"I just said that Brother Chongwen has a broad mind."
"Yes, now that he has achieved the title of Juren, he may be able to obtain a high position and a generous salary in the next spring examination."
"I hope Brother Chongwen can support me when the time comes."
Amidst the endless chatter, the five people hurriedly walked in the streets. Wang Chongwen suddenly stopped, looked around, and turned his head.
"Did you hear a woman crying?"
The four scholars following on the left and right stopped and looked at each other.
"Did you hear that?" "Brother Chongwen must be right."
"Well, there may indeed be a woman crying."
The scholar holding the lantern took a few steps forward and stretched out his arm. The light from the paper lantern shone in all directions, and no ghost could be seen on either side of the street.
"No one... Did you hear wrong?"
Woohoo~
Woo~~~
The scholar who was speaking was stunned for a moment. Wang Chongwen sitting opposite him and the other three people were also stunned. There really was a woman crying.
Following the intermittent crying, Wang Chongwen frowned and pointed to an alley not far away.
"It seems to be coming from over there."
He lifted up his robe and trotted over quickly. The four scholars had no choice but to follow closely behind him and call out in a low voice.
"Brother Chongwen, run slower, be careful not to fall."
The alley was dark and difficult to see. Wang Chongwen saw four scholars coming from behind, so he took a lantern and shone it inside.
"Girl, are you in there?"
The dim light flickered, and when it pushed away the darkness, the five people vaguely saw the outline of a figure leaning against the wall, sitting on the ground with his knees bent.
Woohoo~~
"Girl?" Wang Chongwen asked again.
"Brother Chongwen."
The four scholars at the back swallowed their saliva, looked at the beautiful figure in the alley, and recalled a scene that happened in the woods one night. They shuddered uncontrollably and sobered up from their drunkenness.
He gritted his teeth and carefully called out to Wang Sheng in front of him.
"Brother Chongwen, I think we should just leave."
"Yes, yes. I don't think it's a good thing for a woman to suddenly appear in the middle of the night."
"Yes, that's right, what the two brothers said before is right, Brother Chongwen, there's no reason for a woman to cry in the middle of the night. Even if there was, it wouldn't be our turn to see it. Those weird books don't say it, what did they say? Wait, I brought the book, I'll take it out and read it right away..."
Ignoring the four people's whispered persuasion, Wang Chongwen waved his hand to pull the sleeve from one of them, raised the lantern, and looked sternly.
"People who read books admire saints and sages, so why do so many weird things come from? If she is really a weak woman who needs help, wouldn't it be a waste to miss her? It's useless to read the books of saints and sages!!"
After saying this, he walked into the dark alley with a lantern. The four scholars didn't know what to do for a moment, so they stood at the entrance of the alley and shouted in a low voice:
"Brother Chongwen, just go ahead, we'll be watching from behind!"
In the alley, the lights flickered, driving away the darkness, and the sobbing voice of the woman became clearer. Wang Chongwen leaned out the lantern and looked carefully. A woman was huddled there holding a package. She was wearing plain white clothes and a linen mask on her head.
The woman felt the light and timidly raised her face from behind the bundle. When she saw Wang Chongwen, her body trembled uncontrollably and she quickly buried her head back in the bundle, shaking her head continuously.
"Don't take me back, don't take me back..."
"Girl, I'm not a bad guy, don't panic."
Putting the lantern next to the woman, Wang Chongwen bowed and squatted down beside her.
"I am a local scholar from Shunyuan. Don't be afraid. Can you tell me if you have any difficulties?"
When he got closer, Wang Chongwen was stunned for a moment. He saw clearly that the woman was wearing plain clothes and a linen mask, which looked a little different.
Wearing mourning clothes, did someone just die in the family
At this time, the woman slowly raised her face, reflected in the dim light, with red lips, willow-shaped eyebrows, skin as white as jade, and the mourning clothes, she looked very charming.
"good… "
Realizing that he had said the wrong thing, Wang Chongwen quickly changed his words.
