The market outside the city gate was noisy but orderly.
They had walked all the way here from the south, and now it was time to part. The child was reluctant to leave and gently pulled Lu Liangsheng's sleeve and shook him.
"Mr. Lu, can I see you again in the future?"
Passersby looked over with curiosity, and those who had not heard the first sentence thought that father and son were parting.
"Yes, if we are destined to meet, we will meet again."
Putting aside the mystery of his identity, Lu Liangsheng also liked this child very much. He suddenly reached out and took off the double fish pearl pendant around his waist, put it in Chen Jing's hand, and reached out to stroke the child's head.
"This is a gift for you, take it well."
Chen Jing held the jade pendant in his hand, and a warm breath came from it into his palm. It seemed that a luster that only he could see flashed in the jade. He raised his little face in surprise, and saw Lu Liangsheng put a finger between his lips and made a "hush" sound.
"Don't tell anyone else. If you are in danger next time, just press the jade bead."
The child nodded heavily: "Yes!"
He quickly put the jade pendant into his arms and patted it twice like a treasure.
This jade pendant was custom-made by Lu Liangsheng at the request of a jade craftsman, and he also added magical powers to it. He carried it with him every day while painting and reading, and it absorbed a lot of spiritual energy.
Giving it to the child is a bond between the two of them, and it can also help him ward off some disasters.
At this time, Cao Shouren, the driver, and He Jingqiu also came over to say goodbye and bowed.
"Mr. Lu is so kind, otherwise we would have been harmed. Your life-saving grace is greater than heaven. Please accept my greeting."
After saying this, he bowed deeply and knelt down.
The coachman and He Jingqiu behind also followed suit and saluted. The latter had a smile on his face at the moment, probably because he had arrived in the capital, so he talked more. He took the child in his arms and smiled.
"Mr. Lu, why don't you tell us the inn where you are staying? We mother and son will never forget your life-saving grace. After we settle down, we will find you and repay your kindness."
Her attitude was sincere and earnest, not fake, which made Lu Liangsheng feel a little embarrassed to refuse. However, he still smiled and shook his head.
"Although it's a life-saving favor, it's just a small favor to me. You don't have to worry about it. It's fate that we met in the wilderness. Besides, I'm new to Tianzhi and I don't know where to live. So, just leave it at that. Hurry and go into the city."
"etc!!"
Sun Yingxian's voice suddenly came from the roadside not far away. He was holding a few pieces of silk in his hand and stuffed them into the woman's hand with a smile. Cao Shouren, who was standing by, looked at her and seemed to be hesitant to speak.
However, the woman accepted it calmly, smiled and bowed to the Taoist priest.
"Thank you for the silk, Taoist priest. I can also make some new clothes for Jing'er."
He Jingqiu bowed slightly, her manner showing a nobility that was not expected of an ordinary woman; she was graceful, elegant, generous and decent. Then Cao Shouren came over and whispered a few words to her, then took Chen Jing to the city gate, where seven or eight men met the mother and son. After a few words, they looked at Lu Liangsheng and the Taoist priest with alert eyes, then nodded, as if to say hello.
Lu Liangsheng cupped his hands and returned the gift with a smile.
Over there, Chen Jing, who had boarded the carriage, lifted the curtain and poked his face out. He looked at the scholar's figure gradually getting farther away, his eyes red with tears, and shouted towards the city gate:
"Mr. Lu—"
"Mr. Lu, can we meet again in the future?!"
The childish voice went far away into the city streets and disappeared behind the interweaving pedestrians. Lu Liangsheng felt deeply moved. He led the old donkey over and snapped his fingers.
"Let's go into the city."
Sun Yingxian put her hands behind her head and walked leisurely beside him, her eyes looking in the direction where the carriage had disappeared.
"Do you think I have a chance? But that kid seems to like you very much..."
"If it's because of the child, then that woman also likes you... Hey, Lao Lu, don't argue with me, you can't beat me!"
Lu Liangsheng flicked the mask hanging on the roadside stall, tilted his head to look at him, and said with a smile: "That's not certain, but you, there is definitely no hope."
"Hey...what do you mean?" Sun Yingxian stopped.
"Didn't you hear what He Jingqiu just said?"
Lu Liangsheng led the old donkey, put his other hand around the Taoist's shoulder and patted him, then continued walking forward.
"She said, 'It's a good opportunity to make Jing'er some new clothes.' This is a way for you to get out of trouble and politely refuse. Secondly, she is a married woman with a grown-up child."
The Taoist slapped his thigh and said, "But I don't mind it, do I?!"
“I just dislike you! Forget it…” Lu Liangsheng was too lazy to explain to him how come he was so smart on weekdays, but became like a reincarnated lecher when it came to women.
The two continued talking as they walked. The further they went in, the quieter the street became. There were fallen leaves all over the ground with no one taking care of them. Occasionally, people passed by, but they were in a hurry.
