“So what if he’s a eunuch? Those who are ungrateful and use despicable means are the ones who should never be saved. They deserve to die.”
The two once again became strangers.
The following year, a major upheaval occurred in the North, and Fu Shen experienced the pain of losing his family. Before he could even finish mourning, he was pushed to the battlefield by the court officials.
In the early winter of the 20th year of the Yuan Dynasty, before Fu Shen left the capital, Yan Xiaohan took the initiative to send him an invitation to sit in a certain garden pavilion. That day, snow was falling heavily in the capital, and few people were out.
Fu Shen walked over a small bridge by the lake, stepping on the snow-covered withered grass, and arrived at the lakeside pavilion.
Three sides were glass windows, with one side covered by a wind-blocking curtain. The room was warm and fragrant. A white plum branch was placed in a vase, with a few small dishes on the table, and tea bubbling on the clay stove. Yan Xiaohan stood by the window watching the snow and turned back with a slight smile when he heard Fu Shen enter.
Fu Shen was dressed in white mourning clothes, his face cold, having grown taller but much thinner, seeming to have shed his youthful immaturity and revealing the outline of future handsomeness.
“Why did you call me here?”
He still didn’t look pleased, but his eyes no longer held complete distrust. Of course, this might be because the national and family grudges weighing on him were too heavy for him to care about past trivial matters.
Yan Xiaohan said, “The army sets out tomorrow. We’ve known each other after all, so I’d like to see you off. Are you willing to grace me with your presence?”
Fu Shen unceremoniously lifted his robe and sat at the table. “Since I’m already here. Don’t just stand there, sit down.”
Yan Xiaohan poured tea for him and raised his cup: “The road ahead is treacherous. Take care, General. I hope that next year… we can still drink and enjoy the snow together.”
The road ahead was more than just treacherous; it was practically a certain death sentence.
