Fu Yu also returned home early with his son today, his heart filled with thoughts of his daughter.
Qi He was much the same. He was on duty today, and after sending a letter to his father last night, he wanted to accompany the Thousand Household officials to Qilin Town.
However, his father did not allow it. He ordered Qi He to immediately go to the seaside to strengthen defenses, fearing that the Tatars and Japanese pirates would join forces to launch a surprise attack on Eagle Beak Cliff.
He understood his father's concerns, and they were his own as well. If Eagle Beak Cliff were attacked from both sides, it would be in grave danger.
Therefore, following his father's instructions, Qi He dared not slacken in the slightest. He rode his horse at full speed to the seaside and then made thorough arrangements.
Throughout the day, his eyes rarely left the sea, and his bright, piercing gaze was almost strained into a cross-eyed stare.
Fortunately, there were no signs of any anomalies on the sea today.
When he was finally off duty, he was still uneasy. He sternly reminded the next shift of soldiers, "Everyone must remain vigilant tonight and not miss any suspicious signs."
"Please rest assured, young banner officer. We will not let you down tonight."
It was rare for Qi He to be so fussy. He meticulously instructed all the soldiers on duty again before spurring his horse back to the Meng family courtyard.
He was also concerned about Sister Fu. He could not feel at ease if he did not see Sister Fu safe and sound with his own eyes today.
The whole family ate a warm and delicious dinner, and only then did Qi He ride off to the Thousand Household Office. Seeing that his father was safe, he returned to the seaside again.
Tonight, if he did not watch over it himself, he would still be worried.
Not even half an hour after Qi He left, a north wind mixed with large, goose-feather-like snowflakes began to fall.
In the blink of an eye, it seemed as though only wind and snow remained in the world.
Fu Xin Ci sat by the window, watching the large snowflakes come head-on, hitting the glass window, and then sliding down.
She was now very fortunate that they had decisively eliminated the Tatars in Qilin Town.
Otherwise, in such wind and snow, let alone fighting the Tatars, even traveling outdoors would be difficult.
Seeing their young lady sitting by the window, staring out at the outside in a daze, Han Xue and Chun Yu couldn't help but remind her, "Young lady, you should put on a jacket. You might catch a cold in this weather."
"No need. I'll go to sleep after I wash up. You two should also rest early."
Fu Xin Ci was truly exhausted. She had been working for the whole day and half the night. Others relied on horses for transport, but she had been relying on her supernatural abilities for most of the day.
Alas, no more thinking. She was so tired she didn't want to move.
Especially her old back. If she hadn't been enduring it, her every step would have been like that of an old woman.
"Okay, your servant will fetch water for you now," Chun Yu said and walked towards the washroom.
Fu Xin Ci quickly took a "battle bath" and then plunged into her quilt, never stirring.
Before falling asleep, her hazy mind was filled with a single thought: she wanted to hibernate, and no one was allowed to disturb her.
…This heavy snow seemed to fulfill her wish. It snowed for a whole night and day, and Fu Xin Ci did not let the snowy time go to waste.
For this entire day and night, apart from attending to her basic needs, she hadn't been awake, spending it all bundled in her quilt.
She liked such peaceful days.
However, she had forgotten that there were two restless little ones at home, for whom even half a day indoors was an ordeal.
Ning'er and Qing Mei, leaning on the windowsill, saw the adults in the house shoveling snow in the courtyard and immediately perked up, wanting to go out and play in the snow.
"That won't do," Mother Fang pointed at the snow outside, which was already past the adults' knees, and explained to her younger son. "Look, the snow is almost up to your father's thighs. If you go in, you'll disappear."
Ning'er wanted to take Qing Mei to play with his sister, but his mother's words seemed reasonable. His little brain spun, and he realized his mother was right. He dared not insist further.
Qing Mei, who followed her older cousin's lead, saw that her older cousin had stopped talking and obediently sat behind him without a word.
In the evening, the snow finally stopped.
Fu Xin Ci had also slept soundly. She put on her clothes, then a fox fur coat, and carrying Xiao Bai, she came out of the house for some fresh air.
As soon as she stepped out of the house, a gust of north wind blew towards her, making her nose and ears feel as if they had been cut by small knives.
She rubbed her nose and didn't want to walk forward. However, her small deer-skin boots stepped on the snow, making a crunching sound, like a charm.
"Squeak, squeak."
The crimson setting sun poured down from the mountaintop, echoing the vast white snow and dyeing half the sky red.
"Squeak, squeak."
Xiao Bai chirped a few times and then forcefully wriggled out of human arms.
"Xiao Bai, what are you doing?"
"Squeak, squeak."
Xiao Bai jumped onto a treetop and swung vigorously on a branch.
The snow on the branches fell profusely with its movements. Seeing that Fu Xin Ci, standing below the tree, was about to be showered,
Fu Xin Ci couldn't avoid it in time. Just then, a figure dashed over and blocked most of the falling snow for her.
As the snow fell, the young man's hair instantly turned white.
This scene must have been beautiful, but she couldn't see the full picture.
Fu Xin Ci felt a moment of regret.
Qi He had no idea that his Sister Fu's mind was full of the most romantic things.
He pointed his large hand at the mischievous Xiao Bai and reprimanded, "Xiao Bai, you're being naughty again. Do you know how cold it is when those icy snow grains fall on your neck?"
Xiao Bai was used to bullying the weak and fearing the strong. It understood very well that the young man in front of it would not indulge it like Fu Da Niu, so it jumped down from the branch somewhat guiltily and stood on the snow.
"Squeak, squeak."
Xiao Bai wagged its big tail. Heh heh, this white creature is going sledding, ooh ooh.
Ning'er, who had just clumsily run over, saw Xiao Bai sliding back and forth on the thick snow and was instantly inspired.
He ran over, shouting "Ao ao," wanting to play like that too.
But he was small and had short legs. He had only rushed halfway when he realized the snow was almost up to his neck.
Terrified, the little fellow cried out, "Brother-in-law, Sister, help!"
Qi He was about to gently brush the snow off Sister Fu's hair when he heard Ning'er's voice and turned back abruptly. Seeing the little figure stuck in the snow, he couldn't help but laugh, not sure whether to laugh or cry.
"Brother-in-law, save me."
Seeing the little fellow on the verge of tears, Qi He quickly suppressed his laughter, spread his long legs, and ran over.
Ning'er: Brother-in-law is the best. He reached him in a few steps.
After Ning'er was carried out of the snow by his brother-in-law, his face immediately broke into a wide smile.
"Thank you, brother-in-law. Brother-in-law is the best."
Qi He placed Ning'er on the ground and crouched down to brush the snow off him, also to hide the blush that spread across his face.
Fu Xin Ci: She saw nothing.
Han Xue and Chun Yu should continue shoveling snow.