12dz Chapter 267 Then I can only wish my wife all the best.
Chapter 267 Then I can only wish my wife all the best.
"What? You're that reluctant to part with me?"
"That's not it, it's just that it's getting cold, and it's not good for you to be running around like this every day."
Qin Yizhen had him sit by the charcoal brazier to warm himself, then had someone bring over a basin of hot water so he could wash his hands and face, and finally soak his feet.
As Cheng Yan soaked his feet and drank hot tea, he felt the last bit of coldness in his body dissipate, leaving him feeling completely relaxed, peaceful, and warm, as if he were being drowned in it, making him lose the courage to climb out.
People often feel these emotions most deeply at this time.
He was busy outside, but when he returned home, he was comforted by his wife, with hot water, tea, and food at his side. His house was spacious, and his clothes were loose and warm, making him feel comfortable both physically and mentally.
How could he bear not to come back on days like these?
He reached out and squeezed her hand, saying, "If the snow is too heavy and the road is difficult to travel, I will stay at the camp. If I can come back, I will come back to be with you."
What's the point of staying in the camp? It's better to come back and be with my wife. Just staying together quietly like this, he was content and felt that his life was without regrets.
Qin Yizhen thought for a moment and asked him, "Are there any houses outside the camp? Or should I come and keep you company?"
Cheng Yan was taken aback, and stopped drinking his tea: "You're going to keep me company?"
"Yes, since you can't bear to part with me, and I don't want you to travel back and forth in the cold wind and snow every day, plus I don't really have anything important to do in Qindu, I can go and keep you company."
Cheng Yan was very tempted by the idea, but ultimately shook his head: "There aren't many houses at the camp, and it's all men, so it won't be very convenient for you. Besides, the camp isn't as comfortable as the Marquis of Pingxi's place. It's cold and the food isn't good. I can't bear to see you suffer like that. You should stay at home."
"And what about your mother? You have to go to her every five days. Are you just going to ignore her?"
Cheng Yan did indeed like the way she relied on him; she was gentle and considerate, and her eyes and heart were always with him. This gave him great satisfaction and pleasure, but he didn't want her to depend on him completely.
He was a military general. In peaceful times, it would be fine, but in this world, who knows when he would be on the battlefield? He hoped that she could be more resilient and have a broader perspective so that even if the worst outcome came, she could still live peacefully.
He didn't want her to come and keep him company so early.
When he brought up the matter concerning Empress Dowager Cheng, Qin Yizhen frowned and finally sighed, "Indeed, I almost forgot about that. I really couldn't be with you then."
"If the snowstorm hadn't been so severe, I would have come back." Cheng Yan soaked his feet and, once he felt warm, went to the bathroom for a bath. When he came out again, it was already dark outside.
A cold wind blew, causing the lanterns under the eaves to sway slightly, illuminating the snow-covered courtyard in a pristine white. The newly replaced window paper kept the cold wind out, while the house remained warm and cozy.
The palace lanterns on the lamp stand burned quietly, emitting a soft light.
Qin Yizhen sat on a day chair looking at the account book. Not far from her feet was a brazier of charcoal. Under the bright palace lanterns, her figure was graceful and her profile was beautiful and radiant.
Seeing him approach, she put down the account book in her hand, reached out and poured him a cup of tea. As soon as he sat down, he could drink the hot tea with just his hand outstretched. While he was drinking the tea, she quickly called for someone to set out the meal.
"Why are you looking at the ledger?" he asked, holding her slightly cool fingertips.
This is not the time to audit the accounts.
“It’s the accounts of the Department of Child Relief.” Qin Yizhen smiled. “I gave them so much money, I have to know what they did and where the money went.”
"These expenses may not seem like much, but they add up to a considerable amount."
Over the course of a month, the wages, the money spent on supplies, and the expenses incurred while searching for the missing person would easily amount to seventy or eighty taels of silver, and sometimes as much as a hundred taels.
"Any progress?"
"Yes, we found two people, and they have both been reunited with their families."
Qin Yizhen's original intention in establishing the Department of Child Care was to find children who were separated from their families. Two or three months have passed, and she has only found two so far.
“Then it’s worth it.” Cheng Yan smiled and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Two families have been reunited, all thanks to my wife.”
“It is indeed worth it.” Qin Yizhen was also happy. “If it can prevent families in the world from being separated again, I am willing to spend any amount of money.”
"Then I can only wish my wife all the best."
Qin Yizhen couldn't help but laugh. Cheng Yan reached out and pinched her cheek, then sighed softly, "My wife is such a kind-hearted person."
The couple had dinner together, and after they finished, the snow outside snowed harder, so they decided to go see the snow.
In the garden of the Marquis of Pingxi’s residence, there was a plum grove, not many, with only seven or eight plum trees planted. At that time, the first snow had just arrived, and the plum blossoms had not yet bloomed, with only a few red buds slightly emerging from the branches.
The plum grove stood amidst the wind and snow. The sky was pitch black, and the ground was covered in white snow. It stood there quietly, stretching its branches and bathing in the cold wind and snow.
People admire the plum blossom for its noble character, for its saying "No pain, no gain," and for its "not competing with peaches and plums for spring's glory." Cheng Yan, what do you love most about the plum blossom?
"Me?" Cheng Yan saw her reach out and shake a plum branch, and smiled. "I think that plum blossoms, peach blossoms, and plum blossoms are not as beautiful as crabapple blossoms. Look at its slender shoulders and waist, graceful and elegant, blooming gracefully on the branches."
Qin Yizhen blushed slightly and patted his arm: "I'm talking to you seriously."
"I'm being serious with you. I was talking about the crabapple blossom, not you. But crabapple blossoms are delicate and need to be carefully nurtured. They won't bloom if it's too cold or too hot... Ouch... Wife, be gentle."
He was halfway through his sentence when Qin Yizhen pinched his arm hard and snorted, "We're talking about plum blossoms, don't talk nonsense anymore, if you keep talking nonsense I... I'll..."
"How about you?"
"I'll throw snow at you!" Qin Yizhen said, grabbing a handful of snow from the dry grass and preparing to throw it at him.
Cheng Yan, carrying his lantern, subtly stepped aside and said helplessly, "Be careful, the snow is cold, be careful not to get your hands frostbite."
“I’m wearing gloves.”
The so-called gloves were invented by Fang Shixin in his previous life. They were called hand socks, and each finger could be covered. They were very warm to wear in winter.
As the weather turned cold, Qin Yizhen remembered this incident and had some made, which was just right for the cold weather.
Seeing that she was having fun, Cheng Yan didn't stop her and let her chase him around.
Before long, Qin Yizhen's face turned red. Seeing this, Cheng Yan stopped her from running anymore, lest she get cold from sweating.
"The plum blossoms haven't bloomed yet, so there's nothing to see. I'll pick a few plum blossom branches for you and put them in the house with water in a vase. They'll bloom in a few days, okay?"