Xue Niang waited expectantly for the child to arrive, frequently opening the door to peer down the village road.
Xiao Shan felt a bit guilty. He had actually notified her a little late. Seeing her waiting anxiously, he simply pulled her along to the fields to plant crops.
He scattered corn seeds in the field, while Xue Niang picked flowers on the hillside.
She would look up from time to time. Wearing a light yellow dress, she resembled the blooming rapeseed flowers in the distance. She would run and then squat down, seemingly having a good time playing.
Xiao Shan smiled and lowered his head to continue scattering seeds.
Xue Niang saw another patch of small white flowers and ran over to pick a few. Hearing a voice behind her, she turned around and saw Liu Demao.
His hair had turned white, and his leg seemed to be injured, making his gait uneven.
Xue Niang watched him warily and glanced towards Xiao Shan, but unfortunately, the hillside blocked her view.
"Madam Xiao, I've come to apologize."
Seeing her reaction, Liu Demao quickly spoke.
"I heard from Dong Huai that it was Xiao Shan who saved him and allowed him to take the imperial examinations. And in the capital, it was you who found your maternal relatives to rescue him when he was wrongly accused. I wronged you in the past, and I beg for your forgiveness."
Liu Demao knelt down and kowtowed sincerely.
When his son became a high official, he had initially felt immense pride and satisfaction.
Later, after hearing about these events—his wife's tragic death and his son nearly dying in the capital—he suddenly awakened. How could he have the face to boast? He had no credit for his son's achievements; in fact, he had almost ruined his son's future.
Without the help of noble benefactors, how could ordinary people like them have the opportunity to enter the imperial court? Their lives wouldn't even be safe, let alone talk about bringing honor to their ancestors.
And this benefactor turned out to be someone he considered an enemy. The other party had repaid kindness with ingratitude, and he was filled with shame and regret.
Xiao Shan's call came from over there.
Liu Demao said another "I'm sorry" before getting up and walking away with a slight limp.
On that small patch of land, Xiao Shan quickly finished tidying it up. He walked to the top of the slope and saw Liu Demao's retreating figure.
His expression tightened: "What did he come here for just now?"
"Nothing, he came to apologize."
Xue Niang's tone was relaxed. Seeing sweat on his forehead, she took out a handkerchief to wipe it for him.
"There's a breeze here, sit down and rest for a while."
"Hmph, at least his conscience isn't completely rotten if he knows to come and apologize."
Although his son had already apologized on his behalf, it was different from him saying it himself.
Xiao Shan's face often turned stern. Couldn't he smile more?
"A Shan, the weather is so nice today. Let me dance for you. You haven't seen me dance yet!"
Xue Niang placed the flowers in his arms and stood up.
Dance?
He indeed hadn't seen her dance.
Her body was so graceful; she must look beautiful when she danced.
She did look beautiful. Xiao Shan's eyes were mesmerized.
The gentle breeze stirred her skirt. Her movements were slow. Through the light, he could see her slender legs beneath the skirt.
She danced with all her grace, beyond words.
He seemed to hear melodious music, like heavenly sounds.
She was radiating.
She was about to fly.
In the midst of her spin, Xue Niang was caught in Xiao Shan's embrace.
"What's wrong? Doesn't it look good?" she asked, her bright eyes questioning.
"No, don't dance anymore. I'm afraid you'll fly away."
She was like a fairy; she might really fly. She had truly looked like she was about to fly away just now.
If she wanted to dance, she could, but not outside. She could dance for him on the kang.
...
A simple carriage appeared at the village entrance. Two people wearing veiled hats alighted.
"Your Majesty, the house on the right of that tree is the Princess's home. The middle is empty, and on the left... is the newly built house, the Princess's brother's house."
The Princess's brother.
Yes, that was her true brother.
He was merely a brother who had appeared like a fleeting blossom in this life, and in such a short time, he hadn't cherished it.
"Your Majesty, I see the General. He's carrying..."
"Step back."
Feng Shijin pushed Fulu back behind a tree before looking towards them again.
Xiao Shan was carrying Xue Niang on his back. The villagers were accustomed to it and greeted them with suppressed smiles.
Xue Niang plucked the flowers in her hand one by one and inserted them around Xiao Shan's head, forming a garland of white, purple, and yellow flowers.
Xiao Shan knew he couldn't resist and allowed the villagers to laugh.
Her legs dangled on either side of him.
As noon approached, the shadows on the ground overlapped, merging into one another.
"What should we cook when we get back?" Xiao Shan asked.
"That depends on what Little Yu brings back."
She was no longer picky and had the same taste as her third brother.
Xue Niang fiddled with his hair all the way, finishing all the flowers. She clapped her hands, covered Xiao Shan's eyes with both hands, and smiled slyly, "Let's see if you can find your way home with your eyes closed."
That was a piece of cake!
Xiao Shan ran, heading straight for Granny Hua's persimmon tree.
"Wrong! Stop quickly!"
Frightened, Xue Niang quickly uncovered his eyes and tightly hugged his neck, burying her head.
She felt a gust of fresh breeze and then heard Xiao Shan's triumphant laughter.
The two of them had already turned past the persimmon tree and arrived at their own doorstep.
Xue Niang got off his back and pinched his ear, "How dare you scare me, who gave you the courage!"
"Whose wife are you? You're so fierce, but you're also very good-looking."
...
The two of them closed the door amidst their playful banter.
The people behind the big tree at the village entrance finally emerged, remaining silent for a long time.
How happy she was!
She didn't have to worry about court affairs or exhaust herself for the sake of the people. She had a man who doted on her with his life, didn't have to sit formally in fine robes, and could laugh in the sun if she wanted.
Laughing wholeheartedly, carefree.
It was so good.
Beneath the veiled hat, unseen, his face was already streaked with tears.
"Let's go," he said, coughing twice in a muffled voice.
"Your Majesty, aren't you going in to see the Princess?"
The Emperor worked day and night and refused to rest properly. If he could see the Princess and talk to her, perhaps his mood would improve.
"She doesn't want to see me." Why bother her.
He had already broken her heart and exhausted their sibling bond.
All he could do was what Tang had told him: give her a peaceful era, so that even the most remote people could live in peace, prosperity, and health.
Beyond the high mountains, there are no treacherous officials; the roads of the Nine Provinces are free of wolves and jackals.
Follow your heart and be happy, live a life without worries.