chuckled and nodded, and then said: "Sir, have I... been a failure in my life?"
"That's good, don't say that." Li Qing said seriously, "You have never done anything to harm the Ming Dynasty, and you have also made contributions to the Ming Dynasty. You don't owe the Ming Dynasty anything."
"But... it's ridiculous." Zhu Gaoxu said with a bitter smile, "When future generations look at me, they are afraid they will regard me as a joke, but... I have really been a joke in my life."
Li Qing was speechless and could only say: "When the time comes, you will vent your anger, for example...beat Zhu Di."
To this day, only Li Qing dares to call Emperor Taizong by his given name.
Zhu Gaoxu, however, didn't take it seriously and nodded seriously, "We have to give the old man some color to see, and the wolf cub... let's see what he gave birth to."
"...Okay, he's not far away anyway, so I can help him and beat him up too." Li Qing said with a smile, "But that guy is pretty good at it, so be careful."
"Just him?" Zhu Gaoxu disdainfully said, "When I mounted my horse to kill people, he was still drinking milk, so I could beat him with one hand."
"That's true..." Li Qing agreed, rarely boasting, "In terms of fighting alone, he is not as good as you."
…
At the end of June, Zhu Gaoxu fell ill and could not get up from his bed.
Li Qing had no other choice but to alleviate his pain and suffering as much as possible.
Immediately afterwards, Mrs. Sun's condition also worsened. The imperial doctors were so worried that their beards were almost pulled off, but they could only use mild decoctions to maintain her health. Mrs. Sun was getting older, and they were afraid of sending her away with a dose of strong medicine.
When Li Qing heard about this, he was in a good mood. It was not that he and Sun had any deep grudge, but that Hanhan would be able to work much easier now that Sun was in trouble.
At the same time, we can also get some more hidden benefits for him. When the time comes, Sun will attract attention, and things will not be difficult to handle.
…
In mid-July, Zhang Sloppy came again, and so did the little girl.
The quiet little courtyard became more lively with the addition of a lively little girl, and Li Qing's depressed mood also eased.
However, due to unparalleled blessings, Zhu Gaoxu's body reached its limit. He often fell into drowsiness and became extremely depressed.
On this day, Zhu Qiyu came to the small courtyard after leaving the morning court.
Looking at Zhu Gaoxu on the hospital bed, although he had no emotions, he couldn't help but feel a little heartache.
"Don't worry, Prince Han, I will never break my promise." Zhu Qiyu said softly, "I will do whatever I promise you."
"Thank you, thank you." Zhu Gaoxu, who was on the hospital bed, his old face full of excitement, pale and flushed, "You are... a good boy."
Zhu Qiyu smiled and said some words of comfort before taking Zhu Wanqing back to the palace.
Perhaps it was because the knot in his heart was completely untied, Zhu Gaoxu's body was obviously much better. After Li Qing transferred his true energy, he was able to go to the ground, and his appetite was much better.
Li Qing didn't feel happy. He had seen many such cases. The so-called good... but they were about to leave.
But...it's good in the end.
Zhu Gaoxu ate meat and drank wine, which relieved his knot and regrets.
That afternoon, he lay under the shade of a tree, watching his grandson playing chess with Li Hong, watching his great-grandson's daughter chattering on the side, and then looking at the gentleman who was accompanying him, he closed his eyes with a smile...
Li Qing didn't feel too sad. He was used to it, and Hanhan didn't regret it either...
So be it……
Three days later, Sun passed away, the emperor mourned, and all the ministers mourned. Li Qing brought the hottest ginger...
Perhaps because of the pity of God, this period of time passed very quickly. In the blink of an eye, under the cover of Sun, Li Qing personally took action and Hanhan was successfully buried in Changling.
…
In September, Zhu Qijin took his grandfather's spiritual tablet and clothes and bid farewell to Li Qing.
He was supported by a so-called caravan in Jinling. Li Qing had nothing to worry about and gave him a handful of golden beans before leaving.
In October, the last part of the ceremony was completely replaced. Only the two books on the imperial desk in Fengtian Hall were still lying quietly.
