diskusbooks Chapter 258 Name Seal
Chapter 258 Name Seal
The room was warm from the underfloor heating, and Bai Zhi draped a fox fur cloak over him. Before long, Lin Chuqi felt warm all over. He smiled faintly and said, "Sister, I promised to wear thin clothes with her."
“You should wear more clothes as needed. It’s not like I’m making you wear fox and rabbit clothes. What’s wrong with adding two cotton coats? When have I ever deprived myself of food or clothing?” Bai Zhi got out of bed and rummaged through her clothes chest, muttering as she did so. “I just bought a few cotton undergarments yesterday… Oh, here they are. You can put these on later. How much silver does Wei Fuguang give you a month? I’ll give you fifty taels to keep you warm.”
Lin Chuqi obediently let Bai Zhi help him put on his clothes, but pushed the money back: "I get one string of cash every month, which is enough for me."
"What can you do with a normal amount of money?" Bai Zhi forced the money into Lin Chuqi's pocket. "It's not like being at home when you're away from home. You need money for everything. Take this."
Lin Chuqi had no choice but to obediently accept: "Okay."
Bai Zhi sighed: "I wonder how Qiaoqiao is doing now, whether she has enough money. She said in her letter that she has something to do, and she was being very secretive. I don't know what she's doing."
“I saw her a while ago, she’s fine, and she has all the money she brought from home with her. We don’t need to worry about her, she always knows what she’s going to do.” Lin Chuqi paused, then said, “Now I know too, so you don’t need to worry about me, sister.”
Bai Zhi stroked his hair and laughed, "You really don't want to be a teacher anymore?"
"I don't know, but I feel at peace with myself now."
"Okay, that's good."
"Sister, I have something to give you." Lin Chuqi took out a small cloth bag from her bosom and solemnly handed it to Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi opened the cloth bag with a puzzled look. Inside was a name seal, with the four characters "Seal of Bai Zhi" neatly engraved on the bottom. The material was exactly the same as the original, only shorter. A smooth gold mark ran down the middle, as if two pieces of broken jade had been pieced together with gold.
Lin Chuqi explained, "The jade that Mother used was too hard to find. Qiaoqiao and I racked our brains and each carved out a piece of the name seal we had, and then found a metal craftsman to combine them together to make a new name seal for you."
The gold-plated seal was smooth and even to the touch, with clean and even engravings on the bottom. Bai Zhi held the seal tightly in her hand, touching it repeatedly, her nose feeling a little sore and hot: "This time I will definitely keep it close to my body and never lose it again."
Lin Chuqi looked at her seriously: "Sister, it doesn't matter if you lose it. You can make a new one if you lose it, and if you lose the new one, you can make an even newer one."
Bai Zhi pursed her lips and nodded emphatically.
After exchanging a few more words, Lin Chuqi left. Bai Zhi clutched the new name seal and lay on the bed, feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions, yet also a profound sense of openness, as if the vastness of the world were contained within her heart.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't stay at home any longer. She tucked her name seal close to her body, dressed warmly, and went out.
There's a place she wants to go.
Today marks the day of Wushamon's beheading and the victory in the great battle. Many people are celebrating in the streets, with firecrackers being set off every few houses. Baizhi bought a gourd of tea at a teahouse, stepped over the fallen red petals, and walked briskly towards the outskirts of the city.
The further she walked, the fewer people there were, and the more trees there were. When she reached a dense patch of vines, Bai Zhi slowed down and carefully examined each tree. The vines bloom and bear fruit every month, and now it was the time when the first batch of half-ripe fruit had just been picked. Only a few fruits remained on the trees, and the bright yellow vine flowers were in full bloom.
Finally, Bai Zhi stopped under the sturdiest tree, circled the tree and found a tombstone with only one character "Tao" on it.
This is the inscription she carved. She didn't know Madam Tao's real name, so she could only carve her surname.
