(4)
The two of them walked along the stone road and soon arrived in front of a house. At first glance, the old house in front of you is no more special than any other house except that it houses the Buddha.
Combined with what they have seen and heard before, it is easy for people to have a very real illusion. Some people may think that the life of the Zhao family is very simple and plain, at least not as extravagant and lusty as what ordinary people think of wealthy families.
At that time, several doors in front of the Buddhist hall were open to the outside. From a distance, it was enough to see clearly that a master was kneeling in the Zen room. This old man was well-dressed and his back looked extremely strong. If his head were not covered with white silk, he would have thought that he was the eldest son of the Zhao family in his prime.
Zhao Kuo led Lou Jinghua to the threshold without daring to make a sound. He watched his father mutter a few words, then bent down to worship the Buddha, and then fell into another period of deep thought.
But before that, the real Young Master of the Zhao family mustered up the courage to interrupt the sacred ceremony in front of him.
Zhao Kuo was seen standing at the threshold without any intention of setting foot in the Buddhist hall. He bowed and said respectfully, "Dad, I have something important to tell you."
Having said that, Zhao Wei looked slightly dissatisfied. Even if he hadn't turned around to express his stance, others would be shocked by his sudden straightening of his body.
"Where is your sister now? She doesn't want to come back to see me even when she returns to Yuyi Town?"
"My little sister is still in the business, staying with other friends."
"How long have you asked her to come back quickly? How long have you been playing outside? She has reached the age when she should leave the court. Why doesn't she know how to restrain her temper?" Zhao Wei seemed to hate that iron is not as good as steel. As soon as he finished speaking, He stood up from the seat angrily. At this time, he was still facing the Buddha statue devoutly and asked: "What is something important to report?"
Zhao Kuo said: "That's it, father. On the way back, the child happened to run into the Heba brothers and sisters from Wuchuan Town. They relied on their strength to bully the herdsmen around Yuyi Town... If Uncle Lou hadn't sent someone If we help each other, the child will never be able to return to Yuyi Town safe and sound!"
"Even though Uncle Lou's family is now very poor, he still tries his best to recruit people to help the child. He even personally sent the daughter of his family to come and sacrifice his life to accompany him. Such a kindness is unforgettable for the child! Therefore, the child plans to marry him. By making Jinghua my wife, I can not only repay my kindness, but also allow Jinghua and I to cultivate our long-lasting love for each other."
"You are confused!" Before Zhao Kuo could finish speaking, Zhao Wei turned around and angrily said, "How can you, the younger generation, make your own decisions regarding marriage?"
This master of the Zhao family has well-defined facial features and facial lines, which makes him look extremely resolute and courageous, making him intimidating and not daring to look down upon. Sometimes, just seeing the neat mustache on his upper lip and chin, and his sharp eyes, he would lower his head unconsciously.
This is when he gets angry. Lou Jinghua, who had been waiting beside her just now, had not yet recovered from the scolding. She forgot to say hello to her elders for a while. It was not until Zhao Kuo touched her body with his elbow that she remembered, and then she bowed to say hello in a panic: "Meet...meet Zhao Shishu..."
Zhao Wei seemed to be unexpected, and suddenly confused, he walked from the Buddhist hall to Lou Jinghua and politely accepted the other party's kindness: "Why is Jinghua here too? The marriage that Quanzi mentioned just now, Has your Majesty ever given your approval?"
"Dad, he is very willing, but..."
"Okay, this matter is of great importance. Uncle Shi, I have to meet a few important guests later. Let's discuss it some other time, right?"
"Thank you, Uncle Shi." Lou Jinghua forced a shy smile and bowed in return.
Zhao Wei also laughed and said: "You'd better meet these guests, especially Zhao Kuo."
"Okay, Dad."
After finishing speaking, Zhao Wei walked away with a puff of his sleeves. When he walked out, Zhao Kuo took Lou Jinghua to follow his father's footsteps.
