It was already the middle of the night when Xie Changgeng returned to the city. The steward had not slept yet and was anxiously waiting in front of him. When he learned that he had returned, he rushed out to greet him and told him what had happened. Xie Changgeng ordered someone to bring him food, and brought it to the courtyard where his mother lived and pushed the door open to enter.
Xie's mother lay on the bed facing inward, motionless.
Qi Lingfeng and Qiuju were kneeling in front of the bed, their eyes were red and swollen, begging Xie's mother to eat. When she saw Xie Changgeng appear, she covered her face and cried, "Sir, I didn't instigate the old lady to do this. Last night I sincerely begged the old lady to recognize me as her adopted daughter, but she got angry and refused, which led to this incident. If I lied, I will be struck by lightning and die a miserable death."
Qiu Ju also kowtowed: "Sir, you don't know, the old lady said she wanted to leave last night, but was persuaded by Madam Qi. Unexpectedly, the old lady didn't eat anything in the morning, not even a sip of water. The old lady is old, and Madam Qi is afraid that she can't hold on, so she has been kneeling here begging for a whole day, but no matter how she persuades, the old lady won't listen."
Mother Xie moaned and said weakly, "I don't want to live anymore, leave me alone!"
A Mao was standing nearby, biting his fingers, his eyes wide open, looking at a loss.
Xie Changgeng ordered everyone to go out, closed the door, and walked to the bed with the porridge in his hand. He whispered to the old woman who had her back to him, "Mom, get up. Your son will serve you dinner..."
Before he finished speaking, Xie's mother raised her hand and swept the bowl in his hand to the ground.
With a "crash", the bowl broke and the porridge spilled all over the floor.
Xie Changgeng paused.
"Mother, I am an unfilial son. If I make you angry, you can beat me and scold me, but please don't get yourself hurt by anger."
Mother Xie sat up tremblingly and said angrily: "You also know that you are unfilial? Do you still have me as your mother in your eyes? I am afraid that you wish I would die sooner so that you won't have to bother me anymore!"
Xie Changgeng knelt down and said, "Mother, I have absolutely no such intention. Please calm down and have dinner first, okay?"
Xie's mother threw back the quilt and climbed down from the bed, saying, "Forget it. I know you're the governor now and have grown powerful. How dare I hit or scold you? I worked so hard to give birth to a son, but what's the point? If you won't even do something I want, what's the point of living? I'm going to end my life now to avoid being an eyesore to you!" As she spoke, she walked to the table, took out a pair of scissors from the sewing box, and was about to stab herself in the neck.
Xie Changgeng quickly snatched it away.
Xie's mother pushed her son away and sat down on the ground.
"You are my only son. I worked so hard to raise you. What have you ever done since you were a child? It's just a small matter. I didn't force you to divorce that woman. You don't like me and want to kill me, so what is it?"
Xie Changgeng said, "Ms. Qi herself has agreed to be your goddaughter, so why do you insist that your son marry her?"
"You still say that! You've already asked her this, how can she, a girl, still refuse? Poor Feng'er, she has been waiting for you for so many years, and has been making compromises for you, but in the end, you are so ungrateful! If I had known this would happen, I should have let go and died when she fell into the water while fleeing. Now Feng'er has not only lost her mother, but she has also lost someone to rely on for the rest of her life! How can I face Feng'er's mother when I die in the future
Xie's mother slapped the ground with her hands and cried.
Xie Changgeng looked at his mother who was sitting on the ground with disheveled hair and tears. He frowned and said after a while, "Mom, you get up first. I will think about this matter again."
All along, Xie's mother repeatedly assured Qi Lingfeng that her son would listen to her and take her in sooner or later. Unexpectedly, this time, her son seemed determined to refuse. Xie's mother was extremely disappointed, and she didn't want to lose face in front of Qi Lingfeng, so she tried to commit suicide and threatened to kill herself.
Xie's mother glanced at her son secretly.
Although her son gave in, his expression was not very good. She was not stupid, so she could tell that her son was only giving in reluctantly.
Over the years, he has been promoted to higher and higher positions, and his power has become increasingly powerful. He also relied on his son to obtain an imperial decree, and he is very powerful in front of his neighbors.
Qi Lingfeng was certainly worthy of love, but she would eventually rely on her son, and the old lady knew it very well. He finally gave in, and he could save some face in front of Qi Lingfeng, so he didn't dare to force it anymore, for fear of really angering him and turning against him.
"You keep putting it off. When will you ever get things done?" Xie's mother complained.
