Chinese New Year

Chapter 1423 Farewell
At the end of September, officials were still rushing to Xiyuan.

Even though it's only a few dozen miles, it gets really annoying after running it so many times.

The emperor said that summer was too hot and he wanted to go to the West Garden to escape the heat, and everyone agreed.

When autumn came, it was time for the hunt again, and everyone was so angry they were practically fuming.

If winter comes, do you still need to avoid the cold?
But there was nothing I could do, so I just had to coax him a little.

Although the emperor "neglects his duties," he spends all his time with people who wield swords and spears. What can you do about it?

There are ways to get along with prostitutes and actors, and it's also easy to get involved with women, but if you're chatting and laughing with a group of skilled archers and horsemen, you're just out of luck.

However, Shao Xun didn't spend every day with a bunch of smelly old men; sometimes he would visit his old buddies' homes.

On the 29th, he arrived at the Mi Family Manor of the Goushi clan.

"This house must be quite old, right?" Shao Xun said, looking at the walls covered with vines.

Accompanying him was General Mi Zhi of the Left Guard, who immediately said upon hearing this, "In the past, the Liu Han dynasty repeatedly invaded the south, so they built a manor here for defense. Actually, it's not very comfortable to live here. This is the only decent courtyard; the rest are too dark and cramped."

"So you've been living in Luoyang all year round?" Shao Xun asked.

Mi Zhi's expression changed.

“You—” Shao Xun patted his shoulder and went straight into the courtyard.

Mi Huang stood in the inner room and bowed.

Shao Xun quickly stepped forward, helped him up, and said, "Zihui, what kind of relationship do we have? Do we need such formalities? Your health is the most important thing."

After saying that, he saw a reclining chair next to him and helped Mi Huang lie down halfway.

Mi Huang lay down with a wry smile, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if trying to get a closer look at Shao Xun.

Shao Xun squatted down next to him, leaned close to Mi Huang's eyes, and said, "Zihui, did you see it clearly?"

Huan Wen, Feng Pi, Liang Zong, Wang Xizhi, and Shao Zhen had just entered when they saw this scene, and they all slowed down their movements.

“Your Majesty, you are getting old.” Mi Huang examined her carefully for a long time before sighing.

"You're fifty-two now, time waits for no one," Shao Xun said. "I'll never hear you call me 'young master' again."

Mi Huang had a faint smile on his lips, and by the end, his eyes were slightly moist.

"Back when he was stationed in Luoyang..." Shao Xun said, "I don't know how many afternoons like this Cao Cao lay in the courtyard, and we sat around him, discussing matters."

Mi Huang seemed to be recalling something as well, then sighed almost imperceptibly and said, "I really can't believe that more than thirty years have passed."

Mi Zhi brought over a small stool, and Shao Xun took it and sat down, saying, "Back then, you had inexhaustible strength in your body. Zi Hui, although you often sigh, you are not without your own opinions. When important matters are at hand, you dare to take the lead."

“I don’t know how many times I’ve run around for you…” Recalling these past events that had long been buried deep in his mind, Mi Huang’s expression relaxed a lot. He said, “The raid on the armory in Xuchang, the killing of the Xianbei in Chang’an, alas.”

In chaotic times, it is most difficult to be a person with high moral standards.

He was caught in the middle, suspected and alienated by his former benefactor; only he knew how he felt.

“I’ll take responsibility for causing trouble, and you, Zihui, will take responsibility for cleaning up the mess. Aren’t we a perfect match?” Shao Xun laughed.

Mi Huang also laughed.

“Yuan Gui came once during the first month of the year. He looked at me and talked about the old days,” Mi Huang said. “He has also grown old, with his temples turned white and he no longer looks like he used to.”

Shao Xun looked somewhat dazed.

Back when they were trapped in Biyong, weren't there only a few of them?

The way people meet is sometimes quite mysterious. They come and go, separate and reunite, and the bonds they form are deeper than you can imagine.

“Yuan Gui is impetuous, but not a bad person. If he does something wrong, Your Majesty, please don’t blame him too much.” Mi Huang’s voice was very soft, but after mentioning the past, it carried an unusual heaviness.

“I won’t blame him,” Shao Xun said.

Mi Huang smiled with relief and said, "How was it when you went back to the East Sea last time? I haven't been back for many years, but that day may not be too far away."

"Donghai's household registration is thriving, much better than before," Shao Xun said.

“I also think things should get better,” Mi Huang said softly. “That’s enough, that’s enough.”

The two of them would exchange a few words every now and then.

On an autumn afternoon, the courtyard was warm and tranquil.

The chrysanthemums in the corner stubbornly bloomed, completely oblivious to the fact that their flowering season was coming to an end.

The withered yellow leaves danced in the wind, lingering beneath the flowers.

A faint scent of fresh earth drifted into the yard on the breeze. It was from the newly plowed farmland, where seeds had already sprouted, proclaiming the vigorous growth of new life, undeterred by the frost and snow that awaited them.

Huan Wen quietly savored all of this, and a myriad of emotions welled up in his heart.

If Heaven had feelings... Heaven is heartless!
Even the strongest people eventually fade away. Their glorious past will eventually be swept away by the winds of time. To leave a trace in history is already an extraordinary and unattainable dream.

After an unknown amount of time, Mi Huang was already quite drowsy, in a state between sleep and wakefulness.

Shao Xun whispered goodbye in his ear, then got up and left.

Mi Huang struggled to open his eyes and stared intently at Shao Xun.

Shao Xun stood there, smiling at him.

