Pihanjin

After trudging through the ice and snow for days, even if I wore thick yak leather boots on my feet, I couldn't stop the cold and wet air from invading.

Her feet had started to suffer from frostbite many days ago, and after arriving here, they were even more swollen, so that the simple act of slipping them into shoes in the morning became a torture.

He held her feet again.

Such intimacy made her feel a little uncomfortable.

She tried to retract her foot again, but failed.

"Don't move." He said, without looking at her, his eyes still fell on her feet, and the movement of applying medicine on his hands never stopped.

The flame of the yak oil lamp was orange-red, and dimly reflected on his face. The man lowered his eyebrows, his face seemed to be covered with a warm color that she had never known before.

The embarrassment and surprise caused by his sudden appearance slowly dissipated.

She lay back slowly, watching him rub the medicine for herself, wipe one foot, and switch to the other. After wiping his feet, he didn't stop, he continued to wrap her feet with his palms, rubbing slowly for her.

No one spoke, and the small tent was silent.

A gust of wind suddenly blew through outside, accompanied by a strange and low humming sound, the tent door was blown up, and the flame on the yak oil wick flickered.

The man's face became flickering.

"Why did you come here?"

Mu Fulan suddenly came back to her senses and spoke hastily, breaking the silence in the tent.

"Is Xi'er there alone? Will something happen?"

She went on to ask questions.

Xie Changgeng stopped his movements and looked up at her.

"He's still so young! I hope proper arrangements have been made for him before you leave!"

"I brought him with me too."

He finally said slowly.

Mu Fulan was taken aback, and withdrew her feet from his hands, and she sat up.

"In such weather, in such a place, you actually brought him?"

She didn't hide the reproach in her tone at all.

"Yes."

He nodded.

"This kid is far braver than you think, you don't have to worry too much. There was an accident on the road, and he even helped me a lot. He is in Jincheng now, and you can see him when you go back. already."

The tone of his speech was slow and slow, as if with a calm and vigorous strength.

"He can't worry about you, he misses you very much, and wants to pick you up by himself."

Mu Fulan exhaled slowly, calmed down, and said, "Thank you. My feet are fine."

Xie Changgeng put the ointment he brought aside.

"When you get up tomorrow morning, you need to wipe the frostbite again by yourself. After you wipe it, remember to rub it to help the medicine work."

"I know. You must be tired, so take a rest."

He didn't move, was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "Ms. Mu, you don't ask, why did I come out here?"

Mu Fulan's heart skipped a beat and looked up at him.

"Could it be that the old leader is dead?"

Xie Changgeng stared at her nervous face.

"The old leader is indeed in a coma again. Of course I hope he can save himself from danger, but to be honest, even if he can't wait for you to come back, it won't have much impact on the overall situation."

The old leader would fall into a coma again, which was also Mu Fulan's expectation. Before he left, he always explained to his military doctor how to save his life, and tried his best to wait until he returned.

She said, "Then why did you come out?"

"I have sent my mother back. In the future, she will not ask me to accept Qi's family again."

He was a little awkward.

Mu Fulan was stunned for a moment, and looked at him for a moment, then said vaguely, "I hope your mother won't be too disappointed..."

"She was disappointed, but accepted," he interrupted.

Mu Fulan stopped talking, turned her head and said, "Go and rest, I'm also very tired, and I have to get up early tomorrow..."

Her voice stopped suddenly.

Xie Changgeng stretched out his hand, held her chin gently, and turned her face back towards him.

"Ms. Mu, the reason why I am here is because I am like Xi'er."

"I miss you. I don't worry about you. That's why I'm here to pick you up early."

He stared at her and said softly.

Mu Fulan froze.

The small tent suddenly became more and more cramped, and only the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

He added: "You should still remember how Xi'er came to Hexi. When the Sanmiao earthquake occurred, I forcibly took him away. I am not a decent gentleman, I was trying to vent my anger and forced you to submit to me. But you don't know. , I had already left. The reason why I went back at that time was not to embarrass you again. I couldn't let you go. I know that you are dedicated to saving people, and I am worried that you will be in danger in the earthquake. "

He paused for a while, hesitated, as if he had finally made up his mind, and said, "Since I'm here to pick you up, I might as well talk to you about something."