They found an inn to stay in, took the old donkey to the backyard for foster care, and after booking two rooms, the two men and the toad fell on the bed as if they were paralyzed.
Taoist Toad smelled the fragrance on the bedding, stretched out his limbs, and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"I can finally come out. I almost suffocated to death in the past half month."
Lu Liangsheng sat up and hurriedly hung the scroll on the wall. He painted two pine trees with swaying branches on a swing. Nie Honglian in the painting was looking at him with a smile.
"I still feel comfortable. Sir, Sir, can you add something interesting to the painting?"
"I don't have the time. I'll go out to eat first and think about it when I come back."
As soon as Lu Liangsheng mentioned eating, the ** man and the toad suddenly sat up, jumped off the bed, and straightened their collars.
"I have been sleeping outdoors for half a month, so I must have a good meal today."
Here, Lu Liangsheng took out some silver and looked at it. It was almost enough for them to live in the capital for a few months. He informed Hong Lian, then took the Taoist priest and his master downstairs and came to the hall.
There weren't many people in the dining area on the first floor, which was slightly better than the bleak scene outside, but there were only a few tables of people eating and drinking.
"Please come this way, my dear guests. Please take a seat."
The shop assistant greeted the two people who came downstairs diligently, and quickly wiped the table with the rag on his shoulder.
"What dishes are you two going to serve? In our restaurant, we have everything, whether it's flying in the sky, running on the ground, or swimming in the water. As long as the customer wants it, we have it."
At the other tables, the aroma of food made the Taoist swallow his saliva and patted the table: "Well, give me a dragon first."
"Okay... okay... huh?"
The guy just woke up and shouted loudly, but after hearing the Taoist's words, he suppressed his voice and turned back to twist the rag in his hand.
"You are just kidding me. If we had this thing in our store, let alone selling it, our heads would have been moved to other places long ago."
Lu Liangsheng was amused by the Taoist's words and interrupted him.
"This Taoist is crazy, ignore him and just serve the dishes that customers usually order in your restaurant, with some rice."
The waiter was as if he had been pardoned. He ran to the kitchen with a rag in his hand and reported the names of the dishes.
The two of them, plus the Toad Taoist who was placed on the bench, had not eaten or slept well during this period. Smelling the aroma of food from the next table, they couldn't help but have the urge to urge the waiter for the first time.
At the same time, restaurants and teahouses are usually places where information is most concentrated. Lu Liangsheng played with his chopsticks, trying to listen to what the diners at the tables around him were talking about, but for a long time, no one spoke.
Soon, the waiter who announced the dishes came out. Lu Liangsheng called him over and lowered his voice.
"I want to ask you something. We just arrived in the capital, but the further we go, the more desolate it seems. People passing by are all in a hurry, and there are hardly any people talking in your store."
The waiter's face changed and he quickly shut his mouth and walked away without looking back. After a long time, he came out with several dishes piled on the tray.
"My two guests, here are your spareribs in vinegar sauce, roasted lamb legs, hot and sour cabbage soup, big white steamed buns, and rice."
After ordering the dishes, he looked around and suddenly moved closer to Lu Liangsheng.
"Sir, when you come here, don't talk about these things casually, or you'll be thrown into jail."
After leaving these words, he returned to the door with a rag and looked at the passers-by outside, but he had no intention of loudly inviting customers to come in for dinner.
Lu Liangsheng frowned and thought, could it be related to those monsters in the imperial court
I couldn't figure out the connection for the time being, and when I turned around, I saw the Taoist holding the bowl and constantly putting down his chopsticks. The chopsticks swept across the table like wind and clouds, and the chopsticks knocked against the rice bowl with a ping-pong sound. His cheeks were stuffed with food, and he chewed with big mouthfuls, his mouth full of grease.
The Toad Taoist was so anxious that he poked Lu Liangsheng with his webbed feet.
"What are you still standing there for? He's almost eaten all the food. Hurry up and bring me a piece of meat. Remember to eat something fatty... Never mind, I'll do it myself."
The toad jumped from the stool, lay down on the table, and when no one was paying attention, it quickly swung its long tongue to roll a piece of fat and tender meat into its mouth.
He puffed up his cheeks, turned his head, looked at the apprentice in front of him, and muttered:
"Hmm... Hmm... What's the point of just thinking about it..."
He raised the soup spoon again, scooped a spoonful of hot and sour soup and drank it.
Don!
Don!
Don!
The soup flowed down the corners of Toad's mouth onto the table. After a long while, he continued to lie down and said, "... Didn't the old scholar ask you to find him? Why don't you go over and ask him about it later?"
"I almost forgot about this... Thank you for reminding me, Master."
Lu Liangsheng covered his forehead and laughed, picked up his chopsticks and joined the crowd rushing for food. Five or six steps away from the door, the waiter slapped himself hard and looked at the table in amazement.
"Oh my god... the toad is talking now."