Chapter 8

Anu

What illness have you been suffering from? It has been over a month, and your hair has not returned to its original color

She can still see him today, and she feels that it has turned into this state... There really is nothing more to say

As a bachelor returning to Nanlin temporarily, I happened to pass through this large city and discovered a pharmacy where the doctor specializes in scar removal. The scar removal medicine he produces is the only one in Nanlin qualified to be sold in the Great Wei, and the people of Great Wei are competing to purchase it. While it may not completely eliminate your scars, it can definitely lighten and reduce them. I am also considering ways to buy it... Anu, if you don't mind at all, then... Perhaps it cannot completely remove your scars, but it can definitely lighten and reduce them. I am also considering ways to buy it... Anu, if you don't mind at all, then...

Her movements were still somewhat slow, but she was not in a hurry. She slowly finished washing his clothes and walked back, taking the opportunity to practice her stamina. Now she could complete ten laps around the bamboo fence without getting out of breath. After a while, she thought, perhaps thirty laps would be a piece of cake.

She responded with a sound and walked alongside him on the path. She glanced at his slightly damp long hair and the moisture on his clothes, and even she could smell the fresh scent emanating from him

She hung her head stiffly in his arms, confronting him in silence, neither of them speaking first. Finally, as the sunlight shone on her, making her breathe uncomfortably and causing her to sweat a little, she heard him say:

It is not ... ... it is the aunt invited by Fifth Brother ... ...

Why is there still white hair

Upon hearing this, the air that had been stuck in her throat was finally swallowed down significantly, alleviating her discomfort. She said in a hoarse voice:

That is my fifth brother she said softly

"If one day, Jie Fei can take you out of Nanlin, from then on, the sky will be high and the earth vast, allowing you to soar freely, do not forget to come find me, Xiao Zhou, at that time." This statement seemed somewhat insincere, yet he spoke it with great ease, pretending not to know that this would be the last time the two would meet.

She finally glared at him, unable to help but exclaim, "Fifth Brother, can't you see how Anu looks right now?" She angrily grabbed a handful of her snow-white hair and held it up in front of his eyes. "Anu could be your grandmother now, thirty circles! You might as well take my life instead." The more she spoke, the angrier she became, to the point where she was almost out of breath.

Xu Changmu watched as she truly risked her life to support herself against the wall and walk out, and it was a long time before he heard the fence gate open

Well

"Fifth Brother, just now someone scolded me for being extravagant and wasteful, not knowing how to budget properly." Seeing him raise his eyebrows slightly, she smiled and said, "I never imagined that one day I would live this kind of life in such a place, nor did I think I would be cooking and doing laundry."

A woman entered with a pot of white porridge, smiling. "Tomorrow I will bring some cured meat to go with it, but today let's just have the white porridge. Elder, you haven't had hot food for such a long time, so you need to get used to it again"

Her beautiful eyes brimmed with affectionate laughter, slowly shifting to the basin of clothes in his arms

The house is still quite empty; when you have time, think about how to arrange it. There is no need to touch the wooden house next door

He did not raise his head and said softly

"Alright..." She forced a smile. "I will wait for this day..."

She looked up at him in slight surprise; he appeared calm and collected, his gaze shining as he looked at her. She instinctively lowered her eyes again, hearing him say:

Indeed ... ... no need to supplement ... ... I feel ... ... much better now. Look, Fifth Brother, I walked home and didn't even breathe heavily.

Each time she woke up, he was still asleep. Initially, she thought he was simply exhausted, so she went back to sleep with him, as if she could never get enough rest and could keep him company. However, in the end, something felt off. How could he sleep even more than she did? Even when she sometimes slept until she felt hungry, he, being in the prime of his youth, showed no signs of hunger at all

Anu, take these clothes to be washed

There is a foundation! Xu Liefeng's heart skipped a beat, unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow. If Fifth Brother has time, he will teach a class for the villagers every few days, for instance, explaining the relevant laws of Nanlin to the men who frequently go to the city for trade, so as to avoid falling into legal traps. He will also teach children to read, covering a wide range of topics... The only exception is that he does not take the initiative to teach the women, yet Chunfei is surprisingly willing to attend the class, so...

Does Anu's life belong to me

It is evident that Fifth Brother has put considerable thought into weaving many lies for her, and she feels grateful in her heart, for at least she does not have to let her inner self turn into that of an old woman

I smelled the aroma of porridge, and only then did I realize that I had been hungry for quite a while he said

In the past, Anu would say, "If Fifth Brother can do it, so can I," being quite stubborn. Why is it that now he is as docile as a little kitten?

Washing and beating, beating and washing... She has been washing clothes for over a month, and it is not just that. After the aunt taught her some basic cooking skills, she found herself inexplicably starting to cook meals.

This room is not even half the size of her chamber in the Xu residence, empty and devoid of signs of habitation. It is evident that Fifth Brother truly came and went in haste, likely already aware of the news of their father's and brothers' deaths, yet still had to endure the pain and return to the capital to save her

Good

Whenever she thought of this, she could only pull herself together again, pretending to be the young Xu Liefeng of the past, pretending that her hair color was black...! ... And then continue to burn for this Fifth Brother!

At this moment, she just wants to flow away quietly like a corpse, please do not pay any attention to her...

