abcnovels
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Sixteen.
It is auspicious to call friends and have fun, drinking tea.
Inauspicious to write. (The author's true thoughts~~)
...
The cold wind is biting.
Jiang Changtian sent away Little Dou.
Little Dou's pouch was filled with ointment for treating bruises and sprains.
He quickly left the yamen.
He has a natural fear of the yamen.
Because he knows what his uncles do.
But Old Scar Uncle told him to come and be sharp.
He saw that there were many more people in the yamen than usual, all bustling about, as if preparing for something big.
Little Dou was afraid, and walked faster than usual, but couldn't help looking back at the man standing in front of the small house, Mr. Jiang.
He ran a few steps, then stopped and waved to Mr. Jiang.
Mr. Jiang is a good person.
His mother said that one should remember kindness.
The gentleman also waved to him, with a rather serious expression.
Little Dou followed the gentleman's gaze and was startled - the one in the large robe and hat must be the County Magistrate, the County Magistrate actually came out, and he saw him up close, he was quite curious.
He saw the County Magistrate was seeing off someone, the County Magistrate was bowing to a graceful old lady.
Wearing such a large official uniform, yet able to bow, the circles on his waist swaying.
Little Dou paused for a moment, and was scolded by someone, startling him back to his senses, realizing he had gone crazy, actually watching the excitement in the yamen.
This time he fled without looking back.
He soon disappeared from sight.
The graceful and magnificent old lady the County Magistrate personally saw off was Old Lady Jiang, Jiang Changtian's mother.
Because there was some unrest in the county, the County Magistrate had specially invited Old Lady Jiang, who had imperial guards, to come and discuss it.
Jiang Changtian had not seen his mother for a long time.
His mother had not changed.
Just as he remembered.
Graceful and elegant, even in this small county, she had an innate aura.
Under this elegant demeanor, even the most gentle interactions with people would make them feel somewhat awe-struck.
He had aged.
His mother was still young.
He had become the father of three children.
His mother was still young.
His mother was accompanied by a beautiful young lady.
About the same age as his Elder Sister Yu, who was always thinking about food.
The young lady was polite and courteous, not obsequious nor haughty in front of the County Magistrate, aloof yet approachable, very much like Old Lady Jiang.
Sensing something.
The Old Lady Jiang, who was chatting with the County Magistrate, turned her head.
She saw the tall, thin young man standing by the small door.
That young man's face looked very much like her eldest son, startling her.
Jiang Wan also turned her head and saw that man.
In appearance, he resembled her father by six parts, but also seemed much more handsome.
Just standing there, he had an air of autumn winds and autumn waters.
His bearing was even more like a gentleman than the County Magistrate before them.
The County Magistrate also noticed the change in the Old Lady's expression.
He found an excuse and hurriedly took his leave, saying he had important official business to attend to.
Not interfering in family matters.
Jiang Changtian paused.
After having Feng, he had become much more steady.
He even often reflected on himself.
Only after becoming a parent did he understand a parent's grace.
Feeling that he must have done many things in the past that had hurt his mother.
Later, when he taught Feng to read and write, he found that Feng was exceptionally intelligent, even more so than himself. Poems and books that he had to read several times to remember, Feng could recite after reading them just twice.
Feng, with her little buns, stood in front of him swaying as she recited the long poems and texts.
Jiang Changtian was overjoyed.
A surge of emotion and gratitude filled his heart.
So the next day, he specially went to the Jiang Manor. He knelt at the manor gate for half a day, and then knelt at the Old Lady's door for half a day.
He knelt until it was dark.
Only then did he see his mother.
The new baby of the eldest brother was as beautiful as ice and snow, and a smile blossomed on the Old Lady's face.
The eldest brother was also joyful.
He understood this feeling of being a parent.
He thought that since they were all happy today, his request should be easier to grant.
He didn't seek glory and wealth, didn't seek high status and grand manor, he only wanted one word from his mother. He didn't want to take the imperial examinations, nor did he aspire to be a top scholar, bringing glory to the family. He didn't dare to dream of that.
He only hoped that Feng could study and progress normally.
He hoped he could leave a path for his child.
Not for you to pave, just don't obstruct, and we'll climb it ourselves.
He knelt for a day.
His health had never been good.
He was already tottering.
He knew his appearance was pitiful.
He thought, seeing him so pitiful, his mother might have a little sympathy.
After all, she was his mother.
The mother saw him.
The ice-and-snow beauty of a baby suddenly wailed loudly.
The mother, without a word to him, hastily had him driven out.
The whole family gathered around the baby, concerned about something amiss.
He never got a single glance from his mother.
That night was also so cold.
He almost thought he would die.
In the end, it was the night watchman who supported him to the corner of the wall.
