My country, you can pinch it

The northwest is dry, there are no pavilions, no water pavilions, only tall and heavy stone walls to block the perennial sandstorms, and planted with drought-tolerant Populus euphratica trees, and some short shrubs add a touch of green, other than that, it is monotonous of yellow.Compared with Yongliang Oasis, there is a long river to irrigate the soil, and it looks like birds and flowers, but the lack of water here is relatively desolate.

Fang Jinling wrapped her cloak tightly and covered her mouth and nose. Even though the wind and sand blocked it, the dust in the air was still thick. It was still a cold spring, and there was no relative humidity for the time being.

His chest felt tight, and his throat felt a little uncomfortable. At this moment, he really felt Shang Qingrong's worry, that Shamenguan really doesn't support people.

Shang Qingrong dragged Fang Jinling to the depths of the mansion in search of memories. Although she was anxious in her heart, she did not dare to walk fast. From time to time, she looked at Fang Jinling worriedly, listening to the suppressed muffled cough, her face showed melancholy.

Fang Jinling shook Shang Qingrong's hand reassuringly, only showing a pair of eyes with a smile, and shook his head, indicating that he was fine.

Everyone has times when they are not acclimatized, but he is just more sensitive than ordinary people.

Shang Qingrong looked into his son's smiling eyes, and felt more and more distressed, "When we get to mother's yard, we will be more comfortable. There is no wind and sand there, and it is very quiet. Look, those poplars are still alive, we are here."

Tall white poplars protrude out of the fence, separating a piece of school grounds, and also blocking the wind and sand from entering the rear yard. It looks spacious and comfortable, and there are clusters of shrubs and flowers planted inside. Jian'er, it should be very beautiful in late spring and early summer.

And once you walk in here, the wind and sand are indeed much smaller.Fang Jinling breathed a sigh of relief, looked around, and couldn't help saying: "Mother, this should be the best courtyard in the Hou Mansion, right?"

"That's right, none of the uncles and masters have this kind of treatment." Fu Xiang said.

In any big family, apart from the main house, it is best to leave the largest house to the eldest son, but the Marquis of Xiling dotes on his daughter, and his sons can only stand aside.

Fang Jinling nodded with a smile, and said in a low voice, "It's not fair, my grandfather favors girls over boys."

"It's your uncles who let mother..." Shang Qingrong said this, looking at the flowers and trees in the yard, and sighed, "They planted them for mother in their spare time, count them, how many poplars are there?" .”

Fang Jinling said in a low voice, "Seven trees."

"Yeah, seven trees, people are gone, but the trees are growing well and getting taller."

"Uncles are here to protect you." As long as Bai Yang is alive, he can grow to towering heights and block even greater sandstorms. Perhaps this is the original wish of planting for his sister.

Shang Qingrong smiled and hummed.

"By the way, mother, uncle is gone, what about aunt?"

Shang Qingrong said: "The elder sister-in-law died of illness. As soon as the eldest brother left, her body collapsed, and she was worried about a bunch of small ones underneath. She was overworked. The second sister-in-law remarried, and now I don't know how it is going. We in the Northwest The woman said that she did not agree with the end, and it was her credit for leaving Xiyun behind. The third sister-in-law and the third brother were childhood sweethearts, and they had the best relationship. The third brother died in battle outside the pass. When they came back, when Dad led the troops to rush, the two embraced and left. The fourth sister-in-law left earlier than the fourth brother, and the fifth sister-in-law was gone a few years ago. As for the sixth sister-in-law, the sixth brother died in battle not long after getting married. Father let her go home, she should have remarried too."

Shang Qingrong smiled wryly and said: "Women who marry the Shang family are very bitter. I hope that they who are still alive can live well." Her eyes fell on the seven trees again, "So Chuqing and the others grew up They followed me, but I didn't live up to my expectations and left them halfway, so it's really embarrassing to see my brother."

"Mom, it's all over." Fang Jinling comforted.

Shang lightly nodded.

At this moment, Nanny Lin came out of the house and said in surprise, "Master, madam, why are you standing in the yard? It's so cold outside, come in quickly. The kang has been burned inside and it's warm. Master, are you thirsty?"

When Fang Jinling visited the Marquis of Xiling, the servants had already moved all the things into the yard and organized them.

