Yue Gui and Mi Li didn't know what was going on inside the house, and they didn't dare to get too close, they only dared to guard in the yard.
The secret box has already appeared, and if Lu Rujing finds out about it, it will definitely lead to disaster.
Early the next morning, Wenliu Mountain Villa was like a frying pan, and there was a lot of noise.
Chunxiu was originally thinking that if she managed to save her life, she would have to let go of her stomach and eat hard these two days, and eat two more bites when she was full, but she heard the commotion outside and frowned in displeasure , "Early in the morning, you still let people grow flesh?"
Ah Luo ran in panting, "The man from Ninghou Mansion is here!"
"Oh, my aunt hasn't settled with Sun Daoxian yet, so he dares to come to your door?" When Chunxiu remembered that Sun Daoxian had colluded with Zhong Yao and almost killed Shen Zhi, her, and Mi Li, a wave of anger burst into his eyes instantly. With a knife in his hand, he rushed out.
Shen Zhi put down the spoon and chased after him, "Auntie! Auntie, don't be impulsive!"
Seeing this, Bo Yu got a mouthful of hot porridge stuck in her throat, squeezed two buns, coughed and ran behind, "You, you, don't, don't run so fast."
Now, the whole Wenliu Villa was very lively, and everyone ran to the yard in front of the flower hall.
Xia Wenqing was planning to go to the yamen, and seeing Chunxiu rushing out with a knife in her hand, she limped forward while supporting her leg, intending to stop her, "Chunxiu, don't be impulsive, Chunxiu! The son of the Marquis, Chunxiu... kills people for their lives, it's impossible! It's impossible!"
"I don't want to kill him, I will chop him up!" Chunxiu gritted her teeth.
Mrs. Ninghou grabbed Sun Daoxian by the ear, kicked her son over in the yard, and shouted at the people in the corridor with her hands on her hips, "I'll put him here. If you want to beat him or scold him, you will be respectful!"
"Mother! I'm your own son! Mother..." Sun Daoxian's face was swollen like a pig's head, which shows that Mrs. Ninghou was not polite to him.
The worthless thing sat slumped on the ground, crying louder than the sound of slaughtering a pig.
"Howling?" Chunxiu yelled angrily, "You son of a bitch, my aunt thought you were throwing a temper tantrum at most, playing with your brother's temperament, who knew that you had a black heart and mixed up with that dead woman Zhong Yao Together, set us up and almost kill so many of us, I wish I could hack you!"
Shen Zhi quickly hugged Chunxiu's arm, "Auntie, killing people will pay for their lives, we can't be impulsive!"
Others can't stop Chunxiu, that is, Shen Zhi, who can persuade her a little bit.
"It was he who harmed others first, how could I let him go!" Chunxiu gritted her teeth, "Zhier, step aside, lest auntie scratch you!"
"Auntie, it's wrong for him to harm people, but Mrs. Hou knows the righteousness and sent people here to make amends. We, we are not hurt, can we discuss it? We have something to say, right?" Shen Zhi was afraid Chunxiu really unloaded Sun Daoxian with a knife.
No matter how bad Sun Daoxian is, he is also the eldest son of the Ninghou Mansion, if he is guilty, he should be dealt with by the court, and definitely not in the hands of Chunxiu. Regardless of the antecedents, after all, it was Chunxiu who suffered the most.
"I have nothing to say!" Chunxiu made a gesture to break Shen Zhi away.
Bo Yu hurriedly handed over the steamed stuffed bun, "Auntie, eat a steamed stuffed bun to cushion your belly, otherwise you won't have the energy to do it!"
Chunxiu frowned, and the elder and the younger stared at each other for a few seconds.
"How about, let's eat first!" Bo Yu said, "You have to settle your bills, and you have to eat. You can't starve yourself. Aunt Chunxiu, you have lost a lot of weight. If you lose weight, you may even have to raise a knife." If you don’t move, you should calm down and drink a bowl of mung bean soup to reduce the fire!”
"Yes, yes!" Ah Luo hurriedly agreed, "Sit down first, and talk if you have something to say!"
Guan Yuqing sat on the railing, ate melon seeds and shouted, "Chunxiu, you're going to be blood-spattered this early in the morning? Can you give us an extra meal?"
