The imperial edicts received by the Rongguo Mansion were all kept in the ancestral hall, so it was easy to find.
Jia Shidao came to Sun Lang with an imperial edict on a golden scroll.
He said softly, "Brother, I found it."
Sun Lang stared at the huge portrait in a daze, as if he had sunk into his memories.
Back then, he had jokingly called this painting "The Emperor Leads the Battle Group." This name had scared those loyal and simple painters who had suffered a lot. Looking at their posture, as long as Sun Lang dared to inscribe this name on it, they would dare to kill themselves in front of the table.
He remembered that after he finished the painting, he was very proud and showed off in front of everyone for several days. The generals in the army were used to seeing the fine brushwork of the Empire School. When they saw this painting with such shocking colors, such a touching composition, and such a beautiful aesthetic, most of them were very greedy in their hearts.
Unfortunately, the great painters who had painted this painting threatened them with death, so these uncouth men didn't ask for another painting. This painting was sent to Jinling, so that Matriarch Shi could see the brilliant image of her grandson. At that time, he had already exchanged letters with Matriarch Shi for a long time. He had even gradually regarded this long-winded and loving old woman as his grandmother.
In the letter he sent home with the painting, he told his grandmother that after this war, he would go home. At that time, he would be as majestic as this painting, wearing the same armor, holding the same sword, and stepping through the sea of flowers in the same heroic manner. He would return to his hometown, which he had left for a long time, and return to his grandmother's knees in the midst of the firecrackers and the joy of the heavens.
But what came back was only a set of armor.
No … Matriarch, your grandson has already gone home.
He has already come back.
Sun Lang looked at the full set of armor. The shiny metal was still frozen with the smell of blood and battlefield. When he touched every scar and every line of words, he could think of the past engraved on it. Killing generals and capturing flags, charging into enemy lines, the blood of strong enemies decorated the accumulated merits. Every great victory, every blood bath, the wind and the golden spear, the flowers and the holy sword, gave the people who longed for victory a triumphant banner.
All this … seemed to have happened a long, long time ago.
Sun Lang looked at the lonely memorial tablet with a calm expression.
At a young age, he lost his father and brother. Surrounded by women, he grew up in the hands of women. The first and last meeting between him and that person was already a gaze of life and death.
When Sun Lang opened his eyes for the first time in this world, he saw the dead him. He saw his solidified eyes, the person who looked exactly like him.
Sun Lang had often wondered what was in that pair of eyes, and what was that person thinking when he died … He ran away from home for three years and participated in the secret plan of the imperial court. What kind of mood did he have?
Did he simply want to make a name for himself, or did he have great ambitions and wanted to make an earth-shattering career?
He went through many trials and tribulations, and finally came to the front of the Ancestral Demonic Weapon. The moment he held the sword, he heard the footsteps of death approaching, and all his efforts were in vain.
Feeling the sword energy destroying his meridians, feeling death visit his body, at the moment when his soul was about to wither, what was this young master of the Rongguo Mansion thinking?
It was unknown.
Because their first and last meeting was a gaze that transcended life and death.
One person's life ended. The other person's life was completely rewritten. He was forced to come to this world to pick up the sword and continue the other person's life.
The people of two worlds, the same people, connected to each other by an astonishing string. They crossed worlds, and with the death of one of them, they pushed the wheel of fate.
Should I hate you?
I actually don't know.
Should I envy you?
Yes, without a doubt.
Sun Lang gazed at the memorial tablet.
Because your short life will be continued by someone else.
Because someone will protect the family you left behind.
Because … at least, you can still go home.
The words on the memorial tablet were very few and simple.
The memorial tablet of Jia Ying, my beloved grandchild.
There was no official position from when she was alive, no military rank during the war, no meritorious service that shook the six armies, and no prestige that surpassed a generation. This was the forbearance of the truth, the concession of the imperial power, the silence of self-preservation, the silent protest, and the most sincere pain of a heartbroken grandmother … At the end of the war, she had lost her most beloved grandson without knowing why.
There was only this handwriting on the memorial tablet. It was a grandchild of a grandmother. That was all.
That was all.
So … Jia Ying, you are home.
Sun Lang smiled and turned to leave. "Let's go."
Jia Shidao cried out, "Brother!"
Sun Lang's back paused. "Hmm?"
Jia Shidao whispered, "This is your armor, your painting."
Sun Lang said lightly, "But the person the old lady misses … is it really me?"
Jia Shidao was speechless.
And Sun Lang had already strode out of the ancestral hall.
Jia Shidao was stunned. He stared at the armor as if he saw the legendary and dazzling past, the flag that cut through the darkness and never fell. He hoped so much that his brother would wear this armor again and appear in front of the world in a bright and outstanding manner, forever dazzling and unparalleled in the world.
