In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 625 A Beautiful Woman in the Snow

Outside Daning City, snowflakes fluttered down like goose feathers, turning the world into a silvery white expanse.

A biting wind howled past, making the withered grass by the roadside tremble.

Lu Yunyi rushed over with Liu Heiying.

The convoy in the distance was very long, moving slowly through the white snow curtain, like a winding dragon.

Some carriages had already stopped by the roadside, and the servants inside were getting off one after another.

They were so cold they were stamping their feet.

The exhaled hot air instantly condensed into puffs of white mist in front of my eyes.

When they looked at Lu Yunyi, everyone was filled with disbelief.

They seemed unable to believe that the person in front of them was the same master they knew.

At that moment, a beautifully decorated carriage slowly approached, before it had even come to a complete stop.

The car door was then gently pushed open.

A warm, cozy atmosphere wafted out of the car.

A woman wearing a fox fur cloak, without waiting for her maid's help,
He jumped down eagerly, his movements nimble.

Snowflakes fell on her dark hair, like tiny pearls.

Her eyes were clear, but in the two years since they last met, they had become more profound and filled with longing.

Liu Wanyi raised her head.

Amidst the swirling snowflakes, Lu Yunyi could be spotted standing not far away.

In an instant, her eyes reddened, and tears welled up in them.

Lu Yunyi, unable to contain his excitement, strode towards Liu Wanyi.

He walked quickly, completely ignoring the snow under his feet.

"Wanyi!"

The sound was especially loud in the snow.

Liu Wanyi heard that familiar voice,
Tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks, leaving faint tear tracks on the snow.

"Husband!"

She rushed over and, under everyone's gaze, embraced Lu Yunyi tightly.

"Wanyi, it's been two years since I last saw you. You've suffered so much."

Lu Yunyi gently reached out his hand.

He gently brushed the snowflakes off her shoulders with tender movements.

Liu Wanyi shook her head, large tears rolling down her cheeks.

"It's not hard for me, it's my husband who's suffering!"
"Being able to see my husband makes everything worthwhile."

She raised her hand, wanting to touch Lu Yunyi's face.

But it stopped in mid-air, as if it couldn't believe it was real.

Seeing this, Lu Yunyi took her hand and placed it on his face.

"What, have I become even more handsome?"

"I've become uglier, older, and darker."

Liu Wanyi cried and muttered to herself, laughing and crying at the same time.

However, a wave of heartache immediately washed over Liu Wanyi.
He gently stroked the cracks on Lu Yunyi's face.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and Liu Wanyi couldn't help but shiver.

Upon seeing this, Lu Yunyi immediately took off his cloak and gently draped it over her shoulders.

"It's so cold, why aren't you wearing more clothes?"

Liu Wanyi looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion:

Seeing you warms my heart.

Liu Heiying, standing to the side, shuddered.
I felt goosebumps all over my body, and my scalp tingled.

The image of Liu Wanyi as a virtuous wife and loving mother before my eyes...
She was completely different from the spoiled and unruly person he remembered!

Liu Wanyi noticed his reaction and immediately glared at him.

Although tears still clung to his face, his expression had taken on a more mocking tone.

"Hey, isn't this Liu the Black Pig?"

Liu Heiying's smiling face froze instantly, as did some of his personal guards.

Feng Yunfang and Hu Xiaowu immediately stopped smiling.

"Uh, who is Black Pig? I don't know him." Liu Heiying scratched his head.

Back in Qingzhou, as the eldest daughter of the prefect's family, Liu Wanyi often teased him.

She was the one who gave him the nickname "Black Pig".

Now that the old story has been brought up again, Liu Heiying feels even more uneasy.

Liu Wanyi looked him up and down, nodded slightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she smiled.

"His appearance hasn't changed; he's still just as dark-skinned."

Immediately afterwards, Liu Wanyi looked at Feng Yunfang.

"Hey, isn't this Yuanfang? You've grown so tall!"

Feng Yun looked embarrassed and unconsciously took a step back.

To this day, he still doesn't understand how the nickname "Yuanfang" ended up on him.
They had no idea who this "Yuanfang" was.

