Qi Ning was surprised when he saw that there was no one in the room, and immediately turned to look at the door. He remembered that after entering, the door was locked, and he was very alert, even if he fell asleep, he would still be there. I was on guard, and if someone really dared to sneak into the room in the middle of the night, I would definitely notice it. But at this time, the door was actually slightly open, and I felt even more shocked.
He stood up immediately and suddenly heard the faint sound of music. He listened carefully, and it seemed to be the sound of guzheng.
Qi Ning walked out of the room lightly, only to see Xiang Baiying sitting beside a pillar in the corridor outside the door, holding the cowhide bag in his hand, raising his head slightly, looking at the bright moon in the sky, if there was Thoughts.
Qi Ning breathed a sigh of relief and thought that he was worrying too much. Xiang Baiying was one of the few top players in the world today. Even if he was drunk, who could get close to him
The faint sound of the guzheng seemed to be coming from the northeast. After dark at Yinghe Villa, everything was quiet, but the guzheng bosom friend could vaguely hear it clearly.
Qi Ning didn't know much about music, but when he heard the sound of the guzheng, it seemed to be filled with sadness and resentment.
Qi Ning walked lightly to Xiang Baiying, but Xiang Baiying did not move. He was still staring at the bright moon in the sky. Only when Qi Ning sat down next to him did Xiang Baiying turn his head and look at it. Smile lightly.
Qi Ning knew that although Xiang Baiying saw his old friend again after many years, his mood must be extremely complicated. He drank alone outside the door in the middle of the night, obviously to relieve his sorrow.
After a moment, the guzheng bosom friend suddenly disappeared. Xiang Baiying picked up the cowhide, raised his head and took a big sip.
Qi Ning advised softly: "Uncle Xiang, you drank enough last night. It's better to drink less to avoid hurting your body."
Xiang Baiying smiled slightly and asked, "Why did you wake up?"
"I woke up suddenly." Qi Ning said with a smile: "Uncle Xiang, were you awakened by the sound of the guzheng?"
Xiang Baiying was startled, then smiled lightly and said nothing.
"Uncle Xiang, who is playing the guzheng?" Qi Ning asked doubtfully: "It's midnight, why don't you sleep?"
"It's Su... it's Mrs. Lu!" Xiang Baiying said: "She has been learning chess, calligraphy and painting since she was a child, and Guzheng, Yaoqin is her favorite."
"Have you known her since you were very young?" Qi Ning asked curiously.
Xiang Baiying nodded slightly and said: "Mrs. Lu's father was also a master in the world back then, and he and my father were sworn brothers. Uncle Lu had an upright character and hated evil. When he saw injustice on the road, he offended a group of masters, and everyone in the Lu family was killed. , only Uncle Lu and Mrs. Lu desperately broke out of the encirclement and found Fengjian Villa with their last breath."
Qi Ning was stunned, looked at the bright moon towards Baiying, and said slowly: "I was eleven years old at that time, and Mrs. Lu was just a six-year-old yellow-haired girl. Uncle Lu arrived at Fengjian Villa and entrusted Mrs. Lu to his father. He died of his injuries. My father took action to avenge the Lu family, and Mrs. Lu has stayed with the Xiang family since then. My father regards her as his own child...!"
Qi Ning suddenly realized and understood the relationship between the two, and couldn't help but said: "So, Uncle Xiang and Mrs. Lu are still childhood sweethearts?"
Xiang Baiying's body was shocked, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head: "I have always regarded her as my sister, and...she is married now and is living a good life, so I am relieved."
Qi Ning knew that it was not as simple as what Xiang Baiying said. If Xiang Baiying really regarded Mrs. Lu as his sister, he would never dare to look at Mrs. Lu when they reunited after a long absence.
"Uncle Xiang, there seemed to be... something sad in the sound of the guzheng just now." Qi Ning said softly: "Happiness comes from the heart, if... I say something to Uncle Xiang, don't blame me, if Mrs. Lu really lives a happy life Perfect, why is there such noise in this tune?"
Xiang Baiying frowned and said: "Don't talk nonsense, you are a child, what do you know?" At this time, it seemed like an elder was scolding the younger generation.
Qi Ning sighed and said: "Uncle Xiang, I am not a three-year-old child, and I can see some things."
"What do you see?" Xiang Baiying glanced at Qining and said angrily: "See no evil, hear no evil. Have you never read the book?"
Qi Ning said: "There are some things that even a blind man can see." He came closer and whispered: "Uncle Xiang, do you like Mrs. Lu?"
Xiang Baiying's expression suddenly changed, his face turned cold, and he said solemnly: "Stop talking nonsense."
"Uncle Xiang, there are some things I shouldn't say more." Qining sighed: "On the way to Yinghe Villa, you were restless. After meeting Mrs. Lu last night, you kept drinking. You are a beggar. Gang Leader, I have never seen what kind of world it is, but now you are restless, and you are completely different from your usual self." Seeing Xiang Baiying's cold face, he shook his head: "Forget it, I won't say it anymore, but you just said it too Now, Mrs. Lu is already married, so she has to let go of everything she should."
Xiang Baiying frowned and stared into Qi Ning's eyes. After a moment, he shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Xiang traveled all over the country to control the beggar gang. I never thought that you, a little kid, would teach me a lesson." Picking up the cowhide bag, But he found that the bag was empty, and threw it into Qining's hand, saying, "Go and find some wine for me."
Qi Ning said with a bitter face: "Uncle Xiang, where can I find wine for you in the middle of the night? I don't even know where the wine cellar of Yinghe Villa is."
Xiang Baiying glanced at him, lay down against the pillar, crossed his arms across his chest, closed his eyes, and said no more.
