Two consecutive sunny days made the winding bluestone road dry and warm.
Fang Fei opened her eyes, but she didn't know when the blindfold had fallen off.
In the darkness, she saw her own position - she was lying in the arms of a man, sleeping on her side, and he stretched out his hands to surround her.
What a familiar sleeping position!
What a broad chest!
She was shocked, and suddenly she noticed that his body moved slightly, maybe he opened his eyes - subconsciously, she locked her whole face in his chest, and from top to bottom, he could only see her.
Hair, nothing else can be seen.
She was extremely shocked, extremely frightened, and wished she would never wake up—never, ever.
And, never be seen, never be seen by anyone.
Because, she suddenly remembered that her son was next door!
Hong'er is next door!
And here I am, sleeping with a man in my arms like this.
That's an embarrassment of being a mother.
She was afraid that he would know, that he would find out—that the child would be harmed.
She buried her head tightly, then quietly slipped away from his chest, pretending to be in a deep sleep, and inadvertently moved towards the wall.
His back was already turned to him.
It's just a turn, and it can't even break away from physical contact.
He sighed softly, and his voice turned out to be sweet. His hand slowly touched her shoulder and stayed there for a while. This shoulder had become thinner and no longer as lush and exquisite as before. His hand started from her black shoulder.
She moved her hair away, slowly, but still didn't get up, just looked at her back quietly.
Even if you only have a back view of yourself.
It's also so touching.
Just like the sudden release after so many years of suppression, both body and mind are so happy, and the heart seems to be burning with joy. Women need tenderness, hugs, and strong arms from men. Who says men don’t need it? Men even more
Longing. I have been lonely for long enough.
He stretched out his hand again, quietly, in a hugging posture, and the two of them just cuddled together. Even his habit of going to bed early and getting up early for many years was broken. He looked at the gloomy weather outside the window and actually hoped it would rain soon -
- Let the heavy rain fall, let the heavy rain completely cover the world and hide everything.
Only in this way can everything last forever.
But, it didn't rain.
The wind kept blowing, and the clouds seemed to have been blown away, but it stopped raining.
There was a knock on the door.
Just a moment, a moment, very polite.
Because the door was bolted, he had to knock on the door. It was a child's clear voice. He maintained his good habits and went to bed early and got up early even though he was in a strange place.
"Queen Mother...Queen Mother, Hong'er is coming in..."
Fang Fei's back stiffened for a moment.
Luojia stood up slowly, put on his clothes, and went out first, using another door.
When I went out, I was so flustered, my face was red, my heart was pounding, as if a young man on a first date had been caught having an affair.
He tangled his hair, fiercely, and his heart actually felt secretly sweet - exciting, and sweet. Unexpectedly, he was already old, and he had an affair with his wife!
Then, he turned a corner and came in.
Hong'er had already put on his soft deerskin boots, with a dagger hanging on his waist. He twisted his bearskin clothes in an airy manner. He then looked at Luo Jia, who was also dressed next to him, and looked up and down at him happily: "Ah, what are you doing today?"
So handsome."
"Is it?"
He was also very satisfied with his outfit. Because he also changed into a new outfit, and in his memory, it seemed that she liked it very much. She liked herself dressed like this the most.
"Are you coming to see the Queen Mother so early?"
"Hong'er wakes up early, why do you have the nerve to stay in bed?"
Hong'er's eyes were full of gratitude: "Thank you very much. It's all your help to take care of the Queen Mother... I will definitely ask my father to thank you..."
Luo Jia laughed and lowered his voice: "Hong'er is good...this is our secret, and we don't need your father's thanks."
"Why is it a secret? My father told me that if you receive kindness from others, you must repay it..."
"Have you forgotten? I don't like to play with adults, I only like to play with children..."
The child was slightly regretful: "Okay then. But in that case, my father won't be able to thank you."
Luo Jia smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Hong'er, you have to remember that a man does not do things just to be thanked."
"What's that for?"
"The only question is whether you are worthy of your conscience!"
Hong'er looked up at him and thought for a long time. At this time, he had not expected that this sentence and even his attitude towards women would be affected throughout his life. (For Hong'er's story, please read "Time Travel"
"Become the Concubine of the Tyrant", Hong'er is the male lead in the article, Emperor Xiaowen, who took the pseudonym Li Huan after traveling to modern times.)
The child thought about this sentence carefully for a long time.
Then, he raised his head and looked at him: "It would be great if you could meet my father. You are so kind, he will definitely listen to what you say."
Luo Jia was shocked and said softly: "Your father will also listen to Hong'er's words. As long as you obey your father obediently, he will always love you."
"I know."
Hong'er thought for a while before excitedly saying: "Are we going hunting again today?"
"Hong'er, do you still want to go hunting?"
"I guess, hunting is really fun. But..." A look of embarrassment appeared on his face, "If we all go to play, no one will accompany the Queen Mother... No one will accompany the Queen Mother in the past two days... Oh, I won't go.
, I want to stay with the Queen Mother at home..."
