On the first day of the new year, early in the morning, Mrs. Gantang sent the family members to prepare for the spring banquet as if nothing had happened.
Nan Yi returned home at midnight last night. He yawned early in the morning and followed Mrs. Gantang to do things. His eyes drifted over to observe this woman from time to time. After all, she was still young and could not hold her breath. She was carrying a big secret in her belly, and it was inevitable that she would show some nervousness on her face.
And looking at Mrs. Gantang's calm and composed face, as if she were the mother-in-law of the back house who never left home, it seemed that she was not the one who secretly crossed Chencang to raise an army in Hukou Mountain.
I don’t know if what she said yesterday was hidden from Xie Queshan.
Just thinking about Xie Queshan, he strode into the garden.
There were faint bruises under his eyes, and he must have not slept well last night.
He passed by Nan Yi and paused. Nan Yi suddenly became nervous.
Last night, nothing important happened on the way back in the same boat, but what lingered in her mind was that he held her hand tightly, until her cold knuckles were warmed by him, until the palm of her hand was warm. Sticky sweat broke out.
She knew why he did this and that there was no ambiguity in it, but she still blushed when she thought about it.
Later, when she fell asleep, she had a vague impression of him carrying her through the dark corridor and placing her on the couch. His warm knuckles brushed her face and brushed away a strand of hair... …
When she woke up again, it was already rooster crow time. She slept peacefully in her room, as if everything last night was a dream that slowly disappeared with the ripples of the water.
After this night, the relationship between them became delicate. They looked at each other with familiar eyes and understood each other tacitly. They shared many secrets that only they knew under the green tiles and red tiles of the mansion.
But on the surface, they are incompatible uncles and sister-in-law.
Xie Queshan nodded slightly to her, as if he had met her, and then strode towards Mrs. Gantang.
He was vigorous and resolute, but stood aside with a good temper, and waited for Mrs. Gantang to finish what she was doing, and then said: "Second sister, I have something to discuss with you."
Mrs. Gantang glanced at Xie Queshan and guessed from his demeanor that this was probably an important thing. She raised her hand to call the maid carrying water, cleaned her hands and said, "Go in and talk."
*
After entering the house and retreating from others, Xie Queshan got straight to the point: "Second sister, please invite one more person to our house for the spring banquet tomorrow."
"You are the head of the family. If you have guests, just invite them."
"I invited him, but he won't come."
"who?"
"Song Muchuan."
There was a sudden silence in the room.
Mrs. Gantang glanced over, frowned and asked, "What are you going to do?"
He answered simply and rudely: "Invite him to come to eat, give him medicine, throw him on the boat, and let him leave Lidu Mansion."
He didn't have time to send lobbyists to nag Song Muchuan, and he couldn't listen. This was the simplest and most effective way.
Hearing this barbaric and crude plan, Mrs. Gantang was so angry that she threw the tea in her hand on his face: "Xie Chaoen, why are you crazy!"
"I'm not crazy." His eyes were dark and he let the tea drip down his face.
The empty tea cup was slapped heavily on the table, indicating that Mrs. Gantang's last bit of patience was exhausted, and she issued an eviction order: "Get out of here!"
Xie Queshan still sat, unmoved at all.
Mrs. Gantang calmed her breath and stared at Xie Queshan to see what else he could say.
"Second sister." He started, but suddenly choked on his words.
He raised his hand and brushed the embarrassing water stains on his face, with a self-deprecating smile on his lips.
"The Xie family owes me, and I also owe the Xie family. This confusion will never be settled in this lifetime. What are you doing and what are your plans? The most I can do is turn a blind eye, but if there is One day, Qi Ren forced me to open my eyes, and I had to open them too. Second sister, do you understand?"
Mrs. Gantang's expression was a little confused. She pretended to be calm, but there was still a hint of disbelief in her eyes, and there was a tremor in her voice: "Qi Ren asked you to kill your loved ones with your own hands, are you going to do it?"
Xie Queshan didn't speak for a long time, which was regarded as acquiescence.
Mrs. Gantang was actually a little startled. No matter how calm she was, these rebellious words still hit her. She fell back into her chair, speechless.
"But Song Qi, he doesn't owe me anything. The tip of my knife can be pointed at anyone in the world, but not him. Lidu Mansion is not a muddy water that he can stir up. He must leave."
This sentence was more shocking than all the previous words.
It is nothing unusual for a demon to talk about how he will go on a killing spree in the future. But a demon said that he had someone he wanted to protect, and there was another person he had a weakness in this world.
This is fatal.
Mrs. Gantang looked at Xie Queshan. Since she returned home, although she hasn't said anything, she has tried to observe her third brother from little clues. Then she discovered to her dismay that she couldn't see through him at all.
He is always leaking and leaving no trace behind.
However, with these words, he clearly stated his sharp stance in front of Mrs. Gantang.
But Mrs. Gantang realized that those extreme and cruel words were just the armor he put on for himself, and what he said throughout the article was actually his own fear.
