Harue Kagetsu

In order to show his favor on Li Mu, Emperor Taikang ordered all the officials of the fourth rank of the imperial court to go out of the city to greet him on the day he arrived in the city.

In the past, only a very few ministers who surpassed the first-rank rank, such as Gao Qiao and Xu Mi, had received such treatment, and the whole dynasty was full of admiration.

So that day, when the people of Jiankang City got up early, they saw hundreds of people wearing official robes, riding in cars and sedan chairs, and coming to the long pavilion ten miles north of the city, facing the sun, and began to wait there.

When Li Mu arrived with Luoshen, although it was getting late, the two sides of the pavilion were still full of waiting Jiankang officials.

It seems that no one remembers all the ruthless ridicule and malicious contempt that had been cast on him back then, when he took the humble official position of Sima in another department and married a girl from the Gao family.

Although they had waited for more than half a day, everyone was hungry and tired, but when they saw Li Mu's chariots and horses appearing, they all smiled and rushed to go up, and the sound of congratulations was endless.

The invincible **** of war, the glory of the Southern Dynasties, the emperor's new favorite, the son-in-law of Gao Qiao. This is what Li Mu looks like in the eyes of these people today.

Everyone thought that Li Mu, a military attache from a poor family, started today, and he must really be on the rise.

With a humble attitude, Li Mu dismounted from a distance, stood on the road, and thanked the officials who had been waiting for him for most of the day. Afterwards, a group of chariots and horses were surrounded by them into the city. He protected his wife's carriage and rode in front. Hundreds of officials followed closely. The scene was spectacular. From the city gate to Gao's house, it attracted an unknown number of people to stop and watch. .

Li Mu has no private house in Jiankang. The others were still on the way, so the emperor had given him a mansion in Changganli, with servants, carriages, and horses. Gao Qiao also sent Gao Qi to Jingkou a few days ago. Lu declined politely and could only do it.

When his daughter and son-in-law arrived in Beijing today, he deliberately returned from Taicheng early. Because Gao Yin was currently fighting in Guangling, he sent several other nephews of the family in Beijing and Gao Qi to greet him outside the city, and led his couple to Gao's house first.

The carriage stopped in front of the gate of the high house. The doors were wide open, and the servants in the house lined up early and waited outside the door. Before the two of them stepped on the ground, their family members quickly reported the news all the way in.

Xiao Yongjia was very happy when he heard the news. He was also happy when he saw her husband. He was obviously more impatient than himself. Seeing that everyone else took a few quick steps outside, he stopped suddenly, showing a look of indifference. He said, "Tell Ami to come back and meet me in the study", then turned and left.

Xiao Yongjia cast a blank eye from his back, went to the front hall by himself, and went to greet his daughter and son-in-law in person.

Luoshen stepped into the threshold and was very excited. He walked in quickly, walked through the corridor, and before he reached the front hall, he saw a figure coming out of Huxiamen in the distance. It was his mother. Li Mu, who was still walking by his side, quickly ran towards her.

"Ami!"

Xiao Yongjia smiled and stretched out his arms to hug the missing Jiaojiao daughter into his arms.

Luo Shen threw himself into his mother's arms and couldn't help crying and laughing.

Xiao Yongjia hugged her daughter for a moment, and looked at her with concentration.

I haven't seen him for more than half a year. My daughter's face is like a hibiscus, her face is bright, and her appearance is a little better than before. She is satisfied. Seeing Li Mu also smiling, she hurriedly stretched out her finger and tapped her daughter's forehead, smiling. Fu Er said: "Don't cry! My son-in-law saw it and thought you were complaining to me. Be careful he's not happy."

Luoshen burst into tears and shook his head coquettishly: "He can't!" He looked back at him and wiped away his tears.

Behind him, Li Mu had come up and greeted Xiao Yongjia with a smile. Xiao Yongjia hurried up a few steps, telling him not to be too polite, and then led his daughter and son-in-law inside.

"Auntie, what about me, Aye?"

Luoshen entered the front hall and looked in, but couldn't see his father's figure, so he hurriedly asked.

Xiao Yongjia was about to speak, but heard a cough coming from behind him, turned his head, and saw that her husband had come out again, with his hands behind his back and a serious face, coming from the back hall.

She forcibly held back her laughter and pointed her chin: "There, isn't it coming?"

"Aye!"

Luoshen ran towards him again.

"Aye, why did you look thinner than me before I left!"

