Under the hazy moonlight, Song Heng was sitting alone in the Qixia Pavilion with its four corners flying up. His dark starry eyes were still full of joy and anger, and he was currently focusing on Shi Yan's light figure.
Shi Yanwei had not called him when he was in Daixiu's residence just now. If he pretended not to see him now, it would be a loss of etiquette and would be in vain.
Thinking of this, Shi Yanwei suppressed the sourness in his heart for the time being, and the clouds of depression on his face cleared away. He stood on the spot and saluted the people with folded hands, his tone was gentle but not at all flattering and humble.
She didn't look like a noble lady, nor did she behave like a girl from a wealthy family, nor did the maids of the palace bow and kneel when they saw him.
In the quiet garden, her voice was like a gurgling water slowly leaking from the rocks. It was clean and pure, and sounded very pleasant to the ears.
Song Heng couldn't help but think slightly, and his eyes were filled with a sense of contemplation and exploration.
The evening breeze of early spring must have a hint of coolness. The wind blew Shi Yanwei's light spring shirt and skirt, and the moonlight fell on her white porcelain face, adding a touch of hazy beauty. , The swan's neck rises and falls like a peak, and its waist is as thin as a willow.
The coldness was scratching on his face, but Song Heng felt a sense of dryness for no reason. He stood up and walked down the stone steps slowly, then stopped, and was about a foot away from Shi Yan. .
Song Heng's back is as straight as a pine tree, his body is tall and strong, his tendons with clear grooves are hidden under his loose robes, and he has the aura of a superior person between his brows, showing his majesty.
He lowered his eyes and looked into Shi Yanwei's peach blossom eyes as clear as water. He opened her thin lips and asked her, "I saw Madam Yang who was slumped and lost her mind all the way. What's on your mind?"
Shi Yanwei was not even as high as his shoulders. At this moment, she could only raise her head to see his face clearly. Seeing that he was an upright and polite person, she was not overly defensive and found a suitable excuse: "There are many heads of the family." Worry, I have nothing on my mind, I just saw that the moonlight was very beautiful tonight, and suddenly remembered my deceased brother, for no other reason."
There is nothing wrong with this reason to miss my deceased brother.
However, Song Heng was the best at discerning people's hearts. He clearly felt that when she mentioned the word "dead brother", her face was as calm as water, and there was no trace of sadness in her eyes. If she wasn't deliberately lying in front of him, it was because she was hiding her emotions. He is very well controlled and does not show his happiness or anger to others at all.
If it is the latter, she is too young for her age. The second mother is only two years younger than her, but her temperament is far inferior to hers.
"It was someone who said something without meaning to, which made Madam Yang sad."
Song Heng spoke in a calm tone and deliberately lowered his posture, as if waiting for her to say something.
The wind seemed to be getting tighter. Shi Yanwei was already afraid of the cold, and his body was weak. With the cool evening breeze blowing like this, he had no intention of chatting with him, so he said perfunctorily: "The owner of the house has good intentions, so why did he say it without saying anything? It's getting late, and it's windy outside. The owner should be careful not to catch a cold. I still have something to do, so I'll take the first step."
After speaking, she lifted up her skirt and raised her legs to leave, when she saw Song Heng walking towards her, lightly opening her thin lips and saying, "Ms. Yang is very good at Shuanglu chess. I wonder if I can give her a chance to play chess in the future?"
She just couldn't let the cold wind make her sick tonight. If she played backgammon for half an hour with a face like his in the future, she would be too cold to die.
So without a moment's hesitation, he took a step back and declined politely: "My master, I am very lucky to have the upper hand in the chess game with my second mother today. How dare you try to do anything in front of your master?"
The rejection was so clean and neat, not only did it not mean to get close to him, but it also meant to avoid him, which was beyond Song Heng's expectation.
Song Heng stood there blankly, watching the pure lotus color go further and further away, until Shi Yanwei's slender figure completely disappeared into the endless night. He then picked up the lamp he brought out from Song Qinghe's house and idly Ting strolled back to Hangui.
Before the master returned, Ju Bai, Feng Gui and others did not dare to go down to rest. When they heard the sound of footsteps outside, they hurriedly came out. Song Heng handed the green gauze lantern to Ju Bai and said in a deep voice: " Tomorrow I will send this lamp back to Daixiu Residence, and then go to the warehouse to pick up some Gongxian white porcelain and send it to the house, and pick out some blue silk and soothing spices from the madam's house to send."
Jubai answered yes and went away. Then he heard Shanglu ask respectfully: "The water has boiled and is being heated on the stove. Does the master want to take a bath today?"
When Song Heng heard this, he never looked at her and just said lightly: "Go and get some cold water."
In early spring, the well water is cold. How can I take a bath? Shang Lu was very puzzled, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions. He left and went to the backyard to ask the boy to fetch a few more buckets of well water.
