PDLP Chapter 2134 Dreams at Night
Chapter 2134 Dreams at Night
In Rongzhou, in the bedroom of the Su family mansion, he suddenly woke up from a dream.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his chest rising and falling slightly, a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, and his breathing somewhat rapid.
The moonlight streamed through the windowpane, casting a shadow on his sharply defined face, revealing a hint of weariness and melancholy.
He sat quietly for a moment, waiting for his breathing to gradually stabilize, before slowly getting up and walking lightly to the table to pick up the teapot.
The cool tea slid down his throat, dispelling the heat of his dream and clearing his chaotic thoughts.
The bed curtains were gently lifted, and Yan Ruyu, wearing a moon-white outer robe, got out of bed and lit the candlesticks by the bedside.
The warm yellow candlelight instantly illuminated half of the room, making her eyes appear gentle.
Huo Changhe turned to look at her, his eyes filled with apology: "Did I wake you up?"
Yan Ruyu shook her head, walked barefoot to his side, reached out and gently hugged his shoulder.
Her fingertips carried a cool warmth as she moved gently.
"What's wrong?" Her voice was soft and sweet, with a husky quality from just waking up. "Did you have a nightmare?"
Huo Changhe took her hand in his own. Her hand was small and soft, and holding it in his palm could instantly calm one down.
He sighed softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice: "I dreamt of my father."
Yan Ruyu paused, then hugged her even tighter.
She pressed her cheek against his back, feeling his warm body, and asked softly, "What did you dream about Father? Did he tell you something?"
"Hmm." Huo Changhe nodded, gazing at the moonlight outside the window, his eyes distant. "I dreamt of my childhood, of practicing swordsmanship with my father in the training ground of the mansion."
He said that the descendants of the Huo family should stand tall and protect the people, and should not have any selfish thoughts.
He added that people's hearts are unpredictable, so one should think thrice before acting, not be easily angered, and never harm the innocent.
His voice was very soft, as if he were recalling something, or as if he were talking to himself.
"Lately I've been feeling uneasy, like something bad is about to happen."
He sighed softly and squeezed Yan Ruyu's hand: "In my dream just now, my father looked at me with a hint of worry in his eyes, as if he was warning me to be careful."
Yan Ruyu raised her hand and gently patted his back, her movements gentle yet firm: "Don't think too much. We'll find Father sooner or later. You've always been calm and thoughtful; you won't make any mistakes."
She paused for a moment, then said, "Have you been too tired from handling things lately? Why don't we take a day off tomorrow and relax? Maybe that will make us feel better."
Huo Changhe turned around and looked at Yan Ruyu's gentle eyes, and the irritation in his heart gradually dissipated.
He raised his hand and gently brushed a stray hair from her cheek, his eyes tender: "Okay."
Yan Ruyu's eyebrows and eyes were curved, as if they were filled with starlight.
She took Huo Changhe's hand and walked to the bedside: "Sleep a little longer. I'm here, don't worry."
Huo Changhe nodded and lay down next to her.
Yan Ruyu nestled in his arms, her breathing even and gentle.
He held her in his arms, feeling her warmth and breath, and the unease in his heart gradually dissipated.
However, the worried look in his father's eyes in the dream seemed to be etched into his mind, lingering there.
Yan Ruyu closed her eyes, her consciousness entering the space, wanting to talk to the abbot, but she restrained herself.
It was late at night, and the abbot must have already fallen asleep; waking him would only frighten him.
Let's talk about it tomorrow.
They had been away from Youcheng for some time and were indeed a little worried.
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion was bathed in a refreshing morning light.
The abbot, dressed in a plain-colored monk's robe, walked slowly through the moon gate.
The window in the side hall was half-open, and one could vaguely see a figure inside, bent over a desk, writing furiously.
The abbot walked to the door, and before the servant guarding the outside could announce his arrival, he heard a gentle yet resolute voice from inside: "Tell Steward Li that I have already arranged for thirty carpenters from a neighboring county to be transferred to address the shortage of craftsmen in the west of the city. They will arrive before noon tomorrow."
The servant replied "Yes," and as he turned to leave, he bumped into the abbot. He quickly bowed and greeted him, "Abbot Master."
An Cizhou looked up upon hearing the voice and, seeing it was the abbot, immediately put down his wolf-hair brush and rose to greet him.
He was dressed in a moon-white casual outfit, with a simple jade belt around his waist and only a jade hairpin in his hair. Despite being busy for days, there was no sign of fatigue in his eyes.
"Abbot, what brings you here?" He stepped aside to make way for the doorway, his tone filled with genuine concern. "Please come in and sit down."
The side hall was decorated simply and elegantly. The bookshelves against the wall were neatly stacked with various documents and classics, and a map of Youcheng was spread out on the table, with several marks circled in red ink, which were key areas for the reconstruction of the old city.
The abbot sat down in a chair by the window, and An Cizhou personally poured him a cup of hot tea. The steam rose and blurred his sharply defined profile.
"Thank you for your trouble, Lord An." The abbot took the teacup. "I have come today to tell you something."
“Master, you don’t need to be so polite.” An Cizhou sat down opposite him, his gaze gentle. “If there is anything you need my help with, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will do my best to help.”
He had stayed in Youcheng for so long, and the abbot had always treated him kindly.
When An Cizhou came to Youcheng to oversee the reconstruction of the old city, everyone from the prefectural government to the local officials admired him.
He was the son of the Grand Secretary An, who had been trained by him. He had worked in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and was always clear-headed and adept at handling matters such as the allocation of funds and grain and the coordination of affairs.
Take this old city renovation project, for example. It involves multiple government departments and the interests of local gentry. An Cizhou formulated a detailed plan and personally traveled all over the streets and alleys of Youcheng to find out every area that needed to be renovated.
He not only smoothed out the relationships between all parties, but also accelerated the progress of the project. When the officials in charge of various government departments met him, they all treated him with utmost respect.
Upon hearing this, the abbot nodded slightly: "The prince and princess have sent a letter, and they specifically instructed this humble monk to convey it."
"His Highness means that you and Miss Qi should go to Rongzhou together."
An Cizhou was taken aback, somewhat puzzled, but upon hearing that he would be with Qi Dongqiang, he felt a surge of joy.
He looked up at the abbot: "I wonder what important business you have on this trip?"
The abbot took a sip of tea and smiled, "The prince instructed me in his letter to only say that this is a good thing, and to tell you and Miss Qi to get ready and set off. You will know the rest of the details when you arrive in Rongzhou."
An Cizhou pondered for a moment: "In that case, I will obey Your Highness's command."
"I just wonder... if Miss Qi is already aware of this? When would be the best time for us to depart?"
As he asked this question, a faint blush crept onto the tips of his ears.
Before the abbot could speak, light footsteps were heard from outside the side hall, accompanied by a woman's gentle laughter: "Who is Lord An talking about and when he's leaving? Is there some good place to go?"