The 89th time

  The sky is as blue as the sea

  On the way back, Minglan didn't say a word, feeling as if her whole body was stuck in the mud, unable to move forward or backward, with a burning fire in her chest and icy cold hands and feet. Her mind was a complete blank, as if she had lost all her strength. As she thought about it, Minglan's tears fell silently. Old Lady Sheng sat beside her, gazing at her with a look of loving sympathy, stretching out her hand to gently stroke the girl's hair.

  Minglan felt an uncontrollable sense of grievance, her sobs gradually turning into quiet weeping, her small shoulders nestled in her grandmother's arms, gently shaking, burying her cries in the old lady's sleeves filled with the scent of sandalwood.

  "Ah, Ming'er, Grandma understands your heart." The old lady hugged Minglan and said slowly, "But marriage is a matter that requires mutual consent. A forced union is not sweet; living together is not just about understanding reason."

  Wishing for a loving couple, white-haired and inseparable; many women in the boudoir have dreamed of such days, painting their eyebrows, harmonious husband and wife, but how many women can get what they wish for? Most are respectful like guests, few are deeply connected. This granddaughter is usually clever, yet has become fixated on this matter, entranced by He Hongwen's promise, stuck in a dilemma, only hoping she can come to her senses on her own.

  The old lady couldn't help but let out a sigh.

  It was another stormy night, and Minglan lay on her side in bed, staring out the window at the glistening green water flowing outside. She imagined the water slowly flowing along the windowsill into the mud, and gradually the rain stopped. A big round moon quietly emerged from the dark sky, which was like a splash of ink, with a big round face, shining through the misty air, refracting a strange light, like shattered crystal. Minglan lay awake all night, her eyes wide open.

  On the second day, Minglan got up early, with a pair of red-rimmed eyes, and knelt straight in front of Old Madam.

  "These days, my granddaughter has done many foolish things, not only making me worry but also losing face. It's all because of her disobedience, please grandmother punish her." Minglan bowed her head respectfully and knocked on the ground once, her usually rosy complexion turned pale as a ghost, "Matters of marriage are originally decided by elders, from now on I will let grandmother take charge, I won't utter another word!"

  The old lady sat on the couch, the silver-gray satin embroidered with cloud patterns and inlaid jade on her forehead shone with a faint luster. She stared at Minglan steadily, her eyes filled with countless thoughts. After a while, the old lady sighed: "Alright, get up."

  Minglan slowly got up, supporting her knees, and called out to the old lady to pull her into her arms. She gently patted her hand and listened to her grandmother's gentle murmurs: "Every girl from a big family has to go through this once. After being confused, angry, making a fuss, and crying, they will become clear-headed. You are an understanding child, and if you can find someone who truly cares for you with sincerity, that would be the greatest blessing. Don't have any obsessions, or it will harm yourself."

  Minglan nodded with tears in her eyes; just as she was speaking, Cui Ping suddenly ran in and whispered: "Young Master He has arrived."

  The old man and his grandson stared at each other in surprise, what are you doing here so early?

  This time they met, Old Lady Sheng treated He Hongwen as an ordinary old acquaintance, changed into formal clothes, called the maid to serve tea and fruit, while Minglan went into the inner room without even showing her face.

  But as soon as the grandfather and grandson saw He Hongwen, both inside and outside the house were shocked to see that He Hongwen's eyes were two black balls, with a deep gash on his left cheek, from under his eye all the way to his earlobe, while his right cheek was bruised, his lips were also broken, and one of his wrists was wrapped in thick white bandages.

  He Hongwen lowered his head, looked around and found Minglan was not there, couldn't help but look gloomy, and respectfully replied: "It's all Hongwen's ignorance and foolishness, dragging down the old lady and Ming..."

  The old lady coughed heavily, and He Hongwen felt distressed. He hastily changed his words: "It's all my fault for being unfilial, dragging down the old lady. Last night I went to my uncle's house and explained everything clearly. I'm willing to ask Mother to accept my cousin as a sworn sister, and have our elders witness it together. From now on, we'll be like siblings, and I won't dare to be disobedient!"

  Old Lady Sheng understood, He Hongwen must have gone to the Cao family's house overnight to make a scene, but as a result, he was probably beaten up by his aunt and uncle, and possibly even his cousin. Thinking of this, Old Lady Sheng felt a sense of delight in her heart. A sworn sister? This is actually a good idea!

  The old lady looked at He Hongwen's swollen face and finally felt a little relieved in her heart, but she still had many doubts: "Is your mother willing?"

  He Hongwen lifted his pig-like face, smiled awkwardly at the old lady, and winced as he stretched the corner of his mouth where he was wounded. He let out a cold breath and replied irrelevantly: "Last night, Mother saw me and was... furious."

