[R18] The stars are brilliant, so lucky even (The stars are brilliant, the moon rises over the sea) – Chapter 149 of “The Stars Are Brilliant, Even Lucky (The Stars Are Brilliant·The Moon Rising Over the Sea)” [English]

Chapter 149

The last remaining cold wind of winter passed over the towering city wall, and the snow in the fields was completely gone. The farmers bent down and took a handful of shiny brown seeds and looked at them in their hands. They imagined that healthy and plump seeds would take root and sprout in such moist soil, which heralded a harvest season full of fruitful fruits. They all felt happy.

A solemn and marching motorcade slowly approached the west gate of the capital. Riding at the front of the team was a handsome young man with light brown skin. He took a deep breath with a comfortable expression – this is Liang Qiufei’s favorite season. It is neither as thick as the winter season when he needs to be wrapped in inconvenient thick furs, nor is it as lazy as the warm human bones in the depths of spring.

Reining his horse and standing at the familiar city gate, Liang Qiufei couldn’t help but think of the rough city wall in the northwest border gate that was always covered with ice slag, the heavy snow outside the wall that could submerge people and livestock overnight, and the turbulent ice wind that could take away all the heat in his mouth the moment it poured into his mouth and nose.No matter how big the stove is built in the huge rock fortress, there is no way to avoid the cold that creeps in from the cracks. The wealthy families in the northwest have built comfortable and warm mansions, but the young lord neither wants to live there nor build a house by himself, so he only lives in the same place with the generals. However, the generals can change their defenses every three years, but the young lord has been suffering in that ice hell for five years.

Now, they are finally back.

Liang Qiufei was sighing secretly when a maidservant came running towards him on horseback and said with a smile on his face: “Brother A Fei, our young lady, please come over.”

“Sure,…I’ll come right away.” Liang Qiu Fei looked at his brother Liang Qiu Qi in front of him, then rode his horse to the front of the convoy, and stopped in front of an elegant carriage with the maidservant.

The car window slowly opened, revealing the face of a dignified and beautiful young woman. Liang Qiufei smiled and clasped his fists: “What are your orders, Mrs. Luo?”

Luo Jitong was angry and said with a smile: “What are you ordering? I regard you as my little brother, but you are polite to me! Could it be that you are planning to break up with me when the capital is coming!”

Liang Qiufei quickly cried out: “How could it be! Thanks to Madam Luo for taking care of our brothers all these years, A Fei is grateful and will never forget it!”

Luo Jitong’s expression darkened: “It’s a pity that your brother doesn’t think so.”

“Ms. Luo, please ignore my brother. He has always had such an annoying face, and he treats everyone the same.” Liang Qiufei rolled his eyes and laughed, “But then again, if my brother hadn’t been so cold and ruthless, from the time when the young master established his family at the age of fourteen, the little girls who came by would have squeezed the door open!”

He These words were originally intended to comfort Luo Jitong, but the words were unintentional and the listeners had intentions. Luo Jitong’s smile froze and he sighed softly: “I can’t tell, in the eyes of brother Ling, there is no difference between me and those little girls.”

Liang Qiufei choked and said: “That’s not possible! Madam Luo thinks too much… she thinks too much…” He didn’t dare to touch Luo Jitong’s eyes because he thought of another woman.

In Liang Qiufei’s opinion, Madam Luo, who was born in a noble family, was not only caring and considerate to her young master and his subordinates, she also understood justice and was kind and amiable. She was much better than “that woman”. Unfortunately, the treatment of the two women was also much worse.

Three years ago, the young master fell ill with a high fever. Luo Ji came to take care of him without taking off his clothes. When the young master recovered, he took the opportunity to call him “Future Queen”. The young master didn’t say anything to his face, and then demoted him to raise horses. It took three full months before he could return.He was confused at first, but after being pointed out by his brother, Liang Qiufei no longer dared to make a fuss on his own.