Hearing this, Sun Daoxian cried "Wow", "Mother, listen to what these women say? They are going to eat me, mother... I am your own son, why do you always hug me Elbows turned outward? Mother..."
"Shut up!" Madam Ninghou was not joking.
Shen Muxi put on her clothes in a panic and came out. When she stepped out of the threshold, her legs gave way and she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, the person behind her quickly grabbed her waist, and she was able to stand still.
Pushing him away with a little annoyance, Shen Muxi gathered up his skirt, and walked towards the flower hall with a pale complexion.
"Little sister!" Xia Wenqing was a little worried, "This..."
"Don't worry!" Shen Muxi took a breath, and walked slowly to Chunxiu's side to stand.
With Shen Muxi around, everyone knew that Sun Daoxian had escaped a catastrophe.
"Doctor Shen, don't stop me!" Chunxiu said, "I'm definitely going to settle accounts with him this time. He has caused us so much suffering that Zhong Yao almost took us away! This account, even if it comes to the emperor , I, Chunxiu, have to put it out and figure it out!"
Shen Muxi nodded, if it wasn't for the miraculous effect of Shen Zhi's blood, I'm afraid none of them would be able to stand here properly.
"Ma'am, this matter was originally caused by Sun Shizi. Chunxiu was excited because Zhong Yao was originally a member of the Changshengmen. If the Ninghou Mansion colluded with the Changshengmen, and if this matter was reported to the court, I am afraid that the whole family will be shocked." The Ninghou Mansion can't get away from it." Shen Muxi's expression turned cold.
Hearing this, the crying stopped abruptly.
Sun Daoxian looked up at Shen Muxi in disbelief, "You, what did you say?"
"Sun Shizi cooperated with Zhong Yao, didn't he think that he would implicate his parents and the Sun clan? Conspiring with the rebels and harming the orphan of His Highness Li Wang, such crimes are enough to make Ninghou Mansion feel guilty The crime of treason is beyond redemption!" Shen Muxi sneered coldly.
Sun Daoxian was horrified, and hurriedly got up and ran to his mother, "Mother..."
Mrs. Ninghou raised her hand and slapped Sun Daoxian directly to the ground, "So, stupid! No matter how nonsense you are, your parents have never cared about you, but you absolutely shouldn't, never dare to talk to those disorderly officials The thieves mixed together. What is the Longevity Gate, you dare to touch it? Damn it!"
With this slap, Mrs. Ning Hou was still merciful, otherwise, with her strength, Sun Daoxian would be beaten all over the place.
Sun Daoxian covered his face and sat on the ground with his mouth covered in blood.
"Why, you know you're afraid now? You stupid pig, why did you go?" Chunxiu sneered. After all, it was Dr. Shen who could tell the truth. Seeing the terrified look of this turtle grandson, he was really killed. He is more enjoyable.
"Princess Li!" Mrs. Ninghou saluted respectfully, "It is because I have no way to teach my son that I have caused such a catastrophe. If I want to kill or kill my son, I will do whatever I want. I will never shirk responsibility in Ninghou's mansion. This rebellious son is almost harmed. The dead young master, Miss Chunxiu and others, really... I am sorry to you all, I am ashamed!"
After saying that, Mrs. Ninghou fell to her knees.
This surprised everyone.
However, Shen Muxi didn't help, but just took two steps back, "I can't bear it!"
Speaking of which, Mrs. Ninghou is an elder, she Shen Muxi really can't stand this kneeling. But a mistake is a mistake. If such a mistake can be easily forgiven, it may cause some trouble in the future.
"Princess Li, I know this matter is no small matter. Hurting the young master is a felony, and a virtuous son is bound to die." Madam Ninghou spoke earnestly, kneeling and kowtowing, "But I, Ninghou's family is small, and there is only such a son. The Marquis Mansion is just superficially glamorous, but in fact it has no power or power, it is just a hereditary favor. I beg you to raise your hands high, and the right is to give Xian'er a chance to reform."
A Luo and Yue Gui looked at each other, Chunxiu frowned and stared at Shen Zhi, who was holding her arm tightly, "Let go! Aunt Chunxiu, you are not so cruel...to the point where people will lose their children and grandchildren!"
Only then did Shen Zhi let go.
Bo Yu handed over a steamed stuffed bun, "Eat some, let's not mind our own business, Shao Fu has been in a bad mood for the past two days, if he goes late again, this meeting will not be as simple as running around!"