Feng Gui directed the boy to pour the well water into the bathtub, and then took the lacquered pear wood tray from Ju Bai's hand. On it were neatly folded clean clothes, trousers, robes and other clothes. Feng Gui put the tray Put it on the table in the bathroom, then use the fire stick to light several candles on the crane lampstand. The wicks emit an orange-yellow halo, and the entire bathroom is suddenly as bright as day.
A six-fold lacquered landscape screen is placed in the red window with carved treasures and flowers. Song Heng hid behind the screen and took off his robes, and hung all the removed robes on the mahogany frame.
The burning skin was relieved the moment it came into contact with the cold water. Song Heng relaxed his muscles and leaned against the wall of the barrel, calmed down, closed his eyes and expelled the words Yang Chuyin from his mind.
Two-quarters of an hour later, Song Heng finished bathing. Feng Guifang went inside and took away the robe he had changed, and handed it to the boy below to take to the washing room.
Because Song Heng had no wife, no concubines, no common room, and was not used to being close to his maids to serve him, Feng Gui had always held the lamp for Song Heng at night, and he had no habit of getting up at night, so there was no need for his maids to stay outside. On duty at night.
Song Heng lay down on the large rosewood bed, and Feng Gui blew out the last candle in the room, holding on to a white copper wax stand and quietly exited.
Everything was silent outside the window, and the night was as cold as water. Song Heng rarely lost sleep. After finally falling asleep, he had strange dreams again and again.
For the next three days, Song Heng returned home late, and neither Mrs. Xue nor Song Yu and others saw him.
At noon that day, Song Heng had lunch in the official office. Fang held up a military book and was about to open it. Suddenly, he heard a pair of ten-year-old soldiers coming to report that it was Cheng Sima who was outside asking for a meeting.
Song Heng raised his head slightly and agreed.
After a moment, Cheng Yan strode in with a look of eagerness on his face. He knelt down on one knee with his hands clasped and made a military salute to Song Heng. His tone was slightly anxious: "Commander, I have something important to report."
Song Heng narrowed his eyes and said one word: "Yes."
Cheng Yan then stood up and said in a low voice that there might be a change in Shouyang's army, so he asked him to come and show it in person to stabilize the morale of the army.
Song Heng asked carefully and made a general conclusion in his mind, so he ordered people to prepare horses, put on armor in the side hall, hung a long sword on his waist, and rushed outside the official office with Cheng Yan.
Feng Gui, who was waiting outside, saw Song Heng striding out at this moment. He knew in his heart that he must have something to do and was going outside again, so he trotted forward to meet him.
Song Heng was looking for him, so he came just in time, and hurriedly ordered him to go back to his house and tell the wife that he and Cheng Sima were going to Shouyang immediately and would not return until they returned in a few days.
After saying that, he got on his horse, whipped his horse and drove away.
Feng Gui returned to the Song Dynasty and told Mrs. Xue about the matter. When he came out, he saw Huanzhu drying handkerchiefs on the corridor. Because he was afraid of Mrs. Xue's majesty, he did not dare to whisper to anyone in the green bamboo room, so he secretly talked to She frowned.
Suddenly Rui Sheng came in with a food box. Huan Zhu caught a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye. His face turned red with embarrassment and he winked at Feng Gui to tell Feng Gui to leave quickly.
Ruisheng looked at Feng Gui's back as he strode away, stepped forward and joked with Huan Zhu: "The affair between you and Feng Lang has been approved by Mrs. Feng, why should you be so secretive? Feng Lang is very popular with the head of the family, so he goes there Don't worry about not having a good future in the future. When you marry him next year, you will be an enviable couple."
Huan Zhu's face became more and more rosy after hearing this. When Rui Sheng saw this, he stopped teasing her and went into the room to present the Tremella, Lily and Loquat soup to Mrs. Xue.
"Mrs. Yang, Madam Yang said that it is best to eat this soup while it is hot. It will also make your throat feel better."
It turned out that Mrs. Xue had caught a cold the night before, and she felt some discomfort in her throat when she woke up yesterday morning. She asked a doctor to come and prescribe medicine and took it. The medicine has not yet taken effect today, but she has a new cough.
Rui Sheng mentioned this when Shi Yanwei was helping to sort out the thread in the sewing room. Dang Ji suggested to make some hot drinks for Mrs. Xue to alleviate the disease. Rui Sheng came back and told Mrs. Xue that Mrs. She declined, but Song Qinghe, who was beside her, persuaded her carefully before Mrs. Xue agreed.
The soft and sweet loquat meat enters the throat. Instead of feeling stinging, there is a warm and smooth heat. After taking another sip of the fragrant soup, Mrs. A whole bowl was used up.
Mrs. Xue put down the white porcelain bowl, and her slightly white eyebrows wrinkled slightly again. She didn't know what kind of emergency happened in Shouyang, but Erlang couldn't delay for a quarter of an hour, so he rushed there at noon.
