Return of the Swallow

Lu Heng stared blankly at Mr. Lu Ge's eyes that were gradually losing their luster; at the black blood flowing from Mr. Lu's nostrils and corners of his mouth; at his slack eyelids half-opened, his pupils gradually dilating; at the tight grip The thin old hand holding his sleeve gradually loosened...

Lu Heng's heart felt as if someone had taken out a piece of it with a knife, his eyes were sore and his head was buzzing.

"Grandpa, grandpa..."

His voice was hoarse as if it had been rubbed by rough stones, and his lips moved to call Mr. Lu Ge.

Did he do something wrong?

Was he really wrong?

"Second Master, don't be too sad."

"Yes, Brother Heng, your grandfather is old and died at this age. Your grandfather must be happy to see you return home safely."

The relatives around him were trying to persuade him.

But Lu Heng still looked dumbfounded.

If they knew what their grandfather said before he died, they probably wouldn't comfort him like this, right?

He didn't know if he was right to break the Lu family's rules. But the assassinations and plots he suffered after following Cao Yuqing all the way back are real.

He was still a little hesitant at first. But after he was almost poisoned by Hedinghong and his throat was almost slit by the assassin's knife, those hesitations gradually disappeared.

During these days, he had done enough of being a lost dog. Ever since he left the capital to search for treasures, he had never lived a peaceful life. He was hiding in Tibet in the east of Tatar, and was driven into the desolate desert in an uninhabited area. Even when he became seriously ill and could die at any time, he asked himself whether there was no peace in his heart. A little bit of resentment and resentment?

Why should he sacrifice?

Why is the second uncle still unwilling to let him go when he is already the head of the family?

His original wavering finally turned into determination after being assassinated again and again without hesitation and betrayed several times by his servants around him.

In this world, only money and power will not betray him.

Why does grandfather have to be so angry?

Although he did not take the initiative to sacrifice as per the family rules,

Instead, he took down his second uncle and became the head of the family. But everything he does is still based on the interests of the family. He and Li Qitian have now reached an agreement. On the premise of ensuring the interests of the family, he can get a more stable position. What's wrong with this?

Lu Heng's mind was in a mess, and he was questioning whether what he did was right, but every time a voice questioned him, another voice would jump out to refute.

Kneeling in front of Mr. Lu Ge's coffin, mechanically burning paper money, the tears in Lu Heng's eyes seemed to be broken, falling uncontrollably.

Those who flattered him were praising his filial piety and how sad it was that his grandfather had left for the west.

He was indeed sad.

But what's even more sad is that he also has a confused future for himself.

The woman he loved was now pregnant with another man's child. He told himself in every possible way, don't force it, don't fight for it, just look at her silently. But when he got the news that Qin Yining was pregnant, who could understand the confusion and sadness he felt like being struck by lightning?

On the way to escape, he spent time with Qin Yining day and night every day. Because he could see her often at that time, he could persuade himself not to force things, let go of everything, and let her and her husband live happily.

But when he was actually separated from Qin Yining, and realized that he might have to live like this for the rest of his life, and could only see her occasionally at New Year's banquets, he felt heartbroken.

Maybe my grandfather was right.

evil creature.

He is truly evil.

He thought he had looked away, but in the end he still couldn't look away. He even wanted to be satisfied just being with Qin Yining and looking at her every day, but how could Pang Xiao allow it?

He can't get the woman he loves.

Can't get true family affection.

He has now lost even his grandfather who loved him the most.

Lu Heng closed his eyes and let tears wet his face.

I'm afraid the only things that can keep him company in this life are power and money, right?

The Lu family's funeral was held with great fanfare. Qin Yining was pregnant and could not attend the funeral in person, but Pang Xiao came in person.

It was already July, and the weather was getting hotter. However, Lu Heng had become much thinner, and his face was pale and ugly.

Compared with Pang Xiao's high spirits, Lu Heng's desolation seemed to have been brought back from the desert and has never gone away.

"Your Majesty." Lu Heng saluted.

Pang Xiao sighed and returned the courtesy to Lu Heng, "Brother Lu, please forgive me."

Lu Heng sighed: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I haven't seen you for many days, and you have lost a lot of weight. Although you have worked hard at home and are sad about Mr. Lu Ge, you must also take care of yourself. You will still have to support the Lu family in the future." Although Pang Xiao He noticed Lu Heng's feelings for Qin Yining, but now Qin Yining is his wife and she is pregnant with a child for him. Lu Heng's behavior has never been excessive. He even saved Qin Yining's life when he was in Tartar. His love for Lu Heng Concern is also real.

Lu Heng smiled at Pang Xiao, with blood dripping from his pale and chapped lips, "Thank you, Your Majesty, I will take care of you."

Pang Xiao nodded and didn't mention anything about Lu Heng's stay in the Holy Land.

Lu Heng looked at Pang Xiao, unable to hold back his concern for Qin Yining: "How is the princess doing lately?"

Pang Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly, then said with a smile: "She is okay, her mother and grandmother have moved into the house, and Aunt Cao has found two good nuns to accompany her, although she is a little heavier now. , but everything is fine.”