Xu Liefeng continued to smile faintly, without offering any rebuttal

He speaks beautifully, wanting to be her eyes and hands, but why does she feel that it is her own eyes and hands that are moving

Xu Changmu maintained a smile as the two of them stopped in front of the fence gate. He reached up to touch her cheek, sensing a slight tremor beneath his fingers. Her eyes widened slightly, yet she resolutely refrained from pulling away.

Fifth Brother ... ... Fifth Brother. ... ... ... I have finally met you ...

She instinctively responded with a sound, then blinked and smiled secretly. This remark truly resembled that of a married couple, she thought

Oh... she gently responded again. "Oh... no wonder the unmarried girls in the village are not overly enthusiastic; it turns out they think he has a white-haired wife. That makes sense, Fifth Brother is in his prime, and with her by his side, he cannot openly declare they are siblings, so naturally, the title of wife is the most fitting.

That was the only moment in the day when she could pretend to still be young, somewhat matching with Fifth Brother, like a little frog chasing the eagle in the sky, rather than an old frog that could hardly move anymore

The more flesh you have on your face, the less pronounced the scars will be, and naturally, it will look better

If only she could shrink away and disappear at this moment, if only there were a hole right now, she would want to bury her face and hair completely in it so that no one could see her

His words compelled her to continue looking at him. He brushed his fingers against her cool cheek, gently tracing the scar on her nose with his index finger. "Who did this to you?"

It is alright, I can take care of myself—please return to Xiao Zhou quickly...

The action of drawing the bow momentarily came to a halt

She saw him take a big sip, and felt relieved; at least his body seemed quite normal... She then looked at the porridge brought to her lips, hesitated for a moment, and finally took turns eating with him, one bite each, until she truly could not eat anymore, at which point he finished the remaining portion in one go

Only after she had rubbed her hands dry, leaving no trace of coolness, did he speak

She let out a sound of surprise and turned to ask him, "How did you know that I can only take a bath?"

Do not go. Although it is summer, the stream water is icy and can easily harm your body. Moreover, who knows if someone might be watching?

Fifth brother, this clothing of yours was washed by me, the laundry maid from the old family is working very hard... She was complaining in her heart

I see you, your complexion is much better than when you first arrived, you no longer look like an old woman. The officials in the city are all corrupt, specifically bullying the common people. That scar on your face must hurt quite a bit, right? What a pity, otherwise, if you gained a bit more weight, you might have been a beauty.

The women washing clothes by the stream turned their heads in unison. At a distance, the head of a super wealthy family stood by a tree, its branches and leaves obscuring his exquisitely handsome features. His attire was ordinary, yet his every gesture and movement made him easily recognizable

There is a person sleeping soundly while holding her. This person has an unpleasant odor, as if they have hurriedly traveled day and night, getting into bed without removing their outer clothing, with their arms wrapped around her, their forehead resting against hers, sleeping so deeply.

Have I slept for a long time

Is that so? I thought you would wake up earlier to take care of me when you saw that I had arrived, no wonder I am so hungry. " He sighed regretfully: "Let's eat together.

She did not even dare to think, and with a surge of determination, she said:

"Oh, Anu Po... No, Anu, your pad is leaking!" a girl exclaimed.

Since Anu has been my eyes and hands for so many years, then, from now on, let me repay you by being your eyes and hands in the future, shall we

She did not jump up to refute; she simply clutched the cloth tightly, allowing the red line bat to gently press against her cheek

She gathered her courage, looked him in the eye, and said softly

She detected the pain hidden in his tone and forced herself to calm down. She could not allow Fifth Brother to be too sad; she needed to encourage him to be more upbeat. Therefore, she said softly:

... ... um ... ...

She heard him casually say again

Fifth Brother

She can leave Nanlin with him, accompany him wherever he goes, and does not mind not having children... Of course, now she quietly adds the condition that she can cook excellent rice and does not wash torn clothes

Her heart raced rapidly, and her movements were somewhat hurried, which is why she did not notice that Xu Changmu had slowed the speed of drawing his bow. His beautiful eyes shifted to the shadows of the two on the ground

Indeed, she knows what to write now. She must inform Brother Wu that her surname is Xu, not Xiao. No, it is not necessarily the case that her surname must be Xu; she wishes to adopt the surname on her father's and brothers' tombstones. She asks Brother Wu to fulfill her final wish.

The clothes were almost washed, and she sat down by the shore to put on her shoes and socks, rubbing her aching belly.

She slowly raised her arms to embrace him, and looking down, she saw their long hair cascading onto the bed, the contrast of black and white so distinct. She stared blankly for a long time, truly unable to understand why, having been confined in prison at the age of eighteen, just a few months later she felt as if she had aged a hundred years.

At the same time, she heard a young woman say, "Mr. Xu has just finished taking a shower; look, his hair is still wet"

I remember. I will always remember. At that time, she shamelessly clung to him every day, thinking that if she became his eyes, his hands, and even his feet, he would grow close to her, like her, and cherish her as a sister. At that time, her father and brothers were present, His Majesty was also there, and Xiao Yuanxia had a good relationship with her. She had not yet realized her own self-delusion, believing that she could continue to live so happily.

