Shangguan Hongqin looked at Liu Ruyan and smiled slightly, and quickly asked him to take a seat in the hall.
This is the front lobby of Hongqinju, and it is also the living room where the owner receives guests. The large living room is decorated in a simple and elegant manner. On the wall of the main hall is a pair of wild cursive calligraphy with flying dragons and phoenixes. The writing is elegant and flowing, quite like everyone! At first glance, it looks like it was made by a famous artist. Three sets of mist-stained ink paintings are hung on the east, west, and north walls. The techniques are sophisticated and eclectic. There is a three-foot-long sword hanging on the wall on the left. The scabbard is golden and engraved with auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes. You can tell at a glance that it is an extraordinary thing. On the south front wall hangs a secondary horizontal scroll, which reads: "Haoran Zhengqi" written in four red cursive scripts. The pen moves like a dragon and a snake, swaying gracefully and with a rainbow-like momentum.
Liu Ruyan took off the sword and baggage on his back, and the servant standing aside came over and took it with both hands, placing it on the inner weapons rack.
Xu Feng, the owner of Hongqinju, sat upright on the main seat with a kind and kind smile on his face. He extended his hand to invite the guests to sit down. Then he turned around and ordered the servant to serve tea to the guests.
Xu Feng looked at Liu Ruyan with a smile, stroked his beard and said, "Nephew Liu, thank you for the hard work of traveling and traveling all the way!" He paused, and then said with slight hesitation, "Is your health still good recently?"
Liu Ruyan raised her sword eyebrows lightly, clasped her fists respectfully, nodded slightly, and said: "Thanks to Uncle Xu, my master, he is still in good health, and my master even asked this junior to say hello to you!", he then sighed softly. He said, "Junior, I was driving very fast along the way. When passing through the Black Valley, I was accidentally attacked by bandits. Fortunately, I was not in danger." At this time, Xu Feng saw the gauze wrapped around his arm, slightly revealing a bright red wound. He immediately frowned and asked with concern: "Nephew Liu Xian, why is your arm injured? Is it in the way?"
Liu Ruyan raised her sword eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "Thanks to uncle, this junior just suffered some skin injuries, nothing serious! Thank you uncle for your concern."
At this time, three servants brought tea and placed it in front of Xu Feng, Shangguan Hongqin and Liu Ruyan respectively. Then, they dispersed.
The three of them picked up their teacups and took a sip of tea. Shangguan Hongqin smiled and said: "Nephew Liu Xian, you must have suffered a lot on this long journey through mountains and rivers. It's really hard for you!" She said with a generous manner and concern.
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and said calmly: "Thank you for your concern, auntie! It's not hard, it's just a small mistake on the way." At this point, a slightly embarrassed look appeared on his face.
Shangguan Hongqin frowned slightly and said, "Oh, did something go wrong?"
Liu Ruyan replied: "I dare not lie to my aunt. When passing by the Xianrenju Post Road, this junior was careless and took the wrong turn." He lowered his head in shame, "This junior should have taken the path to Feixianguan, but instead I walked into the branch road leading to the black valley in a daze. Alas, so I was delayed for a while along the way."
When Xu Feng and Shangguan Hongqin heard this, they looked at each other and then burst into laughter.
The two of them suddenly smiled like this, and Liu Ruyan felt even more embarrassed. Her face turned red and a touch of warmth rose up. At this moment, he wanted to find a crack in the ground and burrow down.
In fact, there was no need to tell such a thing, but when the second elder asked, he unconsciously told the truth. What he didn't expect was that he would actually make such a low-level mistake. He felt very embarrassed and sat there in a daze for a while, not knowing what to say.
At this time, the sky was gradually darkening, and the lanterns in the courtyard were gradually lit. In an instant, the entire manor was brightly lit. The red piano is even more peaceful, beautiful and dazzling under the dark night.
On the dark sky, the stars rise, and a pale moon hangs on the peak of the moon, revealing a faint tranquility and peace.
The servants were already busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. The host and guest in the living room were still chatting with interest. Except for a few maids standing by at any time, no one else appeared.
The three of them talked for a long time, but Liu Ruyan didn't see the shadow of Hua Mei. He felt a little surprised, so he asked: "Uncle Xu, why didn't you see Hua Mei?" He was very confused.
Xu Feng was startled when he heard this, and he laughed and said: "Oh, I haven't seen Hua'er today. Maybe he and Yue'er went to the back mountain butterfly garden to have fun!" He immediately glanced at the lady beside him, as if Ask Shangguan Hongqin.
Shangguan Hongqin was also slightly startled and said with a smile: "Yes, I haven't seen them all day either. Where have the two sisters gone?" Then she called inside: "Cuilian?"
At this time, a maid in green cloth and plain clothes came out of the room, bowed to Xu Feng and his wife, nodded and said, "Madam, what are your orders?"
Shangguan Hongqin asked seriously: "Do you know where Miss Hua'er and Miss Hua'er have gone?"
The maid lowered her head and said quietly: "Back to Madam, Miss Leng Yue and Miss Hua'er went to play in the butterfly garden in the back mountain early this morning, and they haven't come back yet." The maid whispered in a low voice, as if It is for fear of being blamed.
Before Shangguan Hongqin could speak, Xu Feng suddenly stared, looked slightly stunned, and shouted, "What? You haven't come back yet?"
