Harue Kagetsu: Chapter 24

Luoshen didn't sleep well last night. In the second half of the night, he closed his eyes hazy, but he was haunted by bizarre dreams. When he woke up, his head was covered in cold sweat, and he just heard the light knocking on the door from outside the tent.

It was still dark and the house was dimly lit.

Luoshen didn't respond, only got up slowly from the pillow, sat with the quilt, and his consciousness was still dazed, as if he hadn't pulled away from his dream.

The last night that just passed was probably the last time she slept on this familiar rosewood bed with engraved four seasons brocade bag inlaid.

I woke up in a nightmare and couldn't remember anything.

The door is not latched. Aju, Qiongzhi, and Cherry came in.

Aju is holding a candle. Across the curtains, from Luoshen's point of view, it was as if she was holding a blur of dim yellow light and shadow in her arms, staggeringly approaching her.

The light and shadow were getting bigger and bigger, and the inside of the tent was gradually illuminated.

Then, the drooping bed curtain was lifted, and the familiar face of A Ju appeared.

"The little lady is awake."

She turned around and ordered the maid, then reached out and touched Luo Shen's body, cold and sweaty.

She frowned, took the towel, and gently wiped away the cold sweat that had accumulated on her forehead and chest on her back, then changed her into a dry and soft undershirt by herself, and fastened her belt, as if she was still a fool. A little girl who dresses herself.

The maids were also busy.

I was going to enter the palace this morning, and after coming out, it was time for Luoshen to leave Jiankang and go to Jingkou.

The candles in the house were lit one after another, and the light dispelled the darkness all at once. It was bright and festive, and there were many people, seven or eight hands, each doing their own thing, but quietly, except for the occasional light. There were a few murmurs of copper basins bumping gently, and there was no other sound at all.

The silence was almost suppressed, as if preparing for a funeral.

Luoshen combed his hair, put on his clothes, and finished dressing up.

A girl like a flower, with a little rouge on her cheeks, is bright enough to be beautiful and charming.

She ate a few random bites and came to the main room.

Aye, auntie, uncle, elder brother, younger brother... a group of people are all there, only her is waiting.

So many pairs of eyes looked at her in unison, but no one spoke.

She met the eyes of her relatives, smiled and said, "I'm fine."

…

Gao Qiao and Xiao Yongjia sent Luoshen to the palace.

Xiao Yongjia carefully modified her makeup this morning.

The excellent peach blossom rouge could not hide the background color of her face as white as snow, and the two eyebrows were set off, which was shockingly black.

She held Luoshen's hand and wanted to accompany her into the palace.

Luoshen said, "Auntie, I can do it myself."

Xiao Yongjia knew that, in addition to his younger brother and the Xu family queen, all the women in Quan Jiankang who disliked her Xiao Yongjia were gathered at this moment.

How could she rest assured that she just cast her Jiaojiao daughter into the wolf's den by herself?

She wants to accompany her daughter.

"Auntie, I can do it myself."

Luo Shen declined her again. The tone is persistent.

Xiao Yongjia was a little confused and even more anxious.

"No. It's still A-Niang to accompany you..."

"Let her go alone."

Along the way, the father, who had never spoken, suddenly interjected.

After that day, the relationship became frozen again. In the past month or so, the only thing they said to each other was about Luoshen's marriage.

Xiao Yongjia turned a deaf ear, still holding her daughter's hand.

"Auntie, I can do it!"

She must be able to.

From today, like saying goodbye to the familiar bed she has slept in for many years, the top of her head will no longer be shaded by her parents all the time.

If she can't even finish this first step, what will she do in the future?

Xiao Yongjia fixedly stared at his daughter.

Luoshen took his hand from his mother's hand, turned around, and walked in with the palace servant.

…

In the Chang'an Palace, there are many world women and noble women in beautiful clothes.