When she was pulled out of the water by Fifth Brother, she thought to herself, fortunately, Fifth Brother was dressed relatively neatly and had not been seen naked by other women

His tone was calm, as if he were engaging in casual conversation, which made her feel less flustered. She said softly:

"It's nothing..." Xu Liefeng recognized her as the only daughter of the village hunter, named Chunfei, who left the deepest impression on him among the unmarried girls in Xinghua Village. Chunfei had an outgoing personality, but she was somewhat proud, possibly due to her father's exceptional archery skills. There was a time when he saw her competing in archery with some of the village boys, and none of them could match her.

She wrapped her arms around his arm. "Fifth Brother... I want... I want... please help me carry it!"

Who is in front of him? Which Anu is it?

In the past, at the Xu residence in the capital, these trivial matters were handled by others; she had never done them herself... washing clothes, too... She pursed her lips, gazing at the man's clothes that she had crumpled and messed up, her eyes gradually softening with tenderness

"How did Fifth Brother return to Beijing?" she rasped, "Did Rong Sheng not inform you that Anu has been imprisoned?"

The spirits of my ancestors in heaven have long hoped for the fifth brother to branch out and flourish. Although the fifth brother can no longer carry on the family line, perhaps by doing so, it would still be in accordance with their wishes.

She was about to explain, but Chunfei turned around and left without even greeting her. In her youth, she had similar actions, not out of malice, but simply because she found the other person displeasing.

Indeed, my fifth brother is knowledgeable in all aspects of astronomy and geography. Not only that, but his skills in archery and horsemanship are unmatched in the south. On another day, you may invite him to offer you some guidance, and you will surely make progress. How about this: why not come to my house for dinner tonight

Is there a mistake? Xu Liefeng almost spat blood, all because she was screaming there right after taking a shower. How come Fifth Brother, standing there, likely saw their exposed calves and did not scream!

After finishing the meal, it is mostly her, the servant of this household, who is summoned by the master to read. She does this willingly. Although Fifth Brother's eyesight was poor in the past, now that it has improved, who knows if reading too much will harm his eyes? Her voice is like a broken gong, but it is still better than harming his eyes

"Isn't it good for me to cook and do the laundry?" he asked in surprise

His heart softened, allowing her face to bury into his embrace. She clung to him like a lifeline, burying herself in his arms, no longer daring to lift her head. He leaned close to her delicate white ear and whispered hoarsely:

If only the aunt were twenty years younger... she would definitely make a very good daughter-in-law... she would be a great match for my son... my son...

Every day after having breakfast with Fifth Brother, before preparing for a day's housework, Fifth Brother would also invite her, this old frog, back to the inner room, to comb her hair for a while, and to properly arrange her hairpin before letting her croak away.

She did not turn back and said in a gruff voice

Chunfei incredulously asked, "Shall we go to your house to eat rice and drink chicken soup?"

Xu Liefeng almost choked again, quickly clearing his throat twice

Today, she intended to主动去问他想看什么书, but to her surprise, he was sitting at the door carving something. When she walked over to take a look, she exclaimed, "Is Fifth Brother making a bow?"

He concealed his pained expression, took out all the remaining provisions, pushed open the fence gate for her, followed closely behind her, and then opened one of the doors in the two wooden houses for her.

As Xu Liefeng was still lost in thought, Chunfei had already walked barefoot to stand in front of her

"......Good......" Home...... her home with Fifth Brother......

Upon hearing this, Anu was still wondering if he would even entrust the task of tailoring to her. If she continued to be a servant like this, she would inevitably become a perfect little servant, flawless in every way.

She is not an old woman; she is a motherly figure

She felt something was amiss - under the sunlight, she looked at the stick, which was tightly gripped in her hand

She let out a gentle sigh, feeling that she had no regrets; even if she were to leave tomorrow, she would not feel sorrowful. She was filled with gratitude towards the heavens, humbly wrapped her arms around his waist, slowly closed her eyes, and allowed her consciousness to peacefully fade away

"How many days will Fifth Brother be gone?" She carried him on her back, shaking out the wet clothes to dry.

Then, take her away, never to return to the southern shores for a lifetime

During this time, she heard a woman calling out softly, "I was wondering who was coming to stay. It turns out to be the old lady... Old lady? Old lady? Have you been sleeping too long? Do you want to get up and have a meal, maybe take a walk?"

If... Fifth Brother is unable to make it in time? Should she... wake up and at least leave him a final message? However, she does not know what to leave behind; she even feels a sense of disorientation. When she comes to her senses, it will be the time of the New Year, and she wonders which brother will come through the door this time. On which day of the New Year will the ailing Emperor summon her to the palace for companionship?

Xu Liefeng's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Fifth Brother cared for her so much... What if, what if she still... She touched her own white hair

She was momentarily stunned. Especially when she saw his lips gently brush against the ends of her hair, a wave of panic surged within her, causing her to instinctively loosen her grip and let her hair fall freely. She wanted to shrink away, her face immediately dropping as she dared not let him see her.

He twisted the long, soft silver strands of hair on the bed, gazing down for a moment before slowly closing his beautiful eyes. He covered his face with both hands, gradually forming fists, the backs of his hands covered with bulging veins.

She felt a bit awkward and said, "No need, I can just go to the creek with them to wash; boiling water is really a hassle." As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed his shadow looming over her. She looked up and saw that his expression was extremely stern, very stern indeed.