Luojia saw that he was very thoughtful at a young age, and although he was playful, he was able to suppress his child's playful nature and offered to accompany the Queen Mother at home.
Although children are naturally filial, the education they receive must also play an important role.
It was enough that the Queen Mother was someone close to him. However, the Emperor Hongwen and the Queen Mother Feng were so incompatible with each other. The child had no complaints against his father and even thought about bringing bear meat back to him.
It is certain that Empress Dowager Feng never taught him to resent his father.
There are very few women who can maintain such an education and mentality towards their children when they are emotionally discordant with their men.
He sighed secretly, laughed, and touched the child's head. After spending time together these days, his feelings for the child suddenly became a little closer.
He was also slightly sad because he had so many children in his early years. Of course the third prince was a treacherous son, but Emperor Hongwen also fell into a gloomy state. Even in his whole life, he never expected to find a satisfactory one who could truly be his wife. Instead, it was this one.
My grandson gave me infinite comfort in my old age.
He stared at the child, as if he had never had such strong feelings for his own children in his entire life.
"Hong'er, do you miss your father?"
The child looked at his gentle eyes and nodded: "Yes, I remembered that tomorrow is the ninth day of the Lunar New Year. Every time I arrive, I should pay my respects to my father..." His voice lowered. This was not the case before.
I only say hello at 369. We meet every day. "I don't know if my father has come back from hunting... If he comes back and I don't say hello to him, he will definitely be unhappy..."
Luo Jia said gently: "You should be back soon. Don't worry, my father will love you even more when you go back this time."
The child asked him doubtfully: "Really?"
"Really. Hong'er, if your father hunts a tiger, he will definitely make tiger skin clothes for you."
The child seemed to be greatly encouraged and very excited, "Are we going back tomorrow?"
"Oh, my child, don't worry. The Queen Mother is not well yet. Let's wait until the Queen Mother recovers."
"Okay, I'll wait until the Queen Mother gets better."
"Hong'er, can we stay at home with the Queen Mother today? Don't worry, I also have many fun things to teach you."
"Great."
The child agreed and ran to the bedside to see the Queen Mother.
"Queen Mother, did you hear that? We are playing with you at home today..."
Fang Fei still had her eyes closed and wore a blindfold. She just held her son's hand.
Luo Jia waved and blinked: "Hong'er, let's go out for morning exercise first and come back in an hour."
"Queen Mother, Hong'er is going out now and will be back with you later."
The child and Luo Jia went out, and Luo Jia closed the door with his own hands.
Fang Fei immediately opened her eyes, jumped out of bed, and locked the door bolt from the inside.
The ground was cold with her bare feet. Then she saw the soft deerskin boots and bearskin clothes on the ground. The sun was out, so wearing these clothes was not so appropriate. However, she felt cold in the house.
Whoosh, I put them on anyway, looked in the mirror, and remembered that Hong'er also had such little boots, and when I looked at myself, she looked very proud, like a female savage.
She looked at it several times before putting down the mirror and quickly washing her face and mouth.
The box next to the cotton jacket suddenly contained several more items: they were all newly bought rouge and gouache, not the expired ones like yesterday.
She stared blankly at herself in the mirror. She had eaten, drank and rested well these past two days, and her face was not that ugly.
Even a touch of bright red - where did it come from?
Is it like having an affair? She looks like a woman in love!
She quietly covered her face and did not dare to open it again for a while. However, her body was very comfortable and her heart was very sweet. For the first time in so many years, she felt such sweetness and warmth, which was more exciting than any political victory.
feel satisfied.
Suddenly a strong greed developed - I want to be like this for a long time!
You must live this way.
This is what I want. I and Hong'er will be well taken care of. Why not?
However, if one is the Crown Prince and the other is the Queen Mother, can they really leave as they please and choose whatever they want?
There are only some scratch marks on the forehead, which are uninteresting, red and green, and so annoying.
Those nasty bruises.
Especially around the corners of the eyes and forehead, it's simply horrible. It doesn't hurt, it just damages the appearance.
She slowly picked up the comb on the table, combed her hair, and carefully made the bun into a very fashionable look. Then, she lightly applied makeup. The very fine and smooth rouge was patted on her face.
A smooth, wisp of crimson. The red lips rippled. She moved her lips away and pursed her lips. The woman in the mirror seemed to have suddenly become ten years younger.
Ten years ago!
Ten years ago!
It is the benefit of spring.
Those were my most prosperous years. What were I still doing? It was just the reconciliation with Luo Jia, the reunion again, and the return to the Li Zheng Hall, so many lingering and melancholy days?
She was so sad that she put down the mirror, just like Hong'er, feeling so beautiful and happy.
Pushing open the small wooden door next to it, there were neatly placed meals on the table, a variety of fine porridges, and a large bowl of desserts - the same things that looked like bird's nests but not exactly like yesterday.
She picked it up, drank it carefully, and then drank it all in one breath.
After eating and drinking, I returned to the house. The woman in the mirror had flushed cheeks and looked full of energy.