Luoshen ran to Gao Qiao, grabbed his father's hand, and looked at him distressedly.

Gao Qiao just wanted to hold back, but when Li Mu first came to see him, he entered the study, but he couldn't help it, and turned out again.

He really loves his daughter. She was taken away, and she never came back. She didn't even want him. Every time he thought about it, he felt lost and sad. Today, he finally got his daughter back. Just like Xiao Yongjia, when he saw her face as dawn, she looked very good and knew He and Li Mu should have a good life, but his heart is both sour and happy.

After all, he is a father, and his daughter is also grown up. Although his heart is full of joy when we meet again after a long absence, in front of people, he is not as emotional as his wife. He only smiles and comforts his daughter in a low voice.

When the father and daughter meet here, there is no end to the conversation. Xiao Yongjia greeted his son-in-law and said with a smile, "Your father-in-law knew that you arrived in Beijing today, so he deliberately returned home from Taicheng early. He sent someone to Jingkou earlier, but he wanted to. Bring your mother and Amei together, so that your family can meet earlier, but if your mother doesn't come, he has no choice but to give up..."

Just as he was talking, Gao Qiao coughed again, interrupting Xiao Yongjia's words, and said, "There is nothing to do in Taicheng today, so I will go back earlier. What can I say?"

Seeing the old husband's serious expression, Li Mu didn't seem to have looked at himself since he appeared, so he walked up to him, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, father-in-law. My son-in-law is very grateful."

Gao Qiao murmured lightly, and said to his wife, "Hello." Turned around.

Xiao Yongjia saw that her husband was still stubborn with a pair of cooked ducks, as if he was still angry with his son-in-law. He was funny and angry, and ignored him, only smiled at his daughter and son-in-law: "You have worked hard all the way, the house is early. I've cleaned it up for you, it's Ami's former boudoir, you go to rest first, it's not too early, come out and eat!"

Li Mu thanked her.

Luoshen happily led Li Mu, walking in her familiar home, pointing him everywhere, talking and laughing. Finally, I passed through the moon gate between the walls and came to a courtyard. It was the boudoir of her girlhood.

In the courtyard, there are lakes, rocks, rockeries, bananas, radishes, flowers and trees scattered all over the place.

Entering the outer room, facing a whole wall of books, the shelves are higher than the top of people, and books are piled vertically and horizontally on the top, which is full of books. Opposite a Dobgo. There is a long table against the wall, a large belly porcelain vase with a green leaf pattern on a white background, and a branch of coral in the mouth, another plantain fan, and an antique green copper double ear incense burner on the side. There is a couch, a chessboard, a colorful qin, a grid for storing qin scores, and a jade flute inserted obliquely on the top. In addition, it is clean, not like a boudoir, but rather like a study.

Li Mu looked around.

A servant girl smiled and said: "Little lady, after you leave, we will come to sweep the dust every day, and we will wait for you to return. Except for the first two days, the screen windows and bed tents were newly changed. How about before you leave? , or so. You see, where can there be dissatisfaction?"

Luoshen gave birth to a kind of homecoming in his heart. Turning into the inner room, seeing the bedding and furnishings, they were all the same as before, only the silver-red smoke tent was replaced, and he smiled: "It's all good, there's nothing wrong with it."

The servants were busy putting away their belongings, and then put in the water for the clean surface.

Luoshen washed his hands and face, combed his hair again, changed his clothes, and came out refreshed. Seeing that Li Mu was still outside, standing in front of her piano, he didn't know what he was looking at, so he walked over, He smiled and said, "What are you looking at, I can't see you! Wash your face and wash your hands quickly, change your clothes, and go to dinner. I'm hungry."

Li Mu seemed to have just regained his senses, closed his eyes, smiled back at her, and walked over.

He just changed his clothes, and someone came to call him outside, so he came out together and turned to the dining hall.

Gao Qiao did not ask anyone to accompany the meal. The dinner was full of delicious food, but there were only four people in the family, and there were no rules for separating tables between men and women, and they were seated together.

While eating, Gao Qiao was still speechless. After the meal, he didn't say much, first told his daughter to rest early, glanced at Li Mu, said "you come with me", and then went to the study.

Li Mu immediately got up, said goodbye to Xiao Yongjia, and said to Luo Shen: "Ami, talk to your mother-in-law first, and I will go back to the room after seeing my father-in-law."

