Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 929 A Day in the Life of the Commander

Just as dawn was breaking, Xia Lin was awakened by a commotion of chickens and dogs running around outside.

He groggily rolled over, reached out and touched the side—it was empty. Bean Sprout had gotten up sometime earlier, leaving him alone in bed, sprawled out.

"Ouch..." Xia Lin muttered, pulled the blanket over her head, and tried to go back to sleep.

But the commotion outside grew louder and louder. First, that girl Kasyapa yelled at the top of her lungs, "You damned dog!!!"

Then came a series of barking and thumping footsteps, sounding like the dead dog was running around the yard with a shoe in its mouth, and Kasyapa was chasing after it.

Xia Lin sat up irritably, scratching her messy hair. There was no way she could sleep now.

He walked barefoot to the window, pushed it open a crack, and looked out.

Sure enough, the big black dog that Kasya had raised like a treasure was carrying a clearly men's official boot in its mouth, excitedly wagging its tail and running around the yard. Kasya chased after it, lifting her skirt, her little face flushed red.

"Stop right there! Those are Dad's boots!"

Hearing her voice, the dog ran even faster, deliberately circling around to Xia Lin's window, where it threw its drool-covered boot to the ground with a "thud," then barked twice at Jia Ye, looking quite smug.

He pushed open the window and leaned halfway out: "What's all the noise about so early in the morning?"

Upon seeing him, Kasyapa immediately complained, "Father! Look at this damned dog! It stole your boots!"

When the dog heard Xia Lin's voice, its ears drooped, its tail stopped wagging, and it quietly tried to slip into a corner of the yard.

Xia Lin squinted at the dog for a while, then suddenly bent down and picked up a small pebble from under the windowsill, flicking his wrist.

"Ouch..." The dog got a slap on the rear end, and in pain, it tucked its tail between its legs and darted away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Kasyapa stamped his foot: "Father! Why did you hit it!"

"If you keep yelling, I'll beat you up too." Xia Lin shrunk back in annoyance and slammed the window shut.

Things have finally calmed down a bit outside.

But forget about sleeping. He yawned, got dressed, and slowly strolled out of the room to brush his teeth and rinse his mouth.

In the courtyard, Douyazi had already tidied herself up and was sitting on the stone bench. When she saw him come out, she just raised her eyelids slightly and then continued reading.

"Your good girl's dog dares to steal shoes today, it'll dare to eat people tomorrow." Xia Lin sat down next to her and casually picked up a steamed bun from the table and took a bite.

Bean Sprout toyed with a copper coin in his hand, without looking up: "You thought you were so capable? You can't even control a dog?"

"Treat it? I'm too busy!" Xia Lin stuffed the steamed bun into his mouth in a few bites and mumbled, "I agreed today that I wouldn't do anything and would just stay home and lie down."

Bean Sprout chuckled but didn't reply.

At this moment, the wet nurses came out carrying four little babies. The two-year-olds had just learned to walk and were running around the yard, wobbling.

The eldest princess's son ran the fastest and crashed into Xia Lin's arms: "Father!"

Tang Bao'er's son followed behind, hugging Xia Lin's leg and climbing up: "Daddy... hug me..."

Tingyun's daughter is the quietest, never making a fuss, but she will secretly smear her boogers on her brother's back. Bean Sprout's daughter, Jia Nan, will chase after the dog with her short legs, only to be scooped back by the nanny.

Xia Lin was overwhelmed by the children's demands...

"Oh dear, my little darlings, take it easy. Your old bones can't take this."

Bean Sprout watched coldly, her tone mocking: "Didn't you want to lie down? Then lie down."

Xia Lin was being pulled by the children, who were picking her nose. Just as she was about to speak, the courtyard gate creaked open.

Li Zhi peeked in and saw Xia Lin's disheveled state as she was entangled by the children. He couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Xia Lin glared at him. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, get lost."

Li Zhi quickly suppressed his smile and walked in respectfully: "Father, Mother asked me to inquire whether you are going to Xianyang today? Although the grand event is over, there are still some things to take care of..."

"No way!" Xia Lin refused outright. "I'm on holiday today. Don't come looking for me even if the sky falls."

Li Zhi seemed to have anticipated his response, and instead of insisting, he pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve: "Well... this is the last batch of accounts sent from Xianyang yesterday. Mother wants you to take a look..."

Xia Lin didn't even look at it: "Take it to your mother, I'm not looking."

