Peace and Safety, Year After Year

When will I be able to see the southern snow with you, when I and the plum blossoms will both grow old together?

As winter deepens and the weather grows colder, the river begins to freeze.

A small boat, covered with broken ice, slowly glides across the river.

Zhaoyue stood at the bow of the boat, holding a bamboo pole in her hand, and would nudge a piece of ice that floated by.

"Smack."

The thin ice was lifted.

It was working diligently, but its nose kept twitching backward.

Wine was warming on a small stove in the cabin, steam rising from the spout, and the aroma of the wine wafted out from the gaps in the curtains.

Shen Gui sat by the stove, his blue robe sleeves rolled up slightly, and a booklet open in his hand.

Zhaoyue sniffed twice and then quickly covered her nose.

In the past month or so, it has figured out one thing.

The young master is now stopping to drink for others more often, and he's also drinking more frequently.

The previous one was a good thing.

The second one, Zhaoyue still doesn't understand.

The wine was bitter and spicy, and drinking too much of it was expensive. The travel expenses in the package were so low that they could be counted without even having to calculate them.

It followed the young master northward, and traveled for almost a month.

There are more boats on the water than before.

Those heading north were mostly military vessels, with their gunwales lowered. When they encountered narrow waterways, they had to line up to pass, while government officials stood on the shore to check the seals and let the vessels pass one by one.

The situation on the shore was quite different.

Many people were heading south on the country road. Those who could bring a car did so, while those without carried backpacks. Some were leading sheep, and children sat on bedding, all asking how much longer it would take to reach a safe place.

Zhaoyue often leaned over the side of the boat to watch.

It truly felt that the war was not far away from those civilians who did not carry knives.

In some places, the price of grain had already risen before any enemy troops were even seen.

Some families didn't even know what their enemies looked like, but they had to lock the door first and start heading south.

They stopped at Hebianyi Town about two weeks ago.

That day, a woman carrying a letter from her family in the army asked several people for directions at the entrance of the post station.

She was illiterate, and her husband was serving in the army in the north. The letter had been delivered three days ago, but she hadn't dared to ask her neighbors to read it to her.

Zhaoyue had already bought the hot pancakes and was urging them to leave.

The woman asked Shen Gui a question.

"Sir, can you read?"

"knowledge."

"Could you help me see what my husband wrote?"

Shen Gui took the letter.

The letter was very short.

He said the camp had issued winter clothes, and his old leg injury hadn't flared up. He probably wouldn't be able to come back before the New Year, so he told his family not to wait for him.

At the end, he asked his son if he had grown taller, and whether the old ox in the house was still eating grass.

Shen Gui read it from beginning to end.

After listening, the woman simply folded the letter twice and then unfolded it again.

"Sir, could I trouble you with one more thing?"

"explain."

"Could you write me a reply? I'll pay you for writing it."

Shen Gui borrowed paper and pen at the post station.

The woman said a sentence, and he wrote it down.

The woman talked about everyday matters, saying that her child had lost a tooth a couple of days ago, that the old ox was still alive, that there was enough food at home and not to worry, and that she scolded the man for being too strong and running away if he couldn't win.

As she finished writing, she stood there for a long time and said, "Let me write one more sentence."

Shen Gui didn't urge it; he just stood there waiting.

After thinking for a long time, the woman said, "I'll write, 'Come back alive.'"

Shen Gui wrote the four characters, blew the ink dry, and put the letter back in the envelope.

He was supposed to set sail that afternoon, but he waited half a day longer in the post town until a messenger heading north changed horses and he personally handed over the letter before leaving.

The woman kept offering him money, but the young man refused.

Zhaoyue remembers it very clearly.

In the past, the Copper Coin Prince would definitely not have accepted the letter. He might have read it aloud for the child, but he might not have waited half a day to personally deliver it.

"Snapped!"

A loud bang came from the bow of the ship.

"Zhaoyue," Shen Gui's voice came from inside the cabin, "Look ahead."

"Watching!"

Zhaoyue's crescent moon between her eyebrows shone brightly for a moment, and then she thrust the pole out.

