Enter Chang Xiangsi and help Jingzhai fight

Chapter 190 Good News

In April, the ground is colorful. The sun is warm and the butterflies are blown by the midday breeze. Outside Tushan Mansion, there are red cherry blossoms, green grass, green water and white geese. Inside the house, there are also willows in front of the hall, green bamboos under the trees, magnolias by the window, and flowing water beside the flowers.

However, throughout April, I had no mood to enjoy the spring, drink wine, or go outing to look for flowers or appreciate the clear water. It was because Tu Shanjing arrived at the border of Haoling and reported that he was safe, but there was no news from him.

If I hadn't known that Tushan Hou was still in the mansion, and if I hadn't learned from Lanxiang in the crystal stone and Guanglin after I visited them, that Tushan Hou had honestly reflected on his mistakes and didn't even reply to the previous letter from Fangfeng, and didn't cause any trouble, I would have almost thought that I had missed some important information and let Tushan Hou capture Tushan Jing and torture him.

I told Lanxiang about the soul transfer that Mr. Huang had mentioned. She said it was difficult to implement and that it would be better for her to stay at Tushanhou's place and make plans later. It just so happened that the work at hand did not allow me to be distracted for too long, which was just what I wanted.

During this period, I have been learning to sew masks, face towels and simple bed sheets with the maids and old women in the mansion. Not only will my hands no longer get pricked, but my speed has also increased as I have become more proficient.

I sewed seriously until the evening, then I lit the lamp. I don't know how long I had been sewing when I suddenly heard the sound of rain outside the window and the sound of bells from the distant green hills.

Just as the birds were chiming outside and the rain was beating in the cold moon, I heard a noise outside the open window.

He put down the work in his hands and walked to the window. In the misty rain, a man in black dressed as a shadow guard, wearing a straw raincoat and carrying two small boxes, walked quickly into the yard. Ruiyang and Ruofeng followed him. Ruiyang was pouring wine on him, and Ruofeng was talking to him as they walked.

Ruiyang saw me standing in front of the window and nodded to the shadow guard. Ruofeng took the box and turned away, and the two of them came straight to my window.

A few feet away from my window, the shadow guard stopped and bowed, then said, "Hello Miss Lanxiang, my name is Guyi. The young master sent me back to get some scarce medicinal herbs and to report back to his family that everything is fine there, but he is too busy with work and the situation does not allow him to wait, so he has no time to write back."

I held the unfinished bed sheet in my hand, feeling the dampness of the spring night blowing in through the window and gradually soaking through me. My heart filled up like a river in an instant, and then slowly emptied.

I wanted to ask him if he had lost weight, and if anyone was watching him eat three meals a day, but then I thought about how he could eat regularly at this time. I also wanted to ask him if anyone helped him wash his clothes, but then I thought about my instructions before I left to soak his clothes in wine before washing them, and to burn them after visiting the disaster-stricken areas. I wonder if he has no time to take care of it. I wonder if he remembered my instructions to wash his hands frequently and use more wine. I also wonder if he, who has always been calm and self-sustaining, is also worried and anxious when he sees how difficult people's lives are.

Thinking of this, I didn't care about food, clothing, shelter and transportation anymore, and just asked, "What is the current situation? When can you come back? Is there anything you are short of?"

Gu Yi nodded and replied, "To answer the young lady's question, the situation has become serious since we approached the border of Haoling. The young master first set up camp on the spot and built some simple sheds on the border of our Central Plains to treat patients and prevent the epidemic from spreading further inland. At the same time, he sent our advance team to deliver the scarce medicinal materials and food to Haoling, and then he came here right after. The serious village... Alas, it can be said that 'the cries of crows continue, the sobbing of dogs is heard from time to time, people have ghosts, and ghosts take away people's spirits'! We, the local government, and the residents managed to hold on for a while, and some brothers who were not strong enough were also affected. Fortunately, a large group of people sent by King Haoling arrived a few days ago, so I had time to relax. The young master asked me to go back to the mansion to get some precious medicinal herbs and report that I am safe. I dare not go to the old lady, for fear that I might bring illness to her. I would like to trouble you to tell her. In addition to medicinal herbs, there is no shortage of other things, but masks and face towels. You can't buy the ones we sent there anywhere else, so I have to trouble you to lead the girls and mothers in the mansion to make more. As for when I can come back, I don't know for the time being."

