When the sky was getting bright and the snow that fluttered like goose feathers stopped, Xia Houlin waited for Dai Shengyan and Xie Jinglan, and Xie Bingfeng came too. He stretched his face with Chinese characters, and when he saw Xia Houlin's pale face that looked like he was about to burp, there was a bit of guilt on his face. Because he has a criminal record as a hypocrite, Xia Houlin seems to be acting like he is pretending.
Dai Shengyan touched Xia Houlin's forehead and neck, and said, "Little friend is in good health. He has been frozen in this leaky woodshed for a whole night without having a fever." After speaking, he took off his cloak and wrapped it around Xia Houlin's body. .
The cape was made of mink fur, and the fluffy mink fur poked on his face, making Xia Houlin's frozen face a little warmer.
What he said meant something, Xie Bingfeng blushed slightly, and also came over to touch Xia Houlin's head: "It's okay. Alas, Madam is also true, you are just a child, although you made a mistake, you shouldn't be so badly punished. Since it's all right, go back and have a good rest, and don't break the rules next time."
This sentence seems to be comforting, but it is not related to Xia Houlin breaking the rules and making a mistake, showing that their punishment is deserved, and now it is the net to open up, and Xia Houlin is released.
After Xie Bingfeng finished speaking, he almost vomited blood from Xiahou's anger. He opened his mouth and wanted to refute. Xie Jinglan took his hand and shook his head secretly.
Although Xie Jinglan was not locked in the firewood room, his face looked much whiter than Xia Houlin, and there was no blood at all, as if it was Xie Jinglan, not Xia Houlin, who had been locked up in the firewood room overnight.
Xia Houlin was a little worried: "Are you all right?"
"A small servant with such a big face, the Xie family uncle and Dai Daru came right after dawn. Early in the morning, with so many people gathered around here, I thought my firewood house was on fire. ." Before Xie Jinglan answered, a high-pitched female voice came over, and everyone looked over, only to see a tall woman walking towards this side with a few maids.
The woman's eyes were cold, her fingers were covered with Dan Kou, it was Xiao Shi.
"Speaking of which, the culprit is still me. I didn't take any serious action. I locked this child up overnight. Do you want me to ask for the crime in person?"
Xie Bingfeng looked a little headache, and said bravely: "This matter has been exposed, and the scolding has been scolded, and the punishment has been punished. Let him go back and rest. Although my Xie family has strict family laws, it has always been lenient. You have never treated your servants harshly, and you must keep that in mind when you manage your family in the future."
It's fine that he didn't speak. As soon as he said this, Xiao Shi's face suddenly became ugly as if his tail had been stepped on.
Mrs. Xiao didn't smile and said, "Yes, yes, I won't run the house, treat the servants harshly, and make you lose face, master. In the future, the concubine will follow the family's rules and treat others with leniency, but this is called Xiahou Rin. Yes, articulate, I am amused, so let me tell jokes and amuse me, what do you think?"
Xie Jinglan and Xia Houlin felt chills on their backs at the same time, and they took a step back behind Dai Shengyan in tacit understanding. Xia Houlin glanced at Xie Jinglan in horror, and Xie Jinglan's eyes also showed worry and anxiety.
Dai Shengyan kept the two behind him without a trace, and said leisurely: "Unfortunately, the old man has already bought this child, and now he is the old man's servant."
"Oh? Is there such a thing?" Xiao Shi was surprised.
Xie Bingfeng nodded: "Didn't the student say that if the teacher likes this child, he can take it away. The gentleman will not speak to Brother Kong Fang, it will hurt him."
Xiao Shi covered his lips and smiled and said, "I didn't expect Mr. Dai and I to have such a relationship. I really like this kid, and he is still with me. If I insist on not letting go, does Mr. Dai want to rob me? ?"
Dai Shengyan's face finally turned solemn.
The atmosphere in the firewood room was very embarrassing. The place was originally small and five people stood in it. The cramped space made Xia Houlin feel breathless. He didn't even feel cold anymore, but felt a little hot. The smell of decaying wood in the air mixed with the smell of fragrant powder on Xiao's body, making it even more difficult for him to breathe.
Dai Shengyan put his skinny palm on Xia Houlin's head. His hand was so thin that only the bones of a tree branch remained.