But back then, his brother Liang Qiuqi also took it upon himself to call “that girl” his little queen. The young master also had a very serious face and turned around and rewarded his brother with two fine Dawan hybrid horses worth thousands of gold – brothers from the same father and mother. Why is there such a big gap?Liang Qiufei couldn’t help but fell into deep thought.

Seeing Luo Jitong’s gloomy expression, Liang Qiu Fei changed the topic: “I don’t know why, but the closer we get to the capital, the more depressed the young lord becomes. He even chatted with Cui Hou a few days ago, but now he doesn’t even talk to Cui Hou.”

Luo Jitong sighed: “The general is so cowardly that he is close to home. He made a huge mistake out of anger and didn’t care about anything. Now that he has to face his old friend again, he is naturally hurt and cowardly.”

Liang Qiufei was very impressed: “Ms. Luo said it well, I guess this is the truth too.”

Just as he was talking, a guard hurriedly rode up and whispered a few words in Liang Qiufei’s ear. Liang Qiufei’s eyes lit up, he waved the guard away and said towards the car: “Ms. Luo, although we arrived two days early, the prince still rushed to greet my young master. He has already arrived.”

Luo Jitong was shocked and his face was full of gratitude: “In the early years, our Luo family relied on the Xuan Wang family. Now Wang Chun has been demoted, Xuan Niang and the first prince have been deposed, and my family has no contact with the Yue Niang and the third prince. My father and brother in the family are very frightened. Fortunately, you were willing to inform me and asked me to use General Huo’s name to pay a visit to the prince… Such kindness, I really don’t know how to thank you.”

Liang Qiufei was flattered: “The prince is here, so many people have seen it. I just told the lady one step earlier, which can’t be called a kindness. Madam, please come over quickly. I’m humble enough to go ahead!”

After a while, Liang Qiufei rode to the front of the motorcade and saw the city gate wide open. The former third prince and now the prince stood lightly dressed not far away, holding arms with his young master in tears. Cui Hou laughed beside him.

Liang Qiufei quickly dismounted and stood next to his brother. Liang Qiuqi glanced at his brother and said nothing.

Reunited with old friends, the prince looked Huo Buyi up and down. He had mixed feelings in his heart and didn’t know where to start.

Huo Buyi’s smile was still so handsome and charming, and his figure was still tall and slender. However, the prince remembered that his father always complained about his adopted son’s body, and he was as indifferent as a wandering soul. Now Huo Buyi finally has the smoke, but it is the fallen leaves rolled up by the cold wind in late autumn, the miserable cold rain hitting the faded window screens, and the hoarse sound of the old and out-of-tune pottery xun.

The prince felt that it was better not to have such fireworks. “You…how have you been in these years…” He felt indescribably sad.

Huo Busuo smiled and said, “His Highness writes to me every three or two months to ask about this and that. I have searched my guts and told you everything about my daily diet and daily life. Is there anything else that Your Highness doesn’t know?”

The prince glared at him: “I’ll settle the score with you later!” He then said to Cui Hou, “Cui Hou is well and sound, and his valor is still the same. Hey, where are the two young masters?”

Cui Hou said with a smile: “Your Highness thinks that we arrived two days early because we left all the luggage behind. The dogs escorted us slowly, and we will arrive in two or three days.”

The prince said, “That’s right. If Zisheng comes back early, it’s hard to bring a mountain of wealth into the city.”

Cui Hou complained: “Oh, Your Highness, you think we are digging for gold. Where did the mountain of wealth come from in the northwest village? Most of them are wild animals, furs and other bulky things.”

Huo Buyu chuckled lightly and glanced at Cui Hou.

Cui Hou said helplessly: “Well, okay, I am a merchant and your Highness knows that those wild animal furs will probably turn into a mountain of wealth in my hands soon – Zi Sheng, you are so anxious to expose what happened, half of them are yours!”

The prince swept away the worries of many days and laughed loudly for the first time.

While they were chatting and joking, Luo Jitong had changed into an elegant robe and came forward with several maidservants to bow down: “I, Madam Luo, pay my respects to His Highness the Crown Prince. We have not seen each other for many years. I wish Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Queen to be healthy and happy forever.”