"Mister Mu, every time you're in the same room with me, it's all perfunctory and even painful. But you know, how do I think?"

Mu Fulan said nothing.

He thought to himself: "Every time I see your attitude like this, I can't help but think, if I changed people, what would you be like today if that person was like you! Why did I have to be like this? Don't be happy. I'm not a cocoon! The more you are like this, the more I don't want to let you do it..."

"Why should I compete with the dead man? I want to make you happier as much as I think he can make you happy."

He smiled self-deprecatingly and stared at her.

"Ms. Mu, tell me, am I stupid?"

Mu Fulan's heart was beating fast, and her face was hot.

She fixedly looked at the man in front of her and felt her breathing, as if it had become more difficult.

He was also a little unsteady. He exhaled slowly, as if to calm himself down.

"From now on, don't take any more medicines that hurt your body..."

He finally said.

"Don't worry, I will treat Xi'er like a parent and a child, so I can cultivate. When he grows up, I will not treat him badly."

He moved towards her, slowly leaning over.

The two were almost face to face.

"You should treat me better!"

He whispered, his voice hoarse, like a murmur, in the small tent, whirling in her ears.

Mu Fulan lost any reaction, until the man's straight and slightly cool nose gently rubbed her cheek, and the dry and rough lips rubbed her soft lips affectionately. Suddenly, the whole person hit her. Had a chill.

Between the lights and flint, in front of her eyes, it seemed that the first night of her wedding appeared.

That person treated her so well, and he made no secret of his love for her in his arms.

Warmth is always easy to move. However, the love of a man and a woman is like a flower in the mirror.

Her face turned abruptly, avoiding his lips.

"Sheron," she said, "I appreciate everything you did for me, including what you promised me that night."

She settled down, turned her face slowly, and looked at him.

"Go back to Jincheng tomorrow, finish making the medicine, and rush back as soon as possible. There should be hope to save the old leader."

Xie Changgeng's figure froze.

The orange-red twilight was still cast on his face, but the warmth was no longer there, and his face was half-light and half-dark.

For a long time, he gritted his teeth and said word by word, "That man, how good is he? What exactly do you love about him?"

Mu Fulan looked at the dull, red bloodshot eyes in front of her, and said, "It has nothing to do with others. I can't stand your kindness to me."

He was silent like a stone. Finally, he stood up slowly, turned around, walked to the tent door, stretched out his hand, and when he was about to open it, the hand stopped again, turned back slowly, stared at Behind this woman is a woman whose heart is colder than a stone.

Even if it is a stone, it will have a hot day. This heart, but I don't know what it is made of.

"Mister Mu, just pretend I didn't say those words just now."

After he finished speaking, he set off.

A gust of wind left as he opened the door, plunged into the tent, and blew out the dim light on the low table.

The tent was suddenly plunged into complete darkness.

Mu Fulan sat in the pitch-dark tent, her eyes slowly heating up.

Before shedding tears, she raised her hand and wiped it quickly with her fingers.

…

Back in Jincheng, after Mu Fulan and Xi'er met, they couldn't take a rest and made medicinal materials overnight.

The next day, she went to find Xi'er and learned that he was taken out by Xie Changgeng.

She waited for a long time, but the two of them didn't come back, so she found it.

Jincheng is an isolated city outside the Great Wall, with a small area. It is only a few miles from the east to the west of the city.

She found the gate of the city, and was told by the soldiers that Zhijiedu had just returned from outside the city on horseback with his little son, and now he was above the city tower.

She followed the wide and heavy stone steps to the tower, and saw two figures, one large and one small, standing on the tall watchtower in front of her.

Xie Changgeng picked Xier up and made him stand on the crenel of the city wall. The two were talking.