The woman was blushing from what she said, leaving with a radiant smile and a lively demeanor

I am no longer a child, so it is unnecessary. I will prepare more rice and additional wonderful dishes for you the evening after tomorrow

"......Um......" She did not dare to ask him whether she was still there after the winter, nor did she dare to ask if she would recover.

She caught a glimpse of the bat cloth that had been pressed down by him earlier, now resting by her pillow. Slowly, she reached out and successfully retrieved it, placing it into her own embrace while Fifth Brother was still holding her.

After hesitating for a moment, she took off her shoes and socks, rolled up her pant legs to reveal a section of her calf. Only then did she lift the hem of her skirt, her cheeks slightly flushed, allowing the shallow stream to glide over her ankles, timidly and cautiously stepping on Fifth Brother's clothing.

She has always been fearful, feeling that her life has been tumultuous over the past nineteen years. Clearly, she was the proud daughter of the Xu family, but in an instant, she became a member of the royal family, and in the blink of an eye, she was thrust into hell. If someone were to tell her that if she passes this hurdle, there will be a broad and smooth road ahead, she would not believe it at all

She stared at her delicate white insteps for a long time. It seemed a bit fleshy now, compared to her previous feet that resembled those of a skeleton, there was an added layer of thick flesh covering them... This was only natural, as she ate white rice every day, because her fifth brother loved white rice, so she cooked it daily. She had never considered that her rice cooking skills had improved with each passing day.

She really wants to tell Fifth Brother that even though she has become an old woman, he doesn't have to treat her as if she were his mother

He bent down and casually picked up an item to hang, with the two of them back to back. He absentmindedly said:

"Anu, did you cook the porridge?"

Currently, the Xu family residing at the end of Xinghua Village has seemingly become the super-rich in the eyes of the villagers ever since visitors saw the rice jar nearly overflowing during their visits

He regained his composure and smiled, saying, "The room is so small that what should be seen has been seen, and what should not be seen has also been seen; it is nothing to be concerned about"

Anu, I am hungry

Xu Changmu watched her movements, which were not as agile as before but still considered a significant improvement. The affection in his eyes faded, and a raw sense of pity surged forth.

She ate laboriously in small bites until she could no longer eat, then weakly lay down on the bed, taking a handkerchief from her chest and resting it against her cheek, drifting into a light sleep

Is Fifth Brother... secretly insulting her? Insulting her for not being as good as he is, for not being strong enough!

The women of this village gather to wash their household clothes approximately once every seven or eight days, while the men come to the creek to bathe, doing so about once a month. They go upstream with three to five friends to enjoy a thorough wash and scrub each other's backs. She came to know this because the last time she chased after Fifth Brother's clothes into the creek, she slipped and fell into the water, causing those women to scream. Before long, several men who were bathing rushed over, including Fifth Brother.

She has not examined this house in detail yet and does not know where the kitchen is. She must call Fifth Brother to eat something hot.

Are you able to walk?

"Um, please tie it for me." After she gently smoothed his long hair with her fingertips, she clumsily tied it up. Before letting his long hair down, she swallowed hard and secretly brought it to her lips for a kiss.

"......Indeed......"

Rong Sheng looked at her twice more, then stepped out of the wooden house and carefully closed the door behind her

She choked a little in her throat. Fifth Brother, you might as well say that if you raise my face to be plump with layers of flesh, the flesh scars will be pressed into the layers of flesh and become invisible, which would look even better.

She, taking advantage of the porridge still being hot, laboriously carried it into the inner chamber. She was so engrossed that when a pair of male hands took it from her, she was truly taken aback

She did not dare to pull away forcefully at that moment, so she had to let go of the cloth and carefully touch his chin, which slightly pricked her hand

His stern expression finally softened. "Alright, I am hungry, let's go prepare lunch"

Anu......

Indeed, I never thought they would leave, believing that all personnel would remain unchanged, always waiting for me. However, while I was in prison, I repeatedly contemplated that today is not tomorrow; those who are alive today may not exist tomorrow. Even I, who have long resided in the capital, can change overnight. How much more so for my father and the others who have been stationed at the most perilous borders. Therefore, as long as it is not due to someone else's malice, then it is a death that is justified, and Anu will no longer weep. After a pause, she anxiously asked, "The Southern Lin will give my father and the others a grand burial, but it will most likely be a burial without proper attire..."

Rong Sheng said softly

As she thought of this, the one who could originally sleep in his embrace until the end of time became increasingly uneasy, gently shaking him and calling out to him several times, yet he merely responded vaguely a few times, showing no intention of waking up

Chun Fei let out a hum. "My mother still calls my father 'Sixth Brother.' It's a good thing you don't call Mr. Xu 'Sixth Brother,' otherwise I would think my father had taken another wife, and my mother would definitely kill him."

After a while, he took a deep breath and wiped away the unwarranted moisture from his face. There was no sound outside anymore; he let out a bitter smile and quickly stepped out of the house, pushing open the fence gate. Sure enough, he found her squatting there, panting, just a few steps away.

Anu, why is this house in such disarray? Please go and clean it up

Anu, tomorrow I will go to the city with the villagers to buy some necessities for the family. It is a bit cold here in autumn, so I need to buy some thicker fabric to make clothes.

She still remembered that the next morning, sunlight had already entered through the window, and she wanted to sleep a little longer, but she discovered that there was a man's body sleeping beside her

You have lived in the capital for many years, yet you do not know if you can adapt to life here. It is possible to boil water and bathe, but taking a hot shower is quite troublesome. There is a stream nearby, and in the future, we will only be able to wash there.

