Lu Shanghe also looked at Qi Ning at this time, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Little Marquis, your skills at the top of Lotus Peak have astonished everyone. From now on, you are famous all over the world. I am really gratified."
Qi Ning smiled faintly and said: "I've made you laugh. Master Lu, the Shenhou Mansion has convened various gangs to discuss matters. Why don't you participate?"
"The gangs are just looking for rewards from the Shenhou Mansion for their merits." Lu Shanghe said with a smile: "We at Fengjian Villa participated in the attack on the Black Lotus Sect for no other reason. After all, we are also making a living on the ground in Xichuan. The Lotus Sect is very close to us, and its actions are sinister. If we can take this opportunity to eradicate it, the Xichuan martial arts world will be much more peaceful. The Ximen Divine Marquis has always been fair and honest, and no matter how much effort Comrade Xichuan has exerted this time, the Divine Marquis will always be the only one. I know, I believe that even if we don’t participate in the discussion, God will not treat us badly.”
What he said was straightforward and candid.
Qi Ning nodded slightly, and Lu Shanghe already smiled and said: "Little Marquis, Mr. Lu is going to take brother Xiaoyao to my house for a few days. I wonder if the Marquis is interested in it? If the Marquis is not in a hurry to return to the capital, please Come to the humble house and let Lu show his friendship as a landlord."
Qining thought that these sworn brothers were getting together to rekindle their old friendship, and there was really no need for him to get involved. In addition, he was also very concerned about Eve's injury and wanted to go to Black Rock Village as soon as possible. He was about to politely decline. But I heard a person behind Lu Shanghe laugh and say: "The young Marquis wants to escort that old poisoner Shui Qianyi back to Beijing for trial. For such a great contribution, the court will definitely reward the young Marquis. Maybe after a while, the young Marquis will This marquis can be crowned a duke, and I’m afraid he won’t have the intention to stay in Xichuan.”
Qining looked at the man's face and remembered that his surname seemed to be Feng.
Although the man named Feng had a smile on his face, his words were obviously sarcastic.
Qi Ning also knew in his heart that he had won all three formations at the Lotus Peak and had allowed the eight gangs and sixteen factions to withdraw. Many people must have been very dissatisfied.
It's just that the man surnamed Feng spoke strangely, which made Qining feel a little unhappy. He smiled lightly and said: "Master Lu kindly invites me. If I refuse, I think I will look down on you people and it will be a loss of face. This is something that I rarely do, Master Lu, I didn’t have enough fun at Fengjian Villa last time, so I’m here to have a good time this time.”
"The Marquis has misunderstood." Lu Shanghe said immediately: "The person who invited the Marquis to go this time was not Fengjian Villa, but Yinghe Villa."
"Yinghe Villa?" Qining was startled.
Lu Shanghe said with a smile: "My wife's girlfriend's name is Suying, and Lu Shanghe has a character each, so I named it Yinghe Villa. It was a manor that Lu specially purchased for my wife ten years ago for the purpose of peace and quiet." My wife was the most beautiful woman in Xichuan back then, and to be able to marry a reckless man like Lu is a virtue that my Lu family has accumulated over many lifetimes, so as long as Lu can do it, I will definitely give my wife the best."
Several people behind him laughed in agreement and said: "Master Lu is generous and kind, but also has outstanding talents. He is well-known among all the people in the world. But not many people know that Master Lu cares so much about Mrs. Lu. I am afraid that he will never do it again in the world." I can’t find such a good man anymore.”
The Master Feng said with a smile: "Master Lu has already said that Mrs. Lu was the most beautiful woman in Xichuan back then. It is indeed enviable for Master Lu to be able to embrace such a beautiful woman. With such a good wife, Master Lu will of course be the most beautiful woman in Xichuan." Madam holds it in the palm of her hand and cherishes it even more, hahaha...!" Others also laughed.
Qi Ning glanced at Xiang Baiying and saw that Xiang Baiying looked calm, but there was a hint of loss in his eyes. He smiled and said: "Brother cares so much about my sister-in-law that few people can."
"Xiaoyao, don't say that. I'm a rough man. I just want her to have good food, clothing, and shelter." Lu Shanghe said solemnly: "If Xiaoyao marries a wife in the future, he will definitely be a good man. I miss you Qin Xiaoyao back then. I know everything about chess, calligraphy and painting, but I can't keep up with him in any of them."
Xiang Baiying just smiled and shook his head without saying anything.
"We don't need to talk much here in the wilderness." Lu Shanghe said with a smile: "When we get to Yinghe Villa, we can have a drink and reminisce about the past. Xiaoyao, last time at Fengjian Villa, you left in a hurry, for my brother's sake, can you return the favor? There are a lot of things I haven’t said to you.”
The group continued eastward towards Chengdu Prefecture. They walked for two days. Lu Shanghe made extremely thoughtful arrangements along the way. Everywhere they went, he sent people to arrange meals and accommodation in advance. Three meals a day were provided. It's so rich. Although the few people who follow him are also powerful in Xichuan, they are really obedient to the road and He.
Qining was going to Heiyan Village, and he had to pass through Chengdu Prefecture, so he was on his way. Since Lu Shanghe had made careful arrangements along the way, he had already made the arrangements.
On the third day, Lu Shanghe headed south. It turned out that Yinghe Villa was in the southwest of Chengdu.
On the way, three people said goodbye and went back home. The remaining leader Feng and another person followed them to Yinghe Villa.
Before dark that day, I followed a bluestone road to the front of a large manor. Behind the manor was a mountain, and in front was a clear lake. It was surrounded by flowerbeds and green willows. The scenery was pleasant, and it had a bit of Jiangnan charm. , outside the vermilion gate, there are two large stone lions, one on the left and one on the right. They are majestic and domineering, but they also show that Lu Shanghe's family is rich.
