Early in the morning, Danzhou City was quiet, especially in the Earl's Mansion where there was no extra noise. Danzhou is not big, and even living in the city can faintly hear the crowing of chickens in the villages outside the city, but the barking of dogs is not a thing. If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear who is emptying the toilet, who is boiling water for breakfast, and the vegetable market in the distance has already woken up, seducing the early-rising chefs with fresh vegetables and meat. women.
On a summer morning, with fresh air, Fan Xian and Sisi walked along the quiet streets of the city to the familiar vegetable market. He sniffed the increasingly strong smell in the air, shook his head contentedly, and said, "I haven't come to this kind of place in the past two years."
Sisi glanced at him from the sidelines, thinking that the imperial envoy would never have the chance to buy vegetables again.
Fan Xian said softly, "Do you still remember when we were in Danzhou, we used to come to the vegetable market to buy things?"
Sisi nodded, laughed, and said: "The young master has been walking around the city with his sisters since he was a child, and even carried things for them. At the beginning, he scared many people. I heard about it when I entered the mansion. I also think you are a weirdo."
"Do you still think I'm weird?" Fan Xian responded with a smile. When he first walked into the vegetable market and passed a small two-story building, he subconsciously stopped and stared sideways.
Sisi felt strange and asked, "What's wrong?"
Fan Xian pointed to the building and asked curiously, "Isn't that the home of Lao Ha who delivered the food? Didn't it mean that the building was burned down? Who lives now?"
Having said that, Sisi also thought about it, tilted her head to think for a while, and said sorry: "I haven't heard them mention it."
Fan Xian looked at the new two-story building and was a little dazed. The food delivery Lao Ha and the assassin on Dongshan Road in the Overwatch Council both died in this place. Afterwards, grandma ordered the building to be burned down to destroy the corpses. , but the people in Danzhou didn't know the truth of this incident at all, thinking it was just an ordinary fire.
His face calmed down. It was the twelve years since he came to this world, and it was the first time he killed someone in this place.
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There was a lot of noise in the vegetable market.
The fisherman on the sea is pushing the trolley, comparing the price of the first fish of the day with the fishmonger in silence, while the small fresh silver fish in the basket on the trolley keeps bouncing and making a snapping sound. Cars push in from time to time, and the hawkers shout loudly to give way. The vegetable leaves in the second row are stained with dew, which are delicious and tempting. At the chicken stall in the compartment, the clucking of chickens rises with the stench At the same time, a big white pig in the west corner was uttering its final mournful cry under the butcher's knife.
Many people from Danzhou have already started to buy vegetables and food, and they have to go early to buy the freshest vegetables. The folk customs of Danzhou are simple and simple, and the emperor of the Qing Dynasty is especially kind to stop the levy every year, so the people live a good life, at least they can afford to eat meat every day.
Seeing this scene, Fan Xian couldn't help feeling a little moved, this Qing Dynasty is really not bad.
After walking a few steps, he came to the quietest corner of the vegetable market. Looking at the figure on the tofu stand from a distance, Fan Xian stopped, squinted at the familiar waist curve, and looked at the young woman's flushed face. Face, looking at her slightly plump body, smiled gently, thinking that I was hugged by her, why do I still never get tired of watching it
Sisi looked at the woman, laughed happily, and was about to run over there, but Fan Xian held her hand. She glanced back suspiciously.
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Why meet each other? Just take a look from a distance. Seeing Sister Dong'er's expression, life should be going well, so let's not bother any more."
Sisi didn't understand, since she sneaked out, could it be that she really didn't see her, but she was just watching from a distance so foolishly
"The family gives her a monthly salary, that's what I mean." Fan Xian seemed to be comforting himself, "With this money, life should be fine."
The young woman who sells tofu is called Dong'er, who was the eldest maid of the Earl's Mansion in Danzhou. This girl has been hugging Fan Xian since she was ten years old, and she has held Fan Xian until she was ten years old. Naturally, her relationship with Fan Xian is very different. .