"Fifth brother, I am not very hungry..." She stopped speaking, staring at the spoon brought to her lips, and slowly opened her mouth to take a bite, the warm porridge sliding into her stomach.

"I can take care of this matter," the woman said with a kind smile. "I was hired by your son, and it's been two or three months now. Aside from cleaning a few times, there hasn't been much for me to do, and I feel uneasy about it. Ever since the elder came, I haven't been asked to take care of anything. Please, have a seat; I will go and prepare something right away"

Thinking of this, her face flushed slightly, and she stole a glance at him, just as he was half-lowering his eyelashes, meeting her gaze. The corners of her mouth curled up as she said

At this point, Xu Liefeng attained enlightenment

Xu Liefeng, with great awareness of the situation, rushed over, pushed open the fence gate, and said, "Let me do it! Such a trivial task as hanging clothes should not be done by a big man; it is better suited for a servant—no, for Anu to handle it."

She softly responded and returned to her room to fetch a thin rope. Coming back behind him, she carefully gathered his overly focused, cascading black hair.

Do you wish to comply with his request

Xu Changmu also turned around, his face showing surprise. "Can you hear it?" His words were almost mumbled, how could one possibly hear them

"Indeed." He smiled, "I was afraid that Anu would think I was dirty. Since the weather is nice today, after you go out to wash the clothes, I will go wash myself clean as well." He was probably just going to pick her up, and happened to wash up on the way, right? Ever since she fell into the creek last time, she suspected that he would come to pick her up every time she went to wash clothes by the creek.

She turned her gaze away, pursing her lips slightly. "Anu said that I have no experience in managing household finances and do not believe that money can be utilized most effectively in my hands without waste. However, I think that in the future... well... even if we want to drink chicken soup, one chicken can last for several days, and there is no need to have one every day"

She was taken aback, looking at him, and then smiled

She did not notice the corners of her mouth lifting as she glanced at the other girls who had come to do laundry. They were already lifting their skirts and rolling up their pant legs to tend to the clothes.

"Anu, what is wrong with you?" A well-known girl came ashore, wringing out her clothes and placing them in a basket

Fifth brother, please wait a moment...

Truly a scene of maternal kindness and filial piety

So, did Fifth Brother arrange his escape route before returning to the capital? She sat dazed on the stool, surveying the small room.

He shook off his wet clothes as if nothing had happened. "Someone asked earlier, and this is how I answered. Xu Liu has already died in front of the people of Nanlin, and I, Xu Changmu, will be known as Xue Shi Xie Fei when I leave Nanlin in the future. If people were to find out that Xu Liu is by my side, it would be hard to avoid unexpected troubles. It is better to create another identity and consider her as my wife."

She told herself that she must pull herself together. Time was passing too quickly for her, and she did not know how the elderly person's heart should feel, but she had some understanding of the psychology of someone who might not have long to live

Fifth brother, no one wants to sneak a peek at a body like that of an old woman... "Oh... I understand..."

The slightly overlapping shadows are not very distinct, but her cautious gesture of bringing her hair to her lips can be vaguely inferred and guessed at.

"Be careful, don't let it happen like last time..." The young women chuckled. "It's all your fault for showing us some filthy things about men..."

Uncertain of which morning it was, before the morning mist had lifted, a small cart came to a stop in front of a bamboo fence wooden house in a village. Rong Sheng was about to carry her out, but she softly said:

Xu Liefeng called out hoarsely, "I will be right there." He hurriedly placed the washed clothes into the basin

...seems like...

Xu Liefeng was taken aback, lowered his eyes, and then raised them with a slight smile

She did not know how long she had slept, but when she groggily woke up, she would force herself to eat a few bites of dry rations to prevent herself from dying in her sleep

A man's words can be as extravagant as the sky, and her fifth brother is among the very best of them

"Shall we..." take her with us? Is it... possible for her?

He lifted her frail little body, which had shrunk to resemble that of an elderly person, from behind. So thin! So thin!

Chun Fei was momentarily taken aback and honestly replied, "Mr. Xu is indeed very handsome, even more so than the person in the painting, and he is well-educated. I have attended his classes a few times, and he knows many things that the entire village is unaware of"

Thank you... you can just place it on the table... I will take it in myself...

Xu Changmu gently stroked her long hair. Noticing her expression was stiff, he continued to caress it without revealing any emotion, as if he were smoothing her fur, gentle and non-threatening. Only when she gradually relaxed did he speak again

She heard that in various countries it is often a terminal illness, but in the Great Wei, it can be miraculously cured and one can be saved immediately. Fifth Brother has been to the city several times; could it be that he inquired at the medical clinic about her symptoms, and Doctor Nanlin was unable to provide an answer or declared it a certain death?

Has Anu finally chosen to face me?

Good...

The interior is very simple and clean, separated by a red cloth between the inner and outer rooms. Following Rongsheng's guidance, she sat down on the wooden bed in the inner room

Thinking of this, she truly wanted to laugh out loud, her eyes momentarily curving before she felt there was nothing to laugh about, thus her smile faded. This subtle change was entirely captured in Xu Changmu's eyes

She is looking at Fifth Brother's clothes with her eyes, using her hands to grip a wooden stick to wash and beat Fifth Brother's clothes

"After all this time, you are not an old woman, but someone who has fallen seriously ill, which is why you have white hair. Mr. Xu said this, did he not?"