The emperor has not yet appeared. They surrounded Empress Xu and Zhu Jiyue in groups of threes and fives. Those with a higher status would sit on the chairs covered with ornate rugs, and those with a lower status would stand by the side. The atmosphere in the hall was pleasant, the women whispered and laughed, their eyes glanced in the direction of the palace gate from time to time, and there was a tacit secret smile in their eyes.

She has a distinguished status, is known as the first beauty in Jiankang, the owner of Bailuzhou, gold as iron, jade as mud, endless costumes, endless jewelry, when she was young, she married Gao Qiao, whom everyone admired by the gentry girl, and now she is older. , it’s just that she didn’t give birth to a son. She still hates her husband, lives elsewhere, and doesn’t care about her husband. However, as a prime minister, her husband still bows his head to her. For so many years, there has never been any romantic affair.

Such a jealous woman has been high for half her life. All the noble women in Jiankang City who she has offended intentionally or unintentionally over the years are gathered here today.

The ring wears the spring breeze, the orchid is beautiful, the clouds are hanging from the arms, and the neon clothes are blooming like lotus flowers.

Luoshen floated over and walked into the hall, with a radiant face, which was eclipsed by the nearby jade hibiscus that was offered in the bottle.

The women were stunned, their eyes shifted from her to behind her in unison.

I was disappointed not to see the expected woman who could have gloated over her misfortune.

But soon, everyone's interest returned.

In the whispering voices, under the gaze that implied ridicule and schadenfreude, Luoshen kept his eyes open, straightened his shoulders, walked in front of Queen Xu, knelt down and saluted her, thanking Aunt Huang for all these days. The care and care of his own marriage.

Empress Xu let her get up carelessly, smiled and said, "Fortunately it went well, you are going to go to Jingkou today. The place is small, the refugees are rampant, the fish and dragons are mixed, and it is inevitable that it will be a little messy, it is not suitable for you to be as delicate and expensive as you are. The girl you raised lives here, but fortunately, Li Mu is also considered a person. If you marry him, although you will no longer have the honor you used to have, you will still have a place in your life, and your aunt will be happy for you."

Zhu Jiyue held an autumn fan in her hand, which covered half of her face, looked at Luoshen, who was drooping her eyes, and followed up: "What the queen said is. According to me, women, marry a man who can take care of your clothes and live a healthy life. A few sons are old and dependable, and their whole life will pass. Others are all empty, don't worry about it. Don't be like some people, they are a lot of age, and they still don't stop. Don't you know that Feng Shui takes turns, No, not only did it fall to me, but it was also reported to the flesh and blood, which is ugly. Like us, we are kind, but we only sigh a few words. If we encounter mean people, we don’t know how to joke.”

When Empress Xu spoke, there were already whispers around. When Zhu Jiyue spoke, it turned into laughter.

Luoshen slowly raised his eyes, stared at Zhu Jiyue, and suddenly said: "Princess, you bully me for being young, your mouth is stupid, and you take me for entertainment, so I don't think I heard it. What do you mean by that? Are you mocking my Uncle Huang?"

Xingping Emperor Xikepo, most of the princes born in his early years died, only two survived and were adopted in front of Empress Xu. Last year, the older prince contracted a disease and unfortunately died again. Emperor Xingping was both sad and panicked. He invited a celestial master to perform a ritual ceremony in the palace, asking for blessings and disasters. All know.

All of a sudden it was quiet.

Luoshen smiled: "When Uncle Huang arrives, I'll ask Uncle to comment."

Zhu Jiyue looked embarrassed, and hurriedly looked at Empress Xu and cast her eyes for help.

Empress Xu coughed slightly: "Ami, don't get me wrong. The princess was just joking, how could she be entertaining you?"

Luoshen sneered: "Aunt Huang, you also heard, she is the dignified Princess Yulin, in terms of seniority, she is also my mother. I haven't married yet. To a girl like me, she keeps saying what a man to give birth to a son. Can the person with the face say something? Now I am telling you to joke, I admit it, but no matter how I marry a lowly, it will not be her turn to say these crazy things in front of me like this! "

"Who said what?"

