After the initial excitement, Zhao'er realized one thing. How did Xue Tingxiang know that she had a body? After all, when she left, she didn't even know she was pregnant.
However, she didn't bother to ask, and the two boaters stood there watching them, naturally they got on the boat first.
On the way back to Hongdao, Zhao'er asked a question.
Xue Tingxiang looked at her up and down and said, "No one knew you were pregnant when you left, but you came back with a big belly. If I don't say that, who knows what will be spread outside."
Zhao'er was taken aback for a moment, only to understand what he meant.
Her face became complicated, and after a while, she said, "Then you don't..."
"Nothing?" Xue Tingxiang glanced at her in confusion.
"Don't, don't doubt the origin of this child?"
Xue Tingxiang patted the back of her head lightly, and then touched her cheek: "What nonsense are you talking about? Could it be that I doubt you, and you feel at ease?"
Zhao'er didn't know how to explain this situation clearly. After a long while, he sighed and said, "It took me more than three months to find out. I didn't even know about it before."
Xue Tingxiang nodded.
Zhao'er glanced at him quietly, and when he saw that his demeanor was normal, he breathed a sigh of relief. I also feel that my thoughts are a bit ridiculous. She and Ting Yan have been married for many years. How could he doubt her, and he doesn't know what he is struggling with. Could it be that Ting Yan suspects her and she feels comfortable
Thinking of this, she was relieved.
But Xue Tingxiang saw her tense body relax, so she took her into his arms and patted her.
He didn't doubt that Zhao'er's child was not his own. As soon as the leader of the Red Gang was there, nothing could happen to Zhao'er. Second, with Zhao'er's character, if she was insulted in any way, she couldn't just go with him without saying anything.
But at the same time, he also remembered the man in black before. Although it was far away, Xue Tingxiang didn't miss the look in Zhao'er's eyes.
Any man would understand that look.
Thinking of this, he narrowed his eyes slightly and asked casually, "By the way, who is that person just now?"
"He, he's a member of the Red Gang, but—" Zhao'er leaned on his shoulder and moved uncomfortably, and whispered, "But he's not a bad person, at least he didn't do anything bad to me. past me."
Zhao'er talked about her own experience, but she skipped the murder that night. She didn't want Ting Yan to worry. The matter has passed, why bother to mention it again, it will only add to the sadness.
While talking, the boat arrived at Red Island.
At this time, the sailors were cleaning up the mess, and all the pirates in the stockade were locked up, especially Xu Gurong, who was the chief pirate leader.
And Hongdao originally had tens of thousands of gang members, but after several incidents, there were only less than 3,000 people left. Some people reported that there were still a group of prisoners in the black prison, but the sailors looked for them, but there was no one there. The sailors also found the flower tent, and the women couldn't help crying when they saw the officials.
The sky was getting darker and darker, and it seemed that I couldn't leave tonight. Fortunately, there are many houses on the island that can live in people, and there are ships. You can live on the boat or on the island.
After eating some food, Zhao'er fell asleep.
There were too many things happening in one day today. She was tired and tired. She talked to Xue Tingxiang and fell asleep while talking.
Xue Tingxiang drew back his arms and looked at her sleeping face on the couch.
Naturally, she did not ignore her inconvenience before, thinking that she was pregnant, first fell into the sea, then was robbed by pirates, and so many things happened again and again, and she hated the Wu family even more in her heart.
He walked out of the room, Hu San was waiting outside.
Instructing people to look after the people in the room, he led Hu San into the darkness.
…
Tree shadows, moonlight like water.
Not far away is the coast, the waves are hitting the coast in waves, and there are bursts of water splashes.
"I don't know why Master Xue wants to see me?" A woman's voice sounded in the shadow of the tree.
I can't see people clearly, I only know that this woman is not low.
Xue Tingxiang was a little surprised that the big dragon was actually a woman, but he was not surprised. Originally, Zhao'er had been speaking for the big dragon, intentionally or not, and he was still a little uncomfortable, but now he understood.
"Your people didn't tell me about her almost humiliation before."
This was not said by Zhao'er, nor was it by Dalongtou or Shanzi, but by a pirate who wanted to save his life and deliberately said it to please Xue Tingxiang.
Because of this, he knew what happened before Zhao'er came to Hongdao.
He couldn't imagine what would happen to her and himself if Zhao'er encountered such a thing, and he became angry because of it.
Originally, according to Xue Tingxiang's original plan, he would not stay here, but would directly take people away. After that, Hongdao would naturally return to the leader. But he temporarily changed his mind and lived on the Red Island.
He just wanted to know if the big leader would be in a hurry.
