Xiao Tianjian went out and turned onto the street. After walking through two intersections, he came to the Magic City branch of the Xiao Family Trading Firm in the next block. The chief and deputy stewards hurriedly welcomed him into the backyard.
As soon as he sat down, he took out the letter and asked: "What's going on here? Your people just left the letter and left without telling me clearly. Bevin is still young, Why did he take the knight exam? And he was injured? Why did Yunlong quarrel with Anlong again? And he said that Anlong was responsible for Bevin's injury? And Anlong and his wife, what are they arguing about? "
The steward wiped his sweat and glanced at his deputy, who hurriedly said: "I just came back from Ito and I have heard about these things. It was the eldest young master who decided that Young Master Bevin would take the apprentice knight's exam. I heard that His Majesty the King intends to reform the content of the Knight Examination starting next year, so many sons of the family are rushing to take part this year. The eldest young master does not want to fall behind others. Young Master Bevin worked very hard and passed smoothly. The injuries he suffered are not counted. Seriously, it’s just that the eldest young master and the eldest young lady were very worried after hearing about it and personally delivered the medicine to the knight’s place. However, they were stopped at the door by the Capital Knights who were in charge of guarding, saying that no one from outside was allowed to bring anything in. The eldest young master Seeing that the second young master was there, I originally wanted to ask him to send him in, but the second young master refused, so they started to quarrel. Later, young master Bevin's injury was treated by a doctor from the Knights Hospital."
Xiao Tianjian frowned, but said nothing. The chief and deputy stewards looked at each other, the former winked at the latter, and the deputy steward said knowingly: "Actually, this matter is nothing. It is human nature for the eldest young master to care about his son. The second young master abides by the rules of the knight's house. That's right. Originally, many families would give gifts to their sons privately, but at that time the eldest young master spoke too loudly and everyone around heard it, making the situation difficult to deal with. In addition, the third young master of the Heda family was also there, so the second young master just …”
"The third young master of the Heda family?" Xiao Tianjian looked a little unhappy, "An Long is still dealing with him?"
"They are good friends now. I heard that the second young master often spends time with the third young master of the Heda family. He even had several quarrels with the eldest young master over this. He even contradicted his boss because of the third young master of the Heda family."
Xiao Tianjian pursed his lips and said nothing. After a while, he continued to ask: "What kind of person is this boy from the Heda family?"
"This third young master has never been taken seriously in the family, and I haven't heard of any special talents. However, he has no bad habits. He is just a bit grumpy and a bit withdrawn. His reputation among the Cavaliers is good, but compared to The family is not close, and he rarely participates in family social events. Since becoming friends with the second young master, it is said that his temper has improved a lot, and he has become closer to his family. He specially invited the second young master to attend the New Year's dinner at Heda's family. Duke Da deliberately ridiculed the second young master, and he also said a lot of nice things to the second young master."
Xiao Tianjian narrowed his eyes, and he suddenly remembered what happened at that moment. The illegitimate son of the Heda family, Emon, was highly suspected of treason. Their entire family was not very innocent, and his son was from the Security Agency. The son of the family has been interacting with each other and even came into contact with people from the Heda family. Could it be the intention of the Security Agency
Thinking of this, Xiao Tianjian couldn't sit still. This silly son, does he think Infernal Affairs is so easy to do? Not to mention the years of enmity between the Xiao family and the Heda family. The son raised by the Heda family alone may not be a good person. If the other party discovers the truth, Anlong will be in danger.
He stood up and paced back and forth, and suddenly asked: "What's going on with An Long and his wife? Isn't it also related to the third boy of the Heda family?"
The steward's expression was a little strange when he heard this, and his deputy hurriedly said: "This matter has nothing to do with him. The second young master and the second young wife had a quarrel because of Miss Veronica. Mr. Sherwin was ill, and the second young master had nothing to do with him. The young master went specially to help take care of her and had more contact with Miss Veronica. The second young lady didn't know the truth, so she got angry and had a big quarrel in the New Year. In fact, she just misunderstood. As long as the second young master explained it well, everything would be fine. Yes, but for some reason, the second young master didn’t say anything, and the second young master was so angry that he returned to his parents’ home. It’s strange to say that since the second young master arrived in Ito at the end of last year, the second young master seems to have been a little unhappy.”
Xiao Tianjian's brows furrowed more and more as he listened. The second son's behavior was indeed a bit strange. Based on what he immediately observed, he had a bad feeling. It seemed that he should investigate this matter carefully.
He hurriedly left the business and walked across several blocks to the other half of the Magic City, where he walked into a kitchenware store. The business in the store was bleak. There were only two clerks chatting and wiping the goods. As soon as Xiao Tianjian walked in, he dropped the rag and greeted him enthusiastically: "What kind of kitchen utensils does the customer want? Is it a pot or a bowl?" Plates? We have everything in the store, and it’s definitely worth the money.” They also showed him a variety of pans, wooden spoons, white porcelain dishes, painted tea sets and other items.
