Chapter 2: The Flickering Shadows of the Red Candle, Reminiscing My Life (Part 2)
Her rosy lips slightly parted, her delicate nose straight, her brows curved like a crescent moon, and the contours of her eyes slightly sunken. Perhaps due to a hint of Western blood—Uyghur merchant caravans frequently traveled to Qinzhou, and the foreign people were not as particular about chastity as the Han people, so there were quite a few foreigners with Western blood in Qinzhou—her features, deeply defined and clear, did not conform to the aesthetic standards of the time. However, if Han Yunniang were to walk down the streets a thousand years later, it is uncertain how many longing gazes she would attract. Thus, there were quite a few foreigners with Western blood in Qinzhou—her features, deeply defined and clear, did not conform to the aesthetic standards of the time. However, if Han Yunniang were to walk down the streets a thousand years later, it is uncertain how many longing gazes she would attract
"Let your parents sleep, they are tired too." He Fang reached out and grasped Han Yunniang's hand, pulling her closer. Feeling the smoothness of her palm, it seemed that her delicate wrist would break with the slightest pressure. Looking at her significantly thinner face, He Fang gently said: "You have worked hard these days. Look, you have lost so much weight..."
Although she referred to Han Gang as "Third Brother," the young girl was not a daughter of the Han family. According to Han Gang's memory, the girl's name was Yun Niang, and she was a foster daughter of the Han family, originally from the barbarian tribes. Four years ago, the ruler of the Western Xia, Wei Ming Liangzuo, personally led an army south to attack Qinzhou, resulting in the destruction of many of the friendly tribes in Yanbian and the expulsion of many others. At that time, the roads in Qinzhou were chaotic and dangerous, and the young Yun Niang was abducted by human traffickers amidst the turmoil and sold to the Han family, thus taking on the Han surname.
The young girl's thoughts are very simple; as the adopted daughter of the Han family, she naturally must do her utmost. Moreover, among the Han family, the one who treats her the best is Han Gang. Heaven shows mercy; after so many days of hard work, it has finally not been in vain. Thinking of this, Han Yunniang felt a wave of emotion, and crystalline tears began to slide down her cheeks.
The term "nurturing mother" (养娘) literally means "nurtured daughter," but it is another term for a maidservant in the Song Dynasty. As for Han Yunniang calling Han Gang "Third Brother," it is not surprising. In ancient times, it was quite common for a household's maidservants, as long as their masters did not hold official positions, to refer to the master and mistress as "father" and "mother," and to call the young masters "brother." Moreover, He Fang had at least read "Jin Ping Mei" and was not particularly astonished by this. In ancient times, it was quite common for a household's maidservants, as long as their masters did not hold official positions, to refer to the master and mistress as "father" and "mother," and to call the young masters "brother." Furthermore, He Fang had at least read "Jin Ping Mei" and was not particularly astonished by this.
The way of heaven is just, and retribution is inevitable. One may engage in actions that harm others, but when one is later betrayed, do not cry injustice... These were the words spoken to He Fang by a senior colleague after a night of drinking, reflecting on their recent attendance at another colleague's memorial service. The colleague lying in the transparent coffin at the funeral home, with a face so shattered and disfigured that no amount of makeup could repair it, left He Fang profoundly shaken. After that day, He Fang decided to abandon his lucrative but morally questionable job and sought a more respectable line of work. The sight of his colleague in the transparent coffin, with a face irreparably damaged, had a lasting impact on He Fang. From that day forward, he always chose to be more cautious in his dealings with others, never going to extremes in any situation.
It is still remembered that Han Gang hurried back home day and night from his place of study in another region to attend a funeral, and on the way, he fell ill due to exposure to rain and wind. Despite his illness, he managed to reach home, but then fell seriously ill. At that time, it was still mid-May, and the weather was quite warm. Now, He Fang is already covered with two thick blankets, yet he still feels somewhat cold all over, not only because of his weakened condition but also because the weather has indeed turned cooler. Calculating the days, it is likely already September or October, the onset of autumn. Now, He Fang is already covered with two thick blankets, yet he still feels somewhat cold all over, not only because of his weakened condition but also because the weather has indeed turned cooler. Calculating the days, it is likely already September or October, the onset of autumn.
