When Tao Hua returned, Mother Xu was directing the girls in the courtyard with great interest. Tao Hua knew that every time Madam Liu came to speak with her, she was very happy. Today, her eyebrows are full of joy.
"Mother."
She stepped forward, finished her close and quick salute, pulled Mother Xu's sleeves and walked to the corridor, and brightly told her what Fuquan had told her.
Mother Xu was listening to her with a smile, but when she finished speaking, the smile on her face was obviously startled.
"What you said is true?"
"Brother Fuquan in the old house told me personally, can there be fakes?" Taohua slightly raised her mouth proudly: "When Miss Liu comes, the mother must take care of you, Brother Fuquan said, maybe Our house can be married to Master Liu."
After she finished speaking, she waited for Mother Xu to compliment herself, but she didn't wait for the other party to move for a while, and when she raised her eyes, she was taken aback by the complicated look on Mother Xu's face.
How complicated should it be? It was joy and sorrow.
Tao Hua was disturbed by her face, and she didn't dare to laugh anymore. She timidly asked, "Mother, did I say something wrong?"
Mother Xu returned to her senses: "It's nothing, you watch these girls clean up the yard first, and I'll go back to the house."
After finishing speaking, she hurried into the room, the peach blossom looking anxiously looked at a loss, and tilted her head in confusion.
I have never seen a grandma so eager.
She didn't seem to say anything just now, right?
Inside the room, Li Ziqian, who had been quietly lowering her head to make clothes, had a piercing hand for a while, and then slowly said: "This girl, Taohua, has heard it wrong. Master has never mentioned this to me in the past 16 years. "
"Although Tao Hua is young, she is the safest to do things on weekdays. If she does not remember clearly, she will not come back to spread the word."
Seeing Li Ziqian like this, Mother Xu sighed: "Ma'am, sir, he...may be really thinking of Miss in her heart, otherwise it will be mentioned in 16 years."
"Mother, don't talk about it."
Li Ziqian still lowered her eyes and threaded needles on her clothes: "I know exactly what kind of person he is."
She didn't believe that Ji Changze really had any affection for his "dead young" daughter.
After knowing that Ji Changze had betrayed her father as a son-in-law and a disciple, although she rushed to send the child away, in her heart, she still had a trace of expectation for this childhood sweetheart and very affectionate husband after marriage.
Hope that everything outside is a rumor.
Expect him to explain to her in person.
But in the end, there was nothing.
When she was a teenager, she smiled cheerfully at her. After getting married, she tenderly threw her eyebrows, was a caring disciple to her father and mother, and a tender husband to her, as if finally removing all the pretense.
The expression is cold, and the eyes are full of indifference.
Even knowing that their child was a "stillborn", he didn't show any sadness, but simply accepted the news that was bad news for his father.
At that time, Li Ziqian stared at her husband almost without blinking, hoping that his face would show the look he should have.
He has lost a child he has been looking forward to for a long time.
But no, nothing.
Ji Changze's reaction was so plain, as if the person who smiled softly at her and touched her still not big belly had never existed before she went to her hometown.
Maybe it's that he doesn't have to pretend anymore.
If Li Ziqian had a glimmer of hope in her heart when she heard the news on the road, then after witnessing Ji Changze's indifference to the child's death, she was completely gloomy.
Isn't it normal for a person who doesn't have any affection for him to be a teacher who treats him like a parent and child?
Sixteen years ago, he had no reaction when he learned that his daughter was "dead". Sixteen years later, he came to pretend to be a good father.
The clothes in Li Ziqian's hands were ready. She took up the clothes and checked them several times. She was satisfied that there was no thread before handing the clothes to Mother Xu.
"In that red box."
"Yes."
Mother Xu wanted to say anything, but in the end she didn't say anything, she just held the clothes and carefully put them in the red gift box.
When the clothes were ready, Li Ziqian had nothing to do for a short time, so she sat in front of the window, quietly looked out of the window, motionless.
Sitting like a stone sculpture, as if she had been completely taken away from her life.