"Big sister, I am Yun Fang."

“Yuanfang is Yuanfang.”

As she spoke, Liu Wanyi coughed lightly, deliberately making her voice rough.

"Yuanfang, what do you think?"

Feng Yunfang took another step back, and Hu Xiaowu followed suit.

"Hahaha."

Seeing his appearance, Lu Yunyi burst into laughter.

"Alright, let's go, let's get into the city first, it's too cold outside."

At this moment, the snow fell even heavier.

Large snowflakes fluttered down and landed on everyone's shoulders.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

In Liu Wanyi's motorcade,
The drivers had already re-harnessed the horses and were ready to set off.

Lu Yunyi did not ride a horse, but instead got into the carriage with Liu Wanyi.

As soon as they entered the carriage, Liu Wanyi sat in Lu Yunyi's lap and hugged his neck tightly.

"My dear husband, you've been gone for almost two years. I've been waiting for you so long."

"Madam, you have worked hard."

“Not hard work”

Liu Wanyi gently stroked Lu Yunyi's hair.

She helped him pluck out the exposed white hairs, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"Husband, you look so old."

I clearly remember that you are only one month older than me.

"Exposed to wind and sun, serving in the army and fighting wars"

If he still looks like that pale-faced young man, it won't be proper, and it will be difficult to convince the public.

As Lu Yunyi spoke,

He helped Liu Wanyi sit on his lap and then leaned his face closer.

"Look, your husband is already preparing to grow a beard."
"It's just that this beard grows too slowly; it's been accumulating for a long time and still hasn't taken shape."

Liu Wanyi sighed softly, her red eyes filled with sorrow.

"Husband, you are so young, why are you in such a hurry?"

If my husband really wants to grow a beard, he should spend more time on me and my sisters.

I've long heard that sexual relations between men and women help one grow a beard.

After saying that, a mischievous glint flashed in Liu Wanyi's eyes.

"Husband, aren't they beautiful?"

"Uh"

The topic suddenly changed, and Lu Yunyi felt a little awkward, so he nodded slightly.

"They are all daughters of respectable families, and quite beautiful."

How does it compare to me?

Lu Yunyi carefully examined Liu Wanyi's face, his expression solemn, and finally nodded slightly.

"You are prettier."

Liu Wanyi pursed her lips.

"My husband, you've become quite the smooth talker now that you're an official. You used to always say I had no breasts and no butt when we were kids."

Lu Yunyi felt increasingly embarrassed and scratched his head lightly.

"What did I know when I was a child? Now my wife has a graceful figure, and I really think she is even more beautiful."

As he spoke, he nodded solemnly.

"Perhaps it's because we've known each other for so long? We've gotten used to each other?"

Liu Wanyi's mouth gaped open and her eyes widened:

"Fine, say I'm ugly!"

Lu Yunyi burst into hearty laughter:

"Hahahaha, how could the lady be ugly?"

But you're just like you were when you were little, so silly.

"Humph!"

Liu Wanyi's breathing quickened slightly, but she didn't argue with him and instead said something.

"My husband, the New Year is almost here."
Should we bring our parents to Daning, or should we head back?
When I leave, I wish to bring my father and mother with me.

But his father said that the schoolwork wasn't finished yet, and they would make plans after it ended at the end of the year.

Oh, and there's that little girl Qiuhe too.
She was too embarrassed to come along and said she wanted to stay with her mother.

Lu Yunyi suddenly fell silent.
The atmosphere in the carriage became heavy, and after a long while, he sighed heavily.

"Madam, returning home in wealth and honor is like wearing brocade at night."

However, there are just too many things to do in Da Ning, so I'm afraid I can't leave.

If we rush back at the end of the year, it will be a very tiring journey for Madam."

Liu Wanyi understood what he meant and nodded gently.

"Then we'll bring my parents here so they can see the beautiful scenery of Daning."

My husband, you may not know this, but the mountains along the way were covered in snow, it was truly beautiful.

The poem says, "The shady slopes of Zhongnan Mountain are beautiful, with snow piled up like clouds," which is absolutely true.

"Wow, how come you can recite poems?"

