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墨書 Inktalez
Qin Shuying felt that his luck had been quite poor lately. Just today, after answering a summons at the yamen, he was hit squarely by a large clump of snow that fell from a tree, leaving him covered in cold, wet snow.
Back in his room, holding a clean cloth, he wiped the snow off his hair while contemplating a very important and profound question.
Could it be that the capital city was simply not meant for him?
Ever since he decided to stay here, he had encountered various misfortunes daily, which was quite the opposite of his smoother days at the Northern Frontier. Perhaps he should just abandon his current position in the capital and return to the battlefield?
If it weren't for the Former Emperor and the Grand General, he would have...
Thinking of these two who had passed away one after another, Qin Shuying felt a pang in his heart, slowly rising to pain. Memories of the past surfaced in his mind as he sighed deeply, tossing the half-wet cloth onto the back of a nearby chair before turning to settle himself comfortably in his robe.
Forget it. For now, it was best to stay put in the capital.
“General Qin? Grand General? General Qin?”
A series of cautious calls brought Qin Shuying back to reality. Following the sound, he saw a dark-skinned face wearing an apologetic smile.
Qin Shuying did not stand up but simply pushed off with his feet while sitting in the chair. The chair turned halfway around until they were facing each other, and only then did he speak: “Does Lord Liu need something from me?”
Liu Fangyi quickly waved his hands, “I cannot accept being called ‘Sir’ by such a great general.”
While Qin Shuying was internally conflicted, he had no time to engage in small talk. He leaned back against the chair's backrest, raised his chin slightly, and impatiently tapped his fingers on the armrest.
Having fought alongside him, Liu Fangyi knew that Qin Shuying was nearing his limit with this behavior, so he got straight to the point: “Sir, I would like to ask for your help. My daughter has been restless and unable to sleep lately. I wonder if the general could assist…” As he spoke further, it became increasingly difficult for him to continue.
Qin Shuying was taken aback at first but then realized he was referring to that obedient girl. He asked, “What happened to her?”
Liu Fangyi proceeded to detail the girl's symptoms one by one.
After listening for a while, Qin Shuying finally understood two things.
First, the girl hasn't slept for a long time, so she is now running a low fever. If this continues, she might get sick.
Second, the Liu Family wants to ask him to help coax the girl to sleep. The reason is simple: when he handed the child to Liu Fangyi, the girl was indeed asleep.
Understanding the other party's intention, Qin Shuying immediately refused without hesitation, "It's impossible."
Liu Fangyi knew that Qin Shuying wouldn't agree right away and quickly pleaded earnestly. However, Qin Shuying was resolute in not helping and showed no signs of changing his mind.
Liu Fangyi grew anxious, "But the girl is the one you saved; she only trusts you. Moreover, she fell asleep here with you... General, I truly have no other options and can only come to you for help!"
Qin Shuying crossed his arms and sneered, "Do you know that what you just said is completely wrong?"
Liu Fangyi was taken aback, "What’s wrong about it?"
Qin Shuying scoffed and turned his head away.
This was not complicated at all.
First of all, he was not the one who saved that girl. Secondly, he certainly wasn't the one who put her to sleep.
Help him?
Sure!
But he had to be able to help!
Qin Shuying refused to agree to anything. Left with no choice, Liu Fangyi could only resort to the last tactic suggested by his wife.
He clasped his fists in a bow and earnestly said, "I have brought the girl here."
Qin Shuying was astonished, pushing the window open to look at the falling snow outside, then turned to Liu Fangyi in disbelief, "You actually brought her here in this weather?"
"Yes," Liu Fangyi replied honestly. "Even with the weather being so terrible, I still brought her. I only hope that the General can take a look at her; even if it's just for a moment, it would be good."
Only then did Qin Shuying seriously examine him.
Years ago, Liu Fangyi had been a hundred-man leader under his command, diligent and earnest in his work, and brave in battle. Therefore, Qin Shuying had a good impression of him.
This straightforward man, who had always obeyed military orders, had now brought his daughter over without any prior notice, just to "force" Qin Shuying to take a look at her...
Qin Shuying put away his earlier indifferent attitude. He lowered his eyelids, fiddling with the jade pendant at his waist, and asked, "Where is she?"
"Son brought her; she's waiting in the carriage outside," Liu Fangyi said cautiously as he noticed Qin Shuying's attitude softening. "Should I bring her in now?"
Qin Shuying glanced up at the sky and shook his head. "No need. I'll go see her."
On the snowy street, guards and soldiers were moving about. Most of them were not carrying the usual weapons but rather shovels, brooms, or baskets. They were not patrolling but clearing the snow to make way down the center of the road.
At that moment, a carriage was parked by the roadside, already covered with a layer of snow.
Peeking inside after lifting the curtain, upon seeing the young lady, Qin Shuying began to worry.
