In consideration of Chu Mu's health, Xie Tingyue and his party traveled a little slowly, and they were not in a hurry. They never thought of the possibility of meeting Xie Tingri and others again. After all, they were in their prime of life, and they would be too slow if they were tired.
It rained suddenly on the road that day, the driver whipped his whip and finally found an inn.
In the wilderness, the road is muddy and difficult to walk, and there is no one in sight for a long time. The size of this inn... I can guess it, it must not be a luxurious big inn.
"There is no way to keep guests in the heavy rain." Looking at the dilapidated door that does not exist, Lu Li sighed, "The place is quite big."
In a remote place outside the city, the land price is cheap. This inn is obviously self-built and occupies a large area. It is different in style from the inn in the city. It looks like a courtyard of a wealthy family. dilapidated.
Qin Ping held an umbrella for his master, and shouted whenever he spoke: "Ma'am, let's go in!"
The first rain in spring was different from previous years. It was not gentle at all. It was raining heavily like a downpour in a summer afternoon.
Xie Tingyue checked the blanket on Chu Mu's body again, and nodded solemnly: "En."
In February, it was raining heavily, but the temperature was not high. The water mist was mixed with cool air, and it was a burst of coldness when it fell on people. Xie Tingyue couldn't bear it, let alone the weak and sick Chu Mu
"Ma'am, that car—"
When Qin Ping learned martial arts, when he arrived in a strange place, the first thing he did was to observe and be vigilant, listen to the six directions, and look in all directions, and finally saw something familiar.
Xie Tingyue looked over, closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.
All the people in the company were meticulous and observant, and when they looked in that direction, they knew it in their hearts.
Lu Li smiled and said, "What a coincidence, your elder brother is here too!"
"More than that," Chu Mu tilted his head slightly, "That girl Rou, I'm afraid she's here too."
A hasty contact on the road did not affect the observation of everyone. At that time, the road was congested and the traffic was inconvenient. Many people simply stopped to take a rest. No matter Xie Tingri or Miss Rou, it was impossible for them to walk by themselves. Far.
They didn't need to confirm which one belonged to them among the pile of carriages. Now that they saw a familiar vehicle, and it was not far from Xie Tingri and Miss Rou, they could guess some facts.
Xie Tingri's schedule was delayed because of a woman.
I'm afraid we will meet again in this inn today, and Yan Hong must be there.
A few people walked to the front of the corridor, and Xiao Pao, the innkeeper, greeted him with a smile on his face: "The distinguished guest has come from afar, and the small shop is not good enough to entertain you!"
"It's okay," Qin Ping replied on behalf of the master, "Please ask the shopkeeper to open some rooms for us."
The shopkeeper looked embarrassed: "It's not that the villain is trying to make it difficult, it's just that the weather has changed suddenly and there are many customers in the small shop. For a while... the number of rooms is limited at this time, and only two rooms are available."
"Two upper rooms are fine," Qin Ping thought, one for the master and his wife, and one for Mr. Lu. "What about ordinary rooms? The lower room, is there a general shop?"
He and his entourage are not particular about it, and the maid Ginkgo is a girl, and if there is a servant room, she will have a separate room. If there is no...a separate space for her, everyone will be more considerate and take care of her.
"All of these!" The shopkeeper saw that the other party was not picky, and immediately smiled, leading the way, "Guests please!"
Xie Tingyue and the three followed each other like a stream of kindness, and walked forward, where no one else could see, the three of them secretly exchanged glances.
Such a big place, such a big inn, has three floors up and down, even if the heavy rain keeps guests away, how many guests can there be in this wilderness? There are only two rooms left...
"It's here—"
The shopkeeper asked the staff to open the doors of the two upper rooms next door, and led Xie Tingyue and others in to check the room situation: "The upper room is cleaned by a special person every day to ensure it is clean. Forgive me, there are not many customers in this small shop on weekdays, and there are only two helpers in the kitchen. There are so many customers today, it is inevitable that we will not be able to greet you. I will ask the guests to make it easier for the meal later, and go downstairs to choose with everyone."
Chu Mu couldn't deny it, Lu Li responded with a smile: "Okay! The shopkeeper will look at the arrangement!"
Of course, you can order your favorite dishes when you eat. It is most comfortable not to be disturbed by others, but when you are away from home, how can you do everything you want? Occasionally it has to be casual.
Xie Tingyue paused, and saw the footprints on the mud outside through the window.
