大千王朝
陇西边疆
罗宇焦急的站在军帐内,下意识的拉紧了身上的袍子,四处张望.
帐篷里烛光摇曳,两侧挂满了兵器,刀剑寒光闪闪,透着一股森冷的气息,让他那身粗麻衣显得格格不入.
作为一个孤儿,他跟随母亲在农村生活了十七年,当得知自己的亲生父亲是当今的东将军时,任谁都难以平静.
"玉儿,你别紧张,这件事迟早都要面对的."
说话的中年男子正是他的父亲,人称东将军的吴成梁将军,身旁的女子正是他的母亲,陇西边疆的普通农家女子罗云舒.
当年吴成梁征战陇西时爱上了罗云舒,并育有一子,但命运却在一场战争中将二人分开,吴成梁用了十七年的时间才找到他们.
罗宇深吸一口气,平复了一下心情.
他即将拜见吴成梁的夫人常如双,如果常如双接受他们,他们就可以正式入住将军府了.
"玉儿,别怕."
罗云舒对儿子笑了笑,眼神里流露出无论遇到什么情况,她都会一直支持他.
脚步声临近,罗宇本能的抬头望去.
常如霜走了进来,一身紫色丝绸长裙,裙摆上缀着金丝云纹,端庄的容貌中透着低调的优雅,目光犀利,仿佛能看透这对母子.
一直在鼓励罗宇的吴成良此时自己也有些尴尬,结结巴巴的说道:"这是我的云舒和玉儿,我之前也说过了."
没有哪个男人敢于面对这样的场景,生下一个私生子,然后带回家见自己的合法妻子.
让他们惊讶的是,常如霜并没有像他们想象中那样受到冷遇,而是热情地走到罗宇面前,亲昵地揉了揉他的头发.
"你长得挺帅的,跟你爸爸年轻的时候很像.你读书了吗?"
常氏突如其来的热情,让罗宇有些恍惚,如实回答:"娘供我读过几年私塾,学过诗词."
"你练过武术吗?"
"我和边防军退役的叔叔们,兄弟们一起练拳击."
吴成良和罗云舒两人都是一愣,真的这么平静吗?
"这么说,你文武双全?"常氏轻笑一声,继续问道,"令尊刚刚升任东将军,是朝中冉冉升起的新星,却被许多世家轻蔑地称为只会用剑的畜生,对他嗤之以鼻.
With the seven kingdoms in turmoil and constant warfare, the royal family of Da Qian is weakening while the noble families contend for power, creating internal and external troubles.
I ask you, in governing a country, should we prioritize culture or strength?"
Luo Yu understood this was Chang's test. He answered earnestly, "In times of prosperity, we should govern with culture; in times of chaos, we must emphasize strength!"
"Well said!
Your father joined the army at seventeen, fought for thirty years, and attained the position of Eastern General. Now that the world is in disorder and the common people suffer, you are also seventeen, born on the frontier, and have witnessed much hardship. Do you have ambitions?"
"I want to be like my father."
Luo Yu took a deep breath and declared, "Why should a man not bear a mighty sword, galloping over the battlefield to unify the land?"
"Quite a bold sentiment," Chang laughed again. "At least your literary talent surpasses your father's."
Wu Chengliang was pleased, constantly exchanging glances with Luo Yu.
Luo Yu understood and respectfully offered a cup of tea to Chang: "Please, madam, enjoy some tea."
Silence fell in the tent, and both Wu Chengliang and Luo Yunshu's hearts raced. If Chang accepted the cup of tea, it would mean she acknowledged them.
A glimmer of mischief flashed in Chang's eyes as she took the cup but then set it back on the table. "The tea is still hot; there's no rush. Do you wish to join us in the capital and move into the Wu family?"
"Yes," Luo Yu replied. "My mother has endured hardships alone to raise me. I believe the Wu family should give her a proper status. Moreover, she has suffered too much over the years, and her health has declined—she coughs up blood frequently. The local doctors can't cure her, but the capital has renowned physicians who can definitely treat her.
Madam, you are kind-hearted; I hope you will accept us."
"I see."
Chang revealed no consent or denial, her response calm. "It's not that I am unwilling to accept you both; after all, you are flesh and blood of the Wu family. However, the Wu family is a prominent family in the court. Bringing in an illegitimate child could attract criticism. There are many eyes in the court watching the Wu family; one misstep could cause trouble for your father, so we must consider this matter carefully."
Luo Yu's heart sank; this was not a good sign.
"Ah, the tea has gone cold again; let it be taken away."
Chang shifted the topic with a smile. "Your mother is unwell and shouldn't stand for too long. You should help her rest. We can discuss this matter again tomorrow."
Having said that, Luo Yu bowed and said, "I will take my leave."
As the mother and son stepped outside the tent, Luo Yunshu sighed in relief. "Lady Chang appears kind and amiable; she shows no hostility towards us."
"Perhaps," Luo Yu replied while glancing back. "But she never drank the tea in the end."
…
Several military tents were pitched in the vast sandy grounds, with soldiers at the Eastern General's side patrolling, each one a battle-hardened warrior.
The frail Luo Yunshu coughed up more blood, lying down early while Luo Yu watched over her bedside, lost in thought.
As Chang had said, the current world was beset by strife, with constant wars and suffering amongst the common people.
He was a native of the Great Qian Dynasty, born and raised in the frontier, where the local populace often suffered from the incursions of the Western Qiang tribes.
His mother had raised him through thick and thin. For over a decade, she endured hardship to mold him into who he was. Thus, he vowed to bring his mother into the Wu residence and secure her a legitimate status.
Though he was only seventeen, his maturity surpassed that of his peers. This was due to an unusual memory that had appeared in his mind a year ago, belonging to a man from an alternate world called Earth, a decisive mercenary.
This memory had subtly changed him. Were it not for his duty to care for his mother, he would have left their small village long ago to explore a broader world.
"Yu'er, do you resent your father in your heart?"
Luo Yunshu's weak voice awoke Luo Yu from his reverie. "It wasn't your father's fault that he left us. The battlefield was chaotic, and we were separated. For all these years, he has been searching for us and has never given up."
"I know, I don't blame father."
Luo Yu chuckled softly, holding his mother's hand. "I just want mother to go to the capital, to have a legitimate status and enjoy her later years in peace."
"Hehe, Yu'er is still so filial."
As mother and son chatted, Chang suddenly lifted the curtain and entered, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup, causing Luo Yu to feel puzzled.
Luo Yunshu struggled to sit up and politely asked, "Madam, what is this?"
"Chengliang said you were very ill, and I was worried," Chang replied with a kind smile as she offered the medicine.
"Fortunately, I have learned some medicine and brought some soothing herbs along. Drink this soup, it should ease your condition."
Luo Yu sniffed; indeed, there was a herbal scent, filling him with warmth. Chang seemed to possess a kind heart.
"Thank you, madam."
Luo Yunshu received the medicinal soup and hastily drank it. But the next moment, the bowl slipped from her hands, shattering into pieces as she collapsed beside the bed, unconscious.
"Mother!"
Luo Yu's expression changed dramatically as he realized something, suddenly glancing at Chang: "What did you give my mother to drink?!"
"你真是愚蠢,"常如霜脸上的温情荡然无存,取而代之的是恶意和嘲讽,"两个外人胆敢闯入吴家,还指望我好好伺候你们?"
你妈妈刚才喝的饮料是有毒的!"