Waiting until it became lively outside, the voice of a little girl smiling and talking came.
"Ms. Liu is here, I have seen Mrs. Liu, Miss Liu, and the slave maid will report it."
Li Ziqian stiffened, almost uncontrollably stood up and looked at the girl standing in the courtyard outside the window.
She was smiling slightly with her head down, her eyes crooked, and although she was smiling, her manners were not missed. It can be seen that she was well educated.
Mother Xu came in, her tone could not hide her excitement: "Madam, the lady is here."
She was so excited, Li Ziqian calmed down quickly, turned around and said calmly: "It's Miss Liu, don't make a mistake."
"Yes, the old slave knows."
Mrs. Liu has come here many times. She is already familiar with the road. After entering, she smiled at Li Ziqian who came out: "I just heard that the girl outside said that you asked the kitchen to prepare early for dinner with us. It seems I can have a good meal today."
Li Ziqian also laughed.
"I know that you are a greedy mouth. If you don't prepare something delicious, where will your mouth be blocked."
Liu Leping, who stood by his side, was curious.
My mother has never been so relaxed in front of others. It seems that Mrs. Ji is really a handkerchief in her mother's boudoir.
After the two had spoken affectionately, Mr. Liu pointed to Liu Leping and said, "This is Leping. He has a good temperament. He has been a clever since he was a child. There is nothing my husband can't figure out in his daily life. I have to ask this girl for a lot of help."
Liu Leping hurriedly took a short step forward, slightly blessed: "Leping has seen Mrs. Ji."
"Quick, get up."
She felt the heat in her arm, and Mrs. Ji held her arm directly to help her up. Liu Leping was a little flattered.
Looking at it again, Mrs. Ji looked like she really liked what she liked, her eyes filled with love, but her eyes were a little red for some reason.
"What a good boy, you raised this boy so well."
"This child is going to follow his mother, so naturally he has a good temper."
Listening to Liu Leping's doubts, my mother never liked boasting, how could she boast so carelessly in front of Mrs. Ji?
Their relationship is really good.
"I heard that Leping is coming, and I have nothing to give away. At this age, when it's time to dress up, I will give away a piece of clothing."
Li Ziqian had already cleared up her emotions quickly, blinked to hide her tears, and smiled and called to Mother Xu: "Bring that red box."
Mother Xu quickly took it. She took it away and opened it. She took out the clothes that had just been made inside and showed them to Liu Leping: "This material is a good forging, but it is the most comfortable to wear. Don't look at the thinness. , Dressed very warmly."
The elder gave a gift, and Liu Leping hurriedly got up from his seat: "Thank you, Mrs. Ji."
"It's okay, it's okay, kids your age should just dress up well."
Mrs. Ji smiled affectionately, and took Liu Leping's hand to pat: "Good boy, I have something to say with your mother. Let's go out for a stroll. I will let the girl lead you to take a good look at the garden of our house. "
Liu Leping responded, and as soon as she was taken out of the house by Taohua, she heard her mother's voice faintly from behind: "You too, why don't you say more about it."
What more? Are you talking about her?
Liu Leping didn't think too much, and went out with the girl. This girl named Taohua was a talker, and she never stopped talking along the way.
"Look, Miss Liu, this is the Nine-turn Roundabout Pavilion. There are nine roads in it, and each road connects to different places. The scenery is also beautiful in various ways. If summer comes, it will be even more stunning, with flowers blooming everywhere. , It looks good."
Taohua knew from her brother Fuquan that Miss Liu reminded the master of the young lady who died young, and now she is waiting hard, hoping that Miss Liu will leave a good impression on her.
Liu Leping nodded frequently, the expression on his face relaxed a lot.
He looked up with a smile, but met the eyes of a stranger.
She was taken aback and took a step back subconsciously, but the man smiled at her first: "Is it Miss Liu's family? I'm your Uncle Ji."
Uncle Ji?
Father's friend, Master Ji who came to give his father a farewell gift before?