The man's footprints came all the way from the west, with his heels in and his toes out, and he stepped heavily, but because of the heavy rain, it is not very clear, and many of them can no longer be seen, only the two in front of the window, because of the terrain, It's very obvious.
The shopkeeper over there has already finished speaking: "Guests, just stay here with peace of mind. If you need something, I will ask you anytime. I'll ask Xiaoer to bring hot water and clean the dust for you guys!"
Seeing that the room was nice, Lu Li covered his lips and yawned, and waved at Chu Mu and Xie Tingyue: "I can't do it anymore, go and sleep for a while."
Xie Tingyue agreed, and sent Qin Pingping and others to clean up the arrangements. When the hot water arrived, he rolled up his sleeves and helped Chu Mu scrub and change his clothes.
After getting along for a long time, he took care of Chu Mu quite a lot, but he was a little absent-minded today, and he tried to check his forehead temperature three times.
Chu Mu held his hand: "Don't worry, I'll be fine, huh?"
Xie Tingyue frowned: "I just... feel a little uncomfortable, and I feel like something is wrong."
"You need to be energetic to deal with it," Xie Tingyue pulled Chu Mu to bed, "Madam, sleep first."
Xie Tingyue thought he couldn't fall asleep, but he didn't know whether it was because the bed was too warm, or Chu Mu's embrace, and he slept very deeply this time.
When he woke up, he saw Chu Mu's face close at hand, and almost fell off the bed.
Sleeping on the same bed is getting more and more used to him, and he is also letting himself go more and more. From the previous "well water does not offend river water", now almost every time he breaks into Chu Mu's quilt and gets entangled in people...
Chu Mu is also too good-tempered, he indulges him every time and never pushes him away.
And those eyelashes, isn't it a bit foul to grow long!
Chu Mu didn't wake up.
Xie Tingyue breathed a sigh of relief, and reached out to feel the temperature of Chu Mu's forehead.
Fortunately, no fever.
"Ma'am..."
While Xie Tingyue was changing clothes, Chu Mu woke up with a hoarse voice: "What time is it?"
Xie Tingyue quickly wrapped up her underwear: "It's almost time for dinner, just wait, I'll come and help you right away."
Chu Mu leaned on his arms, watched Xie Tingyue hurriedly changing clothes, and smiled, "Madam, take your time, I'm not in a hurry."
It was raining heavily outside, but the light was not dim, Chu Mu could almost see Xie Tingyue's body line, firm and smooth skin through the clothes.
He always knew... Madam's figure is very good.
Xie Tingyue didn't know that she had already been seen through, she quickly put on her clothes and turned around, and walked to the bed as if nothing had happened: "I'll help you change your clothes."
Compared to his shyness, Chu Mu was generous to a certain extent, showing his body without blushing.
She even spread out her arms and her legs...spread apart, making it easier for Xie Tingyue to move.
Xie Tingyue: ...
He didn't think much of it before, he was used to taking care of people, and everyone is a man... But I don't know when, I suddenly felt a little awkward, and every time this happened, I would feel a little embarrassed.
But even after he was like this, Chu Mu was still unmoved!
This made him even angrier.
Why are you so unlucky! Why is Chu Mu so indifferent!
Xie Tingyue gritted her teeth, and didn't know who to blame, so she could only compete with herself.
Chu Mu watched, the smile lines on the corners of his lips deepened.
"Let's go."
Xie Tingyue quickly arranged everything and pushed Chu Mu out.
As a result, at the corner, I met Xie Tingri.
Xie Tingri, as usual, was pestering that soft girl.
"... It's been so long, my sincerity, don't you know?"
Girl Rou is tall and soft, and her voice is also soft: "The concubine knows it, so she refuses directly. The concubine's posture of Pu Liu does not dare to ask for a position next to the young master. The young master deserves a better person."
"You are a better person!"
"My lord, don't talk like that. When my cousin sees it, he will misunderstand again."
"Just right, if he doesn't want you, I'll take you away!"
"Young master..."
Xie Tingyue: "Ahem."
He didn't want to bump into him, but Chu Mu's wheelchair made too much noise, he couldn't avoid turning around the corner, and it was too late to turn around and walk away.
