Bend Over [ 折腰 ] - Chapter 148

[Chapter 146]

Xiao Qiao continued to hold her daughter in her arms, and when she fell asleep, she gently put her on the bed.

The weather is getting hot, the little guy is chubby, and the neck and armpits like to sweat when he sleeps.

Xiao Qiao unfolded a thin quilt suitable for this early summer, covering her daughter’s body, leaving her wet nurse to take care of her, and arrived in front of Mrs. Xu.

She came to Beiwu just now, and Ben went to see Mrs. Xu first.

Mrs. Xu only asked a few words about the situation on the road, and sent her to see Philip first.

At the moment, she is in the flower house that Xiao Qiao built for her, watering a bunch of Jishan Zhongtai roses newly transplanted last year.

The garden is full of life. The verdant branches and leaves of the rose were stained with water droplets, and the branches were covered with various colors of flowers and bones. Before the buds were opened, the fragrance of the buds had already attracted a few bees and butterflies. He flew over and hit Mrs. Xu’s body, and fell on his back in the mud, flapping his wings, scratching his beard and feet, making a buzzing sound, clumsily trying hard again and again, trying to turn over and fly again, But in vain.

That cat, which never came out of nowhere, pounced on it swiftly, pressed it with one paw, sniffed it, and played with it.

Madam Xu hugged the cat away and turned the bug over.

The beetle climbed a few steps in the mud, flapped its wings with a “hum”, and flew up again. The black dots drew an arc in the air and disappeared into the flowers.

“Is Philip sleeping?”

Madam Xu looked back and asked with a smile.

“Sleep.”

Xiao Qiao responded.

“Grandmother…”

She called again, as if there were countless words to say in her throat.

But there is no way to start.

“Hand me the scissors.” Mrs. Xu said.

Xiao Qiao took it from Zhong Li and handed it over.

Mrs. Xu took the flower scissors and carefully cut off a cluster of rotten leaves with white insect eggs.

“I already know.” She said while pruning the branches and leaves, “Shao’er can restrain himself, that’s good. I heard that your father is blind, how is it now?

” I must be able to recover my vision later.”

Xiao Qiao said, holding back the sadness in her heart.

Mrs. Xu stopped cutting, as if recalling the past: “I still remember the scene of your father’s visit to Youzhou in the past. I was deeply impressed by the elegance and grandeur. It has been more than ten years, and time has passed like a white horse, and it just happened suddenly… ”

Xiao Qiao suddenly slowly came up with a hazy thought.

I wanted to ask this old woman, whom she highly respected and admired, why she was willing to accept the Qiao family for good, and let her only beloved grandson marry a daughter from the Qiao family.

“Shao’er didn’t say when will she be back?”

Mrs. Xu asked suddenly.

“The provocation in Hanzhong, he should be busy preparing for the battle, I’m afraid he won’t be able to come back…”

Xiao Qiao returned to her senses and responded quickly.

Mrs. Xu’s eyes stayed on her face for a moment.

Xiao Qiao met her gaze and did not retreat.

“You just came back, the road is hard, go to Haosheng to rest first. When you recover your energy tomorrow, take Philip back to the Westinghouse.”

Mrs. Xu looked at her for a moment, nodded, and smiled.

…

Since ancient times, the military has set up special marching operations, recording and checking the list of dead soldiers, and providing pensions to their families after the war.

Although there are ancient methods, of course, the only ones that can really be implemented are the prosperous dynasties, or the teachers of benevolence and righteousness in the ideal of sages.

Born in troubled times, beacon fires for years, soldiers are fierce and dangerous, too many people have died, and human life is really contemptible like a mustard.

In the event of a war, the bodies of the fallen soldiers are staggered, like a pile of mounds.

Even when there is a shortage of military rations, it is not uncommon to use the bodies of dead soldiers or plunder civilians as military rations.

When fighting and the dead have become a daily existence like eating and drinking, even in Wei Shao’s army, when there are continuous wars, it is impossible to record the names of every dead soldier.

More mothers and wives can only look through their eyes while waiting day after day until despair.

A complete list of the 16 guards who died in Yanzhou with Wei Liang. Several of them are from Yuyang people, all from ordinary households.

The bad news had already been passed on to the family along with the military pension. In the ordinary death theory.

Xiao Qiao prepared an extra pension from his dowry that was enough for the dead to live with the family, and sent someone to distribute it.

She didn’t come to comfort herself.

The natural asymmetry of status and inferiority determines that even if the family members of the guards know the real cause of death of their son or husband, and their resentment, they can only express gratitude and fear.

A few days later, she only went to visit Wei Liang’s mother and wife.