The ice was cleared, but the bamboo pole got stuck on the shallow rocks on the shore, causing the small boat to veer off course and swing its stern half a circle outwards.

"Caw!" Zhaoyue hugged the bamboo pole.

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Shen Gui held the wine pot with one hand and steadied the stove with the other.

The boat regained its footing, and Shen Gui lifted the curtain to look at the bow.

"Should I do it?"

"Need not!"

Zhaoyue pulled the bamboo pole back. "Bing ambushed me just now."

"oh."

"Young master, you must believe me."

"letter."

Zhao Yue looked at him suspiciously, feeling that this statement of belief was even more infuriating than disbelief.

The smell of alcohol wafted over again.

The little toad covered its nose and continued rowing the boat.

……

In the afternoon, a tributary branched off in front of the waterway.

Shen Gui also flipped to the back of the booklet that Yang Qinghe had given him.

This is a compilation of information, with the beginning of the booklet listing the waterways, passes, and ghost tribes of Beichezhou.

It's written very clearly, and any unclear points are noted. Zhaoyue likes this aspect very much, at least it doesn't require much brainpower to read.

After flipping through half of the manual, the content of the remaining half changed.

It's no longer about mountains and rivers, nor military reports, but about people's names and current situations.

Shen Gui read two lines and said half-jokingly, "I've been thoroughly investigated along the way."

Zhaoyue leaned against the cabin door. "Did that old man check on you?"

"I've checked."

"Then how dare he give you the things he used to investigate you?"

"As people get older, they become more shameless."

Zhaoyue immediately made a mental note: people become shameless as they get older. She raised her hand and touched her cheek, finding it covered in bumps.

Continue down the page.

Remembering the acquaintances and events along Shen Gui's journey.

The text mentions the current situation of the Teruno sect, where the Tsubaki family lives, and the current rotation of the old temple in Huaidu. These are just a few key points, without going into detail.

The only thing Shen Gui didn't understand was a line that read: "[Shen Yanmeng, in search of your whereabouts, has already traveled north to Beichizhou.]"

"Smoke Dream..."

Shen Gui didn't remember knowing this person. He lingered on the first character "Shen" for a moment before looking away.

Shen Gui continued reading until he turned to Qinghe County, where his hand paused for a moment.

[Chen Ayue, whose family register has been properly established, runs a general store with Xu Yanqing, and their livelihood is gradually becoming stable.]

After reading it, Shen Gui turned the page.

The boat traveled more than ten feet.

He turned back over.

Zhaoyue had just broken a small piece of ice when she turned around and saw this scene.

"What's wrong?"

How far is Qinghe County?

Zhaoyue tucked the bamboo pole under her arm and hurried to flip through the water map.

"Qinghe County..."

After searching for a while, it pointed to the fork in the road ahead, "Go in through that tributary, take two days to get around, and if you go with the current quickly, you can get there before dark on the second day."

"Let's go take a look," Shen Gui said.

Zhaoyue knocked away a piece of ice floe. "Aren't we heading north?"

"Only two days."

"Does the young master wish to visit that Miss Chen?"

"Um."

Zhaoyue rolled up the water map and immediately went to change the direction of the bow of the boat.

It didn't ask why.

In the past, when Shen Gui passed by the place where his old friends were, knowing that they were still alive was probably enough for him.

Now he turned back to that page.

This is enough for Zhaoyue to ponder for a long time.

……

Qinghe County.

In this small town, the past few days have been filled with a festive atmosphere thanks to the red paper decorations.

According to local custom, the banquet for a wedding should last for seven days, and people come regardless of the time of day; neighbors can come and sit at a table whenever they have free time.

When the bamboo boat docked, it was the fifth day of the banquet.

Chen Ayue was unaware that someone had changed the itinerary. She was currently standing in the courtyard, helping the matchmaker arrange the tables and chairs.

"We borrowed eight benches from East Street, six from West Alley, and two tables from Aunt Wang's house. Since you don't have any relatives to help you keep an eye on things, you need to be careful. You'll have to pay for every single one that's missing."