A majestic voice suddenly came over.

Emperor Xingping has arrived.

Empress Xu and everyone hurriedly got up and lined up to kneel to greet them.

The emperor walked in front of Luoshen and smiled: "What happened just now? Auntie is very upset to hear you."

Luoshen raised his eyes with tears in his eyes: "Uncle Huang presided over his niece's marriage. It was a good intention, but because of this marriage, the niece was laughed at face to face, saying that retribution fell on flesh and blood..."

The emperor's face immediately became ugly, and his eyes swept around.

Zhu Jiyue knelt down, kowtowed to the ground, lay there, motionless.

The surroundings were silent, and no one dared to let out a breath.

Empress Xu hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, don't misunderstand, Princess Zhu just made a joke just now, Ami is young, she just misunderstood, and there is absolutely no malice."

The emperor said coldly: "Today, Ami is out of the capital, and I called her into the palace. It was a farewell. What do these many irrelevant people mean by entering the palace?"

Empress Xu blushed, and everyone was embarrassed, and they all resigned. Soon, the people in the hall disappeared.

Luoshen then wiped his eyes, knelt down, and thanked the emperor for his marriage.

Emperor Xingping had previously given her an extremely generous dowry.

If all of them were moved over and taken by water, the boats would be lined up from the west to the east of the Qinhuai River passing through Jiankang City.

But it seems that this is not enough to express his love for his niece and the sadness that he is about to leave at this moment.

He ordered the palace servants to carry out a pair of gleaming red corals that are tall enough to be human, an agate pillow that is said to be able to sleep in all directions, a Yeming rhinoceros that King Lin Yi paid tribute to his kingdom not long ago, There is also a peacock fur that was collected from green feathers and woven with gold threads, and looked at his niece with expectant eyes.

Luo Shen thanked again and accepted these new rewards from Uncle.

The emperor seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief, and personally lifted her from the ground, looked at her, and sighed.

"Ami, don't blame Uncle. Uncle can't do anything either. It's true that your grandfather made a slip of the tongue first, and the Lu family failed to pass the exam. Although Uncle is the emperor, he can't abolish the public for personal reasons and lose his trust in the world. Fortunately, Uncle has seen Li Mu with his own eyes, he is not inferior to the son of the Lu family, and you are a match made in heaven. When there is an opportunity in the future, Uncle will definitely promote him, and then you can be your wife and husband, and keep your glory forever."

Luoshen smiled and said, "Ami knows the difficulties of Uncle Huang. When I entered the palace today, I came here to express my gratitude and thank Uncle Huang for his love for Ami over the years. Ami is leaving now. Uncle Huang takes care of you."

"Take care", at this moment, it really brought out the sadness in the emperor's heart.

He even had a trace of regret and remorse.

When Xu Mi tried his best to disintegrate the Gao Continent Alliance, because of his own deafness and even adding to the flames, this well-behaved niece he loved so much, he could only regret changing her husband.

He knew that his niece and Lu Jia Dalang were in love.

But he just didn't want her to marry into the Lu family.

If you want to complain, you can only complain about her surname Gao.

Disintegrating the family, waiting for the opportunity to concentrate the imperial power, once again supporting the prostitutes who will be grateful to the imperial power, and letting the emperor truly step on Liuhe, Yu Yubafang, this is a long-cherished wish since he became the emperor.

Many years ago, because of his youth, and because the ability of the courtiers he trusted was far from what he expected, he was also depressed for so many years in the stillbirth of the great cause that was trying to turn the world around.

But now, because of Li Mu, a young man who was born out of nowhere, the old idea that was like a zombie in the emperor's heart has slowly recovered again.

He had a feeling that this young man from a prostitute might be the one who could help him fight against the nobility in the future.

He wants to observe him, win over him, cultivate him quietly, and make him finally become a powerful sword against the gentry.

