Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 149
"That's true." Ma Qifeng was melancholy, "Isn't the house even more deserted?"

"Father..." Ma Min'er was also sad.

Sure enough, as Ma Min'er expected, someone came to Ma's house, and it was their grandfather Ma Chengzu.

The parting was about to happen, and when I saw my father again, in my sadness, I didn't seem to care about everything in the past, Ma Qifeng called out in a deep voice: "Father—"

"Zichang..."

The father and son stood facing each other and looked at each other. This pair of father and son who had no fate at all, because of the late emperor's will, made them have a father-son relationship, whether it was a bad relationship or something else. After this farewell, they were separated by thousands of miles. Conditions, the number of times they meet again can be counted on fingers.

"You really don't plan to go back to the capital?"

Ma Qifeng nodded slightly.

Ma Chengzu squinted his eyes, and looked at the yard behind him, the corridors, the cornices and the walls, the courtyard is hidden among green onions, there are streams, winding paths, and the artistic conception is far away, "It is a good Fengshui house. "

"Father—" Although Feng Jiangyi said it in a joke, Ma Qifeng didn't take it to heart, he didn't expect his father to say such a thing, he was surprised and happy.

Ma Chengzu didn't care about his son's expression, he walked to the main hall, sat on the upper seat, and looked at everyone.

Everyone quickly followed the main hall, unknowingly standing in front of him in order of elder and younger, as if listening to his instruction.

"Old Six—"

"Father……"

Ma Chengzu said: "Two days ago, your third brother told you about the fields and the shop."

"Yes, I did."

Ma Chengzu said: "Accordingly, Yunshui is just a place where we live temporarily. If we have the opportunity to go to Beijing today, everything here is sold, but after five years, my father has become reluctant to stay here. Feeling of giving up, the things here are also reluctant to deal with."

"Father..." Ma Qifeng bowed his head guiltily.

"I'm not saying I'll take care of your third brother, just let me take care of it."

My grandfather said so, so my father couldn't refuse, but Ma Min'er didn't want to leave hidden dangers, so she took a step forward, "Grandfather, forgive my granddaughter for asking rudely..."

Ma Chengzu raised his old eyes, looked at the most promising granddaughter, and waited for her to say something.

"Grandfather, if the accounts of the fields and shops are handed over to you directly, then my father will take over..."

"What do you mean by that?" Ma Qimeng was annoyed when he heard that, and couldn't help shouting that he hit his niece.

Ma Min'er followed closely and said, "Third Uncle, if this account is handed over to you, my family will not help."

"Father, look, a girl's film, when a man talks, she has to intervene. Besides, what is she saying?"

"Sanbo, I'm telling the truth. If you accept the account, I advise you to let Sister Jia take care of the field. My family can send out two stewards to help, but we will never interfere with the account."

"What do you mean?" Ma Qimeng didn't expect Ma Erniang to even think about this, and was taken aback.

Ma Min'er said coldly: "It means that I am afraid of hurting my brotherhood."

"you……"

"Then let Jiaer from the fourth family take care of it, and you have two stewards in your family." Ma Chengzu stood up and agreed to Ma Miner's suggestion.

"Father, what does Jia'er, a housewife know, how can she take care of the shop and the fields?" Ma Qimeng was so anxious that his head was sweating.

Ma Chengzu looked at the second son, and sighed, "Do you think that the sixth son is doing the affairs of the sixth son's family?"

"Father, how can Jia'er compare with Min'er." Ma Qimeng was so anxious that he didn't hide anything. He knew that few women could be as capable as Ma Erniang. In his hands, he will only earn more and more.

Ma Chengzu took a deep look at his son, and then at Ma Min'er. The little Jiujiu in his son's belly was clearly seen by his concubine's granddaughter, and she was not afraid of filial piety or rumors, so she carried it clearly. The son couldn't make any money at all, "I'll do as Erniang does." After finishing speaking, he was about to leave without even drinking his saliva.