Mi Huang stared for a long time but couldn't see it clearly. In the end, only one image remained in his mind—

As the sun set, he carefully examined the emperor, a smile playing on his lips. "He does have a somewhat heroic appearance. In that case, my efforts with Military Advisor Wang were not in vain."

That heroic and majestic image is so vivid, remaining as fresh as ever even after thirty-seven years.

"Zihui, I'm leaving." Shao Xun waved to him.

"I'm leaving." Mi Huang smiled nonchalantly. A few fallen leaves lingered and drifted into the dust in the bleak autumn wind.

******
Upon returning to Zhaoyang Palace, Yu Wenjun came to greet her, but before she could say anything, Shao Xun pulled her into his arms.

She was both delighted and shy, because the Crown Prince and his wife had just arrived with their child and were still in the inner room.

However, after feeling Shao Xun hug her tightly, she gently hugged him back and rested her head on his chest.

After a long while, Shao Xun released his wife and gently stroked the corners of her slightly wrinkled eyes, as if trying to smooth them out.

"It can't be smoothed over," Yu Wenjun chuckled lightly. "However—"

"But what?" Shao Xun asked.

“My husband, if you soothe me year after year, perhaps you will heal it,” Yu Wenjun said.

"Okay," Shao Xunyi replied with a smile.

At this moment, he heard a flurry of footsteps. Looking up, he saw the Crown Prince and his wife coming out with their son. Upon seeing the parents embracing, the prince hurriedly moved away.

Yu Wenjun gently nudged Shao Xun and said, "Everyone saw it."

Shao Xun didn't take it seriously, and sat down directly. Looking at the gradually darkening sky in the courtyard, he muttered to himself, "There's only one last thing left."

While instructing the palace servants to prepare the meal, Yu Wenjun said, "What last thing? You just promised me and you've already forgotten?"

Shao Xun leaned back lazily on the couch, only smiling and saying nothing.

He made so many promises in his life that he couldn't even remember them all.

"Grandpa." Junheng walked over at some point and called out in a clear voice.

"Come here, my dear grandson," Shao Xun said with a smile, opening his arms.

Junheng then staggered over.

This is the grandfather he knows; the previous one was nothing like him.

"Grandpa."

"My lord."

The Crown Prince and his wife came over and bowed in unison.

Shao Xun hummed in agreement and gestured for the two to sit down.

One good thing about the Crown Prince is that he visits his elders and parents every day whenever he has free time. Perhaps it's because he's the Crown Prince and has no choice but to do so, but people are judged by their actions, not their intentions. In this respect, Shao Xun is quite satisfied.

Not long after, the Imperial Kitchen Master personally delivered dinner: millet porridge, vinegared fish from the East China Sea, and pickled vegetables...

"Is the food to your liking?" Perhaps pleased with the Crown Prince, Shao Xun asked a rare question.

“I can eat it,” Shao Jin replied.

"The family feast is actually even more delicious than seafood delicacies; I really enjoy it," Lady Lu replied.

Shao Xun glanced at his daughter-in-law but said nothing.

How could a daughter of a wealthy and noble family, who has been pampered since childhood, possibly get used to simple farm-style dishes? She might try them occasionally, but she definitely wouldn't be used to eating them in the long run.

However, since this was prepared by Yu Wenjun, Lady Lu dared not say anything negative about it.

Junheng was probably the most honest person present.

Shao Xun picked up a little salted pickled vegetable and put it to his mouth, but he turned his head away and exclaimed, "Tihu, I want to eat Tihu."

The Crown Prince's face hardened, and he was about to reprimand the prince when Shao Xun stopped him.

The Imperial Censor was still waiting outside, so Shao Xun summoned him in and asked him to bring over a jar of ambrosia.

Junheng squirmed happily in Shao Xun's arms, completely ignoring his parents' reproachful gazes.

The meal was finished quickly.

Shao Xun stood up at the entrance of the hall, looking at the slowly descending night sky, and said, "There was a time when I looked forward to the night falling, because I would finally not have to do farm work."

Shao Jin and Madam Lu exchanged a glance, not daring to reply easily.

"Now, I'm actually a little afraid of the dark." Shao Xun chuckled to himself, "Fortunately, there's not much to do anymore, not much anymore."

“Liang Nu—” He turned around and looked at the successor he had chosen, whether willingly or unwillingly, and said, “After the New Year, I will be inspecting Chang’an, and I will leave Luoyang to you.”

"Father!" Shao Jin couldn't help but say, "Traveling is exhausting and drains one's energy. The Western Regions are mostly small and insignificant states; why must we personally oversee things in Chang'an?"

“You don’t understand…” Shao Xun shook his head.

"Grandpa!" Shao Jin tried to persuade him again.

Lady Lu said softly, "My lord, he just wants to see more of the beautiful land he has built up."

Shao Xun glanced approvingly at Madam Lu, noting that she was much better than the two from the Liu family. Although they might be the same at heart, she knew how to behave properly, and that was enough.

Of course, he believed that Ms. Lu must have guessed there were other reasons, but she didn't say them.

“My husband, I will go with you.” Yu Wenjun looked at her husband with concern.

“Okay, I’ll take you there.” Shao Xun didn’t refuse and agreed immediately.

In the following ten days, Shao Xun returned to Xiyuan and led the Shangzhifu soldiers, who were about to be released, on a hunt and distributed rewards.

In early November, news came from Goushi that Mi Huang, the Duke of Changsha, had passed away.

Shao Xun had just returned to the palace when he heard the news. He was filled with disappointment and remained silent for a long time.

(End of this chapter)