Temporary Parting

Jiang Danhe was hoping to spend more time with Xiaoguo. Even if it means not doing anything, he wanted to be with her. Even if they were to sit around dazing all day, it was fine, as long as they were together.

Xiaoguo nodded. Jiang Danhe boldly took her hand and walked with her.

The two of them strolled around the mansion grounds. The general’s residence was not very big.

Jiang Danhe didn’t live here initially. The emperor had previously given him a mansion with a small park. However, Jiang Danhe didn’t like such a big place, and there weren’t that many people living in his residence. That was why he moved to this newly built mansion. It wasn’t too big, and it was sufficient for him.

Although the mansion was not very big, it had all the necessary facilities. There was a man-made river view in the backyard. It was pretty to look at even though it is lacking in size. There was also a good spot in the pavilion where one could sit and enjoy the passing breeze.

The moon was looking huge in the sky. Xiaoguo raised her head and took a look at it. The moon from the ancient era was really big and bright. It was at least five times the size of the modern moon.

With the illumination of the moonlight, the surroundings were not dark at all, even though there were no lights around them.

Xiaoguo could see Jiang Danhe very clearly. He was holding her hand at this moment and there was a look of satisfaction and gentleness on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Danhe felt Xiaoguo’s gaze on him and turned to look at her.

Xiaoguo was so startled by him suddenly turning his head that she tripped over a pebble.

“Ah!” exclaimed Xiaoguo.

“Look out!”

Jiang Danhe quickly grabbed hold of Xiaoguo, who was falling backwards. With a strong pull, Xiaoguo fell right into his arms.

Perhaps due to the fault of the moon, the hearts of Xiaoguo and Jiang Shanhe were now pounding rapidly.

As they drew closer and closer towards each other, Xiaoguo suddenly yelled, “Calm down!”

After that, there was a moment of silence and they looked at each other awkwardly.

“… My back hurts.”

At this moment, Xiaoguo’s waist was still in Jiang Danhe’s arms. Her upper body was suspended in the air.

Jiang Danhe’s face turned red as he straightened Xiaoguo’s back. The romantic atmosphere instantly disappeared.

Xiaoguo quickly stood up straight. There was a hint of awkwardness in the air.

Jiang Danhe looked at Xiaoguo in exasperation. Just as he was about to take another step, she stopped him.

“Let’s sit there.”

Jiang Danhe was afraid that Xiaoguo would sprain her ankle again, so he held her arm and led her to the pavilion.

“The air here is pretty good.”

The two of them were feeling rather uneasy looking at each other, so Xiaoguo tried to find something to talk about.

“Indeed,”

Jiang Danhe said calmly. He was still thinking about how Xiaoguo had interrupted him and made him miss a good opportunity just a few moments ago.

“…”

The air fell silent again.

Xiaoguo took advantage of the darkness to glare at Jiang Danhe. “Is that how you conduct a conversation?”

Neither of them spoke for a long time. Jiang Danhe only looked up at the moon, his eyes filled with contemplation.

“I liked looking at the moon when I was in the barracks,”

Jiang Danhe suddenly said. His eyes were filled with memories as he looked up at the moon.

Xiaoguo looked at him with a puzzled gaze and listened quietly as he explained.

“After I was captured, I followed the troops to Qiang City. During the day, I had to kill enemies non-stop. At night, I had to take shifts. Everyday we were living in hunger and cold. During that time, the nights were freezing and the surroundings were barren. All that we could see was the big, bright moon…”

Xiaoguo listened attentively—her heart was beating along with his. To think that he had been through so much…

“… At that time, I wrapped myself tightly in my thin clothes and looked at the moon, which was the only thing that made me feel warm. It was so close and bright…”

Jiang Danhe’s eyes flickered. Xiaoguo couldn’t help but lean closer to him and pat his shoulder gently to comfort him.

The man was stunned. He shook his head and said, “It’s okay.”

Xiaoguo was about to retract her hand when Jiang Danhe held it tightly and pulled her into his arms.

“Do you know? I feel really crushed at this moment.”

Jiang Danhe looked at Xiaoguo with a smile on his face. Xiaoguo saw the expression in his eyes and was a little moved. She nodded and said, “I know.”

The eyes never lie. There was a distinctive look in Jiang Danhe’s eyes whenever he looked at Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang. Xiaoguo had realized this for a long time, but she had always been avoiding him, avoiding his feelings and her own feelings too…

At the thought of this, Xiaoguo suddenly felt a trace of courage. She smiled widely and said with a nod of her head, “I know!”

“Hahahahaha…”

After a pause, Jiang Danhe laughed out loud. His laughter was so bright and pleasant. This was the happiest line he had heard since he was born. Although it was just two simple words, it was enough to make his heart pound wildly.

At first, Xiaoguo was a little embarrassed. She blushed and pushed Jiang Danhe shyly to stop him from laughing. From time to time, she would look around to see if there was anyone around.

After a while, seeing that he was not going to stop, she didn’t care anymore. “Go ahead and laugh, silly!”

Xiaoguo pursed her lips and looked at Jiang Danhe’s silly smile in amusement. “He was really silly. Haha…”

“Stop laughing, Jiang Danhe, stop laughing…”

Seeing him like this, Xiaoguo couldn’t help herself too.

When Jiang Danhe saw her laughing, he laughed even harder. He leaned over to hug Xiaoguo and the two of them fell onto the bench, laughing like two lunatics…

–

The next day, Xiaoguo woke up early. She helped Zhuang Zhuang and Xiaoyi get dressed while they were still sleeping.

Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang weren’t the only ones leaving today. Xiaoyi was also going back to the palace since he had been out for quite a long time. Now that Zhuang Zhuang was leaving, there was no reason for him to stay on either.

Xiaoguo put down the two children who were still sleeping. She tidied up her bags and put them aside. She also tidied up Xiaoyi’s small bags and put them beside her bags.

“Zhuang Zhuang, Xiaoyi, wake up.”

Xiaoguo opened the door and called out softly to the two children who were still sleeping.

Zhuang Zhuang was starting to wake up. He rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up. “Mother, is it time to set off?”

When Xiaoyi heard Zhuang Zhuang’s voice, he got up too. He held Zhuang Zhuang’s hand nervously, not wanting to be separated from him.

“Not yet. We will leave after breakfast.”

Xiaoguo re-tied the two children’s hair, which had gotten messy during their sleep.

Jiang Danhe came over to call them for breakfast. Xiaoguo nodded and picked up the bags.

With Jiang Danhe around, he would not let Xiaoguo carry anything. He skillfully took the bags from Xiaoguo and headed to the hall with them.

Along the way, Xiaoyi held on to Zhuang Zhuang’s hand and refused to let go.

When they reached the hall, Li Shouji was waiting at the table for them.

When he saw Xiaoguo, he walked forward and said, “Sister-in-law, the carriage is waiting outside. I’ll bring the bags up first. Take your time to eat.”

Xiaoguo acknowledged his words and looked at Jiang Danhe.

Jiang Danhe nodded and handed the bags to Li Shouji.

“Let’s eat.”

–

All good things must come to an end.

Xiaoguo led Zhuang Zhuang to the door and looked at the group behind them. “Let’s go now.”

Xiaoguo deliberately avoided Jiang Danhe because he looked like he was about to cry. It was really not an exaggeration—there were tears in his eyes.

Seeing him like this, Xiaoguo didn’t feel good either. Pretending to be unaffected, she said, “Everyone, please go back. We’ll take our leave now. See you again if fate allows it.

Li Shouji scratched his head and blinked, then he waved his hands at Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang.

Jiang Danhe quickly approached the two of them. He looked at them and hesitated.