novelAbuy Chapter 51 The Flowers Fall, Helplessly
Chapter 51 The Flowers Fall, Helplessly
As November arrives, the wind howls outside, but inside it's warm and cozy.
Gao Xingzhou picked up an iron mesh and covered the brazier, placing a pot of wine on it: "If you can drink, you might as well have a cup to ward off the cold."
"Newly brewed wine with green foam, a small red clay stove. It turns out the general is a man of refined taste."
He was just a rough, uncouth soldier; what did he know about elegance? But Bai Juyi's two lines of poetry were well-known, and Gao Xingzhou had heard of them.
"I am not good at drinking, but since the general loves wine, I will drink with you."
Hua Jianxiu married at eighteen and became a widow at nineteen. In just one year, she transformed from an innocent girl from an ordinary family into someone who knew how to serve men.
Unable to find a wine glass, she took two rice bowls, filled them, lifted her skirt, knelt beside Gao Xingzhou, and offered him one of the bowls.
The two stood close together. Gao Xingzhou smelled a faint fragrance, took the bowl, and drank it down in large gulps. He found that the wine tasted sweeter than usual.
Hanamishu picked up another bowl; the wine was clear as water, mellow and sweet.
She took a small sip, probably not expecting the flavor to be so strong. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she rolled her eyes at Gao Xingzhou: "General, are you trying to get me drunk so you can do whatever you want with me?"
Gao Xingzhou explained earnestly, "This is Hedong Qianhe, a dry vinegar without water, so it's stronger than ordinary wine. If you can't drink it, don't force yourself."
Hua Jianxiu chuckled. After spending a few days with him, she knew that this man was just that kind of straightforward and honest person. It was precisely this honesty and reliability that won her favor. She swallowed a few gulps of wine, and her cheeks quickly flushed red.
"General, I'm drunk, please help me."
Hua Jianxiu tried to stand up, but her legs gave way and she fell into his arms. Gao Xingzhou gently caught her, letting her lean against his shoulder as if she were boneless.
The two spent every night in passionate embraces, their relationship growing increasingly intimate and familiar.
Hua Jianxiu boldly joked, "General, your courtesy name is Shangzhi. I wonder how many of those qualities you possess—Pan, Lu, Deng, Xiao, and Xian—are you?"
"Gao was of average appearance, short of money, and not particularly good-tempered. He was also busy with military affairs and had no free time."
Gao Xingzhou seemed to be answering seriously, but it wasn't quite the case: "I only have one outstanding strength."
Hua Jianxiu giggled, her body shaking with laughter, and stroked his strong chest, leaning her delicate body against him: "This humble servant greatly admires the General's simplicity and sincerity."
Gao Xingzhou, no longer rigid, reached into Hua Jianxiu's arms and said, "So, does my name, Xingzhou, mean that I will perform the rites of Zhou Gong with my wife?"
Hua Jianxiu, having brought this upon herself, giggled as she was touched: "I take back what I just said. General, you are quite adept at playing tricks."
Gao Xingzhou held her tightly and pushed her down onto the bed, and another passionate night ensued.
……
The next day, when she woke up, Hua Jianxiu served her a bowl of steaming hot mutton soup. The milky white broth was topped with daylily and gluten, and garnished with a few bright green scallions. It was both visually appealing and fragrant.
Gao Xingzhou took a sip, feeling warm and comforted, and was about to praise it when Hua Jianxiu brought out another plate of large flatbread, which looked to be at least two feet in diameter—quite a sight.
"Yesterday, when the general went out, I was kneading dough, and my back and legs are sore."
Hua Jianxiu, with her eyes full of allure, glanced at Gao Xingzhou and said, "If only you had the strength to rub me like the general did."
"..."
"May I borrow the general's short sword?"
Hua Jianxiu cut off a piece of cake and put it into the soup: "This cake is called Guokui, and it is a family recipe passed down by Nunu. Please, General, try it."
Gao Xingzhou scooped it up and put it in his mouth. He immediately felt that the flatbread was chewy and had not become loose after soaking in mutton soup. The flavor was excellent.
"My father taught me from a young age that I should never use cold water to knead dough, but warm water. No matter how many times I knead it, the dough must remain elastic."
Hua Jianxiu, her beautiful eyes sparkling, smiled charmingly: "Sometimes being a person is like making a cake, General, don't you agree?"
Gao Xingzhou took a bite of the flatbread, drank a sip of soup, gazed into her eyes, and slowly said, "This mutton soup with the flatbread is a match made in heaven. If I could eat it every day, I would be happy."
I'm almost forty, it's time to settle down and start a family.
Gao Xingzhou took out an exquisitely crafted gold hairpin and inserted it into Hua Jianxiu's hair.
Bianliang City is wealthy, and there are many opportunities to make a fortune. Now is the perfect time to use the gifts that his subordinates offer him as tribute.
He had genuinely fallen in love with the woman and was just waiting to return to his post. He would then inform his commander that he would definitely take her with him.
Then, they would get married in a proper ceremony, with Li Siyuan officiating and Ah San officiating. The wedding would be a grand and glorious affair.
As Gao Xingzhou described the future, Hua Jianxiu listened with a smile, saying that she had received a great deal of wealth from Liu Xun, so the two of them did not need to worry about their future livelihood.