He walked in slowly, lifted the clothes drying pole, and set it up for her, while calculating in his mind that her body did not appear to have aged overnight. Initially, she was as thin as a stick, with fine and prominent lines on her face and hands, making him truly believe that she had aged drastically in one night and had only a few days left to live. However, over the past few days, she gradually improved, her cheeks becoming fuller, and those elderly-like wrinkles disappearing one by one, which relieved him somewhat. Yet, the other half of his breath remained suspended, as her hair showed no signs of movement.

"Has the old man finally agreed to get out of bed?" This voice sounded very familiar. Xu Liefeng looked outside the door and saw a plump woman in her forties. The woman walked towards her with a smile. "A few days ago, I saw your son came back, and you finally agreed to get out of bed, huh"

She silently hung the last piece of clothing, hearing her fifth brother behind her mumbling to himself, "In these few days... one must be cautious, Anu can only take a bath..."

He held her delicate, feather-light body even tighter, bringing his cheek almost to rest against her forehead. She was so frightened that her eyes fell down, not daring to move, her whole body trembling slightly, wishing for a place to hide, to avoid facing him any longer. Where was the once spirited Anu?

She was taken aback and said softly, "Yes, it is thanks to Brother Wu."

She kept a constant watch on Fifth Brother's clothing, lest it be swept away like last time. In her attempt to retrieve the garment, she ended up falling into the creek, becoming the subject of laughter among the women in the village

Every night there is chicken soup to drink ... It is not that he loves it, the soup is for her nourishment? Sometimes, she really wants to ask, will drinking this chicken soup allow her hair color to change to be like his? Will it allow her to return to the youth of eighteen ... ? Is this kind of nourishment ... ... not very wasteful? But, if the roles were reversed today, even if Fifth Brother's life only lasts until tomorrow, she would do everything in her power to help her Fifth Brother recover even a little.

She has not dreamed at all, her mind is completely blank... The old man... ? ... Is it really like this? ? She does not want to move or eat, she just wants to sleep like this.

"Let's go back together," he said with a smile

She carefully put it away, planning to dry it and then secretly return it to him. She felt that some things should not be stated explicitly anymore; it was better to let them be subtly hidden, to look forward to the future, and to find a more suitable partner.

Just as she was thinking this, she moved her body, opened her eyes, and then froze in place

That... my fifth brother is truly handsome, isn't he? People in Nanlin all appreciate beauty, starting from the surface and perhaps delving deeper is better.

She sat by the bedside and said in a hushed voice

This is truly awkward; every time the villagers look at her, they must be thinking to themselves how a woman with a head full of white hair is dressed in the attire of a young girl, and even uses cheap hairpins that only the village girls would wear

"Has Anu lost his mind today?" he said softly, "You have called them father and brother for many years, how could they not wish for you to pay your respects? This is the ancestral home of your father... You are surprised? Do you think everyone comes from a wealthy background? We are originally commoners. Three generations ago, this was our root; bringing you here is only natural, as even your father and elder brother's ashes are buried here"

Xu Changmu smiled faintly

At that time, my eyesight was poor, and I was born ordinary, relying on you to be my eyes and hands. Although others did not show it explicitly, people in the south are inherently fond of beauty, and they certainly had their criticisms of my appearance back then. Anu, how do you think I have endured these sixteen years?

He responded with a sound and suddenly said

Anu's face... finally has a bit of flesh on it

She was initially completely stiff, but then she thought that this could be considered the embrace she had gained. At this moment, there were no outsiders to see; even if someone were to see, they would merely think he was holding an old woman, which would not be detrimental to his reputation

This will not do, she thought, as she slowly sat up and carefully tucked the quilt around him. She hastily stuffed a few bites of hard and unpalatable dry rations to replenish her strength, then the tortoise slowly got out of bed, taking one step at a time out of the inner room

Rong Sheng glanced at the almost untouched provisions in the car. They had been traveling day and night, and along the way, the scholars had various destinations and left one after another, leaving only the two of them behind—this was precisely the calculation that Jie Fei had made. He did not want too many people to know where she was going.

She glanced at Chunfei a couple more times, her lips and tongue dry, and finally asked

A layer of tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed dreamily at his inky brows and lashes. She longed to touch his unkempt greenish beard, only to realize that the handkerchief she was tightly clutching was pinned down by a corner under his arm

His gaze followed the shadow, noticing her sitting down beside him. She picked up a small knife and began to help sharpen the arrows. At first, her movements were quite clumsy. Although Xu Changmu was focused on making the bow, half of his attention was on her hands. It was not until she gradually regained her dexterity that he finally felt a slight sense of relief in his heart, hoping that her body would recover slowly like the one beneath his eyes, and that she would eventually return to the spirited Xu Liefeng of the past

You still understand the need to show off, I should feel comforted, but I do not wish to save someone only to have you suffocate along the way to the memorial. The grave cannot be escaped, let's talk again when you can make thirty laps.

