Returning to Jiangnan, where he had been away for seventeen years, he lived in the renovated and reconstructed former residence of the Xue family.
He raised his hand and patted on the pillar, looked at the winding corridor in front of him and sighed: "I'm finally back..."
Yun Qi raised his eyes and stared blankly at his profile. He had not seen such a relaxed smile in his mind for a long time. He couldn't help but feel happy in his heart. He narrowed his eyes and replied, "En."
Xue Chang heard the rare emotion in his voice, and turned to look at him and smiled: "It was a coincidence that we came back, just in time for the Chinese New Year. What do you want to eat?"
Yun Qi was stunned for a moment, and said, "My subordinates are free, what do you want to eat? I'll go down and order them to prepare."
Xue Chang raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at him quietly. Seeing that he was embarrassed again under his gaze, he couldn't help but deepen his smile: "Yun Qi, I'm just a commoner now, do you still want to call me an adult?"
Yun Qi pursed his lips, and quickly changed his words: "Young Master."
"Hey... Now I'm the only one left in the Xue family. What kind of son am I? If I get older in the future, will you still call me son?"
Yun Qi was stunned again, his expression a little distressed, obviously stumped.
Xue Chang stared at him without blinking, seeing his head drooping lower and lower, he couldn't help holding his face in his hands and raised his head, smiling, "Am I that scary?"
Yun Qi's face instantly became hot, and he didn't know where to put his eyes. He said in a panic, "What do you want to have for dinner, sir? I'll go and prepare it for you."
Xue Changshou paused in the air and couldn't help laughing: "I haven't said what I want to eat yet, but you are running fast."
It was the end of the year when they came back, so they had not been idle for the past two days. The business of Buzhuang has been taken care of by the steward. Now that the shopkeeper is back, he must go and see it in person to make the accounts clear. Xue Chang is from a merchant. People, these naturally can't trouble him.
In addition, there are long-term workers and short-term workers in the shop. The accounts that should be settled at the end of the year have to be settled, and they must also bring some annual gifts to visit them. The Xue family is a well-known local Confucian businessman. This is a tradition passed down by the Xue family for generations, and it is natural to inherit it.
But Xue Chang, after all, has been in the officialdom for more than ten years. Compared with his ancestors in terms of smoothness and sophistication, he is definitely better than his ancestors. He has no longer adhered to the rules. Lost.
The prefect has already changed people, and it is said that he is fairly honest and upright. However, Xue Chang is the former prime minister who voluntarily resigned from office, Yu Wei is still there, coupled with his means and ruthlessness to overthrow the huge forces alone, it is difficult for the prefect to despise him, knowing that he is eager to meet him and drink a drink. , the host and guests are happy.
When the sky was getting dark, there was a little snow outside, which immediately brought out the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year. Xue Changchang didn't see much snow, so he waved his hand and asked the driver in the house to drive the carriage back, while he and Yunxi walked back slowly along the narrow alley with umbrellas.
Yun Qi glanced at the clearly articulated hand on the handle of the umbrella, and said, "Sir, let me hold the umbrella."
Xue Chang avoided his outstretched hand and squinted at him: "What do you call me?"
"...Young Master." Yun Qi bit his head, always feeling that the name was a bit blunt, and said angrily, "This subordinate is used to it, and he can't change it for a while."
"Subordinate?"
"… Yunqi."
Xue Chang smiled helplessly: "Let me hold an umbrella."
"Yes."
There were very few people walking outside at the end of the year, and the surroundings were very quiet. The two walked through the streets and alleys for a while. The snow was getting heavier and heavier, and there was a rustling sound when they hit the umbrella. , The wind was getting stronger, and almost lifted the oil-paper umbrella in his hand.
"Hey, it's still Xiaoxue, it's getting more and more urgent." Xue Chang said while pulling Yunqi to the side of the wall that was slightly leeward, and pushed him inside, seeing him anxiously wanting to go outside , pushed him back again, and whispered, "You are holding an umbrella."
Yun Qi always obeyed his orders regardless of the reason, so he walked obediently inside, took the umbrella over as he said, and leaned towards him.
Xue Chang untied the ribbon around his neckline, took off his heavy cloak and draped it over him, and brought it to him to prepare to tie the ribbon.
Yun Qi paused in his footsteps, feeling a little dazed at his movements, and woke up abruptly when he pulled the ribbon with his fingers, and hurriedly stopped his movements: "My subordinates who practice martial arts can hold their bodies, adults quickly put on their own clothes. !"
Xue Chang pushed his hand away and said helplessly: "People who practice martial arts are also human. If you let you wear them, you can wear them. It's not that they have never been sick."
Since Yun Qi has followed him, his body has been getting better and better, and he has had the same illness so far. Hearing him suddenly mention it, he suddenly felt guilty. What, if I want to take it off, I'm afraid that he will get angry, and if I don't take it off, I'm afraid that he will freeze.
Xue Changchang looked hesitant and smiled: "I'm fine, I'll be home soon."
