Chapter 08: Past Events

The nature of the child has undergone some changes, but it is still likely due to not remembering the past, isn't it

However, the gossip I just heard is truly a bit hard to bear

Aunt has just given birth to a little prince, named Huang Taiji

No need. Amā... I called him softly. In this lifetime, I have never called anyone "father". In modern times, I am merely a child raised in an orphanage, abandoned by my biological parents since birth. I never expected that now, having become Dong Ge, I would suddenly gain an Amā for no reason. I wonder if this counts as a kind of compensation from heaven for me

What is the concept of home

Oh? Is there such a joyful event? Bu Zhai, with a smile on his face, turned to a person behind him and said, "Sister Meng Gu has given birth to a son; we must not forget to send a gift. We must ensure that we give her enough face.

Seeing his deep love for his daughter, I also felt a warmth in my heart. With such a father who cares for her, Dong Ge must be a very happy girl

Although he was smiling, I felt that the smile was dark and eerie

As their voices grew lower, I quietly leaned against the window frame to peek inside, only to see the two of them entering the inner room to tidy up my bedding. Although they were still conversing, the distance made it difficult to hear clearly. I could not rush into the room to continue eavesdropping, so I could only reluctantly give up.

Xicheng is situated on a hillside three hundred meters from the northern bank of the Yehe River, facing the water. The city is built against the mountain, with thick and towering walls constructed from a mixture of earth and stone, divided into an inner and outer city. The outer city has a perimeter of approximately five li, built in accordance with the terrain; the inner city is located on a flat-topped hill in the southeastern part of the outer city, shaped irregularly to follow the landform, with a perimeter of over two li.

Azhina was indeed clever. Seeing me seeking her assistance, she hurriedly stepped forward, performed a bow, and said: "Returning to the noble lord, the young lady fell seriously ill in Jianzhou, and after recovering, she no longer remembers the past."

I joyfully sent him out of the Octagonal Pavilion, and then returned to my room intending to take a good beauty sleep to recover from the hardships endured during these days on the carriage. However, as I reached the door, I inadvertently overheard the little maid serving tea in the outer room talking to Azhina. Her voice was filled with a cheerful exuberance, completely unlike the dullness she displayed in my presence.

"This is your Erqi Ke." Bu Zhai saw me in a daze and hurriedly explained, "Alas, everything was fine, how could..." Halfway through his words, Lin Bulou placed his hand on his shoulder and said with a smile, "It's nothing, as long as the person is fine."

Buzhai looked at me carefully for a moment and finally smiled, saying: "Indeed, you have grown a bit taller, and you seem much more spirited. This time when you went to Jianzhou, did you see your aunt? Is she well?"

Alas, it is truly a pity for the merchant prince, his death seems rather unjust! Although our young lady does not particularly like him, she has never expressed hatred towards marrying him. Last year, I thought that the young lady would marry into the Hada family, and sister, you would surely follow her, leaving me to be lonely by myself in the future... Who would have thought this was merely a scheme devised by the elder and second young masters, using the young lady as bait. The merchant prince was still filled with joy as he personally came from Hada to welcome and marry her, only to find out... Who would have thought this was merely a scheme devised by the elder and second young masters, using the young lady as bait. The merchant prince was still filled with joy as he personally came from Hada to welcome and marry her, only to find out...

Ajina was busily directing a group of servants to take out and organize my personal belongings, one item at a time

In the center of the city stands a grand octagonal Ming-style pavilion, and at this moment, I am sitting in one of the rooms of this octagonal pavilion, warmly holding a tea bowl and lost in thought

I am somewhat confused as to why, although I am clearly the daughter of the cloth merchant, I do not return to the West City, but instead reside in the East City

My fingers slowly traced the intricate patterns carved on the bed, and a wave of bitterness surged within me. It seems I will have to live in this unfamiliar place for a long time, for this is my home in this era

A sudden hurried sound of footsteps interrupted my contemplation. I turned around and saw a middle-aged man dressed in a rose-purple coat, holding onto the door frame, panting heavily as he looked at me, his eyes filled with a mix of surprise and joy.

After all, Ajina is quite mature, yet that girl carelessly said: "What is there to be afraid of, there are no others around. I just feel sorry for the villainous merchant Beile, who wasted a life for a woman! And our Gege has even forgotten about him..."

Gazing at this room that exudes a strong sense of unfamiliarity, the feelings of loneliness that had been suppressed within me for a long time suddenly surged forth. ... After being in ancient times for so long, this is the first time I have missed the modern world so intensely, perhaps ... . ... It is because I have changed to an unfamiliar environment.

This statement sounds quite awkward to me. Are you implying that it is still the fault of the princess? After all, Ajina is my personal maid, and it is clear from her words that she is on my side.

That ... ...

I was momentarily taken aback when he stepped in from the threshold, not even bothering to remove his cloak. He hurried a couple of steps and embraced me tightly: "My Dong Ge! My little Dong Ge... you have finally returned. Father has missed you to death!"