Then she looked at the wooden stick and struck the clothes by the stream with force—at this point, she truly felt that there was a problem

Xu Liefeng sat quietly there for half a day, suddenly realizing that Fifth Brother would come to find her. She had to support him, and even if her entire body were to age by tomorrow, she still wanted to see him one last time. Thus, she picked up the dry rations and began to nibble on them slowly

It has been so long, yet he still keeps it... ? ... How could it be placed together with the clothes? Was it an accident? Or does he have a spare cloth on hand?

She murmured, "This way, my hair won't get dirty"

Approximately two days, leaving early tomorrow and returning the day after tomorrow in the evening. Does Anu need someone to keep her company? I will invite Auntie to stay with you for one night

She took a deep breath with effort, feeling more spirited. Afterward, she secretly embraced his waist for a moment before gently pushing away from his embrace

Xu Liefeng looked down and saw a white handkerchief flowing out from the sleeve of her garment. She hurriedly took a few steps to pick it up.

She was startled, not even wanting to open her eyes, and said in a hoarse voice: "I am not hungry... you don't need to pay attention to me..." She continued to sleep.

She was extremely embarrassed and said, "Five... Five Brother... how could you know..."

It was my own carelessness... She has not looked in the mirror until now, but she has touched that scar and knows how long and thick it is. Suddenly, she laughed and said, "It doesn't matter. When the whip came down, it didn't hurt at all. During that time, I was living in a daze, truly feeling no pain at all, and before I knew it, it had turned into a scar." It really doesn't matter; in prison, she no longer hopes to see anyone, let alone Fifth Brother.

Foolish Anu, your father and the others have long been mentally prepared. For those who have spent their entire lives on the battlefield, being able to return unscathed is a blessing from heaven. If they die on the battlefield, it is a death that is well-deserved, and they will not harbor resentment towards anyone

Fifth Brother... didn't you go to wash with the men from the village a few days ago?

Fifth brother, this person, you see, is always comparing. If I only had this scar and nothing else, I would definitely think about how to remove it every day. But now I... now she... does not mind whether there are scars on her face; she simply wants to... live a little longer

I can ... ... I can ... ..." She immediately supported herself against the headboard and tried to present the most energetic appearance.

The man is indeed cooking in the kitchen, but why hasn't that cook aunt come yet?

She wants to take advantage of the limited time, to open her eyes wide, and quickly help Fifth Brother find a Fifth Sister-in-law. The situation in Nanlin is not favorable for the common people; she does not believe that Fifth Brother can achieve anything by staying in Nanlin. It would be better for him to leave this land that is bound to be engulfed in turmoil. At that time, of course, someone must be by his side to take care of him, and that person can only be the Fifth Sister-in-law!

Are they all buried here? Then I can today ... ...

What? Xu Liefeng looked up at her

He rolled up his sleeves and dried her hands

You should rest for now. This village near the border is selected by Xie Fei, and someone will come to clean it every few days. If you need anything, just tell that person when they arrive. As long as Xie Fei can get away from the capital, he will come as soon as possible. I ... ...

"Can ... ... be done ... ... ?" she asked with a hint of urgency

Anu... we will have to stay here for quite a long time

She noticed a slight tremor in his eyes and was wondering where she had misspoken, when he opened his arms and embraced her.

She heard the kind-hearted aunt calling out continuously, but she did not have the strength to respond. In the end, that aunt muttered to herself

"Thirty? Isn't it three circles?" Before she could retort, he picked her up horizontally. She was about to struggle, not wanting to face him directly under the blazing sun, but she heard a remark that was half a smile, half a mockery, and half a challenge.

Rong Sheng placed all the provisions on the bedside and said

Wait until you feel better, after winter is over, we will head east to the Great Wei

Xu Changmu looked at her deeply, enveloping her bony hands with his. He lowered his voice slightly, as if afraid of startling her, and said

Anu, do you still remember the events before I turned sixteen

Over the past month, she has been so busy that she is out of breath. Several times, when she thinks about how little time she has left to live, she feels disheartened and wants to go back to bed to sleep. However, she realizes that if she does not take on the chores, no one will take care of the household matters... Fifth Brother will starve, will stink, will...

Xu Liefeng ambiguously said: "Indeed..." She did not feel that she was ill, but her hair color still could not return.

The elderly are all peculiar

Anu, from now on, when people in the village ask you who you are to me, you shall say that you are my wife

In our home ... . ... It took her a while to realize that he was referring to this house. She glanced at the bamboo fence outside the window, and suddenly felt a surge of strength. She said: "Wait for me ... ... I will be back soon ... ... "

Chunfei scoffed, "Anu, you extravagant and wasteful woman, you have no understanding of frugality! Your fifth brother buys one pot after another of white rice, just so you can eat well and gain weight; every day a chicken, stewed by the best cook in the village, with the bones, head, and feet given to the village children, but the best parts must be delivered to your mouth. Now you want me to eat your chicken soup? I simply cannot stomach it"

I am much better... I can walk by myself...

At that time, she was only preoccupied with the thought of clearing obstacles for him, removing barriers, and drawing their relationship closer, rarely considering what he might be thinking. This young man, who felt so out of place and struggled in the south, still achieved success. While he certainly possessed exceptional talent, his willpower was unmatched by ordinary individuals

How is it that Xu Liefeng can no longer manage even thirty laps now

She shook her hands. What does it mean to see what should be seen and also see what should not be seen? This sentence made her head tilt in confusion, everything was askew, can it be explained more clearly?

