The loss of his father, stepmother, and brother was a huge blow to Deng Yuan, and he fell into great grief.
In the next few days, she could not eat even one meal, not to mention fish, not even vegetables, and could only eat white rice to satisfy her hunger. She could not sleep at night, and often sat by the window, facing the bright night sky, mumbling words, and shedding tears until dawn.
.
Deng Yuan's abnormal mental state made Liu Jing very worried. Now is the critical moment. He is very busy during the day and has to go home to take care of his wife. It is difficult for him to get enough rest.
With his high energy, he felt a little overwhelmed even after many days in a row.
On July 7, the day of Chinese Valentine's Day, Deng Yuan finally stepped out of his room again after several days. For no other reason than his second brother Deng Lang and his family finally arrived in Lingxian County after a long water journey.
Deng Yuan is no longer the handsome, radiant, and cheerful person he used to be. Now he is wearing linen hair, looking haggard, and his eyes are swollen like a pair of lanterns. Liu Jing held his wife's hand tightly, his heart full of pity.
Feelings.
"Second brother..."
"A-mei..."
Deng Lang, who was dressed in plain linen clothes, had just disembarked from the boat and landed when he saw his sister Deng Yuan running headlong into his arms, falling on his shoulders and crying loudly. For a moment, his voice was hoarse and his heart was broken, which was touching.
Ever since Deng Yuan received the bad news at home, although she shed tears every day, she had always suppressed the emotions in her heart. It was not until today when she saw her second brother who had loved her since childhood that her emotions finally burst out.
Seeing his sister's heartbroken look, Deng Lang was reminded of his sadness again. While stroking her back to comfort her, Deng Lang couldn't help but shed tears.
Liu Jing stood aside, silent.
After a long time, Deng Yuan's mood eased slightly, her crying gradually stopped, and she left the arms of her second brother Deng Lang.
Only then did Liu Jing speak to Deng Lang: "Second brother, please express my condolences and obey me. I heard the news of the death of my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and eldest brother. In the past few days, Shaojun has mourned so much that his body has been damaged..."
Deng Lang looked directly at Liu Jing's handsome and majestic face and sighed: "Zhongda, do you know that when my father was dying, what he missed most in his heart was not his family, but Shaojun and you!"
Hearing this, Deng Yuan shed tears again.
Liu Jing said with an moved face: "Jing lost his father when he was young, and it is difficult to recall his father's voice, appearance, and smile. The year before last, he went north to Xinye. His father-in-law treated Jing as if he were his own son, but he asked for everything he asked for, and he refused. He was extremely moved, and he only hoped that he would have something to do in the future.
Achievements, I have the opportunity to repay, but unexpectedly, I am waiting for bad news! How unfair God is to my husband!"
Deng Lang nodded and said: "Zhongda has this intention, and it's not in vain that father values you." After a pause, he said again: "Zhongda, I want to observe my father's mourning for three years, so you don't want to arrange a luxurious and gorgeous house for us.
As long as it can be protected from the wind and rain, it’s fine. It’s best to be outside the city to avoid the commotion around you.”
"Second brother, don't worry. Your place of residence has been arranged a long time ago and you can move in at any time." Deng Lang's request was expected, and Liu Jing would naturally not make such a stupid mistake.
At this time, Deng Yuan took over his nephew from his sister-in-law Wang, and felt pity for him. He was the only heir left by his deceased brother Deng Chong, and he was four years old this year. When Deng Yuan got married the year before last, he was extremely fond of him, but at that time he
He's only two years old and doesn't know anything yet.
Deng Chong had only one son, and Deng Lang did not have many children, just one son and one daughter.
Perhaps God saw that Deng had suffered too much, so a group of more than 30 people came to Changsha, including three young children, and they were lucky not to get sick and had a safe journey.
Arrive in Ling County without incident.
After settling the Deng family in a manor by the Chengshui River on the outskirts of Linxian County, when Liu Jing left at night, what surprised him was that Deng Yuan did not stay with his brother, sister-in-law and nephew, but chose to return home with him. Obviously
I have something to discuss with him.
Deng Yuan remained silent on the way. It was not until he returned to the county house that he said to Liu Jing with a sad expression: "Liu Lang, I want to keep my filial piety for my father. I hope you can agree."
Liu Jing couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart. What he was most worried about had happened.
The Han Dynasty prided itself on governing the world with filial piety. From the top down to the common people, everyone should abide by filial piety and observe filial piety for their deceased parents for three years. This was the consensus of the entire society in the Han Dynasty. The court even issued repeated orders.
Be strictly observed.
However, tradition stipulates that men must observe filial piety, but it does not stipulate that women must also observe filial piety for their parents.
