Xiao Qing had been on her way to deliver a letter to Big Brother Xiao.
But halfway there, she learned that Big Brother Xiao had already resigned from office and returned to his hometown.
Xiao Qing hurried back to Shiqiao Village to tell her older sister the news.
But when Xiao Qing returned home, she found that she was still a step too late.
In the courtyard, a white-haired old man was reading, while a woman in a white dress hung out the laundry.
Standing outside the courtyard gate, Xiao Qing felt as though she were in a daze.
It was as if she had gone back forty-eight years.
Her older sister had looked after Big Brother Xiao, and every day he had studied, hoping to pass the imperial examinations.
The only difference was that the Big Brother Xiao in the courtyard had passed the examinations and even risen to the highest ranks of the court, but his hair was now completely white.
Xiao Qing could sense that although Big Brother Xiao looked hale and hearty, his Life Fire was actually very faint, as though it could go out at any moment.
"Xiao Qing, you're back. Sorry to have made you come all this way for nothing." Xiao Mo raised his head and saw Xiao Qing outside the courtyard. "It's my fault, too. I should have written to let you know I was coming back."
"It's all right, Big Brother Xiao." Xiao Qing shook her head. "It's enough that you've come back safely."
Hearing Xiao Mo's voice, Bai Ruxue turned toward her younger sister and smiled. "Xiao Qing, why are you standing outside? Come help me hang out the laundry."
"I-I'm coming."
Xiao Qing walked into the courtyard and went over to help her older sister.
At noon, Xiao Qing