(8)
Bai Feng, who noticed something fishy slightly, knew that the five of them had just come out of the tiger's mouth and entered the wolf's den. If Zhao Kuo hadn't acted astutely and responded promptly, Mr. Lou might have informed the Yamen government of the whereabouts of the young swordsman and the Xianbei witch in exchange for higher benefits.
Now Bai Feng and Murong Yan can still sit together peacefully, make tea and discuss matters, all relying on the meager friendship between the Zhao family and the Lou family in the past. This kind of friendship was almost completely wiped out due to a disaster in the trading business two months ago. The remaining kindness was used as a bargaining chip to lure the eldest son of the Zhao family into the game.
Bai Feng sipped the tea in her hand and explained one by one to Murong Yan in front of her: "Although the Lou family does not have malicious intentions to harm anyone intentionally, but with the whereabouts of you and me as a handle, it is difficult for us not to You will be constrained by others.”
"Yes!" Murong Yan replied cautiously, and then she skillfully played with the tea-making utensils placed on the low table.
This was the morning after they arrived at Lou Mansion. Murong Yan woke up very early and prepared tea to serve her "good brother" who had been waiting silently beside her all night again.
Even though she lived such a desolate wandering life, Murong Yan rarely expressed her anger towards others. If anyone has observed her carefully, they will know that this strange woman not only has a different identity and bloodline than ordinary people, but her thoughts are also more delicate than ordinary people.
She knew that she had been cared for and protected, and the person who protected her was determined not to see her suffer. Therefore, Murong Yan always had a lame and naive smile on her face. This smile contains all the emotions a young girl should have: it is cautious but not formal, innocent but not flattering, playful but not stupid.
Under that simple dark purple linen garment is a pure soul that has been washed away by the wind, rain, and mortal world.
Murong Yan may have long forgotten that she was once the young lady of the Fu family. She has never shown off her family status or deliberately displayed her innate beauty. She is simpler than the most unseen child in the world. In other words, it is precisely because she has experienced life and death at such a young age that she has such a peaceful state of mind.
Therefore, Bai Feng could not figure out why Taiping Dao was so obsessed with such a woman. He watched her continue to fiddle with the teapot and cup, gently pour the tea from the spout, and then hand it to him warmly without saying a word. This is what often happens when the two of them get along. It seems that there is a tacit understanding from the heart that has been answering various questions for them.
However, he still sighed from the bottom of his heart: "Why are those thieves so persistent in pursuing them? Is it possible that just for the sake of a legend, they can go crazy like this?"
"Yan'er doesn't understand either. Ever since Taiping Road discovered the existence of the Xianbei witch, she has not stopped searching. First it was my mother, and then I..."
"Why don't we go outside and find out the details of the Lou family. If the Lou family has anything to do with Taiping Dao, wouldn't we be in danger?" Bai Feng said, and then explained: "How many years does Brother Zhao have? Since I don’t come to Lou’s house and my little sister is not familiar with the world, it’s inevitable that their news will be a little blocked. We can only go to the market to look for it. If we can meet the slaves who used to work in Lou’s house, that would be great!”
"Okay, I'll go get ready..." Murong Yan replied, and immediately left the table to prepare the hat, gauze, water and food.
Shaoqing, there was a knock on the door again. Bai Feng asked who it was, and the man replied: "Mr. Bai, brother, he asked me to come and let you know that he and Sister Jinghua are going out to recruit people today, so Uncle Lou will We have to go to the horse farm to purchase horses.”
Bai Feng went to answer the door and replied: "Yan'er and I are also going out for a walk. Can my little sister go with us?"
"I...I'm inconvenient..." The little girl cheered up for a moment, but soon returned to her original state. Instead, she replied with a slight disappointment: "I'm afraid that Sister Ajuan won't be able to think about it anymore and wants to go alone. So I have to stay with her..."
"Miss Ajuan?" Bai Feng said in surprise: "It turns out she really didn't leave!"
The little sister nodded in agreement, then walked around Bai Feng in front of the door to say hello to Murong Yan in the room, and then went back to her room.
Bai Feng and Murong Yan put on their hats and tidied up their clothes, then walked out of the house and left the Lou Mansion together.
Nowadays, the climate is gradually turning from summer to autumn, and the cold wind at the foot of Gunma Mountain is already oozing with a hint of coolness. However, the burlap clothes they wore were rough and bulky, airtight and impermeable to sweat, which caused them to feel a stifling heat surrounding them after taking a few steps.
If there is a gust of cool wind blowing by at this time, it is enough to chill people and make the body tremble.
The streets of Qunma Town are filled with sunshine and crowds, and the jingling of horse bells keeps ringing, making everything going by even more noisy.
The ponies and donkeys who carry goods are led by people in the middle of the road, while they pull one or several cars of goods; there are several wanted notices posted on the notice board not far away, including two Familiar faces. Everyone was talking and laughing.