Sure enough, I was in a hurry. I had been avoiding showing up before, but now I am willing to show up.
"I didn't expect Master Xue to be such a caring person? I wonder if you are caring about your wife's suffering, or are you worried about something else?"
"What do you think this officer is worried about?"
"Lord Xue's thoughts, how can the women guess."
"Then put away your unnecessary suspicion!"
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
Dalongtou smiled bitterly, and she didn't know what she was mixing in the other couple's affairs, and she even angered this person because of it.
She restrained her emotions and said, "Your wife is a conspiracy between the head of Dizitang and the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Shao Kai. Minnu didn't know about it at first, but only noticed something abnormal. After knowing about it, she sent someone to stop it in time. There are always surprises, how can we cover everything.”
"Who is the man in black?"
"This person's surname is Mo, and his name is Jia. He came to the Red Gang eight years ago. His origin is unknown, but he is not from Dachang."
Seeing that Xue Tingxiang did not speak, the big leader said, "I wonder if Master Xue is satisfied with this answer?"
The moonlight shone on Xue Tingxiang, pulling a long shadow out of his figure. He took two steps, and the shadow split from the tree shadow and turned into a human figure.
"She almost had an accident at the hands of your Red Gang, which means that what you said before doesn't count, and since this is the case, it doesn't matter what the official said. There are two ways for you to go, either to the court or to me."
After saying this, Xue Tingxiang walked forward, and the figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
Ding Si came out, looked at the big dragon head and said, "Big dragon head, why don't you let your subordinates do it? Just the two of them came alone, relying on us..."
"Okay, people don't make money with officials." Da Longtou interrupted him.
Ding Si was a little dissatisfied: "As pirates, we are fighting against the sky and the earth, and we are still afraid of officials?"
"This person is extraordinary. In just four years, he went from a county magistrate who was dismissed out of Beijing, to Dinghai Ship Division, to the Admiral of the Zhejiang Navy, to the Admiral of the Southeast Ocean Navy. Look at the four years. The changes in all parts of the Central Coast are more than earth-shaking, and the interests are deeply involved. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is against the officials of the Manchu Dynasty. But he has won time and time again, and you have not thought about the reason?"
"Big Dragon Head..."
"And this person is a good official, and the people of Dinghai have a good reputation for him. If there is a way to survive, no one wants to be a pirate." After saying this, the big dragon left, leaving Ding Si standing there thinking for a long time.
…
The next morning, Zhao'er and Xue Tingxiang just got up when Hu San brought something.
is a token.
It is dark black, made of unknown material, and there is only one big character on it - red.
"What is this?" Taking the thing handed by Xue Tingxiang, Zhao'er turned it over and over in his hand for a long time, but didn't see anything, but he knew it was something from the Red Gang.
"That woman gave it to you."
"You said it was Sister Hong?" Zhao'er's face flashed with surprise, and asked, "You don't plan to catch Sister Hong?"
"Since there is already a culprit, catching one more is useless."
Xue Tingxiang did not tell Zhao'er that Dalongtou's current situation is not as miserable as she said. Although it is not as strong as before, there are still nearly 10,000 people under him, and the number of ships is unknown. This woman's strategy is extraordinary. Even if the sailors searched the whole island, they could not find any trace of these people.
As for this token, it is the proof that the big dragon took the red gang to work.
But Xue Tingxiang didn't care about this. Things are dead and people are alive. If he loses power one day, he doesn't believe that the Red Gang can still recognize this token.
Both he and Da Longtou were well aware of this matter.
After breakfast, Xue Tingxiang set off.
The captured pirates naturally took them back together. As for Hongdao, because it is far away from the land, the imperial court will not send troops there, at least not for now.
The people from the Zhejiang Navy did not stop in Guangdong, but returned to Zhejiang directly by sea as before.
Not only Xue Tingxiang's return is like an arrow, but Zhao'er is also.
"You stinky girl, finally came back..."
Zhao Di's crying and scolding paused when she saw Zhao'er's big belly.
Immediately she reacted and continued to cry: "It's good to be back, it's good to be back. You don't know, I know that you and my nephew are lost, sister almost... "
"Sister, look at me, it's not all right."
The group entered the house, and both Hong'er and Wei Ge'er came.
Especially Hong'er, when she saw Zhao'er, she was stunned for a while before walking up.
"mother."
Zhao'er hugged her son, tears couldn't help flowing down.
Crying and crying, her face changed, it became very strange. Zhao Di hadn't found out yet, but Xiaolu asked smartly, "Madam, what's the matter with you?"