Li Zhi awkwardly took the form back and stood there, hesitant to speak.

"Anything else?" Xia Lin asked, her nose being picked by the little one in her arms. "If there's nothing else, come and take care of your younger siblings."

Li Zhi scratched his head, a troubled look on his face: "Well... Pei Wan and Cui Lin... haven't said a word to each other since they moved into the East Palace yesterday. Senior Sister is as usual, but those two..."

Hearing this, Xia Lin finally shifted her attention from the children's little hands, raising an eyebrow: "What? You want your dad to be your peacemaker on the very first day?"

“No…” Li Zhi hurriedly said, “It’s just… it just feels awkward.”

"What's so awkward about it? You agreed to have four wives yourself, so you have to put up with it even if you feel awkward."

Douyazi said coldly from the side, "Zhi'er, don't listen to your father. Those two girls are holding back their anger. You need to use the Crown Prince's authority to give them a good talking-to and appease them. We can't let things stay like this forever. Or you could just have your sister Wu deal with them."

Li Zhi said with a bitter face, "What Prince Su says is true. But... how should we reprimand him, how should we appease him?"

Before Douyazi could speak, Xia Lin waved his hand impatiently: "You're asking about such trivial matters? Get lost, you've already established your own residence and pavilion, figure it out yourself."

Li Zhi shrank back, not daring to ask any more questions, bowed, and quickly slipped away.

After Li Zhi left, Douyazi glanced at Xia Lin and said, "You're so carefree, not caring about your son's affairs at all."

"How am I supposed to manage them?" Xia Lin handed the children, who were finally tired from playing, to the nanny. "Three women make a drama, let him perform his own act. I finally get a day off, can't I say something cheerful?"

"Happy?" Bean Sprout thought for a moment: "I heard Yun made some new pastries, she said they're from Jiangnan, and they taste pretty good. Should I have her send some over later?"

Xia Lin then became somewhat interested: "That's more like it."

As the sun rose higher, the courtyard grew warm. Xia Lin moved a rocking chair to the porch, lay down comfortably, and dozed off with her eyes half-closed.

Just as I was getting a little sleepy, there was another knock on the courtyard gate.

This time, it was Tuoba Jing who came. He was wearing a flashy bright purple brocade robe, his hair was combed slicked back, and he was followed by Qingnu, the little maid he had brought back from the Wan Hua Lou.

"Xia Lin! The sun's already high in the sky and you're still sleeping!" Tuoba Jing swaggered in, dragged a chair over, and sat down next to Xia Lin. "Get up and talk to me."

Xia Lin didn't even open her eyes: "I'm busy."

Tuoba Jing didn't care and said to himself, "My new play, the script is almost finished! Can you take a look?" As he spoke, he took out a thick stack of manuscript paper from his pocket.

Xia Lin finally opened one eye, glanced at the manuscript, and then closed it again: "I'm not looking at it. None of the stuff you photographed is worth looking at."

"Bullshit!" Tuoba Jing retorted. "That last one was so exciting! Everyone in Chang'an said it was great!"

"It's so good, it's almost like it's made the sky stand up."

Tuoba Jing was taken aback by his retort and reluctantly put the script away: "If you don't know its value, then forget it. By the way, I was thinking of having Qingnu stay with you for a few days."

Xia Lin then opened his eyes, sat up, and looked at the little girl who had been keeping her head down: "What? Tired of playing?"

"Nonsense!" Tuoba Jing glared. "Am I that kind of person? Here's the thing, I'm planning to take my son, your son, and your nephew to Zhongnan Mountain for a few days to find some inspiration. It's inconvenient to bring her along."

Xia Lin scoffed, "You need inspiration to make a film? The sun must have risen in the west."

Tuoba Jing ignored his sarcasm, leaned closer and lowered his voice: "To tell you the truth, things are still tense in Chang'an. I'm going out to lay low for a while. Those old bastards may not dare to say anything to my face, but who knows what they're cursing me for behind my back."

Xia Lin then gave him a serious look: "At least you have some brains."

Tuoba Jing chuckled and patted him on the shoulder: "So I'm entrusting Qingnu to you. This girl is timid, don't let anyone bully her."

After saying that, without waiting for Xia Lin's reply, he got up and led Qing Nu into the house, where he began to make arrangements on his own.

Xia Lin watched his retreating figure and shook her head helplessly.

Bean Sprouts walked over at some point, and looking at Tuoba Jing's busy figure, said indifferently, "He certainly knows how to find a quiet place to hide away."