It's just that when Fan Xian was ten years old, the girl's family was getting older, and Fan Xian knew that his life would be extremely dangerous in the future, so he found an excuse to drive her out of the house, but kept helping her secretly.
He likes Dong'er, so he wants to arrange an ordinary and happy life for Dong'er.
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However, it seems that an ordinary and happy life is not so easy to come by. Fan Xian and Sisi looked at it for a while, and suddenly found four or five big men surrounding Dong'er's tofu shop, talking excitedly.
Fan Xian's eyes narrowed, and a gleam of coldness flashed across his handsome face. He just looked at those big guys, although they were excited, they didn't seem to be overly aggressive, and they didn't act too much, so they haven't gone berserk yet.
He signaled that he wanted to follow him closer to the tofu shop, heard the conversations of those people clearly, and saw the wrinkles at the corners of sister Dong'er's eyes clearly, and couldn't help feeling sad.
"Miss Dong'er, it's not that we are forcing people, it's just that this debt has been overdue for a year, so it's time to pay it back." The big man in the head frowned and said, "Go around and ask, the money we gave your family has already been paid." It’s the widest one, and it’s never been so low.”
Dong'er rubbed her hands helplessly. These hands were soaked in tofu water all year round, so they were a little red and rough. She lowered her head and said in embarrassment: "A little longer, a little longer, you also know that my family's health has been poor this year, and he spent a lot of money on his illness."
The big man glanced at her, and suddenly said: "I said Miss Dong'er, why are you so ignorant?"
Dong'er raised her head suspiciously.
The big man laughed and said: "Not to mention, this Guanshicheng has always collected the least money from you, and our boss has not asked you for a lot of money... The whole vegetable market respects you three points, what is the reason for this?" ? Wasn’t it because you came from the Earl’s Mansion back then? Although on the surface you were kicked out of the mansion, how can we old people in Danzhou not know? The young master of the Fan family cherishes you the most, and he has been relying on you since he was a child. Playing at your tofu stand."
He cleared his throat, and said, "Don't we all give face to Young Master Fan, and no one dares to bully you... But..." He suddenly said angrily, "The money is not much, you can go to the Earl's Mansion and tell the old lady about it." Two sentences, won't her old man help you?"
Dong'er pursed her lips tightly, refusing to say anything more.
The big man finally couldn't bear it anymore, and shouted: "Even if you dare not tell the old lady, everyone now knows about this important event in the Danzhou mansion. The young master of the Fan family has returned to his hometown, and he is now a dignified imperial envoy." , take care of you casually, your whole family is going to be prosperous, why do you care about these silver taels?"
Dong'er suddenly raised her head, and said with a resolute look on her face: "Don't disturb the mansion about my matter, I will pay you back the money I owe you... Thanks to Brother Hu for taking care of you these two years, Dong'er Very grateful."
But these words obviously had no effect. Although the big man didn't dare to threaten Dong'er, but after all, he relied on this to make money, and said angrily: "Since you said that you have no relationship with the family, then we will not be polite, we should take it." Bring me the money today!"
Hearing this time, Fan Xian finally understood the reason of the matter, and couldn't help laughing wryly. The one from Dong'er's family is probably not in good health, but... the money I asked the mansion to send every month should be enough. Judging by the look on Dong'er's sister, I'm afraid it's because she hasn't been willing to touch the money she sent over the past two years. , only willing to rely on this tofu shop to make ends meet.
There was no point in continuing to listen, and Fan Xian didn't have the hobby of waiting for the situation to escalate before becoming an uncle, although it was obvious that he was the biggest uncle in Danzhou City.
He nodded to Sisi.
Sisi immediately understood, took a few quick steps, and came to the tofu shop. Looking at the big men, she asked calmly, "How much is the difference?"
These big men were obviously taken aback by the girl who appeared out of nowhere. Although Sisi didn't deliberately dress up when she went out today, she lived in a wealthy family every day, and all the clothes on her body were luxurious. The big guys have sharp eyes. Of course he knew that this girl was of extraordinary background, coughed lightly twice, and said respectfully: "That's ten taels of silver."
