"Is there any whereabouts of Chai Anxi?"
Yingxiang shook her head, "My servant heard that Princess Mengji is now sending people to search for Chai Anxi's whereabouts."
Chu Zhao smiled indifferently: "Xiao Huaijin came to Jiyang just to find someone." After a pause, he asked the woman beside him, "Who is Liu Buwang?"
"I haven't heard of this person's name before, but it is Dudu Xiao's martial master."
"Where is Xiao Huaijin's Martial Master?"
Ying Xiang also nodded: "But they seem to trust Mr. Liu very much."
Chu Zhao put down the tea cup in his hand: "These are not important, the most important thing is to find Chai Anxi before Xiao Huaijin."
"The servant knows." After a while, Yingxiang said hesitantly, "Just how does the young master plan to treat Miss He?" Although he had learned from Chu Zhao's mouth that He Yan was a girl before, he was prepared in his heart, but until the real When he saw He Yan's daughter through the window, he seemed to have a sense of reality. It was really hard to connect the petite and weak girl in front of me with the sassy and stern boy in my memory.
"Don't you think it's amazing that Xiao Huaijin has a woman by his side?" Chu Zhao smiled slightly, "I really want to know how much this woman can be trusted by him."
Ying Xiang lowered her eyes and said nothing, only the tea in the tea cup wafted out the warm air, and quickly escaped into the air without a trace.
…
On the other side, the people in the room were sitting separately.
"This is the military defense map of the Uto people." He Yan handed the scroll to Liu Buwang to see.
"The fourth son of Shi Jinbo's mansion brought news that the Utuo people will attack Jiyang soon, but now I don't know if it's true or not. Master, look at this defense map, what's the problem?"
Liu Buwang looked at it for a moment, then put the scroll in his hand down: "I don't know if this picture is true or not, but if the Uto people really want to attack Jiyang, as shown in the picture, they will start from the canal."
After all, the most important thing in Jiyang City is this canal. If you cut off the canal, you will cut off the lifeline of a city.
"Mr. Liu said before that it was to trace the Uto people to Jiyang." Xiao Jue looked at Liu Bufu, "Can you tell me why?"
Liu Buwan thought for a while before saying, "Every year before and after the Water God Festival, I will go back to Jiyang to have a look. I haven't been to Jiyang this year, but there was a massacre outside the city of Jiyang. Someone killed them all at night. I went to a village outside the city, put on the clothes of people in the village, and entered the city under false identity. One of the children who escaped by chance told me about this. I thought it was an enemy seeking revenge, or killing people and robbing money. I found out that a few people are not from the Wei Dynasty. These Uto people pretended to be civilians and sneaked into the city. It did not happen overnight. What I can find is only a few. I am afraid that before this, many people outside the city have been poisoned. Jiyang City There are also many Uto people who have been disguised."
"Master is saying that there are already many Uto people coming in?" He Yan asked.
Liu Bu Wang said: "Yes, they have been planning for a long time. They waited for the chaos during the Water God Festival before they kidnapped the little Highness. It was just that the plan was disrupted by you, so it should be done soon for the second time. "
"Master Liu means that there will be a war soon in Jiyang City?" Lin Shuanghe said nervously, "Isn't it very unsafe here
"Don't worry." He Yan reassured him: "Princess Mengji mentioned to us that she would evacuate the people from the city to a slightly safer place in the past few days. Brother Lin followed the people in Jiyang City when they were introduced. Nothing will happen."
Lin Shuanghe was relieved at this moment, but he immediately showed a righteous expression. Said: "Why follow the people in the city? Am I such a person who is greedy for life and fear of death, naturally I want to advance and retreat together with my brothers, live and die together, don't persuade me, I must be with you, Never live alone."
He Yan was speechless for a moment, and then said to Liu Buwang: "Master, Princess Mengji handed over the city gate army to the governor, would you like to take a look?"
"Ahe, did you forget?" Liu Buwang felt a little helpless, "I only know how to set up formations, not to fight."