Xie Changgeng took a long breath and said patiently, "My son has been busy lately. I hope you will understand. I will do it as soon as possible."
He lifted his mother up from the ground.
"Mom, you've been hungry all day. I'll serve you dinner first."
Mother Xie wiped her tears and sat down.
"Geng'er, you won't blame me for forcing you, will you? I only have you as my son, and I consider you in everything. The woman of the Mu family doesn't look blessed, and she's not a good match for you. But Feng'er knows you well, is steady, and filial. I can rest assured that she'll be by your side to take care of you."
Xie Changgeng smiled and said, "I understand your good intentions, mother."
After tossing and turning all night, Xie's mother was already exhausted. Seeing that she had finally forced her son to show up and give in, and that he was still filial, she decided to stop while she was ahead, ate something, and lay down with a sigh.
Xie Changgeng helped his mother fall asleep, then walked out of the room, stopped at the door, closed his eyes, rubbed his forehead, and let out a long breath.
The steward is still waiting outside.
The day after the old lady came, she left. Now there is another incident. How could the steward not see the hidden truth? It was clear that there was a fire in the backyard. Knowing that the old lady had eaten and rested, he breathed a sigh of relief. However, seeing that the governor's face was gloomy and his eyes were bloodshot, he did not dare to say anything more. He only said in a low voice: "Don't worry, sir, I have already arranged what happened to the old lady during the day. All the servants who are not related to the mansion have been transferred away. Not many people know about it, and it will not be spread."
Xie Changgeng nodded and told him to go and rest.
The steward agreed and was about to leave when he was stopped again. Seeing the governor paused, as if thinking about something, he asked, "What else do you want, sir?"
"The weather is getting cold. Go to the storehouse tomorrow and pick out some fine clothes, as well as the Fire Silk Fur Coat, the Pearl Brocade Curtain, and the Night Light, and send them to the stable for the princess."
The treasures he mentioned are all rare and unique in the world. They were tributes from several small countries in the Western Regions in the past.
The manager was stunned for a moment, then reacted and quickly responded.
Xie Changgeng nodded and turned away.
A few days later, he received a message from Liu An, the commander of the Xiu Massacre City, and went there in person.
Liu An reported to him that the old native leader celebrated his 60th birthday a few days ago. He went to congratulate him with gifts and visiting cards from the Jiedushi. Although he did not see the person, the other party accepted the gifts and asked someone to convey a message to thank the Jiedushi. He said that he knew the Jiedushi was busy and did not dare to disturb him, and told him not to worry, they would be on guard against the northerners and would not hand over the Mahe Valley to others.
This actually meant that they tactfully rejected Xie Changgeng's proposal for a meeting. They were unwilling to have Xie Changgeng assist in the defense of Mahe Valley, and were even more unwilling to relocate.
Xie Changgeng frowned slightly, climbed up the tower, looked towards the distant Ma River Valley, pondered for a moment, and said, "The northerners have experienced a power transition. The new king took the throne a few months ago, and the weather is getting colder. They will make some moves. You must be on guard and not let down your guard."
Liu An received the order. After thanking Changgeng for his work, he left the city and walked to the fork in the road. The left side went back to Guzang, and the right side went to the horse farm.
He stopped his horse, hesitated for a moment, and turned to the right with his followers.
…
Mu Fulan sat in the room, using the last bit of light from the day to stare at the treasure chest on the table in the corner of the room, which had been delivered by Xie Changgeng's steward a few days ago. She was lost in thought for a long time.
The light in the room gradually dimmed.
Another day is about to pass.
She glanced outside.
After Xie Changgeng left that day, Xier would go horseback riding as soon as she finished her homework these days.
Mu Fulan was worried about the danger at first and she was always watching from the side. But in the past two days, she saw that he rode very well and the pony was very docile and never kicked its hooves. In addition, there were two guards protecting him at all times, so she felt relieved.
A few days ago, at this time, the guards had sent Xier back, but for some reason today, she hasn't returned yet.
She stood up and walked outside. Just as she walked out of the inner room, she was suddenly approached by a pair of arms that reached out from the side and embraced her.
She closed her eyes, slowly turned her head, and met the smiling eyes of a man.
"When did you come?" she asked.
He didn't respond, but just lowered his head and kissed her cheek and neck.
Mu Fulan turned her face away.
"I'm going out to see Xier and see when she'll be back," she said.
Xie Changgeng hugged her tighter and whispered, "I just met him. I've asked someone to take him to dinner first."