Shen Zhi took it, "Go and get two more, hurry up!"
Li Changxuan has been tossed by Princess Ana for the past few days, he looks like a rooster with fried hair, no one dares to provoke him, and everyone is very obedient.
Mi Li didn't dare to delay, and hurriedly sent the two younger ones into the palace.
When Xia Wenqing left, Guan Yuqing stuffed the melon seeds in his hand to Nianqiu, and silently followed Xia Wenqing to leave.
The courtyard was left vacant for a while, Shen Muxi finally bent down to help Mrs. Ninghou, "I know Madam understands the righteousness, and I also know that Ninghou Lord and you did not join forces with the Changshengmen, but this matter is really caused by the son, So my son..."
"I know!" Mrs. Ninghou nodded, "I don't ask for forgiveness, as long as I can spare his life!"
Shen Muxi turned her head to look at Chunxiu, her eyes turned slightly, "Why not, Chunxiu, how about I hand over the son to you?"
Chunxiu was taken aback.
Sun Daoxian wailed like killing a pig, "Don't, don't, don't, mother, Doctor Shen, don't hand me over to her...she will kill me! Mother..."
"Shut up!" Mrs. Ninghou frowned, "Princess, this..."
"Chunxiu, save people's lives." Shen Muxi said, "Can it be done?"
Chunxiu beckoned, and walked to a secluded place with Shen Muxi, trying to avoid Mrs. Ninghou, "Mr. Shen, what are you doing? Give me that turtle grandson, I'm afraid I can't help it, and then I will slap him." Shoot him to death."
"Ninghou Lord has made great contributions to the imperial court. In the past, he was a well-known man who defended his family and the country. Although he has no way to teach his children, he still understands righteousness, so we can't kill them all. We have to leave roots for others." Shen Muxi explained, "But this Sun Daoxian is really useless. If he is released and gets mixed up with the Changshengmen, I don't know what will happen."
Chunxiu nodded, "This kid encouraged the ruffians on the street to be domineering and run amok on the streets of Dongdu. I have wanted to deal with him a long time ago."
"I just thought, if you take him to the butcher shop, it's considered discipline. Zhong Yao was slapped left and right. At this moment, I don't know where the cat is. She has nowhere to escape. Maybe she will find Sun Daoxian again." Shen Muxi said in a low voice, "Do you understand what I mean?"
"I know!" Chunxiu smiled coolly, "I'll hang Sun Daoxian on the shop to see if that dead woman will fall into the trap of herself."
"It's a great achievement to gather the ethos of the Eastern Capital City!" Shen Muxi laughed.
Chunxiu smirked, "Look at this kid, how dare he dare to be dishonest!"
Sun Daoxian was dragged away by Chunxiu crying. This woman wanted to take him to slaughter pigs and sell pork...
He is a majestic son of Ninghou's mansion, but he wants to be a small townsman, a butcher of pigs? ? If you tell it, ghosts won't believe it. But his parents, as if they were blind, let Chunxiu take him away, and they were quite applauded.
Until Sun Daoxian was forced to wear an apron and stand in front of the shop, he was still thinking about whether he was born by his parents or not
Eighty percent, I picked it up!
Xia Li'an was standing in the corridor, seeing everything that happened just now.
"Father!" Shen Muxi saluted, because Bo Yunxiu was beside her, she didn't dare to get too close to her father, for fear that this "son-in-law" would suddenly go mad and get out of control.
"He has grown up!" Xia Li'an Laohuai comforted, "The former willful and stubborn Xi'er has finally been reborn."
Shen Muxi lowered his head and smiled, "Father, I'm already a mother, so naturally I can't be as self-willed as before. Xi'er has grown up and understands the painstaking efforts of my father. Father, I'm sorry! Thank you!"
When I was young, I couldn't say it, but when I grow up, I have no face to say it.
Now that he said it out, the two in return were the father and daughter, who smiled relievedly.
Because Shen Muxi let Ninghou's mansion go, Ninghou and his wife are grateful to Liwang's mansion, and this love will eventually be repaid. The crime of genocide was quietly covered up, so Li Wangfu took the risk.