Luoshen looked at the back of him leaving with his father, thinking that his father's attitude towards Li Mu had always been very cold tonight, and he felt a little uneasy in his heart, lest his father would embarrass him in private. He hesitated, should he stop his father to remind him first.

How could her daughter's worried look escape Xiao Yongjia's eyes? He came over, smiled and held Luo Shen's hand.

"Don't worry, I know you Aye. He won't do anything to his son-in-law. Let's go and go back to the house."

Only then did Luoshen feel relieved, and accompanied by his mother, the two returned to the house together.

…

Li Mu followed him to the study, stopped in front of Gao Qiao, and greeted him again.

Sure enough, as Xiao Yongjia said, Gao Qiao's attitude towards his son-in-law privately was completely different from that of his wife and daughter.

Li Mu thanked him and sat opposite Gao Qiao across Zhang's case.

Gao Qiao asked about the battle.

Li Mu recounted the whole process that started when he received the news that Gu Huilong's army was heading south.

Gao Qiao listened very attentively, interjecting and asking questions from time to time, not letting go of even a single detail.

With Li Mu's narration, it can be seen that his emotions gradually became a little excited. After Li Mu finished speaking, he sent Gao Huan and others to Chang'an to stop the massacre in advance, and after he was finally able to safely take over Chang'an, he was silent for a long time and sighed: "Jingchen, this time you not only made great contributions to the court, but also to the people. The grace of re-creation. I underestimated you. The one-year contract you made earlier, I lost, but I lost well!"

"My Dayu, if I can get a few more loyal ministers and good generals like you, why should I worry that the land will not be lost and the people will have nowhere to rely on?"

His tone was calm, his eyes twinkled slightly, and there were tears of excitement in the corners of his eyes.

After he finished speaking, he stared at the opposite son-in-law with two eyes, as if he meant something else.

Li Mu knew that.

After the father-in-law praised, he did not forget to make a secret point, nothing more than to follow his footsteps closely and be loyal to the court.

He lowered his eyes and said respectfully: "It is mostly a fluke to make an inch of merit. I don't dare to be so praised as a father-in-law."

Gao Qiao waved his hand: "Why be humble. Your ability is obvious to all. Today, Your Majesty, praises you a lot in front of me. Tomorrow morning, you will be appointed to the court."

Thank you Li Mu.

Gao Qiao asked again about the situation of Chang'an garrison after he left, and his expression became solemn.

"The Guhui clan and the Tuyuhun clan are currently taking over the Qin city, and they are too busy to take care of themselves. Beixia also has to deal with our Great Yu coalition forces and is unable to move westward. But I just got news a few days ago that Murong Xi has summoned the old clan to restore the state of Yan. Fighting with Rouran, defeating Rouran, taking Xiaoguan, and gaining momentum again. When he establishes a firm foothold outside the customs, with his ambitions, he will definitely covet the Central Plains within the Guan. In addition, the Liang Kingdom established by the Di people, Zhao of the Huns..."

He frowned.

"Chang'an is like a group of tigers feeding meat, and there can be no negligence!"

"Don't worry, father-in-law." Li Mu said immediately.

"I have arranged for heavy troops. And from Chang'an to Yicheng, several important counties and cities along the way are in my hands, and the military road is unobstructed. Once there is trouble, help can be sent. And I will not stay here for long. After a few days, I went back."

Gao Qiao nodded: "You have hills and valleys on your chest, so I can rest assured. Chang'an was created by you for the imperial court, and there is no one who is more competent than you as a prefect. Your Majesty accepts my words, and tomorrow's court meeting will also be performed. I will make you the prefect of Chang'an. I hope you will be diligent and diligent in the future, and seek peace for the court and the world."

Li Mu should be.

Before Gao Qiao's case, there was a letter. He took out the letter and pushed it in front of Li Mu.

Li Mu took it over and unfolded it. Seeing that it was a victory report sent by the Xu Lu coalition about half a month ago, the Dao coalition had joined forces to defeat Nanyang, which was heavily defended from Beixia, and then the troops were divided into two groups. , Xu Jun attacked Yingchuan Yangzhai, Lu Jia attacked Yancheng, after planning to capture their targets, the two sides encircled and attacked Luoyang from the left and right at the same time.

"Jingchen, what do you think of our coalition's Northern Expedition?" Gao Qiao asked him.

Li Mu put down the letter and thought about his response: "I don't dare to talk about the strength of the Lu family's hegemony because I have no contact before. But if the Xu family's army can really be under the full command of General Yang and use troops independently, the Northern Expedition should be successful. ."

