Chapter 126: Past

  Chapter 126 Past

  "Miss fell to the ground, I served her, Master and Madam were busy, Miss was quiet, not bothering people, a considerate child, easy to bring up..." Xu's wife smiled, with happiness shining in her eyes: "The young lady grew up and had to get married, Master and Madam carefully selected, but only Miss liked the young master. Master and Madam didn't approve of him, saying he was impolite and had no background... But Miss insisted, she said that just because someone has manners and a good family doesn't mean they're a good person. The young master may have come from a poor family, but he's ambitious and capable, why can't he make his own way? Later Master and Madam agreed, and gave their consent for the marriage. The young master treated Miss very well, catering to her every need. Miss liked orchids, so the young master searched high and low for rare and precious ones. Even when she recited poetry that he didn't understand, he still listened with relish... "

  The tide rises and falls with a gentle and peaceful longing.

  This place still has such loving affection, it's really not easy.

  "When they got married, the young lady was already pregnant. In the second year, Tiao Ge was born. Tiao Ge's nickname was originally 'Gū Yé', but after flipping through many books, we finally decided on the name 'Tiao'...". Mrs. Xu smiled and said: "When Tiao Ge was born, he weighed eight jin six liang, what a big chubby boy!"

  Chao Sheng secretly sized up this brother.

  He now looks lean and handsome, with a slightly darker complexion, and it's really hard to find any trace of the "big fat boy".

  "After a few years, there was another daughter." Mrs. Xu said: "With both sons and daughters, this life is not to mention how fulfilling... At that time, our family's house was in Xicheng's Shimofang, others saw it, always praised its good atmosphere." Mrs. Xu paused: "Unfortunately... The military merit of the young lady's husband kept rising, offending others' eyes. That year, the northwest was chaotic, the young lady's husband defended the city alone, stubbornly defending for over a hundred days, without anyone coming to rescue. Later, there was no water or food, the city was broken through. The young lady's husband was lucky not to die, but after returning, he was framed by others, falsely accused of treason, and beheaded. The young lady's body was originally weak, those people came to confiscate the house, He Yong carried away the daughter, Wei Ge and others were caught, saying they would be exiled three thousand miles, lifelong slaves... Mrs. Xu gritted her teeth: "The young lady... she wanted to go with the general to collect the corpse, I accompanied her together... Under the execution platform, I tried to cover the young lady's eyes so she wouldn't look, but the young lady refused. The young lady's husband also saw us, he was tortured until he was no longer human, he opened his mouth, but couldn't speak. The guillotine fell, blood splashed high, the clothes on the young lady's body were also stained with red spots... Later, the young lady was also forced to death by those people... The He family was destroyed and perished... This revenge, no matter what, must be avenged."

  Cháo shēng zhǐ jué ěr shú.

  Translation: Chao Sheng only felt a sense of familiarity.

  It seems like I've also heard someone mention a similar story before.

  "Grandma, Father... Could it be that the former Northwest Military Governor, the brave and fierce General He Xiaoyuan?"

  Mrs. Xu looked at Chao Sheng for a moment and nodded slowly: "So you've also heard about it."

  Yes, Chao Sheng had heard of it long ago.

  Inside the palace, when the palace maids and eunuchs had nothing to do, they would talk about it. At that time, she just casually listened, if not because this general also surnamed He, and his encounter was so miserable, Chao Sheng wouldn't have remembered.

  But I didn't expect...

  She is no outsider.

  Those people who were discussing among themselves were her biological parents in this life.

  Such affection, such harmony, ultimately led to family ruin and death.

  Chao Sheng felt something was stuck in his throat and his eyes were hot.

  This past event was like a massive boulder, so heavy that it left her breathless.

  Mrs. Xu's hand reached out and pressed against her chest. Tears suddenly flowed out, absorbed by Mrs. Xu's clothes.

  It's really strange.

  "Poor girl... All these years, He Yong didn't dare to tell you anything, afraid that you were too young and couldn't keep secrets... Tuo Ge has suffered a lot all these years. I secretly asked someone for news, but only heard that those who were exiled on that road encountered strong enemies and died. Even adults couldn't escape with their lives, let alone Tuo Ge who was just a few years old at the time..."

  Chao Sheng raised his head, his voice somewhat choked: "Then... how did brother return to the capital? Is it not urgent?"

  Mrs. Xu patted her hair: "Don't be afraid. Brother Tuo is like Uncle Gu, with a lot of skills. He's now a meritorious general and the current emperor isn't foolish, he's already spoken out saying that Uncle Gu losing the city was true, but the rumor about him betraying the country was just someone else framing him..."

  It was like this originally.

  No wonder he became an honored guest in the palace.

  "Who was it that framed my father back then?"

  Mrs. Xu slowly shook her head.

  I don't know if she doesn't know or just won't say.

  It should be the latter.

  "......Where does your brother live now?"

  It seems he has another residence in Beijing.

  Mrs. Xu also asked: "Right, does Tiao Ge have a place to settle down in the city now?"

  As expected, he said: "Originally, the Wen family wanted me to go over, but I didn't agree. Now I'm temporarily staying at General Yao's mansion."

  Yes, Wen's family.

  He was extremely disappointed and frustrated.

  "Grandma, is our family related to the Wong family?"

  Chao Sheng suddenly remembered, Wen Shi's cousin with the surname He. She also had the surname He... Could it be...