"Princess, you are back!" The butler saluted, "Miss Xiaotang and Mr. Qian have recovered very well in the past two days, but the emperor... the prime minister and the grand master have invited many times, saying that the envoys of Ying Kingdom The regiment is still in Dongdu, and it is not a solution for the emperor to stay away from court!"
"I know!" Shen Muxi walked towards the main courtyard.
The butler nodded, and when he opened the door of the main courtyard, he led An An back away quietly, not daring to disturb the princess's work.
"Can you stop following me like a follower?" Butang was furious as he clutched the wound on his chest, "I was injured, not disabled. I can drink water and eat, and I don't need you to feed me! Your Majesty, you Can you let me go?"
Holding a glass of water, Bo Yunchong followed Butang obediently, and replied honestly, "No!"
Bu Tang's chest rose and fell, "If you hang around in front of me twice, I can give you my life!"
"No!" Bo Yunchong shook his head.
Ding Quanhe and Congshan at the side lowered their heads helplessly. His Royal Highness Li Wang is gone, the emperor is now ignoring the government affairs, the queen mother could still babble a few words, now the queen mother is simply taking care of her life, leaving a group of veterans chattering all day in the golden palace, but no one can tell workable way.
In the long run, what should I do
"Your Majesty!" Shen Muxi saluted.
"Little Xixi..." Bo Yunchong looked aggrieved.
Bu Tang, "..." Before she even opened her mouth to complain, he is a seven-foot man, and he is the emperor. Who can he show this face of grievance? ? Did she bully him? Have it? Have it? "Young, young master!" Bu Tang wanted to salute, but Shen Muxi stopped him immediately.
"It's all hurt like this, don't go back and lie down, let's talk about healing!" Shen Muxi helped Butang back to the bed, "I know you can't lie down, but you have to walk around every day at a certain level, you can't blindly Standing there, do you know how you got your life back? I almost went to the Palace of the King of Hades to join in the fun! I’m still uneasy, are you looking at me to death?”
Bu Tang lay on the bed, and gave Bo Yunchong a hard look, "Look at him, he's following him like a ghost, I..."
"Your Majesty, can I have a few words with Xiaotang alone?" Shen Muxi asked.
Bo Yunchong nodded, put down the cup, and obediently retreated to the door and stood there.
"Look at him..." Bu Tang was furious.
Shen Muxi held her hand, and glanced at Bo Yunxiu who was wearing a cloak behind her, covering herself tightly, "I know what it's like to be followed every step of the way. But Xiaotang, you answer me, when you You are with the emperor, don't you feel tempted at all?"
Bu Tang hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes and remained silent.
"You have a heart." Shen Muxi sighed softly, "People always desire what they lack. You are good at martial arts, and you can indeed protect yourself. But when you calm down, why don't you hope that there is someone who can protect you and love you?" Are you in the bone?"
Bu Tang pursed his lips, "Young Master..."
"You call me young master, just listen to my advice, don't wait until people leave the tea to cool off before regretting. There are not so many people in this world who are willing to tolerate and pamper you, and turn back when you are tired." Shen Muxi's nose was sour, " Look at me and Bo Yunxiu, don't you want to be like me, waiting for seven years, hating for seven years, thinking about for seven years, and finally... regretting missing seven years?"
Bu Tang was dumbfounded, she didn't want to.
"Then tell me, what do you think about the emperor?" Shen Muxi asked in a low voice.
Bu Tang has never thought about this question, but now that he thinks about it, he seems a little flustered, "Since I was a child, I have been alone in everything I do, walking and sitting alone. Does the young master understand that kind of loneliness? It is happiness that no one shares. , no one can tell the pain, and you will die in the future, and you will be a deserted tomb, and there is not even a person to bury you."
Shen Muxi grew up in Xia's family, and was protected by her father and brother since she was a child. Even after suffering in Liwang Mansion, she was accompanied by her master and Zhi'er after she came out. She was never lonely, never!
"I often wonder, if I die, will anyone still remember me? Except for my senior sister, who will occasionally think of me, or burn incense sticks to me during the Ching Ming Festival, I am afraid that no one will know that there is another me in the world." Bu Tang sighed softly, "Although the emperor is very annoying, he... makes me feel safe. If I die, he probably won't, won't abandon my corpse to the wilderness!"
Shen Muxi gently hugged Butang, "Now you are not alone."
"I just hope that someone can remember me, and don't let me come and go alone." Bu Tang choked up.