"it is good!"

Gao Qiao gave a high five in admiration.

"General Yang Xuan, I have met several times in the past, and I do have the demeanor of a general! Even you admire it so much, it's great! You have taken back Chang'an, if this time, the coalition forces can be united and united to take Luoyang as well. Take it back from the hands of the Hu people, completely quell the rogue bandits, and rule the world one by one, and all the people will be safe, then I am tall, and I will have no regrets in this life!"

Li Mu was silent.

Gao Qiao's emotions seemed to be completely ignited by the confrontation with his son-in-law tonight, and he seemed very excited, and smiled: "I have excellent wine from the Western Regions in my possession, which is known as undefeated for ten years. , Miyue Fangjie. I have no intention to drink on weekdays. It is rare for you to be here tonight, the moonlight is just right, you and my son-in-law, it is better to drink together under the moon and taste this fine wine from the Western Regions, what do you think?"

He asked his son-in-law what he wanted to do, and just after he finished speaking, without waiting for Li Mu to answer, he immediately got up, loudly ordered someone to bring the wine he had kept to the courtyard, and led Li Mu with him.

Li Mu saw that his husband was in high spirits, which he had never seen before, so how could he dampen his interest?

Smile and go with him.

…

Luoshen and Xiao Yongjia entered the house, and there were endless words between mother and daughter.

Although it was mentioned in the correspondence, Xiao Yongjia still asked her about her life in Yicheng in detail, and Luoshen also answered them one by one.

When he met Aju just now, Xiao Yongjia had already learned that his daughter was not pregnant, so he asked because he had something on his mind.

When Luo Shen heard his mother's question about the pregnancy, his face turned red, and with a bit of coy, he said, "...It's what Langjun meant...I said earlier that the place was not stable, and I was afraid that I would work hard, so..."

Xiao Yongjia understood and said with a smile: "I have never seen a man who is so considerate of his wife. When you first married him, A-Niang was very unhappy in every possible way. Now I know that my daughter is indeed married to a good husband. "

Luoshen felt extremely sweet, and leaned into Xiao Yongjia's arms and hugged her.

Aye and Aniang are really reconciled.

I remember that when she left home last year and resolutely went to Yicheng to find Li Mu to question her, the relationship between her parents was still very rigid. At that time, the two even argued about whether to let her go.

Later, she and her mother communicated with each other. Due to the barrier of Guanshan, although the number of correspondence is limited, Luoshen can also read between the lines of her letter, the relationship between A-Niang and Aye seems to be slowly improving, especially in recent months, they should be very close.

Arrived home today, sure enough. A-Niang's eyes looking at Aye were completely different from before, full of tenderness.

She hugged her mother's waist with both hands, smelled the faint orchid fragrance that she had been familiar with since childhood, and whispered: "Auntie, Langjun said, this trip will not stay in Jiankang for long. You and Ah If Yedu is so nice, I will not be able to see your face, and I will be relieved. Otherwise, as before, the two of you are separated, Aye has no one to take care of, and Aniang is alone, and I feel sad just thinking about it."

Xiao Yongjia was very relieved by her daughter's consideration and concern. Then he thought of his own incident again, hesitating, just not knowing how to speak, when he saw his daughter suddenly let go of the hand that was holding her waist, sat up straight, and looked at her with a look of joy.

"Aniang, I went home in the evening, and when I saw you, I felt that you were a little plumper than before. Just now I hugged A-Niang, and it seemed that I had grown some flesh on my body. It's so good. A-Niang used to be too thin. "

Xiao Yongjia is now four or five months pregnant. I recently took off my clothes, and not only did my lower abdomen begin to show a slight craving, but compared to before, I was indeed much more plump as Luoshen said.

Since knowing that she is pregnant, Xiao Yongjia has been extremely careful. Fang this morning, the imperial doctor came back and showed her that the fetal image was stable. She told her to rest assured that she would take care of the baby safely in the future, and finally told Xiao Yongjia to let it go completely. Heart. Just today, like a double happiness, the daughter and son-in-law also returned home.

Even when her daughter is so old, it's a bit hard to tell her that he has to speak to her. Hearing that she just mentioned this topic, she tentatively said: "Ami, if Aniang gives you another brother or sister, what do you think?"

Luoshen nodded immediately.

"Auntie, I just wanted to say, I missed you and Aye a long time ago. If you can give me another brother and sister, that's great..."