The prince had met Luo Jitong in Changqiu Palace a few years ago, and had often heard that he was dignified, polite, gentle and considerate. Now that he saw her in Huo Buyu’s motorcade, he couldn’t help being surprised and happy.While looking at Huo Buyu’s expression, he said in a rare and kind voice: “Ms. Luo, you are here too. Get up quickly. I never thought that you would be walking with Zi Sheng all the way.”

Luo Jitong stood up elegantly and frankly confessed: “My mother is ill, and my father and brother asked me to go back to fulfill my filial piety. It happened that General Huo also wanted to return to the capital, so he shamelessly took care of me under the general’s command.”

“How can this be considered shameless?” The prince felt that he was getting closer and closer to what he had expected, so he smiled and said, “You were chosen as the fifth sister’s companion when you were a child, and you have known Zi Sheng for more than ten years. Taking care of her together is just a matter of hands, and Zi Sheng will not refuse… Uh, by the way, today my father is hosting a banquet in the Xuande Hall to welcome Zi Sheng and Cui Hou. Mr. Luo, why don’t you come too?”

Luo Jitong said happily: “This is a great kindness for me, but why do I have the nerve to bother you?”

“It’s not a nuisance, maybe in the future…” The prince looked at Huo Buyi, who was silent next to him, and coughed lightly, “I heard that you have taken good care of Zi Sheng in the past few years. Maybe my father has something to ask you.”

“Being respectful is worse than obeying orders.” Luo Jitong bowed and saluted gracefully.

The prince expressed satisfaction, secretly thinking that such a dignified and decent woman was the right person.

I remember that the emperor held a family banquet four years ago. He was planning to go to Yong’an Palace to meet the Empress Dowager Xuan. Empress Yue called him and invited Cheng Shaoshang to come over. Unexpectedly, the rude little girl said, “I have no engagement with Mr. Huo. In what capacity do you attend the royal family banquet? Which prince will you pick a mistress for?” – he was so angry that he almost didn’t make a move at that time!

Look at Luo, how docile and obedient she is. Her relationship with Huo Bujie is still unclear, but why did she just agree to her call? A woman should behave like a woman.

Seeing everyone in front of them getting on their carriages, Liang Qiufei was about to follow, but he was grabbed by his brother.

Liang Qiuqi lowered his voice and said, “Mrs. Luo, it’s you who called me here. I think you want to raise horses again!”

“No way!” Liang Qiufei denied it at first, and then said, “Besides, it doesn’t matter what we said. We have been with the young master for so many years, and there are more than ten or eight women we want to get close to. If the young master was really unhappy, he would have found a way to drive them away. But in the past few years, Madam Luo has come in and out of our residence, and the young master has not said anything.”

Liang Qiuqi said in a deep voice: “But Cui Hou and Master Zhou Mu have been insinuating themselves so many times, and the young master has not even nodded.”

“This shows that the young master is in a dilemma now. With just one more push, the young master’s marriage may be settled!” Liang Qiufei restrained his excitement, “The young master is already in his mid-twenties, it’s time to get married and have children!”

“Li Si also said the same thing. He told us to play the drum more often and don’t just stand and watch.” Liang Qiuqi said.

“Yes!”

“But Lao Zhang told us not to be troublesome.” Liang Qiuqi added, “He doesn’t think it’s like that.”

“It’s nothing like that. The Zhang family used to be a pottery maker. No matter what problem Zhang Shan encountered, he would just keep saying, ‘Well, the heat is not enough’!”

“He said that this time it was not that the heat was not enough, but that the wrong furnace was burned.”

“Ah?!”

“Zhang Shan said that it’s not too late to make plans after we see another furnace.” Liang Qiuqi said word by word.

Liang Qiufei thought for several times before he understood, and stammered: “But, but… that furnace, isn’t it already cold… A few years ago, the young master said that he hoped that ‘she’ would find another husband and have a worry-free life. Last month, we heard that ‘she’ was engaged to a man named Yuan. Didn’t the young master have people prepare gifts?!”