A hero … should always be like a hero.
When Jia Shidao, who was a little distracted, came out, he saw his brother fiddling with the imperial edict by the wall. He casually unfolded the golden silk and looked at it again and again.
Seeing his brother come out, he waved at him.
When Jia Shidao came over, Sun Lang asked directly, "What position should I give you?"
… Why did this sound like a grassroots group making a wish?
Jia Shidao said blankly, "Brother, you can decide …"
Sun Lang immediately perked up. He said, "I told you the story of Journey to the West before, right?
Sun Wukong used to be the Horse Protector. This title sounds good. What's the position in the empire called again?
Oh, it's called Yu Qing, right?
I think this one is good … "
Here it comes again …
Jia Shidao rolled his eyes. "Brother, stop fooling around."
"You think the position is too small, right?
But you're still young, and it's not good to give you a position. I'll give you a very powerful honorary position … "Sun Lang gave Jia Shidao a thumbs-up." It's decided. You can proudly introduce yourself in front of others in the future. I, Jia Shidao, specialize in controlling ministers! "
"…" Jia Shidao said blankly, "What's that?"
"Specialize in controlling ministers!"
Sun Lang said. "It's an honorary position. Your job is to drill all aspects of the military parade and make sure that there are no mistakes during the parade … Isn't it very powerful?"
Jia Shidao said frantically, "There's no such position in the empire!"
"There was one in the Qing Dynasty. Although it's Tatars, it has some merits. For example, I think this position is very good."
Sun Lang laughed. "After returning to the imperial court, I'll ask the emperor to set up this position. I'll pick someone I don't like … Oh, no, pick a virtuous and loyal person to take this position. Wouldn't that be great?"
Jia Shidao said helplessly, "That virtuous and loyal person will die with you …"
"Bah, who does he think he is? He's not worthy of dying with me."
"… I've already found a victim!"
Seeing that his brother was getting more and more ridiculous, Jia Shidao angrily snatched the imperial edict and said, "Brother, you're such a troublemaker. How can you treat such an important matter as a joke?
This matter needs to be measured. The position and authority can't be too small or too big. The scope of authority has to be limited to Jinling. It's best to be able to deal with the current situation and help you in future operations. Therefore, the imperial edict should be written like this … "
Sun Lang squinted and smiled. "You know quite well, don't you?
You're so good at faking imperial edicts. You're so scared when I mentioned this. "
Jia Shidao was recalling similar imperial edicts in his mind, trying to figure out the words and contents. Hearing this, he glanced at his lazy brother and snorted angrily.
Sun Lang just smiled.
After a moment, Jia Shidao handed the imperial edict over. "Erase the words and the seal. Don't mention the content. The imperial jade seal and the martial arts seal are both wrong. Brother, you …"
Sun Lang reached out his hand, and a gust of moist air suddenly blew in the air. Water droplets condensed in the invisible air and soaked into the words and the red seal. Then he waved his hand, and the black and red liquid droplets floated in the air. Gradually, the words and the seal on the imperial edict faded and disappeared without a trace.
Sun Lang held two balls of liquid in his hand, one black and one red. He nodded at the stunned Jia Shidao. "The brush, ink, and cinnabar are all specially made. It's not easy to find them in Rongguo Mansion. Don't waste them."
Jia Shidao was shocked. "… Are you Seven Luminaries Sword Masters all good at faking things?"
Sun Lang smiled proudly. "Of course, only I know how to do it!"
Other than him, who else could have the power of several holy swords? Other than him, who else could use the Seven Luminaries Spiritual Power like it was his own arm … This was something that couldn't be replicated.
Jia Shidao sighed and nodded. He didn't know what to say anymore.
When the two brothers were talking about faking the imperial edict, the Jinling Prefecture Lord had already arrived at Rongguo Mansion and was led into the front yard by the Wangs.
Jia Tanchun whispered, "They're so fast!"
She was smart and smart. Naturally, she could guess the change in Jia Yucun's position from the Wangs' attitude. She felt disdain and anger in her heart.
Xue Baochai gently squeezed her little hand and said calmly, "Don't worry."
Tanchun's sister-in-law's calm attitude infected her. The little girl looked at Xue Baochai and whispered, "Sister-in-law … You seem to have changed a lot this time …"
Xue Baochai was shocked. She asked calmly, "Where did I change?"
"… I don't know. I keep feeling that something has changed." Jia Tanchun thought for a while and shook her head hard. Then she said, "But it seems to be a good thing."
Xue Baochai smiled and touched Tanchun's head. She changed the topic. "Okay, let's go welcome them."