Shen Muxi was full of pity, "Silly girl!"
"I've been in the rivers and lakes for so many years. To me, there is no difference between life and death. It doesn't matter whether I am the flesh and blood of the Bu family or not. Anyway, this life was given by the Bu family. They have raised me for so many years. I should follow the Bu family. Keep a distance from your enemies." Bu Tang took a deep breath, "I don't want to treat him like this, but I..."
"It was the first emperor who overthrew the Bu family, not him. What's more, who can explain the grievances at the beginning? The fault of protecting the family has harmed you and me, everyone, and too many people." Shen Muxisong Turned her off, "Xiaotang, Lu Rujing is even scarier than Han Tianming back then. Since you can't go back, why don't you choose another life? Do what you want and stop beating and killing."
Bu Tang narrowed his eyes, "I, can I start over? Actually, I don't like killing people at all."
"Yes." Shen Muxi gently pinned her sideburns behind her ears, "You are still young, there is still time for everything, do what you should do and what you want to do according to what you think in your heart. Everyone is the first Once you are a human being, why should you wrong yourself so much?"
Bu Tang was amused by her, "Young master, you are so kind!"
"Because Xiaotang deserves to be treated well by me." Shen Muxi tucked up the quilt for her, "Your body is still not healed, so don't go to the ground casually, lest the wound open again, I don't have the magic medicine of Princess Ana."
Bu Tang chuckled, "Got it!"
"Eat obediently, sleep obediently, I have asked someone to investigate the matter of Yama of the Ten Palaces!" Shen Muxi got up, "Master told me the address of the chief helm, I asked Lan Niang to help with it, I believe this will be resolved soon Things. Wait until Yama of the Ten Palaces disappears, and return you to a peaceful life, so that you will not be displaced for the rest of your life."
Bu Tang looked at her steadily, for some reason, she always felt that something was wrong with the young master.
"Young master, are you... hiding something from us?" Bu Tang asked.
Shen Muxi shook his head, "Lu Rujing is our confidant's serious trouble now, after we get rid of him, everyone will be safe!"
Watching Shen Muxi turn and leave, Bu Tang frowned, the young master seemed a little weird.
"Xiaotang?" Bo Yunchong walked in the door, "Are you thirsty? Are you hungry?"
Bu Tang sat on the edge of the bed, bent his knees and rested his chin, "Who is that man in black next to the young master?"
"Whoever he is, he must have been dispatched from somewhere. It's always covered in darkness." Bo Yunchong sat down next to her, "Xiaotang, what are you thinking?"
"I think it's a little strange. When the young master said these words, I somehow felt that she seemed to be explaining..." Bu Tang raised his eyebrows, touched his chin and thought, "Hey, help me with something!"
"Don't say it's just one thing, it doesn't matter how many things!" Bo Yunchong raised his hand and swore.
...
"Master!" Shen Muxi stood in the corridor, looked at the leisurely master, and sighed dumbfoundedly.
Qian Mian was lying on the rocking chair, drinking tea, basking in the sun, the rocking chair creaked, and his fingertips tapped the armrest of the chair lightly, feeling very comfortable.
"Master!" Shen Muxi approached and shouted again.
Only then did Qianmian open his eyes, but he only glanced at her, then closed his eyes again, and continued to rock the rocking chair comfortably.
Shen Muxi sighed softly, "Master..."
Before he finished speaking, he turned into Shen Muxi and exclaimed, "Don't!"
Bo Yunxiu's speed was too fast, she pressed hard on the rocking chair, like shooting an arrow, drew the bow, and released...
Qianmian was unprepared, and because of the injuries on his body, it was as if a bow and arrow were thrown from the string in an instant, and was instantly bounced off by the rocking chair.
Shen Muxi wanted to reach out to pick it up, but was quickly pressed by Bao Yunxiu in his arms. His eyes under the cloak were cold and terrifying, and he just stared straight at Qianmian who was lying on the ground without moving for a long time.
"Old man?" Yue Gui rushed to help him, "Old man?"
"Cough... cough cough cough..." Qianmian struggled to turn over and lay on his back on the ground. Fortunately, he fell on the grass, otherwise... his internal organs would be broken, "Do you have any hatred against me? Bloody hatred?! Cough Keke..."
Yue Gui twitched the corners of his lips, "Who told you to ignore my princess?"