Ma Qifeng took a step forward, "Father, wait two days before leaving, the little general is coming back from Fucheng, and he is going to take Min'er to the west, why don't we have a meal together, I will practice with Min'er for you!" Row."

Ma Chengzu looked at his concubine's granddaughter, "When will you marry him?"

"Probably at the end of next year." Ma Min'er replied.

"Where is it?" Ma Chengzu asked.

"Xia Zhen said it might be the prefectural city, or it might be the capital city."

"The capital..." Everyone looked at Ma Min'er in unison.

Ma Min'er smiled: "Most of them are probably in Xing'an, the capital city."

Ma Chengzu nodded, "I hope you will come to the capital, so that the whole family will have a chance to get together."

This is the most emotional time Ma Miner has heard from his cheap grandfather, "Okay, let's try our best."

Ma Chengzu nodded, "When the little general arrives, call me."

"Yes, Father." Ma Qifeng was very happy, because he was no longer sad when he heard that he could get together again at the end of next year, and parting with hope always makes people look forward to it.

One is to go back to Beijing to live the most prosperous life, and the other is to go to Xiliang to experience the most desolate days.

With farewell in sight, no matter how rich the dishes are on the table, no one can taste the taste, everyone is immersed in sadness, even the most prickly Ma Rouer becomes sullen, bowing his head to eat the dishes .

"My lord, I wish you a smooth journey back to Beijing." Xia Zhen picked up the wine glass.

"Thank you, General."

One old and one young drank the wine in the glass.

"My lord, please have some food."

"Little General, please—"

One grown and one young, after eating a few mouthfuls of food, they spoke again, "The five northern prefectures are united under one roof, the young general is really a capable man, I admire you."

"My lord praised you." Xia Zhen smiled modestly.

"I heard that the deserts of the three prefectures in the west are incomparable. I'm afraid it will be difficult and difficult to go there."

Xia Zhen picked up the wine glass casually and took a sip, "If it was that easy, the emperor wouldn't bring them under my jurisdiction so easily. Whether I can make the desert bloom a flower depends on my ability, Xia Zhen." .”

"Okay, okay, the next generation is awesome." Ma Chengzu really admired the aggressiveness of young people, and thought to himself, if one of his descendants can be like Xia Zhen, why would he worry about the downfall of the Dongping royal family? It's a pity that his royal family is useful They were all girls, and they all married into other people's homes. Picking up the wine glass and drinking it, I was filled with emotion!
Ma Chengzu was helped back by his son. When he left Ma's yard, he was already unconscious, lying on his son's shoulder, motionless, and fell into a deep sleep.

Going to sleep drunk is either natural or self-disciplined. Ma Miner feels that his grandfather is the latter. All his emotions and personal ideals are digested by himself. Even if he is drunk, he does not let himself vent his emotions.

Alas... With a long sigh, Ma Min'er leaned on her father's shoulder, "Father, let the past be like this!"

"En." Ma Qifeng replied softly, standing on the trail at the intersection, watching the third brother help his father onto the horse, and disappeared in Xiaowang Village.

"Father, go back to sleep. Tomorrow, I will help them tidy up and salute. How about sending them to Beijing the day after tomorrow?"

"Yeah." Ma Qifeng stood at the air outlet, the night in February was chilly.

For some reason, Ma Min'er's head left her father's shoulder, took his arm, and said to the people next to her: "I want to walk alone with my father, you go back to sleep first."

Xia Zhen was standing beside her, looking at her under the light of the lantern, and smiled slightly when she heard her words, "Then you talk, I'll go back to sleep first."

Although she wanted to be with her daughter-in-law, Xia Zhen knew that she was going to abduct her, so she should be given to her father-in-law two days before leaving, and went back to the house obediently.

Zhao Yuyan and his wife saluted: "Uncle Ma, we are going back now."

"It's getting late, so stay here." Ma Qifeng stayed.

Zhao Yuyan smiled: "No, Uncle Ma, all the things brought back from the mansion are in the town."

"It's dark night, be careful."

"Hey, I got it, Uncle Ma." Zhao Yuyan and his wife saluted and returned to town with their servants.