"That's not what I meant..."
puff.
The woman opposite saw his panic, burst into laughter, then pursed her lips and lowered her face slightly with resentment.
"I am not from this place. I was sold to a man from the neighboring county as a concubine. The first wife was jealous and often beat and scolded me. A few days ago, the man died. I was worried about my life, so I ran away at night..."
well…
Wang Chongwen sighed and asked again: "Do you have any relatives at home?"
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. The woman raised her face and choked with sobs:
"I used to have some, but I'm afraid they don't exist anymore. I'm crying here because I have nowhere to go. I'm really sorry for disturbing you gentlemen. I'm leaving now."
The woman held the bag, slowly stood up with the help of the wall, turned around, and walked to the other side of the alley with her head lowered.
"Auntie..."
As soon as Wang Chongwen shouted, four scholars rushed in behind him and pulled him.
"Brother Chongwen, if that girl wants to leave, she must have somewhere else to go. Let's not worry about it."
"Yes, if my sister-in-law knew about this, it would be terrible."
Wang Chongwen looked at the staggering woman in front of him and hesitated for a moment.
"Alas, this is the only way."
Over there, the slender figure leaning against the wall paused.
"… "
Suddenly, he cried "Ouch!" and fell to the ground, rubbing his ankle, tears falling.
"girl!"
Wang Chongwen, who had originally given up the idea, walked over quickly, and seeing her tearful face, his heartstrings seemed to be gently plucked.
"… Why don't you stay at my house for the time being? It's too dangerous for a woman to be alone."
"It's the only way."
The woman raised her hand and took the opportunity to help him up. Suddenly, she cried out in pain again, "Ouch!" and leaned her whole body on Wang Chongwen. She opened her red lips slightly and blew softly into the man's ear.
"Will my sister-in-law mind if this gentleman takes me home?"
As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the four scholars and glared at them fiercely.
All four of them shuddered.
In the alley, Wang Chongwen was already walking over with the woman.
"I don't mind. Besides, I have a study room available. My wife seldom comes over."
When he walked out of the alley, he did not forget to urge the four scholars with a solemn expression.
"Come on, follow me home, I have more studies to do tomorrow."
The four of them looked at each other.
"Go?" "Go, just in case it's not a monster."
"We have no money left..."
The scholar who spoke first picked up the lantern on the ground and quickly followed. The remaining three had no choice but to follow.
…
Wang Chongwen's house was not very big, and his study was located in the side wing. Because he was preparing for the imperial examination, there were few maids and servants who came to disturb him.
Now that four more scholars have been settled, Mrs. Wang feels more at ease and no longer has to worry about hiding a mistress in her golden house.
Squeak...
The back door of the side compartment opened slightly. Wang Chongwen, carrying his bag, peeked inside, then he beckoned to the woman behind him to come in.
"The room in front is my study. There is a bed in it. Please don't despise it, young lady."
The four scholars followed behind tremblingly and entered the study. Wang Chongwen blew out the fire stick and lit the candle.
"Wait a minute, girl. This place is a bit messy. I'll clean it up."
After saying that, he went over to make the bed. The four scholars looked at the woman standing in the shadow of the lamp, not knowing whether to leave or stay.
Finally, I couldn't help but speak.
"Brother Chongwen... It's getting late. The four of us should go back to our room and sleep first."
Over there, Wang Chongwen finished his insult, turned around, and said with a smile:
"Don't worry, you guys stay and talk to the girl for a while, I'll go get some snacks in the front yard."
Then he bowed to the woman:
"Don't worry, young lady. These four are all kind people. We will be back soon."
"Brother Wang..."
"Brother Chongwen!"
Boom!
The door opened and closed again. The four scholars put down their hands, stood side by side, and looked nervously at the opposite side.
The lamp on the desk flickered, and the woman stood in the shadows, her expression changing from bright to dark.
Outside, the night wind blew through the window lattices, making a rustling sound, and occasionally the barking of dogs could be heard.
"Gu~"
The four of them swallowed their saliva together.