She sat slumped, digesting every word he said, and finally nodded.
——
It was a sunny day on the fifth day of the lunar month, and the sun was unbelievably bright.
The carriage picking up people stopped on the street of Jiangyuefang, and the Xie family's servant politely invited Song Muchuan out of the simple thatched house.
Mrs. Gantang was sitting in the carriage. In order to ensure that Song Muchuan could be invited, she made a trip herself.
This was indeed a bit sudden for Song Muchuan. However, with his exquisite mind, he immediately went over the purpose behind this in his mind.
Mrs. Gantang invited him to the spring banquet, most likely at Xie Queshan's request. It seems that Xie Queshan didn't just say it when he asked him to leave Lidu Mansion last time.
As long as Xie Queshan takes action, he must be 80 to 90%25 sure. He was now at a passive disadvantage and could not refuse Mrs. Gantang.
Song Muchuan only thought for a moment and then immediately came up with an idea. He bowed his hands towards the carriage respectfully: "Thank you, Madam Gantang, for deigning to invite me. However, when visiting Xie's Mansion, Song cannot go empty-handed. Please wait a moment, madam, while I go buy some." Here comes the wine.”
Mrs. Gantang knew that Song Muchuan was a very particular person, and even if she asked him to be polite, he would not obey, so she patiently agreed and asked him not to spend too much money.
Song Muchuan went to Huachao Pavilion and bought two jars of fine wine before getting on the Xie family's carriage.
There were not many people walking on the street, and anyone with a discerning eye would recognize the Xie family's carriage, so they naturally took a few more glances out of curiosity.
This scene was seen by Chang Yan from Hua Chao Pavilion. After watching the carriage go away, she turned around and left in a hurry.
*
Song Muchuan was just someone who accidentally appeared in Gui Lai Tang's sight. Zhang Yuehui thought he was just a self-exiled useless person and didn't take him too seriously.
He had been hiding in the market without any intention of having any contact with the people he knew in the past, so suddenly he went to Xie's house, which was a bit strange.
There was singing and dancing in the Huachao Pavilion, and the sound of silk and bamboo could be heard endlessly. Zhang Yue sat back behind the curtain in the elegant room on the second floor, rubbing her chin and thinking for a long time.
"Song Muchuan is the son of the former Minister of Industry. He studied under the Mohist school and is a craftsman who is proficient in mechanical construction. He can build ships, and Wanyan Jun needs shipbuilders. This news should be worth a lot of money."
"But didn't the boss say last time that this person can't be used?"
"He was a dead man last time, but he didn't die when he jumped into the river. This is a catastrophe. Maybe his mentality will change all of a sudden."
"But with that kind of rigid scholar-bureaucrat attitude, he may not be willing to work for Qi people."
Zhang Yue returned to the stall and said: "We are only responsible for selling news. As for whether he is willing or not, where will his butt sit? What does it have to do with us?"
The sound of silk and bamboo stopped, and after the dance, bursts of applause came from downstairs. Zhang Yuehui retracted his legs and opened the transparent gauze curtain in front of his eyes.
"Okay!" The dude also clapped, and then threw the banknotes in his sleeves into the air, causing the crowd downstairs to scramble for them.
It's like a pebble thrown into water, causing ripples in circles. People were vying for a banknote and even started fighting. The scene was chaotic for a time.
Zhang Yuehui looked down from a high position and was very happy to watch.
"This pool needs to be muddied so that we can make more profits."
——
In Wangxuewu, Nan Yi was already drowned in eight hundred trivial matters. He only vaguely heard what the female envoys said. A guest came to the house. At this moment, Mrs. Gantang was leading people to pay New Year's greetings to the Dowager Madam. .
She didn't care about these things that didn't require her participation at all, and was busy in the Yixuan Pavilion in the garden. After a while, everyone dispersed from the Songhe Hall of Mrs. Tai. They would first come to Yixuan Pavilion to have tea and chat, and the main banquet would not be considered until evening.
When Nan Yi looked up, all the female envoys around him were gone. She was the only one in the huge pavilion.
She was used to it. As long as Mrs. Gantang couldn't see her, these female envoys could only move with an order. Most of the time, they didn't bother to work under her at all. Leaving her alone is probably just waiting for her to make a fool of herself due to her inability to do what she wants.
But fortunately, Nan Yi didn't care too much. It wasn't that she was willing to be bullied, but that she knew in her heart that she and these people were not on the same journey.
But if you ask her where she is from, Nan Yi can't answer.
Just as he was lost in thought, his sleeves brushed against a porcelain plate on the table. Nan Yi reached out to hold it, keeping the plate, but all the snacks inside fell out and fell to the ground.
The crystal clear pastry fell to pieces, and Nan Yi felt distressed for a while. He looked up and saw no one in the Western Zhou Dynasty. He hesitated for a moment, then knelt down, picked up the relatively complete pastry, dusted it off, and gave it away without hesitation. In the entrance.