The matchmaker read from the booklet.

There were piles of red paper on the ground in the yard, and there were two bags of rice left in the kitchen. The meat would be delivered first thing tomorrow morning.

Chen Ayue checked each item one by one, always holding a charcoal pencil in her hand, adding a stroke wherever needed.

Six months ago, she couldn't even say which household register her name should be in.

Now she can keep track of the grocery store's accounts herself.

Things will get better day by day. There will be regrets, of course, but that's the norm in life. It's already good as it is now.

The stolen silver left behind by Yanmeng did not end up in her hands; it was all sealed up and put into the case by the government.

The newly appointed county magistrate came once in person and brought people to correct her genealogy. Before leaving, the magistrate asked, "If Miss Chen has any further difficulties, just come to the county to find me."

Her attitude was so submissive that Chen Ayue didn't dare to respond.

The county magistrate then asked her what her relationship was with the prefect.

Chen Ayue was even more confused now.

The highest-ranking official she had ever met in her life was that Mr. Su, who was said to be a fifth-rank official. As for who the Prefect was, she had only heard about him from other people, so she had no idea what connection he had with her.

Because of this, Chen Ayue and Xu Yanqing pondered it for two days.

I haven't figured it out yet.

Later, I simply stopped caring; life had to go on.

Because Chen Ayue had a formal household registration, and with their joint efforts, they used their savings to buy some groceries. At first, they only had two wooden boxes. Xu Yanqing pushed the cart, and Chen Ayue helped from behind. They would set up a stall whenever there was a market day.

They sold all sorts of trinkets, earning little but making a daily income. Later, when business improved, they opened a small shop.

They moved from Changluo County to Qinghe County, and although they lived under the same roof, they still slept in separate rooms.

Xu Yanqing was afraid that if he spoke up, he would lose even his current life.

Chen Ayue also had her own awkwardness. She had been married once, and although she never considered that marriage a serious matter, others might not see it that way.

The two of them just kept talking like that.

Until war broke out in the north.

That day, Xu Yanqing returned from closing the shop, bolted the door, and stood in the yard for a long time without going inside.

Chen Ayue asked him, "What are you standing there for?"

Xu Yanqing said, "I have something to say."

"What's wrong?"

"If the county conscripts laborers someday, I'll have to go and deliver grain."

Chen Ayue stopped wielding the kitchen knife.

"You haven't been conscripted yet."

"I know."

Xu Yanqing looked at the woman in front of him and spoke slowly, "I'm just afraid that if I keep putting things off, one day I really won't have the chance anymore."

Chen Ayue guessed what was going on, a blush flashed across her cheeks, but her eyes met hers:

What are you trying to say?

"Ah Yue, if you're willing, let's get married."

Just this one sentence.

Chen Ayue only replied with one sentence.

"OK."

After choosing an auspicious day, the wedding proceeded.

The matchmaker, having already checked the tables and chairs, then asked, "How should the seats for the elders be arranged for the wedding ceremony the day after tomorrow?"

Chen Ayue didn't respond; she and Xu Yanqing had been discussing this matter for several days and nights.

Chen Ayue lost contact with her own parents, whose fate was unknown, and Xu Yanqing's parents were already dead. As for her relatives and elders, they had none left.

The two had thought of the gray-clad figure, but he was a highly skilled and reclusive person, someone even a fifth-rank official couldn't find, let alone the two of them.

The matchmaker waited a while, then tentatively asked, "Should we place the memorial tablets of the Xu family elders in the center first?"

"Set it up."

"Your area..."

Chen Ayue was also unsure, and the matchmaker was shrewd, so she didn't ask any further questions. "Then let's do it the way the Xu family does."

After saying that, the matchmaker turned to leave.

"etc."

Chen Ayue suddenly called out to her.

She put down her charcoal pencil, ran into her room, and soon came out carrying a wooden statue.

The wooden statue was roughly carved, and all that could be seen was that it was a young man, with four characters crookedly carved at the bottom.

