#995 - Regret and cherish
The next day, early in the morning.
As dawn broke, the alley was already filled with the elite of the Heavenly Dog Army, clad in armor and holding weapons.
Several carriages were parked outside the courtyard gate, all luggage loaded onto them, including the large wooden cabinet Yang Liu Shi had previously bought.
Although Su Qi had only formally ascended the throne yesterday, and despite the major event that had occurred last night, Wei Changtian still decided to return to Great Shu as originally planned.
After all, the new dynasty was established, Guan Kong was dead, and there was no point in him staying here.
As for Qin Zhengqiu...
Wei Changtian believed that if his grandfather really wanted to do something, his location wouldn't make much of a difference.
“Young Master, Madam, everything is packed and ready for departure.”
In the front hall of the small courtyard, Zhang San bowed and said, “Lord Su is leading people this way, likely wanting to see you off.”
“Tell him to go back.”
Wei Changtian took a sip of tea, waving his hand. “His status is different now. What would it look like for him to see me off?”
“Yes, sir, I will go and deliver the message.”
Nodding, he retreated from the room, Zhang San's footsteps quickly fading away.
Wei Changtian then looked around the small courtyard where he had lived for more than half a month, finished his tea in one gulp, and prepared to leave.
This time, Li Zimu, Xu Sui Sui, Xu Quan, Zhi Li, and everyone else would leave with him. They would first go to Fengyuan, and then a portion of them would follow him back to Great Shu.
Oh, except for the Four Great Evildoers, led by Duan Fangping.
Perhaps it was because they had recently been helping Su Qi deal with the “remnants of the previous dynasty” that the four suddenly no longer simply enjoyed killing and doing evil, but developed a great interest in the more advanced “art of killing” that is power.
This caused the other three, besides Duan Fangping, to want to stay in the newly established Great Han, hoping to become officials and experience the joy of holding power and controlling life and death.
Wei Changtian had no objection to this and even had Su Qi bestow official positions upon the three.
As for how these three evildoers would perform their duties as officials, that was no longer his problem to worry about.
“What’s wrong?”
Standing up, he looked at Yang Liu Shi, who seemed lost in thought. “What are you thinking about?”
“Oh, I was thinking about Miss Cheng.”
Yang Liu Shi stood up as well. “Husband, aren't you going to see her again before we leave?”
“Cui’er?”
Wei Changtian was taken aback, having almost forgotten about it. He couldn't help but laugh, “What would I see her for? To see if she and He Jing have broken up?”
“I’m just afraid that some people might remember later... Ah, never mind, husband, just pretend I didn’t say anything.”
Yang Liu Shi pouted. “Let’s go.”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
“...”
Stepping out of the small courtyard, Wei Changtian looked back once more, then bent down and climbed into the carriage.
With a gesture from Zhang San, the convoy immediately began to move slowly, heading towards the alley entrance in the morning sun.
Once he left this time, Wei Changtian knew that he wouldn't be back for at least a few years.
It wasn't that he felt any reluctance.
It was just that he felt like he was sometimes too rushed, always arriving at a place, handling business, and then leaving, without even having time to see the local customs and conditions of the world.
This time, returning to Great Shu, if possible, he should perhaps rest.
At least he should stay safely and accompany Liang Qin to give birth to the child.
Early July, three months away from winter.
The thought that he would become a father in just three months made Wei Changtian feel caught off guard.
But then again, it was also something to look forward to.
If he hadn't transmigrated, he probably would have been far from this step...
“Wait, wait a moment!”
“...”
“Halt!”
The steed halted, and the convoy actually stopped.
Immediately afterward, with a wave of Zhang San's hand, several soldiers of the Heavenly Dog Army withdrew their long sabers that were blocking Cui'er's path, watching as the latter lifted her skirt and ran towards one of the carriages.
“Young Master Wei, Madam, are, are you leaving...?”
Hurrying to Wei Changtian and Yang Liu Shi, who had already gotten out of the carriage, Cui'er's cheeks were somewhat red.
“Yes.”
Wei Changtian glanced at her and smiled, “Miss Cui’er, if you and Brother He have the opportunity to go to Great Shu in the future, you can find me in Shuzhou City. I will definitely do my best as a host.”
Not only did he get out of the carriage, but he also said such a thing.
Regardless of whether Wei Changtian was just being polite, it at least showed that he still regarded Cui'er and He Jing as friends.
Looking again from afar at He Jing, who was standing at the courtyard gate, seemingly too afraid to come forward, Wei Changtian cupped his fist in the distance, then turned to get back into the carriage.
However, just then, Cui'er suddenly said hesitantly:
“Young Master Wei, although I don’t know what the relationship is between you and that Miss You, I understand that there must be something you can’t let go of.”
“If, if you don’t mind, I, perhaps, can help you untie the knot in your heart.”
“You, you only need to tell me what to do, and I am willing to try anything...”
Looking up at Wei Changtian, Cui'er's tone was stammering, but her expression was very serious.
Wei Changtian was stunned when he heard these words, but he quickly understood what she meant.
Clearly, Cui'er wanted to "pretend" to be You Jia to fulfill some of his "regrets," thereby repaying his "kindness of not taking advantage."
For example, if he felt guilty towards You Jia, he could have Cui'er "say" something like "I forgive you" on You Jia's behalf.
“Hahaha, thank you for your kindness.”
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Wei Changtian certainly wouldn't do such self-deceiving things, so he simply refused, “I don’t have any knots in my heart, and I don’t need you to do anything.”
“Is that so...”
Cui'er opened her mouth, seemingly not fully believing Wei Changtian's words.
She hesitated for a moment, then suddenly pulled out the peach blossom hairpin from her hair and held it out.
“Then, then please accept this.”
“...”
Looking at the peach blossom pendant blooming in the sunlight, Wei Changtian was silent for a short while this time.
But in the end, he still didn't accept the hairpin, but said softly:
“Miss Cui’er, I remember you said that the reason you like this hairpin is because it was given to you by Brother He.”
“Yes, yes...”
Cui'er lowered her head, a trace of loneliness flashing in her eyes.
“Then you should keep it well.”
Smiling, Wei Changtian's voice was not loud, as if there were some complex emotions in it. “Otherwise, you might regret it in the future.”
“Say goodbye to Brother He for me. We will meet again if fate allows.”
“...”
Leaving the last sentence, Wei Changtian turned and got into the carriage.
Under Cui'er's blank gaze, the carriage quickly drove out of the alley, turned a corner, and disappeared.
Cui'er gently clenched the peach blossom hairpin in her hand, and when she looked back, she saw He Jing, who was hesitating outside the courtyard gate, wanting to come over, but not daring to, with a struggling expression on his face.
She bit her lip, and then her eyes suddenly became moist for no reason.
“Young, Young Master!”
“...”
Life is not a script, and rarely has a perfect ending.
So sometimes, if everything is really satisfactory, you won’t know how to cherish it.