Xie Tingri turned around when he heard the voice, and the moment he saw Xie Tingyue, his eyes were a little confused, as if he didn't understand why the other party appeared here. But after only a moment, his eyes became shrewd. What happened just now... He saw it all
"Why are you here?" Xie Tingri immediately straightened his back, his posture was reserved, even his hands were behind his back, his brother's money was fully displayed, "Don't listen to a gentleman, don't you understand such a simple truth? "
This villain filed a complaint first, and he is proficient in beating him up.
Xie Tingyue's very sincere suggestion: "If you tell secrets and don't mind other people's 'Do not listen to indecent words', you'd better find a secluded place."
This is broad daylight, public space, you act in a grand manner, and you still blame others for not listening, what about your face
Xie Tingri narrowed his eyes.
They stand opposite each other, it's no wonder he can see Xie Tingyue pleasing to the eye, but in the past, with his mother in front, he didn't need to intervene in many things, and the two of them couldn't see each other for a year. He had never been rude to Xie Tingyue himself, thinking that Xie Tingyue would give him something To save face, respect him as an elder brother, who knows that this bastard is so surly and makes him lose face in front of Rou'er!
"Sharp teeth and a woman's attitude, no wonder my mother promised you to marry me as a man's wife," Xie Tingri snorted coldly, "Since you are married, you should live in IKEA, know how to behave in everything, and avoid showing your face outside , no shame!"
On the day Xie Tingyue and Chu Mu got married, Xie Tingri did not go back, but it was impossible for him not to know who Xie Tingyue's husband was. In the current situation, Xie Tingyue was pushing a wheelchair, and there was a sick and weak man sitting in the wheelchair. Guessing the other party's identity, Xie Tingri didn't even look at Chu Mu, his eyes were full of contempt when they passed by, as if the person in the wheelchair was something dirty, and he dismissed it.
It happened that Lu Li also woke up, strolled over to join Chu Mu and the two, and saw this scene.
Eyeballs almost fell out.
The atmosphere was tense, he was not good at talking, so he only secretly winked at Chu Mu: I said, I am afraid that your uncle is not a fool, you don't even know how to do superficial skills
Chu Mu's smile was particularly meaningful, and he took a look at Xie Tingyue: I will recognize whoever Madam recognizes, and this one—mad dog, what does it have to do with me
Xie Tingyue didn't even recognize it, so let's forget about the big uncle or something.
"Brother said that," Xie Tingyue looked at Xie Tingri, with a half-smile, "This IKEA is well-mannered, and I think it will do well in the Li family."
Li Changfeng, a member of the household department, is an upright man with a good reputation. He has an only daughter in his family who is engaged to Xie Tingri.
What he said, others don't understand, but Xie Tingri can understand it, this is threatening him!
This marriage is very important and must not be lost!
Of course, she couldn't lose face in front of Rou'er.
Xie Tingri no longer entangled with Xie Tingyue, and quickly ended the topic, and reminded the threat by the way: "Since you are married and a wife, you should learn more about the three obediences and four virtues when you have time, know the etiquette and morals, and stop showing off your tongue and gossip outside! Rouer, we Walk!"
Miss Rou frowned slightly, her voice was low and soft, and she was very charming: "Did I cause trouble for Mr. Xie..."
Xie Tingyue: Hehe.
Over there, Lu Li pushed Chu Mu down the stairs.
Their upper room is on the second floor, and there is a gentle slope on the side of the stairs, which is just convenient for wheelchairs to go up and down.
The inn is very quiet, almost nothing else can be heard except the sound of rain.
Lu Li bent slightly, and whispered in Chu Mu's ear, "Did you find it?"
Chu Mu nodded, narrowed his eyes slightly, and quickly swept across the spaces upstairs and downstairs: "It's too quiet."
Man-made quietness, no movement can be seen on the surface, but in fact, it seems that someone is guarding in secret, and—
"No one came down from the third floor."
Not to mention people, there is no sound.
The shopkeeper said before that the guest rooms are full and there are only two upper rooms left, so why is there no movement on the third floor
The two exchanged glances, the wall has ears, so it is inconvenient to continue the discussion.
The environment is different, and if they don't know it, all they can do now is to continue to observe and pay attention, and be more vigilant.
After sitting downstairs for a while, the shopkeeper came out to serve the food.
The dishes are simple, but fortunately, the quantity is large enough, light and palatable, and it is not a problem to fill the stomach.
"Alas, in this unlucky weather, seeing that there is only a little left on the way home, I am actually trapped!"
The guest at the next table asked for a bowl of wine and sighed shamefully.