She suddenly stopped, her eyes fell on Xiao Yongjia's lower abdomen, she hesitated, reached out and touched it lightly, her eyes widened suddenly, and her eyes were full of surprises: "Auntie, don't you already..."

Seeing that his daughter had guessed it, Xiao Yongjia nodded with a smile.

"It's been four or five months. Fang yesterday, the imperial doctor came to see it and said everything was fine, so I can rest assured."

Luo Shen did not expect that after returning home, there would be such a happy event to greet her, and she was so happy that she didn't know what to do.

"Isn't Aye going to be overjoyed?"

Thinking of the love between her parents, Luoshen, who almost always spent her time in panic in Girls' Generation, immediately felt extremely happy.

The daughter's enthusiastic response finally made Xiao Yongjia feel relieved and said with a smile: "Aye, you are the most confused. His eyes are only on his own court affairs. Whatever I say, he believes. I know!"

Seeing Luoshen's confusion, he explained: "The imperial physician said it was not stable at first. I was afraid that it would be bad, so I didn't tell him. This morning, the imperial physician came to see it and said it was safe. I will take advantage of the happy event when you go home today. I'll tell you, Aya."

Luoshen was extremely happy, and said yes again and again. The mother and daughter talked again, and it was getting late, Xiao Yongjia asked Aju to go to the study to see how the Weng and husband-in-law were talking, but he did not expect Aju to come, saying that Xianggong and Li Langjun were not in the study Now, the two moved to the courtyard.

"Xianggong looked a little drunk. He drew his sword and taught Li Langjun to write on the wall..."

Aju said, as if trying to hold back a smile.

Xiao Yongjia and her daughter looked at each other, stood up, and said, "Look!"

Luoshen took A Niang's arm and went to the courtyard outside his father's study together. Seeing a case in the courtyard, there was a sloppy cup and plate on the case, and the residual wine was bottomed out. My father didn’t know how much wine he drank. Writing on a white mud wall seemed to teach Li Mu to the side.

He faintly heard him say: "Jingchen, words, like the face of a person, are extremely important. It may be fluent in spirit, phoenix and luan drifting, or strong, bones and muscles, and the romance is changeable. I see the test on Chongyang that day. Passing your calligraphy, Wang Yang is unrestrained, and his writing is wind and thunder, sweeping thousands of troops. It can be regarded as a strong force, but if you really evaluate it, it is too far from the best. It’s a good thing that I didn’t take the calligraphy test that day, otherwise, you will definitely be defeated in Cambodia The hand. Look carefully, I wrote Xu Mizhi's work that you wrote that day here, if you have nothing to do, you may as well think about it..."

He carried his sword like flying, the tip of the sword was like a pen, and he drew large characters on the wall. Bai Ni followed him with his sword and kept falling from the wall.

From childhood to adulthood, Luoshen was the first time to see his father's wild appearance. He was surprised at first, and then couldn't help laughing.

Xiao Yongjia was even more amused, and felt annoyed again. He glanced at the remnants of wine on the mat, and frowned, "What are you doing? If you can write a few words, you want to show off in front of your son-in-law? Don't be afraid of jokes!"

Gao Qiao hadn't been in such a happy mood for a long time. He just had a drink with his son-in-law, Yuexia, and talked eloquently.

He is a calligrapher, and is one of the most famous calligraphers in the world. I had seen Li Mu's calligraphy before, but I didn't approve of it very much.

Li Mu was respectful and listened very seriously.

Son-in-law Weng was writing one and reading the other when he suddenly heard a voice behind him and turned around together.

Seeing that her husband was drunk, Xiao Yongjia went up and said: "Okay, it's almost time, it's time to leave. The son-in-law has a hard journey, and he has to go to court tomorrow. What words do you want him to learn! Tell him to go back to the house? Take a break early!"

Gao Qiao was still unfinished, but seeing that Xiao Yongjia had already looked for him and spoke like this, he had no choice but to put down his sword and instructed Li Mu again, before being supported by Xiao Yongjia.

Luoshen watched his parents walk away together, and went up to ask: "Lang Jun, are you drunk?" Seeing Li Mu shaking his head, he smiled and said: "I Aye is rarely happy today, he is drunk. When he wakes up tomorrow, he will If you know that you are forced to learn his calligraphy, you will regret it. It's not too early, let's go back to the house." He held his hand.

Li Mu looked back, glanced at the few lines of words written by Gao Qiao on the wall, slowly held Luoshen's hand, and walked away with her.