Rong Luoyun lifted the curtain and entered the room: "Madam."
Bai looked up, showing a faint smile: "I'm back, at dusk and dusk, I still want to send someone to call you." She waved her hand like a child, "Although it's peaceful, but Linfeng is not in the city, I also Don't worry about being out there alone."
Huo Linfeng led his troops to Moshang, he left in a hurry, and never went home to let him know. Since Mrs. Bai knew, Zhang Weiren must have reported the letter. Rong Luoyun moved a small stool and sat next to the embroidery frame, next to Mrs. Bai, and asked, "Ma'am, do you know everything?"
Mrs. Bai nodded: "Master Hou is the most brave, he even attacked Luoye Mountain, where..."
Rong Luoyun couldn't help but be curious, and listened carefully with his eyes and ears raised. Bai turned his face to look at him, and narrated: "In the year of Linfeng Seventeen, he took command for the first time. After a big victory, he killed the Turkic city behind Luoye Mountain and slaughtered the city."
Huo Linfeng once said that incident was a cruel nightmare. Rong Luoyun was silent for a moment, and looked at the sky outside the window. For some reason, he felt that today's dusk was particularly beautiful.
It was so red, it really seemed to be soaked in blood.
Rong Luoyun withdrew his gaze, and lowered his eyes to look at the embroidery frame in front of him. There was a piece of black brocade stretched on the frame, the surface of the cloth was shining, and the embroidery on it was already in shape. The stitches were as fine as a hair, and he couldn't help but reach out and touch them, and asked, "Ma'am, is this a unicorn?"
Bai replied: "That's right, the unicorn is an auspicious beast, which means longevity." This is a newly cut cloak for Huo Zhao. It took half a month to sew it stitch by thread, and the unicorn is the only thing missing.
The sun was slanting to the west, and he was drowsy, Rong Luoyun said: "Be careful not to hurt your eyes, I'll go and light the lamp."
He took the fire slave and lit the gauze lamp in the room, and put a candlestick next to the embroidery stand, which was as bright as day. Bai-shi lowered her head and smiled, liking Rong Luoyun's thoughtfulness, and said casually: "The mansion is full of moonlight and lighting lamps. It's been chaotic for a while, so she's free."
Hug the moon? Rong Luoyun sat back on the stool, staring at Bai Shi with big eyes. He remembered that Baoyue was Bai Shi's favorite maid, and he almost asked Huo Linfeng to take the house.
He wanted to ask, when will Baoyue get married
But what has it to do with him, if you ask him, Bai will definitely think he is frivolous and sick.
Rong Luoyun held back half to death, his thin lips opened and closed repeatedly, unable to utter a single word. Bai Shi was so focused on embroidery that she didn't notice anything unusual about him, so she changed the subject.
Bai asked: "What's the situation in the city, tell me about it?"
Rong Luoyun let out an "ah", and hurriedly withdrew his mind, saying: "There are still evils in the city, I will help set up patrols, it's still safe for now."
Saying this, the image of Huo Linfeng galloping on his horse appeared in his mind, and after calculating the time, he should have arrived at Luoye Mountain and met Huo Zhao. I don't know how the battle is going, it's very close to the Turkic army's camp, whether there are enough soldiers and horses, and everything goes well.
Rong Luoyun cut out the wooden frame of the embroidery frame, and the frame was carved with a group pattern, implying reunion. After a long while, Bai turned her face to look at him, and asked, "Why do you have hysteria, what are you thinking about?"
These words sound close, the old and the young have been together for more than half a month, and they are indeed much closer. Rong Luoyun simply didn't hide it, and said, "Madam, I'm a little worried about them."
The needle point stopped, and Bai's focus: "They?"
Rong Luoyun nodded in acquiescence. He was worried about both Huo Linfeng and... Dingbeihou. Perhaps it was because Huo Zhao was Huo Linfeng's biological father, or because of Huo Zhao's righteousness and integrity, he really couldn't help worrying.
Bai Shi stared at Rong Luoyun for a long while, as if confirming Rong Luoyun's mood, then her smile deepened, and she pursed her lips lightly, as if she couldn't bear it anymore.
Rong Luoyun was a little embarrassed: "Madam, are you laughing at me?"