"I... I'm fine too." Yun Qi wanted to say that he didn't need to wear it if he was fine, but he seemed a little awkward when he said it.
The smile in Xue Chang's eyes deepened, and he took the umbrella in his hand again, grabbed his shoulders and moved closer to him, braved the wind and snow to continue forward.
Yun Qi awkwardly let him walk for a while, and when he reached the intersection where Shantang was set up, he couldn't help but look sideways at him. Seeing that his face was as usual, he felt relieved and lowered his eyes again.
"Yunqi..." Xue Chang's deep voice sounded in the wind and snow.
Yunxi looked up suspiciously.
"When you were homeless, were you wandering in these alleys?"
Yun Qi didn't expect him to suddenly say this, the scene of him handing him the steamed buns appeared in front of his eyes, the light and shadow in his eyes floated, and he nodded in response: "Yes."
"I'm homeless now, just like you."
"How could it be the same?" Yun Qi opened his mouth in a hurry and let out a cold gust of wind, then paused and said, "Young master has such a big family business, so he doesn't count as homeless."
"Alone, no matter how big a family business is, it's just a family business, not a family."
Yun Qi was speechless, not knowing how to argue.
Xue Chang turned his head and smiled at him: "Besides, these family businesses are now in your name."
"It was originally purchased by the son. After the new year, Yun Qi will be transferred back to the son's name."
"No, that's not what I'm going to say." Xue Changlan raised his hand on his shoulder and flicked it on his elm head. Seeing his dazed expression, he couldn't help but soften his voice, "You really think I will Do you consider it a servant?"
Yun Qi said with a serious face: "Yun Qi was originally a servant."
Xue Chang suddenly stopped.
Yun Qi was stunned, looked up at him, saw him looking straight at him, panicked in his heart, and lowered his head again.
Xue Chang looked at him for a while, and sighed softly, "There is no need to distinguish between you and me. I followed you in the capital, and now I am just an ordinary businessman. What's more, I have never I asked you to sign a deed of sale, you are no different from me, do you understand what I mean?"
Yun Qi pursed his lips, did not speak, and nodded slowly after a long while.
The corner of Xue Chang's lips raised a smile: "Do you remember how my parents called me back then?"
Yunxi nodded: "Zhaoyan."
Xue Chang smiled even more: "It's too windy, what did you say?"
"Zhaoyan." Yun Qi raised his voice.
"Huh? What?"
"Zhao..." Yun Qi was suddenly dumbfounded and stared at him blankly.
"Well, not bad." Xue Chang turned around with a smile, no matter how stiff he was, he hugged him and continued to walk forward.
This year was the happiest year for Xue Chang in the past seventeen years. Although he and Yun Qi were the only people besides the servants, it was the same as when he was in the capital, but his mood was different, so his emotions were different.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, it was still snowing outside, so they didn't need to hold an umbrella when they walked in the promenade. All the lanterns under the eaves of the corridor have long been lit, and the bright or dark light will illuminate the slanted snow with a red halo, adding a layer of warmth to the cold winter night.
Seeing that he was in great interest, Yun Qi was also happy, but he didn't show it on his face.
Xue Chang looked outside for a while, then suddenly laughed: "Yun Qi, let's go build a snowman." Then he pulled him out.
Yun Qi's hands trembled, and he quickly suppressed the strange feeling in his heart. After the two of them were standing in the snow, he regained his senses, and quickly said, "Let's go back, be careful of catching a cold."
"It's okay, I'm not that delicate." Xue Chang said with a smile and let go of his hand, pulling up his sleeves from left to right.
"The snow is still falling, and it will be buried when it is piled up."
Xue Chang didn't seem to hear what he said, so he waved at him, squatted down and hurried away.
Yun Qi couldn't, knowing that whatever he decided would not change his mind, he had to squat down and build a snowman with him.
Xue Chang kept busy in his hands, and his voice was light and light: "When I was young, I only studied hard at the cold window, where do I have time to play these things, now it's better, I have no officials and I have no one to help with the business, I just need to Regular inspections are enough, and the days ahead can finally be leisurely."
Seeing that he was so happy, Yun Qi quickly lowered his head to hide the joy that followed in his eyes, and nodded, "Yes."
Yun Qi was not good at words, Xue Chang was almost always talking before and after, and while they were talking, they piled up two small snowmen in their hands, but it was the first time in their lives, and they looked a little uglier.
Xue Chang folded off the branches on the side, poked the short ones in to make the eyes of the snowmen, and the long ones made the nose. He shook the holly on the side, picked two leaves from the snow, and made mouths for the two snowmen. He clapped his hands and stood up and looked at it, quite satisfied.
Yun Qi glanced at him: "Young master is in a good mood today."
Xue Chang looked sideways, with an unhappy expression on his face.
Yun Qi suddenly felt uncomfortable, lowered his head and changed his mouth: "Zhao Yan."
