After Zhao Sui’s thirteenth birthday banquet, Zhao Yelan resigned from the position of regent.

Nowadays, the world was peaceful and the common people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Zhao Sui was brought up by him and taught by Yan Mingting, and had grown into an emperor with both civil and military skills. What’s more, there were talented people such as Kan Chuan to advise and accompany him.

It was time for Zhao Yelan to enjoy a happy retirement with Yan Mingting.

They had agreed to go on a trip to the mountains and rivers, and didn’t rest long before they started packing their luggage.

On the day of departure, Yan Mingting looked at the luggage that filled a carriage. There had been no prior discussion about what to bring. He said wonderingly: “You’re not bringing a carriage of clothes?”

“I wanted to, but I couldn’t fit anymore,” Zhao Yelan said. “Half of this stuff was given by others, and some of it is for us to bring to others.”

“Who sent it?”

“Li Yucheng sent half a chest of ready-made clothes, Pinglu sent some books about miscellaneous rural interests to pass the time on the way, Ruan Xian prepared a lot of dry food, Kan Chuan sent a lot of snacks, He Cuizhang added a few swords, and some soldiers asked us to bring some things to their brothers at the border……”

These people all of a sudden seized the time to rush over and see them off, and even Zhao Sui came in person.

The mountains were high and the roads far away. There was no telling when they would be able to return from this trip. Everyone exhorted them earnestly, as if this was a parting for life.

“If you discover any other ways to make money outside, please let me know.” As soon as Li Yucheng finished speaking, he was pinched by his wife.

His wife was that A-Chang whose music Zhao Yelan had been dragged to Hongxiu House to listen to as Li Yucheng said how pure, kind, and beautiful this lady was while not knowing that A-Chang was one of Zhao Yelan’s people.

Li Yucheng later went to Jiangnan with Zhao Yelan, and this matter was nearly forgotten, but then something happened with Gu Niaoniao.

The people of Hongxiu House scattered in all directions, and A-Cheng, carrying a pack on her back, met Li Yucheng, who had been waiting a long time at the gate of the city. The other party proposed to her on the street, and was ridiculed by the common people for a long time, but the relationship between the two had been good since then and they had raised three children.

“General, we brought some dried meat for Yuehong, don’t steal it on the way!” He Cuizhang said.

He Cuizhang had also married a wife, the daughter of a civil official. She had a gentle disposition, but her discipline of his uncouth habits was not half-hearted at all.

“I’ve cashed all these bank notes for you, so you can use them on the road.” After Yin Pinglu spoke, Zuo Ran at the side added, “We also made a few pairs of shoes that you can wear on the road.”

“Be careful on your travels,” Kan Chuan urged.

“Don’t worry, ba. You all go back quickly, don’t delay our departure,” Zhao Yelan said.

Everyone laughed, and only Kan Xingyue cried aloud. She was already an engaged girl, and still cried at every turn. She wiped her tears with a handkerchief Zhao Yelan had given her: “Wuwuwu, Yifu, you need to come back early. If you aren’t present when I get married, then I won’t marry!”

“Look at yourself, getting married is not child’s play.” Kan Chuan lectured her, mainly for the sake of Zhao Sui’s face. But unexpectedly, Zhao Sui also nodded in agreement: “Right, if you don’t come back, we’ll postpone the marriage.”

Everyone was moved by the words of these two, but Zhao Yelan said: “Then you can postpone it for eight to ten years.”

Kan Xingyue and Zhao Sui were stunned. Why wasn’t this person following the routine?

“As expected of Yifu, he has such a hard heart!” Kan Xingyue murmured to Zhao Sui, and the other party nodded in agreement.

After bidding farewell to everyone, the two got into the carriage. Xiao Gao sat outside and drove, and they were followed by another carriage carrying luggage.

Zhao Yelan lifted the curtain and looked at the group of friends who were still waving at them, the big and small all standing in a cluster. The scene was quite spectacular.

