Binding Spring Love

Shen Qianyu had always wanted to take Song Wan back to the villa in the suburbs of Beijing, but unfortunately, his health kept fluctuating and he was never fully recovered.

After recovering from this illness, Shen Qianyu lost a lot of weight, and his knee problems became more and more serious. Sometimes, he would find it difficult to bear the weight of his knees even after standing for a long time.

The following spring, he was finally able to go for a walk in the courtyard.

Springtime was no longer cold, but Shen Qianyu was still wearing a heavy fur coat and holding a hand warmer in his arms while sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun.

He mentioned several times that there was no need for everyone to go to the trouble of carrying him out, but Song Wanwen refused each time.

The midday sun was intense, and sunbathing would help him sleep better at night, which is why Song Wan persisted in doing so.

Sitting with him in the courtyard, Song Wan's forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat.

Shen Qianyu felt sorry for her and reached out his hand to her.

"What's wrong? Are you hot?"

Holding Shen Qianyu's hand in return, Song Wan said, "If you're hot, I'll have Liu Yao take you back to your room."

Shen Qianyu shook his head: "It's nothing. I just feel guilty because I've been thinking about not being able to take you back to the villa."

In his prime, his hands were long and full, but now he is so thin that his knuckles are very prominent.

Song Wan lowered her head and gently stroked his hand, her fingertips slowly tracing the dark scar: "What is there to feel guilty about between husband and wife?"

"As long as you are by my side, I am content wherever we are."

"I always feel guilty."

Shen Qianyu murmured, "We were husband and wife, yet I failed to maintain good health, and I have been a burden to you in recent years, causing you constant worry and mental strain."

"If I had known this would happen, I should have taken better care of my health and not done so many dangerous things in the past."

He always remained steadfast in his choices throughout his life and never regretted them.

Shen Qianyu has always believed that words of repentance are nothing more than excuses and sophistry used by fools and the weak.

Those who can control their own future will not waste time dwelling on past mistakes. If one step is wrong, there are always countless other options to find a way out, but only when they are in that situation do they realize the bitterness of regret.

"If I had said a few flattering words when I was young in Nanqing, I might be able to spend three or five more days with Wan'er now."

"If I had known how to flatter and please Qin Zhan and his sister when I was young, perhaps I wouldn't have been thrown into the dogfighting arena time and time again."

"If I... could break a bone and escape to the snow for one night, I might be able to accompany Wan'er back to the villa in the outskirts of the capital today and enjoy the full moon again."

He regretted it.

He regretted it.

"Wan'er, I'm not reconciled."

Grabbing Song Wan's wrist tightly, Shen Qianyu said, "I'm not willing to have only spent a few decades with you."

"I'm unwilling to be unable to accompany you out for a visit when neither of us has any responsibilities."

"They should have had a chance."

Shen Qianyu's voice choked with emotion: "You don't know, there's a place in Nanqing called Yunlihai. At sunrise there, vast waves of mist rise from the clouds, making it seem as if heaven and earth have turned upside down, and the sea has entered the clouds."

"I want to take you to see that kind of scenery."

"Wan'er, do you know that there is a kind of light white flower growing by the Su River? It looks ordinary, but it smells extremely fragrant, and it blooms everywhere in spring and summer, as if you are in a sea of ​​flowers."

"That scene was absolutely beautiful."

He gripped Song Wan's hand even tighter: "But now there's nothing I can do."

"I really want to take you to see it."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan smiled gently, her eyebrows curving upwards: "But I can't wait to go."

"When I was a widow living in the Marquis of Chengyang's mansion, I thought that if I could leave the courtyard, even just to hear the noise of people, I would be happy. But after meeting you, I don't want to go anywhere else."

"With you by my side, though we haven't reached a hundred years yet, every day and every moment feels like a hundred years."

She reached out and touched Shen Qianyu's white hair, then smoothed her temples: "We may not live to be a hundred, but we will grow old together..."

"This result is already excellent."

Shen Qianyu's eyes welled up with tears, and he smiled faintly.

Spring and summer passed, followed by autumn and winter. Shen Qianyu's health fluctuated, and Song Wan tirelessly stayed by his side every day.

The couple would get up early and eat some plain porridge and pickles together. At noon, one would take a nap on the couch and the other on the daybed.

Occasionally, when Shen Qianyu slept covered in sweat, Song Wan would gently wipe him clean with a cloth dampened with warm water.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"How can it be considered hard work?"

Song Wan gently massaged Shen Qianyu's stiff and cold legs, then suddenly laughed and said, "When I was pregnant with Yan'er, it was quite a struggle. Didn't you massage my legs like this every night back then?"

During that period, her legs often cramped, causing unbearable pain and numbness, but Song Wan never worried about it.

Because Shen Qianyu could sense whenever she was unwell.

Now, it's just that she's the one taking care of him.

"When you took care of me back then, did you ever find it hard?"