Desserts freshly baked are naturally delicious. If other female envoys saw it, they would all take it away and throw it away in disgust. She was used to living without enough to eat, so she couldn't bear to waste any food.
However, she has been in Wangxuewu for a long time, and she also knows that if someone sees this kind of petty behavior, she will be laughed at for a while, both covertly and covertly. So with his mouth full, he quickly picked up all the snacks that fell on the floor and ate them.
She was a little nervous about eating, and Nan Yi didn't even notice the footsteps approaching. When she heard it, she panicked, hurriedly hid behind the screen, wiped the residue from the corner of her mouth, and hurriedly swallowed the cake whole.
But she knew very well in her heart that this was just a cover-up. People coming from the other side could see her actions clearly. This time, she was going to be looked down upon again.
But the man's footsteps only stopped outside the screen and did not go any further.
"lady."
This familiar voice... Nan Yi was startled and looked at the screen, where a thin man's figure was reflected. Just as he was about to speak, he felt choked in his throat.
As if he could understand her thoughts, his voice came over again, and he said extremely politely: "Madam, I will stand outside and talk."
Nan Yi poured himself a glass of water, moistened his throat, and regained his composure slightly: "Mr. Song?"
"It's me, ma'am. I'm here to find you."
"What are you doing with me?" Nan Yi was surprised and curious.
Through the curtain, the sunlight outlines the figures clearly.
Song Muchuan's voice was clear and candid: "When the lady by the river rescued me that time, something dropped, and I went to retrieve it. Last time we met in a hurry, I forgot to bring it with me, so I brought it here to return it to the lady today. "
"Really?" Nan Yi's voice suddenly became excited. She thought that the inkstone given to her by Sister Fang Qiu had been lost when she rescued Song Muchuan in the river. She did not expect to get it back at that time, and vaguely remembered that she had a few disappointed expressions. I felt distressed for a long time after I went back, and felt extremely guilty every time I saw Sister Qiu.
Unexpectedly, Song Muchuan realized that she had dropped something and went to retrieve it without her saying anything. He was so considerate.
"Song was afraid that if he took the first hand and gave it to his wife, he would be said to have given it privately, which would harm his wife's reputation, so he avoided others and went into the backyard."
After hearing his words, Nan Yi restrained himself from wanting to step out of the screen to pick up the things immediately, and thanked him first: "That is a very important thing to me. Thank you very much, Mr. Song."
"Madam, you're welcome. Madam Song left her things outside, so remember to take them. The money Madam gave me last time..." Song Muchuan hesitated, hid the money bag in his sleeve, and lied, "I'll wait for you later." If you have money, you will definitely pay it back with interest. I am really ashamed, so I will say goodbye."
Song Muchuan was no longer short of money. It wasn't that he couldn't pay off Nan Yi's money... but he suddenly had an inexplicable selfish intention and wanted to leave a trace of her involvement.
I owe her money and I will have the opportunity to talk to her again next time.
"Hey, forget about the money..."
Before Nan Yi could finish speaking, the figure behind the screen quickly disappeared.
Nan Yi walked out cautiously, picked up the brocade bag on the ground, took out the Duan Inkstone inside and looked at it again and again. He couldn't put it down, and the joy of finding it was evident on his face.
More, still moved. I was moved by Song Muchuan's intentions and his quiet consideration.
Since they had already found her in the backyard, there was no need to meet across the screen. He clearly knew that she was also afraid of being seen picking up things on the ground and would be embarrassed, so he did not go into the screen to embarrass her.
He is a silent spring rain that moistens everything.
But in the eyes of Xie Queshan in the distance, this scene had a different meaning.
Song Muchuan actually went to the backyard to give Nan Yi something by himself. Was he giving an inkstone as a gift?
Is their relationship already so good?
Xie Queshan stood at the end of the corridor, waiting for Song Muchuan.
Song Muchuan came closer and was not surprised to see him. He stopped for a moment, but finally had nothing to say. The quarreling, sarcastic, or hidden knives in laughter are still too much for these two friends who have been friends for many years. Since he came to the banquet calmly, he let Xie Queshan make the first move.
With neither sadness nor joy on his face, Song Muchuan just bowed his hands in a weak gesture, then walked past him and left.
Xie Queshan's brows furrowed like a small mountain peak.
He sneaked into Wangxuewu's backyard, why don't he, the head of the family, give an explanation? He is so rational and confident, thanks to him being a scholar!
Xie Queshan was inexplicably angry, but he still suppressed the irritability in his heart. It's okay, no matter what kind of monster he is, after today, he will be able to send Song Muchuan away.
He Ping followed, looking at the expression on his master's face, he was a little suspicious for a moment. The master obviously cares about Mr. Song very much, otherwise he would not arrange for him to leave at such a hasty time. But now, looking at the cloudy weather on Xieque Mountain, why does it seem like he is still angry? They obviously didn't say anything...
Before He Ping could figure it out, Xie Queshan flicked his sleeves and strode in the opposite direction.