After he finished speaking, he picked her up, carried her into the inner room, put her on the bed, untied the sword at his waist that was in the way, casually placed it on the table, then pressed her down, stared at the beautiful face on his pillow in the twilight, and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.
"The weather is cold. Didn't I ask the steward to send you some things? Why don't you use them?"
Mu Fulan said, "You came at the right time. I appreciate your kindness, but you can take the things back with you. I don't need them."
Xie Changgeng looked into her eyes for a moment and whispered, "Mu, I know I have wronged you. You stay here for a few more days, and I will send my mother away."
Mu Fulan smiled: "Okay."
He hesitated. "Mu, I have something to tell you."
He hesitated to speak, as if he had a lot on his mind.
Mu Fulan didn't say anything, but just looked at him with a smile on her face.
"I think I'm going to marry Qi."
He finally said.
"It's not what I want to do. I have difficulties, you should be able to understand." He immediately said again.
Mu Fulan stared at the face of the man in front of her.
In her previous life, the man who slept beside her had also mentioned the same thing to her.
She thought coldly in her heart, but still smiled on her face, and said, "If you want to stay tonight, I will ask someone to prepare dinner for you."
She pushed him off her body, sat up, and tidied her hair which was a little messy because of him just now.
Xie Changgeng lay back on the pillow, looking at her back.
Mu Fulan tidied her hair and climbed out of bed, but the man behind her grabbed her wrist.
She threw herself on his chest.
"Are you angry?" He looked at her.
"Even if I take Qi in, I will let her stay at home to serve my mother in the future. It won't be a big deal for you," he said.
Mu Fulan said: "Just do whatever is convenient for you. You don't have to tell me these things."
"In that case, why don't you want the things I sent you?"
Mu Fulan sighed.
"Okay, okay, I was wrong and failed to live up to your kindness. I'll take it out and use it right away, okay?"
She broke free from his arms, climbed up from his body, got out of bed, and went to the corner of the room to open the treasure chest that had been delivered to her untouched, but was dragged back by the man and trapped on the bed.
The bed curtains fell down, and the foot of the bed gradually began to creak slightly.
The man panted and pushed into her fiercely.
The daylight has taken away its last bit of light.
Dusk was falling, covering the whole area.
In the dim bed curtains, Mu Fulan was under the man, like a small boat with nothing to rely on. She closed her eyes and her thoughts were drifting.
She recalled the day many years ago, when she was still a little girl, under the old cypress tree of Junshan Mountain, when she met the man in green.
He helped her rescue the bird and had the brightest smile she had ever seen.
He came from a stone path in the mountains, and left along a stone path in the mountains, and never came back.
One wrong glance, and her whole life is ruined.
Xie Changgeng touched her face and it felt wet and cold.
The damp and coldness continued to seep out silently from her closed eyes, flowing down her cheeks, into her hair, and wetting the pillow beneath her hair.
He slowly stopped and lay on top of her. Crystal hot sweat kept oozing out from the dilated pores of his skin on his strong back.
He gritted his teeth and whispered, "Why don't you understand my difficulties?"
Mu Fulan said: "Why should I understand your difficulties? Are you the only one who has difficulties? If I understand you, who will understand me?"
Xie Changgeng slowly raised his neck and stared at the face of the woman on the pillow beneath him.
The rain fell on the pear blossoms, making them look charming and beautiful. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him with cold eyes.
Xie Changgeng left her body, got out of bed and put his clothes back on.
"Don't push your luck. What are you compared to my mother?" he said.
He walked to the table, grabbed his sword, and when he turned to leave, his eyes fell on the treasure chest.
His figure froze for a moment, the corner of his eye twitched slightly, and he suddenly drew his sword and chopped down with one blow.
The box split in two with a clang. The fur coat and the treasure tent broke apart. The rest of the full box poured out, and the pearls rolled to the ground.
He stepped over the pearls on the ground and strode away. When he opened the door, he saw a small figure standing at the door, looking up at him with the sword still in his hand.
Xier's eyes were filled with confusion, bewilderment, and a bit of uneasiness.
He hesitated and whispered, "Master Xie, what's wrong with you?"
Xie Changgeng slowly sheathed his sword, reached out his hand, touched the boy's head, and walked past him.
Late at night, he returned to the Jiedushi Mansion, and what was waiting for him was a piece of news that had just arrived.
The natives of the Ma River Valley were attacked. Because the other party pretended to be his subordinates, the natives were caught off guard at first, resulting in heavy casualties. Not only that, even the old chief was hit by a poisoned arrow.
The natives believed that he was taking revenge and forcing them to relocate, so they were gathering their men and swearing revenge.