Lu Shanghe opened the door. The servants were very happy to see the owner of the village back. Someone had already come and led the horses down. Lu Shanghe led everyone into the village. When they arrived at the lobby, Qining saw a painting hanging in the middle hall. It depicts an old man with white hair and a boyish face, holding a sword in one hand and stroking his white beard with the other hand. His eyes are squinting upwards, with an unworldly temperament.
Qi Ning was just wondering why there was such a painting hanging in the middle hall of Yinghe Villa, and who the old man in the painting could be, when he saw Xiang Baiying slowly walking forward, suddenly falling to his knees on the ground, and kowtow to the portrait. .
Qi Ning was startled, and Lu Shanghe sighed softly: "Xiaoyao, after I renovated the villa, I invited the first painter in Xichuan to paint this portrait for my adoptive father. There is no portrait left of my adoptive father, so I can only rely on memory to tell the painter about the meaning of justice." There may still be some flaws in my father’s appearance.”
"This is father." Xiang Baiying raised his head and stared at the portrait, his voice choked with sobs: "Brother, this... is really difficult for you...!" After saying that, he kowtowed nine times respectfully.
Only then did Qi Ning realize that the portrait turned out to be that of the old owner of Chengying Villa.
This was a martial arts senior and Xiang Baiying's father. Qining did not dare to be rude, so he stepped forward and bowed deeply to the portrait of the old village owner.
After kowtowing to Baiying nine times, Lu Shanghe had already stretched out his hand to help him up. Xiang Baiying's eyes were slightly red, and he smiled bitterly: "Xiaoyao is worthy of being the son of a man. I have been the eldest brother all these years... Hey!"
"Xiaoyao, you're going to make me angry when you say that." Lu Shanghe said seriously: "You and I were sworn brothers back then, and my adoptive father didn't mind that I came from a poor background and accepted me as his adopted son. From that time on, I Consider yourself a part of the Xiang family. You have traveled around the world over the years, and now you have become the leader of the Beggar Clan. You have done such a great thing. If your adoptive father knew about it, I would not know how happy he would be." He put his hands behind his back and looked at the picture Painting, slowly said: "My adoptive father taught me a lot back then. Although he has been gone for more than 20 years, I keep every word he said to me in my heart. The portrait of my adoptive father is here, and I remember it every time. Every day when I come in and out, I will think of my father’s teachings back then. If it weren’t for these teachings, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Xiang Baiying forced a smile, but Qining could see that this well-informed leader of the Beggar Clan had touched the softest part of his heart at this moment.
"Xiaoyao, look, there is a large blank space beside the portrait of my adoptive father." Lu Shanghe said with a smile, "Do you know why this is?"
Xiang Baiying said: "Please give me some advice, big brother!"
"My foster father traveled all over the world, established a foothold in Xichuan, and single-handedly founded Fengjian Villa." Lu Shanghe said with emotion: "He is a very heroic old man, but he only has one portrait. My brother always felt that something was missing, so when he painted the portrait, he I thought about writing a matching poem for him."
Xiang Baiying said: "Poetry?"
"That's right." Lu Shanghe nodded and smiled: "You know that my brother only knows how to wield swords and guns, and he really can't write any clever words. Although Su Ying has outstanding literary talent, she is a woman after all, and her literary talent is a bit more delicate, which does not match the lofty sentiments of her adoptive father. , so I have been waiting for you to come back and complete this poem."
Xiang Baiying was startled and sighed: "Brother, you... you really put a lot of effort into this."
"Do you think I brought you back just to meet your sister-in-law?" Lu Shanghe laughed loudly: "If I can't write the lyrics for a day, I feel ashamed of my adoptive father, so I will do whatever it takes to bring you back this time." Fill in the words." He patted Baiying on the shoulder and said, "Your literary talent was outstanding back then. Eighteen years have passed and you have seen a lot. Compared to those days, it is naturally different now."
Xiang Baiying shook his head and said: "Brother, I am grateful that you have taken so much trouble, but I think anyone can fill in this poem, except me."
"Oh?" Lu Shanghe asked curiously: "Why is this?"
"My father's last wish was for me to give up martial arts and pursue literature." Xiang Baiying said with a wry smile: "Eldest brother should remember that my father sealed the sword in his later years, hoping that the Xiang family would no longer be involved in the Jianghu grievances. It's a pity that my younger brother is still in the Jianghu. And...!" He shook his head: "I may not be happy that my father knows this, but I'm afraid he is still blaming me. Therefore, I dare not fill in this poem. Besides, the son does not care about his father, no matter what kind of person his father is. As a son, it’s hard to judge me.”
Lu Shanghe raised his hand and stroked his beard and said, "So Xiaoyao still has such scruples. It's because of my brother's lack of consideration. This...!"
The leader of the Feng clan smiled and said: "Master Lu, there is a taboo on writing words to the gang leader, but that's true." He glanced at Qining and said: "Don't forget, the young marquis is still here. This is a normal time to invite everyone. If you can’t invite this noble person, why don’t the owner of the village ask the young Marquis to write the lyrics?”
Another person immediately said: "What Master Feng said is absolutely true. The Jinyi Hou is famous all over the world. The young Marquis comes from the Jinyi Qi family. He must be a literary and martial artist. He is on the top of Lotus Peak. We have seen the martial arts of the young Marquis. It is indeed amazing. Now why not ask the young Marquis to show off his literary talents, and let us see the literary talents of the Jin Yi Qi family!"