Bai Zhi sat cross-legged in front of the tombstone, untied the gourd from her waist, and slowly poured a cup of tea: "Miss Bai Zhi, Madam Tao, I offer you both tea in place of wine. Miss Bai Zhi, I have done what you asked me to do. Qiao Qiao has been freed from her slave status and has found a good partner named Qiao Yuanshan, a general. Although he is a bit older, I think Qiao Qiao likes him quite a bit. Qiao Qiao has also passed the imperial examination and become a craftsman. Sometimes it's tiring, but she has a title and a skill, and I have money to support her, so it's enough. I have also avenged your death. I mentioned it to you last time. Aunt Song was killed along with the Gu family, and this time Ge Zhen is also dead. Although you didn't ask me to avenge you, I also have a grudge against Ge Zhen, not just you. Now you can rest in peace, right?"
After a pause, Bai Zhi took out a small cloth bag from her bosom and showed it her new name seal: "Look, this is from Qiaoqiao and Chuqi. The two children each contributed half of the jade to make this name seal for me. I'm living a very good life now. I have everything I didn't have in my past life. I haven't let you down with the life you gave me." She only showed it briefly before carefully putting the name seal back. "So many years have passed. I wonder if you've been reborn into a good family. Miss Bai Zhi, I wish you and Madam Tao both a life of luxury, with good food and lodging, and all your wishes fulfilled. I'll be returning to Qizhou soon. When I come back to Ningzhou, I will definitely come to see you."
After serving a gourd of tea, Bai Zhi stood up, bowed deeply to the tombstone, and then began her journey back.
There were many things to deal with after the war, and Chu Yunchuan worked from dawn till dusk for several days. He then had to return to the Yanxi Army's garrison. The weather was too cold, and Bai Zhi originally didn't want to come along, but the night before their departure, Chu Yunchuan let down his long, dark hair, wore a thin white cotton shirt, and his eyes were bright and clear in the candlelight. He only said one sentence to Bai Zhi: "Bai Zhi, Master, come with me."
Bai Zhi immediately began packing her luggage.
After the carriage procession arrived at the Yanxi army's camp, Chu Yunchuan placed Bai Zhi in his royal tent and ordered people to burn enough charcoal.
In the evening, King Jing held a grand feast for his army.
The meal was very simple and straightforward, with thousands of tables set up, each with a roasted lamb. There were also hundreds of cartloads of wine transported from Enzhou, but each table only received three jars, just to celebrate the troops.
Chu Yunchuan and Lu Jiliang sat at a separate table, while the other generals and soldiers found their own seats. Bai Zhi, wanting to enjoy the mutton to her heart's content and unsure what to say to Lu Jiliang upon seeing him again, simply mingled with Qiao Wanwan.
The soldiers drank and sang loudly, making Chu Yunchuan's side seem a little lonely.
Lu Jiliang raised his glass: "Your Highness Prince Jing, I toast you."
Chu Yunchuan gladly clinked glasses with him.
After a few drinks, Lu Jiliang was already slightly tipsy. He said, "Your Highness, why don't you sit at the same table with the soldiers? You are approachable in the army, and you should enjoy yourself with them now."
Chu Yunchuan glanced at the soldiers laughing and joking not far away: "No matter how approachable I am, I am still Prince Jing. It's inevitable that I'll feel awkward sitting at the same table with you." He poured himself another glass of wine and suddenly smiled, "Fortunately, I won't be Prince Jing for long."
"Can that Lord Wei really take over your position?"
"Even her elder brother, the emperor, wants to reduce the power of the princes. What difference does it make whether she accepts it or not?"
“Your Highness, please be careful with your words.” Lu Jiliang paused for a moment and said in a low voice, “I promised Your Highness that I would intervene before His Majesty to reduce the power of the vassal states without bloodshed. Your Highness should not forget what you promised me.”
"Abdicate obediently and don't worry your elder brother." Chu Yunchuan raised an eyebrow and said, "Lord Lu, let me make this clear from the start: if your elder brother still intends to target the thirteen provinces..."
Lu Jiliang continued, "At that time, all land under heaven will belong to the emperor, so why does Your Majesty point your sword at your own subjects?"
A moment later, the two smiled at each other and lightly clinked their porcelain cups together.