Lu Yunyi was somewhat surprised.

Liu Wanyi rolled her eyes at him. "My husband, I am also a lady from a respectable family. I am skilled in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess."

"Good, good, good, Madam is really something. I'll deal with you when we get home."

Liu Wanyi's cheeks were slightly flushed, and her beautiful eyes were watery.

"My husband, you are truly amazing."

It's amazing that he's achieved this at such a young age.

The people of Gyeongju talk about you all the time.

Because of you, my father's school has enrolled many more students.

"Oh? It seems that after establishing trade with the grasslands..."
Many villagers are now living better lives and can afford their tuition fees.

Lu Yunyi raised an eyebrow, recalling the thick student roster his father had given him.

Most of those people have now become the backbone of the military; the saying "relying on fellow villagers when you're away from home" is absolutely true.

"Husband, don't you know?"

My father no longer charges tuition for his school.

Anyone who is willing to learn can come to the school.
The prefectural government even built a special academy for this purpose, called Qingzhou Academy.

Liu Wanyi's voice was gentle, with a hint of surprise.

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

"Father didn't mention it at all in his letter. And you previously said that the academy was built by the government?"

Liu Wanyi nodded slightly.

"My lord, you are unaware of this, but merchants often bring news of you."

Seeing you rise through the ranks, the villagers are eager to send their sons to join the army immediately.

This really gave the government office a headache.

It was only after his father intervened and persuaded him to go back.

And my father also said,

If someone goes to war completely illiterate, they'll only ever be a lowly soldier, no matter how many times they serve.

Later, the school became free, and eventually, even tuition fees were no longer charged.

As more and more children were sent to the government office, the government built an academy.

Now, children from all around came, and many people from the grasslands also came.

My father is now a renowned scholar in the surrounding area of ​​Qingzhou.

"Some things that even the government office can't handle, my father can get them done as soon as he steps in."

"what?"

A big question mark appeared above Lu Yunyi's head.

He has this kind of...
After working hard and struggling outside for a long time, I came home to find that my father had become successful.

He looked dazed and muttered to himself:

"If that's the case, then Father really won't be able to get away."
I thought he was still only teaching those dozen or so students.

"No way, that kid is almost 300."

My father somehow found a few scholars to teach with him.

Lu Yunyi was even more shocked; for those stubborn scholars,

At most, the imperial court would settle them in Beiping.

Getting them to leave the pass is as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Qingzhou, which was almost the northernmost part of the territory that the Ming Dynasty could control, was actually visited by scholars.

"Father, you really are capable."

"That's natural. I heard from my father..."
The first batch of successful candidates in the imperial examinations in the third year of the Hongwu reign are now all high-ranking officials in the imperial court.

If my father were to enter officialdom, I might never have met my husband.

Lu Yunyi nodded in deep agreement.
At this moment, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and Liu Heiying's voice came from outside.

"Brother Yun'er, we're home."

Lu Yunyi smiled.

"Let's go, Madam, let me introduce you to Ting'er and Lingyun."

"it is good"

At this moment, Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun were already standing at the entrance of the Lu residence.

Seeing the carriage curtain slightly lifted, both of them became somewhat nervous.

Deng Lingyun shrank her head even further.

He carefully grabbed a corner of Mu Chuting's clothes.

"Sister, I'm a little scared."

A rare hint of nervousness appeared in Mu Chuting's eyes, and she pursed her lips slightly.

"I'm not afraid."

Soon, the two men were surprised to see a beautiful woman alighting from the carriage.

"So beautiful?"

The two had previously thought that,
The beautiful women of northern Xinjiang would only be considered ordinary in the south.

But after seeing it today, they realized they had been living in a well and had a limited perspective.

The woman before me lacked the gentle grace of women from Jiangnan.
On the contrary, she possesses a certain boldness characteristic of northern women.

His facial features were extremely regular, and together they exuded a sense of majesty.

Moreover, the woman in front of him was tall and slender, instantly arousing a strong desire to conquer her.
Even they themselves had to admit that

With her husband's tall stature, she is a perfect match for such a woman.
"Come here, let me introduce you," Lu Yunyi's voice rang out.

