Along the Qinhuai River, there are red lights and green willows. In the middle of summer, a gust of wind passes by, which makes people feel refreshed all over.
The sparkling, rather wide Qinhuai River is like a big mirror, reflecting the scenery on both sides of the river in the water. The water is clear, and as the breeze blows, the waves on the river move slightly. Standing on the bank and overlooking the river, it is another sight. Such breathtaking scenery.
When Qin Ning fell by the river, it was already past lunch time. Because of the hot weather, many people stayed behind closed doors. However, the shade of the trees by the river was quite lively. Many people were sitting under the shade of the trees. Chess players were playing and singing, and some fortune tellers pretended to be profound, closing their eyes and concentrating, waiting for the guests to arrive.
Wang Xiang had been standing on the side of the boat, already sweating profusely under the sun. When he saw Qining coming, he was immediately excited and hurriedly came over to greet Qining on the boat.
Qi Ning has been on Zhuo Xianer's boat several times at night. The lights are brightly lit at night, and the boat looks very magnificent. However, it is broad daylight, and both the Qinhuai River and the boat are not as stunning as at night.
"Miss Zhuo is on the boat?" Qi Ning followed Wang Xiang upstairs with his hands behind his back.
Wang Xiang said: "The girl has been waiting. The younger one was worried that the Marquis would be busy with official duties today and would not be able to come, but the girl said that the Marquis would definitely come."
"Oh?" Qi Ning said with a smile: "Does your girl know how to tell fortunes?" As he spoke, he had already reached the cabin on the second floor.
Xian'er's soft voice came from the room: "Xian'er doesn't know how to tell fortunes, but I know that the Marquis will never leave Xian'er alone." At this time, the cabin curtain was raised, and only Zhuo Xian'er with exquisite eyebrows was standing. Behind the cabin curtain, his eyebrows were full of sweet smiles, looking at Qi Ning.
Xian'er was wearing a emerald green smoked sweater, her shoulders were cut and her waist was plain. Under the reflection of the sun, her beautiful eyebrows were three points of beauty.
Qi Ning was startled for a moment, then smiled and said: "Don't you have a rest?" Going straight to the cabin, Xian'er winked at Wang Xiang, and Wang Xiang immediately retreated.
The cabin was actually cool and pleasant. Qining glanced around and saw a wooden barrel with ice cubes on the side. It turned out that ice cubes were used to dissipate heat. Qining knew that this era was not like later generations, although there were indeed people Ice cubes are stored in the winter and sold in midsummer, but the price is extremely high and cannot be consumed by ordinary people.
Because the cabin was filled with ice to cool off the heat, the windows were closed to prevent the cold air from escaping.
The cabin is still as clean and tidy as before, with sandalwood burning, the guzheng still placed on the table, a small square table next to the guzheng with fruits and snacks on it, and two embroidered futons in the basement.
Qi Ning was wearing a thin shirt. After entering the cabin, Xian'er had already walked up behind Qi Ning very obediently, like a wife waiting at home for a long time to take off her husband's clothes when he returned. Qi Ning originally had some concerns about Xian'er going out in the middle of the night. Although Xian'er was so well-behaved and lovely at the moment, it still warmed Qining's heart. He took off his shirt under Xian'er's service and walked over to sit down on an embroidered futon.
The roads here are already familiar, and he is not polite.
Xian'er put the coat on the hanger, glanced at Qining, smiled sweetly, then turned to behind a screen, and soon came out, holding a jade bowl in her hand, and knelt down beside Qining. , carefully placed the jade bowl in front of Qi Ning, but inside it was a bowl of bird's nest rock sugar water, and a few pieces of crushed ice could be seen inside.
"Master Hou, let's cool down first." Xian'er said softly, taking a small spoon from the table and handing it to Qining.
Qi Ning turned to look at her, and saw that she was unparalleled in beauty, with a trace of care between her brows, and a pair of clear spring-like eyes that seemed to be able to flow out clear water at any time. She looked very charming. Qi Ning sighed, took the spoon, and ate. After a few mouthfuls, he caught a glimpse of Xian'er looking at him without blinking. He couldn't help but look at himself up and down, wondering: "What's wrong?"
Xian'er said softly: "No... it's nothing, it's just... I haven't seen the Marquis for a long time, so... I want to take a good look."
Qi Ning put down the bowl and said, "It's not too long." He looked around and then asked, "Didn't you have a rest today? I thought you were sleeping."
"Master Hou... Master Hou, is he still blaming me?" Xian'er lowered his head slightly and said timidly: "Is it... is it something Xian'er did that made Master Hou unhappy?"
