Old Madam Fu rummaged through the money box, took a deep breath outside the courtyard, suppressed the stinging in her eyes, and then smiled as she pushed open the door and came in, "Here... it's all here."
Old General Fu took it without even glancing at it, then handed it to Jin Shanyao in a heavy tone.
"Master, thank you for your trouble. When war breaks out, it's not just the soldiers on the front lines who suffer, but also countless innocent civilians. I always try my best to make amends."
Jin Shanyao casually stuffed the money box into her satchel, smiling readily, "No problem, Fu Congzhao and I will go together then."
The Fu Household members are all shrewd and astute. Jin Shanyao's sudden visit, coupled with their brief conversation, made it clear to everyone. The main hall, which had just been filled with warmth, was instantly shrouded in a somber atmosphere.
They looked at each other, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.
When Jin Shanyao returned to the Anzhi Hall, it was still early. She handed the money box to Meng Anzhi, saying, "I'll be going out in a couple of days. Dahuang and Xiaoli will stay with you."
Meng Anzhi's heart tightened. "Auntie, where are you going? Can't you take me with you?"
"At Old General Fu's invitation, I've gone to the border to perform a ritual for the departed." Jin Shanyao smiled, seeing her worried eyes. " The Fu Household has been very helpful to us, and besides, I already promised to perform the ritual for the departed... Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
The Fu Household Army is thousands of miles away, and the journey alone would take a month or two. How could they possibly return quickly? Meng Anzhi agreed verbally, but in her heart, she was secretly planning how to go with them.
The tranquility of the Anzhi Hall was shattered before dawn the next day by the announcement of a death from a servant of the Fu Household...
Old General Fu passed away suddenly last night at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM).
Meng Anci had to rush to the morning court session, so Jin Shanyao led the two siblings to the Fu Residence in a hurry, hoping to pay their respects before the morning court session.
By this time, the Fu Residence was already draped with white banners, and relatives and friends came in an endless stream. Most of the men in the Fu Household were guarding the border, leaving only Fu Congheng wearing a mourning cloth on his head, busy as a bee.
After the three of them finished paying their respects, Fu Congxi deliberately pulled Jin Shanyao Congxi aside before leaving, saying, "When Fu Congzhao returns, have him come to the Anzhi Hall to find me."
Fu Congxi with tears in his eyes, the tears falling onto his clothes and spreading into a small wet patch.
Upon leaving the Fu Residence, they happened to encounter Silla envoys who had come to offer condolences. You Tuo and Jin Xiaoji were each wearing a wide-brimmed hat, completely covering their faces, but the moment they saw Jin Shanyao, they froze on the spot, their eyes revealing undisguised panic.
"Young Prince, General Jin, what are you doing?" Jin Shanyao asked, raising an eyebrow in feigned confusion.
Jin Xiaoji, mustering his courage, retorted, "Don't be so arrogant. We'll find evidence sooner or later to prove that you hit us!"
"Oh? Then you'd better hurry." Jin Shanyao forward, gently patted his shoulder, and said in a teasing tone, "Are you glaring at me like that because you want to see me again tonight?"
"You..." Jin Xiaoji was so frightened that he took a half step back, swallowing back the curse that was about to come out of his mouth.
Jin Xiaoji dared not linger any longer and urged You Tuo to leave as soon as possible after the condolence.
They need to go back and recuperate, and return in five years to compete again... At that time, they will surely make Jin Shanyao face and be ashamed to face anyone.
As a pillar of the court, Old General Fu's body was laid to rest for three days according to protocol before being placed in the coffin. The coffin was kept in the mansion for three months, and it was not until January of the following year that he was finally laid to rest.
That day, Jin Shanyao was admiring the snow scene in front of the Anzhi Hall when she saw a man walking straight towards her in the distance. Before Jin Shanyao could recognize who it was...
The man then bowed respectfully to Jin Shanyao, saying, "Greetings, Grandma."
Jin Shanyao observed his eyebrows and eyes, then tentatively asked, " Fu Congzhao?"
"Yes..." Fu Congzhao answered loudly. On the battlefield, he had been in danger of losing his life several times, and it was Jin Shanyao's talisman that saved him. At this moment, he wished Jin Shanyao were his own great-aunt.
Fu Congzhao's exclamation nearly made Jin Shanyao. The once bright and shy young man who blushed upon meeting him had now become a dark-skinned, rough-looking man.
Look at that skin... tsk tsk tsk, so dark! And look at those eyebrows and eyes... tsk tsk tsk, they've grown up, and they've even gained a bit of a fierce look!
Jin Shanyao, reached out and touched Fu Congzhao's waist, clutching the extra fabric in her hand, and spoke softly, ignoring Fu Congzhao's stiff body.
"People, no matter what, have to fend for themselves. They can't rely on others. Look, now they're wearing clothes that fit... My dear child, you've suffered."
Fu Congzhao grinned and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandma, I'm not suffering..."
Jin Shanyao patted his strong arm. "Enough said, I feel sorry for you... Come on, take off your clothes and let me see if you're hurt."
Although Fu Congzhao was somewhat prepared, he still found it hard to accept being asked to take off his clothes right away. "Um... I... I came to see you about something."
He bowed respectfully, his tone humble, "My grandmother has already told me everything. I will be setting off back to Dengzhou Prefecture in three days. I came today specifically to inform you."
Jin Shanyao. "Alright, just call me when you leave."
Fu Congzhao responded, clutching his belt and not daring to say another word, then turned and quickly left.
Watching his retreating figure, Jin Shanyao seemed lost in thought. Could this be what the books described as "walking on air"?
After Fu Congzhao left.
Meng Anzhi, "Auntie, the border is far away, I'll go pack my luggage now."
Jin Shanyao her back, " Anzhi, I know what you're thinking. But in three months it will be the season for planting medicinal herbs, Anzhi Hall can't do without you..."
Meng Anzhi's lips moved, a thousand words stuck in her throat, but she couldn't say them.
Jin Shanyao gently patted her hand, "Be good, your aunt will be right back."
"Auntie..." Meng Anzhi's eyes reddened slightly, her voice choked with emotion, "Will you really come back?"
"Of course." Jin Shanyao chuckled and reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. "You're all in the capital, where can I go? If you're really worried, I'll take Yasheng with me and send you a letter every three days, how about that?"
Meng Anzhi bit her lip, remained silent for a long while, then nodded gently, completely suppressing her desire to secretly follow.
As they grew older, Meng Anzhi became increasingly uneasy, always feeling that her aunt might leave them at any moment, and wishing she could stay by her aunt's side all the time.
She thought to herself: Luckily, the cats and dogs are with them.
Jin Shanyao instructed, "If I don't return before spring planting, have Dahuang accompany you Qingzhou Prefecture, and leave Xiaoli with Meng Anci. It's smaller than Dahuang, quicker, and better at hiding itself..."
Meng Anzhi nodded absentmindedly.
The Jin Shanyao, "Don't take off the necklace I gave you, it'll keep you safe... With it on, demons and monsters won't dare come near, understand?"
"Okay, Auntie, we'll stay home and wait for you to come back."
Jin Shanyao chuckled inwardly with a sigh of relief. This child was too thoughtful and too sensitive. But she had no choice; she would eventually have to leave this little world.
Only by allowing the siblings to gradually adapt to life without her will the day of their actual separation not be too painful.