PFC Chapter 709: Snow and Wind
Chapter 709: Snow and Wind
Under the sky with low-hanging leaden clouds, the biting cold wind cut the faces of pedestrians like a knife. In the Xianyang Railway Station, crowds of people surged, noises rose one after another, and thick smoke billowed from the steam locomotives rolled wildly in the gloomy sky.
Jiang Lai staggered with a gloomy look, like a dead leaf drifting in the cold wind, and followed Zhang Xuanwei and Li Chunfeng with difficulty.
She slowly squatted down, her eyes fixed on Qin Yan's tender little face, her eyes filled with endless affection.
She raised her hands, which were trembling slightly, and gently touched Qin Yan's head. The moment her fingertips touched the child's soft hair, a feeling of sourness surged in her heart.
"Yan'er, you follow these two uncles. You must listen to them and don't act naughty."
"If you see someone you know, call them. Remember?"
"It's better to follow Uncle Zhang in the future."
Jiang Lai's voice trembled slightly.
Qin Yan's clear, bright eyes flashed, and his childish voice was particularly clear in the noisy train station: "Mom, won't you come with us?"
Jiang Lai nodded slightly, a smile playing on the corner of his mouth.
She stared at Qin Yan, the love in her eyes seemed to melt him: "Yan'er, if mother and you leave, what will your father do?"
"Your father and I grew up together and have been through so many ups and downs together. After so many years, I really can't bear to leave your father. Do you understand?"
"So, you have to be obedient and follow these two uncles."
She gently stroked Qin Yan's cheek.
"You are not a child anymore. If your parents are not around, you will have to learn to take care of yourself."
"Inside the package, Mom knitted clothes for you, one for each year from the age of one to eighteen. Your parents are sorry for not being able to accompany you until you grow up..."
Although Qin Yan was still young and could not fully understand the heavy meaning behind Jiang Lai's words, for some reason, an inexplicable sadness surged in his heart, making his eyes red in an instant. Then, tears as big as beans burst out, and he couldn't help but burst into tears. The cry was heart-wrenching and pierced straight into Jiang Lai's heart, breaking her heart into countless pieces in an instant.
Zhang Xuanwei and Li Chunfeng stood quietly by, watching this scene, their eyes full of pity and their brows tightly furrowed.
"Mrs. Qin..."
Zhang Xuanwei seemed to be hesitant to speak, his voice choked with sobs, as if he had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to start.
Jiang Lai shook his head and interrupted him.
"I'll leave my child in the care of you two gentlemen."
"Please take him to Nanjing and leave him in the care of Commander Zhang."
Zhang Xuanwei and Li Chunfeng looked solemn as they bowed to Jiang Lai, their movements meticulous and their tone firm and forceful.
"Madam Qin, I will definitely live up to your trust!"
Jiang Lai nodded, turned around quickly, and left in a hurry. Her back looked so frail, as if a gust of wind could blow her down.
She didn't dare stay for another second. She was afraid that if she stopped and heard the child's heart-wrenching cry, she would never be able to bear to leave.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she tried hard not to let them fall. She just said silently in her heart: "Yan'er, I'm sorry..."
Xianyang, the city that carries countless memories of her, was once her warm home. Every street and every corner retains her childhood laughter and footprints of her growth.
Chang'an, the place where she and Qin Ruzhao built their love nest, is the harbor of her soul. Every inch of land and every house bears witness to their love.
This should have been the place she was most familiar with, but now, shrouded in separation and sadness, it seemed so strange. Every familiar scene seemed to be separated by a layer of cold glass, out of reach.
She did not return to Chang'an directly, but wandered aimlessly on the streets of Xianyang.
On the streets, people come and go, life continues as usual, their faces are filled with ordinary happiness and satisfaction, but all this seems to be covered by a layer of blurry gauze in Jiang Lai's eyes.
She saw the sanatorium and Niping Lane, and memories came flooding back like a tide, including every moment she had spent with Qin Ruzhao.
Once upon a time, she missed Qin Ruzhao for countless days and nights here. Every night, she looked at the bright moon outside the window, looking forward to his return.
Her eyes fell on the house that had been uninhabited for a long time. Once upon a time, this was her safe haven and the place where she longed.