The emperor thought of the tragic situation in which the government had been controlled by the gentry in turns for many years, and he was struggling to breathe in the cracks of the gentry fighting, and the last pity in his heart for his niece had completely disappeared.

"Good boy, you are really sensible. It's not worth your uncle to hurt you."

The emperor looked at Luo Shen's eyes and became more gentle.

…

It is a clear day in late autumn.

At the auspicious time, the big boat carrying Luoshen was slowly pushed away from the shore, along the river, towards Jingkou, slowly away.

On the shore, some passers-by who were attracted stood far away, watching the shadow of the ship gradually receding, whispering and pointing.

Luoshen stood in the door leading to the deck in the stateroom, looking at the silhouettes of the parents standing on the shore becoming smaller and smaller, until they turned into two small black dots and disappeared completely. In the sight of him, he couldn't hold it any longer, he turned and threw himself into the arms of A Ju who was by his side, weeping silently.

Aju took her into her arms, patted her on the back, and comforted her softly.

The more she comforted her, the more stunned Luoshen became, crying so hard that she could barely control herself.

With tears in her eyes, she remembered the back of Lu Jianzhi who disappeared into the blurry night that night.

That was the last back he left her, lonely and lonely.

At this moment, he should be on the road away from Jiankang just like himself.

It's just that she went east, and he went southwest.

From knowing the news of the marriage until now, it wasn't a long period of time, but it wasn't a short period of time. She never cried again, whether it was in front of people or alone.

until this moment.

She didn't know why she just wanted to cry.

Is it because of the old days that can no longer be chased, or because of the unknowable daze and helplessness ahead?

Luoshen kept crying, she was exhausted from crying, and finally in Aju's arms, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep, with tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

…

Jingkou is a small riverside town located in the lower reaches of Jiankang. However, it started from the southern crossing of the royal family. It became the primary settlement for the imperial court to resettle the refugees from the north. In addition, the waterway is convenient, connecting the north and the south, and it has gradually prospered. There are tens of thousands of households and a population of nearly 100,000. It also administers several villages in the east, west, north and south.

When it comes to Li Mu near the Chenghuang Temple in Zhendong, almost everyone in Jingkou is unaware.

The reason why he is famous is that he relies on the fame of his father and grandfather in Jiangbei in the past. Many of these residents in Jingkou Town have been sheltered by the Li family's military fort before their ancestors traveled south. Li Mu himself never took the initiative to mention his father and grandfather to others, but after a long time, through the mouths of people, it slowly spread, and gradually everyone knew it.

The second reason for his fame is that he is regarded as the "Lord" by the locals.

Due to the special geography of Jingkou, the source of residents is complex, the folk customs are sturdy, the fish and dragons are mixed, and the government is powerless. . Unable to bear it later, every household spontaneously organized into a group, and chose a leader, who would lead the training, gather together in case of trouble, and then disperse after the event. On weekdays, if there were any disputes that were difficult to resolve, the leader would also decide.

Li Mu is the current master of the Beijing password.

He was convincing because of his fairness and reputation. Three years ago, although he was young, he was jointly elected by the people of Jingkou as the commander. On weekdays, if he was in the military camp and had something to do with Jingkou, his righteous brother Jiang Tao, who was a minor official in the government, would take care of him.

Jiang Tao's ancestor was also the prefect, and he passed down his poetry and books to his family. Although Jiang Tao is full of talents and studies, but over thirty years old, he still only works as a clerk in the yamen. Apart from the sword and brushwork, he is writing articles that praise the virtues for Shangguan. Occasionally met Li Mu, the two hit it off at first sight, and became brothers of the opposite sex.

A few months ago, a piece of news quickly spread all over Jingkou.

The famous prime minister of the dynasty, Gao Qiao, wanted to marry his daughter to Li Mu. This marriage is said to be the marriage of the emperor.

Although Li Mu is known to everyone in Jingkou and his reputation is convincing, it is an indisputable fact that the Li family has now become a poor family from the original northern clan.

