(4)
The month-long house arrest finally ended, and Zhao Kuo, who had been grounded for his frivolous behavior, was able to see the light of day again. This should have been a happy day, and Zhao Kuo's mood was not at all depressing. Although his figure had become much thinner and the contours of his cheeks had become sharper, he still did not let his poor physical condition take over. The ambition that was already burning in his chest was enough to rejuvenate this body.
However, he never seemed to have thought about the difficult choices he would make.
Bai Feng accepted Zhao Wei's invitation and came to Zhao's house at dawn that day. At that time, apart from the servants in the mansion, the only person who received him was Zhao Wei, who had to get up early to worship Buddha every day. Therefore, he naturally waited on Zhao Wei and accompanied him to worship Buddha in front of the Buddhist hall.
The two of them rarely spoke to each other, and even if they did speak a few words, they were usually inseparable from ordinary greetings. Anyway, neither of them mentioned the "silver robbery case" for fear of offending something. Therefore, Bai Feng had the leisure to observe the most special place in the mansion.
There are always people saying that the Zhao family upholds Confucianism and virtue, is willing to do charity, is a wealthy businessman, and is also a great philanthropist who is famous in the Seven Towns.
The Buddha worshiped by the Zhao family is plated with several layers of gold; the caisson on the top of the Buddhist hall is inlaid with dozens of pearls and gems; even the faces of the several small Buddhas who silently guard the big Buddha have lifelike expressions on their faces. The expression may be kind or angry.
There is no unique treasure hidden in this Buddhist temple, but the cost of building it is beyond what ordinary people can earn in their lifetime. Its true appearance is beautifully concealed by its simple appearance. Anyone will feel that this is the sincere desire of the Zhao family, so much so that they can spend a lot of money to carve out a small place in this not-so-luxurious mansion for special worship.
However, in the eyes of the young swordsman, all this would only be a dazzling splendor at most, making him admire the works of these skilled craftsmen in front of him, because he knew that the man in front of him was by no means as simple as he seemed.
Before he could recover from the Buddha's solemn gaze, a boy came outside the door to announce that the Zhao brothers and sisters were already sitting in the living room waiting for him.
Facing close friends who haven't seen each other for a long time, there are always many things in their hearts that they want to talk to each other about. Especially the last time these people got together, they were still far away in Yangcheng, which naturally deepened the meaning of this gathering.
Zhao Wei ordered people to put a banquet on the table, as if he wanted to keep Bai Feng and others chatting for a long time. It's a pity that he is the only one who plans this way.
"Bai Shaoxia, the entire Zhao family got up early to host a banquet for you. This is a unique event. Let's drink to the fullest today and celebrate Bai Shaoxia's great achievements recently!" Zhao Wei ordered the boy next to him to fill a glass of wine for himself. , said: "I respect you by doing it first!"
The young swordsman also took a glass of wine, drank it down, and replied: "Thank you, Mr. Zhao. I really have no intention of taking credit, and this banquet is even more deserved!"
"Oh? How do you say this?"
"The credit goes to General Yao and Miss Lou who led the troops to eliminate the bandits. They did not accomplish anything at all. Moreover, the old injuries on the body often recur. The doctor said that they need to stop drinking and dryness to recover..."
Zhao Wei said: "But now everyone knows that it was you, Shaoxia Bai, who found the 'Yixiao Huangquan'. If we don't give a reward, how will the people around us view us? If there are rumors and slanders, saying that our Zhao family is a businessman with a greed for profit, Then it will be difficult to convince everyone.”
"This..." Bai Feng said suspiciously, and then looked at the Zhao brothers and sisters helplessly.
Zhao Xiaomei and Zhao Kuo had already estimated this situation, so the younger sister took the lead in responding and said: "Master Bai is now alone, and he must feel the difficulty of being homeless. If daddy insists on giving a reward, why not give it to him?" Bai Shaoxia settled down in Yuyi Town, so that he no longer has to be a rootless duckweed!"
"Little sister, this is a wonderful move!" Zhao Kuo sang from the side and said, "Dad, no matter what you say, Brother Bai is still living under someone else's roof. This is what a man can't tolerate. We might as well help him and let him have a place in Yuyi Town." New home'?"
"You two brothers and sisters, have you really learned to think about others now?" Zhao Wei rubbed his beard and laughed repeatedly: "Hahaha, maybe this is a good idea? Kuo'er, what do you think?"
"My child vaguely remembers that we destroyed a Taiping Taoist temple in Yuyi Town a few years ago. Although it has been abandoned for several years, its basic structure is still intact." Zhao Kuo said: "Why don't we send people to repair that place? Keep it intact and give it to Brother Bai!"
Zhao Wei said: "In that case, what do you think Bai Shaoxia wants?"
"I'm very willing! If possible, I would like to go to that Taoist temple right now to have a look!" Bai Feng swept away the gloom on his face and beamed with joy.
"Of course, Bai Shaoxia, your indifference to fame and wealth is really admirable. Since you want to see your future 'new home', I won't force you to be a guest. Let my little sister and Kuo'er go with you!"
After Zhao Wei finished speaking, he immediately left the banquet and went to do other things. He was always coming and going for various trivial matters. Only when he was praying to Buddha early in the morning could people suddenly realize that the head of the Zhao family in front of him was no longer an energetic young man.
It is this seemingly hard-working skin that can be so confusing. In front of his children, he tried his best to be kind and kind, but he could easily send someone like Fan Liwu, a cruel official, to teach the Zhao brothers and sisters. This shows that the depth of his city is unimaginable. Every time he thought about this, Bai Feng would always shudder. This subtle emotion made him dare not meet Zhao Wei's eyes.
After seeing off Zhao Wei, Bai Feng and the Zhao brothers and sisters quickly got into carriages and headed straight to the Taiping Taoist Temple in the southwest of the town.
This journey may be a bit farther than before. Since we have to go from the southeast corner of the town to the southwest corner, we basically have to walk half a circle around the entire Yuyi Town.
Looking at the scenery of Yuyi Town, people who have just arrived in the town will feel as if they are in another world, because the seven towns in the north are all isolated by the desert grassland, and the inside and outside of the town are completely different worlds.
However, for people who have lived in Yuyi Town since childhood, such as the Zhao brothers and sisters, this is their memory, a part of their lives, a feeling that is difficult to let go, and a longing that cannot be escaped.
Zhao Xiaomei sat in the carriage and looked out the window, tears kept rolling in her eyes. She always felt that this was the last time she would see such a familiar scenery.
Streets, doors, windows and roofs that seemed nothing special in the past are now extraordinary in her eyes; even those places that are extremely ordinary will be given a new look based on the hazy scene in her eyes. Slowly came to mind.