Xiao Tianjian had no interest in these things and just said dryly: "I heard that you have a purple clay pot from the East, which is most suitable for stewing soup. How much does one cost? Are ten gold coins enough?"
When the two clerks heard what he said, they immediately looked at each other. One quickly walked to the door of the store and stood there, while the other smiled and said: "This is a big deal. Please come to the back of the store for tea, and our boss will talk to you personally." ." After that, he invited him to the room at the back of the store. After a while, a thin middle-aged man appeared in front of him and asked seriously: "Is this Mr. Earl Xiao? What do you want to see us for?"
Xiao Tianjian smiled slightly: "Originally, I never interfere in your affairs, but...I recently heard some weird rumors about my son, and I wanted to come and ask you."
=====================I am the dividing line that changes the scene======================
Minna didn't know what happened to her grandfather. She waited for a long time, but she didn't even wait for her grandfather to come back. She was hungry again, so she ate the bread in the kitchen. Suddenly I heard the sound of a piano behind the house, so I followed the sound to the backyard and opened the door.
In the river behind the door, a young man is sitting on a small sampan, holding a lyre in his arms, singing a love song: "...My beloved girl, your appearance is as beautiful as a water lotus, and your voice is more clear and clear than an oriole." Sweet, my heart trembles for you, please accept my love..."
He didn't sing very well, and his piano playing was mediocre, but everyone around him looked at him with a smile and cheered him up from time to time.
The person he was singing his love song to was a girl from Ming Na's neighbor. She looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old. She had long fluffy brown curly hair, tied into a knot behind her ears with a silver-blue hairband, and had thick eyebrows and big eyes. , showing a small tiger tooth when he smiled, which was quite bright and charming. She wore a loose white gauze dress with a lotus leaf collar, blouson sleeves, and a large floral silk scarf around her waist, which was simply knotted. A section of slender white calves was exposed under the skirt, and she had a pair of red shoes on her feet. Stepping on the stone pier where the boat is tied to her small dock. She put her hands on her hips and listened to the love song, smiling happily.
After the young man finished singing, he picked up a large bunch of pink water lotuses placed at the end of the small sampan and handed it to his sweetheart: "Luba, I love you, please marry me!" The people around him suddenly started blowing. Whistle, and a few women laugh out loud.
"You brat, do you bother me if you say this every time?" The girl named Luba gave him an angry look and happily accepted the bouquet of flowers, but she refused to say clearly whether she wanted to marry him or not. The young man took the girl into his arms and said with a smile: "If you don't promise me for a day, I will never feel annoyed. My dear Luba, promise me."
Luba just smiled at the fragrance of the flowers, and the people around her booed when they saw this. The young man immediately shushed back: "What does it have to do with you? Go and go." Some people were unconvinced: "I said Wise, so do we. What are you doing to cheer you up?" Another young man interjected: "I think you are not worthy of Luba. Luba is a flower in our common people in the West District, so she will not like a toad like you. .”
"You're the toad!" It was Luba who spoke out this time, "I just like Wise, I don't need you to meddle in his own business." After saying that, he put his arm around the young man Wise's neck and kissed his lips. Provoking a few whistles from around. Wise was confused at first, but soon kissed him back ecstatically, and the two were inextricably entangled.
Ming Na covered her eyes, but couldn't help but open her fingers to take a peek. She was secretly amused. Suddenly she heard a voice coming from the front hall. She hurriedly retreated into the courtyard and ran into the house. When she saw it was Xiao Tianjian When he came back, he rushed over: "Grandpa, you are back. I am almost starving to death. I can't help but eat some bread first. Where have you been?"
Xiao Tianjian put down a bag of food with an apologetic expression: "I'm sorry, I just met some old friends and chatted a little more. These are freshly baked puffs and orange cake. I remember you like to eat them the most, right?"
Ming Na cheered, rushed forward, and ate the cake happily. Xiao Tianjian looked at his granddaughter's greedy look with a smile, hesitated for a long time, and then said: "Ming Na, there is something Grandpa wants to discuss with you. I want to... rush back to Yidong as soon as possible."
Ming Na blinked and asked happily: "Then will I be able to see my father soon? I'll pack my luggage right now!"
As soon as she turned around, Xiao Tianjian broke her dream: "No... I mean I will go back alone, and you have to stay here."
Ming Na was taken aback, opened her eyes wide and asked in confusion: "Why?"