Xia Zhengao glanced at Zhao Yuyan because of his relationship with Ma'er's mother's family. When he was in Fucheng, he was invited to the General's Mansion. Not only did he have the opportunity to meet many powerful officials, but he also experienced him in officialdom. Ability.

Ma Hui'er went to the palace to be a concubine, and they also received the letter. On the way, they met Xia Zhen who came back, and they came back with him, planning to go to Beijing with Mrs. Ma.

Sitting in the carriage, Ma Meier asked, "What are your plans after the Spring Festival?"

Zhao Yuyan said: "If Erniang and the others are still in Liangzhou, I plan to send them abroad to Liangzhou."

Although somewhat unexpected, but also expected, Ma Meier nodded, "I'll follow you."

"Thank you, ma'am!"

"The hard work of us women is nothing, the real hard work is your husband." Ma Meier stretched out her hand to hold his hand and said softly.

Zhao Yuyan shook it back, "With you in this life, what more can I ask for."

Everyone was driven back by Ma Min'er, the last one to go was Mo Wanyi, she said softly: "It's very windy outside, why don't you sit in the wing?"

"Aunt Wan, Dad and I will go sit in the cabin in front of us."

"Oh." Mo Wanyi stopped persuading her and let them go with their father and daughter.

Ma Min'er reached out to take the lantern from Shan Xiaodan's hand, "Miss Xiaodan, go and do your own work."

"Ok."

Ma Min'er took Ma Qifeng's arm, and the two huddled in the cold wind and walked to the cabin, climbed the wooden steps, and reached the corridor sheltered from the wind, standing on the edge of the railing and looking at the distant night sky.

"How about it, Dad, the sky is still the same as before."

Ma Qifeng shook his head and smiled, "You child, what difference can the sky make with just a few steps away!"

"It's different!" Ma Min'er smiled lightly.

Ma Qifeng sighed, "If there is any difference, it is standing here, as if everything from yesterday is right in front of my eyes, and when I was exiled, the panic after eating the last meal seems to be vivid in my memory."

"It's this cabin that released our fears and carried our laughter." Ma Min'er squinted her eyes and looked into the distance, her heart relaxed like a flying swallow.

"You called dad over to talk about this?" Ma Qifeng suddenly turned his head.

Ma Min'er smiled and turned her head, "Yes, and no."

"What kind of answer is this?" Ma Qifeng shook his head, "Don't worry, just as you said, all things in this world aim to gather together, and all end with reunion, but there is only one thing that needs to be separated. It is the parents and the grown-up children, I and your grandfather follow the same rules, I am destined to have my family and my life, even though I want to support him until I grow old, but there is no fate, then so be it.”

The lantern was hung by Ma Miner on the porch, through the faint light, Ma Miner smiled again: "We are too!"

Although he knew it was inevitable, Ma Qifeng was still sentimental, and looked towards the direction of the small kitchen, "I can still hear your laughter and laughter there."

"Me too." Ma Min'er smiled with tears, "Father, but we can't be immersed in the past, we have to move forward."

"I know, I know, I will accept your grandfather coming to Beijing, and I will accept them leaving me." Ma Qifeng suppressed his emotions.

"No, Dad, you are still running away."

"I...I didn't..." Ma Qifeng was confused by his daughter's words.

"Then why hasn't Aunt Wan been pregnant?" Ma Min'er tilted her head to look at his father, and wiped away the tears on her face.

"Min... Min'er..."

Ma Min'er said: "Father, you can't read a letter from your brother over and over again until the rough edges come out, and you can't always think about how to be a good father and son with your grandfather. The time for you to be a good father and son has already passed. Now, you can only let go of the past and settle down in your own lives."

"Min... Min'er..."

"Father, don't be afraid of losing, you have to think about getting it, you have to have children with Aunt Wan, live your own life, don't get stuck in the past, and don't feel sorry for us, you have done a good job."

"I..." Ma Qifeng couldn't say a word after being hit in the heart again by his daughter.