While speaking, the eyeballs of these big men were floating around the tofu shop.
And Dong'er was already stunned when Sisi stood in front of her tofu shop, and a helpless smile appeared on her flushed face after a while.
The big man in the lead suddenly caught sight of the young master standing behind the side of the tofu shop, looked at the handsome face of the young master, who was very recognizable, and then thought about the origin of Dong'er from the tofu shop and the beautiful girl in front of him, He immediately guessed the identity of the young master, and quickly added in a trembling voice: "It's indeed ten taels. This interest... I didn't dare to take it too much. Since the girl came forward today, she will be free of it."
Sisi looked back at Dong'er with a smile on her face, and said, "Sister, are there so many?"
Dong'er was still immersed in shock, and nodded in a panic.
Sisi glanced at Fan Xian over there. Of course this girl knew what Fan Xian was thinking, and smiled at the big men and said, "I can also see that you guys are quite protective of my sister. I thank you for this kindness on behalf of my son." As she spoke, she took out a small bank note from her sleeve and handed it over, and said gently: "In the future, you can help take care of this shop more."
The big man took the bank note and saw that it was in the denomination of twenty taels, he couldn't help but wanted to return it with a bitter face, but he glanced at the face of the young man behind the tofu shop, he didn't dare to say any more, and his voice trembled Said: "Don't dare, dare not, definitely, definitely."
After saying this, he hurried away with a few confused subordinates behind him. When passing by Fan Xian, he bowed deeply to the ground without daring to fart.
Fan Xian shook his head, walked into the tofu shop, and complained to Dong'er who still couldn't believe his eyes: "If you have money to keep, why should you borrow money?"
Dong'er glanced at him with a forced smile, and said softly, "Master, why are you here?"
Fan Xian said angrily: "It was the same sentence a few years ago, and it is still the same sentence now, you are my girl, can I come and see you?"
Sisi covered her mouth with a smile and said, "I don't know who was standing over there just now." After saying this, she walked up to Dong'er and held her hand affectionately.
Dong'er flusteredly wiped her hands twice on the cloth lapel in front of her, and smiled gently.
Fan Xian looked at Dong'er's face intently, and took a closer look at the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. The years were not ruthless, and did not leave too deep marks on the young woman's face. Business always seemed a little tired, especially standing with Sisi at this time, and being compared with Sisi, a pampered maid, seemed a little uncomfortable.
Fan Xian sighed, and suddenly didn't know what to say, so he asked calmly, "Where's the little girl?"
"Stay with her father at home, her father...is not in good health." Dong'er glanced at Fan Xian's expression, and smiled gently and kindly. She grew up holding Fan Xian in her arms, of course she knew his thoughts, and could guess why he was upset, and said softly: "You don't dare to use the money that the young master sent, anyway, it can maintain..."
Before she could finish speaking, Fan Xian waved his hand angrily, and said, "Take me to your house to sit and talk."
Dong'er glanced at her own tofu shop, and was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to say.
Fan Xian said angrily, "What do you care about such a dilapidated mess? I messed it up back then, what an ordinary life, you have to follow me all the time, how can you be so picky."
Seeing him getting angry, Dong'er didn't dare to say anything, Sisi stepped forward and took her hand and walked out of the vegetable market.
Fan Xian walked out of the tofu shop behind the two of them, staring back coldly at the attention cast from around the vegetable market, after thinking for a while, he took the two grids of tofu he had prepared in his hand, and just walked away happily. Strolled out.
After he left, the whole vegetable market erupted like a frying pan. Naturally, all the hawkers recognized who he was, and they couldn't help but fell into shock and excitement.
It is such a wonderful gossip that the imperial servants come to the vegetable market, especially when there are words such as the big maid in the past and the tofu Xi Shi today.