  "Whatever kin? That family is sycophantic and heartless. When your uncle was in power, they were eager to marry off the Wen family's daughter to him, but he refused to take a concubine. They didn't even have the shame to stop there, and instead offered that same daughter to his younger brother, who also had no integrity and thought he'd gotten a great deal by marrying into a prestigious family. When our family was down on its luck, the Wen family didn't lift a finger to help us, but now that things are looking up for us again, with your brother doing well and your uncle's reputation being restored, they're coming crawling back. Bah! What 'family of scholars' with 'refined bones'? Their character isn't worth a penny."

  Ah...

  "I've met a Miss He, who is said to be the cousin of the Empress Dowager. She's currently living with the Wen family and has been to the palace several times... I've seen her a few times..."

  Mrs. Xu was somewhat surprised: "Really? Is that girl called Yu'e? Probably is"

  Chao Sheng shook his head: "No, I heard Queen Cheng call her name, He Gu Niang's name is Yi Ran."

  Mrs. Xu suddenly got angry

  "What? She's actually calling him?"

  "Mother-in-law?" Chao Sheng was puzzled, she didn't know how a name could make Mrs. Xu so angry, and looking at her brother beside her, the hand on his knee had clenched into a fist, apparently also very displeased.

  "What's wrong with grandma?"

  "The name 'Ming Ming' is indeed the young lady's name." Old Lady Xu slapped the table: "This name was given by the young lady's paternal grandmother, it was the old madam who gave it to her back then. Brother Tao's full name is Yun Qi, which was given by the master. So when it comes to the young lady, the name was also given by the old madam. The daughter of that woman from the Wen family is named Yu E, do they think the young lady has no backing and want to use that little girl to impersonate her? Brother Tao, what did their people say to you? Did they mention this little girl?"

  Uh...

  Stunned and amazed.

  Does she even know her own name is Yiran?

  She always thought Chao Sheng was just a name.

  Chao Sheng was originally just a milk name?

  She didn't get as angry as Mrs. Xu, she just felt... that life is really ridiculous.

  The Wen family wouldn't really intend to use He Gu Niang to pretend to be the real one, would they?

  Although it is said that He Gu Niang indeed also counts as a daughter of the He family, her brother's younger sister.

  He Yunqi said: "I haven't seen anyone from the Wen family - where did they find He Yuer from?"

  "This servant girl knew something: 'I heard that... He Gu Niang, had been living in the countryside for a long time after her parents passed away. The Wen family brought her here not too long ago, at most two or three years.'"

  Mrs. Xu said with a scowl, "No need to say more, the Wen family is used to taking advantage of opportunities. In these two or three years, the Emperor's views on past events have changed, and I'm afraid that Brother Wei has also made achievements in these two or three years and risen to prominence."

  "What you said is correct." He Yunqi confirmed Mrs. Xu's guess: "I was appreciated by General Yao and made achievements, it was two years ago."

  Their news is quite reliable

  That He girl who was dressed in gold and silver, with a majestic and flamboyant air, actually had her own name on top?

  Chao Sheng suddenly felt a wave of discomfort in his stomach.

  But in this way of speaking, Wen's family and their siblings are not considered real relatives, nor are they their paternal grandparents.

  Mrs. Xu looked at He Yunqi and then at Chao Sheng, smiled and said: "I'll go take a look at the hot water, you two siblings haven't seen each other for many years, have a good chat."

  Mrs. Xu got up and went out, and she also closed the door.

  Chao Sheng looked up and took a glance, then habitually lowered his head again.

  He Yunqi's eyebrows were very thick, and the "slanted flying into the temple" described in books was of course an exaggeration, but his eyebrows were indeed straight and flying high, if not for that scar... they should be even more perfect.

  "Tidal birth."

  "Mm." She responded softly.

  "Last time I was at Cheng Wang Fu..." He Yunqi paused for a moment before saying, "I never thought you would be my own sister."

  That's true.

  Chao Sheng never thought that the person asking for directions was his own brother.

  She didn't even know she had an older brother.

  "By the way, I've brought something for you." He Yunqi took out a cloth package from his bosom and handed it over.

  "Huh?"

  "What's the matter?" she said with a smile in the morning. "Open it and take a look. I got it when I was in Kunzhou. At that time, Uncle Yong found me and told me you were still alive and living in Beijing. I was so happy that I couldn't sleep for several nights, thinking... what do you look like now? How tall are you? Do you look like your mother? Then I got this and put it away. I thought maybe you would like it."

  Heavy.

  Chao Sheng opened the bundle of cloth, and suddenly a treasure light dazzled his eyes.

  They were a pair of crimson gold bangles, exquisitely crafted with intricate details. The bangles were shaped like intertwined flower branches, with clear and dynamic veins on the leaves. The flowers were inlaid with rubies, shining brightly under the candlelight, radiating a flowing aura.

  "What do you think? Do you like it?"

  Chao Sheng nodded: "Hmm... this is too precious, even if it were given to the Empress Dowager, it would be worthy of her."

  He Yun smiled and said: "This sister looks good with it on, come on, put it on me and take a look."

  Tidal birth one smile, took one sleeve worn on wrist.

  In her past life and this life, she had never worn such exquisite and expensive jewelry before.

  The bangle stuck to the skin was cool and icy, but the golden bangle set off a snow-white, delicate and beautiful wrist, which was inexplicably suitable and moving.

  ——————————————

  Actually, I still think Chao Sheng is a nice name.

  Thank you everyone for your replies, every day when I see the replies I feel happy to death...

  It rained all day today, and my back hurts. I probably sat too much.