He has a mustache, stands over the age, with his arms and legs shaking, and he doesn't seem to be able to sit still.
Sure enough, after a while, he started talking to Xie Tingyue: "Are you a few foreigners? Are we used to the food here?"
He pointed to a plate of green fruit on the table.
This is a characteristic of Qing County, and it is very popular in the surrounding area. The taste is a bit strange, and most of the outsiders are not used to it.
Xie Tingyue smiled: "It's okay."
"That's a good idea. I see a few of you are very generous. You must not come to our Qing County for fun at this time, right?" Xiao Huzi is an acquaintance, "My surname is Yuan, and my name is Zhengcheng. I am a local. If you don't Do you mind making friends?"
He didn't say anything, and the information was obvious. Xie Tingyue and the others had already guessed that he was a local. As for making friends—the other party also said it, it seems that they have extraordinary bearing.
Xie Tingyue thought quickly in her heart, such a slippery, demeanor felt a little familiar, and looking at the other party's attire, he seemed to be a businessman.
Lu Li was an official in the court, and his official schedule was not easy to talk to outsiders. Chu Mu also had his own secrets, and the Chu family was powerful, so it was easy to tell, but he didn't care much about it, so he could test it out by the way.
"Well, we are here to do some small business." Xie Tingyue smiled.
Yuan Zhengcheng clapped his palms, and his eyes lit up: "It's good to do business. I also do business outside! You said that fate is a coincidence. I didn't expect that the heavy rain would keep customers and meet friends in the same industry!"
Xie Tingyue then asked: "I don't know what kind of business you do?"
Yuan Zhengcheng: "Our Qing County is close to Suzhou and Hangzhou, and produces a lot. I don't have a lot of capital. I can do some silkworm business. I also do rice grains. I don't know if you—"
silkworm? Such a coincidence
Xie Tingyue smiled: "My surname is Xie, I'm the second in my family, and I don't have many ways to do it. I just came here to look around and find a chance. I heard that the quality of silkworms in Qing County is very good. Since Boss Yuan is in this business, if you don't mind -causal talk?"
"Okay!" Yuan Zhengcheng's eyes sparkled, "You can come to me for this business. Who knows the silkworms in Qingxian County? Don't go to the Xiao's house. They are boastful outside, but they are really useless. The scholar with his own little lady is fooling around, how can we have so many connections outside all the year round? That stupid scholar can only read dead books, the little lady is delicate and tender, how can I know how to do business, luckily you met me, Otherwise, you will be deceived by this group of people!"
When Xie Tingyue heard the word 'Xiao', her heart skipped a beat.
Surnamed Xiao.
In the accounts of the family, the Xiao family in Qing County is the most in debt. Does it have anything to do with the stupid scholar in this population
He has dug out the deed paper from that year, and it can be seen that it was made many years ago, the pages are all yellowed, and the content of the letter is not detailed, it only says that the Chu family will give a certain amount of protection every year, and the Xiao family will give remuneration accordingly, every year . As for what kind of asylum is, how much is the reward given, and how to measure it, there is no specific figure, but looking at the account flow at that time, it is indeed a huge sum.
He asked Chu Mu, but Chu Mu went in without knowing.
Chu Mu really didn't know. In his previous life, he had been bedridden and had no energy to pay attention to the things around him. He had never married a wife, and he had never encountered difficulties with his second aunt. He only knew that after the same time, not long after, his second uncle was dismissed from office, saying it was corruption. bribery. When the water is clear, there will be no fish. This kind of encounter will happen to everyone. He thought that the second uncle offended someone, and someone deliberately did it. But in this life, having the second aunt is embarrassing, and it is inevitable to expand my mind. Could it be... related to this matter
"Oh? The Xiao family? Such a big name, is it very powerful?"
Xie Tingyue asked indifferently. He was thinking, what is so special in Qing County that needs the protection of the Chu family, and at that time, how powerful was the Chu family, and what was it covering
Yuan Zhengcheng spoke very densely, and immediately slapped his thigh: "No! This used to be a den of bandits, the least particular. Everyone's surname was Xiao. Now the government manages them well and everyone is honest. There is still a little domineering left. That's it. The generation's owner is a fool. He knows nothing but reading, and he is always giving instructions. Recently, I heard from the old farmer that the weather is bad, and people are busy harvesting silkworms. They don't read any books! The silkworms just come out now, so they can't wait. It’s so dead, isn’t he fooling around! Oh, I’m still young after all! I’m different, there’s no way I can’t find in Qing County, or even Suzhou and Hangzhou! I don’t raise silkworms myself, but this Where there are silkworm farmers in the circle, I know everything!"
