Chapter 19

This year's winter is colder than in previous years, and the first snow fell for three days without stopping.

After returning from the birthday banquet of the prime minister's daughter, the prince became seriously ill.

The rumored edict to be enthroned by the Crown Princess was not issued.

It seemed that something big happened, but the capital was calm and nothing changed.

A silent heavy snow buried the rumors and the truth, and disappeared with the melting snow in spring.

After Zhou Qiaoyu was ill, she still insisted on handling political affairs without slacking off at all, and even more diligent than usual.

To outsiders, it is a singular thing, but in A Si's eyes, it is more like forcing himself to focus on government affairs and not focus on other matters.

The emperor of the dynasty seemed to think it was extremely comfortable to let the prince handle government affairs, so he simply made himself sick longer and handed over the burden to the prince. He and Concubine Hui were so happy.

Several old ministers complained about this, but some people still agreed with this move.

The emperor was mediocre and indulged in love. Instead, the prince had the ability to govern the world. Since taking over political affairs, it has increased revenue and reduced expenditure to make it more effective, which has saved them a lot of effort.

The way of the emperor lies in checks and balances.

It’s not about doing it by the meaning, but doing it alone.

Love is the least needed thing Zhou Gongyu needs and will not bring any good results.

Just like his father and mother, he was in a high position but could only be trapped in the word "love", stubborn and lost his true nature.

He had feelings for Xiaoman, and it was this feeling that made him hesitate.

So he wanted to suppress the throbbing again, so that it would not disturb his mind or give it a chance to create variables.

It seems that everything is simple, but it is not.

At that time, Zhou Gongyu thought about it for a long time, and he thought that he was indeed moved by Xiaoman, and he was only moved by him.

After returning to the Eastern Palace, Zhou Gongyu didn't sleep well for several days.

In the dream, I always dream of some people and things from the past in pieces, and my voice was also very quick and unreal. In the dream, everything was far away from him and I couldn't see and touch it.

After a few more days, the dream became clearer and clearer.

The vast white snow was filled with eyes, and only one person was wearing a red cloak, which was very inconspicuous in the snow.

Xiaoman stood there, looking at him motionlessly, with a sad face and tears in the corners of his eyes.

That dream was too real, and it seemed that you could feel the overwhelming chill.

He walked towards Xiaoman for a long time, but he couldn't get close to her.

Xiaoman just stood there, looked at him deeply, turned around and left in the opposite direction.

Her figure was drifting away in the wind and snow, and no matter how he shouted, he never looked back.

After waking up from the dream, I was sweating profusely and my clothes were wet.

Zhou Gongyu stood up and remained silent for a long time.

He did not ask the palace servants to take the lights, but stepped on the cold floor tiles barefoot, and the bone-black coldness rose from the soles of his feet and spread to his limbs and bones.

It was not until I opened the door and saw the falling snow that I had not melted yet, and then I came back to my senses from my dream.

Xiaoman clearly disappeared, because he didn't have time to catch her.

I really will never come back this time.

In a trance, Zhou Gongyu realized it later, and his thoughts about Xiaoman were not just moved.

No matter how he abandoned these thoughts and left political affairs, there was only such a figure left in his mind.

If you think about it carefully, the days worth recalling in his past life were also related to her.

Whether it is joy or sadness, I will tell her.

Now, when I dreamed at midnight, he was the only one left in the silent and empty hall.

Zhou Gongyu sat slowly in front of the desk, looking at the dark night, the sour and painful pain in his heart swept like a tide, overwhelmingly forcing him to suffocate.

If you are just moved, will you feel so painful?

He was confused, and the firm and clear path ahead of him became illusory at this moment.

——

The winter in Bajun is soon over, and willow branches sprout and bud in spring. This is a scene where the earth rejuvenates and all things shine.

Xiaoman drank the whole winter medicine and his throat was completely cured.

During this period, the county magistrate Jiang and Mrs. Jiang were very caring for her. Because Xiaoman's personality is likable, the people in the mansion took care of her more or less.

Including Jiang Ruoru, the only daughter of the Jiang family, also became close friends with Xiaoman, and repeatedly proposed to move Xiaoman's residence to her yard.

Han Shi's father was the famous General Yunhui, and his mother also came from a family of soldiers. The couple died in battle when he was twelve years old, leaving Han Shi alone.

Fortunately, the Jiang County Magistrate's family loved him and treated him like a parent and child. The mansion also treated him as a serious young master.

The only difference is that the Jiang family is a scholarly family. Not only does the family style strictly mean that they have also built academies.

