Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

After the family dinner, as night fell, Li Jing was sent to the guest room to rest. Li Ruoyue and her grandmother sat on rattan chairs in the backyard, surrounded only by the dim light of candles and the distant chirping of insects. The flickering candlelight illuminated their faces and the deepest memories and emotions in their hearts.

Grandma patted Li Ruoyue's hand gently, her eyes gleaming with memories. "Yuer, do you remember when you were a child, you always liked to count the stars here? Back then, you always asked me which star was the brightest and which star was closest to us."

Li Ruoyue smiled and nodded, memories flooding back, "Yes, Grandma, I still remember that you always patiently answered every question I had, told me stories about the stars, and let me know that there are so many beautiful things and opportunities in the world.

Grandma smiled, her eyes full of love. "Yuer, do you know what? What I'm most proud of isn't those stars, but you, my precious granddaughter. Seeing you grow up and become so outstanding, I feel so proud and happy."

Li Ruoyue's eyes sparkled with tears as she held her grandmother's hand tightly. "Grandma, I'm very grateful to you too. It's you who taught me how to love and how to live. It's you who gave me endless courage and strength. I will always remember your words, this home, and every night we spent together."

Grandma smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "Yuer, I will always remember you, every moment of your growth, and every night we spent together. Remember, no matter where you go, this home will always be your warmest harbor."

Li Ruoyue took her grandmother's hand and persuaded her, "It's a bit cold outside, let's go back to the house and rest!" She muttered to the trees, "Alas, I'm old and useless. I'm afraid my body won't be able to withstand staying outside for a while. Let's go inside and talk on the bed first."

Li Ruoyue and her grandmother returned to their room and lay down on the bed. Her grandmother looked at her and whispered, "Yuer, your mother was also a talented woman in her time. She had beautiful handwriting." Li Ruoyue looked at her grandmother in surprise; she had never heard her mother mention this. Her grandmother pulled a yellowed booklet from the bedside and handed it to Li Ruoyue. "This is your mother's handwriting. It contains her poems and essays." Li Ruoyue took the booklet and opened the first page. The handwriting was beautiful and powerful. She quietly read her mother's words, feeling her mother's thoughts and emotions. It was as if through these words, she had established a special connection with her mother.

Every night when I can't sleep, I look at some of your mother's old writings and things she used. He still keeps the yard. I'll take you there tomorrow. That's where your mother grew up. There are many traces of your mother left behind. Speaking of this, the grandmother sobbed softly. "Alas, your mother had a miserable life. She died at such a young age. How could she leave you behind? I am the one who has to send you off. If it weren't for the timely advice of your uncles, I really wouldn't have the heart to live." When Yue Le heard this, tears welled up in his eyes. He choked up and said, "Grandma, you must take care of yourself. Otherwise, your mother will be worried about you there."

Li Ruoyue lay beside her grandmother and gave her the life and knowledge she had learned in the Taoist temple over the years. In Li Ruoyue's endless chatter, he heard the snoring of her grandmother and the gentle snoring of her grandmother. He covered the quilt and smiled gently at her grandmother. I turned around and took out my mother's calligraphy and read it carefully.

As time went by, Li Ruoyue immersed herself in her mother's world of words, while her grandmother silently accompanied her. As the night grew deeper, the conversation between the two made this night particularly warm and meaningful.

In Li Ruoyue's heart, the night under the candlelight is not only a heartfelt conversation, but also a baptism of the soul. She will cherish this family affection, she will strive to become a person that makes her family proud, and she will deeply engrave this affectionate conversation in her heart and let it become a precious treasure of her life.

The next morning, with the first rays of light and a gentle breeze blowing, Li Ruoyue woke up from her sleep. She turned her head to look beside her and saw that her grandmother had already gotten up and was arranging the flowers in the vase by the window. It was a quiet and peaceful picture.

Li Ruoyue gently stood up and walked to her grandmother's side. Looking at the bright flowers, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. Her grandmother turned her head and said to her with a smile: "Yuer, you're awake. Did you sleep well last night?"

Li Ruoyue nodded, a smile on her face: "I slept well, grandma. Sleeping with you makes me feel like I'm back in my childhood. I feel at ease."