Some people said that they had made a fortune by reselling copper mines, some said that they had met the men and women on the wanted posters; some were haggling over prices, and some were arguing over who knocked down whose carriage or donkey cart first.
They were hysterical, each shouting louder than the other. Even if two men and women wearing hats and veils passed by in front of them, no one would notice.
In this way, Bai Feng and Murong Yan visited every corner of Qunma Town, and finally were surprised to discover that the Lou family was quite famous in Qunma Town because he provided many jobs and allowed the people to find a job. ideas.
However, at that time, the merchants were robbed and killed at least dozens of sons or husbands, which means that at least dozens of families lost their heads and their "backbone." Since then, many people have lost their source of livelihood and are living in dire straits all day long, barely surviving on pensions. And the Lou family has gradually become what the common people call "profiteers" who are harmful to others.
Knowing that there was nothing unusual about the Lou family, Bai Feng and Murong Yan found a restaurant to stay. They only ate the dry food and wine they brought with them, and sat in the corner silently observing the passers-by.
I don't know how long it took, but two young men and young ladies who were completely different from others in appearance and dress walked into the restaurant. One person is wearing a satin yellow shirt with a high bun, and black silk at the temples. He is tall and majestic; the other person is wearing a green dress with a white hakama and a purple hair ribbon, and has a slim and graceful figure.
Mr. Huangshan and Miss Qingyi saw a crowded place on the second floor of the tavern. After thinking about it for a moment, they decided to walk straight away, not even paying attention to the waiter's greeting. Bai Feng and Murong Yan happened to be sitting near the group, and could clearly hear them talking about Shen Zi.
"How many of you do you recognize Jinghua?"
"Oh! Isn't this our Miss Lou? Is she here to pay us wages?"
"Jinghua is here to beg you to come back. The person next to me is the eldest son of the Yuyi Zhao family. As long as you can deliver him safely to Yuyi Town, all financial matters will be easy to discuss."
"I'm Zhao Kuo, please take good care of me."
Before he finished speaking, the sound of tables overturned and bowls turned over suddenly came from there, "What, are you here to deliberately ridicule us brothers?"
"Don't... don't, a gentleman talks but doesn't use his hands!"
"Son of a bitch! If I don't teach you a lesson today, how can I relieve the hatred in my heart!"
Seeing that Zhao Kuo was about to be punished for no reason, a voice of restraint came from a certain corner: "Stop!"
I saw the young swordsman holding the sword on his waist with his left hand and walking slowly over. At this moment, Zhao Kuo was being entangled by two boys. When he saw someone coming to help, he suddenly turned around on a whim and knocked over the gangster who grabbed his collar and grabbed his hands.
A few people immediately started fighting. Bai Feng didn't bother to draw his sword to fight back the enemy. He just held the sword in his hand and wielded it like an iron rod. There were still some shadows of sword moves in it, and he quickly dispersed the gangsters. .
In this brawl, many things in the store were overturned and damaged, but this was actually thanked by the store. Because that group of people often come here to eat for free, they say it's on credit, but in fact they can't get out the money at all since the Lou family stopped running the business in the middle.
To express gratitude, the store also gave them some side dishes and drinks, allowing the four of them to rest for a while.
Lou Jinghua was amazed by Bai Feng's superb martial arts, and also laughed at Zhao Kuo who wanted to be a hero to save the beauty, but was unable to defeat the enemy and could only use his mouth to do things.
Zhao Kuo naturally explained: "We are here to discuss business. Brother Bai beat the people away. After searching for a long time, we still haven't found anyone!"
"Brother Kuo, you can't beat others, but you still want to gain a place in your speaking skills?" Lou Jinghua joked: "Why don't we go to Qunma Mountain tomorrow to enjoy the acacia trees, as a thank you from me, Lou Jinghua Bai Shaoxia."
"Acacia tree, what is that?" Murong Yan asked.
"Those are two trees growing out of graves. According to legend, they were two lovers who loved each other very much. After their death, God was so moved that God allowed their bones and graves to take root and form tree roots. The two trees are surrounded by each other. We are surrounded by each other, like glue, and will never be separated. Under that tree is a place of worship in Qunma Town." Lou Jinghua spoke for a long time, and suddenly looked at Zhao Kuo affectionately, and then said: "Many young boys Girls will make a wish under that tree, hoping to be able to work together for a lifetime, and I heard it works quite well!"
After Zhao Kuo heard this, he immediately felt something was wrong and reprimanded: "If you don't finish your business now, how can you have time to have fun?"
"Tsk, why is brother Kuo so unreasonable? Besides, a group of gangsters have suddenly appeared around the acacia tree recently. They charge the so-called 'acacia tax' if they stop anyone. I think I can recruit them to give it a try!"
"Okay... then after finishing our lunch, we'll go walk around the remaining places and make plans for tomorrow..."
Zhao Kuo's almost helpless tone seemed to know something, but he didn't dare to explain it clearly. On the contrary, the two girls got so excited talking that they almost forgot the reason for their trip.