This is also true, Liu Buwang knows Qimen Dunjia, bows sabres and spears, but they are all alone. He taught her Qimen Dunjia back then, and He Yan also studied and studied it by himself. Come up with a set of rules of your own.
"I don't know how to fight," Lin Shuanghe was very surprised. "Then my sister He memorized the military books so well, I thought she was a famous teacher and a master apprentice. Why, my sister He is self-taught?"
He Yan smiled awkwardly: "The talent is outstanding, maybe I was a female general in my last life, so it's all right!"
Xiao Jue sneered and said nothing.
"I will continue to track down the whereabouts of the group of Uto people in the past few days." Liu Bu Wang said: "I found their heads, and I can solve a lot of things. As for the city gate army in Jiyang, I will hand it over to Governor Xiao. ." Liu Bu Wang looked at Xiao Jue, he now knew Xiao Jue's identity, "The city gate army is not dominant in numbers, so Dudu Xiao has been bothered, and the people of Jiyang will be taken care of by you."
He seemed to have deep feelings for Jiyang, Xiao Jue nodded.
Everyone said something about the Utuo people. Xiao Jue will go to train the city gate army in Jiyang City tomorrow. The time is very short, and it is not an easy task for him. Liu Buwang continued to track down the whereabouts of the Utuo people. Lin Shuanghe couldn't expect him to do anything at all. It was fine to stay in the Cui Mansion and wait for orders. As for He Yan, he became the most embarrassing one. She wanted to follow Xiao Jue to see the city gate army, but Mu Hongjin didn't let her go, wondering if there would be any trouble. I simply printed another copy of the military defense map, and planned to see it overnight to see if a new formation could be deployed according to the terrain of Jiyang. If it is false, it is possible to find the loopholes and not be fooled.
After speaking, everyone planned to disperse. As soon as the door was opened, they saw a beautiful maid standing under the tree in the courtyard outside the door. It was Chu Zhao's personal maid Yingxiang. She didn't know how long she had been standing here, and when she saw everyone coming out, she stepped forward and bowed to He Yan: "Miss He."
He Yan returned the gift.
"Young Master has something to say to Miss He." Ying Xiang smiled and said, "I'm waiting in the front hall, does Miss He have time?"
When He Yan looked back, Lin Shuanghe waved her hand slightly to her, signaling her not to go, but Xiao Jue's expression was calm, and he couldn't tell what he was thinking. Seeing this, Yingxiang smiled and said: "Young Master said that there may have been some misunderstandings with Miss He before, and I want to clarify with Miss He in person. When I was in Liangzhou Wei last time, I didn't have time to say goodbye to the girl and left without saying goodbye. It was very rude. Don't care, girl, today's right should be an apology."
He Yan didn't care about the trivial matter of leaving without saying goodbye. There are so many things in Liangzhou Weili, how can there be time to investigate these details. The son of the dignified Shi Jinbo's mansion, but remembered it so clearly and was so good-natured, if she took Qiao again, she would seem a little ignorant. Besides... He Yan really wanted to know what identity and position Chu Zhao came to Liangzhouwei today, and whether the so-called dealing with the Utuo people was his rhetoric or had another purpose.
Thinking of this, he happily replied, "Okay."
Lin Shuanghe's face changed greatly: "Sister He!"
"Thank you for your generosity." Ying Xiang was overjoyed.
"Commander, I'll go take a look first," He Yan said to Xiao Jue: "I don't have to wait for me to eat at night." After that, she said goodbye to Liu Buwang: "Master, I'll go first."
Lin Shuanghe wanted to dissuade him a few more words, but unfortunately He Yan had already left with Ying Xiang. Liu Bu Wang still had something to do, so he just saluted Xiao Jue and the two and left.
After they left, Lin Shuanghe asked Xiao Jue, "You just let her go?"
"otherwise?"
"That's Chu Zilan! Sister He didn't like him so much that she lost her soul, and she missed her appointment and went to see the moon alone. This kind of irresponsible person who has no responsibility, actually turned back to my sister He, look at me, He will definitely repeat his old tricks and use his gentle offensive to impress my sister He's daughter!"