Her small hand was tightly grasped, their breaths mingling. Han Yunniang felt her face burning hot. If it were daytime, without the flickering firelight to cast its glow, the blush of shyness on her face would have been immediately noticed. She did not understand why her third brother was not as strict and courteous as he had been in the past, leaving her unsure of where to place her hands and feet.
The girl was still in a half-asleep, half-awake state, her eyes hazy and her voice soft and muffled, carrying a hint of childishness. However, as soon as she lifted her head, He Fang suddenly felt a brightness before him. In the memories left by Han Gang, when he left home for his studies more than two years ago, Han Yunniang was merely a young girl with unformed features. But now, in He Fang's eyes, the twelve-year-old girl truly amazed him.
Han Yunniang gently tugged a few more times, and seeing that He Fang was unwilling to let go, she ceased her movements and quietly sat by the bedside, her delicate and graceful figure resembling a night-blooming flower. However, under He Fang's intense gaze, the young girl's head drooped lower and lower. Her right hand, which was not being held, lightly twisted the silk ribbon at her waist, staring at the plain fabric beneath, as if trying to discern a flower from it.
In early April of this year, the Western Xia army launched another southern invasion, with over one hundred thousand troops fully attacking Qinzhou. Han Gang's second brother donned his armor once again, while Han Gang's elder brother, who was farming at home, was also temporarily conscripted. However, once the two left, they never returned. Han Gang had been studying with Zhang Zai for two years, and just after the Dragon Boat Festival, he was summoned back by an urgent family letter.
From then on, along the border between Song and Xia, there was not a single year without the sound of drums and horns. The people of Guansi were either conscripted to serve as laborers or directly enlisted to don armor and take to the battlefield. Han Gang's father and elder brother had both served as laborers, transporting supplies to the front lines or building fortifications at the border. Han Gang's second brother, after reaching the age of sixteen, joined the military. After enlisting, he frequently participated in battles, sustaining injuries multiple times over the years, and through his merits, he managed to attain a minor officer rank known as Left Ten General.
A family with three sons, one engaged in farming, one serving in the military, and one pursuing studies, each achieving success in their own right, the Han family was considered an enviable household in the village. However, this year, everything has changed.
Tears glimmered like lights, as if crystal beads were falling from the little girl's cheeks. He Fang felt a pang of heartache and reached out his hand, wanting to wipe away her tears. The little girl was startled by He Fang's action, but did not shy away, allowing him to clumsily help her dry her tears. At that moment, she stopped crying, and, not knowing where she pulled it from, took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. The little girl then said, "Right, I will go call Father and Mother to get up"
The words of the senior left a deep impression on He Fang, and they are quite fitting for the present situation: "The way of heaven is just; since you dare to take advantage of the chaos, do not blame me for bringing retribution upon you." He Fang is a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, and he holds grudges. He swore to himself that this retribution would be dealt by his own hand
Perhaps due to lying by the bed for too long, the double buns symbolizing her youthful identity had come undone on one side, and half of her hair cascaded down like a flowing waterfall. The dim yellow light reflected off her strands, shining like the finest silk. Her delicate cheeks were partially obscured by her hair, adding a touch of allure to her youthful oval face.
Awakening from her slumber, Han Yunniang rubbed her eyes in a daze. When she lowered her hands, she found herself meeting the astonished and admiring gaze of He Fang.
After a moment of hesitation, Han Yunniang suddenly covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Ah, I forgot to turn off the light, wasting so much oil!" As she spoke, she tried to support herself on He Fang's body to stand up.