On this day, the wind and snow that had been raging for many days stopped, and the rays of the sun shone on the four-sided city wall of Jincheng, the wasteland in front, and in the distance, the top of the mountain range that had been covered with snow for many years.

"Master Xie, why is it called Jincheng? Does it have a lot of gold?"

Mu Fulan heard Xier's question.

Xie Changgeng let out a burst of laughter, and said, "When the snow here melts in summer, the sun shines down, standing on the snow peak and looking down, the city seems to be covered with gold, which is extremely spectacular, so it was named Jincheng. "

Xi'er exclaimed: "I really want to take a look!"

Xie Changgeng said: "As long as we can defend the city, this place will always be ours. You can come and see it whenever you want!"

"Okay! Sir Xie, you must guard this place!" Xi'er cheered.

Xie Changgeng nodded with a smile, suddenly seemed to notice something, turned his head suddenly, his eyes fell on her, glanced at her, whispered something to the child beside him, and immediately hugged him.

"Mother! You are here!"

Xi'er ran towards Mu Fulan and took her hand happily.

"Just now, Lord Xie took me to go horseback riding. It's so big outside! It turns out that this place is not the horizon! Lord Xie said, go west and keep walking, there are many other places!"

Mu Fulan wanted to go quietly just now, so he moved. Seeing that he was aware of it, he had to give up. Han Xiao and Xi'er answered a few words, looked up at him, and said, "The medicine has been prepared. You can go back."

Xie Changgeng nodded lightly and turned away.

…

The return journey went smoothly.

Mu Fulan took Xi'er and returned to Guzang safely all the way under the **** of Xie Changgeng. On that day, before there was time to rest, she immediately rushed to the Mahe Valley.

The old leader was dying, and he was only breathing his last breath. The natives had been waiting for a long time, and they were ecstatic when they saw her return.

Mu Fulan did her best, and with the power of the elixir, she rescued the person, and after a few more days of treatment, the remaining poison on the old leader's body was completely removed, and his body was getting better day by day.

In another month, the winter will go away, and the early spring of another year will come quietly.

On this day, early in the morning, the sky was full of light. Mu Fulan took Xi'er and the maid, boarded the carriage, and left the Jiedu envoy's residence under the **** of Liang Tuan's entourage.

A line of chariots and horses crossed the still empty street and came to the city gate.

The gatekeeper had already given an order to open the city gate early, and with the gatekeepers, stood on both sides, respectfully sending the chariots and horses out of the city.

The carriage passed through the arched city gate, followed the snow-covered road, and headed for the south.

Xi'er sat beside her without saying a word.

Since a few days ago, after he learned that he was going to leave here, he has not spoken much.

Mu Fulan smiled and said, "The little dragon horse has been able to travel long distances. Don't worry, it will live a happy life when it comes to the south with us."

Xi'er nodded: "I know."

He hesitated and asked, "Mother, is your lord in the Mahe Valley right now?"

Mu Fulan was silent.

In the Mahe Valley, it should be very lively today.

Not only did the old leader recover, but the garrison city, named Wu'an, was progressing smoothly. A few days ago, the main city was topped off. The son of Xu Ke and the native girl, who had fled from the city, learned that the two sides are now reconciled. , also came back boldly, found Xie Changgeng, and begged him to preside over the marriage for the two of them.

After Xu Ke beat his son, he could only recognize it. The woman's family over there is naturally willing now. The wedding will be held today. In addition to Xie Changgeng, the person who presided over the marriage was also the old leader.

He left yesterday and went to the Mahe Valley.

"Didn't you say goodbye to Lord Xie yesterday?"

Xi'er closed her mouth and stopped talking.

The carriage walked out for a few miles and gradually left the city behind.

Mu Fulan put her son in her arms and said softly, "Wake up early in the morning. If you're sleepy, go to bed."

Xi'er hummed, leaned in her arms, closed her eyes, and didn't move, as if she had fallen asleep.