I heard that Hao Ling's large number of troops had arrived, and I couldn't help but feel relieved. King Hao Ling is a wise king, and the troops he sent will naturally not be bad, and can relieve Tu Shanjing's worries. I nodded and replied: "Thank you for your hard work. Don't worry, you are fighting hard in the front, and we will do our best to help in the back. If there is anything you need to do or buy that cannot be found locally, just send a letter back. The vast Central Plains will definitely be able to find it. If all else fails, you can also go north to Xiyan to buy. I will also say hello to Master Chunming in advance and let him lay some groundwork."

Gu Yiyao bowed and said, "Thank you, young lady. You have arranged everything in an orderly manner. I admire you."

I waved my hand and was about to reply to him, but I saw Ruofeng hurried back with two small boxes, and said to Gu Yi: "There are not enough in the mansion, these are all I have, I put them all in the exquisite lamp. I will go outside to buy some more, and send someone to deliver them when I get them."

Gu Yi took the small box and thanked him, "Thank you, Brother Ruofeng, but these herbs are precious. I heard from the doctor that they must be fresh. If you find them, you have to put them in the exquisite cup to ensure that they will not rot or spoil."

Ruo Feng nodded: "I've made a note. There is no more Linglongzhan in the mansion. I will go to Young Master Chunming in the West Mansion to get some for backup."

Gu Yi also nodded, turned to me and said, "Miss, I have to leave after the other companion who went to get something from Master Chunming comes back. This exquisite cup is not full yet. If you have any food to bring to the Master, or any message to the Master, just tell me now."

I thought about it, and realized that if I prepared a chicken temporarily, I wouldn't have enough time to put it away. Cakes and pastries contain oil, and if I put them together with the herbs, they would not be spoiled on the way. I would still have time to eat them when he came back.

I caught a glimpse of the white magnolias blooming by the window. I picked the best-blooming one and saw a few drops of rain on the petals. I asked, "Gu Yi, if we put this with water in, will it wet the herbs?"

Gu Yi raised his hand, a golden light flashed, and the white magnolia seemed to be illuminated by a layer of light, which enveloped it, floated over, and then fell into his hands.

He opened the small box and carefully placed the flowers inside. He looked up at me and said, "Don't worry, young lady. It's just a little bit of water. It won't cause any harm. I've sealed it with my spiritual power. It's safe to put it with the herbs."

I was relieved and replied, "Thank you very much. Please tell him when you give it to him: 'The mountains are green and the river is white. The cuckoo's cry is like rain. I have nothing left, so I give Qingqiu a branch of spring.'"

Gu Yi lowered his head and recited it carefully twice, word for word, accurately.

I couldn't help but praise: "Good memory!"

He smiled: "The girl is also very talented in writing!"

At this time, a whistle sounded from far outside the yard. He stopped smiling, turned around and blew a whistle, then turned to me and said, "Girl, I have to go."

I bowed and said, "It's a long journey and full of difficulties. Please take care of yourself."

He nodded, saluted to Ruiyang and Ruofeng, and then jumped onto the roof with a tiptoe. After a few jumps, he disappeared into the rain and fog of the night.

A few days later, the peony flowers in the courtyard bloomed. In the evening, I discussed things with Master Chunming, and I sent him off holding the peony glass lamp. When I turned around, I saw the flowers blooming beautifully and couldn't help but stop to admire them for a moment.

Holding the lamp next to it, for a moment the light and the flower complement each other, it is impossible to tell which one is more beautiful.

At this time, Ruo Feng hurried in, saw me standing in the yard, and said breathlessly: "Girl..."

I rarely see him so anxious. Usually, Ruiyang is more active. I quickly replied, "Don't worry. If you have anything to say, take a breath first."

Ruofeng held a letter in his hand, raised it up and handed it to me, still panting.

My heart tightened, fearing that something might have happened to Tu Shanjing, and I quickly took the letter.

"The young master has sent a message. I will quickly deliver it to the girl."

I breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that he had time to pick up a pen and write a letter showed that he had some free time, which was a good sign.

I unfolded the letter in front of the Peony Glass Lamp in my hand, and I saw that his handwriting was still as beautiful and neat as ever, just like his personality.

*Quoted from “The Dead Rat” by Shi Daonan.

Adapted from Weng Juan's "April in the Countryside" and Lu Kai's "Poem to Fan Ye".