Since you are an elder, you don't need to avoid it. Liu Leping hurriedly stepped forward to see him: "I have seen Uncle Ji."
Ji Changze already called herself uncle, and she was too embarrassed to call it an adult again.
"You are welcome, didn't you follow your mother to the wife's yard? Why did you come here?"
Tao Hua hurriedly explained to her: "Ms. Liu and Mrs. Liu were chatting, so the servant girl took Ms. Liu out to stroll around the yard."
"It's a coincidence."
Ji Changze still smiled, beckoning: "Fuquan, bring the present for Miss Liu."
Seeing that Liu Leping lowered his eyes and was not curious, he explained in a loving tone: "It was a gift that Fuquan was going to bring to you. I have no children under my knees, and I don't know what children of your age like. Take some jewelry, you can wear it."
Liu Leping hesitated for a second, and reached out to take the box in Fuquan's hand: "Thank you, uncle."
It stands to reason that after giving the gift and seeing the gift, she should go, but Uncle Ji in front of him just looked at her with a loving smile and asked gently;
"You're at Liu, at home...How are you doing?"
What is the problem?
Liu Leping was dumbfounded for a second before hurriedly replied: "My niece is doing well at home."
"It's good, it's good..."
Ji Changze murmured and smiled: "Although the Liu family is not clean, it is not bad."
After speaking what Liu Leping didn't understand, he said again:
"Well, you go back, if you have time on weekdays, come and accompany your aunt more, go."
Liu Leping blessed slightly, turned and left.
After two steps, she suddenly felt something was wrong, and quietly looked back.
Master Ji was still standing on the pavilion looking at her. Seeing her, there was still a touch of love on his face, and he waved at her.
But why... his figure looks so lonely.
It's a bit familiar, as if I've seen it from nowhere.
After walking back to the yard, Liu Leping suddenly remembered.
When Master Ji looked at her, the gaze filled with kindness and the smile that made people feel sad though smiling were exactly the same as Mrs. Ji.
She lowered her head and quietly opened the box. A small box was filled with all kinds of precious jewellery. She even saw a pair of jade earrings in excellent condition.
Liu Leping widened his eyes in surprise.
Just this pair of emerald earrings is something that her cousins could not afford after more than ten years of accumulation.
This gift is extremely heavy for the elders.
It was like the clothes sent by Mrs. Ji. Although only a plain box was packed, the clothes inside were extremely delicate.
But why?
Since Mrs. Ji and Master Ji have shown that they love her so much, why should they be sad?
"Why did the young lady come back so soon?"
Seeing Liu Leping's return, the girl in the yard hurriedly greeted her and went to the house. Liu Leping found that the mother and Mrs. Ji who were talking in the house closed their mouths when they saw her coming in.
Don't you want her to hear the content of your mother's conversation with Mrs. Ji?
Liu Leping had doubts in his heart, but he didn't show up on his face, so he sat down after saluting the two elders.
Mrs. Ji smiled and asked her: "Why do you come back so fast? Have you visited the Fuzhong Garden?"
Liu Leping replied: "I ran into Uncle Ji on the road. Uncle gave a gift and came back straight away."
Originally, it was normal for the elders to give gifts to the elders, but after she finished speaking, she found that both her mother and Mrs. Ji's complexion changed instantly, and the calm mother actually stood up directly.
"What did you say, did you meet Ji Chang... Master Ji?"
I just met an elder, not to mention that this is still in his house. Isn't it normal to meet?
Liu Leping didn't know, so he told the truth about his accidental encounter.
After speaking, she looked at her mother's complex expression, and asked with some worry: "But what did the daughter do wrong?"
Before her mother spoke, Mrs. Ji grabbed the conversation first. She smiled, but Liu Leping saw her smile very reluctantly.
"It's nothing, you guys are hungry too, Peach Blossom, let the kitchen deliver the food."
Both elders had to act as if nothing happened. Even though Liu Leping was curious in his heart, he was sensible and didn't ask any more questions.
After a meal, she felt very good.