Xia Lin lay back down in the rocking chair: "Let him hide. Anyway, this yard is big enough; it's just one more person eating."

Douyazi sat down on the stone bench next to him, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly said, "No matter how big it is, it is still the Dugu Mansion. Moreover, you don't plan to give an explanation to Third Sister. With four concubines on the same stage, even the emperor would have a hard time. You can't let her remain in this stalemate."

Xia Lin closed her eyes and said, "When have I ever been at odds with her? Isn't everything fine?"

"What's so good about it?" Bean Sprout sneered, "You claimed to be sick and took leave, so you just dumped the mess on her, didn't you?"

Xia Lin fell silent.

Bean Sprout said in a hard tone: "I know what you're thinking, but you saw the scene where the old minister threatened to kill himself."

"Oh... I know," Xia Lin interrupted her. "Let me rest for a couple of days first. There's no rush. The wedding planning hasn't even started yet." Douya stared at him. "So, are you calmed down now?"

Xia Lin opened her eyes, looked at the eaves above her head, and after a while said, "What's there to be angry about? I just feel... listless."

It's really boring. Back in the day, life on the edge of a knife was tough, but it was also exhilarating. And now? I'm constantly scheming against a bunch of old foxes, and I have to watch out for my own people stabbing me in the back.

Bean Sprout seemed to understand what he was thinking and laughed, "The position is different now."

The two fell silent for a moment, and the only sound in the courtyard was the creaking of Xia Lin's rocking chair.

Not long after, I heard Yun Duan say that the newly made snacks had arrived. They were exquisite Jiangnan snacks, arranged on crystal plates, and looked very appetizing.

Xia Lin tried a piece, and it tasted really good—sweet but not cloying, and melted in her mouth.

"How is it?" Bean Sprout asked.

"Not bad." Xia Lin picked up another piece: "Better than those in the palace."

Hearing him say that, Tingyun smiled slightly and said, "I'm glad you like it. I also made some rock sugar pear soup, I'll go and get it now."

Xia Lin nodded, watching Tingyun turn and leave. This girl has been with him for so many years, and she is still so gentle.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly, so Xia Lin had a rocking chair moved into the yard and settled down comfortably to bask in the sun. Four little children were playing in the yard, with the nannies watching over them.

Tuoba Qian and Tang Bao'er's son chased after the cat and played, Tingyun's daughter sat quietly on a small stool playing with her doll, and Jia Nan followed behind her sister, catching cats and teasing dogs.

Bean Sprout sat on the porch, toying with a dagger in his hand, occasionally glancing up at the commotion in the yard.

Kasyapa wandered back from somewhere and saw Xia Lin sunbathing, so he came over and sat down next to him.

"Dad," the little girl said in a muffled voice, "my dog ​​is gone."

Xia Lin didn't even lift his eyelids: "Walking a dog without a leash is the same as the dog walking itself."

Kasyapa tugged at his sleeve and shook it: "Help me look for it."

"No way." Xia Lin refused decisively: "Find your own dog."

Kasyapa pouted, about to act coquettishly, when the courtyard gate was pushed open once again.

This time, it was Changsun Wuji who came in.

Xia Lin frowned as soon as she saw him: "Why are you here again?"

Changsun Wuji was dressed in casual clothes today, and his expression was much more relaxed than usual. He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Marshal Xia, I'm off today and have nothing to do, so I came to ask for a cup of tea."

Xia Lin snorted and ignored him.

Douyazi stood up and said in a calm tone, "Please sit down, Master Changsun. Tingyun, serve tea."

Changsun Wuji sat down at the stone table, looked at Xia Lin's lazy appearance, and laughed, "General Xia is quite relaxed today."

Xia Lin kept her eyes closed: "What else can I do but relax? You guys do all the work, so I'm all left to relax."

Changsun Wuji wasn't angry at Tingyun's mild retort. He took the tea Tingyun offered and slowly sipped it: "Good tea. Is this the new tea from Fuliang this year?"

Bean Sprout nodded: "My lord has a good tongue."

The two chatted casually over tea. Xia Lin listened from his rocking chair, inwardly scoffing. That old fox wouldn't come for tea unless something was troubling him; he must have some trouble again.

Sure enough, after chatting for a while, Changsun Wuji changed the subject: "Marshal Xia, although the grand gathering in Xianyang has ended, someone still needs to oversee the follow-up matters. His Majesty intends to give the Crown Prince more experience, what do you think..."