  This sentence is very mysterious, Minglan in the house understood it clearly. This guy had a bitter plan for his own mother. Old Lady Sheng's eyes flashed and she asked with deep meaning: "The matter... isn't over yet, is it?"

  One cry, two make a scene, three hang oneself; the most crucial third move hasn't been used yet.

  He Hongwen lowered his head slightly, then resolutely raised it and said sincerely: "When I was young, my mother asked me to study for the imperial examination, but I didn't want to. Instead, I followed my own nature and studied medicine. Although Old Lady Shen only trusted me once, I am not a person without principles, controlled by others. I know what is right and wrong, and I absolutely will not disappoint Grandmother and Old Lady Shen's expectations!"

  "This remark made Old Lady Sheng's heart skip a beat, and looking at He Hongwen's sincere and serious gaze, as well as the shocking scars on his face, she hesitated for a moment before smiling and saying: "It's hard to say whether it's predestined or not, but an old person like me thinks too much; I've also known you boys for many years, so naturally I trust your character. If we can fulfill our wishes that would be best, even if it's difficult to achieve, it's still fate. It's no good to keep forcing it every day, after all, marriage is predestined by heaven, and you don't have to force it."

  This speech is very intimate, friendly and touching, but actually nothing has been promised. Minglan secretly admired the old lady's words, which meant: "Mr. He, your starting point is good, your plan is also wonderful, but the future is uncertain, so go ahead and work hard. When you turn your cousin into a sworn sister, we'll talk again. However, girls' youth is short-lived, so let's make plans for ourselves during this period. You should seize the time!"

  He Hongwen didn't understand, he also knew that the Cao family's affair was indeed infuriating and couldn't be covered up with just a few words. If there wasn't a clear explanation, the Sheng family wouldn't consider forming this marriage alliance anymore. Now even his own grandmother had lost her temper and refused to intervene. He Hongwen's expression turned gloomy, and he said many more good things, but Old Lady Sheng parried them all with a gentle smile, speaking in circles without giving an inch, and not showing any intention of letting Minglan come out to meet him.

  He Hongwen bid farewell gloomily after saying a few more words.

  After the person left, Minglan slowly came out from inside, her expression calm and composed. The old lady's smile faded away, and she leaned tiredly against the headrest of the Luo Han bed, saying slowly: "Hongyang is thoughtful."

  Minglan walked slowly to the old lady's side, picked up a nearby massage mallet, and gently massaged her grandmother's legs. She said, "Anyone who is a person will have a conscience."

  "What's wrong?" The old lady looked at Minglan's calm face and said with interest, "This time you don't want to argue again?"

  Minglan's hands paused for a moment, and she shook her head helplessly, saying: "The daughter who should be married has been married, and Grandmother is right. Marriage should be a mutual agreement between two parties; it's not good to force someone into it. As for my marriage, let Old Lady decide what's best. The Sheng family has raised me, even if I can't bring glory to the ancestors, I shouldn't shame the family either."

  The old lady looked at Minglan's pale but determined face, feeling a little heartache, and said softly: "Good child, you understand; now you're still young, just take your time. We've done our best for the He family, advised and persuaded, if Brother Hong can really make it, then he's a good son who deserves to be married; if not...". The old lady hesitated for a moment, then said firmly: "The imperial examination is about to start, there are many young talents in the capital, our family isn't one that seeks to climb up by attaching itself to others. At that time, I'll find you a good child with a good character, it's not impossible."

  Minglan knew that the old lady now favored Li Yu, but this time the old lady didn't dare to show even a hint of her true feelings. Now she regretted letting her granddaughter meet He Hongwen too early.

  Her eyes were no longer tearful, and a faint red smile appeared on her snow-white skin, revealing two charming dimples: "Hmm! Grandma was right, as long as one is down-to-earth, living a simple life can also be wonderful."

  Growing up is a painful process, maturing is an inevitable choice. If possible, which girl wouldn't want to be a proud and beautiful princess for life? People are not made of wood, and every woman hopes for a happy marriage. There's no need to pretend to be calm and uncaring.

  But the world is like a knife, cutting away at the girl's innocent and carefree nature, grinding down her sharp edges, destroying her spirit, turning her into a vague and obscure woman, surrounded by pearls and jade, wearing silk and satin, managing the daily life of concubines, taking care of the marriages of sons and daughters, busy with the affairs of the whole family, finally being placed high on the altar of family dignity, becoming a uniform symbol.

  She didn't want to become a virtuous symbol, every girl has had dreams about one life, one world, and one couple. Maybe this is her obsession with He Hongwen, she should let go. Tian Le, Shan Quan, fishing, good food, books, no man's eternal, save some private money, raise the children well, she can also live a good life.