The sky is bright and the sun is about to come out.

Mu Fulan motioned for the maid to pull down the curtains, so as not to be dazzling by the reflected snow from the rising sun.

The maid stood up, and just gently lowered the curtain, when suddenly, from outside the carriage, came Liang Tuan's voice: "Master Weng, Jiedushi is here!"

Xi'er, who seemed to have fallen asleep, suddenly opened her eyes, got out of Mu Fulan's arms, quickly slumped on the car window, opened the curtain, and looked out with her probe.

"Thank you sir!"

He shook his arms so hard that half of his body was about to stick out, and he shouted loudly, his voice full of joy.

Mu Fulan supported Xi'er, ordered the carriage to stop, and looked out.

In the morning light, in the snow field at the end of her line of sight, she saw a fast horse, surrounded by a group of horsemen behind her, galloping towards this side from the direction of the city.

The person who took the lead was Xie Changgeng.

Before he could get close, Xi'er turned around, looked at Mu Fulan and said, "Mother, can I go down to pick up the lord?"

Mu Fulan wanted to shake his head. To the child's joyful eyes full of hope, the word "no", but I really can't say it.

She hesitated, then nodded slowly.

With a smile on Xi'er's face, she hurriedly got out of the carriage, and without being held by anyone, she jumped down, fell to the ground, and quickly got up from the ground, running towards the fast horse.

Xie Changgeng approached in a blink of an eye and stopped the horse.

"Thank you, sir! Did you have something to do, went to Mahe Valley?"

Xi'er stopped in front of his horse's head, gasped, looked up at him, and asked.

Xie Changgeng smiled and said, "I just remembered, and I want to give you something."

He rolled over from his horse and unfastened his sword from his waist.

"Xi'er, this sword was given to me by Mr. Xie's father when Mr. Xie was ten years old. With his one-year salary, he hired the best craftsmen to forge it and gave it to me. At that time, Mr. Xie kept watch every five days. If it’s not there, I’ll get up and use it to practice swords after I finish reading. Swords are not precious, but they have been with Mr. Xie all these years. Now that you’re leaving, I’ll give it to you. When you grow up, Also, study hard and practice swordsmanship, okay?"

Xie Changgeng said, and was about to hand it over when he heard a voice: "No way!"

He was startled, raised his eyes, saw that the woman had gotten off the carriage, hurried to the front, grabbed Xi'er's hand, and brought him behind him.

Her eyes were fixed on the sword in her hand, as if it were something extremely disgusting.

At this moment, Xie Changgeng remembered in a trance a long time ago, in the mansion in Shangjing, that night, when he saw her for the first time, she seemed to be staring at the sword he was hanging over the bed.

Her expression at that time was exactly the same as at this moment.

Mu Fulan slowly raised her eyes, looked at the man on the opposite side, and said, "What was left by the ancestors is too precious to be loved. I thank you for your kindness on behalf of Xi'er, please take it back."

Even though she said so, Xie Changgeng knew very well that she clearly hated the parting gift she wanted to give to this child.

The atmosphere froze for a while, with a bit of embarrassment.

His hand holding the sword froze in the air for a moment, then slowly put it down.

"Mother! I want it!"

At this moment, a child's voice suddenly sounded.

Xi'er broke free from Mu Fulan's grasping hand, ran to Xie Changgeng, and said, "Thank you, sir! I will take good care of it. When I am older and can use it, I will use it to practice martial arts and swords. !"

After he finished speaking, he bowed straightly towards Xie Changgeng, gave a thank you, and then raised his hands to meet the sword.

Xie Changgeng laughed and put the sword in his small hands.

He picked up the child from the ground and sent it to the carriage. He put it in, touched his small head with a big hand, said to Liang Tuan, "a good life escort", and then turned away.

He strode past Mu Fulan, who was still standing in the same place, without looking at her, he turned his horse on his own, and immediately turned the horse's head. Under the support of the entourage, he galloped as if he had come. Go, the figure quickly disappeared into the snow.