Each world be

Chapter 145 The Loyal Guardian of Bai Yueguang Jin 20

The people in the room tacitly did not come out to disturb him. Xue Zhao opened the concise letter in silence.

On it are four large, elegant and graceful characters: Written by Xue Zhao himself.

“Seeing you write is like meeting you:

Time flies like a black rabbit. I vaguely remember the flourishing flowers and round lotus leaves yesterday, but when I come to the courtyard this morning, the autumn wind blows again.

The first time we met is still vivid in my mind. Counting carefully, you and I have known each other for more than 200 days. Although I sigh that life is like morning dew, I do not feel that time has passed in vain. After returning from Jinyun Temple, you and I went to the capital and Jishitang, going there in the morning and returning in the evening, day after day, month after month, always the same. Practicing medicine to treat illnesses and giving porridge to save people, we have never slacked off for a moment. You should know what I do and think; and I also know what you learn and aspire to.

Recently, I noticed that you often walked around the courtyard at night, wandering and sighing. Seeing this, I was also sad. I know what you are worried about, but you are afraid that I don't understand your true feelings and think that you can't bear to leave me. I love you very much, and this thought is the reason why I sent you to the battlefield thousands of miles away. Since I met you, I have always hoped that the seas and rivers would be calm and the world would be peaceful. Since I met you, I have hoped that all lovers in the world will eventually get married. However, the flags are waving, the cries are sad, the wild geese are wailing, and the people are crying! How can you not leave?

It takes three days to raise an army, and one hour to deploy it. Since you have learned something, you should also learn something. The sun does not pass, and the years do not stay with me. You are a fish in the north sea, you know the new moon and full moon, and you know the spring and autumn. Your back is like Mount Tai, and your wings are like hanging clouds. You should soar up with your lofty ambition!

I have three wishes: first, I wish the world peace, the people happiness, and good harvests every year; second, I wish you good health, a long life, and a hundred years of life; third, I wish you success, a book of grace from the palace, and a meeting with red silk.

It’s cold in autumn, please take care on your way.”

-

Xue Zhao's fingers trembled as he held the piece of letter. He held the thin yet heavy letter tightly in his hand, feeling filled with sorrow and remaining silent.

Xie Huai was still standing at the door waiting for him. He glanced at him quickly, his heart as clear as a mirror.

He patted Xue Zhao's shoulder and said, "Don't worry. This is the best choice for both you and her."

Over the past six months, Xue Zhao has brought in a large amount of money every month to support everyone in this courtyard.

In addition, Shi Qing would send people to visit and help regularly. He would do his best to provide money, food, clothing, and medicine, whatever was lacking.

As time went by, everyone guessed what happened between Xue Zhao and Shi Qing, and they all silently wished them well.

And now, Xue Zhao suddenly came back here, looking very bad, plus rich young men and girls came one after another, so something must have happened.

Xue Zhao held the jade pendant and the letter in his hands and nodded imperceptibly, "I will leave the day after tomorrow."

Although he was prepared in his heart, Xie Huai still hesitated for a moment after hearing this. "Don't worry, I'm here."

Xue Zhao was a little embarrassed, "You have been taking care of them for so long, I feel ashamed."

"Oh, what are you talking about? The money you brought these days is enough to feed me for several years, and I am happy to stay here. On the contrary, you are the one who suffers when you go to the battlefield and don't have enough food or warm sleep."

"Besides, if you become a general in the future, don't forget me as your brother. I am still waiting for your money to support myself in my old age."

After his joke, Xue Zhao's pent-up anger was relieved. He pressed his fist against Xie Huai's chest with moderate force and smiled, "If I become rich, I will never forget you."

Two days later, outside the capital.

Xue Zhao led the horse and looked at the large group of people behind him, forcing a smile.

"Mother, Fusheng...just send me here. I will go alone from now on."

Only a few older children came out to see them off, their lips turned down and their eyes were filled with tears.

But my mother said that you can’t cry when your relatives are going on a long journey, otherwise it will be unlucky.

Thinking of this, they raised their heads and held back their tears.

Mother's hair was gray, and her eyes, filled with the vicissitudes of life, were full of reluctance. Her skinny hands stroked Xue Zhao's young face.

"Good boy, take care of yourself there, and remember to write back often."

Xue Zhao raised his hand and grasped the skin and bones that were as rough and soft as tree bark. "Mother, don't worry, I will come back safely. And by then, I will also get a deputy general or something like that."

The wrinkles at the corners of my mother's eyes were as hard as rocks. "Oh, okay, okay..."

Fearing that she would worry too much, Xie Huai lowered his head and said softly, "Mother, Xue Zhao is strong and healthy, so don't worry."

He glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late. You should go back first. I'll see him off."

After saying that, he turned around and called out to Fusheng. Fusheng understood and immediately stepped forward to support the elderly woman, "Mom, it's cold, let's go first."

Ah Mu patted the back of his hand and remained standing, "Let me take another look at him."