The two of them came to their senses and quickly went over.

Liu Wanyi smiled as her gaze swept over Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun.

She noticed that Deng Lingyun was nervously clutching Mu Chuting's clothes, looking quite adorable.

Although Mu Chuting tried her best to remain calm, a hint of unease still lingered in her eyes.

“Ting’er, Lingyun, this is the lady I often mention, Liu Wanyi.”

Lu Yunyi spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity.

Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun quickly curtsied and said in unison.

"I met my sister."

Liu Wanyi quickly stepped forward, helping one of them up with each hand, her smile becoming even more warm and friendly.

"Get up quickly, you're being so formal."

From now on, we're all family, so there's no need to be so formal.

She took their hands and patted them gently, her eyes full of friendliness.

Deng Lingyun raised her head, secretly sized up Liu Wanyi, and mustered her courage to speak.

"My sister is so beautiful."
I've never seen such a radiant and beautiful woman, not even when I was in Yingtian.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wanyi couldn't help but laugh.

"You have such a sweet tongue. I think you're a clever and lovely girl."

As she spoke, she looked at Mu Chuting again.

"My younger sister looks dignified and elegant; she must be a calm and intelligent person."

"Thanks to my sister during this time, otherwise my husband wouldn't have been able to take good care of himself."

Mu Chuting blushed slightly and said softly.

"Sister, you flatter me. Compared to you, I still have many shortcomings."

Just then, a gust of cold wind blew by, and the two instinctively shrank their necks.

Upon seeing this, Lu Yunyi immediately spoke up.

"It's cold outside, let's come inside and have a nice meal tonight!"

Everyone nodded and walked into the mansion together.

Along the way, Liu Wanyi chatted casually with Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun.

From everyday trifles to the scenery of Jiangnan

Then, as they explored the local customs and culture of northern Xinjiang, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Upon entering the hall, the maids had already prepared hot tea.

Liu Wanyi picked up her teacup, took a small sip,
Feeling the warmth spread from my throat throughout my body, dispelling the winter chill.

She put down her teacup and her gaze fell on the layout of the hall.

The interior decoration was simple yet elegant, showcasing Lu Yunyi's taste in every detail.

“Husband, the furnishings in this mansion are quite elegant,” Liu Wanyi said, turning to Lu Yunyi.

Lu Yunyi smiled:

"It was all handled by Ting'er and Lingyun. I'm usually busy and haven't been able to manage it much."

Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun exchanged a glance and lowered their heads somewhat embarrassed.

Liu Wanyi saw this and felt even more favorably disposed towards the two of them.

"You two have worked very hard, managing the household so well."

"My sister has worked so hard, traveling all the way from Qingzhou."

Mu Chuting said.

"It's you who have worked hard."

One from Yunnan, the other from Nanjing, coming all the way to this place beyond the Great Wall, really…

Liu Wanyi sighed softly, shook her head, and looked at Lu Yunyi.

"My lord, you must not betray the sincere hearts of my two younger sisters, or I will not forgive you."

"That's natural."

Lu Yunyi straightened his back!
"only."

Liu Wanyi sighed, her eyes darting around, and shook her head with a hint of disappointment.

"My husband is so handsome, how come he only brought back two younger sisters after being away from home for two years?"

This is rather disappointing for me.
"My husband should find more women in the future, so the house will be lively."

These words created an awkward atmosphere.

Liu Wanyi, however, didn't seem to care at all, a smile playing on her lips.
He tilted his head at the two of them and raised an eyebrow.

"You've all experienced how powerful your husband is, haven't you? If you don't find more sisters, we'll be the ones suffering."

Mu Chuting and Deng Lingyun were somewhat overwhelmed, their faces turning as red as the setting sun.

"Oh dear, sister, you're talking about such embarrassing things."

Mu Chuting's voice trembled slightly.

Lu Yunyi sat to the side, watching them talk more and more outrageously.

"Alright, alright, Wanyi, go wash up first, we'll have dinner together later."

Today, I have finished dealing with the important matters in the military headquarters, so I will not go to the government office.

I'll deal with those troublesome things tomorrow!

(End of this chapter)