"Father, believe me, you are a good son and a good father, and you will be a good grandfather in the future."

"Min'er..." Ma Qifeng had tears in his eyes, "Is father too worried and indecisive, too irresponsible for a man?"

"No, father, on the contrary, you used your own strength to bring us from the distant capital to this small wooden house intact. You are amazing."

"I..." Ma Qifeng turned his head and lay down on the railing, covering his face tightly.

Ma Min'er knew that his father was crying!

There are thousands of types of men in the world, some are powerful and powerful; Scoundrels who are worse than shit.

Ma Qifeng is just an ordinary person who grew up in adversity. He did not break out of the cocoon and become a successful person in the world, but he is a good man at home without losing his duty. For his children and his wife, he has These are enough.Life is alive, and when it comes to an end, it's nothing more than that!

Being busy dilutes the pain of parting. When Ma Miner sat in Xia Zhen's carriage and headed west, it was already five days later!When the curtains of the carriages were lifted, it was indeed "February spring breeze like scissors" blowing.

"Scissors" cut Ma Min'er with tears streaming down her face. How many partings and reunions are there in a person's life!At this moment, no one has a deeper experience than her!

Parting, although there is melancholy and pain, but parting also contains hope. It is because of parting that the joy and excitement of reunion shines extra brightly. It is precisely because of parting that missing is like the brightest star in the sky. Shining in the memory, parting is not just leaving, but also a new beginning, a better reunion.

Xia Zhen gently embraced the young daughter-in-law and hugged her in his arms. Although they were not married yet, he knew that their days had already begun.

Outside the carriage, the desolate shop in early spring is in front of people's eyes, and the long journey team breaks the withered color of the desolate wilderness, and has vitality.

When it was time to camp again at noon, the brigade stopped in an orderly manner to start cooking and rest.

While shaking his arms, Gu Dun yelled loudly, "Hurry up, hurry up, the general has to hurry!" As he spoke, he came to the man led by Ma Min'er.

"Do you need any help?" Looking at Shi Qiuju who was squatting on the ground picking up firewood, the grinning mouth remained open.

"No... nothing to help." Shi Qiuju smiled shyly.

Fu Xiaoyou was talking to Shan Xiaodan, when he saw the little general's people coming over, he hurried over, "General Gu, what's the problem?"

"If there is no problem, you can't come and find it!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Fu Xiaoyou laughed.

"Stinky boy, if you have the strength to work, you can find brother." Gu Dun said boldly.

"Oh, okay." Fu Xiaoyou turned around and said to Shi Qiuju, "Auntie, what energy do you have to do, let Gu Da..."

"Stop, brat, I said I was brother, so you call me brother?" Gu Dun interrupted Fu Xiaoyou when he heard this.

"Ah, doesn't calling you brother make you look young?"

"Stinky boy, looking for smoke, is it called Uncle?"

Fu Xiaoyou has always been as clever as Fu Xiaoyou, but he was also confused by Gu Dun's brilliant manipulation, "You...are not very old."

"Stinky boy, if you want to call you Uncle, you can call him Uncle, so there is so much nonsense."

"Oh, Uncle Gu."

Shi Qiuju kept her head down, as if it had nothing to do with her what the two said. Shan Xiaodan's family came out with Ma Min'er, they were regarded as companions, and they would follow Ma Erniang from now on.

Aunt Shan glanced at Shi Qiuju, and seemed to understand something in her heart. No wonder she offered to follow her when the family was looking for the rough envoy. of.

Ma Min'er and Xia Zhen got off the carriage, and Zhang Nianmei stepped forward, "Little General, we just crossed the border of Yizhou."

"No rush." ​​Xia Zhen asked, "Where is my father?"

"The general didn't stay in Pingding, he has already reached the boundary of Xiangzhou Prefecture."

"Oh."

Seeing that they had finished speaking, Ma Min'er said, "Brother Zhang, you are married, and you don't send posts to my sister, you..."

"Hee hee, I didn't bother you when the little general became the county king, how dare I." Zhang Nianmei smiled.