Seeing this, Xie Huai winked at Xue Zhao, and Xue Zhao understood.

He led the horse forward, looked back sideways, and said with a smile, "Goodbye!"

"Brother Xue, have a safe journey..."

A series of childish voices came from behind me, and the chill of the early morning receded a little.

Xue Zhao walked forward without looking back, just waved silently.

Xie Huai followed behind him, and the two of them gradually disappeared around the corner of the road.

Xie Huai saw that he was walking slowly, and glanced at the mountains that looked like an ink painting in the distance, "Are you waiting for her?"

"No."

Xue Zhao knew that she would not come and could not come.

But even so, he still had a glimmer of hope.

If he could see her again, he would have no regrets in his life. However, if he really saw her, he was afraid that he would not be able to leave.

Xie Huai sighed, "There is a long way to go, and coming back alive is what we need to wait for most."

Xue Zhao stopped and turned to look at Xie Huai, "Let's stop here. You still have to escort mother and the others back."

The two clasped their fists, gave each other a simple hug, and patted each other's strong backs.

"Go!"

Xue Zhao climbed onto his horse and said in a deep voice, "Goodbye."

Xie Huai nodded.

Xue Zhao clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly, leaned forward, grasped the reins with one hand, and hit the horse hard, "Gee!"

With a loud neigh, the man and horse rushed away quickly, raising a cloud of dust behind them.

The sound of horse hooves gradually faded away, and the figure turned into a small black dot and disappeared at the end of the road.

"You see it now? He's gone."

The handsome man in dark purple brocade robe beside him glanced sideways at the woman on his left shoulder.

Shi Qing was wearing a turquoise dress. Upon hearing that, she looked away.

"Thank you, brother."

Shen Zhinan had a blank expression on his face. "I just want you to give up. He's just an ordinary person. Don't you know what it will be like when he's on the battlefield?"

Shi Qing pulled the cloak closer and smiled, "Anyway, thank you for your help, brother."

Otherwise, with her and Qiuyue's abilities, they would be discovered by Shen Wenbo as soon as they went out.

Looking at her soft smile, Shen Zhinan was defeated, "It's cold, let's go back."

Shi Qing nodded and walked obediently towards the carriage parked nearby.

-

[Off-topic letter]

At first, I had intended to write a few sentences to Xue Zhao, such as "If love lasts forever, why should we be together day and night?" and "Xue Zhao, you will become an invincible general of Dachen."

But I also feel that my expression is too pale and powerless.

So, I decided to write the letter in vernacular Chinese. After writing a few sentences, I felt that writing in ancient vernacular Chinese was not suitable for the heroine’s character, and it did not have the charm of ancient times. (Actually, the author suddenly wanted to try it out)

Finally, I changed it to classical Chinese (sort of). I don't have a deep understanding of classical Chinese, so I can't create something original, so I have to imitate other people's writing.

Then you can see that the third paragraph is an imitation of Lin Juemin's "Letter to My Wife" and is even similar to it. The fourth paragraph uses words from Zhuangzi's "The Happy Journey". The last paragraph imitates and modifies Feng Yansi's "The Long-lived Woman: Spring Banquet".

The beginning of the letter paraphrases and quotes ancient poetry, and the sources of individual words are listed at the end (they are the sources I borrowed, not necessarily the original sources).

The last sentence of the letter comes from the ending of Ouyang Xiu's "Letter to Yin Shilu": "Autumn is cold, please take care of yourself. I won't tell you."

In short, this letter is the product of a sudden inspiration. It may contain some illogicality, grammatical errors, incorrect language expression, lack of rhythm, etc. Just enjoy it and don't take it seriously.

After all, it felt a bit awkward when I looked at it later, but since I’ve already written it, I won’t change it. Thank you for tiring your eyes.

- 3:03

[Notes] [1] “Time flies by like a black rabbit, and my emotions are supported by wine.” — Yang Guanqing, Song Dynasty, “Partridge Sky”

[2] “The first rays of the sun dry up the overnight rain on the leaves; the water surface is clear and round; each lotus leaf is lifted by the wind.” —Zhou Bangyan, Song Dynasty, “Su Mu Zha”

[3] “As the beauty of April fades, the peach blossoms at the mountain temple begin to bloom.” — Bai Juyi, Peach Blossoms at Dalin Temple, Tang Dynasty

[4] “The bleak autumn wind blows again, and the world has changed.” — Mao Zedong, “Lang Tao Sha Beidaihe”

[5] “Like the morning dew, the past days are filled with suffering.” — Cao Cao, “Short Song”

[6] “The best thing is to celebrate a good harvest and peace in the world.” — Zhu Dunru, Song Dynasty, “Sheng Sheng Man”

[7] “I only wish you good health, and that you may live another hundred years.” — Wei Liaoweng, Song Dynasty, “Yu Meiren: Xu Shi Shu Hu Jian Jian San”