So Shang smiled lightly and pulled Fang Jinling into the room, "Come on, go in and have a glass of water, this kid coughed all the way."

Shang Qingrong's yard is huge and there are many rooms, more than enough to accommodate the mother, son and servants.

Fang Jinling walked into her boudoir with her mother, thinking that with the practice of the Marquis of Xiling raising his daughter as a boy, he wouldn't see anything feminine, but he didn't expect that the most eye-catching thing was the dressing table.

"It's so beautiful." Fang Jinling admired.

"It was done by your grandfather with his uncles." Shang Qingrong gently stroked the countertop, showing the ingenuity inside one by one, "I heard that they started to do it as soon as I was born."

The intricate pattern carvings did not happen overnight, they are generals on the battlefield, how can they have so much time, they are nothing more than taking time to do it.

Fang Jinling looked carefully, and the edges were actually not well carved, but the years have made them round and round, turning them into another kind of beauty.

There was a bronze vanity mirror on the countertop, and Fang Jinling could still see his face clearly when he leaned over it.There is a slot on the side for a row of combs, several of which are ivory, sandalwood, and silver.The understage is connected as a whole, with various open compartments, hidden compartments, and drawers. There is a nine-square compartment for earrings and rings, and there is also a whole large drawer for head and face ornaments.

Looking at these, Fang Jinling could imagine the innocence of girl Shang Qingrong.

"I liked it very much when I was young. Although it is outdated now, it is still beautiful. Mother Lin, look at this comb. Dad bought it from a Hu merchant. I heard it came from a far away country. I have always liked it."

"Exactly. When you got married, you were annoyed and missed it, but you are not happy to ask Master Hou to send someone to bring it over."

Shang lightly smiled and played with it in his hands, "I just want to stay here for dad to think about."

"What's the point of leaving more things, it's always better if the daughter is in front of you." At this moment, Xilinghou walked in with his old servant.

"Father." Shang Qingrong stood up and turned around, looking at him in surprise, "Why are you here?"

The Marquis of Xiling asked, "Why can't Dad come? You have no conscience."

Fang Jinling raised his hand and knocked, saying hello, "Grandfather."

"Miss, Lord Hou is worried, afraid that you are not used to living at home for more than ten years." The old servant beside him explained.

"What are you talking about?" Xilinghou looked a little unnatural, "After all, Beijing is different from here. Chuqing and the others are not here, and the old man has no one to discuss. I don't know how to tidy up your house. Just follow the old way. When the time comes, you Change it yourself."

Shang Qingrong pursed her lips when she heard the words, looked at her father, her eyes were red again after finally calming down.

The Marquis of Xiling was at a loss, "Rong Rong, why are you crying again?"

Fang Jinling held his mother's arm and said with a smile, "Grandfather is so kind, and mother was moved to tears."

The Marquis of Xiling raised the corners of his mouth, and looked at Fang Jinling: "Your sisters are all stubborn, and some things can't be taken care of, and our family... doesn't have any careful people, just tell the housekeeper what you want to do."

"it is good."

"In addition, Rongrong, you can make a list later. There is a lack of things in the northwest, not like the capital. Since Ling'er is here, I have to make up for the lack. I will let Duojin do it. If you don't have it here, go to Yongliang to find it. Look for it in the south, especially medicinal materials, if anyone is short, don't short the child, the body is important."

It is not easy for a generation of generals to consider these things.

It's just that Shang Qingrong said: "I have all of them, and there will be no shortage for a while."

The Marquis of Xiling said displeasedly: "Don't be polite with your father, we don't talk about that in the Marquis."

"There is really no shortage. Why are you being polite to me, my daughter? Not only is there no shortage, but there are still many." Having said this, Shang Qingrong gave Fang Jinling a pointed look.

The latter blinked his innocent eyes with a calm look.

"The doctor..."

Shang sighed softly: "The doctor also sent one over to take care of Ling'er's body. Sister Lin, don't forget to ask someone to help resettle her later, don't neglect her."

Nanny Lin bowed, "Ma'am, don't worry."

The Marquis of Xiling was a little puzzled when he heard this, "Sure enough, you are a mother, and you are careful in everything you do."

These words poked Shang Qingrong's heart a bit, making her stare at her son again.

