Der Himmel über den Flüssen und Seen ist sehr klar

Kapitel 43

Liang Ge kowtowed to Danmei again, his face streaked with tears when he looked up. He sobbed, "Mother, my aunt doesn't have much time left. I want to stay and keep her company for the last few days. Please grant me permission, Mother."

Danmei sighed and asked the nun who had been staring blankly at the scene. The nun snapped out of her daze and hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Madam. There are still empty rooms in that courtyard. If there isn't enough room, there are other empty rooms available. Just don't mind that the mountain setting is simple."

Danmei thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. She also told the two maids who had come with her to stay and serve her. After the meal, she gave Liang Ge some instructions, and seeing that he nodded in agreement, she got into her carriage and left. That evening, she told Xu Jinrong what had happened. He was silent for a long time before finally saying, "She only now realizes how to behave... but it's too late."

Three days later, news came from Jingyin Nunnery that Aunt Zhou had died. Xu Jinrong ordered his men to find a nearby auspicious burial site and give her a proper burial. When Liang Ge was brought back, seeing his haggard appearance, Xu Jinrong finally said, "Don't blame me for being heartless, but I didn't allow her to be buried in my ancestral cemetery. It's just that Sister Hui, whom she harmed, is already there. I think even she herself wouldn't want to go back."

Liang shook his head and said in a low voice, "I am already very grateful that I stayed with her until the end. I will definitely be a good person in the future, so that she will know that I am making her proud."

Xu Jinrong was taken aback, as if he were meeting this son for the first time in his life. He patted his shoulder heavily, nodded, turned and left, his steps very light.

***

Two months later, a fleet of large ships departed from Huaichu Wharf, hoisting their sails and heading east towards Qingmen in Tongzhou Prefecture.

Danmei and Xu Jinrong stood at the stern, watching the cabin of the following boat. Inside, a woman dressed festively sat with Sister Hui, embroidering a pattern, and the two occasionally spoke in hushed tones. Nearby, Xiaobao was squatting down, feeding the increasingly arrogant white goose with vegetable leaves in his hand. As he fed it, he waved to Brother Liang and said, "Brother, don't be afraid. If you feed it a few more times, it will recognize you and naturally won't bite you anymore."

Although Liang-ge's health isn't quite good yet, his condition has improved considerably since he's been going out more often. He still remembers the burning pain when the big white goose pecked his hand, but he's too embarrassed to embarrass himself in front of his younger brother, so he mustered his courage, moved closer, and offered him a piece of vegetable...

A gust of wind blew, ruffling Danmei's hair. Xu Jinrong withdrew his gaze from the people in the cabin, looked down at her, and smiled, "It's windy, let's go inside. I have something to tell you, but don't jump up when you hear it."

Danmei glanced at him, turned and went back into the cabin, then laughed and said, "What earth-shattering thing could make me jump up like that? You underestimate me too much."

Xu Jinrong sat down, beckoned her to sit on his lap, embraced her affectionately for a moment, and then said, "My term of office in Huaichu Prefecture is about to end, and I have been thinking about something these past few days. I want to send a document to the capital, stating that my elderly mother lives in the countryside, and I am her only son. Although I always think of serving the court, filial piety has always been the most important virtue. Therefore, after I finish my term and go to the capital to report on my duties, I ask His Majesty to take pity on my filial piety and allow me to return to my hometown to serve my mother until her death. His Majesty values filial piety the most, and I am sure he will not reject my document."

Before he could finish speaking, Danmei suddenly looked up and bumped into his chin: "What did you say?"

Xu Jinrong clutched his chin and hissed, "Wife, you said you wouldn't jump..."

Danmei ignored his joke and opened her eyes wide to ask, "You mean you won't be an official anymore?"

Xu Jinrong hummed in response, reaching out to stroke a strand of hair at her temple, and slowly said, "When I was young, my family fell into decline, leaving me an orphan and a widow. I was despised by the villagers, so I vowed that one day I would rise to high office, making others bow to my nose, only then would my life have not been in vain. For this vow, I have painstakingly built my career over the past few decades, committing countless ruthless acts, causing countless families to be destroyed and countless enemies to be enslaved because of me, the consequences of which still linger today. Since I married you, I have used your influence to rise to prominence, and several years ago I was able to..." I've fulfilled my vow from years ago, but I've discovered that being in a high position isn't as wonderful as I imagined in my youth. Fortunately, you were by my side, which brought me much joy. Later, you left me, and although I defeated the Chong Prince's mansion, I was even more disheartened. I had long thought that if I could find you again, we would spend the rest of our lives together, never again getting involved in the entanglements of officialdom. Now that many troubles have been resolved, I naturally want to act according to my own heart. But I wonder what you think?

Danmei sat on his lap, lost in thought, pondering his words, unable to speak for a long time.

"You...do you dislike me like this?" Seeing her silence, Xu Jinrong assumed it was disapproval. Suppressing his disappointment, he asked cautiously, then added, "If you want me to remain an official, then I will continue to be one..."

Danmei suddenly reached out and covered his mouth, laughing: "Do you know what I just remembered? I remembered a long time ago, not long after we got married, I accidentally saw a book you were reading, about a certain gentleman in Chang'an and the pancake seller in a slum. The pancake seller said that when business gets big, your mind becomes complicated, and you no longer have the leisure to sing. I thought it was very true."

Xu Jinrong was taken aback, then burst into laughter, embracing her tightly and saying, "You truly are a discerning and insightful person! I only regret that I met you too late. With you by my side in this life, who needs that damn official position! Brother Yang has a second uncle. I've met him several times before, and we get along very well. He's a straightforward man who understands the ways of the world. He and his wife have traveled all over the country hand in hand, and I heard that they even went to Southeast Asia in the last two years, intending to settle there permanently. I envy them greatly. When my mother passes away, I also want to travel the world with you, seeing all the mountains and rivers. Would you be willing to come with me?"

Looking at his radiant face, Danmei sighed happily, nestled her face against his chest, hugged his waist tightly, and whispered, "I do."

Yes, she was willing.