The capital, protected by three lines of defense, had still been driven to desperate straits by foreign invaders. Layer upon layer of long-term concerns and immediate worries pressed heavily on his heart. Fu Shen’s capacity was limited, and he felt momentarily suffocated. He sighed deeply, looked up at the sky, and happened to see a formation of wild geese flying across the vast expanse.
Fu Shen narrowed his eyes, estimated the distance, handed the empty bowl to Yu Qiaoting, stood up, took the longbow from his back, nocked an arrow, drew the bow, and aimed—
The arrow whooshed through the air. Moments later, a mournful cry came from mid-sky as the last goose in the formation fell straight down, landing not far from them.
Before Fu Shen could retrieve it, a nearby farmer had already brought the goose to him. The wounded goose was still alive, its wing pierced by the arrow, struggling in Fu Shen’s hand. Yu Qiaoting leaned over and praised, “Not bad, quite plump.”
“
“Not for you to eat,” Fu Shen said, holding the bow in one hand and the goose in the other, turning to walk back. “Have Du Leng come to my place and bring some medicine.”
“Huh?” Yu Qiaoting was bewildered. “What for?”
Fu Shen didn’t turn back: “Have Du Leng treat its wounds. It was heading south, so this works perfectly.”
Yu Qiaoting: “What?”
“Haven’t you heard of using geese to deliver messages? Unfortunately, I lack the elegance of legendary figures, so I had to use force.” After speaking, Fu Shen felt bad about injuring the goose, so he raised it and sincerely said, “Brother Goose, sorry about that.”
The goose: “…”
Yu Qiaoting, left standing with two bowls: “…”
At the winter solstice, in Jinling.
When Yan Xiaohan left the palace at dusk, it was the winter solstice. After the meeting in the Yanying Hall, the Emperor followed Beijing’s customs and specially granted lamb soup dumplings. Several old officials from the north wept openly while holding their bowls. The Long Zhi Emperor was also moved to tears, and master and subjects cried together.
Yan Xiaohan felt as if scalded by hot soup, walking on the damp and cold street, feeling a piercing coldness. Not wanting to return home, he wandered aimlessly, walking in a daze for a long time.
Passing a market, his shoulder was suddenly bumped.