Shishu should not marry, this is a rule that everyone knows.

How noble is Gao's daughter, it is said that she is not without salt, on the contrary, she is extremely beautiful.

Such a noble woman from a noble family actually married a poor family and came to a place like Jingkou. Could it not make people feel passionate about it?

For more than a month, the hottest topic in Jingkou is when Li Mu gets married.

Tilt your neck and wait day after day.

Three days ago, someone saw Li Mu returning to Jingkou.

He made extraordinary achievements in the Jiangbei War, won the emperor's award, and has been promoted to the military post as the general of the tiger's ben. The news has spread before.

On the day I learned that he came back, the threshold of Li's house near the Temple of the City God was almost stepped on.

Then, on this day, I finally got the news again that the fleet sent by the Gao family had arrived at the pier in Jingkou, and Li Mu went to greet them in person.

Jingkou Town is boiling.

The woman dropped the half-cut vegetables, the man put down the wood chopping knife, the meat shop closed, and the man who carried the load drove the crowd to dig into the pile.

Countless people flocked to the pier in a rush to watch.

Along the riverside, slipped down, densely packed, all black heads.

Some people thought that there were too many people in front of them, three floors inside and three floors outside, which blocked the view, so they simply climbed to the roof and wall of a nearby house, causing a burst of yelling.

The shore is full of people, and it is even more lively than the New Year.

After walking on the waterway for a few days, the boat gradually approached the Jingkou Pier, and Luoshen felt such a scene.

Luoshen is not considered a person who has never seen the world, but such a scene is the first time in his life.

Moreover, this time, he was the one who was being watched and pointed by the crowd.

Through the porthole, she looked outside, feeling dizzy for a while, a feeling of anxiety that she didn't know how to deal with.

"It really is a vulgar place, vulgar people..."

A woman seemed to be startled by the situation, gasping for breath and muttering in her throat.

The sound was very light, but it floated into the ears of everyone in the cabin.

A vulgar place, a vulgar people, and... the vulgar Li surnamed Langjun...

However, she did not dare to say this last sentence.

Aju turned her head, her eyes were like knives, and she ruthlessly gouged out the old woman. The old woman knew she had lost her tongue, and bowed her head in embarrassment.

Aju stared at the scene outside, her brows furrowed, and a faint expression of unhappiness appeared on her face.

The boat gradually stopped.

The pier was also crowded with people.

People are everywhere.

In the distance, Luoshen saw his cousin Gao Yin and Feng Wei, the ceremonial officer, on the bow deck of the leading boat.

In the dense crowd, she saw a man with straight shoulders at a glance.

There were so many people, and the man was only dressed in commoner clothes, and he looked no different from the people around him. But it is such a person, standing in the middle of the crowd, but extremely conspicuous, it is difficult for people to ignore his existence.

There were several boats ahead, some distance, and the dazzling sunlight, she couldn't see the man's face clearly, she only saw him coming out of the crowd, and in the thunderous cheers behind him, he moved towards Gao Yin and Feng Wei. Come quickly.

The shore was sparkling, and the water reflected on the man's face, which was vaguely visible. He had a handsome face and a smile on his face.

Luo Shen's heart suddenly jumped.

For some unknown reason, a feeling of deja vu suddenly rushed towards her.

This feeling is so mysterious.

Her heart skipped a beat for a while, and subconsciously she wanted to see the man more clearly, her fingers couldn't help grasping the porthole, she leaned forward slightly, poked her neck out of the window, opened her eyes...

"Be careful little lady! Don't be bumped!"

A purple curtain was suddenly covered on her head, and the curtain fell down, covering her ankles in length, instantly covering her whole body inside.

All of a sudden it turned into a mist to see flowers.

She looked at the man again, and saw that he had turned around, took Gao Yin, who had come ashore, and boarded the pier, disappearing into the crowd.

Above the pier, only the sparkling light reflecting the sun remained.