But the only temperature is enough, Xia Houlin inexplicably calmed down.
Xia Houlin sniffed and smelled his mother.
Dai Shengyan stroked his beard, and said unhurriedly: "The truth is not to be lied to, this old man sees that this son is agile, intelligent and enlightened. If he is taught carefully, in the future, he will be able to govern the country with literature, and he will be able to bring peace to the country. Following Zhuge Zhongda's footsteps, he will become an immortal saint and a representative of all generations. Such talents, I believe that the two of you will definitely not let their pearls be dusted."
Immortal saint? The watch of Bandai
Xie Bingfeng and Mrs. Xiao looked at Xia Houlin, a string of snot dripped from the latter's nose and flowed down to the skin of his mouth. Xia Houlin took a hard breath, and the snot and snoring disappeared, leaving behind bright traces.
Xie Jinglan and Dai Shengyan couldn't bear to look directly.
Xia Houlin was a little embarrassed, and said cheekily, "Maybe Confucius was also a slug when he was twelve years old."
Xie Jinglan said in a low voice, "When Confucius was twelve years old, he already knew Chen Zudou, and he was polite."
"What are zudou beans? Beans? Are they delicious?"
Xie Jinglan: "…"
Dai Shengyan has been an official for many years, and he has mastered the kung fu of talking nonsense with his eyes open. He just saw the shadow of the master of all ages from Xia Houlin's shrugged appearance, and continued: "This son is born with talent, and this old man has read countless people. , there is no mistake, the old man decided to accept him as a disciple, if it is difficult for the madam to give up his love, the old man cannot, so I have to invite the prefect to sit with the prefect to discuss it with the madam."
Su Zhuocheng, the prefect of Jinling, was one of Dai Shengyan's three thousand disciples. He was known to be thirsty for talents. Looking for him was tantamount to handing over Xiahou Lian.
Now it's Xiao's turn to look bad. She can use her power to bully others, and Dai Shengyan can also rely on the old to sell the old. Although there are laws ahead, Xiahou Lin is the servant of Xie House, if Xie House refuses to let go, Xiahou Lin will not be able to get out of the gate of Xie House no matter what, but he can't stand the favor of human beings first, Dai Shengyan is the first scholar in the world, thank you If the government does not let people go, they will only get the name of trampling on talents.
Although this "excellent talent" could not memorize a single poem, and had not read a single sage book.
"Zhuojing has no status, don't mind the teacher. The teacher has no class, and he has a lover under the firewood shed. This is a good story. How dare Zhuojing insist on blocking it?" "It's cold outside, you'd better go back and rest early."
Xiao Shi snorted coldly and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Dai for having a new apprentice here, and I hope that he can really be like what Mr. said, Wenneng can govern the country, and Wuneng can make peace!"
Xia Houlin thought very self-consciously that it would be good for him not to disrupt the country, and to count on him to rule the country, I am afraid that it is not far from destroying the country.
Dai Shengyan smiled freely: "Of course."
He said "of course" instead of "many thanks", and Xiao's face darkened even more.
Xie Jinglan's face was so bad that it looked like a blank piece of paper. Xia Houlin, the other Xiao Shi and Xie Bingfeng had all left, and he touched his face, and he really had a fever.
His body is even more precious than the young lady who can't walk out the door. Xia Houlin didn't have time to sigh, and he put Xie Jinglan on his back without saying a word, hurriedly said thank you to Dai Shengyan and rushed back to Qiu Wuyuan. Dai Shengyan was left in the snow, unable to laugh or cry alone.
The Qiuwu Courtyard was in a hurry again, and people turned around.
Xie Jinglan was ill and couldn't get out of bed for several days. Xiahou, who had been locked up for a night, languished for a while, and it didn't take long for him to regain his vigor. Xia Houlin has a sturdy body. He has practiced martial arts and swords all the year round, and has laid a good foundation. He has a fever and sweats for a while.
Lian Xiang looked distressed, and couldn't help muttering: "It's not good for Mr. Dai to stay there, he had to rest at Master Su's house that night, the young master just woke up, and his body was not in good shape, so he climbed the wall and went out to find him. . Really maddening!"
Aunt Lan persuaded: "This is something that can't be done. Fortunately, the young master is all right now, just take care of it."