Shen Qianyu replied, "Of course not."

Upon hearing this, Song Wan smiled and said, "Me too."

"It's not hard work, and I enjoy it."

Song Wan filled a pure copper hot water bottle with hot water, wrapped it in a thick cotton towel, and stuffed it into Shen Qianyu's quilt to keep him warm.

"Wan'er".

"Um?"

"How about we go to a villa in the outskirts of Beijing tomorrow? If we don't have enough time, I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you there."

"not good."

Song Wan smiled and said, "I know what you're thinking. You don't really want to go to that villa in the suburbs of the capital. You're just stuck on the promise you made to take me back, but you haven't kept that promise. You're still holding onto that thought."

He values ​​his promises and will keep them no matter how big or small or how difficult they are. He will always do what he has promised to do.

But now is not the right time for him to fulfill his promise.

"The palace courtyard is warm, and there are imperial physicians at your side at all times. This place is more suitable for you to recuperate than the villa in the suburbs of Beijing."

He gently patted Shen Qianyu, who was becoming stubborn again, and said, "Don't worry about this anymore. Just owe me for it."

Seeing that he wanted to speak, Song Wan smiled and said, "Wait for the next life, wait for you to come find me in the next life, and I will repay this kindness."

"Alright, in the next life I will definitely find Wan'er again and repay the debt of affection I owe in this life."

After saying this, Shen Qianyu felt relieved and was no longer troubled by the matter of going to the outskirts of the capital.

Three years later, Shen Qianyu's health was deteriorating rapidly. He was mostly in a coma, unaware of the world around him.

Song Wan remained quietly by his side as always. During the day, when he was asleep, she would tend to the flowers and plants or chat with Hengzhi about everyday things and reminisce about the past.

But no matter when Shen Qianyu regained consciousness, she would always be by his side.

One sweltering summer day, Shen Qianyu suddenly got up.

"Wan'er?"

"I am here."

He stretched out his hands and made a few random grabbing motions in the air. Seeing this, Song Wan quickly grabbed his hands.

Shen Qianyu turned his head and looked at Song Wan, who was crying, and said, "Wan'er, it feels like I've been asleep for a long time."

"I just saw him yesterday."

Shen Qianyu shook his head: "I don't remember."

He reached out his hand to Song Wan and gently stroked her cheek.

After years of being together through thick and thin, how could he still not get enough of the woman in front of him?

As his fingertips traced across her brows and eyes, Shen Qianyu felt a sharp pain in his heart.

His daughter looked much older.

The woman's skin was no longer as fair as it had been in her youth, and faint bluish spots clung to her cheeks even without makeup. But her eyes had never changed; over the years, the tenderness and gentleness in them remained that of the young couple they had shared.

"Wan'er".

"I am here."

"Don't hate me, don't hate that I'll leave you first."

Shen Qianyu's eyes were cloudy, and his words were indistinct: "Wan'er, I'm scared."

"I'm afraid..."

His hand was very strong, as if a strange force was bursting forth from the bottom of his heart, and he held Song Wan's hand for a long time without letting go.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here, I'll be here no matter when or where."

"Yan'er..."

"You want to see Yan'er?"

Shen Qianyu looked up at Song Wan and silently shed tears: "Tell Yan'er to take good care of you."

"After I leave, you should eat more meat and keep someone by your side at night."

"I know."

Tears fell onto their tightly clasped hands. Song Wan felt a sharp pain in her heart, filled with reluctance to part.

"Don't cry, you don't like to cry."

Shen Qianyu looked at Song Wan with lingering affection in his eyes.

"After I leave, I will not enter the Shen family's imperial tomb. You should have Shen Shiyan find a scenic spot for the two of us."

"it is good."

"If I am gone, the national mourning period will be shortened to twenty-one days, and people will be allowed to get married and open their businesses."

"Do not delay the livelihood of the people."

"it is good."

"Xiao'er..."

Song Wan said, "I'll have Yan'er write a letter to Xiao'er; it'll be in time."

Shen Qianyu nodded.

Although he raised both Shen Shiyan and Shen Shixiao, he secretly felt more sorry for Shen Shixiao.

Shen Shixiao's temperament is similar to Song Wan's; he never speaks of his own bitterness and grievances. When he looks at Shen Shixiao, he always thinks of the calm and composed Song Wan.

If possible, he would like to see Shen Shixiao; if not, then so be it.

I'm still worried about you.

"Who will take care of your three meals a day? Your clothes and food?"

Shen Qianyu's eyes were vacant as he muttered to himself, "You have a heavy heart and are impatient to share your innermost thoughts with others. You probably won't speak up even if someone doesn't serve you well..."

The more he spoke, the more resentful he became, and tears welled up in his eyes.

There are thousands of palace maids and servants in the palace, but Wan'er will not tell them what's on her mind.

He was very old, and when he shed tears, it was especially sorrowful and heartbreaking.