“That’s true, but I think we should listen to Zhang Shan.”

“Why.”

“Because Li Si is still a bachelor, but Zhang Shan has a wife and five concubines. His family is peaceful, and he has countless acquaintances outside. It’s actually a peaceful life.”

Liang Qiufei:……

In the Xuande Hall of the North Palace, the emperor stretched his neck and waited for a long time. The Queen of Yue stood beside her and said coolly, “Your Majesty, if you stretch your neck again, your body will come out of your shell.” Fortunately, the emperor was thoughtful and had no time to argue with her.

The second prince sitting on the right side smiled and said: “Father, please sit down first. Zi Sheng has been very clear about things since he was a child. He said that if he can arrive at 2:00 noon, it will not be too late.”

The eldest princess sitting on the left side was quite sour: “Today, I was going to Tushan Mountain to take a bath in the hot springs. Unexpectedly, an hour ago, my father hurriedly announced us all. It turned out that we were here to support Zi Sheng. In my father’s heart, we, our biological children, are probably not as good as Zi Sheng.”

The emperor frowned. The prince-in-law saw the opportunity very quickly and hurriedly smoothed things over: “Your Majesty, you see, the eldest princess is already a mother with children, and she is acting coquettishly with you. Seeing that you love Zi Sheng more, she will cheat on you.”

This was a beautiful thing to say. As expected, the emperor relaxed his brows and scolded his eldest daughter with a smile: “You, it would be great if you had Zisun who was half as sensible as Zisheng! Zisheng has suffered in the northwest for so many years, so what if I feel more sorry for you. You sent me to the northwest to guard the border for five years, and I love you so much!”

The eldest prince-in-law added very cooperatively: “Female people don’t know about government affairs. Zi Sheng has made great achievements in recent years. Not only did he fight and suppress the tribes in Mobei and appease them properly, but he also said that he conquered Shu last year. My father originally wanted to send another army from Longdi.He went around to the center of Shu to provide support, but who would have thought that Zi Sheng could actually train a tiger and wolf army in the bitter cold land of the northwest, and go straight to Shu through Longxi – in this way, the father not only saved the need to mobilize many soldiers, but also did not have to mobilize troops…”

“Okay, okay.” The eldest princess pretended to be angry, “My father and son-in-law have the same heart, but I am the only one who is ignorant!”

The emperor couldn’t help but laugh: “It’s good that you know! Don’t talk nonsense when Zi Sheng comes!”

The eldest princess responded sweetly.

After lecturing his eldest daughter, the emperor turned to look at his second son who was standing on the right: “Then… the King of East China Sea, is it really not coming?”

The second prince immediately replied: “Father, my brother is not still complaining about Zi Sheng. You know he, my brother just doesn’t want to see more people. There will be a banquet in Yong’an Palace in a few days, and there will be fewer people and it will be quiet. He will have a good talk with Zi Sheng.”

The emperor nodded: “I know Zikun’s temperament, so that’s fine.” The eldest son’s character was not strong enough. He never attended the family banquet after Yi Chu. Everything in Yong’an Palace was passed down from generation to generation by the second prince.

While talking, Cen Anzhi ran into the palace with small steps and announced that the prince and his party were coming. Everyone looked at the door of the palace.

In the shadow of the floating light, several figures appeared at the palace gate. The emperor looked at the tall and slender figure behind the prince, and was in a trance for a moment. The originally careless Queen of Yue slowly sat upright – they seemed to see the heroic general from more than 20 years ago, the always calm and loyal leader of the ministers, slowly walking towards them.

The emperor’s hand holding the table trembled slightly. Seeing the glimmer of water in his eyes, the Queen of Yue sighed secretly in her heart.

The emperor slowly stepped down from his seat, bent down and pressed his hands on the thick shoulders of his adopted son who was kneeling in front of him, and shed a tear. The palace was silent for a while – he thought that he would never see his adopted brother again in his lifetime.