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Meanwhile, in Bishui Alley, the family was also eagerly anticipating Gu Jiao's return.
The night Gu Jiao left, they had all gone to bed, and it was only the next day that Xiao Heng informed them about Gu Jiao going to the border.
Yao shi nearly fainted on the spot.
The border was amidst a war, why did her daughter go to such a place?
Gu Yan was accustomed to Gu Jiao's presence. When she left so suddenly, Gu Yan felt like a part of himself had been cut away.
Gu Xiaoshun was also worried and sad.
He had grown up with Gu Jiao since childhood. Of all the people, he spent the most time with her and the shortest time apart. Hence, among them, he was the one least accustomed to it.
Little Jing Kong woke up to find Gu Jiao wasn't there and nearly burst into tears, but then he saw the letter Gu Jiao left for him and held back his tears afterward.
JiaoJiao wasn't in the capital, so it was useless for him to cry.
He decided to save his tears and cry to JiaoJiao when she returned.
Xiao Heng now worked simultaneously at the Hanlin Academy and the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice received information quicker than the Hanlin Academy. Whenever there was any activity on the frontline, the Ministry of Justice was the first to know alongside the Ministry of War.
Whether for official business or personal reasons, Xiao Heng had spent more time at the Ministry of Justice in the past two months than at the Hanlin Academy. There, he opened numerous letters.
"Is the road blocked by heavy snow again?"
Minister Xing, while writing a report, asked Xiao Heng who was sorting the letters nearby.
Xiao Heng collected the letters and calmly replied, "Yes, they were delayed around Cangzhou."
Minister Xing frowned and said, "Cangzhou is at least seven or eight days away. The army probably won't make it back before the New Year."
The day after tomorrow was New Year's Eve, even if the army marched non-stop, they wouldn't reach the capital.
Xiao Heng looked at the swirling snow outside the window and wore a pensive expression.
While the border was bitterly cold and filled with the flames of war, the capital remained unaffected by it. The streets and alleys were filled with peddlers and workers, numerous shops lining the bustling streets, and crowds of people coming and going, creating a scene of splendid prosperity.
Every household in Bishui Alley hung red lanterns, pasted window flowers and couplets, including their home.
This year, Lin Chengye and Feng Lin both returned to You Province for the New Year.
Although there were quite a few people at home, it still felt desolate, perhaps because of the absence of the two or because of Gu Jiao's absence.
The little trumpet spirit had stopped its chatter, and Grandaunt stopped playing cards with the neighbors.
Yao shi's youngest son was now three months old, but surprisingly, he was well-behaved, neither crying nor fussing, almost as if there was no baby in the house.
Little Jing Kong stood at the doorstep, his arms extended behind him while his small body leaping out as he peered left and right towards the alley's entrance.
JiaoJiao.
He wanted JiaoJiao.
The sound of a carriage approached the gate, and Little Jing Kong excitedly ran out, only to find his bad brother-in-law instead.
Little Jing Kong's face fell, saying in disappointment, "Why is it you?"
Xiao Heng got down from the carriage and tapped his forehead, "Why not me?"
"Humph." Little Jing Kong turned his face away.
"Let's go." Xiao Heng said to him.
Little Jing Kong followed him sluggishly, looking back every three steps.
Xiao Heng walked ahead, knowing without turning what the boy was doing, "Stop looking. JiaoJiao won't be back today."
Little Jing Kong asked, "Why?"
Xiao Heng replied, "The road is blocked by heavy snow. The army can't move."
Little Jing Kong inquired, "Then can JiaoJiao come back tomorrow?”
Xiao Heng said, "I don't know."
Little Jing Kong: "What about the day after tomorrow? The day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Can JiaoJiao rush back to spend my birthday with me?"
Xiao Heng teased, "But you're not born on New Year's Eve."
Little Jing Kong placed his hands on his hips and stomped his feet, "The abbot said my birthday is on New Year's Eve! That's my birthday! JiaoJiao celebrates my birthday on New Year's Eve too!"
Xiao Heng chuckled and didn’t continue to argue with him. Instead, he stopped and rubbed the boy's head, now with a bit more hair, "Go inside."
The next morning, Little Jing Kong sat on the doorstep from dawn till dusk, waiting so long he turned into a little snowman, yet Gu Jiao didn't return.
Gu Yan walked over and took the little fellow inside.
It was nearing midnight, and after that was the day of New Year's Eve, yet the army remained trapped in the snowy mountains near Cangzhou. They were destined not to return this year.
At night, the whole family gathered in the main room by the fire.
Suddenly, a knock came from the front yard, startling everyone.
"JiaoJiao!" Little Jing Kong was the first to rush out.
However, it wasn't Gu Jiao but Grandma Zhou, who had come to deliver dumplings.
"Thank you, Grandma Zhou." Little Jing Kong politely took the basket and thanked her.
He carried the basket back to the main room.
Just as they settled, the courtyard door was knocked again. This time, it was Gu Xiaoshun who dashed out.
Gu Yan also wanted to go, but he was a bit sickly and couldn't run faster than the two of them!
Unfortunately, it still wasn't Gu Jiao this time. It was Aunt Liu, who brought spring rolls.
When the courtyard door was knocked for the third time, it was Dark Guard A who dashed out, feeling the murderous look from his young master: Either open the gate or face death!
Aiya, how ruthless!
"...Thank you, Uncle Zhao!"
Dark Guard A returned to the main room with a basket of duck eggs.
Everyone sighed collectively.
The courtyard door was slightly ajar. Gu Jiao never needed to knock when returning home, so everyone knew it wasn't her.
But they still couldn't help but hope.
"Let's all go to sleep." Xiao Heng told everyone.
Everyone returned to their rooms with a heavy heart.
It seemed Gu Jiao truly wouldn't return this New Year's Eve.
Xiao Liulang tidied up the main room, not feeling sleepy yet. He went to the study and tried reading a book for a while, the same national book of the State of Yan. He had read almost half of it.
However, he just couldn't focus tonight.
New Year's Eve had once been the most important day of his life, the day he came into this world and the day he "died" in that big fire.
Coincidentally, both events happened at midnight.
Xiao Liulang glanced at the hourglass on the wall.
It was nearing midnight again.
He closed the book and stepped into the quiet courtyard, looking at the swing Gu Jiao had made, lost in thought
Thud!
Something hit the courtyard gate.
Xiao Liulang came to his senses, furrowed his brow, and went towards the gate.
Grannie Fang had bolted the gate before sleeping. Xiao Liulang hesitated for a moment before removing the bolt.
He pulled open the crimson gate, and a blast of chilling snowstorm gushed in.
Amidst the snow and wind, a figure in green sat against the wall on the doorstep. One slender leg was bent, while the hand holding a horsewhip rested on the knee.
Her hair was tousled by the wind and snow, her lips cracked and dry. She was soaked through, weather-beaten, looking somewhat disheveled.
She leaned against the corner, gasping for breath.
She looked up and her eyes, which remained clear despite the wind and sand, gazed deeply at him. She curved her lips slightly and said, "Happy birthday, Lord Xiao."
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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