(11)
Through Mrs. Xia's previous statement and Tong Yao's sincere confession, the four visitors were able to sort out the unfulfilling first half of a child of a noble family.
They try to construct an unknown legend in their minds. At that time, Tong Yao was still a handsome young man who had just passed his twenties. He was born in a famous family. As the eldest son in the family, his father naturally had high hopes for him, and he shouldered the important responsibility of the rise and fall of the family.
He is young and promising, not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also humble and courteous. As a major general in the military town, he has been in battle several times to kill the enemy, and has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats. He is deeply loved by the army and the people, and he looks like the future successor to the general of Woye Town. .
At that time, Tong Yao was still very young and innocent. He was almost paranoid that if there was any girl who could make him think about it day and night, he would definitely marry that girl and all other women - regardless of her status. No matter how noble they are, how refined their temperament, how charming their appearance is, to Tong Yao, they are just ordinary people. When they pass by, they won't even take a second look.
Soon, he was confused and found the girl who made him dream. Her name is Zuo Xia, and she is an embroiderer with a low status. She is not only short in stature, but also has no distinctive facial features. If she blends into a crowd, everyone will instantly forget her.
However, she possesses qualities that are not found in any woman from a well-known family. She is willing to take the risk of being gossiped about and run to the farmland to help with farming; she dares to refuse Tong Yao's kindness in person, and has no taboo about the order of superiority and inferiority; her good craftsmanship is enough to make her live a good life, and she is invited to work by others. She became a seamstress, but she refused decisively on the grounds of taking care of the seriously ill elderly at home.
It is such a simple, kind, hard-working woman that makes Tong Yaowen so convinced and tossing and turning that every time he returns in triumph, he always rushes to Xia's house to report that he is safe.
When he gets a reward, he will spend half of his money on gifts, intending to give them to his beloved girl to express his love. However, the other party always refuses to accept them, and instead lectures him in private.
"You should spend this money on the people of Li!"
During this time, Tong Yao became more like a gentleman. He regarded frugality as a virtue and did not drink alcohol, visit prostitutes, gamble or go hunting. His old clothes were fully patched. Looking from a distance, he thought he was the son of a poor family. He looked all over his body except for his waist. The jade pendant between the two can reveal his true identity.
Seeing how strange he was, his friends and relatives around him gradually stopped getting along with him.
However, the good times did not last long. Tong Yao's father and stepmother gradually discovered something strange about him. At first, it was just a verbal dispute. His father scolded him for being unconventional and unconventional. Later, he simply took the opportunity to send him to the front line to take command. In fact, it was an excuse to prevent him from meeting Xia.
Tong Yao's second mother often gave him expensive gifts, encouraged him to learn to enjoy and improve his taste, and used another method to dissuade Tong Yao from leaving Xia.
Under such influence, Tong Yao gradually became violent and bloodthirsty, and there were often reports in the army that he beat his subordinates to death. When he returned to Woye Town, he no longer visited Xia. He began to hang out in restaurants and brothels all day long, becoming vulgar and obscene.
At this time, Tong Yao's friends also came back. When they saw the future general of Woye Town, everyone rushed to praise his taste, his martial arts, and his popularity with women.
All in all, Tong Yao began to waste his life, spending meaningless days and nights one after another, indulging in carnage and lust.
Until today, when Tong Yao met Bai Feng, Murong Yan, Su Qing, and Zichai by chance, he suddenly woke up: "So, I have been sleeping for so long?"
Seeing Tong Yao leaving first, the four visitors couldn't find any reason to stay, so they walked and enjoyed the tea trees. As they walked, they discussed how Tong Yao's past was confusing and how regrettable his love with Xia was. .
Unknowingly, they returned to Apollos' caravan. As soon as the bearded Westerner heard the news, he immediately went to the front door and personally served tea and water to greet the four of them. He greeted them: "Guys, these days Did you have fun?"
"No, not very happy." Bai Feng replied slightly disappointedly, and walked to his room without looking back.
Seeing that he was so rude, Su Qing immediately stepped in front of Apollos, bowed and said: "Mr. Apollos, don't blame him. We have encountered a big problem now, but we don't know how to solve it."
"What kind of problem is it? As long as Mr. Su talks about it, I, Apollos, will definitely do my best!"
"This... you can't help much with this problem. However, we will definitely stay here for a few more days. In these few days, Mr. Apollos can finally complete his painting with peace of mind!"
"That's great!" Apollos pointed to the colorful sunset in the sky and said with great joy: "Miss Murong, Miss Zichai, please quickly change your clothes and take your seats. This is a God-given opportunity!"
The sunset in early winter has a magical power. The dry wind blows in the face, making the corners of the mouth chapped. The setting sun shines on the face, and a trace of warmth pours into the heart, making half of the face red.
At this time, two girls in colorful clothes came to the window. They posed in their own postures, showing the most beautiful and pleasant postures.
Apollos lifted the drawing board, skillfully turned the brush in the air a few times with his other hand, and then neatly took it back to his palm. He seemed to be ready.
"Two respected girls, please put on your brightest and most confident smile and let me capture your most beautiful moments!"
After hearing this, Zi Chai turned slightly sideways, tilted her head towards the birdcage in her hand, and smiled. Murong Yan sat there dully, looking out the window sadly, almost her whole face illuminated by the sunset.
Seeing that the Xianbei witch was so sad, Apollos couldn't help asking: "Miss Murong, what's wrong with you? Did something sad happen to you?"
"I thought he would come to us?" Murong Yan murmured in a voice that only she could hear: "He will not give up."
When Apollos saw this, his thoughts suddenly came to him. He felt as if he saw the country's ruined mountains and rivers in Murong Yan's eyes. She was sitting on the mat dignifiedly and elegantly, stroking the cat with her hand, looking at the sunset outside the window with sad eyes, like a story Wang Zhaojun is concerned about the country and the people.
"Ah!" He finally understood in his heart: "The Central Plains Dynasty was so prosperous not because of the heroic and confident nobles and gentry, but because of such dedicated people."
Seeing that the two people in front of her were silent, Zi Chai shook Murong Yan's sleeves and whispered: "Sister Murong, sister Murong!"
Before he finished speaking, Apollos quickly spoke to dissuade her: "Miss Zichai! Just let her stay like this!"
"Uh?" Murong Yan came back to her senses after hearing Apollos's admonishment and asked, "Mr. Apollos, is there something wrong with the little girl?"
Apollos said: "No, Miss Murong, please keep it like this! I have walked this trade route more than ten times, and I know everything about it... I think, with my stupid head, I should be able to know What are you worried about?"
After saying this, Apollos began to pour his blood on the canvas. He had not felt so comfortable for a long time, and he completed the work that night.
The next day, in order to thank Su Qing for his help, he specially paid the rent of the Chamber of Commerce residence for them so that they could stay for a few more days. Then he took the scroll and said goodbye to the four people and continued westward.