Upon hearing this, her beautiful eyes slightly curved, and she gently said, "You need not be too hard on yourself while at home."

"I was foolish, Fifth Brother is quite loyal, of course he will come back to save me..." She recounted in a fragmented manner the scene where she was framed in His Majesty's palace, then hesitated and said, "That day after leaving the city, the carriage hardly stopped, fearing that the King of Xia would have a change of heart... But until now, no one has pursued us... Even if the King of Xia spares me, how could His Majesty of Da Feng let me go? She hates me to the bone, and if I am found, what will Fifth Brother... what should Fifth Brother do?... Even if the King of Xia spares me, how could His Majesty of Da Feng let me go? She hates me to the bone, and if I am found, what will Fifth Brother... what should Fifth Brother do?"

Indeed, during this period, it is best for you to stay in the village and not go out, allowing Xiawang to believe that you have already passed away. After winter, when your health improves a bit, we will go to Dawei, where the medical skills are top-notch, far surpassing those of Nanlin, and they will surely be able to cure your hair color

It is said that on that day, all four gates of the capital were sealed, and a citywide search was conducted. It was not until close to evening that Xiao Yuanxia ended the search by beheading a woman. The woman struggled before her death, inadvertently destroying much of her face, but he confirmed that she was the fugitive, the sixth member of the Xu family. With this, the matter was considered concluded, and Xiao Jinfeng did not pursue any accountability from the Xu family

These young girls are all quite good, but she always feels that something is missing. Fifth Brother deserves better, and she has been thinking this way all along

Rong Sheng watched her move at a tortoise's pace, as slow as an old woman, and could not help but feel alarmed. He thought to himself, although she has been rescued, how long can she survive? ... Perhaps King Xia let her go because her life is nearing its end ... ? ... If Jie Fei were to know that the sister he rescued is no different from a useless person, would he regret it?

He smiled gently. "So this is the matter, do you wish to deprive those children of their daily anticipation?"

She touched her own face, then looked at her bony hands that had become nothing but skin and bones, allowing her thoughts to drift freely until the aroma of congee wafted by, bringing her back to her senses

"Good Anu, I do not want to carry you back and forth, it is too exhausting. If you can walk around our fence three times, I will take you there immediately"

That's good ... ... When I first heard this news ... ... I am in so much pain ... ... Why has it come to this ... ... I am so scared ... ... Their deaths are because of me ... ... He said I am a deity from Yunshan who harms Nanlin ... ... I did not ... ... No matter how I explain, King Xia does not listen ... ...

Then... Fifth Brother, when do you plan to head to Nanlin?

Good things are meant for one's own people; why give them to outsiders? Do not waste your husband's intentions

I am not as willing as he is, but I am willing like Fifth Brother, is that alright?" She pretended to feel a bit uncomfortable and forcefully pulled down his hand that was caressing her. "Fifth Brother... Father... were they... not framed by anyone, but rather died on the battlefield?"

After bidding farewell to those women, she walked over to Fifth Brother. He smiled at her, took the basin of clothes from her arms, and then picked up the washing stick

Anu, are you a fool? If I do not return to Beijing, how can I take you away? Do you think I would just leave without a word?

Xu Liefeng was almost choked upon hearing this. ... It turns out the villagers thought that the "Fifth Brother" she was calling was an intimate nickname, which ...? ... Isn't that inappropriate? If the villagers mistakenly believe she is the wife of the Fifth Brother, how will there be time to find him a good girl?

Yes... I... my child... is exhausted, I want to cook some hot porridge

She was secretly taken aback; it was already past 9 o'clock, yet he had not gotten up. Fifth Brother's achievements as a scholar were not solely due to talent; he worked harder and got up earlier than anyone else. She truly feared for him. She was afraid that after being castrated by that scoundrel Xiao Yuanxia, something might go wrong with his health. She hurriedly called out to him several times before he finally managed to suppress his drowsiness and spoke to her with his eyes half-closed.

Surprisingly, there were faint screams rising and falling.

She secretly glanced at the women who had come along with her. Apart from the married ones, there were about five young girls, the youngest being sixteen. While doing the laundry, she assessed which one would be the most suitable for Fifth Brother

Upon hearing this, she felt a slight anger. He had already seen her like this, had he not? Why still compare her to the young and impetuous version of herself from before

Xu Liefeng really wanted to return: to see your expressions, which are completely insincere! But as soon as she saw the cloth, she was taken aback. In the corner of the cloth was embroidered a small frog, which looked very familiar; it was the one she used two years ago when Fifth Brother took a whip for her and she pressed the wound for him.

He did not even raise his head, saying:

After two days, I hurriedly completed the military strategy, and the King of Xia said not a word more, simply having someone escort me out of the capital

Since we are to spend the winter here, I will go up the mountain with the hunter a few times before winter arrives. Moreover, there are weapons at home, so anyone in the household will have some means to protect themselves in case of an emergency.

When I return, I will boil some hot water for you to take a good bath

He might think I am going to die, so you should hurry and collect my body for me, she said softly

I will personally take you to pay respects to them when you are feeling better

She caught another glimpse of her silver hair, which flowed gently with the wind down to her waist. She had intended to avoid arousing suspicion among the villagers by tying her hair up to disguise herself as an old woman, but her fifth brother insisted that she should still dress as a young girl