Lu Heng lowered his eyes, hiding his uncontrollable longing and jealousy.

If Qin Yining were his woman, how wonderful would it be to be pregnant with his child?

"Congratulations, you will be a father in five months."

Pang Xiao smiled: "Thank you very much. As an uncle, don't be stingy with a big red envelope when the time comes."

Lu Heng's heart skipped a beat as he understood the meaning of Pang Xiao's words, and couldn't help but admire this man's shrewdness and sensitivity.

Deliberately referring to him as the child's uncle is to treat him and Qin Yining as brother and sister. This was a reminder to him not to have any undue thoughts about Qin Yining.

Lu Heng also smiled at Pang Xiao, "This is natural."

The two talked for a while and then took their leave. Lu Heng looked at Pang Xiao's leaving figure, his smile gradually disappearing.

When Pang Xiao returned home, he first went to the study room in the outer courtyard, ordered someone to prepare hot water for a thorough wash, and put on a new robe before returning to Siqing Garden.

It was already early summer. Qin Yining was wearing a warm light honey-colored double-breasted jacket. He was holding his bulging belly with one hand, and was being held by Ma with the other. He was followed by several maids, and they were walking together on the corridor around Siqing Garden. .

Ma babbled: "...You just listened to grandma. Although your mother really cares about you, she doesn't let you move. This is wrong. Look at the women from wealthy families who give birth. Difficult childbirth. If you don’t give birth halfway, you won’t have the strength. Why? Isn’t it because those women are so pampered all day long that they refuse to walk even a few steps and always sit in a sedan chair. Look at women in the countryside, it’s not that difficult to give birth. , they usually have to do housework when they are seven or eight months pregnant. Just follow me and take a walk every day, it will be good for your health."

Qin Yining smiled and nodded, and the breeze accompanied by the fragrance of the trees blew her loose hair into her cheeks, and she raised her hand to brush it away.

"Grandma is right." Pang Xiao walked forward with a smile, held Qin Yining's other arm, and said: "I will give you a few sets of boxing techniques in the future. You can practice them if you have nothing to do, and you can also strengthen your body." Woolen cloth."

Ma also said: "Yes, once you learn how to do it, you won't be afraid that you won't be able to deal with Dafu if he disobeys him in the future."

Qin Yining was so amused that she couldn't help but laugh. Bingtang, Lian Xiaozhou, Jiyun and Xianyun who followed behind also started laughing.

Qin Yining then asked: "Did you go to see Mr. Lu today? How is their family situation?"

Pang Xiao said: "Second Master Lu is in good health, but much thinner. I think he is very preoccupied, as if he is hiding a lot of things."

Qin Yining nodded and said, "Their family's affairs are also difficult to handle."

Seeing Qin Yining's brows furrowed slightly, with a sad look on his face, Pang Xiao couldn't help but said in amusement, "You seem to care about him very much?"

Qin Yining smiled and said: "I'm a little worried. After all, we are friends who are in the same situation, and I think that maybe his grandfather's death this time is also related to his return to the capital. If he had not seized the position of the head of the family and blocked the food and grass, I'm afraid we There will also be less chips at the court meeting. Regardless of whether he did it for us on purpose or not, even if he was just incidentally, I accepted this favor from him."

Pang Xiao thought of Lu Heng's handsome and elegant face, and then thought of this man's deep affection for Qin Yining, and felt some unspeakable unhappiness in his heart. But Qin Yining was open-minded and it was hard to express his displeasure, so he just nodded silently.

Ma was listening to their conversation. Although she guessed who they were talking about, she didn't know much about the matter, so she didn't say much. She just held Qin Yining's hand and looked at Pang Xiao's face. She also fell silent. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Ma took the initiative and asked, "By the way, your extremely beautiful aunt is going out again?"

"Yes." Qin Yining smiled and nodded. Cao Yuqing returned home last month, but Mrs. Sun didn't like her. She was embarrassed after all. In addition, Jingzhe and Xiaoxue were all recovering from their injuries in the village outside. It's already great. Cao Yuqing said that she would look for these people, and she didn't know if Qin Huaiyuan arranged things for them.

Ma smiled and said, "That is a really pretty girl."

Qin Yining nodded and said, "Yes, and she is very skilled and a very loyal chivalrous woman."

"Really? I really didn't notice this." Ma was surprised, and then became a little eager to try: "When she comes back, let her fight with my old woman. I have nothing to do, and all the bones in my body are lazy. And Those people around Dafu are not interested in doing anything."

The people around Pang Xiao were just accompanying Ma to feed her. Who dared to do something serious to her?

Qin Yining couldn't help but smile and nodded: "Grandma likes it. I'll tell Aunt Cao later."

The two chatted, Pang Xiao listened and felt less entangled in his heart.

At this moment, Huzi strode to the entrance of the courtyard, saluted Qin Yining and his party, and then said: "Your Majesty."

Pang Xiao knew that Hu Zi had something to say back, so he took the initiative to leave Siqing Garden.

"What's wrong?"