She was already delicate-looking, but now she appeared even more pitiful in her current state. A closer look revealed that she seemed unwell, with an expression clouded by lingering sorrow.
Qin Shuying discreetly glanced in a certain direction and calculated the time in his mind before making a decision.
He reached out with long arms and lifted the girl along with the brocade blanket wrapped around her. Turning to Liu Fangyi and Liu Anzhi, he said, "You two should go back for now. Once she feels better, I'll take her to find you." After taking a few steps, he remembered something and turned back to ask, "Girl, what is her name now?"
Hearing this question, both father and son exchanged glances.
Qin Shuying understood the situation and, without waiting for their response, waved his hand and hurried away.
Former Emperor had no wife or concubines and did not like having too many attendants, making the vast palace feel empty. New Emperor, an orphan raised by Former Emperor, was also in a similar situation now that he had just ascended the throne. If one walked along a slightly less frequented path in the palace, it was common to walk for half a day before seeing another person.
Having grown up beside Grand General and frequently visiting the palace over the years, Qin Shuying was naturally familiar with it. Due to the close relationship between Grand General and Former Emperor, Qin Shuying could enter the palace without much hassle, going straight inside where someone would report his arrival to the emperor.
Upon reaching outside Qin Yuan Hall, Qin Shuying saw a short, thin figure quickly approaching with small steps from a distance. As he got closer, he recognized the person to be around thirty or forty years old, pale-faced and beardless—none other than Uncle Yu, who was close to the emperor.
Uncle Yu raised the oiled paper umbrella in his hand over Qin Shuying's head and worriedly said, "Why did the Grand General come out in this snow? How are they taking care of you all?"
Qin Shuying replied, "It's already better now; walking like this is no trouble."
Uncle Yu looked at the falling white snow and smiled wryly, saying, "The Grand General must truly be used to Northern Frontier. A heavy snow like this in the capital doesn't seem to bother you at all."
Qin Shuying chuckled lightly and glanced at the closed hall doors. "Is His Majesty inside?"
"Yes. He is currently reading books."
Uncle Yu then looked at the bundle that Qin Shuying was holding. Wrapped in a brocade quilt, its contents were not visible. He pondered silently for a moment, still uncertain about what it was, but led Qin Shuying to Qin Yuan Hall.
Outside the door, Qin Shuying called out loudly before pushing the door open. He scanned the table and saw no one there; looking towards the soft couch, it was still empty. He then turned around and searched the surroundings until he finally found him by the window.
White-Clad Youth was reading a book with one hand. Although he was only around ten years old, he already displayed an air of nobility. In the cold sunlight filtering through the snow, his tall figure appeared especially proud and aloof.
"Why are you here?" The boy's voice rang out like Jade Spring in winter, refreshing and soothing.
Seeing that it was warm enough inside, Qin Shuying did not say much; he slowly unfolded the brocade quilt from his arms and took out the girl who had been curled up inside. "She hasn't slept for days. If she doesn't rest soon, she might fall seriously ill."
"Ill?" Uncle Yu quickly stepped forward to stand in front of Qin Shuying. "Why don't we take a look first? If it's just a minor illness—"
He had not finished speaking when he was startled by a faint glance from the boy by the window. He hurriedly fell silent, lowering his head and standing there. Yet, his expression still revealed a hint of worry.
Huo Yun'ai walked up to Qin Shuying and raised two fingers to touch the girl's forehead.
His fingers were slightly cool, and as soon as they touched Qing Wu's skin, she instinctively shrank back. Slowly opening her eyes and realizing it was him, Qing Wu smiled faintly.
Huo Yun'ai did not expect her to recognize him. At such a young age, having just experienced a great calamity, she must have been unable to pay much attention at that time. However, recalling her calmness and wisdom back then, he understood a bit more. Perhaps it was due to having developed a habit that night; Huo Yun'ai casually placed the book on a nearby chair and reached out to hold her.
Compared to Qin Shuying, He Family, and Liu Family's father and son, Huo Yun'ai's embrace felt somewhat cool. But it had a familiar strength that made her feel at ease.
Qing Wu was drowsy and did not care much about anything else. Instinctively shifting slightly, she found a comfortable position to lean against him.
Huo Yun'ai inquired about Qin Shuying's purpose for coming.
Qin Shuying briefly explained the girl's condition to him. Just as he was wryly smiling and saying, "How could I possibly lull her to sleep," General Qin noticed Uncle Yu raising his hand without regard for etiquette, waving it left and right.
Huo Yun'ai also noticed Uncle Yu's actions and frowned slightly in displeasure as he looked over.
Uncle Yu raised his finger to his lips in a "shh" gesture but quickly retracted it upon realizing it was inappropriate. Instead, he pointed at Huo Yun'ai's arms and said softly, "Your Majesty, General, should we make some noise? This girl is asleep."
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