Hualing Snow

"You really want to leave?" The emperor looked at the pale and tired face of the person on the couch, and pursed his lips, "Stay in the capital, and I will let the best imperial doctor in the imperial hospital take care of you. Jizhou is not without opportunities."

Qin Zhixun barely suppressed the cough that was about to break through his throat, and cast his eyes on Baimei who was proudly isolated outside the window, his usually cold face was rarely soft, as if recalling some distant memories.

"Your body, I know it well...the Hualing plums are blooming, and the snow is about to fall. If you don't go...it will be too late."

The emperor paused, and all the unspoken persuasion and retention turned into a long sigh.

As the New Year approaches, the further north we go, the colder the weather becomes.Red lanterns of all sizes are hung under the eaves along the roadside, and the newly changed peach charms on the doors of every house add a bit of joy to the festival.Qin Zhixun's eyesight had deteriorated at this time, and he always saw things in a blur, as if covered by a veil.Fortunately, the fragrance of Hualing plums that always lingers in his nose also gave him some comfort.He held the flower branches in his hands, caressing them gently as if treating a supreme treasure—before he left, he asked the servant to support him, compared and asked repeatedly, and finally broke off the whitest flower with his own hands.

Although the carriage has tried its best to be stable while driving, it will inevitably encounter uneven roads with occasional bumps.Every time even the slightest shaking would bring a big shock to Qin Zhixun's sick body.After Qin Zhixun coughed up a big mouthful of blood again, the attendant who was driving finally couldn't help stopping the car, and persuaded tremblingly: "Master, let's stop and rest for a few days before leaving, huh? You are like this... You're like this, I'm afraid..."

"Cough...no problem." Qin Zhixun groped around on the car case, finally found an embroidered handkerchief, grabbed it tightly and wiped the blood on his lips casually, "This place is only three days away from Jizhou. Three days... . . . and I can still hold on."

The attendant couldn't help it, so he had to continue to drive forward, but his movements were cautious again and again.There was also a rare coughing sound in the car, but I don't know if it was really all right, or I endured it myself.

On the evening of the third day, the carriage finally drove into the gate of Jizhou.This city that had been destroyed by the flames of war did not show any sign of dilapidation at this time.Although the streets made of bluestone slabs often have gaps and damage, it does not affect the vendors and peddlers who are selling New Year's goods in the streets and alleys.The young children played in groups of three and four, taking out some cheap snacks from their bosoms from time to time.Today is the New Year's Eve, a beautiful scene and a festive season, it is really a world of fireworks.

The carriage that had been running around for more than a month stopped in front of an inn, and as soon as it stopped, the attendant hurriedly jumped down, opened the curtain, and wanted to carry Qin Zhixun upstairs.Qin Zhixun half-closed his eyes, his pale face was flushed abnormally, it was obvious that he had a high fever.When the attendant stretched out his hand, he pushed it away with the last of his strength, and only grasped the empty space in the car with his hand indiscriminately.

"Plum blossom... my Hualing plum..."

The attendant had a sour nose, picked up the flower branch that had long since died, and carefully placed it in Qin Zhixun's hands.Qin Zhixun held the flower branch tightly, unaware of its ruin, with a childish and satisfied smile on his face.

"Master, you rest here, and I will go to the city to find the best doctor for you."

The attendant gently placed Qin Zhixun on the couch, covered him with the brocade quilt brought from his own mansion, wiped away his tears, and hurried out.

Qin Zhixun seemed unaware of his departure. In fact, he had almost lost his ability to perceive the outside world since yesterday. He woke up and fell asleep, and his consciousness became hazy.Now I rushed to Jizhou with my strength, and the moment my heart relaxed, the drowsiness came more and more frequently and deeply.

"Shu Ran..."

He muttered in a low voice, always thinking that it would be more fluent to call him by his first and last name.When he opened his mouth again, a mouthful of fishy sweetness stopped him from speaking.

Fortunately...he still has Hua Lingmei.

Qin Zhixun raised his fingertips with difficulty, tapped on the flower branches, and smiled foolishly.When I was drowsy, I was also a little puzzled and thankful-it has been more than a month since I left the industry, why is this flower always blooming unbeaten, and this fragrance is always inexhaustible?

Half asleep and half awake, the surroundings became a little dark, it turned out that night had quietly fallen.However, the street outside the window is a lively scene.Excited people flocked to the street to congratulate each other on the long-lost peace. Fireworks were set off in every household.

A gust of wind blew from outside the window, and it fell on the side of Qin Zhixun's face with a bit of coldness.

"It's snowing! It's snowing!"

The joyful shout of the child at the end of the street was like a flash of lightning, flashing across Qin Zhixun's already confused consciousness.He woke up suddenly from sleepiness, his whole body shivered.Snowing?

"Is the flying snow in Jizhou comparable to the icy whiteness of plum blossoms and jade bones in Hualing?"

A deep sigh seemed to ring in my ears again, in my heart, in my dream, floating between the upper and lower white worlds.

Qin Zhixun was trembling all over, even his lips were trembling.He groped for the table beside the couch, and tried his best to straighten up.His fingertips brushed over the white porcelain cup on the table, knocking it over inadvertently, the sound of the white porcelain breaking was as crisp as jade and stones colliding, Qin Zhixun didn't notice the half-cold tea splashing a few drops of water.

He finally braced himself up, turned his head with difficulty and looked out the window, his eyes widened.

Just a stone's throw away is the answer.

He's here for an appointment.

It was black.A completely black as ink.

His eyes could no longer see anything.

Qin Zhixun collapsed on the couch in a daze, gasping for breath, as if the last bit of strength in his body had been drained.He thought of a lot, thinking of the lonely Hualing plum tree in front of the court, thinking of the wild and unruly words in the Shuifeng Pavilion, thinking of the childish and sweet songs in the east of Nanguo City... He thought of a lot, but it seemed like Think nothing of it.

Did he keep the appointment, or did he fail the appointment?

In a daze, he was unable to distinguish.

"How..."

The eyes were lightly closed, and there was a sound that seemed to be there, and it escaped into the vast world.