"That's not very good." Xiao Jue turned around and laughed lazily: "The liar finally got what he wanted."
"Aren't you worried?" Lin Shuanghe waved his fan and followed him closely, "What if Chu Zilan sees my sister He's red makeup so amazing, and she suddenly becomes animalistic, what if she does something worse than a beast to her? "
Xiao Jue entered the room, poured himself a cup of tea, and said casually, "Do you have any misunderstanding of Chu Zilan's vision? That liar's red makeup is worthy of the word "stunning"?"
"Why aren't you amazing?" Lin Shuanghe said angrily, "Xiao Huaijin, you can't compare your face to the rest of the world."
Xiao Jue was too lazy to pay attention to him, and only said: "Besides, Chu Zilan did bad things to her?" A trace of sarcasm flashed across his eyes, "That guy can screw off Chu Zilan's head with his bare hands, rather than worrying about her innocence, it's better Worry about Chu Zilan."
Lin Shuanghe: "..."
…
He Yan met Chu Zilan in the front hall.
Seeing her coming, Chu Zilan got up with a smile and said, "Miss He."
"Fourth son of Chu." He Yan also returned the salute.
The sky has darkened, and the night in Jiyang City is also lively and prosperous. Chu Zhao looked outside and said, "Going for a walk?"
He Yan didn't know what medicine he sold in the gourd, but there were many people in Cui's house, so it was inconvenient to speak in this way, He Yan said, "Okay."
The two walked out of the house.
On the spring night in Jiyang, it is warm and warm. Along the river banks, hawkers carry lanterns and sell along the street. The pavilions are scattered and the scenery is beautiful. It can be said that "between the villages and alleys, the chorus singing, the feasting society, the day and night are connected".
It's just that in such a soft and prosperous night, I don't know how many murderous intentions are hidden. Under the skin of the smiling hawkers, I don't know how many Uto people who are hiding evil intentions. Thinking about it like this, I felt that no matter how lively and interesting the scenery was, it would become dull. He Yan's brows couldn't help but wrinkle.
"Miss He is angry?" Chu Zhao, who was beside him, said softly.
"How?" She was a little surprised.
"Then why did the girl frown when she went out together, looking preoccupied?"
He Yan laughed: "No, I just thought about the Utuo people and was worried."
After a moment of silence, Chu Zhaocai said, "Don't worry, Miss He, Her Royal Highness will arrange everything, not to mention, there is also Dudu Xiao, right?"
He did not hesitate to praise Xiao Jue, but He Yan was tempted to ask, "I thought the fourth son of Chu and our governor were not quite right."
"Dudu Xiao has some misunderstandings about the subordinates." Chu Zhao smiled: "However, his position is slightly different from that of the subordinates. Each is its own master."
Did you just admit it? He Yan was a little surprised.
"However, on the issue of the Utuo people, I agree with Governor Xiao. Miss He doesn't need to worry," Chu Zhao said, "I am from the Great Wei Dynasty, and naturally I don't want to see the rivers and mountains of Great Wei being invaded by aliens."
He Yan nodded: "That's natural. There is no egg under the nest. It should be consistent with the outside world."
"I said that, can Miss He feel relieved?" he asked.
He Yan: "Why do you say don't worry?"
"I won't hurt Dudu Xiao, and Miss He doesn't have to be wary of me because of Dudu Xiao."
He Yan laughed dryly: "The fourth son of Chu has been worrying too much, I didn't guard against you."
"Really?" Chu Zhao smiled sadly, "But since we met this time, you will no longer call me 'Brother Chu', you will call me Fourth Young Master Chu, it sounds like you are deliberately drawing a clear line."
Does this work too? He Yan said: "Nothing, if you feel bad, I can call you brother Chu again."
"Then can I call you Ah He?"
He Yan was stunned for a moment.