Xia Lin finally opened her eyes and glanced at him sideways: "Isn't Zhi'er already taking care of it?"

"Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince is intelligent and learns very quickly," Changsun Wuji said. "However, there are some matters that still require guidance from Marshal Xia..."

"I'm busy," Xia Lin replied immediately. "I told you I'm on vacation."

Changsun Wuji was speechless for a moment after being choked by his words.

Douyazi, standing to the side, said in a cold tone, "Prime Minister Changsun, Marshal Xia really should take a rest. If the Crown Prince has any difficulties, please take care of him."

Changsun Wuji glanced at Douyazi, then at Xia Lin who clearly didn't want to talk to him, and could only awkwardly say, "Yes, I was being presumptuous."

After sitting for a while, Changsun Wuji got up to take his leave.

After he left, Douyazi looked at Xia Lin and said, "You should at least give people some face."

Xia Lin didn't care at all: "Why should I give him face? That bastard must have run into some trouble again and wants to push it onto me. Does he think I'm stupid?"

Bean Sprout snorted coldly and said nothing more.

As the sun set, the black dog that had been missing for a day wandered back on its own, carrying half a chicken that it had stolen from somewhere in its mouth.

Kasyapa saw it and, enraged, chased it all over the yard. The dog skillfully hid behind Xia Lin's rocking chair, poked its head out, and barked at Kasyapa.

Xia Lin was getting a headache from their noise, so she got up and lightly kicked the dog's butt: "Get lost."

The dog howled, grabbed the chicken, and ran off. Kasyapa stamped his foot and chased after it.

The courtyard was finally quiet.

Xia Lin stood under the veranda, watching the sun gradually sink on the horizon. A cool evening breeze blew by.

Bean Sprout walked over to him and handed him a cup of warm pear juice: "What are you thinking about?"

Xia Lin took the cup, took a sip, and said, "I wasn't thinking about anything."

I just feel that this chaotic life is actually quite nice.

It's at least better than all the backstabbing and infighting in the imperial court.

As night fell, lanterns were lit in the courtyard. Tingyun and her maids prepared dinner: a simple meal of four dishes and a soup, all to Xia Lin's liking.

The four babies were crying loudly from hunger and were being fed by their wet nurse. Kasyapa finally managed to tie up the dog, washed his hands, and sat down.

Bean Sprout served Xia Lin a bowl of soup: "How were you feeling today?"

Xia Lin took the bowl, took a big gulp, and sighed contentedly, "It's alright. It's just a bit noisy."

Bean Sprout twitched the corner of her mouth: "You think it's noisy? You still get a day off tomorrow?"

Xia Lin shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth and mumbled, "Let it go, why not? I want it to go for ten days straight."

"Dream on." Bean Sprout put a piece of food on his plate: "Third Sister sent word that you need to go to the palace tomorrow."

Xia Lin paused, looked up at her, and asked, "What is it?"

“He didn’t say,” said Bean Sprout. “But judging from his tone, it doesn’t sound like bad news.”

Xia Lin thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay. I'm just killing time anyway."

After dinner, Xia Lin moved a rocking chair to the yard to cool off. The night sky was clear, and the stars were visible.

Bean Sprout sat next to him and began carving something on a wooden board.

Xia Lin looked at her profile and suddenly said, "Once Zhi'er's situation stabilizes, let's go back to Fuliang and stay for a while."

Douyazi paused in her work, looked up at him, and asked, "Why do you suddenly want to go back to Fuliang?"

"I just feel like it's boring here." Xia Lin looked at the stars in the sky: "It would be so much better to go back to Fuliang, where I can eat whatever I want and do whatever I want."

Bean Sprout shook his head and said, "You think you can just leave like that?"

Xia Lin fell silent.

Yes, now is not the time to just leave. My son hasn't fully established himself yet, there are undercurrents in the court, and my third aunt also needs someone to help her.

Now that you've taken on this mess, it won't be so easy to just walk away.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the coolness of late summer. In the yard, the black dog lay in its kennel, snoring evenly. A slight noise came from the room with the four little children; one of them was probably having trouble sleeping.

Xia Lin let out a long breath and closed his eyes.

"Let's talk about tomorrow tomorrow. Let's get some sleep tonight."

"Whose mother?" Bean Sprout suddenly asked.

Xia Lin turned his head and looked her up and down: "Dugu Jiaye's mother!"

(End of this chapter)