As the sweet words deepened, she couldn't help but loosen her robe slightly and lift her skirt, filling the room with spring.
More than ten days of shameless fun passed.
November 12th, Renzi day.
Initially, Zhu Youzhen visited Luoyang, intending to offer sacrifices to Heaven, but the ceremony and ritual objects remained. Zhang Quanyi then requested permission to visit Luoyang, claiming that the ritual objects for the southern suburbs were already prepared.
Li Cunxu was overjoyed and granted his request to summon the emperor to Luoyang. He set the date for the 23rd day of the twelfth month to be the day of the morning audience at the Taiwei Palace, the 24th day to the morning audience at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the 25th day to the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice at the southern suburbs.
On this day, unexpected events occurred.
When Li Congke came to visit, Gao Xingzhou was all smiles and invited Hua Jianxiu to prepare food and wine to entertain his friend.
Hanami shyly agreed and went to take care of it. After spending more than a month together, the two were like a married couple for many years.
Gao Xingzhou couldn't wait to share the good news with his friend first: "Thanks to you, I'm planning to get married. I have to thank you, my cheap matchmaker."
Upon hearing this, Li Congke's expression darkened, and he hesitated to speak, as if there was something he found difficult to say.
Seeing that his expression was off, Gao Xingzhou stopped smiling and asked him what he wanted.
"You know that my godfather's legal wife, Madam Xia, passed away this year due to illness."
After much hesitation, Li Congke finally spoke.
Gao Xingzhou nodded, sensing something ominous.
Li Congke gritted his teeth and said the whole sentence: "My godfather is asking for a separate room, it's all An Conghui's fault for recommending...recommending..."
He pointed towards the kitchen. (Note 1)
Gao Xingzhou was struck by lightning.
If it were anyone else coveting Hua Jianxiu, Li Congke would have already come knocking on their door long ago, without him even having to lift a finger.
But if the object of affection were Li Siyuan, would Li Congke disobey his godfather for the sake of a woman?
Besides, Li Siyuan was a regional military commander, deputy commander-in-chief of the army, Grand Chancellor, and Duke of the State, holding a high position and great power.
Who am I? Just a mere subordinate officer under his command.
Even if Hua Jianxiu chose him regardless of social status or future prospects, how could she forget the kindness of Qi Jian's rescue and compete with Li Siyuan for a woman?
As various thoughts raced through his mind, Gao Xingzhou felt completely confused and didn't know what to do.
Suddenly, he saw Li Congke pointing in a certain direction. He turned his head with difficulty and looked in that direction.
Hua Jianxiu had returned sometime earlier, leaning against the door as if all her strength had dissipated and she might fall at any moment.
Their eyes met, and she smiled sadly, "This servant will leave everything to the General's discretion."
This was beyond her control, just like the day she was sent here. She could only let others do as they pleased and accept the arrangement of fate.
Gao Xingzhou's heart was churning like it was being boiled in hot oil.
Counting on my fingers, I've spent thirty-three days with Hua Jianxiu. I thought it would last for three lifetimes, but who knew we would have to part ways in the end.
"I sent them here, so I'll go and explain to my godfather! I can't just tear you two apart like this."
Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Li Congke stomped his foot and was about to get up and leave.
Gao Xingzhou grabbed him and slowly shook his head: Li Congke meant well, how can he risk offending Li Siyuan for his own happiness?
When Hua Jianxiu saw Gao Xingzhou's actions, the glimmer of hope in her eyes dimmed.
She also knew who Li Siyuan was; he was a big shot, someone Liu Xun had often mentioned before.
If Gao Xingzhou were resolute, he would be willing to take the gamble with him and hope to be together forever, but given Gao Xingzhou's current attitude...
Why put this man in a difficult position? Let me make the decision for him.
Hanami's gaze fell on the corner of the room.
When the two were deeply in love, Gao Xingzhou once said that he would carefully keep the sedan chair that carried her there, and keep it as a family heirloom when his children and grandchildren were gathered in the house.
"I can make cakes, but the general is just making empty promises."
Hearing these words filled with resentment, Gao Xingzhou opened his mouth as if to speak.
Hua Jianxiu had already turned her back to him and ignored him, saying calmly to Li Congke, "Please arrange for someone to escort me back to my residence."
……
A year later, Gao Xingzhou got married.
The following year, their eldest daughter was born and named Huaixuan. Their family then flourished, with the eldest son Huaide and the second son Huailiang. (Note 2)
Daylily, also known as deer onion, fertile angelica, and forget-me-not, is also the daylily in that bowl of mutton soup.
The poem says: Where can I find the forget-me-not to plant behind my house? I long for my beloved, for it makes my heart ache.
The daylily, also known as the dandelion, is associated with heartache and illness caused by worry and anxiety.
This beautiful and passionate affair, which ended in a tragic separation, was buried deep in Gao Xingzhou's heart for more than ten years, and he never told anyone about it.
Today, recalling past events, I thought I had forgotten them, but who knew that once they were stirred up from the bottom of my heart, they were still so vivid, without fading in the slightest.
The imperial harem was filled with three thousand beauties, with the Empress second only to the Empress. Among them, the four consorts—Noble, Virtuous, Gentle, and Wise—were the most respected.
The woman was first granted the title of Consort De, then promoted to Consort Shu, and is now the widow of the late emperor, holding the extremely prestigious title of Imperial Dowager.