Song Qinghe knew that she was worried about her second brother, so he comforted her: "Don't worry, grandma. Since the second brother said he would come back in a few days, I think he must have a plan in mind. Grandma, just be relieved."
Mrs. Xue sighed and said words of agreement, but her brows were not raised, "What Er Niang said is very true, but I am looking for trouble. Your sister will arrive at about the same time, but it happens that Erlang will not be there for the next few days. ....."
Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly heard the maid from the first or second door running to the corridor with a smile on her face, and said: "Madam, the aunt, the husband and Mrs. Meng are here. They must have passed the second door by now."
After hearing this, Song Qinghe beamed with joy and stood up immediately. Together with Shu Yu, he helped Mrs.
Mrs. Xue was also overjoyed at this moment. Where could she sit still, she came to the corridor in person and eagerly awaited the arrival of Song Qingyin's family of three.
Not long after, a figure in red and gold walked quickly from outside the courtyard door. Before the maid in the courtyard could cross her hands and salute, the woman had already thrown herself into Mrs. Xue's arms, knelt on her knees, and soon burst into tears. Under the rain, he put his hands on Mrs. Xue's arms and choked with sobs: "My son is unfilial. I haven't even visited my grandma in three years..."
Meng Lichuan also followed Song Qingyin's actions and knelt on the ground. Although he had no words in his mouth, his respect and gratitude to Mrs. Xue could not be more sincere.
Shuyu, who was standing under the eaves, felt his eyes turn red when he saw this scene. He wiped away his tears and came forward to persuade her grandson and grandson: "It is a great joy for the aunt and son to come back. They can stay in Taiyuan for a long time." Why don't you laugh and start crying instead?"
Mrs. Xue wiped her tears with the handkerchief Shu Yu handed her, and hurriedly asked her husband and wife to get up. Seeing that Meng Fu was not there, she asked, "Why don't you see Tuan Nu?"
"The maid is leading her behind, let's go in first." Song Qingyin said as she held Mrs. Xue's hand and entered the house.
The furnishings in the house are much the same as they were four years ago. There are some precious objects on the rosewood shelves against the wall. Zhou Fang's "Ladies with Hairpins" hangs on the east wall. The gauze on one of the windows seems to have been newly painted recently. Up.
Mrs. Xue saw her staring at the window lattice and remembered what happened that evening. A smile appeared on her face that was still stained with tears. The story was told to Song Qingyin and Meng Lichuan. After hearing this, they both raised their lips and smiled.
Song Qingyin covered her mouth and laughed for a while, then gradually stopped smiling. Then she realized that Song Heng and Song Yu were not there, so she asked, "Why don't you see the second and third brothers?"
"Your second brother just went to Shouyang at noon today, and it will probably take a few days to come back; the third brother is on duty. The Weiruiju where you lived before leaving the cabinet has been cleaned up, and the three of you and your family will be ready during this period. How about staying in the house for half a month?"
"Listen to grandma." As Song Qingyin spoke, she looked at Song Qinghe with her eyes. Seeing that she had grown into a graceful young lady, she felt happy from the bottom of her heart.
"We haven't seen each other for nearly four years. My mother-in-law has become more and more mature. You were only thirteen when I left. You are already twenty-eight years old now."
While talking, Zu Jianglan, Mrs. Gao and others also came to Cuizhuju to gather together.
When Song Yu returned home from duty, the whole family gathered together for dinner, so there is no need to elaborate.
On the evening of February 25th, when the moon rose from the west mountain, Mrs. Xue received a letter from Shouyang for her prescription. It was said that the Jiedu envoy would return from Shouyang before noon tomorrow, and he would be able to reach Taiyuan at Youzheng.
Mrs. Xue was overjoyed after seeing this and ordered the kitchen to prepare more dishes for the family banquet tomorrow. Song Yu remembered that Shi Yanwei had lost her brother and specifically asked Mrs. , I responded immediately.
The next day, Shi Yanwei didn't have to go to work in the dining room. Song Qinghe got the news from somewhere. After lunch, he invited her to Daixiu Residence to play backgammon.
At two o'clock in the morning, Song Qinghe took Shi Yanwei and went outside the house to pick up Song Heng. Since she was the mistress of the house, she could naturally stand in the front row.
Song Qinghe was holding Shi Yanwei's hand tightly and refused to let go. Even though Shi Yanwei didn't want to show his face in front of Song Heng, he couldn't help her now.
Song Heng turned over and dismounted. He was wearing a purple-coloured robe with a grape pattern and a dark iron sword hanging from his waist. He was as powerful as a tiger and as tall as a crane.
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, an extremely tall shadow appeared on the ground. Even though Shi Yanwei was tall, he suddenly became petite when standing in front of him.
Shi Yanwei followed everyone and glanced at him briefly to greet him, then shifted his gaze and looked straight at the green mountains in the distance. He was completely unaware that Song Heng's deep eyes fell on her rosy face several times while he was scanning the crowd.