Before he finished speaking, an unspeakable feeling filled his heart. The word "Zhaoyan" is his nickname. Only those closest to him would call him that. Now he even called it out of his own mouth. I don't know what he meant. Did he force himself to be worthy of his brother
Xue Chang smiled with satisfaction, and when he turned around, he saw that his head was covered with snow, and he quickly dragged him back to the corridor, raised his hand to brush off the snow on his temples and high bun, and lowered his eyes, holding a lantern. In the hazy light, seeing his eyelashes covered in snowdrops, he was fascinated.
Yun Qi made him feel at a loss with a series of intimate actions, his expression was a little embarrassed, he was very greedy and wanted to escape, and more was confused.
Xue Chang held his slightly hot face, gently wiped the snowdrops from his eyelashes with his thumb, and said in a low voice, "I'm not busy thinking about why now, I'll talk about it when you can look at me honestly."
Yun Qi pursed his lips, and his heartbeat was uncontrollable. After a long period of stun, he suddenly woke up, and quickly raised his face to brush Luoxue on his shoulder.
Xue Changren brushed him and turned to look at the snowman outside, whose heels were buried under the snow, with a smile in his eyes that was not commensurate with the cold winter: "After this year, everything in the past has been like these two snowmen, submerged in heavy snow until they disappear. No trace. Pain or honor, all are fleeting. From now on, we will live a good life."
Yun Qi paused, his expression moved, and after a long pause, he nodded silently.
Years later, Xue Chang's life was really as he said, very leisurely and comfortable, without the erosion of pain, and without the defense and edge of the court, it can be said that the dark cloud is seen tomorrow. Yun Xi looked at his bright smile, and in a trance flashed before the eyes of the young man with a gentle smile and high spirits, the corners of his lips unconsciously stained with a slightly vague smile.
After Xue Chang came back, most of the neighbors still recognized him. At first, he was a little strange to him because he was the prime minister. After a few contacts, he found that his temperament was not much different from that before he left home, so he became popular again.
Xue Chang had received their favors, and he repaid them one by one after returning, and took more care of his life. In just half a year, he has won the hearts of the people.
Individual neighbors would also ask him about his marriage in a side-by-side manner. Those who have a daughter to be married naturally hope to marry him. There are no daughters in the family, and there are many well-meaning people who want to talk about the marriage for him.
Every time at this time, Xue Chang glanced at Yun Qi who was standing beside him. Seeing the unconcealed sadness in his expression, he felt a little pain in his heart, and smiled softly at the person who came: "I already have someone I like, thank you for your concern. ."
Yun Qi's eyes darkened after hearing this, and then he returned to normal.
In the summer, the weather became hot. Xue Chang was too lazy to go out and walk around, so he stayed in the mansion all day, with a pot of tea, a book of words, and a person to accompany him to enjoy quietly on the boat in the heart of the lake.
The boat is docked by the lake, the top of the head is the shade of lush trees, the water surface is full of green leaves, and the summer breeze that blows past sends the fragrance of lotus flowers into the nose, which is quite the charm of paradise on earth.
Now that Yunqi has returned to Jiangnan, he no longer dresses up as a bodyguard. He wears a brocade gown that is not much different from Xue Chang's. He is elegant and clean. If you ignore his cold and neat temperament, he looks like a handsome and elegant person. Scholar. At first, I was a little uncomfortable, but now I have gradually adapted to it. Just like reading a script, I have lost the bluntness of the original when I read it.
Xue Chang squinted his eyes and listened to his clear voice, he only felt like the gurgling water, cool and comfortable, opened his eyes and looked at the person sitting next to him. Quite a few, couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips into a smile, raised his hand to squeeze his chin and turned his face around.
Yun Qi looked at him suspiciously, getting used to his small movements, and the panic of the past was gone. Although his heartbeat was a little faster and his face was a little hot, his eyes didn't dodge much.
Xue Chang looked at him and smiled without blinking: "It's really right to go back to Jiangnan. When I was in the capital, I wanted to stay awake at night when I fell asleep, but it made you dusty. After all, the water in Jiangnan is good. The beads are all washed and shiny."
Yun Qi heard it in the fog, and intuitively he was praising himself, his ears were red, he opened his mouth, and it took a long time to hold back a sentence: "The water in the south of the Yangtze River has also brought Zhaoyan back to his previous state of mind."
Xue Chang smiled even more: "It's finally a good call."
Yun Qi was a little embarrassed, and stammered: "I will continue to read..."
"Don't read it anymore." Xue Chang took the words in his hand and threw it on the table. His voice suddenly became a little higher, showing a strong interest, "I'll go find two fish and get it."
Yun Qi quickly stood up: "I'll go."
"No, I'll go to the shore and give an order."
When the two were alone, Xue Chang didn't like to have servants to serve them personally, so the closest servants should be in the house on the shore, and they had to go ashore before they could be ordered. After he finished speaking, he stood up and stepped on the stone steps. He heard the sound by the side of his ear, turned his head and saw that Yun Qi had already followed.
"I'll go together." Yun Qi lowered his eyes.
Xue Chang laughed: "Okay."