He leaned against the wall, looking at the darkening sky, thinking of ending it all.
Because the darkness before him had no end.
Finally, Sister Xia came to find him.
Sister Xia said nothing.
She carried him back to the village.
Just like that year, when Sister Xia fished him out of the water and carried him home.
That path was so dark.
He burned with a fever.
Sister Xia's shoulders were so warm.
After that, he never set foot in the Jiang Manor again.
Even though he passed by it daily on his way to work, to him it was as distant as the ends of the earth.
He hadn't even seen his mother.
Strange, mother and son had not seen each other for many years.
Yet he didn't miss her at all.
He had three children to support, constantly busy making a living, he rarely recalled the past.
He greeted people with a smile every day, nodding and bowing.
Scrounging for a few coins, fawning over others.
He forgot that he used to have a retinue when he went out, now he is not even as good as a servant.
He forgot that he used to have gold nuggets to play with as marbles, tossing them all around.
Now he carefully keeps any nice-looking stones he finds, bringing them home to amuse the children.
He forgot that the graceful and magnificent old lady before him was his mother.
Jiang Wan supported her grandmother.
There was an inner voice urging her to quickly take her grandmother and leave.
Leave quickly.
But she was also inexplicably curious about that man.
He was really quite good-looking.
So, succumbing to a strange impulse, she followed her grandmother towards that small side room.
As they approached, the scent of Chinese medicine wafted out.
Not unpleasant.
Jiang Wan couldn't help peeking inside.
It was very neatly organized.
There was a table and chairs in front of the small window.
On the windowsill were three knife marks, made by some mischievous child.
...
...
Today is a slacking off day.
Jiang Changtian got off work early.
No one was bothered to keep an eye on him.
When he returned to the village, it was still bright out.
Luoxia was sitting under the big tree at the village entrance, chatting with someone while holding a baby.
His little Mian saw him first.
"Father, father!" a sweet, soft call.
And she reached out her hands to him.
He patted himself down, then took the child.
Heavy and soft.
He held Mian in his arms, one hand supporting her back, one hand cupping her bottom.
Cradling her securely.
He listened to the villagers' chatter with a smile, but he was a bit absent-minded.
Even when Old Fifth Uncle called him, he didn't respond, lost in thought.
Luoxia also noticed her husband's unusual behavior and gently nudged him.
"Master, Old Fifth Uncle is calling you."
Jiang Changtian finally snapped out of it.
His expression was a bit flustered.
"Sister Xia, let's quickly pack up our things. Today at the county yamen, I heard news that the bandits from Ji Mountain have attacked the county yamen, proclaimed themselves king, and are now coming this way in a huge force. We'd better hide for a while. Bandits passing through are like a typhoon, leaving not a blade of grass."
"Old Fifth Uncle, you all should also pack up your valuables, we'll hide for a couple of days, and once it's passed, it'll be fine."
Jiang Changtian said solemnly.
"I have returned home early today, and it is because I have received this news. I braved the dangers to rush back here. The county magistrates all know about this matter, but they are not telling the villages along the way, hoping to slow down the bandits' steps."
Jiang Changtian held the baby in his arms, his expression grave and his words well-reasoned.
The people there believed him for the most part.
After all, in these times, scholars were held in high esteem.
Moreover, Second Young Master Jiang was also a capable man, working in the county office. He had three children of his own, so he would certainly not be making things up.
Jiang Changtian explained the seriousness of the situation to everyone, then quickly returned home with his wife and child.
Little Mian, nestled in her father's embrace, was startled by what she had heard.
What a wretched world this was.
These good days were not to last long, as the bandits were coming. They were already so poor, what could the bandits possibly want to steal? Some wild vegetables?
No, not even that - these days, even people could be stolen. The most important thing now was to hide themselves.
Jiang Mianmian looked at her father's stern expression, and a new thought occurred to her. If the bandits came, her sister would not have to become a concubine after all. Today, when she and her mother went for a stroll in the village, no one had mentioned her sister becoming a concubine.
Jiang Mianmian felt her heartbeat quicken as her father walked on.
She rummaged through her new little pocket, pulling out a small ant.
No, that wasn't it. She tucked the ant back in.
She reached into another pocket and pulled out a piece of fruit candy.
Holding the candy up, she pressed it to the corner of her father's serious mouth.
"Father, eat, eat, it's sweet," said Jiang Mianmian.
When you eat something sweet, you will feel happy.
Jiang Changtian was taken by surprise, but opened his mouth, and the sweet, slightly sour fruit candy melted on his tongue.
So sweet.
The setting sun shone on the path.
His wife was by his side.
The child was in his arms.
And there was candy in his mouth.
That was enough.
What did the affairs of others have to do with him?