But it is not without precedent. For example, the daughter of the Deng family in Nanyang has this tradition. Deng Xun, the father of Deng Sui, the Queen of Hexi, died of illness while serving as a guard to protect the Qiang. Deng Sui was only twelve years old at the time.
Eating salty vegetables will make you haggard and disfigured, and your relatives will not recognize you."
During the period of observing filial piety, there are many taboos, and people continue to find ways to treat themselves harshly, lest others don't know how filial they are. Liu Jingxin admires Deng Sui's filial piety and persistence, but he never wants his wife to become like Deng Sui
.
"We still have to come up with a way to get the best of both worlds." Liu Jing couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Deng Yuan saw her husband's brows furrowed and he was silent for a long time, looking reluctant. He couldn't help but cry softly: "Liu Lang, I..."
Liu Jing had a plan in mind, stepped forward and hugged Deng Yuan gently, and said in a warm voice: "Young Jun respects his father, knows that he is dead, and has the intention to imitate Queen He Xi. There is no reason in the world to prevent people from practicing filial piety, so what reason do I have?"
What about objections?
It's just that Queen Hexi kept filial piety for her father, "wept day and night, and didn't eat salt and vegetables for three years." Although it is admirable, she treated her body so badly... Women are not as good as men and are naturally weak. Queen Hexi never gave birth to Emperor He.
The next generation of children may not necessarily have nothing to do with this? This is something that the young master must not be careful about."
Deng Yuan immediately forgot to cry and stared at Liu Jing with tear-stained eyes.
But she had never considered this issue. No one was sure whether Queen Hexi would have no heirs because of this, but she was not afraid of 10,000, just in case.
She is only eighteen years old this year, and has not yet given birth to a son and a half for Liu Jing. If she remains childless because of her filial piety for her father...
On one side is the father, on the other is the husband... Now Deng Yuan is faced with a difficult choice. Between the two men she loves most in her life, who should she choose? Deng Yuan was filled with tears and looked helpless.
Liu Jing was most disgusted with his wife's appearance and sighed: "Young Master, I don't mean not to prevent you from observing filial piety, but don't be too harsh on yourself during the period of filial piety. Even if you don't eat fish and meat, you should eat more vegetables so that you will not be injured."
body, causing hidden dangers."
Deng Yuan felt sad and happy for a moment, and nodded desperately: "Liu Lang, I will definitely abide by it, and my body will not be damaged." If Liu Jing directly persuaded her to take care of her body, she would most likely not listen, but he took and
The fact that Queen Xi had no heir threatened her and made her submit immediately.
Deng Yuan thought for a while and then said: "Liu Lang, when I observe filial piety, I follow the etiquette and law and can no longer serve you." Then, she seemed to have made up her mind and said: "All the maids around me are all good girls.
You can serve Liu Lang on my behalf. If Liu Lang doesn't like them, you can also take concubines." After saying that, Deng Yuan's long eyelashes were covered with tears, feeling quite aggrieved.
At this moment, Deng Yuan was very entangled in her heart. She naturally did not want to share her husband with others, even the maids who had grown up with her. But since she was determined to keep her father's filial piety, she couldn't let her husband keep her virginity for the past three years, right?
Rather than letting her husband go behind her back to find a woman, it would be better for her to "generally" propose it herself.
Seeing Deng Yuan's aggrieved look, Liu Jing didn't know whether to cry or laugh for a moment and asked: "Young Master, do you know what you are talking about?"
"?" Deng Yuan looked confused. This was taught to her privately by her stepmother when she first got married. It can only be used in times of crisis. Why did Liu Lang react like this?
Liu Jing said calmly: "The "Historical Records" says: 'Humanity is the most important thing when a husband and wife are together. Rituals are used, but marriage is the solemn one.' We are a couple who got married after going through the six rites. We have the same blessings and misfortunes.
Enjoy, life and death. When you are keeping filial piety for your father, you must be so sad in your heart. As a husband, how can I ignore your feelings and enjoy yourself alone? Besides, I only love you in my heart, and I can no longer tolerate her.
."
"But..." Liu Jing loved her so much that Deng Yuan was deeply moved.
Seeing that Deng Yuan was going to say more, Liu Jing hurriedly raised his hand to stop and said: "Okay, okay, Shaojun, this matter is over here, don't say any more."
Deng Yuan borrowed the donkey to get off the slope and said softly, "Hmm."
…………
After Chinese Valentine's Day, Deng Yuan began to observe filial piety. During the period of observing filial piety, there were many taboos. In addition to not drinking fine wine and eating fish and meat, not wearing beautiful clothes and ornaments, not having sex, not having fun...even visiting friends was restricted.
However, Deng Yuan did not completely shut herself up at home. She would occasionally go out to visit her brothers, sister-in-law, nephews, and even go to the Salesian Residence.