When Shen Shiyan received the message from Liu Yao, he abandoned his ministers and rushed to the courtyard. When he entered the house, Shen Qianyu was still holding Song Wan's hand, and he didn't let go for a long time.

Upon seeing his first child, Shen Qianyu smiled faintly.

"Yan'er".

"The child is here."

Shen Shiyan knelt down on both knees, waiting in front of the bed.

Shen Qianyu looked at him for a long time before finally whispering, "Take good care of your mother."

The few words had exhausted him completely. Shen Qianyu felt exhausted and couldn't help but fall into a light sleep.

Everyone thought he wouldn't last much longer, but to their surprise, he remained unconscious for a long time, still clinging to life.

Even though he hadn't had a drop of water for many days, his chest still rose and fell slightly.

Seeing him like this, Song Wan also couldn't eat for a long time.

"Mother, you go and rest. I will take care of Father."

His mother had been waiting for his father for a long time, and her body was already exhausted. Shen Shiyan felt sorry for her, so he asked the palace maid beside him to help Song Wan to the couch for a rest.

Listening to the sound of breathing beside him, Shen Shiyan knelt before the bed and silently shed tears.

Seeing his father, who used to carry him on his shoulders as a toddler and was once as imposing as a mountain, now with dark circles under his eyes and a sunken chest, Shen Shiyan felt a difficulty breathing.

He reached his hand under the covers and cried, "Father, you should go now. I will take good care of Mother..."

"Your Majesty is frail and cannot endure any more suffering. Please forgive your unfilial son for uttering such rebellious words."

Shen Qianyu's body had turned bluish-black, and the imperial physician said that he was only clinging to life, but in reality, he had already passed away.

Someone from the Imperial Medical Academy suggested that the retired emperor could be placed in the coffin first, and that his last breath might dissipate when it was moved.

But Shen Shiyan was unwilling to do so.

He didn't know what his father's unfulfilled wishes were, but no matter what, he wanted his father to leave in peace.

Shen Qianyu's hands were ice-cold, and no matter how Shen Shiyan held them in his palm, he couldn't warm them up.

"Don't cry."

Song Wan sat up from the couch and slowly walked to Shen Shiyan.

"I know what your father's wishes are, he..."

Song Wan smiled faintly and sat down next to Shen Qianyu.

"Your father is stubborn by nature, and once he's made up his mind, no one can dissuade him. Right now, with his temper flaring up, nothing you say will make a difference."

Song Wan gently patted Shen Shiyan's head and asked, "Are our clothes ready?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Shiyan understood Song Wan's meaning. He was slightly stunned, and then burst into tears.

"Mother..."

"Go ahead and do your work, I'll try to talk to him."

After getting Shen Shiyan away, Song Wan looked at Shen Qianyu and chuckled softly.

"I'm getting old and my memory isn't what it used to be. These past few days I've been thinking you were waiting for Xiao'er. I just lay down to rest and suddenly remembered something."

"You once said that if things came to this, you would definitely walk behind me. I suppose this is what you can't let go of."

Song Wan raised her hand and gently stroked Shen Qianyu's cheek.

She took care of him every day and never noticed any changes in him. But every time she saw the astonished look in Shen Shiyan's eyes when he came to pay his respects, Song Wan realized that he must be quite frightening now.

She was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian since childhood, and as long as she could remember, she knew that Jiang Xingjian was her husband, the one with whom she would grow old together.

Before Jiang Xingjian returned to the capital, Song Wan always believed that she had feelings for him.

She thought that love in the world was just like that, pale and bland.

Only after meeting Shen Qianyu did she realize that love is like a raging fire.

The feelings of youth remain in her heart, in the corners of her eyes, and every move she makes is captivating. After many years of getting to know each other, those passionate feelings transform into concern for each other's well-being, and she finally understands that the essence of love lies in the trivialities of life.

"We two actually lived a normal life as husband and wife for the rest of our lives."

Song Wan pulled Shen Qianyu's hand away and rested her head in his arm, just as she had done for hundreds of days and nights before.

"Those who listened in the past paid no attention, but only after a lifetime has passed do they realize that the word 'ordinary' is already extremely extraordinary."

Encircling Shen Qianyu's waist, Song Wan said, "In the next life, I still want to be an ordinary couple with you."

Shen Shiyan waited in the courtyard for a long time, until it got dark and there was still no sound from inside the house. Only then did he walk into the house with tears streaming down his face.

Two people were lying on the bed in the room, just like the scene he would occasionally see when he broke into Chang Le Palace many years ago.

But he knew that no matter what noise he made, his father and mother, who had loved him all their lives, would no longer chase him around the palace in a fit of rage, as they had when he was a child, while the other gently reminded him to watch his step and not to fall.

"Your Majesty..."

Shen Shiyan knelt in the room and suddenly burst into tears, just like when he was a child.

He knew then, he knew this day would come.

His father and mother were always deeply in love, and even death could not separate them...

He always knew that.