The scene of Qin Ruzhao kowtowing to each family back then is still deeply imprinted in her mind.
It was also here that she embroidered the robe.
When the familiar uncles and aunts saw Jiang coming, they all greeted her enthusiastically: "Jiang girl, why are you, the general's wife, back to Niping Alley?"
There was kindness and care in their voices, a warmth unique to neighbors.
Jiang Lai raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a hint of a smile, and nodded slightly. However, her smile concealed a deep sadness.
The old men and women looked at Jiang Lai and always felt that she seemed a little different.
In the past, she was a little girl loved by all the neighbors. She was kind-hearted and had a bright smile. Everyone knew that she had the softest heart.
Seeing Jiang Lai looking a little lonely now, they were full of worry.
"Jiang girl, are you okay? You don't look well."
An old lady asked with concern, her eyes full of heartache. She walked forward and wanted to hold Jiang Lai's hand, but hesitated and stopped.
Jiang Lai shook his head slightly.
"Auntie, I'm fine, just a little tired."
Her voice lacked its usual energy.
When everyone heard her say this, they didn't dare to ask any more questions. They could only worry about her silently in their hearts, and watched her leaving back, shaking their heads and sighing.
She came to the mall again and looked at Songhelou where she had worked when she was in school. Scenes from the past kept appearing in her mind.
She still remembered that it was here that she first met Emperor Taizong. The scene of that day seemed like it was just yesterday.
She saw the shopkeeper. He was old, his face was full of the vicissitudes of life, and his hair had become sparse and gray.
When the shopkeeper saw Jiang Lai, his eyes were full of surprise, and then he showed a kind smile: "Jiang girl, long time no see! It's been so many years, why are you here suddenly?"
Jiang Lai smiled and exchanged a few words with the boss. The bustle of the past and the loneliness of the present intertwined in her heart, leaving her with mixed feelings, so she turned and left.
Her steps were slow and heavy, as if every step carried countless memories and pains.
On this day, Jiang Lai returned to Chang'an from Xianyang. She seemed to have packed up all the memories of her life and taken them away. Those past events, whether sweet or bitter, now weighed heavily on her heart.
Every memory was like a sharp knife, cutting deep scars in her heart.
In front of the Qin Mansion, Jiang Lai looked up and gazed at the two powerful characters "Qin Mansion" on the plaque, and took a deep breath, which carried the joys and sorrows of her life.
She slowly raised her foot and stepped into the house.
Then she gently closed the door behind her, the sound being particularly loud in the quiet courtyard.
At this time, it was snowing in Chang'an.
Snowflakes fluttered down and gently landed on the ground.
Qin Ruzhao's body was still lying quietly in that position, without moving at all.
His body was covered with a thin layer of snow, as if nature had put a white shroud on him.
His face looked so pale and cold against the backdrop of the snowflakes.
Jiang Lai slowly approached and carefully touched Qin Ruzhao's familiar yet cold face with her hand. Her fingertips gently stroked it, trying to find a trace of warmth in the coldness. Tears slid down her cheeks uncontrollably, dripping onto the snow and melting instantly.
She wanted to help Qin Ruzhao into the house, but she used all her strength and couldn't move him. Her body was shaking and grief almost overwhelmed her.
The snow began to fall heavily again. She slowly stretched out her hand, feeling the cool touch of the fluttering snowflakes landing on her palm.
"Brother Xiaotian, you are so heavy, I can't move you."
She murmured softly, looking particularly desolate in this empty and silent courtyard.
She slowly took out the bottle from her arms, and without any hesitation, she raised her head and drank it all, her tears still flowing.
For her, it no longer matters where she is. As long as Qin Ruzhao is by her side, they can be together again even in another world.
In the heavy snow, Jiang Lai lay quietly in Qin Ruzhao's arms, just like in countless sweet days before, slowly closed her eyes, with a peaceful smile on her lips. At this moment, she finally found her own eternal peace, and would never be separated from the person she loved deeply.
Her body gradually grew cold and merged with the snowflakes in the sky. She also became one of the snowflakes, staying with Qin Ruzhao forever in this white world.