Zhao'er took a stiff breath and said calmly, "I seem to be giving birth."
"Have you given birth?" Zhao Di stood up immediately and ordered someone to look for the doctor in a panic.
After a while of chaos, Zhao'er was placed on the couch to lie down, and the midwife also came, but Xue Tingxiang stayed in the room and refused to leave.
"You go out." Zhao'er urged him to leave.
"I want to look at you."
"What are you looking at? Stop making a fuss and take Hong'er out." Zhao'er smiled at Hong'er again and said, "Hong'er, don't worry, my mother gave birth to a younger sister for you."
In the end, Honger took the initiative to pull his father out.
I have to say that when this child grows up, Zhao'er is both sad and relieved.
The birth of the child was not smooth, but it was nothing else, but after giving birth to a boy, everyone had already packed up and went out to announce the good news, but the midwife said there was another one.
The latter one took nearly half an hour to give birth. The trouble made people panic, calm like Xue Tingxiang, but also pale.
Zhao'er gave birth too suddenly, and nothing was prepared. The two babies were still using the little swaddling clothes of the elder brother, which were wrapped with the inner shirt of the adult.
Seeing the two glowing red figures lying side by side by the pillow, Zhao'er smiled and fell asleep.
When Zhao'er woke up again, she heard a voice.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Xue Tingxiang leading Honger and Wei brother, and was standing at the end of the kang watching the two children.
"Father, this is the younger brother, this is the younger sister?"
"You are mistaken, this is the younger brother, this is the younger sister." Xue Tingxiang said.
Brother Wei glanced at it and then again: "Uncle, my younger brother and younger sister obviously look the same, but my brother Hong'er and I didn't recognize it. How did you recognize it?"
Because my uncle watched it many times while you were away. In order to make sure that he was not mistaken, he secretly opened the swaddling clothes and looked at it.
However, Xue Tingxiang would definitely not say these words, but looked inscrutable.
"Since my uncle said yes, that's it. If you don't believe me, look at your brother." After a while, he said, "As for the younger sister, you don't need to look at it. The younger sister is smaller and weaker than the younger brother."
If the 'younger brother' knew that his father was so tricking him, he would take his two older brothers to see his little Dingding, and he would definitely cry, this is definitely not his father.
But now the 'brother' is just a little baby and can't say anything. He can only cry twice when Xue Tingxiang took the lead in opening his swaddling clothes.
Honger and Brother Wei looked at Little Tintin contentedly, and finally determined that the one next to him was his younger sister. So the younger brother was abandoned, and both went to see the younger sister. They have long wanted a younger sister. Boys are the most naughty, and younger sisters are obedient and cute.
Sure enough, they touched his sister's face, but she didn't cry, just moved her mouth, as if she was hungry.
"My sister is hungry."
In fact, my brother is hungry too.
Zhao'er looked at this scene with a smile and struggled to sit up: "Bring the child to me."
"Mother, you are awake."
"Auntie."
At this time, Zhao Di also came in, first laughed and drove the two children away, so that they would not quarrel with Zhao'er, before walking to the bed.
"Are you hungry? I asked Xiaohong and the others to cook porridge, bring you a bowl, wait for the milk, and then make a delicious supplement for you." He added: "But speaking of this, no one thought that you would have two babies at once, and you would not be able to feed them. You still need a wet nurse, but this wet nurse is probably not easy to find."
"Second sister, I'll ask someone to find a wet nurse." Xue Tingxiang left in a hurry.
"I have to say, Ting Yu just loves you. Sister takes back what she said before, who said that little men would not love others." Zhao Di said with some admiration.
Zhao'er smiled at her with a blushing face: "Don't Big Brother Shen hurt you?"
On the way back, Xue Tingxiang had already told Zhao'er about Zhao Di and Shen Ping. The two are now together, and they just need to go to the church and get married.
"Sister, when are you going to marry Brother Shen?"
"Look at his performance."
Don't look at Zhao Di's tough mouth, but in fact, there is a hint of jealousy between his eyebrows and eyes.
At a glance, you can tell that this is a good thing. In fact, it should have been done a long time ago. It was because of her incident that the elder sister and Shen Ping were delayed.
"Then you should get things done quickly, so that I won't be ashamed of Big Brother Shen."
"You are ashamed of him, because I don't want to marry him, and I despise him for being clumsy."
"Really?" Zhao'er took the porridge handed over by Xiaohong, scooping it, and teasing.
"certainly."
Outside the door, Shen Ping had come to find Zhao Di, but who would have heard these words. In addition to laughing, he hurriedly turned around and went down to make arrangements, intending to bring up the marriage in the near future.