Yan Mingting also leaned over to wave at them, and said with a smile: “All the kids are here. In the blink of an eye, they’ve grown so big.”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him and asked suddenly: “Are you envious?”

Yan Mingting looked at him sideways and said: “I don’t envy them. They have their children and they will naturally be distracted, unlike you, who after so many years still has only me in your eyes.”

Zhao Yelan raised his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

Zhao Yelan took out a map: “After we visit the border, where do you want to go?”

“It’s up to you. Everything is up to you.” Yan Mingting had kept clamoring to go out, but at this time, he seemed very casual again. He stretched out his legs comfortably and put his arms around Zhao Yelan: “It’s finally just the two of us. We can go anywhere.”

Because there was a lot of luggage, they took the official road and stopped here and there, arriving in the border town after more than ten days.

Only then did Yan Mingting’s pent-up desire to say everything on his mind become stronger.

Although it was remote, poor, and very small, this was practically half his family. When he was in the army, he could come to the town occasionally when he was free.

“There used to be an old man here who would go out from time to time, and when he came back, he’d sell some odds and ends at his stall. It was the same every time. As soon as people were free, they would go and see what novelties he’d picked up.” Yan Mingting pointed to a corner of the road and said, “This small town is far less prosperous than the capital city, but everyone knows one another, and the folk customs are very simple.”

As soon as these words fell, there was a “crash” not far away. It seemed that someone was fighting. When Zhao Yelan turned around, he saw two groups of people scuffling, one group dressed as people from the Western Regions.

Seeing that the two groups had drawn their swords, Zhao Yelan turned his head and said: “Simple folk customs?”

Yan Minting touched his nose in embarrassment: “This doesn’t count. There are quite a few people from the Western Regions here, and friction often arises over trivial matters.”

“Not going to do something about it? That’s not your style.”

“Don’t worry, someone will take care of it.”

Just as Zhao Yelan was pondering this, he saw a group of soldiers appear with haste, suppressing the two groups and escorting them in other directions.

“It used to be more violent, and the government had too little manpower, so I arranged for people to take charge of this sort of thing,” Yan Mingting explained.

No wonder there was such a big commotion, yet the common people looked extraordinarily calm. It was because they knew that someone would come forward to put an end to it.

The inn here was very simple. The wind and sand blew from time to time, and the room was full of dust.

Yan Mingting and Xiao Gao wiped the table and benches with a rag, and finally cleaned up the place. After sitting down, Yan Mingting ordered a few special dishes and asked: “Do you want to watch orchid dancing?”

Zhao Yelan glanced at him: “Does it look good?”

“It looks good, ah, don’t you want to see something new?” Yan Mingting felt that wherever he went to visit, he must experience the local traditions. This border town really had nothing to offer, but these Orchids danced well, so he ordered an attendant to find one.

After a while, an Orchid dressed in Western Regions clothing came up with a jug of wine. Her head was covered with a veil, including half her face, and her shirt was short, revealing a section of her belly. There were also bells around her ankles.

The Orchid poured a cup of wine for each of them, and then danced barefoot beside them. She had a flexible figure, attractive features, and the sound of her kicking footsteps intertwined with the sound of the bells. Xiao Gao was stunned, but was too embarrassed to look directly at her. After all, she was wearing so little clothing.

The Orchid carried a special fragrance, which caused Zhao Yelan to turn his head and look at her a few more times.

Yan Mingting saw this, then suddenly reached out and pulled his head back: “Eat.”

Zhao Yelan ate a few mouthfuls, and couldn’t help but turn his head. He wanted to ask what incense the other party used, but the Orchid was still dancing, so he waited quietly.

“Eat well.” Yan Mingting pulled his head back again.

“Why did you invite her here if I’m not allowed to watch?”

“I didn’t expect you to be so fascinated……how about looking at me instead?” Yan Mingting said.

“What’s so good about you, do you have a softer belly than her, or do you look better dancing?” Zhao Yelan asked.

“My belly cannot be compared, but I can dance for you!” Yan Mingting regretted it after saying this, because Zhao Yelan definitely wanted to see it.