In Luoyang, she and Wei Liang said goodbye. Wei Liang once specifically said that if the lady returned to Yuyang, if she saw her mother, she should not tell her that she had been injured and endangered.

…

I haven’t seen my son’s face for almost a year and a half.

Suddenly, I learned from the queen’s mouth that Wei Liang should be able to go home to visit relatives soon. Wei Liang’s mother and wife were very happy.

I am even more grateful for the lady who came to visit.

When Xiao Qiao was leaving, Wei Liang’s mother insisted on sending her to the door regardless of her age.

On Xiao Qiao’s way home, the beaming smiles of Wei Liang’s mother and wife a moment ago appeared in front of her eyes, with mixed feelings in their hearts.

The carriage walked slowly on the street, gradually approaching the Wei House in the north of the city, and stopped at the door.

Xiao Qiao was helped by Chunniang to get off the carriage, and at a glance, he saw a black Dawan Junqi tied to the horse-tethering stake beside the stone foundation on the right side of the gate.

Wuxian was tall and majestic, with slender hooves, and his body was smooth and smooth, as if he had just stopped for a long time, and his shoulders and neck were dripping with sweat.

Manu was beside him, wiping sweat for it.

“Men’s horse!”

Chunniang recognized at a glance and blurted out, her voice full of surprise.

Xiao Qiao’s heart skipped a beat, and the blood all over her body seemed to suddenly speed up the flow.

When the concierge saw that the carriage had returned, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet her: “The lady is back! The man is back too! Let’s go back and forth with the lady!”

Chunniang took Xiao Qiao’s arm, almost dragging her in a hurry. She entered the gate and went straight to the Westinghouse, only to stop outside the courtyard gate.

The footsteps were a little faster, and after stopping, Xiao Qiao took a breath.

A row of servants and maids stood under the basic steps. Lin Ni was looking around at the gate of the courtyard, and suddenly saw Xiao Qiao, she hurriedly greeted her with a smile on her face, and said in a low voice: “The man is back! It’s in the room! The little girl is asleep, and the man is by the side, watch what she sees. Don’t blink your eyes, alas, my heart is about to melt…” Chunniang’s eyes showed joy

. Continue to send Xiao Qiao to the bottom of the foundation steps, help her to tuck the slightly loose hair from the wind to the back of her ears, look at her, Fang smiled, and said softly: “The lady is very beautiful today. Go inside. .”

Xiao Qiao stopped at the door, facing the hidden door, calmed down, gently pushed it open, and walked in.

…

This little person with stretched hands and feet sleeping soundly under his eyelids, delicate and beautiful like a little flower, is actually his Wei Shao’s daughter?

Wei Shao sat on the side of the bed, leaning in, holding his breath and looking down at the little man who was asleep on the bed.

Soft hair, light eyebrows, long eyelashes, small nose, slightly open pink lips when asleep, chubby little arms and calves…

Wei Shao leaned closer and smelled There was a faint scent of milk on her.

Her heart was so soft in an instant that she even felt an urge to put her little hands and feet into her mouth and gently bite her.

It seems that only in this way can he express his love and guilt for her.

She was so old that he didn’t come back to see her until now.

Wei Shao’s eyes widened, staring greedily at her daughter’s sleeping face, and suddenly noticed a thin layer of sweat on her nose.

He slowly reached out his hand towards her little face, and reached it carefully, trying to wipe the sweat for her.

When his fingertips touched her nose, he turned his head and saw Xiao Qiao standing in front of the small window beside the screen, staring at himself.

The breeze slowly blew in from outside the window, gently rolling the low-hanging carved roller shutter. The curtain could not cover the bright afternoon sun outside the window, and a few bits of sunlight leaked in and fell on one of her cheeks. Her skin was as jade, and her eyes became clearer and brighter.

She looked at herself like this quietly, with a soft smile on her slightly upturned lips.

Wei Shao’s hand paused in the air for a moment.

Without looking at her, he withdrew his gaze, immediately stood up from the edge of the bed, and walked out.

Passing in front of her, the figure quickly disappeared beyond the threshold.

…

Wei Shao kowtowed to Mrs. Xu: “The grandson came back to see his grandmother, which is really unfilial. How is grandmother?”

Since Wei Shao went to Bingzhou at the beginning of last year, the army and horses have been arrogant. Until now, Mrs. Xu has not seen his face again. She is very happy, holding his arm to help him up, looking at him for a moment, and smiling: “Okay, okay, Although he has lost some weight, he is in good spirits. Have you been to see your wife and daughter?”

Wei Shao said, “I have.”

“Your mother may not have seen you for a long time and misses you a lot.”