Qianmian pointed at Yuegui with a trembling finger, and then pointed at Bo Yunxiu who was not far away, surrounded by the heavy wood, "Ingratitude, a bunch of white-eyed wolves! My old bones will be broken in your hands sooner or later..."
Taking a deep breath, Yue Gui hastily helped him sit up, and quickly stroked Qianmian's back, "Calm down! Calm down!"
Qian Mian took a hard breath twice, "Injustice!"
"Bo Yunxiu, I'm fine, he didn't bully me!" Shen Muxi sighed softly, and pushed Bao Yunxiu away with great effort, "That's my master!"
Of course, talking about this to Bo Yunxiu was like playing the piano to a cow.
"Master..." Shen Muxi just took a step.
Qianmian exclaimed, "Don't come over!"
Bao Yunxiu took a step forward with his long legs, and Shen Muxi hurriedly squeezed into his arms, hugging his waist, "He didn't yell at me, really, really!"
"I..." Qian Mian looked at Yue Gui aggrievedly.
Yue Gui laughed dryly, "Just get used to it! Just get used to it! The lord only knows the concubine now, so take it easy, lest the lord really tear your bones apart and the concubine can't stop her!"
Qianmian looked at the wound on his abdomen, "It's alright, alright!"
Fortunately, it was the grass. The moment he landed, he reacted and turned his body slightly, otherwise...
"Master, I came here today to ask, where is Big Brother Lu?" Shen Muxi asked.
"Are you going to attack the main rudder?" Qian Mian gritted his teeth and sat up.
Shen Muxi narrowed his eyes, "Cut the grass without eradicating its roots, if the spring breeze blows and regenerates, how many people will not live in peace if the ten halls of hell are not eradicated? You, Xiaotang, and many others will fall into Lu Rujing's plot to kill."
Qian Mian nodded, "If Lu Rujing wants to leave, he will definitely take Lu Guizhou and the elite of the chief rudder with him, so there should be no one in the chief rudder right now!"
"Okay!" Shen Muxi nodded, "I'll ask Lan Niang to inquire about the news now, and there will be results soon. Once I find out that Lu Rujing is not at the helm, I will order to destroy it."
Qian Mian hesitated, "If you do this, will you bring yourself disaster?"
"Aren't my calamities too few?" She smiled helplessly, "The guardians were born by chance and perish because of greed, and the final karmic debts fell on me. I don't want to bear it, but I can't bear it." If you don’t bear it, once the things on your shoulders are put down, the people around you will suffer. If that’s the case, I will bear it all by myself!”
"Xi'er?" Qianmian frowned, "You..."
"Master needless to say, I don't want to hurt Big Brother Lu, he is kind to me and Zhi'er." Shen Muxi walked away.
Qianmian sighed softly, "I know what you want to do, Xi'er, don't be brave, Lu Rujing is not so easy to deal with! Now I understand why Han Busu disappeared, she probably also knows that Lu Rujing is the second Han Destiny. No, Lu Rujing is more terrifying than Han Tianming, at least Han Tianming still has humanity, but Lu Rujing does not recognize his relatives."
Shen Muxi didn't look back.
After thinking for a while, Qianmian covered his wounds and went to Butang. Bo Yunchong stared at him with displeasure, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm already old, will I still pick up your girl?" Qian Mian shouted, pulling his neck, "Get out of the way!"
Bo Yunchong's face was dark, Butang was finally willing to let him accompany him, how could he be willing to leave.
"Xiaotang, have you told Xi'er about the Gumu Villa?" Qianmian asked.
Bu Tang shook his head hastily, "How dare I? If the young master goes to Gu Mu Villa, that's fine!"
"It's okay, okay, I didn't dare to say it, so as not to cause a catastrophe!" Qianmian was relieved, but Bo Yunchong behind him kept poking him with his fingertips, which made Qianmian furious, "You have no end!" Blind, aren't you? I'm already old, what are you still thinking about? I really don't know what's going on in your mind, didn't you see me talking to Xiaotang? Get out of the way!"
"Look there!" Bo Yunchong raised his eyebrows slightly, pointing to the door.
Following Bo Yunchong's pointing, Qian Mian turned to look at the door, and froze in place for an instant, his old face instantly seemed to have smashed a dye vat, with red, white, blue, black, all kinds of colors.