This is truly earth-shattering news

This is truly strange; could it be that I am a tiger, and if someone jokes in front of me, I would eat her?

The Yehe tribe is located in the northern region, referred to as Beiguan by the Ming Dynasty. Among the four tribes of the Haixi Hulun, the Yehe tribe is bordered to the east by the Huifa, to the south by the Hada, to the west by Mongolia, and is relatively close to Kaiyuan in the southwest, while to the north it connects with Ula. The ancestors of the Yehe originally bore the surname Tuomote, and after defeating the Hulun Nara tribe, they adopted the surname Nara. The Yehe governs fifteen subordinate tribes, and its people are renowned for their bravery and exceptional skills in horseback riding and archery.

I saw the young lady escorting the master out, and it will be a while before she returns. She never liked staying in this house, often going out to ride horses every few days. While she is here, she is merely a guest; the second master cannot impose restrictions on her, and the second madam does not dare to manage her... Sister Ajina, do you think that if the young lady has calmed down this time, we can move back to the West City to live?

"Hush," Ajina suddenly covered her mouth, "Be quiet, what if Gege comes back and hears us?"

I was taken aback; could there be a significant secret here that I am unaware of? Although I am not particularly gossipy, the presence of a secret naturally piques my curiosity

Bu Zhai was taken aback, supporting himself on my shoulder as he scrutinized me closely: "Could it be true? I only received a letter from Nurhaci last month, and I did not believe it." He examined me from head to toe, speaking with both compassion and concern, "Are you feeling much better now? Is there anything still bothering you? Do you need a physician to come and take a look?"

Ajina chuckled lightly, "I see that you, little hoof, must be going crazy wanting to see the eldest brother, right?" Sounds of playful banter between the two echoed in the room. After a while, Ajina continued, "Don't be anxious. Since the young lady has forgotten about the treacherous merchant, she naturally won't be at odds with the elder anymore. Moving back is just a matter of time. So today, I instructed them to directly transport many items back to the West City, and they didn't bring anything over..."

The Yehe City, where the Yehe tribe is located, is further divided into the East City and the West City

"What instructions do you have, Miss?" Just then, Ajina happened to be out, and she instructed a little maidservant in the outer room to attend to me. I blinked my eyes, thinking that asking you would be futile; even from Ajina's mouth, I might not be able to learn anything. Every time I inquired about my father, her words were always evasive, and I couldn't tell what she was hiding.

Enough, no more talking. If the master finds out that we are gossiping, he will surely skin us alive

It is astonishing that someone has died because of "me"

To the east of Xicheng lies Yehe Dongcheng, which is bordered to the north by the Yehe River and to the south by the Linggang. It is constructed on the hillside, with tall and broad city walls. The stone city is surrounded by a wooden fence, referred to as the Zhaicheng; within the stone city, there is also a wooden city. Between the three cities, there are moats that separate them, and bridges are built across the moats, allowing for convenient communication and passage.

Although I have recognized that the man before me is Dong Ge's Amabuzhai, the sudden surge of familial affection still leaves me somewhat at a loss, and I can only direct my gaze towards the Azhina behind him

How could I dare..." The young girl chuckled lightly, "Our Bu Xiya Malagege was prophesied by the most esteemed shaman in the clan right after her birth, that she will one day...

The little girl, with a dull expression, performed a kneeling salute before retreating.

Father, aside from not remembering things, everything is well, and my body has become much stronger than before, so you need not worry. After calling a few times, this Father has become increasingly easy to call.

"I really don't remember? Do you not remember anything at all? Then that means... she also... the matter with the villainous merchant Beile has also..."

For a moment, they discussed some other topics. It was evident that Bu Zhai and Na Lin Bu Lu had important matters to discuss, so they hurriedly left. Before departing, he reminded me, saying: "If you still do not wish to return, you may continue to stay here. Whenever you want to go back, just let Ama know... Your brother misses you quite a bit as well"

I waved my hand and said, "It's nothing."

White snow fell on the cloak, and the collar carried a chilling coldness. I was held by him in a bewildering manner, instinctively using my hand to push him away. He looked at me in astonishment and said with a pained expression: "Can you not forgive Father yet? Father has already realized his mistake... You left home to go to the state of Jin this time out of willfulness, and Father did not stop you; he only wishes for your happiness."

Sister Ajina, Gege has truly come back from this trip as if she has become a different person. In the past, whenever she met with the elder, they would argue fiercely, their faces flushed and necks thick with anger. Sometimes, the second elder would try to mediate, but she would even retort against his words. Today is indeed refreshing; not only did they not exchange a single harsh word, but the father and daughter were also chatting and laughing together

"Yes." The man replied with a smile. He was a middle-aged man who had entered alongside Bu Zhai, with a long, thin face, a mustache shaped like the character "八", and high cheekbones. He did not give off a very pleasant impression, much like the gray color of the jacket he was wearing.