[Benefactor Shen]

The matchmaker glanced at him and asked, "And who is this?"

"The person who saved my life."

Chen Ayue wiped the dust off the wooden statue. "If we can't find him, let him sit here for a while."

She took a piece of new red silk and tied it to the wooden statue herself.

……

Two days later, on the last day of the banquet, was also the wedding day.

The Xu family courtyard was full of people.

When they were bowing to heaven and earth, Chen Ayue could only see a small patch of ground beneath her feet through the veil.

There were no elders present, so the county priest recited the prayers, and after he finished, the matchmaker ran up and called for the ceremony.

A worship of heaven and earth.

Two worship the high hall.

She knelt down with Xu Yanqing. In front of them were the memorial tablets of Xu's parents, and the rough wooden statue was placed next to them, with a red ribbon tied around its neck.

The husband and wife bow to each other.

Immediately, a commotion broke out in the courtyard.

"Xu Yanqing, bend down a bit!"

"Miss Chen, don't let him hide!"

The matchmaker shooed the people away, laughing and scolding as she escorted the newlyweds into the house.

Even after the door was closed, the noise outside continued.

Xu Yanqing stood for a while before reaching out to lift the veil.

Chen Ayue's face was burning from being covered by the red cloth. The two held hands and looked at each other, remaining silent for a long time.

As he looked around, Xu Yanqing said, "I'm sorry, on this joyous occasion, I couldn't even find an elder to officiate for you."

"What did you say?" Chen Ayue raised her hand and touched Xu Yanqing's cheek.

"You look so beautiful," Xu Yanqing said gently.

The two embraced for a long time before parting.

Chen Ayue's face was still flushed, and Xu Yanqing got up to open the window for ventilation.

He pushed open the wooden window and stood by it, watching the guests in the courtyard drinking and chatting, a lively scene indeed.

He glanced at it a few times, then prepared to close the window, and then...

Xu Yanqing shifted his gaze to the corner and saw a figure from behind. He rubbed his eyes, then rubbed them again.

He suddenly called out, "Ah Yue!"

"Um?"

"Hey you over there, come take a look!"

Chen Ayue got up from the bedside, went to the window, and looked in the direction he pointed.

A small table was placed in the corner of the courtyard.

A little toad sat on a stool, with two empty bowls stacked in front of him.

Beside it, a man in a blue robe held a wine cup in his hand, looking over through the red paper covering the courtyard.

Chen Ayue stood there, stunned. She looked at it once, then looked at it again.

That face was no different from the one in my memory, except that the gray clothes had been replaced with a blue robe.

Just then, the man in the blue robe turned to the side. Several red lanterns hung under the eaves of the courtyard. Through the shadows of the lanterns, he toasted the two newlyweds with a cup.

Chen Ayue turned around abruptly: "It's my benefactor!!!"

Xu Yanqing had already rushed to the door, and the next moment, the door was open.

The matchmaker was waiting outside when she saw the two newlyweds coming out together, and hurriedly reached out to stop them.

"Sigh, once you're in the bridal chamber, you can't go out anymore, that's the rule..."

Chen Ayue walked past her, and Xu Yanqing followed even faster.

When the bride and groom came out of the bridal chamber in a hurry, everyone in the courtyard looked over.

Chen Ayue ran to the banquet table in the far corner before stopping.

She opened her mouth, tears falling first, her voice choked with emotion: "Mr. Shen."

"Congratulations." Shen Gui put down his wine glass.

It was still a short sentence. Chen Ayue raised her hand to wipe her face, making her rouge look more and more messy as she wiped it off. "Why are you here?"

"Just passing by." Shen Gui smiled. "I've come uninvited and just wanted a drink."

"Welcome! Welcome!" Xu Yanqing quickly replied, afraid that his benefactor would get up and leave.

Zhaoyue still had a piece of meat in her mouth. She looked up at Shen Gui. The young master had arrived the day before yesterday and waited two days to attend this formal banquet, yet he was still pretending to have just arrived.