Bai said: "I'm not laughing at you, I'm happy for you." She stuck a small needle on the brocade and went to hold Rong Luoyun's hand, "Son, you are worried about Master Hou, which means you don't hate him that much. Hatred needs to be reciprocated, and some hatred can be put down, but it can make yourself more comfortable."
Rong Luoyun was dazed, his hands felt warm, it was because Mrs. Bai was holding him, since she suffered a catastrophe when she was five years old, except for her sister, no older woman has treated him like this in these years, and talked softly to him speak in language.
"Ma'am..." Some words were heavy, but he wanted to say, "This battle is extremely dangerous, I hope the ending is good, if the ending fails, I hope you will not be too sad."
Bai's eye sockets turned red quietly, lined with a few fine lines, showing a beauty that has experienced ups and downs. She agreed, stretched out her hand to stroke the unicorn on the brocade, and said, "Master Hou is the most brave, and he will return after I finish embroidering."
The room tended to be quiet, and the sound of lifting the curtains was disturbing. It was the second and third servant girls who brought the food, Rong Luoyun helped Bai Shi up, cleaned his hands and sat down, and talked a lot during the meal.
In the middle of the night, Rong Luoyun went back to Huo Linfeng's other garden to rest, and he was the only one on the high bed, which seemed a little empty. Huo Linfeng slept alone in this bed during the years when he didn't know each other, was he lonely
He can really delve into the moon cage and gauze curtains, and even think about some shady scenes.
Rong Luoyun was wrapped in a brocade quilt, with a fluffy wolf cub at his feet, what kind of love affair, what kind of young meng lang, he fantasized about Huo Linfeng's frivolous age.
Still in a good mood, he gradually fell asleep.
Probably because of worrying in his heart, Rong Luoyun woke up earlier than usual, and it was dark outside, so he leaned on the pillow and read the "Evil Mirror". When the morning light came through the window, he washed and dressed, and walked out of the bedroom in his robe.
In the courtyard, Du Zheng was sweeping the yellow leaves on the steps. Rong Luoyun stepped over the threshold and said hello, "It's so early. Did anyone report last night?" He was referring to the news from Moshang.
Du Zheng said: "Sheng An'an, there is no one knocking on the door." There were two bruises under his eyelids, "I miss Lord Hou and Young Master, I dare not sleep, so I got up several times at night to ask the person on duty, alas. "
Rong Luoyun muttered: "What are you doing sighing, the war is so messy, you must have neglected to send a letter."
As he said this, he frowned, but he was really worried. Could it be that the fierce battle has not stopped all day and night? Running down the steps, he gathered his robe and ran outside, if he had any news, he would report it to the main garden first, he might have already arrived.
Rong Luoyun ran into the main garden in one breath, holding the lacquered pillars to stop, and saw that the surroundings were as quiet as a deep valley, and even the maids who served the dressing hadn't woken up in the morning. There was some light in the big house, he was afraid of disturbing Bai Shi's light dream, so he didn't go there, so he simply stepped into the cold Buddhist hall.
More than half a month ago, before leaving, Huo Zhao said to Bai Shi, don't bother the Buddha if there is nothing to do, Bai Shi remembered it in his heart, so he rarely set foot in the Buddhist hall during these days. Rong Luoyun walked up to the altar, offered a stick of incense, saw a book of scriptures, knelt down on the futon and recited scriptures silently.
There were voices outside the house, sweeping the courtyard, and the door of the big house opened. After the maids who came in and out finished serving, Rong Luoyun got up and went over, and said "Morning" through the heavy curtain.
"Come in." Bai called him.
When Rong Luoyun entered the room, he was in a trance for a moment, and the scene in front of him seemed to be exactly the same as yesterday's evening. Bai Shi is still sitting in front of the embroidery frame, her skirt hairpin has not been changed, and the light blue eyes are showing fatigue. He walked to the side of the shelf, looked at the unicorn carefully, and felt that it was so lifelike.
"Ma'am, have you been up all night?"
Bai said: "I want to embroider as soon as possible." She pouted her chin, "Come and sit down and help me thread the needle. I can't see clearly after rubbing it all night."
Rong Luoyun sat down obediently, pulled out a strand of gold thread through the eye of the needle, and when he handed it to Bai Shi, he saw that his fingertips were red. Grinding, piercing, I think I was restless all night, so I left these subtle pains.