Curling her lips, Ma Min'er walked towards the person she brought, "How are you doing, are you getting used to the road?"

"It's quite interesting." Fu Xiaoyou laughed.

Ma Min'er frowned: "I knew you were playful, and it was really a mistake to say that I wouldn't take you with me."

"Don't, Er Niang, I'm just playful, I'm clever, okay?" Fu Xiao would play sarcasm whenever he had the chance.

"Come on, I won't tell you anymore. If it wasn't for Xiao Shan's sake, I wouldn't have brought you out."

Shan Xiaodan blushed, and turned to scoop up water.

Fu Xiaoyou scratched his head and smirked, "I... I'm going to collect firewood." After speaking, he ran away.

Aunt Shan and Uncle Shan were one on the stove and the other under the stove, busy running around, uncovering the pot, the mutton in the pot was boiling, and Aunt Shan was skimming off the fishy foam.

"Auntie, how do you eat mutton?"

Hearing Xiaodong's voice, Aunt Shan raised her head, "There are three ways to eat this pot."

"Oh, is there a cold cut crystal lamb?"

Aunt Shan nodded, "I know the little general likes to eat, so I will make more this time, and I can eat it for three days."

"It's hard work, Aunt Shan."

Aunt Shan clicked her lips: "It's just that eating mutton will cause you to get angry. I'm afraid it's not good to eat more."

For some reason, Ma Min'er heard what Aunt Shan meant, and her face was so hot that she almost turned into a red shrimp, "Then...then cook more porridge like lotus seeds."

Aunt Shan nodded, "The weather is dry, so it's better to eat less food that gets angry, little boss, don't you think so?"

"Mmmm..." Ma Min'er nodded repeatedly, "Then make some pork ribs and lotus root soup."

"Okay." Ma Min'er left the stove as if fleeing.

In a small courtyard in Pingding County, there was a baby crying non-stop, causing people on the side of the courtyard to knock on the door. After knocking for a long time, no one answered, "What's the matter, is there no one at home?"

"I don't think there is anyone. I knocked earlier, but no one answered."

……

Neighbors discussed together, pointed and nodded, "This mother and daughter seem to be quite pitiful. They didn't even buy decent New Year's goods for the New Year. The pots and stoves are deserted."

"I thought they were pitiful, and even brought them a bowl of broth."

"I don't think they are pitiful."

"What?"

"Didn't you see how beautifully dressed this mother and daughter are?"

"This……"

……

A group of women were discussing, Zhao Sufen came back with a small bamboo basket, looked at the front of her house strangely, "You are..."

"Oh, Aunt Zhao, you're finally back. The child in the house has been crying for a long time. There will be no sound. I'm afraid I'm tired. Go in and have a look."

Zhao Sufen secretly thought that Ya'er was at home, and put on a smile on her face, "I'm sorry, I made everyone worry." After speaking, she took out a medicine spoon and opened the door.

When everyone saw that the person had returned, they dispersed one after another.

Not long after, she saw Mrs. Zhao coming out with the child in her arms, and shouted in panic, "Ya'er, Ya'er... where are you?" shouting and shouting to the street.

After searching for two days, Mrs. Zhao couldn't find her daughter, and she instantly aged ten years, with white hairs on her sideburns, "Ya'er, Ya'er, what do you want your mother to do, what do you want Bao'er to do? "

In the cold spring, a pair of grandparents and grandchildren stood on the cold street, like fallen leaves, being stepped on and stepped on, and finally disappeared in the dust!

Qiu Baiyan got down from the carriage, carrying some gifts in his hand, the young man walked ahead to lead the way, and soon arrived at a small courtyard, knocked on the door for a long time, and the small courtyard door opened.

"Qiu Zhangshi—"

"How's Miss Rou?"

"It's much better." The little girl replied, "Please come in."

Qiu Baiyan's master and servant entered the courtyard.