The young man's smile is extraordinarily gentle, like a serene and harmless orchid blooming in the night. On the spring night in Jiyang, his robes are fragrant and his face is handsome. Passers-by can't help but glance at him. It's really noticeable. It's really hard to say anything serious to such a good-looking and good-natured person. He Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "If you want to call it this way, just call it this way."
There was a smile in Chu Zhao's eyes, and He Yan and He Yan continued to walk along the river bank, and said, "I haven't apologized to A He for what happened before. I made an appointment to go to Baiyue Mountain with you for a drink that day, but something happened temporarily. I didn't make it to the appointment, and I left early the next day, and I didn't even have time to say goodbye to Ah He. Later, when I thought about it in Shuojing, I always felt very regretful."
"Brother Chu don't have to take such trivial matters into your heart." He Yan said, "Besides, you didn't mean it, I wasn't angry because of it." If it wasn't for Chu Zhao, she would not have gone to the foot of Baiyue Mountain that night, nor would she have When she came to Xiao Jue, she didn't even know that on the top of the mountain behind Yuhua Temple, the person who rescued her from the darkness was Xiao Jue.
Maybe this is a blessing in disguise
"A He doesn't care, it's A He's broad-minded." Chu Zhao smiled slightly, "But I can't treat this as if it didn't happen, and I must apologize to A He." He looked forward, "I gave it to A He. something."
He Yan was startled: "What?"
Chu Zhao stretched out his hand, and in the palm of his hand lay a small spike. The spike was adorned with a very delicate pomegranate flower, carved from red jade, with red tassel spikes scattered on the bottom. Although it was small, it was very ingenious.
"When I was at the gate of the palace today, I saw Ah He wearing a long whip around his waist." Chu Zhao looked at her gently, "I was lucky enough to get a flower spike, but I don't know how to use martial arts, and I don't have any weapons in my body. , it's a pity to put it with me. But this flower spike is very compatible with A He's long whip, A He give it a try and see if it will be better?"
He Yan subconsciously wanted to refuse, "No merit, no reward, Brother Chu, forget it, and this thing doesn't look cheap." The red jade was small, and the color was as transparent as the rosy glow. Who knows if it will be Another "hundreds of gold"? She is short-handed. She takes something here all the time, and receives a "little gift" there. I don't know, I thought she was really here to cheat food and drink.
"A He called me 'Brother Chu', that is to say, when I am a friend, it is very common for friends to give gifts. Besides, A He is too concerned, this flower ear is not expensive, and this jade is also fake, A He There is no need to be burdened. It is useless to keep this thing with me, A He doesn’t want it, but he dislikes it, or in his heart, still regards it as an enemy?”
Even if it was a little bit of accusation and grievance, he said it was gentle and calm, He Yan hesitated for a while: "Is this pomegranate flower a fake jade?"
Chu Zhao smiled: "If Ah He wants real jade, he may have to raise some money."
Since it is fake jade, it is not very valuable, and it should be more refreshing to accept it. He Yan smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Chu, then." She reached out and took off the purple jade whip from her waist, and tied the flower spikes to the wooden handle of the purple jade whip. The black oil whip suddenly became more agile, and it looked a little better. .
"It really matches Ah He's whip." Chu Zhao smiled.
"It's a matter of courtesy, since Brother Chu gave me flowers, I should give something back to Brother Chu." He Yan felt that he was short-handed, and if he didn't return it, he would feel like he was taking advantage of Chu Zhao, and she said, "Today Brother Chu sees anything in this night market, and I can give it to Brother Chu." After that, he reached into his sleeve, touched his poor string of copper plates, and added, "But I'm going out. I went out in a hurry and didn't bring too much silver taels, so brother Chu just... let's see and choose."
After all, I didn't take Lin Shuanghe with me when I went out today, so I can't just buy it.
Chu Zhao couldn't help laughing and looked at her: "Okay."
He Yan walked with him. The night market in Jiyang was very lively. At night, they sold everything from snacks to rouge gouache, old books and rusty weapons. The two of them had good looks, and they were greeted warmly when they passed by.