Lou Jinghua thought that Zhao Wei acquiesced to the marriage, so she quietly said to Zhao Kuo: "Brother Kuo, did your father agree?"
Unexpectedly, Zhao Kuo looked sarcastic and replied: "Jinghua, if you didn't have to act so impatient and guilty just now, my father might not be able to guess that there is another conspiracy behind this marriage. You can only express yourself later. If you want to end this marriage, otherwise you will have to wait for my father to expose your Lou family’s background. If you are embarrassed by that time, don’t blame me for not protecting you."
"Huh?" Lou Jinghua was greatly disappointed, but she didn't know that she was about to burst into tears just now. She added: "He's not your father. He is so scary. He always curses people..."
While the two of them were joking with each other, they returned to the front hall unknowingly.
Zhao Kuo and Lou Jinghua took their seats on one side and accompanied Zhao Wei, who was sitting on the high hall, to wait for the incoming guests.
But before that, the boys who came to serve tea and water preceded the guests.
The boys were holding tea and cakes and placing them in front of several prepared low tables. What Zhao Kuo didn't expect was that the waiter A-Bian, whom he met by chance at the Xiangyangpo Inn that day, was also among the boys. He immediately stepped forward. He greeted: "Isn't this A-Bian? He was actually assigned to work in the house. You are not a bad boy!"
"Yes... the eldest young master?" Ah Bian was still hunched over his chest and holding something. If Zhao Kuo hadn't greeted him by name, the two old acquaintances might have passed each other.
Seeing that the two of them met by chance, Zhao Wei casually boasted to A-Bian: "A-Bian's cooking skills are excellent, so I asked him to go to the kitchen to spend some time first. This boy is quite capable, and Kuo'er is so talented." I never saw the wrong person this time."
"It's all because of my father's good teachings." Before Zhao Kuo finished speaking, he couldn't wait to say to Ah Bian: "A Bian, don't forget to visit your great benefactor. I think Brother Bai must miss you very much. !”
"Yes! I heard yesterday that you are back, young master. I...I have always wanted to see Bai Shaoxia." Although A-Bian was extremely insignificant in front of Zhao Kuo, everyone could see this friendship.
"Hahaha... A-Bian, after you finish receiving the guests, I will grant you a day off. Leave early and come back early!" Zhao Wei said without hesitation to show his considerate side to his subordinates.
After a few people exchanged pleasantries, A-Bian went down to work with his chest hunched again.
After a while, the boy in front of the gate came with a message. His voice penetrated the walls and could be heard clearly even in the front hall: "Tong Menglong of Woye Town, General Tong has arrived!"
After a while, a middle-aged man with an elegant temperament and a long sword came to the front hall. Zhao Wei immediately waved to Zhao Kuo and Lou Jinghua to stand up and greet him. The latter naturally obeyed the instructions and stepped forward to greet the guest.
But before they could say their respectful words, a man and a woman followed behind Tong Menglong.
The man's face was bright red, and the stimulating smell of makeup and powder hit his nostrils, making people have to look at him more. His face was radiant, he was arrogant, and his every move showed the vulgar temperament of a noble man. He was slow and leisurely, as if he was afraid of bumping into his agar-like skin, which was more precious than a woman's.
The woman was the complete opposite. She leaned on the man she was traveling with and crossed the threshold together. However, she had no tacit understanding with the others. She kept her brows lowered and listless, and there was nothing attractive about her at all.
But it was such a woman who made Zhao Kuo stunned for a moment and had no choice but to stand there motionless.
"Kuo'er, what's wrong with you?" Zhao Wei saw that the situation was not good and quickly said: "Please invite the guests to take a seat!"
"Yes...yes." Zhao Kuo suppressed his extreme surprise and deliberately did not look at the female guest.
Lou Jinghua on the side did not get the warning, so she could continue to stare at the female guest with her truest emotions. The expression on her face seemed to say: "It's her!"