However, a thousand years ago was not entirely disappointing. On the other side of the bed, a slender young girl was half-leaning on the edge of the bed, dozing off. From He Fang's perspective, he could not see the girl's face; he could only see her cloud-like hair, which was bathed in a soft glow from the light, and hear her gentle, delicate breathing that made He Fang's ears feel slightly itchy. Judging by the girl's frail figure, she appeared to be no more than eleven or twelve years old, and in reality, she had just turned twelve. He Fang could not see the girl's face from this angle; he could only see her cloud-like hair, which was bathed in a soft glow from the light, and hear her gentle, delicate breathing that made He Fang's ears feel slightly itchy. Judging by the girl's frail figure, she appeared to be no more than eleven or twelve years old, and in reality, she had just turned twelve. When He Fang first woke up, the first words he heard were "Third Brother" coming from the girl's mouth.
Third Brother! ... ... The little girl, covering her mouth and with wide-open eyes, looked adorably surprised. The day before yesterday, she saw her Third Brother finally showing signs of waking up after a long slumber. Over the past few days, whenever she had free time, she would lean by the bedside, taking turns with Mother Han to watch over him, hoping for Han Gang to awaken once more
"There's no need to rush. Just let the light stay on; it will extinguish itself once it has burned out." The little girl's tricks were not lost on the worldly-wise He Fang. He tightly clenched his hand, preventing her from pulling away.
Leaning against the edge of the bed, Han Yunniang cried incessantly, her tears flowing out as the fatigue and anxiety of the past few months surged forth. She clutched the corner of the blanket tightly, "Third Brother, you must wake up..."
Third brother
During these days of being half-conscious and half-asleep on the sickbed, Han Gang was primarily cared for by Han Yunniang. The twelve-year-old girl attended to the patient meticulously, ensuring that not a single bedsore, which even large hospitals in later generations find difficult to completely avoid, developed. Han Gang was accustomed to this, but He Fang, who had taken over this body, understood how rare this was. Filled with gratitude, He Fang made an effort to raise his hand, intending to smooth out the hair that Han Yunniang had spread across the bedding. This slight movement, however, startled the girl awake from her dreams.
A calamity transformed the Han family from a well-off household into a destitute one. The two courtyards of the house must have been sold—otherwise, the room where He Fang currently resides would not contradict the memories left by Han Gang. Over a hundred acres of farmland were also sold, and the remaining three acres of vegetable garden are still being coveted by others. He Fang overheard a conversation between the buyer of the land, Li Laizi, and his parents, but he does not know the final outcome—whether the last remaining three acres of land belonging to the Han family were also sold.
Thinking of this matter, He Fang felt a flame burning fiercely in his heart. Because of his own issues, their home was looted by others taking advantage of the situation. Both He Fang and Han Gang were filled with indignation as a result.
In the past half month, every doctor who was invited with a substantial fee from Qinzhou City shook their heads and sighed at the end of the diagnosis, saying that her third brother was beyond saving. Several doctors mentioned that no one had ever recovered after being bedridden with a serious illness for four months, followed by more than half a month of unconsciousness. However, in Han Yunniang's small heart, there still lingered a glimmer of hope that she was unwilling to abandon. Every day, she devoted herself to changing and cleaning Han Gang, and whenever she had the chance, she would pray to the deities of the four directions in the heavens.
After being bedridden for three to four months due to a lung disease, He Fang personally experienced the advantages of society a thousand years later. In the era where He Fang currently resides, human life is as light as a feather; whether due to war or disease, a robust young person can easily lose their life, which is certainly not something to be taken lightly.
In the room, the two individuals sat and lay respectively, their gazes not intersecting, yet their hands were tightly intertwined. The occasional crackling sound of the lamp added to the tranquility. Gazing at the beauty under the lamp, one could not help but feel entranced. Holding the delicate little hand of the young girl and observing her shy and charming demeanor, He Fang felt a sense of peace and joy in his heart. Although he had lost his land and property, having a little loli as company made him suddenly think that if he could come to the Song Dynasty, it would not be a bad thing at all