"Sister Lianxiang, do you think the young master brought me a rescue soldier?" Xia Houlin appeared out of nowhere, startling Lianxiang.
Yesterday, Xia Houlin got his contract of selling himself. He thought about it for a while, and he didn't throw it or burn it. He went to Dai Shengyan and asked him if he could give the contract to Xie Jinglan. Dai Shengyan was noncommittal, saying that this is his own freedom, and he can do whatever he wants.
Xia Houlin came back with the deed of prostitution and passed the kitchen, just in time to hear Lianxiang muttering.
He really didn't expect that Xie Jinglan was so ill that he could still get up and move rescue troops for him.
Lian Xiang patted her chest for a while, and said resentfully: "What's wrong with you, you only like to scare people? Isn't that right, the young master knows that you are locked up, and is anxious like a spinning top. I inquired that Mr. Dai was at Su's house. , the young master went over the wall and left, and neither Aunt Lan nor I could stop it. It was cold in the early morning, and it's no wonder that I don't have a fever."
Xia Houlin grabbed the medicine from Lianxiang's hand and said, "I'll go and bring it to him."
As soon as he took it, the bitter taste of the medicinal soup pierced his nose. Xia Houluo was so bitter that he could not help Xie Jinglan. After drinking such a bitter medicine, it would last for a few days. In fact, Xia Houlin didn't drink much medicine when he was sick. First, his mother was often not in the mountains, and no one knew when he was sick. Second, he was in great health, and he would be fine if he kept it up.
Lianxiang is not as agile as Xia Houlin, and the medicine bowl was in Xia Houlin's hands in a blink of an eye. He watched him run away with the medicine, and could only stamp his feet in anger.
Opening the door gently, Xia Houlin stretched his head in first to see if Xie Jinglan was awake.
Xie Jinglan leaned on the edge of the bed, raised his eyes from the pile of books, and looked at Xia Houlin, who was a thief.
"Really, even when you are so ill, don't forget to read books."
"You have to watch too. The day after tomorrow, the teacher will start a lecture. The teacher said that the first class will examine the classics of Mencius. Do you know who Mencius is?"
Xiahou Lin blinked his eyes, and began to search for people surnamed Meng from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors in his head, and finally found one that he thought was quite reliable: "Meng Jiao? "
Xie Jinglan was so impressed that he thought that Xie Jingtao was ignorant. Who knew that Xia Houlin was better, so he lowered his head and ignored him.
Xia Houlin brought the medicinal soup to Xie Jinglan's mouth, Xie Jinglan poured it all down without blinking, making the candied fruit prepared by Xia Houlin useless.
Xie Jinglan wanted to pick up the scroll and continue reading, but Xia Houlin held his hand, winked at Xie Jinglan, and said, "Hold on, young master, watch me do a trick!"
"No." Xie Jinglan refused without thinking.
"Hey, soon, just take a look!"
Xie Jinglan couldn't help Xia Houlin, sighed, and had to sit and wait for Xia Houlin to start his performance.
He first flashed his hand, indicating that Xie Jinglan had nothing in his hand, and then grabbed at will with both hands, as if he was holding something in the air, and stretched it under Xie Jinglan's nose.
Xia Houlin smiled brightly, and he pursed his lips, letting Xie Jinglan open his hand. Xie Jinglan glanced at him and reluctantly opened Xia Houlin's left hand. In the palm of his hand was a crumpled and crumpled piece of paper, shrunken and shabby like a piece of grass paper.
"..." I'm so disgusted, what should I do if I don't care about him at all
Xie Jinglan stretched out his hand to the scroll.
"Hey, save face, open it and take a look."
Xie Jinglan hesitated for a while before opening the ball of paper, his eyes suddenly stagnant: "You... why are you giving me your prostitution contract?"
"Before my mother comes to pick me up, I'll be your book boy here, so I'll leave this contract with you first. You have to help me take good care of it."
"I don't want it, you take it yourself."
Xia Houlin shoved the deed of prostitution into Xie Jinglan's hands, and said, "Take it for me swiftly. If anyone else wants my deed of prostitution, you won't need it."
Xie Jinglan muttered, "Hey, it's like saying how rare it is."
Having said that, he still put Xia Houlin's life deed in a small box, locked it, and put it in the trunk. After doing all this, he turned around and opened Xia Houlin's second fist, which contained a rusted copper coin.