At the end of the road ahead, a group of people could be seen surrounding a vendor. He Yan followed Chu Zhao to look and saw that it was a sugar painting. The hawker is a young man, dressed in clean blue cloth, sitting in front of the stall with a cleanly wiped slate in front of him, and a large pot beside him boils crystal clear red syrup. He scooped a spoonful of syrup into the pot with a large iron spoon and poured it on the slate. The movement was very fast. The iron spoon was undulating in his hand like a paintbrush. The falling sugar filaments outlined complex or exquisite patterns, which were quickly cast and formed. , and then use a small spatula to scoop up the painting on the slate and stick the bamboo stick.
"This is a sugar cake." He Yan became happy, "I didn't expect Jiyang to have it too."
When she was in Shuojing, there was a temple fair every year. Because of her delicate identity, she was afraid of being exposed, so she would not go to places with many people, so she never went to a temple fair. I can only wait for the sisters at home to return from the temple fair, and secretly overhear them talking about the lively scenes of the temple fair and new things. "Inverted sugar cake" is the same. Shuojing has a master who makes "inverted sugar cake". He does it very well. Every time He Yan hears them, he yearns for it. Once I couldn't help it, and secretly begged Mrs. He to bring her one too. Perhaps seeing her pitiful and eager, Mrs. He also moved a bit of pity, and she really brought it to her from the temple fair. got one. He Yan still remembered the pattern of a bird. She was reluctant to eat it, so she inserted the candy man into the pen holder, but the weather was hot, but it melted in two days. meal.
She didn't feel dirty at the time, but regretted that she was good at scooping it up, thinking that it would be nice if this candy painting could last a little longer.
I didn't expect to see new things that I didn't see when I was a child, but I didn't expect to see them in Jiyang. Looking at this young man's craftsmanship, I think it is on par with the old master from Shuojing. He Yan pulled Chu Zhao and squeezed forward, and saw a lot of sugar paintings had been inserted on the haystack on one side, and they all looked like auspicious flowers, birds, phoenixes, birds and beasts, lifelike.
Chu Zhao glanced at He Yan, suddenly smiled, and said, "I like this very much. If A He wants to give me something, why not give me a candy painting?"
"Do you like this? What's so difficult about it?" He Yan was very proud and waved his hand: "Little brother, what is the most expensive candy painting you have here?" There was a word next to it, clearly marked with the price, two texts a piece, and she brought it with her. A large amount of copper coins is enough.
The stall owner smiled and said, "The most expensive is the flower basket, which is eight cents in total. Does the girl want one?"
What is the flower basket? But it was right to choose the most expensive one, and He Yan asked Chu Zhao, "Brother Chu thinks it's okay?"
Chu Zhao held back his smile: "That's good."
"Little brother," He Yan put out eight coins, "please make a flower basket, make it more beautiful."
The hawker said: "No problem!"
He scooped a spoonful of syrup from the pot, first made a thin round cake, cast a circle of sugar thread on the round cake, and slowly drew it vertically. What started out as a flat bottom has become rich and vivid. With the basket and the handle, the hawker was very sincere and added a lot of flowers to the handle. He Yan counted the roses, daffodils, chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, lotuses... flowers that are not in the same season are all piled into a basket, lively and gorgeous.
He Yan looked at it and saw that the basket was filling up little by little. He had a whim and asked the hawker, "Little brother, I gave this flower basket to a friend. Can you write my friend's name on the flower basket?"
"sure!"
Chu Zhao paused, and his smile faded: "Ahe, this is not necessary..."
"What's wrong?" He Yan was puzzled, "Your name is so nice, it's a pity not to put it on the flower basket."
"Okay… listen?"
"Yes," He Yan nodded, "Zhao, it means bright, and Zilan means vanilla. The person who named you must love you very much. I hope you have a noble character and a bright future. You take such elegant words."
Chu Zhao was startled, the girl had already turned around and said to the hawker: "Little brother, please write it down, the word Zilan is fine."