The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1084

Chapter 1084: 523 The couple meets (second watch)_3

"Has the snow sealed the mountain again?"

While writing a memorial to the emperor, the Minister Xing asked Xiao Hen, who was sorting through letters by his side.

Xiao Hen put away the letters, his tone as usual: "Mm, there’s been a delay in Cang Continent."

The minister furrowed his brows and said, "Cang Continent is at least a seven-eight day journey from here, I’m afraid the army won’t make it back before the end of the year."

The day after tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and even if the army marches day and night, they still won’t be able to reach the Capital City in time.

Xiao Hen looked out the window at the swirling snowflakes, his expression one of contemplation.

The border pass is bitterly cold, filled with the haze of gunpowder smoke, yet the Capital City remains untouched by war. The avenues are bustling with commoners and shop vendors, a scene of flourishing prosperity.

Every household in Bishui Alley has hung red lanterns, pasted paper-cuts, and couplets on the windows, and so has their family.

This year, Lin Chengye and Fen Lin had both returned to Youzhou for the festival.

The house is filled with many, but still feels empty. Is it because they’re missing, or is it because Gu Jiao is not here?

The little monk no longer blares out loudly, Auntie has stopped inviting neighbors over for cards, and Yao Family’s youngest son, three months old, is so well-behaved, quiet, as if there’s no baby at home.

Standing on the threshold, Little Jietan stretches out his tiny arms behind him, his small body flapping out the door, his tiny head turning left and right, looking down the alleyways.

Jiaojiao.

He wants Jiaojiao.

The sound of a carriage approaches the entrance, and Little Jietan, excited, runs out on his short legs, pitter-pattering a while before realizing that it’s the bad brother-in-law who has returned.

His little face falls, disappointment evident as he says, "Why is it you?"

Xiao Hen steps down from the carriage, tapping him on the forehead: "Why shouldn’t it be me?"

"Hmph." Little Jietan turns his face away.

"Let’s go." Xiao Hen says to him.

Little Jietan follows reluctantly behind him, looking back every three steps.

Walking ahead, Xiao Hen knows without turning that the boy is looking for someone: "Don’t bother. Jiaojiao won’t be back today."

Little Jietan asks, "Why?"

Xiao Hen answers, "The snow has sealed the mountain, the army can’t move."

Little Jietan: "Then can Jiaojiao come back tomorrow?"

Xiao Hen: "I don’t know."

Little Jietan: "What about the day after tomorrow? That’s New Year’s Eve, my birthday. Can Jiaojiao make it back in time to celebrate with me?"

Xiao Hen: "You were not born on New Year’s Eve."

Little Jietan stamps his foot, hands on hips: "The abbot said my birthday is on New Year’s Eve! That makes it New Year’s Eve! The birthday Jiaojiao celebrates with me is New Year’s Eve!"

Xiao Hen laughs, not arguing with him but stopping to tousle his slightly longer hair: "Let’s go inside."

The next day, bright and early, Little Jietan sits on the doorstep. He waits from dawn till dusk, becoming a little snowman, yet Jiaojiao does not return.

Gu Yan walks by and leads the little one inside.

After midnight tonight, it will be New Year’s Eve. The army is still trapped in the Snow-sealed Mountain of Cang Continent; they are destined not to return this year.