Then she noticed that the young master had glanced at her, and Zhaoyue quickly lowered her head to eat her meat.

Xu Yanqing had already gone to get the wine, poured himself a glass, and then poured one for Chen Ayue.

"Mr. Shen, we've never had a chance to thank you for what happened back then."

Shen Gui said, "Today I bid farewell to the past."

Xu Yanqing understood and raised his glass: "Then let's toast the couple."

Shen Gui also raised his glass.

The three cups clinked together.

After Chen Ayue finished drinking, her face turned even redder.

She talked about the shop, saying that business is not good now, just enough for two people to eat. Recently, due to the war, the prices of salt and cloth have gone up, but fortunately, she had some stocked up before.

After listening, Shen Gui only asked, "How have you been?"

"it is good."

Chen Ayue answered quickly.

She was stunned for a moment when she said that word.

In the past, if someone asked her how she was doing, she would have to think for a long time.

No longer needed.

Shen Gui finished his drink and reached out to pour Xu Yanqing another cup.

The staff at the courtyard were still urging the newlyweds to go back to their room.

Chen Ayue turned around and responded, but when she turned back, Shen Gui was still sitting.

They weren't leaving.

"Go inside, don't miss the custom."

……

The party ended very late that night.

During this time, guests would often visit Shen Gui. The fabric of his clothes was clearly not simple, and people whispered among themselves that the Xu family also had wealthy relatives.

Later, when the neighbors had finished eating, only bones and an empty wine jug remained on the table.

The borrowed benches must be put back against the wall first, and the plates must be counted, otherwise we'll have to go back to each household tomorrow.

After the last guest left, Shen Gui got up to move the tables and chairs and called Zhao Yue to help tidy up.

Zhaoyue carried a stack of empty bowls to the kitchen, turning back to look at his sleeves every few steps.

"Young master, please don't get any oil on your hands."

"It's already stained."

"where?"

Shen Gui showed it his cuff.

Zhaoyue froze completely.

"A hidden pattern worth three taels of silver!"

It put down the bowl, intending to save the clothes, but Chen Ayue stuffed a dry cloth into its mouth, so it could only squat down and wipe them.

Shen Gui stacked the plates on his table, carried them to the kitchen door, and then came back to place the bench against the wall.

He didn't use any magic; he simply helped the newlyweds tidy up the courtyard.

Xu Yanqing tried to take over the work twice, but failed, so he had to help carry things. By the time the yard was almost empty, there was only half a pot of green ant wine left on the table.

Shen Gui poured himself a full glass of wine. It was ordinary wine, and a bit strong when he drank it.

After finishing his drink, he said, "The wine is good."

Chen Ayue was tying red paper by the door when she heard this and immediately looked up: "There's more in the kitchen!"

Xu Yanqing also said, "There are still a few jars left in the kitchen, all made by the same family. I'll get them for you, sir."

The two of them ran to the kitchen together.

Zhaoyue glanced at the young master.

Shen Gui placed the empty cup face down on the table.

"Let's go."

"Now?"

"Hmm, that's enough. We'll drink again next time."

Zhaoyue glanced at the kitchen doorway, picked up her bag, and followed.

When Chen Ayue and Xu Yanqing came out carrying the wine jars, two people were already missing from the courtyard.

"Mr. Shen?"

No one answered.

Chen Ayue put down the wine jar and chased after him outside.

The alleyway was empty.

Xu Yanqing called out to her from behind, "A-Yue, there's something here."

On that table, there used to be a small peach wood plaque.

The sign is new, with a red string tied to the top.

There are only twelve characters engraved on it.

May you have a son soon, and live a long and healthy life, year after year.

Xu Yanqing picked it up.

The peach wood felt warm to the touch.

The aches and pains from moving tables and welcoming guests over the past few days gradually subsided. He stretched his shoulders and handed the sign to Chen Ayue.

Chen Ayue caught it, held it in both hands, glanced at the snow and moon tonight, and embraced her husband.

In the far distance, a small boat emerged from the water, and a figure in a blue robe looked back at the county town.

"very nice."