Xie Tingyue smiled and turned her head, quietly listening to the other party.
This Yuan Zhengcheng was a little cunning and hid some things, but this was the true nature of a businessman, for the sake of doing business, Xie Tingyue understood in his heart.
As for the Xiao family...
Xie Tingyue also had her own thoughts.
The once-in-a-hundred-year spring flood is about to be staged in Qing County. He is a person who has lived a new life and will know that it is normal. But the scholar of the Xiao family dared to make such a decision based on the old farmer's words. It is a very good idea Man is definitely not a stupid nerd as Yuan Zhengcheng said.
"Ask me for silkworm business, I'm the host!"
While talking, another voice came in, it was Yan Hong.
Yan Hong sat down at the table with a smile, and looked at Xie Tingyue: "What kind of business does Mr. Xie want to do? Silk or grass dyeing, medicinal materials or cotton thread, no matter what, I can find it for you!"
His words were much more confident than Yuan Zhengcheng's, and he pointed out the 'deadly' dyeing grass to Xie Tingyue as soon as he came.
He himself is from Suzhou and Hangzhou, with a big stall, and the "lovely help" of his sisters. He has extraordinary influence. Many people know him when he goes out, and he will give him face.
Yuan Zhengcheng knew it himself, he gritted his teeth, and said with a stick in his mouth: "Hey, isn't this Lord Yan, who doesn't make a fortune outside and come to our small place to grab food?"
Yan Hong sternly said: "This statement is wrong. The number of transactions and the breadth of financial resources are never judged by the size of the place. I think Qing County is quite good."
"It's not good to fish over the line."
"Business is everyone's business, the world is everyone's world, how can we talk about it?"
The two hit it off.
At first glance, it seems that they are peers, and the two had conflicts before.
Xie Tingyue calmed down and continued to think in her head.
At this time, he also noticed another thing - Xie Tingri and that soft girl hadn't come down.
The shopkeeper had specially reminded before that the meal should be eaten at a later date, and it is impossible for these two people not to know, if they don't come down, do they want to be hungry
In some directions, Xie Tingyue is not as sensitive as Chu Mu and Lu Li, and reacts a little slowly, but until now, she has noticed something is wrong.
Is it... too quiet
"boom-"
Lightning accompanied by thunder outside the window, overwhelming the sky and covering the sky, reflected on the face of the person, full of piercing coercion.
The first spring rain of this year, with the force of wind and thunder, is menacing, which foreshadows not only floods, but also more dangerous... knife light!
Xie Tingyue caught the knife light from outside the window!
There is danger approaching.
For a moment, the eyes were extremely clear, and even the noise of Yuan Zhengcheng and Yan Hong was quiet.
Compared with fighting, they should consider their lives more!
Someone has a sword in hand, it's not as simple as playing with it, who is the target of the other party? Is it Xie Tingyue, Chu Mu, or Lu Li!
He didn't even have time to remind, the sound of '咻咻' broke through the air, the cold light approached with lightning, it was the rain of arrows!
"hide!"
Xie Tingyue only came in time to push Chu Mu away, and rolled to the side by herself, unable to do anything.
Arrows hit his clothes and they were nailed to the floor along with the hem.
Fortunately, Chu Mu was fine, Qin Ping reacted quickly, immediately pushed away his master, and casually picked up Lu Li, and threw it to the side, all three of them dodged the arrows.
But the rain of arrows was too dense, blocking Qin Ping's footsteps, so he couldn't come to help Xie Tingyue.
Chu Mu and Lu Li looked at Xie Tingyue in a corner, very anxious.
"lady!"
"Thank you two!"
Xie Tingyue couldn't move, seeing the arrows coming again soon, she broke out in sweat, and tore at the corner of the clothes, but the fabric was so strong that it couldn't be torn apart at all.
Arrows are in sight!
"Ma'am—" Chu Mu's eyes were about to burst, and he slapped the hidden weapon with his palm, but it was a pity that it stopped the arrow rain for a moment, but it couldn't stop it forever.
More arrows have arrived!
Xie Tingyue gritted her teeth, her voice trembling: "Please, please—you should tear it apart!"