Fang Jinling sneered and didn't dare to say much, but he felt emotional in his heart: Liu Ke, Liu Ke, your words and actions are so inconsistent, how did you keep the secret of your life experience for so many years, and hide your deep-rooted hatred for the emperor?

In the car, he recalled what he said after the frank meeting that day, and he probably understood the contradictory inner journey of this man.

At this time, the butler came in and said lightly to Shang: "Miss, those carts outside have already been brought in, the third son-in-law asked you how to deal with it."

Shang Qingrong remained expressionless, "I don't know either, Ling'er, you can figure it out yourself."

These words had a tinge of yin and yang, the Marquis of Xiling frowned upon hearing this, and couldn't help but look at Fang Jinling.

Fang Jinling cleared his throat and said, "It's fine for mother to decide, or should everyone share?"

The Marquis of Xiling asked, "What are they?"

The butler said: "It's a car of carbon, the small ones are all fine silver threads, two cars of precious medicinal materials, and three cars of fur materials. The third son-in-law said they are all complete and good materials, and they are hard to find. There is also a car of fine rice noodles." , the rest are some small pieces, which are quite valuable.”

The Marquis of Xiling was surprised, "Rongrong, you didn't bring these things here from the capital, did you?"

"Of course not, it's easy to travel all the way." Shang Qingrong replied.

Where did that come from?Ordinary people can't prepare such a thing, Xilinghou thought for a while, "Could it be..."

Fang Jinling finally couldn't pretend to be dead, and said in a low voice, "It was a gift from His Royal Highness King Ning."

As expected, Xilinghou looked like this. Medicinal materials, carbon, and rice noodles are not common in the Northwest. , with soldiers guarding them, it is natural to be able to bring these out of Beijing.

However, the Marquis of Xiling helped him subdue the refugees, take down the Zhang family, and intimidate the Hu people. It is reasonable to use these as thanks.

The Marquis of Xiling immediately calmed down, "It seems that His Highness Prince Ning is not as careless as the rumors say, and he is quite reasonable."

Speaking of Liu Ke, Fang Jinling smiled subconsciously, and said "Yeah", "The dude is just his disguise, a royal child, there is always a lot of helplessness, in fact, looking at it all the way, he treats everyone with sincerity, this time facing the refugees He didn't back down from the conflict, but rather took responsibility. Grandfather, if there is a chance, he would like to come to see you in person to thank you."

"Ahem..." Shang Qingrong interrupted his words with a cough, Fang Jinling was taken aback, and then said with a smile, "Mother, I'm just telling the truth, don't you also comment on him in private?"

That was before!

Who will appreciate a man when he knows that he has such thoughts for his son?

However, this can't be explained clearly, Shang Qingrong is really unhappy to hold it in his heart, so much so that when he hears the word Ning Wang, he feels like he is in danger.

The Marquis of Xiling didn't doubt that he was there, so he said, "Okay, since Ling'er can use these things, what's the point, Rongrong, you put them away for him and use them slowly. King Ning has a heart, and relieved the old man a lot." problem."

There was actually appreciation in the words, and Shang Qingrong's mood became more and more complicated.

Seeing that everything was well arranged, Marquis Xiling got up and left, "Father is gone, you should rest well."

"Grandfather go slowly."

As soon as Xilinghou left, Shang Qingrong poked his son's forehead, "Ling'er, you should have some snacks."

Fang Jinling smiled and said: "Why don't you care anymore, mother, don't worry, I know it well."

Can Shang Qingrong not be worried?

Shang Qingrong really wanted to ask Fang Jinling if he didn't feel disgusted. After all, the relationship between men and men is against human relations. Most people would be scared away by this matter, but Fang Jinling still seemed indifferent. With a good impression, I am so worried!

But she couldn't open up the words, fearing that instead of dispelling Fang Jinling's thoughts, it would arouse his feelings and fall into conflicts.

"Oh, mother, are you not tired? I'm really tired after driving for so many days. Let's go to rest first."

Fang Jinling didn't want to discuss this with her mother because it was meaningless.

He is an adult and knows what to do and what not to do. Liu Ke has restrained himself, so why should he worry?

It is better to let nature take its course.

Seeing Fang Jinling leaving with Zijing heartlessly, Shang Qingrong sighed deeply and sat down.

The son raised in a deep boudoir doesn't understand anything, which makes people worry, and he is too smart and radiant to attract others, which makes people worry.