Her soft words were gentle and seemed to be blaming herself, which made people feel pity for her. Qining sighed softly: "Don't think too much, it's nothing strange."
"Master Hou said this because he blames me." Xian'er bit her pink lips, "I... I know it's my fault, but I just don't want Master Hou to be angry."
Qi Ning originally thought that Xian'er would conceal it deliberately and would not mention it if he didn't mention it to her, but at this time she took the initiative to say it, which was a bit surprising. However, Xian'er didn't hide it and it also made him feel better. After a moment's hesitation, Then he asked: "Who picked you up?"
Xian'er lowered her head and stopped talking, saying nothing.
Qi Ning said calmly: "It doesn't matter if you don't want to say it, it's me who is meddling in other people's business."
"Master Hou, you... don't say that." Xian'er raised her head, with tears in the corners of her eyes, "When you say that, Xian'er feels very hurt."
Qi Ning smiled bitterly and shook his head. He reached over and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Xian'er's eyes with his thumb. He said softly: "It doesn't matter. Don't cry. I won't ask. If you don't tell me, you will naturally have your own reasons for it."
"No." Xian'er suddenly raised his hand and held Qining's hand, "It's because they didn't let Xian'er reveal a word, and they said... They also said that if Xian'er told it, he might be killed. Xian'er has brought disaster upon himself, and... and whoever I tell will bring disaster to that person. Xian'er doesn't want to see anything happen to Mr. Hou."
Qi Ning really didn't want to press him at first, but after hearing what Xian'er said, his face darkened and he sneered: "Is there such a domineering person in the capital? Xian'er, now I really want to know who is so powerful."
Xian'er hesitated for a moment and then said softly: "Master Hou, Xian'er... Xian'er has always regarded herself as yours and will not hide anything from you. It's just... I just want Xian'er to ask you to agree to a request, otherwise... otherwise... otherwise Even if the Marquis blames Xian'er, Xian'er won't say anything."
"any request?"
Xian'er said with tears in her eyes: "Master Hou promised Xian'er that when you leave this door, you can just pretend that Xian'er didn't say anything, okay?"
She begged softly, Qining gently touched her face with his fingers and said softly: "As long as he doesn't hurt you, I'll pretend nothing happened."
Xian'er nodded hurriedly and said: "Okay, the Marquis promised to Xian'er, and Xian'er will tell the Marquis." Although the doors and windows were closed, she still looked around, then came close to Qining, and pressed her soft breasts on Qining's shoulders. , instantly making Qining feel its fullness and elasticity, Xian'er leaned close to the ear of the Marquis and asked in a low voice: "Master Hou, do you still remember Mr. Xiao who came with you last time?"
"Master Xiao?" Qi Ning was stunned, and immediately thought of the previous time when the young emperor Longtai met Zhu Qianyi secretly. At that time, he was called Master Xiao. Will he pick you up?"
Xian'er said softly: "Originally... Originally Xian'er didn't want to go see anyone. That night, someone came over to find Xian'er and asked Xian'er to meet Mr. Xiao. He also said that Mr. Xiao was a friend of Mr. Hou and Mr. Hou was away on a mission. , Mr. Xiao wanted to discuss something with me. I was... I was very curious at the time, I didn't know why Mr. Xiao would come to me to discuss things, but... But I knew that he had a close relationship with Mr. Marquis, and I was worried that he came to me and had something to do with Mr. Marquis, so …!”
"So that's it." Qining suddenly realized at this moment: "Then do you know who he is now?"
Xian'er hummed softly and said: "The man picked me up in a carriage and blindfolded me. I couldn't see anything until I saw Mr. Xiao. I didn't know who he was the first two times, but ... But when I went there for the third time, I was curious and wanted to know why he didn't even let me see where he lived, and... and every time he had to walk a long way to get there, so...!"
"So you secretly took a look at the surrounding environment and discovered the flaw." Qining said with a smile.
Xian'er bit her red lips and nodded lightly: "I... I secretly saw a eunuch on the road, and... And the place was magnificent and magnificent, not like an ordinary place. Although... Although Mr. Xiao has never admitted his identity,... but I already guessed who he was."
"Xian'er is smart and can naturally see through it." Qi Ning sighed: "It turns out that the person who picked you up was Mr. Xiao. Was he the one who told you not to show off to the outside world?"
"No, no." Xian'er hurriedly waved her hands and said, "It's not him. He rarely talks to me. It was the person who picked me up who told me not to talk nonsense. The more he didn't let me talk, the more I doubted Mr. Xiao's identity. Otherwise, even if you are a high-ranking official, you don’t have to hide it from the outside world.”