But Li Qing was not ready to move. Nothing could ever be perfect. He just copied the handwriting and included it in the original canon. He had to leave some for others.
Entering winter, the weather is extremely cold.
Zhang Slutty said: "Qingzi, I want to go back to Jinling as my teacher."
Li Qing nodded: "Okay, let's go back to Jinling."
He entered the palace and said goodbye to Zhu Qiyu.
"How long do you need to take leave, sir?" Zhu Qiyu asked.
"It's been a long time," Li Qing's eyes dimmed, "There is a very important person who needs me."
"how long?"
"I don't know, I'm so tired now..."
Zhu Qiyu was sad and silent for a long time before he said, "Will you come back?"
Li Qing was silent for a long time, "Yes."
"Sir, go slow..."
~
"Hmm~ah~" the donkey brayed. This time, it didn't seem to want to go to Yu Qian's house that much and was very resistant.
"Okay, ah~" Li Qing pressed against its head and whispered, "Wait until I come back."
The donkey was already old and should no longer travel long distances. Moreover, it was a northern donkey and could not adapt to the southern climate. More importantly... he wanted to take the master to experience the great mountains and rivers.
In the end, the donkey went to Yu Qian's house.
Li Qing bid farewell to Yu Qian. The two of them drank till midnight, and their eyes turned red...
Reunited again, another restart, or maybe...
Li Qing went to bid farewell to Shi Heng's uncle and nephew again. The three of them had not known each other for a long time. Knowing that Li Qing was leaving, the uncle and nephew were very reluctant to leave, and ended up getting drunk.
Then, Li Qing went to see Li Xian and consciously imparted some experience, which benefited Li Xian a lot.
At the same time, Li Qing gave Li Xian a list of names to promote and train to inject fresh blood into the Ming Dynasty.
Li Xian accepted the favor and naturally would not refuse it, saying that he would definitely cultivate talents for the Ming Dynasty.
After finishing all this work, Li Qing felt relieved and took his master, godson, and little girl to take a carriage to Jinling.
…
When we arrived in Jinling, it was already the end of October.
It had been deserted for nearly a year, but now it was lively again. Zhu Qizhen was very happy. After missing his daughter for a while, he took Li Qing to drink.
Zhu Qizhen was less than forty years old, and he was very energetic. He looked young and powerful, which was in sharp contrast to Zhu Qiyu.
Li Qing got angry at the sight and didn't look good at the moment, leaving Zhu Qizhen confused.
"Uh-huh... Sir, when you come back this time, you have to wait until after the New Year." Zhu Qizhen raised a glass to persuade him to drink.
Li Qing didn't clink glasses with him. He took a sip of his wine and said, "I asked for a long leave. A long, long leave."
Zhu Qizhen was startled and said in surprise: "He is so generous... Ahem, why is sir so generous?"
"I'm tired, I'm tired..." Li Qing said, "I want to take a rest."
Zhu Qizhen's smile gradually faded, he fell silent, and softly agreed: "Yes, sir, you are very tired, and you should take a rest."
After a pause, "What are your plans?"
"Not yet, look at the old man."
Zhu Qizhen's heart froze and his expression changed. He understood the meaning of these words.
"Isn't the old man an immortal..."
"Immortals are humans too..."
Zhu Qizhen was silent.
~
As soon as the winter months entered, it started to snow, all day and all night.
When I woke up the next day, there was a thick layer in the courtyard, up to my ankles.
Zhu Wanqing and Li Hong had a snowball fight. The young people were full of energy and not afraid of the cold at all. Their energetic appearance was endearing.
"Uncle Li, uncle Li, let's play together~" the little girl waved her red hands, "it's so fun."
"It's fun, please play more," Li Qing warned, "Don't go too crazy, be careful of catching a cold."
"I know!" the little girl said with a smile.
Li Qing shook his head and smiled, then turned around and went to the small courtyard that he rarely set foot in even if he came back.
With such heavy snow, it would be a waste not to build a snowman...