The sky is getting brighter, Meizi comes to blow the candles, Wan Sheng comes to water the flowers, and Bi Zan brings green porridge and side dishes. Bai Shi leaned on the embroidery frame and ignored it, embroidering with flying needles and threads.
Rong Luoyun didn't move, resting his elbows on his knees, resting his chin and staring at the Qilin that was gradually becoming complete. The hot porridge turned into cold porridge, the aroma dissipated, but it added a sense of people taking tea to cool down.
At that time, there was finally movement in the courtyard.
Rong Luoyun listened with his ears up. There were two people in a hurry. He glanced at Mrs. Bai, but the other party was still embroidering without distraction. Wow, those two people pushed open the curtain and rushed in, it was the housekeeper and a Qiji, they lost the rules in a hurry.
Rong Luoyun opened his mouth, eager to ask, but timidly didn't know what to ask. The housekeeper bowed his head and stared at him, but he couldn't make a sound for a long time.
Suddenly, the butler loosened his shoulders: "Madam, son, the two young masters have left the city."
The two young masters... Rong Luoyun asked: "Where's Marquis Dingbei?" He stood up and stared at the Qiji, "I just reported the letter at this time, what's the situation?"
Qiji reported: "Yesterday, Lord Hou led his troops to fight fiercely in Luoye Mountain, and wiped out more than 8,000 elite Turkic soldiers." He choked up and clenched his fists, "At the battle in the blue lake, the deputy commander and Azhatai—"
Rong Luoyun interrupted him: "The Marquis of Dingbei has won?! Are you triumphant with the two generals?"
Qiji gritted his teeth and said nothing, Rong Luoyun shouted: "I'm asking you something!"
Finally, Qiji choked up and said, "Master Hou died in battle at Mount Luoye."
Rong Luoyun swayed slightly, and looked back at Bai Shi's reaction. Bai Shi didn't raise his eyes, and was still embroidering the unicorn by himself. "No..." He said with trembling lips, "If Marquis Dingbei died in battle, he should have come back last night..."
Qi Ji said: "Because last night, the second young master led an army to slaughter the Turkic camp."
Luoye Mountain was not far from the camp of the Turkic army. The barbarian's soldiers and horses tied up a large number of soldiers in the blue lake. The army camp was weak. Huo Linfeng led the troops to massacre, and even wiped out the three thousand elite soldiers supported by the Qincha.
He was so mad with hatred that he killed someone to be buried with Huo Zhao.
Rong Luoyun turned around and squatted down, looking up at Mrs. Bai: "Ma'am." He called softly, and repeated even more softly, "Madam..."
Bai Shi remained silent all the time, lowered his eyes, turned over with the small needle in his plain hand. On the wooden frame carved with mottled patterns, there was a drop of tear, and another drop fell.
"It's almost finished." She said suddenly, "The unicorn's eyes are ready to wear."
Bai Shi took out a round agate bead, blood red, from the lacquer box, and put it on the pupil of the unicorn. She still smiled faintly like that, but the tears didn't live up to it, and actually dripped and wet her face.
"Master Hou is back," said Bai, "whether he lives or dies, I will put this cloak on him."
Rong Luoyun's heart was bitter, he couldn't stand it, he couldn't stand it, he got up and fled outside the house, the housekeeper and that Qiji followed him, both couldn't bear it. Under the corridor, the maids gathered together to wipe away their tears, biting their lips and daring not to cry out.
"Meizi, wait for Madam to come out and support her carefully." Rong Luoyun ordered, trying to maintain a calm posture, "Housekeeper, let's go to the gate of the house to meet her."
The housekeeper let out an "hey" forcefully, as if he was stretching his strength to support this physical body. Walking through the hall and courtyard, the rest of the servants could no longer be seen all the way, and they all went to welcome the Patriarch back to the city.
Rong Luoyun was at the forefront, walking so fast, he was stunned when he stepped out of the gate, the city was not peaceful for half a month, and the people hid whenever they could, but at the moment, the long street in front of the Hou Mansion was filled with people, and the people in the streets and alleys were full of people. The crowd is getting bigger and bigger.
"Master Hou died in battle..."
"Huh! Which of your eyes saw it!"
"Your Majesty is as blessed as the heavens, and nothing will happen."
"Hey, look! The Dingbei Army is back!"