“All right, if you lie, you’re a dog.” Zhao Yelan immediately agreed, and inexplicably leaned in toward his ear and whispered, “Put on this Orchid’s clothing, too.”

“Never mind, never mind.”

“If you don’t want to dance, then I have no choice but to continue to admire the girl. Xiao Gao, go call all the Orchids in town.”

“……I’ll dance!” Yan Mingting gritted his teeth and agreed.

After a stick of incense, Zhao Yelan called: “Have you changed yet?”

“What’s the rush? You wear it if you have the ability, ah. These clothes are all tattered.”

Yan Mingting awkwardly put on the Orchid’s clothing. He was desperate not to go out, but under Zhao Yelan’s constant and heartless urging, he put on the veil and walked out.

After a moment, Zhao Yelan and Xiao Gao filled the room with laughter.

This was perhaps the most unrestrained laughter Yan Mingting had ever heard from Zhao Yelan.

He had never, ever seen Zhao Yelan laugh until he beat the table and wiped tears away.

Fine, fine, just be happy.

Yan Mingting let go of his shame and raised his hands in a twist. The tight, curvaceous clothes had an incongruous effect on his body, and his dance movements were also very stiff. It really made people laugh out loud.

Zhao Yelan’s face was a rictus of laughter. He grasped his cheeks on both sides, and had just taken a deep breath when a button suddenly fell on his face.

The shirt was overwhelmed and tore on Yan Mingting.

“Hahahahahaha!” Xiao Gao laughed so hard that he fell off his stool. Zhao Yelan’s face was sore from laughing. He picked up the button and walked in front of him, then closed the open front for him. When he raised his head and saw the big eyes protruding from the top of his veil, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud again.

Yan Mingting: “…….”

At this time, footsteps sounded outside the door. It was pushed open as Zhong Yuehong’s voice sounded: “General, I heard that you are looking for an Orchid again? Does Zhao-daren know about this?”

Yan Mingting was startled, and didn’t want to be seen by his subordinate, so he quickly gave Zhao Yelan a meaningful look. But Zhao Yelan gazed at him cooly: “Again?”

“It’s not like that, listen to my explanation……” As soon as Yan Mingting finished whispering, he looked over Zhao Yelan’s head and met Zhong Yuehong face to face.

Yan Mingting: “  .  ”

Zhong Yuehong was stunned for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

About a quarter of an hour later, the laughter of the three people in the room had just barely come to a stop.

Zhong Yuehong had received a letter from them stating that they would come to the border, so she sent people to the town to inquire from time to time. Today, she had just received news that the two had arrived, so she rushed over from the military camp immediately.

“There are too many people at the inn. Why don’t you stay at my house? It’s in this town, and although it isn’t big, it’s cleaner.” Zhong Yuehong addressed this question to Zhao Yelan, knowing who the real boss was here.

“That’s fine.” After Zhao Yelan agreed, the group of people followed her to her home.

Mother Zhong was usually the only one who stayed at the house, and she cleaned it every day, so it was very tidy and clean. When she saw them come in, she hurriedly stepped forward to greet them: “General, Zhao-daren, I’ve been looking forward to your visit!”

They hadn’t seen her in a long time. Mother Zhong looked older, but she was in good spirits, very enthusiastic as she poured tea and water.

At this moment, a handsome-looking man came out of the kitchen, rubbed his hands on his apron, and said somewhat cautiously: “General Yan, Zhao-daren, I’ve admired you for a long time.”

The two exchanged glances, and Zhao Yelan asked: “You’re Yuehong’s husband?”

“Yes.”

Zhong Yuehong mentioned in a letter a few years ago that she was going to get married, and that the other party was a physician.

This physician came from a bad background, and was abandoned by his family when they couldn’t support him. Fortunately, an old physician picked him up. After the old physician passed away, he was homeless, so he simply worked as a traveling doctor for many years, but unexpectedly encountered bandits nearby and nearly lost his life.

At that moment, Zhong Yuehong arrived with her soldiers, exterminated the bandits, and then took him back to the military camp to treat his injuries.