"Because I have to go back to attend the ceremony of Bevin's admission. The Knight Academy is a closed teaching. Bevin cannot go home for three years as soon as he enters school. His father wants me to go and see him. The ceremony will be held ten days later. In order to catch up Time, I have to cross the Yaluo Forest, it is very dangerous, and it will be very inconvenient to take you with me." In fact, Ito's situation is unknown, for safety and to convince his son, Xiao Tianjian does not intend to let his granddaughter go back.
"I'm not afraid!" Ming Na shouted, "I've even been to the Great Elf Forest, and snowy mountains and deserts can't trouble me. I won't hold Grandpa back!"
"No." Xiao Tianjian said helplessly, "You haven't mastered Qinggong yet, so you can't travel as fast as me. If I take you with me, it will never be possible to reach Yidong within ten days. Mingna, I don't want to miss Beiwen's enrollment. Shiki, that means I won’t be able to see him for the next three years.”
Mingna pursed her lips and lost her temper: "But I want to see my parents, I want to see my parents! You can't leave me! You can't keep your word! I want to see my parents..."
Xiao Tianjian was so shocked by her yelling that his scalp was numb, and he said wisely: "Even if you go back with me, you won't be able to see your parents. I just went to the Xiaojia branch to ask, your father went to Matt Find your mother, she’s not in Ito right now.”
Ming Na stopped shouting after hearing this, thought for a moment, and said, "Grandpa Marshall is here, anyway, mom and dad will be back."
"Marshall also went with your father." Xiao Tianjian had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue to make up, "So now there is no one in your father's house in Yidong, and you can't see anyone if you go there."
Ming Na flattened her mouth in grievance, sat on the sofa next to her, and kicked the coffee table. Xiao Tianjian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately changed his smile to comfort her and said, "Actually, it's okay for you to stay for the time being. You also know that your father and your uncle don't get along very well, right? If you go back now, your parents won't be here. Aren’t you going to live at your uncle’s house?”
Ming Na thought about it and moved uncomfortably. Xiao Tianjian was busy striking while the iron was hot: "When I finish attending Beiwen's entrance ceremony, your father will probably take your mother back to Yidong. I will ask them to pick you up, okay? By then your treatment is over, you Mom and dad will be very happy to see you so healthy."
Mingna was silent for a while, then asked in a low voice: "Grandpa, are you telling the truth this time? Are you going to change your mind again?"
Xiao Tianjian felt ashamed: "Of course not." In the past, he had no choice but to tie his son up this time. In such a dangerous matter, it is better not to let him get into too deep.
After finally convincing his granddaughter, Xiao Tianjian began to consider more practical issues: "The security in the Magic City is very good. Even if the door is closed at night, there is no need to worry. Later I will ask Han Lin for some alchemy products for housework. The stove I made today Come here too... But since you are so young, it would be better to find someone to take care of you. Hmm... The couple next door seem to be working as servants at a great magician's house. I remember that his daughter was free and asked her to come and accompany you. Okay, I’ll take you to Solon’s house by the way.”
Minna asked: "Is his daughter's name Luba?"
"how do you know?"
"Just now, someone was singing a love song to her on the river behind, and I even saw her kissing that person." Ming Na pursed her lips and smiled. Xiao Tianjian was stunned for a moment and then smiled: "Has that little girl grown to this age already? Time flies so fast."
He quickly found the Luba girl, who happily agreed and said, "Oh, what a coincidence, my lover works as a handyman at Shaonan No. 1 Magic Academy, and I happened to drop by." Ming Na was curious. He asked politely: "Your lover? Is he the one who sang the love song just now?" Luba smiled and pinched her nose: "Yes, did you see it too? Is he very handsome?" Minna said "Uh" After waiting for a long time, she reluctantly nodded. Luba laughed, hugged her head and rubbed her head: "Oh, little Mingna, you are so cute."
When the matter was settled, Xiao Tianjian immediately paid Luba ten gold coins as a reward, and took Ming Na to explain the reason to Sauron. When the latter heard that Ming Na might have to spend a long time with him, his face immediately turned foul. Finally, after Xiao Tianjian persuaded him and promised to collect a variety of rare magic materials for him in the Yaluo Forest when he came back, he reluctantly nodded.
Then Xiao Tianjian said hello to Hanlin and Xiaojia branches, and asked for a variety of household alchemy products such as sweeping turtles, rag bats, magic furnaces, and several bags of money. He took Mingna to buy a magic wand for spare use, and went to the security department. The police station and the fire brigade took care of it and gave my granddaughter a lot of advice before she felt relieved.
The next day, Ming Na, Lu Ba and the branch stewards sent Xiao Tianjian onto the boat. Boldman had already returned to Anchor City, so the boat was hired separately. Xiao Tianjian touched his little granddaughter's head and said solemnly: "Be obedient and take good care of yourself, you know? Don't go to unknown places just for fun. If you have anything, just go to Sister Luba or Uncle Hanlin. Otherwise, go directly to You can also ask the security office for help.”