"That's right." Qi Ning said, "That's the emperor. They are taking you into the palace." He frowned and said, "Why did he take you into the palace? Could it be...!"
"Master Marquis, don't get me wrong, Xian'er... Xian'er is still... still perfect." Xian'er's cheeks turned red and she lowered her head: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty has never had the slightest offense to Xian'er. He picked up Xian'er. When he entered the palace... he asked Xian'er to play the piano for him, and he always asked Xian'er to play the Manzhu Shahua song."
Qi Ning understood even more. The last time the little emperor came here, Xian'er played a song called Manzhu Shahua, which made people cry. The little emperor was very moved at that time. It was inconvenient for the little emperor to leave the palace, let alone haunt Qinhuai. River, so he arranged for someone to take Xian'er into the palace to perform.
"Xian'er played so well that even the emperor was moved." Qining knew the truth and felt relieved. He couldn't help but put his arms around Xian'er's waist and let her sit on him. Xian'er was a little shy and hesitated. He still raised an arm, gently hooked Qi Ning's neck, bit his lip, and then said: "Master Hou... Is Master Hou still angry with me?"
Qi Ning smiled and said, "I was never angry with you in the first place." What he said was untrue. The master is angry with Xian'er, but Xian'er is... happy instead, and the Marquis is angry, which means... it means that the Marquis cares about Xian'er."
"Xian'er is gentle and considerate, and as beautiful as a fairy. Who can not care?"
Xian'er immediately said: "I don't care if other people don't care. As long as...as long as the Marquis cares about Xian'er, Xian'er will be satisfied." She raised her hand, caressed Qining's face with soft, boneless catkin, and said softly : "Xian'er... Xian'er has no relatives, and... no one really cares about Xian'er. Only Mr. Hou is good to Xian'er, and Xian'er... Xian'er only has Mr. Hou in her heart...!"
Qi Ning's heart softened, thinking that this little beauty was indeed of pitiable origin, and said softly: "How does Xian'er know that I really care about you? What if I'm being hypocritical and just want to take advantage of Xian'er?"
Xian'er smiled sweetly and said, "Although Xian'er is not smart, you can still tell whether a person is sincere or deceptive."
Qi Ning couldn't help but be moved, thinking that if Zhuo Xian'er was sincere in her friendship with him, he really couldn't let her down. He said softly: "I told you before I went on my mission to Dong Qi that I would come back to settle you. I I am going to redeem you first. If you are willing, I want to buy you a house and put you in it." Then he said solemnly: "You don't have to think that I want to hide my beauty in the golden house. After you settle it, you can live your life on your own. Life, if... you really have someone you like, I won't stop you then."
Xian'er turned her waist and sat up straight, her delicate body trembling slightly: "Master Hou... Master Hou wants to redeem Xian'er's life?"
"I have some money in hand, but I don't know how much money it will cost to redeem myself." Qining said, "I will ask someone to talk to them when the time comes and let you be free. But you still have three years to recover. They don’t dare to ask for high prices even if they are free.”
Xian'er bowed her head slightly and was silent for a moment, then raised her head and stared at Qin Ning, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly: "Master Hou, Xian'er... Xian'er is a woman with fireworks after all, you... why are you so kind to me?"
"Fireworks woman?" Qi Ning smiled faintly: "I have never regarded you as a fireworks woman, and you are not really a fireworks woman. What's more, what about the fireworks woman? Could it be that you are not a human being? On the contrary, those in the deep houses and courtyards are watching one by one. A noble and luxurious person who is full of male thieves and female prostitutes may not be as good as a fireworks woman."
Xian'er leaned close to her, leaned her head on Qining's shoulder, and said quietly: "Master Marquis, don't be too good to me, otherwise... I don't know how to repay you."
"Hahaha, a man keeps his word. I said I will arrange for you well, so I can't break my promise." Qining raised his hand and stroked Xian'er's hair: "People on the ship, please go back and make arrangements for yourself. I have been with you for so long. I have to make arrangements for them." He took out a few banknotes from his arms and said, "Here are one thousand taels of silver. You can use it for now. If you are short of silver, talk to me later."
He holds more than 20,000 taels of silver in his hand, which is an astronomical amount for ordinary people. An ordinary person's income of one or twenty taels of silver a year is already good. One thousand taels of silver is enough for Xian'er to sail the ship. The people are all settled.
Now that Qi Ning is here, he doesn't have to worry about not having any money to use. Mrs. Tian will receive dividends every month. If she can send the money later to join the business and expand the business, the dividends will only become more and more in the future. Even if she really raises Xian'er, then It’s also effortless.