Since she was rejected years ago, Rou Yue had been seriously ill until February day, when she got better. Seeing her benefactor came to see her again, she struggled, "Miss Rou——"

"benefactor--"

"Call me Qiu Baiyan."

"You are my benefactor."

Qiu Baiyan saw that she insisted on calling it that way, so she didn't insist anymore: "Miss Rou, I'm going to the west to do business, I'm afraid it will be rare to return to Pingding."

"With your little boss?"

"Ok!"

Rou Yue said faintly: "I heard that they have set off for half a month, why are you now..."

"How do you know they're leaving?" Qiu Baiyan frowned.

Rou Yue's expression darkened.

Qiu Baiyan lowered her head, "Miss Rouyue, there are some things that you can only see through yourself, others can't help you."

"I...I know!" Rou Yue couldn't help but shed tears again, "My illness is almost cured, and when I am cured, I want to find a new place, a place where no one knows me and start over. "

Qiu Baiyan looked up at her, didn't speak for a long time, and finally gave a soft 'um', "Then let's start."

"Thank you benefactor, if there is no benefactor, I'm afraid..."

"No, you just haven't passed this hurdle. After you pass, you will understand that the love in the world cannot be forced." Qiu Bai persuaded.

Hearing this, Rou Yue felt sad again, "I don't think there will be anything that can hurt me in the future."

"you……"

"For a man whose heart is dead, what else can hurt it?"

Qiu Baiyan moved her eyelashes slightly, then turned her head, "Songzi, give the present to Miss Rouyue, let's go back."

"Yes, Master."

"Benefactor, I can't accept this gift, I can't accept it..." Rou Yue struggled to get up to return the thing.

"It's nothing, it's just some pastries and snacks, take it." Qiu Baiyan turned and went out, and when his slender body left the hut, it seemed that the hut was a bit more spacious.

Rouyue opened the presents on the table, and a box of exquisite Duanyunzhai pastries came into view. This was her favorite pastry. After staring at it for a long time, she suddenly turned around and ran towards the door, chasing after the alley. When he went to the street, no one was there.

"Yueniang, Yueniang, you can't come out, you're going to blow the wind." The little girl chased after her out of breath, "Yueniang, Qiu Zhangshi is a good person."

Rou Yue didn't look back at the street for a long time.

In March of Yangchun, everything recovers, and the world seems to be a green world.A world full of fragrance.In the field, the grass that once withered in winter has grown lush.

Miss Chun came to the world with light steps, and she spread the news of spring everywhere like a happy elf.She walked lightly with life and hope, and wherever she crossed mountains and rivers, there was vigorous vitality.

Ma Qifeng stood on the highest point of his small building and looked into the distance. The sunlight was so strong that he had to squint his eyes, and his back was reflected in the soft March wind.

Mo Wanyi held a simple robe in her hand, walked gently behind him, and put the robe on him, "Don't be greedy for the view, the wind will make your head hurt."

Ma Qifeng turned his head, stretched out his hand to hold his wife who was helping him with the cloak, "Min'er should have gone to Xiliang."

"Yeah." Mo Wanyi nodded, "I guess there will be a letter back in the next two days."

"Oh!"

Seeing that he couldn't take it back, Mo Wanyi continued: "I'm afraid your father has arrived in the capital too, and the emperor has probably appointed him as an official."

"Oh, that's fine, that's fine."

"Zichang, Xiaoyou is gone, you have to take care of the outside affairs." Mo Wanyi said softly.

"I know, I know." Ma Qifeng woke up from his loneliness, "March is here, and it's the busy season again. I'll go down to find Niu Dabao right away."

Seeing the man come out of frustration, Mo Wanyi breathed a sigh of relief, and took his arm, "Let's go down to eat."

"it is good."

After nearly a month of ups and downs, they finally arrived at Liangzhou, the most northwestern border capital of the Great Wei Dynasty.

Before reaching the city gate, there were guards rushing over, "Is it the little general, is it the young general..."

"Yes!" The guard in front replied.

"Little general... the great general is surrounded, please help!" the guard shouted anxiously.

(End of this chapter)