Ming Na nodded and said seriously: "Grandpa will come back early. Remember to bring your parents."
Xiao Tianjian paused, nodded with a smile, and gave Luba some more instructions before sailing away from the Magic City by boat.
From then on, Ming Na began to live alone. At first she thought it would be difficult, but after two or three days, she found that it was not as difficult as she thought.
Every morning, Luba would knock on her door with breakfast, waking Minna from her sleep. After breakfast, the two of them took a car together to the Shaonan First Magic Academy on the top of the mountain. Sauron's home is in the academy, right next to the potions classroom. When they got there, Luba went to find her sweetheart, while Minna stayed in Sauron's room. Lunch was with the potion master (his butler's skills were indeed not very good), and she drank potion in the afternoon. Before dinner, Luba would come to pick her up and go home, where she could go shopping or go to interesting places. Dinner is sometimes served at a small restaurant near home, sometimes Luba or her mother cooks it, and sometimes Minna cooks it herself. At night, I practiced magic or potions, or chatted with Luba, listened to Wise singing love songs, and fell asleep to the singing and the piano.
As for the cleaning, Luba does the laundry. Before going out every day, the sweeping turtles and rag bats are released, and they will automatically clean the house.
Minna usually eats whatever she likes. She has money, and Luba does not impose too many restrictions on her, so her life is very leisurely, more comfortable than when her grandfather was alive. The only trouble is that she is at the potion master's house. That's most of the day.
Sauron is a college professor. Although he is relatively idle, he still has a lot to do. He had to go to class, correct homework, do experiments, and prepare potions, and it was impossible for him to have time to pay attention to a little girl. Therefore, once he finished taking the medicine every day and ensured that the potion took effect smoothly, he put her aside and ignored her. He also hinted many times to let her go to Hanlin.
However, Han Lin has been so inspired recently that he is so busy that he has no time to pay attention to Ming Na, so Ming Na has no choice but to stay at Solon's house. After being well-behaved for a long time, she finally couldn't help it anymore and started groping around, hanging out of the window to see people outside, or peeking out at the potion that Sauron was brewing.
When she accidentally dropped her hair into the pot while peeking at the contents of the cauldron for the third time, causing the potion to fail to brew, Sauron finally became furious: "You are very free, aren't you?! Don't peek at my potion again!" !”
Ming Na shrank her neck: "I'm sorry..." But she was also aggrieved: "I'm bored. I can't understand the books here, and you don't allow me to practice potions here..."
"Does that thing of yours deserve to be called a magic potion?!" Sauron became even more angry, "That's just a kid's drink! You want to practice potion? Very good!" He tossed a bunch of cinnamon branches: "This You know how to handle it, right? Peel off the bark and cut the branches into one-centimeter pieces! Practice!" After that, he turned back to deal with the pot of failed works.
Minna looked at the branch that was twice as thick as hers, flattened her mouth, peeled and cut it into sections according to the method she learned from Sennett.
After working for a long time, her hands were very sore. Unexpectedly, when Sauron came over to inspect the product, he cursed: "What is this called? The branches need to be cut into one centimeter, one centimeter! Yours is three centimeters! The bark is also peeled off in different sizes." , and even stained my carpet." He waved his wand and cast a cleaning spell, and after cleaning up all the debris on the floor, he shouted angrily: "Redo them all!"
Ming Na looked unconvinced and a little aggrieved. She was not here to be an apprentice, so why should she help him
Upon seeing this, Sauron said sarcastically: "What? Can't do it? Then don't say that you have learned potions! I learned a little bit from that guy Sennett, and that's about this level."
Ming Na was furious, who is afraid of whom? She won't admit defeat! So I continued to do it seriously. Sauron caught a glimpse from the side, and the corners of his mouth curled up proudly.
In this way, two months had passed by the time Minna finished cutting more than forty kinds of branches, squeezed the juice of more than ten kinds of fruits, and started to learn to cut leaves again. The early course of the strengthening potion was very effective. She now doesn't feel tired even when she runs from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the mountain.
However, Xiao Tianjian has not returned yet.
Mingna was very angry. This was not the first time. Grandpa was a big bad guy!
She kicked the pebbles away from her feet and walked towards her temporary home for more than two months, carrying a small embroidered satchel in her hand, which was a May Day gift from Luba.
When she arrived at the house, she found that the door was open. She was stunned, snorted, and strode into the house. When she saw Xiao Tianjian smiling and greeting her, she shook her head and walked upstairs.
"Xiao Mingna, this way, look here, do you see who is here?" Xiao Tianjian's snickering voice came from behind.
Ming Na hesitated for a moment, then turned back. When she saw the figure in the hall, she was stunned for a moment, then ecstatically said: "Dad!"
(Big chapter, big chapter, please forgive me for being even later today~~~)