The scar on her forehead was still boring and annoying. She hesitated, but still took a white cloth and bandaged it, like the ones she had seen before from people in the southwest. It was said to commemorate Zhuge Liang, and was bandaged in western Sichuan.
, many people wear veils like this. She once saw a scholar-official from the Southern Dynasty who came to the North to seek refuge, also wearing such a veil.
She took care of herself and stood at the window for a while, breathing in the fresh air and moving her limbs. After a while, she heard her son's chirping laughter outside, and then she calmly returned to the bed and lay down.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... Have you had breakfast?"
The child's soft little mouth almost kissed her face. She gently squeezed his hand and asked in a low voice: "I ate, what about you?"
"Hong'er ate too. Today's breakfast was delicious. I didn't eat such good pastries at Cining Palace. The gods said that they are a specialty of North Wudang and only Taoist priests can make them..."
"I also ate which one." She asked quietly, "Where have the gods gone?"
"He is behind and will be here soon. He said that he will also make a pair of soft deerskin boots for the Queen Mother. Queen Mother, in this way, we will have two pairs... Deerskin boots are thinner and more comfortable than cowhide boots...
..." The child reached out and touched her eyes gently, feeling very, very sorry, "Queen Mother, are your eyes not healed yet?"
"not yet."
"Oh, you won't be able to see the immortal like this. He is really handsome..."
The child's little hand touched her face with a stream of heat, which made her feel sour and almost shed tears. Poor child, how could he know? It was precisely because he was by her side that she did not dare to take off the blindfold.
Just like some people who say they are drunk even though they haven't drank a drop of wine.
"Queen Mother...ah..." The child suddenly became a little scared, "Will your eyes always be bad?"
She said softly: "Are you afraid that the Queen Mother will become blind?"
The child's voice was even more frightening: "Queen Mother, will you really lose your sight?"
"It's okay, Hong'er. As long as I, Hong'er, am still here, of course I will see my Hong'er all my life... Be good, don't be afraid. In two days, the Queen Mother will be able to open her eyes."
The child then breathed a sigh of relief: "Is it really going to be fine in two days?"
"real."
At this time, footsteps came from outside. It was always like this. Before anyone arrived, the sound came first: "Hong'er, are you talking to the Queen Mother again?"
Hong'er made a face and whispered: "Queen Mother, it would be great if you could see it. The god is wearing a very handsome dress today..."
Hong'er had turned around. Fangfei quietly looked behind him, pulled back the blindfold a little, and could clearly see the person walking in the door:
Sure enough, he has white hair!
She suddenly covered herself with a quilt, covering her whole body, and burst into tears.
In front of him is the 28-year-old Luo Jia, wearing a tall crown of green silk on his head, with a layer of bright gold wrapped around it. The golden light is shining and powerful.
At that first glance, he was her enemy.
But he is the most handsome person in her opinion.
The joys, sorrows and joys of this life are all connected with that 28-year-old man.
It seems as if he is always 28 years old and has never aged.
But I have aged so horribly. I have become so old that there are shallow fine lines on the corners of my eyebrows and eyes.
She couldn't hold back and sobbed silently.
The child couldn't feel it under the quilt and thought the Queen Mother was hiding again.
He was the only one standing at the door, staring silently at her. Silently staring at the slightly shaking quilt and the crying figure under the quilt.
The child has already jumped over: "Shall we play chess today?"
He was very gentle: "The weather is bad today, so we will play chess at home, and we can also throw pot."
"Then, let's play pot throwing first. I like this the best."
The two began to play the game of pot throwing.
Pot throwing is a form of shooting game evolved from archery. The pot thrower stands at a certain distance from the pot and throws arrows into the pot. The winner is determined by the number of arrows hitting the mouth of the pot or the state of the arrow being hit.
Those who win will drink, those who lose will drink.
The room was very large, and the pot was placed in the middle of the left corner. The child stood one foot away, and Luo Jia stood two feet away. The chips were of course not drinking, but pine nuts. Everyone took a bunch of dried fruits, and the victorious one,
Just add a dried fruit.
When I got bored playing indoors, I went outside to play Cuju in the spacious courtyard.
It's getting late.
The weather is even colder.
After having dinner early, the lights were already on in the room. Luo Jia closed the doors and windows, and then said to Hong'er: "You stay here with the Queen Mother first, I will go out for a while."
The door closed, and Hong'er hurried to the Queen Mother's bed.
Fangfei sat up and said, "Hong'er, are you happy today?"
The child laughed excitedly: "Your Majesty, it's so fun. I like playing here very much."
She whispered: "Won't you feel bored or bored if you play here all the time?"
"No way! I will never get bored playing with the gods. He will tell me jokes, take me to play games, and teach me how to learn archery and horseback riding. By the way, he also teaches me how to read.
... Queen Mother, I think the gods are really powerful. He is a Xianbei, but he can read... King Dongyang and Lu Tai can't, they only know how to ride and shoot..."
The child was a little strange: "I don't think he is like ordinary Xianbei people."
Fang Fei said lightly: "He is a Taoist priest, but of course he is not like ordinary Xianbei people."
"But, he and Grandpa Taoist Master also look different."