Mrs. Ji is the gentlest and best speaker of all the ladies she has ever seen. Maybe it's because she had a handkerchief with her mother. She was also very kind to her. She frequently added food to her when she ate, and she raised her eyes by chance. All of them are Mrs. Ji's smiling face.
It seems that Mrs. Ji really likes the younger generation.
The host and the guests enjoyed a meal. After chatting for more than an hour, Mrs. Liu got up and said goodbye to go back. When Mother Xu sent the mother and daughter to the gate of the yard, Liu Leping saw Master Ji again.
He was standing outside the door, talking to the girl guarding the door outside.
Seeing the two, he bowed his hand.
Before Liu Leping responded, he saw his mother's face changed drastically and stood in front of her.
She was surprised that her mother had always been dignified, how could she perform this rude gesture in front of outsiders. Before she could understand, she saw Master Ji smiled reluctantly: "Where is the sister-in-law?"
"My husband is just a fifth-rank little official. When he is a sister-in-law, I ask the adults to give way. Don't get in the way."
The smile on Ji Changze's mouth became more and more far-fetched. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the end he didn't speak any more, only saluted again and turned away.
A cold wind blows, and Master Ji's wide sleeves are blown up, making his figure a little weaker and weaker.
Liu Leping wondered why her mother hated Master Ji in this way. It was obvious that she had a very good relationship with Mrs. Ji.
Madam Liu didn't notice the blankness in her daughter's eyes, she just turned her head and asked Mother Xu: "How can he still have the face to come here."
Mother Xu knew that Mrs. Liu was worried that Ji Changze was coming to Liu Leping, and she quickly explained:
"Master comes every day, but he doesn't go to the hospital. He just came to ask Mrs. if he had eaten and what kind of dishes he used."
"Cry cats and mice fake mercy! I lost Cici back then, now I'm pretending to be a good person."
Madam Liu scolded angrily.
Mother Xu knew that she was complaining about the grievances for her wife, she only bowed her head as if she hadn't heard her, and when she sent them out of the house, she took advantage of Liu Leping being supported by the girl on the sedan chair, and whispered to Mrs. Liu: "Our wife's It means, don't bring Miss Leping here in the future."
Madam Liu was a little startled: "Cici is afraid?"
Mother Xu knew what she was talking about and nodded: "Although the first wife who delivered the baby died of illness, the only people who knew about it were you, my wife, and the old slaves. But what kind of temper is your master? I also know that there are very few things I can hide from him. If Miss Leping comes more often, I may not be able to tell what the master is."
Mrs. Liu understands.
She sighed: "It's just that Cici will suffer."
The biological daughter was in Beijing but she didn't dare to meet. She liked to look forward to it so much, but she had to personally decide not to see this child again in the future.
It's all to blame for Ji Changze for doing evil, if it weren't for him, how could Cici want this.
On the other side, it should be said that they are husband and wife, Liu Shengyan is also swearing at Ji Changze.
Ji Changze who committed evil.
He had been walking hard along the way, but now he has to take a long way to deliver the letter. It is rainy and cold here, and the ground is all muddy. If a person walks inside, he can accidentally sink into the roots of his legs, Liu Shengyan. The weak scholar, he felt like he was freezing to death in less than an hour.
I can't complain that this side is a place of exile, it's too bad.
After complaining all the way, he still didn't give up. When it was almost dark, Liu Shengyan found a place to redeem him.
This group of exiled people came to do hard work, and they had to pay three hundred gold to redeem one person.
The rule of ransoming a person with three hundred gold was naturally set by the emperor.
Anyway, as an emperor who needs money to eat, drink and have fun, he is determined not to let go of even a little opportunity to make money.
Three hundred gold, let alone the small officials who were exiled here, even those who have savings at home would have to take it out very hard.
People who have money to redeem their children were redeemed on the first day they were sent here, and the rest are naturally those who have no money in their homes and will have to stay here for at least 20 to 30 years.
As soon as the redeemer's secretary entered, most of the prisoners who were working in the distance quietly looked over, guessing which one was redeemed this time.