Wei Shao said, “I just sent someone to go. I told her. Grandma comes out here, and I’ll go see her.”

Madam Xu nodded and smiled: “It’s good to go home. I’m fine, I’ll be fine here, how long are you staying here? It’s important to spend more time with your daughter-in-law… ”

I tell my grandmother, my grandson came back this time. First, I haven’t seen my grandmother for a long time, and I miss my grandmother. Second, I haven’t returned since Philip was born. It’s not right, so I went back this time before I sent troops. I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay.” After a while, I will be leaving in a few days.” Madam Xu

glanced at him: “Are you going to fight Brother Lezheng in Hanzhong?

”

Slightly startled, his expression gradually became solemn: “Why? Le Zhengkai is begging you, why are you attacking Langya first?”

“I know what happened in Yanzhou, and Liu Yan stirred the muddy water…” She hesitated. .

“Grandmother misunderstood,” Wei Shao smiled slightly, “I made this decision not out of revenge. It was because of other thoughts.”

Mrs. Xu stretched her brows and looked at him with a single eye, and she smiled: “Tell it to my grandmother.”

“Liu Yan is the emperor of the Han family, and he claims to be orthodox. Although there are some people in the Langya court, except for Yuan Zhe, the rest are nothing to worry about. After the defeat in the First World War, I am also tired of teachers and people, and my strength is not as good as before. While Liu Yan was still young, the whole world thought that I was going to fight against Hanzhong, but I came to him by surprise. Pei and Qiaojun will attack Langya and Xuzhou at the same time, and when a siege is formed, it will be like catching a turtle in a urn, and Langya will be destroyed!”

Wei Shao’s tone sounded quite indifferent.

Madam Xu pondered: “This strategy is indeed unprepared and unexpected. It’s just a provocation in Hanzhong. If troops come, how should you deal with it?”

Wei Shao smiled and said: “Although the Hanzhong Lezheng family is strong, there are hidden dangers. I I heard that the sons of Le Zhenggong have always faced peace but disagreed with each other, secretly fighting for power and profit. When Le Zhenggong died, he was like a pack of wolves losing their heads, and the sons would be suspicious of each other. Although the emperor sent an oath to attack me, it seemed impassioned, but in fact it was forced to face and should be a helpless act. If I give a generous gift to appease me and add another city to show my good intentions, he will go downhill and die. His Lezheng family is arrogant and proclaimed emperor in Hanzhong, and his brothers are at war with each other. After I destroy Langya, if I attack him again, I will get twice the result with half the effort. At that time in the world, who else can compete with me?”

Speaking of which, his There was a hint of undisguised pride in his tone.

Mrs. Xu slowly got up from her seat and walked to the window with crutches. Facing the distant mountain outside the window, she stood silently for a moment.

“Shao’er, I think it is also a side branch of the Han Dynasty. The decline of the Han Dynasty began with Emperor Ai. If one day, you can make a big wish, you must remember that success and failure are caused by different reasons. The one who died.”

“The grandson must remember the teachings of his grandmother.”

Wei Shao stood up and said respectfully.

…

Previously, Xiao Qiao was reluctant to sleep with her daughter separately at night. Basically, she took the same bed with her, and the wet nurse or Chunniang slept with her in the room.

Wei Shao is back today. As soon as it was dark, Philip was carried by the wet nurse into the next room.

Joe followed. At the end of You, as usual, Philip was full of milk and fell asleep sweetly.

The wet nurse urged her softly, “Go, ma’am. Leave it to me.”

Xiao Qiao put a light kiss on her daughter’s forehead and told the wet nurse before returning to the room.

Wei Shao went out after seeing Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Zhu during the day, and hasn’t come back yet.

Xiao Qiao took a bath under Chunniang’s service, and changed into a newly tailored lake green homely summer clothes.

After giving birth, due to her youth, her figure recovered quickly. Now that four months have passed, the waist is still in a grip, and the figure is still light, not much different from when she was a girl.

It’s just that the breasts are full, and the clothes were too tight before, so I can only cut a few new sets.

The soft silk fabric covered her skin, completely wrapping her delicate figure, but it was clear at a glance.

Xiao Qiao personally prepared Wei Shao’s clothes for bathing, and waited for him in the room.

It wasn’t until very late, near the end of Hai Shi, that I heard his footsteps coming back.

Little Joe greeted him.

Wei Shao was expressionless, stepped in, glanced at the bed, and turned to Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao said softly, “Fifi is next door and sleeps with the wet nurse.”

Wei Shao frowned, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t say anything after all, just left her and went into the bathroom by himself, with a “bang”, closed the door out the door.

[End of This Chapter]