(a)

Before you know it, winter in Yunzhou is coming.

I sat by the charcoal stove in the room with a thick fur coat in my arms, watching the snowflakes fall to the ground one after another.

The whole world is slowly soaring in the dance of snowflakes, and all the palaces are getting taller and taller.

I heard the sound of boots on the snow.

I heard the sound of stomping feet in the hallway.

That's Liu Shen. He came back from the next court.

I got up and went to the front porch to welcome him inside.

We sat down side by side in front of the charcoal brazier that shimmered red.

I reached out and brushed some of the remaining snowflakes from his hair and his cloak.

Liu Shen put his hand on the charcoal brazier. He rubbed his hands together while puffing on his white breath and said, "It's been so cold this winter. After so many pieces, the ink on the inkstone was frozen, and my fingers were frozen to the point where I couldn't bend. ”

I said, "yes." In such a cold weather, the King of Han is still working hard for the arrival of Taiping, and how many people in the world can appreciate the hard work of the King of Han. ”

Liu Shen smiled and said, "Liu Shen doesn't dare to be so greedy, and he doesn't dare to ask for the understanding of the people of the world. But if you are the only one who can understand it, I will be satisfied. Qin'er, your Zhaoyang Palace, it's still warm in the palace, right? ”

I looked at the charcoal fire. Its warm red color was reflected in my eyes. I said, "Thank you King Han for taking care of you, Qin'er is always warm here." ”

Liu Shen said: "Then you usually stay indoors more and don't go out too much." In the north of Yunzhou, there are no tall mountains to block it, all of them are plain farmlands with a flat river, and the north wind in winter roars all the way, driving straight in, sweeping the plain area near Yunzhou, which is much colder than Yantang Pass. When you first arrived in Yunzhou, this is your first winter, and it is inevitable that you will not adapt to such a cold. You have to be careful, don't freeze. ”

I said, "Thank you, King Han." Even in the cold winter, with the warmth and care of King Han, Qin'er doesn't feel cold anymore. ”

When Liu Shen heard this, he felt warm in his heart.

(b)

I handed him a bowl of ginger and red date porridge.

I said, "I've been boiling up for a long time, let's drink a bowl of hot water, you can dissipate the cold and warm your stomach." ”

Liu Shen looked at me, and he took the porridge. The hot porridge bowl was held in the palm of his hand, and it soon warmed his hands.

He picked up the spoon and tasted it. He said, "Well, it's delicious! He swallowed a bowl of porridge in two bites.

He said, "Is there anything else?" I'm still hungry. ”

I said, "Yes." And there are quite a few. ”

I helped him fill another bowl with my own hands. Liu Shen seemed to be really hungry, he tilted his neck, three times and two times, and swallowed a bowl of porridge again.

Liu Shen put down the bowl and tasted it for a while, and he said with satisfaction: "It's really comfortable." I drank so much that my whole body warmed up. ”

He looked at me and said, "However, the warmest thing is still the heart." ”

I bowed my head and didn't speak.

He laughed a little, and he said, "You can drink a little too, your hands are still a little cold." ”

He went and brought another bowl himself. He said, "No." No. Qin'er, don't take your hands out of the sleeve. ”

He said, "I'll feed you, just open your mouth." ”

He put the spoon to my mouth.

I was embarrassed and said, "King Han." We are like this, and it is inappropriate for the palace people to see. ”

Liu Shen said: "What is inappropriate. Our husband and wife love each other and respect each other like guests, which is a blessing for the people of the world, who dares to say that it is not appropriate? ”

He looked me in the eye. He said, "We are very loving, aren't we? ”

I dodged and said, "I'd better drink it myself, it is Qin'er's duty to serve the King of Han, and I don't dare to bother the King of Han to deign to serve Qin'er." ”

I took the porridge bowl and spoon in Liu Shen's hand and scooped the porridge myself.

Liu Shen looked at it and smiled. He didn't push me anymore.

(c)

Liu Shen watched me drink porridge.

I felt his gaze.

I stopped and said, "King Han came here, didn't he drink porridge specifically and watch me drink porridge?" If the king of Han has something to say, just ask. ”

Liu Shen smiled. He said, "Well, this, you've seen the minister in the morning, haven't you?" ”

I said, "Yes." ”

I looked at him from the top of the porridge bowl. I said, "Does King Han mind?" ”

Liu Shen shook his head like a rattle. He said, "No, I don't mind, just ask." ”

Liu Shen reached out and took the porridge bowl in my hand. He placed the porridge bowl on the small table. He took my hand. He said: "Qin'er, the news from outside is always varied. Sometimes, the more you know, the more confused your mind becomes. If your mind is always messy, your body won't be good. ”

I said, "I know the love of King Han. ”

Liu Shen said: "Seeing that you are sick, I am very tormented. ”

I said, "I'm not going to get sick." ”

We sat in silence for a while.

(iv)

I said, "Actually, the king of Han has always wanted to know what I talked about with my ministers." ”

Liu Shen's eyes flickered slightly, and then he said, "I just hope that no one says anything to disturb your mood." ”

I said, "We didn't say anything, we just chatted for a while." I asked Master Fu if he knew how cold it would be in the north in winter. In the coldest places, how cold can it be in winter. ”

When Liu Shen heard this, he lowered his head. He picked up the tongs and flicked the coals in the basin. Some blue flames jumped up. There was a slight popping sound in the basin.

He fiddled with the charcoal fire for a moment, then looked up.

He looked me in the eye. He was looking for something in my eyes.

I don't know if he found what he was looking for.

I quietly accepted his gaze. There was not a single ripple in my heart.

Liu Shen patted his forehead lightly. He said, "Look at my memory, if you don't talk about it, I almost forgot about it." I'm here to discuss this matter with you. ”

He said: "I want to write a letter to the general tomorrow, asking him to come back and stay in the palace of Bitang Hot Springs for the winter." Winters in the north are too cold. The winter camp was too hard for his full recovery. ”

He said, "Qin'er, do you think it's okay to arrange it like this?" ”

I said, "King Xie Han's care." King Han's arrangement is the most appropriate and considerate. Qin'er, Qin'er is only afraid that he will not obey the order to come back. ”

Liu Shen put his arm around my shoulder: "Don't worry." I'll arrange it. I'll get him back. ”

(5)

Liu Shen paused, and he said, "You haven't met since you got married. If you want to meet him at the Hot Springs Palace, I'll send you there. Also, just to avoid the cold of Yunzhou. ”

He said: "There are too many things here, and there is still a war on the southern front, so I won't accompany you." You can keep your aunt with you. Luckily? ”

I looked at Liu Shen. There was a faint wrinkle on his smooth forehead.

I shook my head: "No." ”

Liu Shen was a little surprised: "Don't you go?" ”

I said, "King Han is tired, I will be here and accompany King Han." Where the King of Han is, I am willing to be there. ”

Liu Shen's eyebrows twitched slightly. He put his arm around my shoulder again.

He said, "That's good." When you change your mind, you can always tell me. Winters will be long. ”

(f)

That winter, sure enough, was cold and long.

Throughout the winter, I stayed by Liu Shen's side. I never told him to change my decision.

We were only 120 miles apart, and we spent the first wax day, the first Chinese New Year's Eve, the first Lantern Festival, and ushered in the first spring.

We didn't meet.