"No newcomers have come recently, can anyone make enough money?"
While working, people are discussing whose family may come to redeem him. Some people are interested in this, while others are not.
One of the middle-aged people was not interested. He limped on a leg and limped at work. He didn't respond to other people's discussions, so he just stuck his head and did his own work.
It's not that he doesn't want to go out, but he knows what his family is like. He has only an old mother who can't walk easily. Although his wife says that he does embroideries well, he can still sell them for a few dollars on weekdays. To collect three hundred gold is like a fantasy.
Therefore, he can only leave after working here for twenty years.
He was sullenly doing things, and the petty officer who was watching them suddenly walked towards him. He was shocked and hurried to work harder. For fear of being beaten again, he didn't expect the petty officer to walk up to him and just ask him; "You are Isn't it called yellow ginseng?"
He was stunned: "Yes, I am yellow ginseng."
"Okay, you go, someone will redeem you."
The yellow ginseng was stunned.
How can someone redeem him?
In the situation in his family, even if he sold the whole family, he couldn't make up the money.
But looking at the surrounding environment, the cocoons and blisters in the palm of his hand, he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, finally, finally got rid of here.
Huang Ginseng limped and walked to the gate under the envy and jealous eyes of others. The officials confirmed his identity and let him go. Outside, there was a man sitting on a rock and throwing the stones in his boots waiting. Huang Ren Ginseng watched. He looked familiar, staring for several seconds before pulling it out of memory.
"Liu, Master Liu?"
Liu Shengyan put on his boots and got up to meet him: "Master Huang, I haven't seen him for a long time."
Huang Ginseng smiled bitterly: "I have been demoted, so don't call me an adult."
Seeing that it was Liu Shengyan, his doubts in his heart became more serious. The situation in Liu Shengyan's family was not much better than that of him. The two of them were half a catty. Where would the money come from to redeem him? The two have no friendship, so why come to redeem him?
When I arrived at the inn, I finally didn't have to step on the mud. Liu Shengyan breathed a sigh of relief before he started talking about the business: "I am here to redeem you. It is entrusted by others."
Yellow Ginseng was even more at a loss: "Who?"
Liu Shengyan stared at him with a look on his face: "Master Ji Changze Ji."
The yellow ginseng was taken aback.
"This this..."
Liu Shengyan hurriedly asked: "What was going on in the first place, does Mrs. Huang know the inside story?"
He was trying hard to figure out what Ji Changze was selling.
Then ask the victim Huang Daren, and it will be clearest.
After all, it was Ji Changze who gave him a messenger, and he was sent here.
Huang Ginseng's expression was complicated, and he opened his mouth hesitantly, not knowing what to say, but looking at his expression, he did know something.
There is a play! !
Liu Shengyan hurriedly took out the letter from his baggage and handed it to Huang Ginseng: "Master Ji asked me to give this letter to you. Take a look."
After speaking, seeing Huang Ginseng began to open the letter, he quickly moved the stool over there, and followed it with a very natural appearance.
Holding this letter along the way, Liu Shengyan was curious to death, but this was Ji Changze's letter to others, and he was not easy to peek.
It can be seen now.
As a result, after reading the letter, it might as well not read it.
Before Liu Shengyan read the letter, there were only three question marks in his heart. After reading it, they became eighteen.
It was written in the letter that I hope Mr. Huang can help Liu Shengyan, help him quell the refugees, comfort the people, and complete the disaster relief smoothly. Liu Shengyan can understand these things.
He also wrote to make Mr. Huang feel at ease. His family is living as before. The two children are also in school. They are talented and learn very hard. Liu Shengyan also understands this.
But what did the letter stated at the beginning of "I helped you as you wished, and now it's time for you to help me with radiance and fever", what do you mean?
When did Ji Changze help yellow ginseng?
Hasn't he been harming yellow ginseng all the time? Isn't it because of Ji Changze that yellow ginseng fell to this exile?
However, after reading the yellow ginseng, his eyes were full of tears and his face was full of gratitude, as if he wished to enshrine Ji Changze.