Qi Ning knew that his guess was very close. Xiang Baiying and Madam Lu were childhood sweethearts. The leader of the Beggar Clan must have liked Madam Lu back then, but later, for some unknown reason, Madam Lu married Lu Shanghe.
Although Xiang Baiying has a very high status in the world, has strong martial arts skills, and a free and easy temperament, it is obvious that he has not completely given up on this matter. Perhaps this is also Xiang Baiying's biggest weakness.
Early the next morning, Lu Sheng came over and invited the two of them to have breakfast. His servant arranged for the two of them to take a shower. Lu Sheng led the two of them to the elegant dining room of the villa where they usually eat. Lu Shanghe was already waiting. When he saw the two of them coming, He smiled and said: "Xiaoyao, little Marquis, I have asked people to prepare everything overnight. After breakfast, we will go hunting at Baima Mountain immediately. This time is a good time for hunting. Let's make a dinner with the prey tonight. .”
Qi Ning glanced around and saw that Lu Shanghe was the only one in the dining room, and asked, "Master Feng and the others are not up yet?"
"They left early in the morning." Lu Shanghe said with a smile: "Xiaoyao, Clan Master Feng has always been a bit harsh in his words, but he is not a bad person, he just likes to care about trivial things. This time when Qiqing Clan attacked Qianwu Ridge , and also injured two disciples, Sect Leader Feng is not happy, and it is inevitable that he will say some offensive words, so please don’t take it to heart."
The breakfast was indeed very rich. Lu Shanghe obviously knew Xiang Baiying's temperament and even prepared a jar of good wine on the table early in the morning.
"At this time every year, I will take time to go hunting at Baima." Lu Shanghe said with a smile: "There are many wild animals there, but it is a good place for hunting."
At this moment, I heard a soft voice saying: "It's always bad to kill too many animals. It's better to hunt less." As he spoke, he saw Mrs. Lu coming with a tray.
"Xiaoyao, your sister-in-law got up early in the morning and cooked five-treasure porridge for you." Lu Shanghe stood up and went over, hurriedly taking the tray from Mrs. Lu's hand, "Come and taste it, it still doesn't taste the same as before."
There were three bowls of porridge in the tray. Lu Shanghe personally brought one bowl to Xiang Baiying and Qining, and then he also took another bowl. Then he looked at Madam Lu and said, "Madam, there are no outsiders here. Sit down and eat together." .”
This time Mrs. Lu did not refuse and sat down next to Lu Shanghe. Although there was no one else, Mrs. Lu still covered her face with a veil.
"Brother Xiaoyao, try it." Mrs. Lu's voice was soft: "I haven't had porridge for a few years, and I don't know if it suits your taste."
Xiang Baiying smiled, picked up the porridge bowl, picked up the spoon, and without saying a word, he had finished the whole bowl of porridge in the blink of an eye. He put down the porridge bowl and saw Mrs. Lu looking at him with a pair of watery eyes, and immediately said : "It tastes exactly the same as back then."
Qining thought that what you said was a bit contrary to your will. After eighteen years of separation, no matter how capable you are, can you still remember the taste of eighteen years ago
Mrs. Lu smiled lightly. She was extremely beautiful, and this smile was even more touching. She said softly: "I know that my skills have deteriorated a lot. You are deliberately coaxing me."
Xiang Baiying said hurriedly: "No, it really tastes like back then."
Lu Shanghe laughed and said, "Xiaoyao, if you like it, stay here longer and let your sister-in-law cook porridge for you every day." He looked at Qining and said, "Young Master, let's try it too!"
Qining smiled and nodded.
After breakfast, a few people made preparations. Lu Shanghe took four or five young men from the villa with him to go hunting at Baima Mountain. Baima Mountain is only a dozen miles away from Yinghe Villa. It is not too far. The mountains are clear and the water is beautiful. Everyone went up the mountain. , Lu Shanghe ordered the falcon to be released and drove the prey out of the forest.
This was Qin Ning's first real hunting in the mountains, and he was quite interested in it. Lu Shanghe was very good at archery, and within a short time, he had already killed two rabbits, three chicks, and a deer deer. However, Qi Ning had not encountered any wild boars, tigers or wolves yet. Qi Ning also shot and killed a deer and two chicks. However, Xiang Baiying didn't seem too interested and managed to kill a deer.
After playing for two hours, it was already noon. Lu Shanghe smiled and said: "Little Marquis, let's go deeper into the mountains. We can still find some wild boars and wolves. It's still early, so we'll just get back before dark." Then he looked at Xiang. Bai Ying asked, "Xiaoyao, are you worried? I only shot one roe deer today, so I need to work harder."
Xiang Baiying said: "Brother, I drank too much last night and my head hurts. I... I will take a rest at the foot of the mountain. When you come back, I won't go into the mountains."
"Ah?" Lu Shanghe was startled, "You must be sick, right? Why don't we stop here and go back to the village first."
Xiang Baiying immediately said: "No need, the young Marquis rarely hunts in the mountains. He rarely gets interested. I just rest at the foot of the mountain."
"This...!" Lu Shanghe frowned slightly. Qining thought to himself that Xiang Baiying was so powerful in martial arts and had an astonishing amount of alcohol. How could he be sick just because he drank a few too many drinks last night? He felt a little strange and walked over without speaking. Xiang Baiying already said: "Little Marquis, if you don't catch a wild boar when you go hunting, your trip will be in vain. You must work harder today." He winked at Xiang Qining, who understood and immediately He smiled and said: "Master Lu, Leader Xiang is not feeling well, so we won't make it difficult for him. Anyway, it took him a long time to shoot a roe deer. It seems that hunting is not what Leader Xiang is good at. Let's go to the mountains and hunt a wild boar."