Xie Jinglan took the copper coin and said, "What is this? It looks like it belongs to the Tang Dynasty?"
"I picked it up from a grave on the mountain. I originally picked up four, but my mother took three. She said she would keep it for me as a family heirloom and give it to my daughter-in-law in the future."
Picked up from the grave? How dirty that is!
Xie Jinglan threw it back to Xia Houlin as if it was scalded by boiling water, and said, "Your mother has no heart, who wants this stuff? You gave it to a girl, and the girl might not want you."
Xia Houlin put the copper coin back into Xie Jinglan's hand and said, "Take it, I'll leave later, when you want to see me, put it in the highest place in the city, no matter where I am, as long as I live, will come to see you."
When he said this, Xia Houlin looked very solemn. Xie Jinglan had never seen Xia Houlin like this before. He was sloppy, and he didn't walk properly. Now he didn't smile or wink, but Xie Jinglan was not used to it.
The copper coins in his palms still carry the body temperature of Xia Houlin. His hands are not warm all the year round. In winter, it is as cold as a block of ice. The warm copper coins seem to have been roasted in his palm. The meridians have been transmitted to the chest.
A bit scorching hot.
He was a little stunned, and stammered, "You..." After a pause, he muttered, "It's alright, Xia Houlin. My mother died, I'm used to it, my father doesn't care, I'm used to it, you won't be here in the future. By my side, I can get used to it. Anyway, no matter what happens, just get used to it.”
He rubbed the copper plate in his hand, thought for a while, and added: "However, when I become a high official, I will send someone to capture your boss, then you will be free and you will no longer have to steal. "
"Okay! From then on, I will rely on you, Master!"
Outside the window, a pair of eyes looked at the scene in the house dissatisfied, seeing the two of them reading a book with their heads side by side, no more words, and only withdrew their peeking eyes. Lian Xiang squatted under the window with her head shrunk, poked a few handfuls of dry grass very unhappy, and walked slowly back to the backyard.
Aunt Lan looked at her like this and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Master is partial." Lian Xiang hummed.
"You mean that the young master is partial to Xiaolin?" Aunt Lan smiled.
"No, how long has that boy been here? The young master is tired of him every day. Today that stinky boy gave the young master a copper plate that he did not know where he picked it up, and the young master kept it like a treasure. I gave the young master a few days ago. A purse, I have never seen him so precious."
"That's no wonder." Aunt Lan poured a cup of hot water and stuffed it into Lianxiang's hands to warm her hands, "When Xiaolin didn't come, let's just let the young master hide, hide, and not walk on errands. Wrong, so as not to leave a handle on the main courtyard. I'm old, and I can't use it. I only know how to wash clothes, cook and sweep the floor. The young master wants to read, but I can't read, so I can't do anything about it.
But when Xiao Rong came, he not only helped the young master to find books, but also helped the young master to worship Mr. Dai as his teacher. The young master finally had hope in this day. Xiaolin not only protects the young master, but also tries his best to realize the young master's wish, even if he almost loses his life, he does not care about himself. Lianxiang, can you do this? "
"I... But... But the young master that that kid killed was punished."
"Sigh, whether Xiaolin is here or not, the young master will be punished. The young master's temperament cannot be willing to bully, and Mrs. Xiao's temper will never let the young master go." Aunt Lan shook her head and said, "Besides, we are both Widowmaker, Xiaolin is a boy, and the young master has grown up so much that he has not made any friends yet."
Lianxiang lowered her head, her toes drew circles on the ground, and said reluctantly, "Okay. Then I won't bother with that kid."
"That's it, you are a girl, Xiaolin is a boy, no matter how much the young master likes him, he can't go past you." Aunt Lan said with a smile.
Aunt Lan's words were mysterious, and Lian Xiang knew it, and her face became better.
"By the way, what do you use to sew your purse for the young master?"
Lianxiang said: "Young master, I don't know when I got into the habit of collecting petals. I used to put them in a book, and I didn't want to throw them away. I made them into dried flowers and put them in a purse, so I could keep them. no."
"Those petals were picked up by Xiaolin, Lianxiang, you spent all this time making wedding gowns for Xiaolin."
"..." Lian Xiang almost spit out a mouthful of old blood.