"Master Ji and Master Ji are really good people..."
Liu Shengyan: "???"
Wait, you figured it out, didn't Ji Changze make you here? ?
This is what Huang Ginseng is talking about.
He was grateful to Ji Changze very gratefully, upside down, and told the "truth" at the beginning.
"At that time, I saw that His Majesty was going to take me and wait for these former officials of the former prince's family to perform various crimes. At that time, three of the former prince's former officials were charged with various crimes. Not to mention their own lives, and the family members were also injured and sold."
The yellow ginseng was red, and he said gravely:
"I'm a small official, and I can't save myself. What's more, it is your majesty who wants our lives. Who can fight against your majesty in the world? Then I thought, how can it be a death at all, instead of the whole family suffering, it is better to just kill me. ."
Liu Shengyan understood it now.
"So you asked Ji Changze to pretend to hate you, find you a crime and send you to this remote place. Although you were exiled, your family fled."
"No."
Yellow Ginseng shook his head, his tone ashamed.
"At that time, I also believed that Master Ji was a villain who must repay him. The villain with a deep heart and a vicious attack directly stepped on the adult's foot and was successfully exiled. I only thought that I had guessed the adult's reaction... …Unexpectedly, I didn't expect that Master Ji knew everything, but he didn't say anything, he deliberately cooperated with me..."
"I also think that Master Ji is a villain. It turns out that this is not the result of my calculation, but Master Ji deliberately helped me. I, I still misunderstood him like that. I really can't help the adults..."
Liu Shengyan thought about it. He clearly saw it but didn't say anything. He just silently assisted him in accordance with Huang Ginseng's plan, which sounded a bit familiar.
Come to think of it, isn't this what Ji Changze had quietly helped him for more than ten years before, but he never revealed anything in front of him?
Eh, Nagasawa...
Why on earth do you want to do this, and why on earth.
He patted the yellow ginseng on the shoulder: "I understand you, you are at ease, Ji Changze is not the one to be careful, I was like you before, he helped me behind for more than ten years, I scolded him for more than ten years, he never did Care about me."
"Hey, I have suffered you too. For the sake of your family, you have to find your own sins. If you didn't meet Changze, but the person who will be retributed to the canthus, it is possible to lose your head."
Yellow ginseng wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and said dullly, "What can I do? At that time, instead of being annihilated, it would be better to just sacrifice me. In order to keep my family, I would do whatever I wanted."
"No, if it's me, I'm afraid I will do the same, for the sake of my family..."
Liu Shengyan said and stopped suddenly.
For... family?
At the beginning... the situation of the Li family, if it weren't for Master Li's death in the court, Ji Changze quickly admitted the crime of Master Li, and with the current practice, the Li family would definitely not be able to survive.
Nowadays, it has always been cutting the grass without leaving its roots, unless, unless the roots left behind are marked as guilty.
He has been wondering why Ji Changze suddenly changed a person back then, from a disciple of Master Rumu, a husband who is affectionate with his wife, and a friend who is cheerful and tolerant towards him, to a framing Master, flattering the present, stepping high The villain who holds down the minister.
Why, it changed so suddenly.
Are they all in disguise before? Is it all made by him?
But now, after knowing part of what Ji Changze had done silently, an idea suddenly popped up in his heart.
Perhaps Ji Changze has never changed.
It's just that if he doesn't, then the next one to die in front of him will be the Li family's wife.
Liu Shengyan asked Huang Renshen: "I ask you, if your wife, children and mother are in danger and want to save their lives, you must insult your dying father and act like a shameless villain. You will be insulted by all the people in the world. Do you do this?"
Huang Ginseng nodded affirmatively: "Yes, I will."
"My father died early. Before leaving, he asked me to take good care of my mother. If he is alive, he will definitely support me in doing this. No matter how my reputation is damaged, I must save my mother, wife and children, Master Liu, you Why are you crying, no, why are you laughing again? Did I make a mistake?"
Liu Shengyan cried and smiled and waved his hands: "Yes, that's right."