And although Deng Yuan no longer eats fish, Liu Jing personally formulated nutritious vegetarian recipes for her, including tofu, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, sunflower vegetables, leeks, melons, etc., and changed them almost every day. Deng Yuan only
I lost some weight in the first few days, but since then I have maintained a graceful and graceful figure.
July has passed halfway, and since the second half of July, as Liu Biao has continuously transferred warships to Jiangling, the situation in Jingzhou has suddenly become tense.
Jiangling is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, right in the center of Jingzhou.
Jingzhou has three major strategic locations. From the perspective of the world, the most important place is Xiangyang; from the southeast, the most important place is Jiangxia; and from the perspective of Jingzhou, the most important place is Jiangling.
Liu Biao ordered the warships to gather in Jiangling. What his intention was can be known without asking.
Facing the aggressive Liu Biao, Zhang Xian had no choice but to continuously increase his troops to Baqiu and confront Liu Biao's army across the river in Jiangling.
The Civil War in Jingzhou is about to break out.
Changsha, Linxiang, county government.
After resigning from his post, Huan Yi, who was well-dressed and dignified, hurried to his brother Huan Jie's official residence. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Huan Jie sitting upright, looking attentively at the documents in his hand.
Huan Yi said: "Brother, are you looking for me?"
Huan Jie nodded lightly and said, "I have something to discuss with you."
Huan Yi asked no more questions and waited for his words.
Huan Jie was silent for a moment and asked, "Have you corresponded with Liu Zhongda recently?"
"Yes." Huan Yi nodded and admitted.
The two are brothers from the same mother, so there is nothing to worry about. Huan Jie asked directly: "Has Liu Zhongda told you anything?"
Huan Yi frowned and replied with some hesitation: "Zhongda said that Liu Biao may send troops during the autumn harvest in August, and the king of Fu will be defeated in this battle."
"Sure enough." Huan Jie couldn't help but smile bitterly. His guess was almost the same. However, he only came to this result recently, and Liu Jing...
"Liu Zhongda is gifted with divine wisdom and foresight. His previous judgments on the general trend of the world have all come true. He chose to leave last year and took office in Lingxian County. I am afraid he had expected this day."
Huan Yi asked calmly: "I wonder what brother means by asking about Zhongda?" In this world, among the people who know Liu Jing best, he, his former neighbor and friend, is definitely one of them, so it is not surprising.
.
Huan Jie said eloquently: "My lord, Marquis Wucheng, was killed by Liu Biao, and the Lord treated me well and entrusted me with the important task of going to the right. At this time of life and death, I will repay him with my life and swear to Changsha."
Live and die together.
However, as the old saying goes: 'A cunning rabbit has three dens.' Huan, it is enough for me to live and die in Changsha alone. There is no need for you to stay in Linxiang. I intend to send you to the south."
Huan Yi was moved in his heart and asked: "Brother, what do you mean, do you want me to be the county magistrate like Liu Zhongda?"
Huan Jie nodded and said: "That's right. Recently, due to the gradual chaos of the situation, many officials in Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang counties have left to avoid trouble. I have always been kind to Kuanhe, so you must understand me.
Huan's difficulties."
"Brother, do you have any specific goals?"
"Leiyang." Huan Yi asked casually, but he didn't expect that Huan Jie really had a goal in mind. "Leiyang is the only place in the four counties of Jingnan that has iron officers. Armor and weapons all depend on their strength. To me,
The future is very important and must be firmly in our hands. The county magistrate currently appointed in Leiyang is not a direct descendant of the emperor, but appointed by the imperial court. Therefore, I am ready to recommend you as the order of Leiyang."
Huan Yi's eyes narrowed. Although Leiyang and Ling County belong to the two counties of Changsha and Guiyang, they are adjacent counties and connected by waterways, so they can form horns with each other. My brother's arrangement is not as simple as it seems on the surface.
Huan Jie did not explain much, but said: "The current situation is chaotic and the place is uneasy. Before you take office, it is best to meet with Liu Zhongda and ask him to send troops to send you to take office."
Huan Yi nodded when he heard this. He had a close relationship with Liu Jing, and he would definitely meet him when he went south. Moreover, although he had a strong personality and would rather bend than bend, he was by no means a pedantic person, and he did not reject Liu Jing's help.
The two brothers then chatted until late at night before giving up. Early the next morning, Huan Jie asked to see Zhang Xian alone, and the two chatted secretly for a long time.
On the same day, Zhang Xian appointed Jin Caohuan Yi as the magistrate of Leiyang County, Guiyang County.
It only took Huan Yi one day to pack up everything and take a boat to go south. Not only his wife, but also dozens of Huan clan members followed him.