Grandma smiled, a loving glint in her eyes. "That's good. When you were little, you always liked to sleep with me. Back then, you always said that sleeping with me was like being surrounded by warm sunshine."

Luoyue smiled even brighter. She took her grandmother's hand and said, "Grandma, you are like a ray of light, illuminating all my childhood. With you around, I feel like I am in the warm sunshine. No matter where I go, I will feel warm and safe."

They walked to the dining table together. Breakfast had already been prepared. There was hot porridge, delicious side dishes, steaming buns, and various sweets and snacks. Li Ruoyue looked at the breakfast and was filled with gratitude. "Grandma, come and eat too. I'm so hungry."

Grandma smiled, her eyes twinkling with love. "Yuer, you are my most precious baby. I am willing to do anything for you. Seeing you happy makes me feel satisfied."

They enjoyed breakfast together, chatting and laughing, just like the night before, filled with warmth and laughter. In Luoyue's heart, this morning was not only a delicious breakfast, but also a feast of family affection. She would cherish this family affection, she would strive to become someone who made her family proud, and she would deeply engrave this family affection and the memory of breakfast in her heart, making it a precious treasure for her life.

After breakfast, they came to the front yard. Knowing that my father and grandfather were in the study, they did not disturb me. Instead, they talked to my grandmother and the sisters in the front hall garden.

In the quiet study, sunlight shines through the half-closed curtains onto the quaint wooden table. My father-in-law sits upright at the table, holding a yellowed ancient military book in his hand. He looks up at Jing, his eyes flashing with deep wisdom and concern.

"Li Jing, during your time in the barracks, you must have deeply felt the soldiers' hard work and sacrifices." My father-in-law spoke with a touch of emotion, as if recalling his own military career. "Their daily training and every expedition were filled with uncertainty and danger. But it was these unsung heroes who brought peace and tranquility to our country."

Li Jing nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Father-in-law, I have truly felt the hardships of military life. The soldiers sweat on the training grounds and face life and death on the battlefield. Their dedication and sacrifice have made me understand more deeply the value of peace."

My father-in-law smiled, a hint of appreciation in his eyes. "You understand it very well. The dedication of soldiers is an important cornerstone of our country's stability. However, we cannot ignore the livelihood of the people. Do you know how the grain production has been recently? Has the people's lives improved?"

Li Jing pondered for a moment and replied, "Father-in-law, I understand that this year's grain production has increased compared to last year. This is due to our improvements to farmland irrigation, which have optimized the growing environment for crops. The lives of the people are also gradually improving, but living conditions in some remote areas are still relatively difficult and require our greater attention and assistance."

My father-in-law nodded, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Li Jing, you not only understand military affairs, but also care about people's livelihoods. This is the quality of an excellent general. I am deeply proud of your dedication to the barracks and your concern for the people's livelihoods. You have inherited not only the tenacity and courage of a soldier, but also the wisdom and kindness of a leader."

Li Jing smiled, a determined glint in his eyes. "Father-in-law, I will continue to work hard, not only for the military, but also for the people, and for the peace and prosperity of our country. I will use my actions to prove my loyalty and love for this country."

Father-in-law, I heard there's a severe drought in the northwest. Do you think the Emperor will send relief this time? Will this have any impact on your training and the army?

He said helplessly that there would definitely be an impact. The severe drought in the northwest meant that no crops could be grown, so food and fodder couldn't be provided. They would need to be transferred from Kyoto, but the mountains were high and the roads were long, so there would always be delays. This would prevent soldiers from arriving on time, which would cause unrest at the border. Unrest would require soldiers to fight, which would undoubtedly be dangerous. It seemed like he didn't know how to solve this problem.

When the father-in-law heard this, he smiled helplessly and said, "Alas, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. These are not things we can control. We are insignificant and cannot influence the King of Boxing's opinion."

During their conversation in the study, Li Jing and his father-in-law not only discussed the hardships of the military and the peace of the country, but also demonstrated their love for their country and their sense of responsibility to their people. This conversation was filled with wisdom and deep affection, and also a profound exploration of the nation's future. Under his father-in-law's guidance, Li Jing gained a clearer understanding of his responsibilities and mission, and his resolve to strive for national peace and prosperity was further strengthened. This conversation was not only a discussion of the military and the people's livelihood, but also a spiritual cleansing and a spiritual elevation.