But he knew that Zhong Yuehong was also injured, only it was a chest wound. She likely didn’t want to be treated by a military doctor, so he didn’t mention it.

He covertly placed healing medicine in front of Zhong Yuehong’s tent, and the two got acquainted with each other after several exchanges.

Zhong Yuehong waited until he was almost recovered before asking him when he would leave. He faltered, and said that there were always injured people in the military camp, and that he wanted to stay and help with their treatment.

After staying for two or three years, someone teased him that he was already in his twenties, so why wasn’t he married yet? He secretly glanced at Zhong Yuehong and said: “Isn’t Lieutenant Zhong also unmarried?”

Everyone started to heckle them, and Zhong Yuehong herself could see his intentions, only she didn’t dare make such a decision casually. Then one time, she rescued a child from a wild horse, and the horse’s hoof stomped on her face so hard that she was disfigured.

Unexpectedly, the physician proposed marriage to her. She asked him, don’t you think I’m ugly now?

The physician said, you’re not ugly, you are the bravest and most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I will never be able to go into battle and fight the enemy like you, but I also want to protect you. I can heal your wounds and take care of you for the rest of your life, but I fear that I’m not good enough for you, and that I can’t give you a happy life of great wealth.

The facial injury was completely healed half a year after they married. She married with the ugliest appearance, but did not see herself as inferior like she had before, because when her husband looked at her, it was always with a light in his eyes.

The two had a child now, who was still training at the military camp today. Zhong Yuehong shyly introduced her husband to Yan Mingting and Zhao Yelan, for fear that they wouldn’t like him.

“It’s enough that he treats you well, and doesn’t seek fame, but only seeks a person’s heart,” Zhao Yelan said with a smile. 

“Exactly, exactly.” Yan Mingting grasped his hand affectionately. “It’s okay to be famous. As long as it’s you, you can do anything.”

“En.” Zhao Yelan pulled his hand back expressionlessly and took a sip of tea to relieve the lovey-dovey-ness.

Seeing this, Zhong Yuehong and her husband snickered.

After a meal, Zhao Yelan asked Xiao Gao to take out the things in the carriage, saying: “This is the dried meat that He Cuizhang gave you. He fears that you won’t be able to eat well here, and if you lose weight from hunger, you won’t be able to beat him in the future.”

“That braggart.” Zhong Yuehong disdained it with her words, but she still smiled and took it. In addition to these, there were the gifts that Zhao Yelan brought for their family, including clothing, shoes, hats, and weapons.

“When you come here, it’s like celebrating the New Year!” Zhong Yuehong said with a laugh.

Zhao Yelan smiled as well. Then he thought of something and raised his head to look elsewhere, suddenly asking in a low voice: “Where is she staying?”

“She should be at home. I’ll take you there.” Zhong Yuehong led the two of them west alone. The houses became fewer and fewer, and it was very quiet. At last, they came to a solitary house and knocked on the door.

The tall man who answered the door was Yu Dali, who had worked successively under Yan Mingting and Zhao Yelan. He was overjoyed to see them, and said: “You’re really here! I heard from Yuehong a few days ago that you both were going to come here to visit, but I still can’t believe it! Come, please come in!”

Zhao Yelan and Yan Mingting walked in and took a look around. It was comparable to Zhong Yuehong’s home, which showed that the owner had put their heart into it. There were also several long calligraphy copybooks hanging on the earthen wall, which seemed to have just been written and hung to dry.

Putting his hands behind his back, Zhao Yelan carefully inspected the beautiful handwriting, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled up. He asked: “These were written by your cousin, right?”

“They were. She’s still writing inside,” Yu Dali replied. Then he led them into the house and pushed open one of the doors. There was a woman in common clothes standing inside, bent over to write, and she looked up at the sound of the door.

This cousin had a beautiful appearance. Only, it was unfortunate that there was a long scar from her brow to the side of her cheek.

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Extra 3: Afterwards <<Table of Contents >> Extra 5: Memories