"See, I just said... Young Master Fan is a nostalgic person, since he returned to Danzhou, he naturally wanted to see Miss Dong'er."
Someone sighed, "Master Imperial Envoy, what an official this must be, to be so nostalgic."
Some people talked nonsense, and some people cursed back: "Don't you see that sister Sisi is here too? If you dare to talk nonsense again, be careful that someone from the mansion will send you to the west to beat the barbarians!"
Regardless of how the discussion in the vegetable market fermented, the majesty of the Fan Mansion is here, and Fan Xian's reputation is here. Some endless rumors naturally ended without a problem, but Fan Xian's sudden arrival and the sudden closure of the tofu shop were the reasons for the early morning. The bustling vegetable market injects a trace of the most lively emotions.
At this time, no one thought that the entire city of Danzhou was out of tofu today.
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Dong'er's home is in a small courtyard in the remote part of Danzhou, quietly hidden in the depths of an alley. Although such a unique courtyard is common in Danzhou City, it is also worth a lot of money. It was Fan Xian who used it back then. The money for selling the inner court newspaper Pan Ling's handwriting was bought when Dong'er got married. At that time, Fan Xian made great efforts, and Dong'er didn't dare to disobey the wishes of the eleven-year-old young master, so he has lived there until today.
It's just that the furnishings in this courtyard are a bit outdated. Fan Xian walked into the courtyard, looked around, and found that it was still neat and clean. He nodded in satisfaction, put the two compartments of tofu on the stone mill, and put the To the back, into the main hall.
Dong'er was busy pouring tea and taking snacks, Fan Xian stopped, and said with a smile: "It's not like you don't know my temper, I don't like those."
Dong'er smiled gently, and said: "At that time, everyone in the house said that the young master was a freak, and the children in every family didn't like to eat snacks, but liked to chew on bones."
"Yeah, I'm a freak." Fan Xian sighed, and said, "That's why you didn't think I was weird."
Sisi wiped the low couch carelessly, knowing that Fan Xian didn't care about these things, so she went to ask him to sit down. Fan Xian shook his head, lifted the curtain on the left side of the main hall, and barged in without seeing anything.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw a man about thirty years old struggling to get up from the bed. The man's facial features were well-proportioned, and he seemed quite honest, but his face was a little pale, and his body didn't look very good.
Seeing Fan Xian go inside, Dong'er jumped up anxiously, hurriedly followed in, and said, "Master, what are you doing here where the sick are staying?"
The man on the bed was Dong'er's husband, surnamed Mai, and he had already guessed the identity of the visitor.
Although he had been discussing with Dong'er since the day he knew that Master Fan was going back to Danzhou, whether Master Fan would come to see him, but the status and status of the two parties were too different after all, and it was too uncomfortable to think of this matter. Maybe, the couple felt relieved and didn't make any preparations.
"Master Fan, don't come in." He said anxiously, quite frightened.
Fan Xian smiled, sat down directly beside him, put one hand on his veins, and signaled him to be quiet with his eyes.
Standing at the door, Dong'er guessed that the young master was seeing a doctor for her husband, so she couldn't help feeling a little bit suspicious. Back then in the mansion, I saw the young master reading medical books, but the doctors in Danzhou city said that the disease was difficult to cure...
And her husband-in-law was even more nervous and had no choice but to see Fan Xian's fingers resting on his veins, thinking that this is the imperial envoy today, and according to rumors, he is even a dragon... How can he treat himself as a doctor? Woolen cloth? He was so excited and moved that his eyes became moist.
There was silence in the room, Sisi didn't enter the room, but watched carefully behind Dong'er.
After a long time, Fan Xian let go of his fingers, opened his eyes, and said with a smile, "Coincidentally, it's a lung problem, easy to cure."
Dong'er and his wife were overjoyed when they heard this, but they still couldn't believe it. Sisi covered her mouth behind her and said with a smile: "You two don't worry, our young mistress also has a lung problem, and the imperial doctor in the palace can't cure it, and the young master cured everything."