  In late September, Minglan had her hair pinned up in the jièguàn ceremony. There were not many guests, and Old Madame Guo indeed gave a high-quality agate-inlaid gold hairpin as a gift, personally helping Minglan put it on her chignon. With this relationship established, if anyone mentioned interactions with the Guo family in the future, they could be ignored from now on.

  Hua Lan brought a pair of precious white jade golden phoenix hairpins, Mo Lan sent a painting, and even the Princess of Pingning who had not been in contact for a long time also sent some brocade and southern pearls to congratulate. Ru Lan was particularly polite, took out the gold that had been pressed at the bottom of the box, and specially went to Cuibaozhai to make a pair of golden silk cicada hairpins, which made Wang's eyes turn green.

  Minglan took advantage of no one noticing, secretly tugging at Rulan's sleeve, and said in a low voice: "Fifth sister doesn't need to bribe me, my younger sister won't say anything." Rulan gave her a white eye, also speaking in a low voice: "Respectful brother asked me to send it, he said I am the older sister, should care for younger brothers and sisters; I also shared many fabrics with Dongge, good for making two new clothes!"

  Seeing Rulan's gentle and virtuous sisterly appearance, Minglan immediately looked at the surname Wen with new eyes, can Zhang Sheng also be reformed?!

  The following days were calm and peaceful, Li Yu went to the Sheng Mansion every five days to "discuss studies", each time eating half a plate of pastries from Old Lady Sheng before leaving, his eyes almost became X-ray vision, that screen was almost stared into two holes.

  To be honest, apart from Li Yu spending more time stealing glances at Minglan, it's really hard to find any fault with him. He spends every day cooped up in his brother's house studying diligently and never goes out socializing casually. Even when he does go out, he is very proper. Moreover, all five of his older female cousins are already married, and the two younger ones are still too young.

  The Wang family was busy examining those young scholars with a rich family background, and Hai Shi had been found to be pregnant again, every day holding a jar of sour plum to alleviate morning sickness. The eldest son had learned to walk and loved to play around Minglan, laughing and smiling, opening his toothless small mouth and drooling.

  News kept coming from the He residence, within a short span of twenty-odd days, Aunt Cao attempted to take her own life once, Mrs. He fainted twice, and Cousin Jinxia fell seriously ill three times. Moreover, Uncle Cao and his sons even made a scene at the door, which enraged Old Lady He so much that she not only ordered the servants to chase them away but also immediately cut off the allowance for the Cao family and forbade any further visits from them.

  By the end of October, Cao's aunt came to He's house with tears and snot all over her face, apologizing profusely and begging for mercy, explaining that it was not their fault. Old Mrs. He was unwilling to completely cut ties, so she gave them some silver coins, but still refused to let Cao's aunt see the ailing Mrs. He on her sickbed.

  Madam He has actually put into practice what Minglan wanted to do but couldn't.

  At the time of the golden autumn, Shuntianfu issued a notice, saying that the northern expeditionary army had won a great victory and returned, severely attacking several main forces of the Jie slaves, killing countless enemies, flattening enemy camps, and killing three princes of the Jie people and the Left Valley Wei Wang. They captured countless war horses and military supplies, and the Jie people fled in disarray. Along the way, they pursued and killed or injured tens of thousands of enemy soldiers!

  It is said that Shen Congxin's uncle, Guo, had made up his mind to give the emperor's brother-in-law face, so he rushed overnight and arrived in Beijing before the anniversary of the former emperor's death, presenting the head of the Khitan slave master and many captives as an offering!

  October 27, the city gate of the capital was wide open. The soldiers of the Imperial Guard were dressed in new armor and held red-tasseled spears and iron chains with leather whips. They stood three paces apart, with a sentry every five paces, opening up a broad official road. The Emperor himself led the Imperial Forest Army to welcome them, deploying eighteen teams of ceremonial guards. The citizens of the capital also welcomed them along the way. Since the capital was not far from the northern border and lived under the threat of nomadic tribes day and night, the general of the Xianbei slaves was much more important than the labor of conquering the rebels.

  At the appointed time, three salutes of artillery fire came from afar, and the Ping Xiong Northern Expeditionary Army entered the city. General Gan led the way, with Generals Shen and Gu following closely behind him on either side. Firecrackers exploded loudly in the city, and colorful flags several zhang high were densely packed along the entire route, fluttering in the wind. The people competed to gaze upwards, and the entire city was filled with dancing flowers and colors. Wherever the army went, there were cheers and applause.

  That night, the emperor held a banquet in the imperial palace and granted official titles to the victorious generals.

  Among them, General Gan was promoted to Minister of War, Shen Congxing was granted the title of Duke of Beiping, and was elevated to a first-rank official, with hereditary succession. He was also appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army, while Gu Tingyan was appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Left Army, both holding second-rank positions. Both were granted imperial residences, and numerous other rewards were given. The lower-ranking officers and soldiers under them all received various titles and rewards.