Shang Qingrong complained, "It's really more worrying than raising a girl."

Sister Lin smiled and said: "Madam, I think it's good that the young master doesn't take it seriously. The more deliberately you pay attention to some things, the more you care about them. You can't see them anyway, so what can you do? It will fade away after a long time."

Shang Qingrong nodded, "You are right, I was in a hurry. By the way, let Ling'er drink the medicine later before going to sleep."

"Yes, the servant was ordered to be fried early in the morning, so it should be ready."

When Nanny Lin brought the medicine, Fang Jinling was sitting at the desk writing a letter.

Liu Keqian urged Wan Wan to write back to report his safety as soon as he arrived, and Fang Jinling naturally would not delay.

After a while, Fang Jinling put away the pen, stuffed the letter into an envelope, and handed it to Zhang Kong, "Speak to the housekeeper and send someone there as soon as possible."

"Yes." Chang Kong took the letter and left.

Nanny Lin glanced at the letter, and then said: "Master, rest after drinking the medicine."

"it is good."

Fang Jinling was straightforward, Mother Lin put away the empty bowl, then turned to look for Shang Qingrong.

Shang Qingrong had already untied her hair under the servant girl's service, and asked: "What is Ling'er doing, did you fall asleep?"

"Already fell asleep, but the servant saw that the young master wrote a letter."

"For whom?"

Nanny Lin hesitated, "Prince Ning."

Shang Qingrong took a deep breath and stared at her.

Sister Lin persuaded: "It seems to be the right thing to report for safety, right? After all, His Royal Highness King Ning really cares about the young master."

Shang Qingrong nodded and told himself, "Yes, it should."

Early the next morning, the Marquis of Xiling opened the ancestral hall.

It's just that Fang Jinling looked at the rather magnificent building in front of him, and felt that the layout of this ancestral hall was a bit big.

His eyes fell on the plaque on it, and it was written with three words—the Shrine of Martyrs.

Suddenly, his gaze changed.

The soldiers guarding the gates on both sides of the ancestral hall opened the door, and Xilinghou walked in first. He said, "Our Shang family is not an aristocratic family. The old man came from a grassroots family. I don't know who my ancestors are. We still have to recognize the characters later. We only learned a few words, so it's okay." A serious genealogy. If there is one, it’s here.”

Fang Jinling followed the Marquis of Xiling into the ancestral hall. Under the high dome, the purpose of entering was a mountain of progressive tablets, densely packed, with countless names written on them, and there were countless heroic souls to welcome them.

Solemn and solemn, but also desolate and tragic, facing these tablets, Fang Jinling's chest was shocked and he was speechless.

"There are all the tablets of the soldiers of the Shang family army who died in the battle. Your uncles are also here. Ling'er, go to the incense sticks and tell them that your name is Shang Jinling, that's enough."

At that moment, Fang Jinling felt that his footsteps became heavy, as if countless pairs of invisible eyes were looking at him.

"Lingling, don't be afraid, they are all heroes guarding the frontier, here is safer than anywhere else." Shang Chuqing said softly beside him.

Chen Du patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Recognize your uncles, uncles, and grandpas, and let them bless you in heaven."

"Anyway, our sisters will be here in the future. The place has been found, and it's in that corner." Wei Xuexue pointed to a certain empty seat, with a smile in her eyes, as if she didn't shy away from it at all.

Everyone who goes on the battlefield has this experience, it's just sooner or later, and it's very open to see.

The twins lit incense, and handed one to Shang Qingrong and the other to Fang Jinling.

Two futons had already been placed in front of the ancestral hall, and Fang Jinling knelt on them following Shang Qingrong, holding incense in both hands and showing reverence.

I only heard Shang Qingrong say: "Everyone, the unfilial girl Shang Qingrong returns home, from now on we will guard the recluse together, the whole Shang family is loyal."

"Uncle, grandpa, and uncle, Shang Jinling is honored to meet all of you heroic souls. One day you will be a member of the Shang family, and you will be a lifetime member of the Shang family's army. You will not fall into the name of a loyal hero. I implore you to have a spirit in the sky as a witness."

After they finished speaking, they all held incense and bowed three times.

In front of the solemn memorial tablet, six puffs of thin smoke curled up and rose into the dome.