Because the Jiang County Governor was too strict, all the Jiang family members were regular people, but Han Shi was unique, and they couldn't even manage them.

Xiaoman's eyes slowly recovered by 80% of them. Apart from avoiding staying in strong light for too long, there was nothing serious about it.

Mrs. Jiang treats Xiaoman well, and there are other reasons.

Mrs. Jiang had a friend when she was young. After many years of her life, she almost forgot about her appearance. But when she saw Xiaoman, she recalled the old friend.

She vaguely saw the scars on Xiaoman's arm, and guessed in her heart that her past must be extremely miserable and painful. In order not to touch Xiaoman's sad things, she suppressed her doubts for a long time but could not speak.

The county magistrate's office opened academies, and the students recruited were all men, and the famous scholars were also preaching and answering their doubts.

Jiang Suosi is diligent and studious, and has always been the best student in the academy.

Han Shi was the opposite of him. He could not sit in the academy for a quarter of an hour, and could not listen to the principles of those who were like this. He often climbed over the wall and ran away. After playing enough, he was scolded for copying books and put in in jail.

Although Jiang Ruoruo is a daughter of the Jiang family, he still has to follow etiquette and law. He always teaches his masters when reading and practicing calligraphy, so he cannot be with his male classmates.

Shortly after Xiaoman came to the county magistrate's mansion, Mrs. Jiang suggested that she and Jiang Ruoruo study together, which would be less boring.

As soon as she opened Xiaoman responded happily. After learning from Jiang Ruoruo for a longer time, even someone like her who is very patient can't sit still.

When he came to Ba County, Han Shi reminded her that the Jiang County Magistrate was hospitalized, but he was strict and polite.

Now it seems that it is not only strict, but even pedantic.

In addition to the Master, there is also a female gentleman. The two taught Xiaoman and Jiang Ruoruo that were both "Women's Commandments" and "Women's Training", and they also read the "Book of Filial Piety" from time to time.

In addition, Jiang Ruoru also wanted to learn about Nu Hong, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.

When he was in the prime minister's mansion, Xiaoman could be said to be undisciplined.

Because I couldn't leave the house, I often looked for books to read. Although I went through it all in a hurry and didn't absorb any essence, I also gained my knowledge.

At that time, no one cared about what books she wanted to read, and Zhou Qiaoyu often brought books to her from the palace.

From the difficult and difficult historical and military techniques to some folk-circulated strange stories, she read almost everything, but she had never read "The Women's Commandments". When she first heard the teacher's lecture, she felt novel, and the more she heard it, the more she felt something was wrong. The lessons taught in the book also surprised her.

Jiang Ruoru heard it seriously. Seeing Xiaoman frowning, he asked her in confusion: "What's wrong?

But what's wrong?"

The gentleman also stopped and looked at Xiaoman.

Xiaoman was humble and asked, "The student didn't understand a little, and just said, "One person is proud of himself, which means eternal graduation; one person is frustrated, which means eternal completion." But then he said that a man can marry again, and a woman cannot marry again, otherwise it would be against etiquette and morality.

Why can a man marry multiple concubines, but a woman gets punished by God if she remarries... Why is this?"

Jiang Ruoruo didn't expect this, and it was strange that Xiaoman had this idea.

"This has been the case since ancient times. It's natural. Is this what else?"

The Master was patient for the time being and explained: "Ms. Jiang said it well, and it has been like this since ancient times.

Husband is the sky. Heaven cannot escape, and Husband cannot be separated.

It is common for men to marry a concubine. In any case, if you marry a husband, you will naturally have to take the husband as the most important thing.

Both ladies are the best, and they will definitely be the wife in the future. If the husband has something to ask for, how can he not agree?”

Xiaoman became more and more confused as he heard it, and then asked: "Why is it common for a man to marry a concubine?

Then there is no woman who married multiple men?"

Jiang Ruoruo, who was beside him, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The Master fell down, held the book and turned another page, and said a few more obscure words with a stern expression. Xiaoman's confusion made him angry and said with an unhappy expression: "As a woman, you should say less of these words. If you know about it from outsiders, you must mock the lady for not knowing etiquette and not knowing what kind of virtue and virtue are."

Han Shi reached out outside the window and waved to Xiaoman and Jiang Ruoruo behind the Master.

Jiang Ruoru glanced lightly and quickly withdrew his gaze.

On the other hand, Xiaoman not only looked at Han Shi, but also waved to him.

The Master was immediately angry and thought that Xiaoman was ungrateful and was unbearable, and was a good guy with Han Shi.
To be continued...