The people were discussing, and countless eyes cast their eyes on the depths of the long street. Rong Luoyun looked out against the wind and saw Huo Jinghai and Huo Linfeng driving side by side, the banner with the word "Huo" fluttering, and a carriage following behind.
"Master Hou!" Someone shouted loudly.
The crowd lined up along the road in an orderly manner, but the shouts became more and more chaotic, "Master Hou! Welcome to the triumphant return of Lord Hou!" So many mouths shouted this sentence, the carriage was swaying, the curtains were hanging down, and there was no one to answer along the way.
When the team reached the gate of the mansion, Huo Linfeng saw Rong Luoyun, their eyes met, and there was an unspeakable sadness on his tensed face. He got off his horse and landed on the ground. He and Huo Jinghai walked separately, and when they reached the side of the carriage, the surroundings suddenly fell into silence.
Everyone held their breath and stared sluggishly.
Huo Linfeng stretched out his hand, lifted the curtain of the car tremblingly, and called, "Father." His voice was so hoarse that he couldn't hear the original sound, "We're home."
Huo Jinghai carried Huo Zhao's body out, choked up and said, "Dingbeihou...triumph."
There seemed to be some weeping in the crowd, suppressed at first, but like sparks in Yuanshang, it spread little by little. Gradually, the crying became more and more fierce, the people knelt down, and the long street was flooded with wailing.
Huo Linfeng and Huo Jinghai entered the mansion, went to the brightest and most spacious hall, and saw Mrs. Bai standing under the eaves.
Bai's style is elegant and dignified, holding the embroidered cloak in both hands, his gaze is far away, and it falls on Huo Zhao impartially. When Huo Jinghai approached with the person in his arms, she went up to meet him and spread the cloak to cover Huo Zhao.
Huo Linfeng said in a low voice: "Mom, I'm late."
Bai said: "Go home, don't talk about that, quickly take your father to the inner room to freshen up."
Bypassing the small door on the side, Huo Zhao's body was sent into the wing room. Bai blocked the door and said, "I will take care of it myself, no one needs to come in."
Huo Linfeng said: "Father is seriously injured, I'm afraid..."
The tattered flesh, the broken spine, and the hot blood flowing all over his body, he was afraid that Mrs. Bai would not be able to stand seeing it. Bai Shi didn't say a word, turned back into the room, closed the door, and completely cut off everything.
Huo Linfeng and Huo Jinghai stood side by side outside the house, whether they were mourning or worried about their mother, they waited closely. There are voices in the room, asking knowingly and coaxing softly, so real.
I don't know how long it has passed, squeak, Mrs. Bai pushed the door open.
Her eyes were clear, and her words were very clear: "Your father left in a hurry, but things behind you should not be careless, Jinghai, you go and prepare the coffin, and prepare all the funeral supplies as soon as possible, and then invite the abbot of the temple to come and chant sutras. Linfeng , you manage the mansion and set up a mourning hall in the head hall to receive the guests who come to express their condolences."
The crying outside did not stop, Bai said: "Ask the kitchen to prepare plain cakes, and send one to each of the people who come to see you off, and pray for your father."
All the arrangements were made properly, and the Bai family took a deep breath: "Master Hou's funeral will be held in a grand manner. It is a happy funeral for him to die in battle."
Finally, she ordered: "Go and clean up, and give your father a decent ride."
Huo Linfeng retreated, walked along the corridor with big strides, reached the small door at the end, turned out and bumped into someone. The man stood leaning against the wall, as if he had been waiting for a long time, and he raised his face tremblingly after being hit by him like this.
"Linfeng." Rong Luoyun called out in a low voice.
In a quiet place with no one in the background, the two of them looked at each other jealously.
Huo Linfeng rushed to Luoye Mountain, slaughtered the camp overnight, and brought back Huo Zhao's body, everything oppressed his nerves. The body tensed up to the limit, and at this moment when facing Rong Luoyun's eyes, it was like a snow mountain was about to collapse, and the white jade had scars.
He sobbed: "Xiao Rong, my father is dead."
Rong Luoyun stretched out his arms to hug Huo Linfeng, his chest against his chest, his cheeks against his cheeks, all the comforts seemed pale, and he simply embraced physically, warming each other at room temperature.
He pursed his lips, letting everything go silently.