He suddenly stood up, frowned extremely seriously and said, "This Leng Yue is getting more and more outrageous. He leads his sister to do all the nonsense. If he really wants to have fun, he doesn't care about anything." He paced back and forth in the living room. Step, get angry.
Immediately, he turned to look at Liu Ruyan, put away his angry expression, and said kindly: "My dear nephew, don't be offended. These two sisters are just having fun. I will send someone to find them right away."
Immediately, she ordered Cuilian to take a few servants to the back mountain to search.
Liu Ruyan frowned slightly, nodded and said, "How about I go with them to the back mountain to look for you?" He couldn't help but stood up, feeling a little uneasy and a little worried.
Shangguan Hongqin consoled her: "My dear nephew, please don't panic. The two sisters often go to the back mountain garden to play together, so nothing will happen to them."
Liu Ruyan sighed secretly in her heart. She thought she would see her long-lost sister Hua when she entered Hongqin Residence, but she didn't expect to see even a single figure. It's getting late now, what will they do? Why is it that it’s already dark and you haven’t come back yet?
He was thinking about it all the way, what would it be like to see Hua Mei for the first time when he came here? He also imagined that Hua Mei would happily run to him and call him "brother" affectionately when she saw him. But now, it was a different scene, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
At this time, Xu Feng stroked his beard, walked slowly, and said: "Nephew, don't worry, this back mountain butterfly garden is your own garden, nothing will go wrong. Please be patient and have some tea." , you are not familiar with the terrain here, so let them find it first!"
Liu Ruyan nodded in agreement, thinking to herself: She was new here, so it was not appropriate for her to overshadow the guest. It would be rude to wander around the host's house as a guest, so she had better follow her uncle's arrangement and wait here for the time being!
The three of them were drinking tea in the living room and waiting patiently.
About an hour later, Cuilian and several servants ran in in a hurry. Breathing heavily, Nuonuo said: "Master, Master, it's not good." She looked at Xu Feng in a panic and said out of breath: "Master, this servant is waiting at the back mountain with a group of people. I searched carefully and found no sign of the young lady and Miss Xihua." She frowned, her voice trembling with worry, for fear of being scolded by her master.
Hearing this, Xu Feng, Shangguan Hongqin, and Liu Ruyan suddenly stood up from their seats. All three people suddenly showed surprised expressions. This was obviously not the result they wanted.
Xu Feng was startled, but his face was calm, and he immediately ordered Cuilian: "Go and invite Butler Ma over!" He always treated his servants with respect and courtesy, even if he asked Butler Ma to come over, he would always say, " Please" instead of "call". Based on this alone, it can be seen that Xu Feng and Xu Daxia's achievements and status today are by no means accidental.
Often those who can achieve great things are also kind-hearted, courteous and approachable.
Cuilian responded, turned around and ran towards the backyard where Butler Ma lived. Go through a long corridor, turn a few corners, and go forward twenty meters to the first room from the beginning, which is Butler Ma's bedroom. She hurriedly came to the door of Butler Ma's room. The door was open. Butler Ma was wearing a pair of glasses and was sitting at his desk sorting out accounts. Cuilian gasped and said, "Housekeeper Ma, it's not good, it's not good,"
Butler Ma was startled when he heard this, looked at Cuilian and frowned: "Cuilian, what happened? Don't be anxious, speak slowly."
Cuilian calmed down and said anxiously: "Miss Lengyue and Miss Xihua are gone. Master, please come over." Cuilian looked very anxious.
The horse steward is about fifty years old, of medium height, slightly fat, with a short tail combed on his head, and a pair of big, deep eyes. He wears a green cloth gown all year round. The gown has been washed and faded, but it is always very neat.
He has been following Mr. Xu for more than twenty years. For more than 20 years, he has been loyal to the Xu family. He will complete all the errands assigned by the master seriously, no matter how big or small. He manages the entire Hongqin Residence in an orderly manner and almost never makes any major mistakes. Everyone in the Xu family has always respected him very much.
As soon as he heard that the eldest lady and Miss Xihua were missing, he quickly stood up from his seat, his expression anxious, but he instantly regained his composure. Since he followed Mr. Xu into the world, he has experienced hundreds of fierce battles, large and small. , what kind of strong winds and waves have you never seen? Now that he is a housekeeper, his temperament has become much calmer.
He quickly adjusted his sleeves and immediately walked quickly towards the living room with Cuilian.
At this time, two rows of servants were standing at the entrance of the living room with their hands lowered. There were more than ten people, all with serious expressions, and each holding a bright willow leaf sword in their hands. Liu Ruyan also stood aside, with a solemn expression. An ominous premonition suddenly arose in his heart: Miss Leng Yue and Huamei haven't come back so late, maybe they are in danger in the mountains, I'm afraid it's a disaster! The plan for now is to find a way to find them as soon as possible!
Xu Feng stood tall and tall in front of the hall door, his brows slightly wrinkled and his expression serious. Seeing Butler Ma rushing over in a hurry, he immediately showed his face, his eyes flashed, and he didn't speak. Butler Ma arrived in front of Xu Feng, bowed, nodded slightly and said, "Ma Xiaoyun came to meet the master! I heard from Cuilian that the eldest lady and Miss Xihua are missing?"
Xu Feng nodded, stroked his beard with his hand, and said seriously: "Yes, I heard from the servant that I saw Leng Yue and Xihua going to the back mountain butterfly garden together this morning, but they haven't come back yet." He Slowly pacing back and forth, he sighed and said, "I have sent people to search for them in the back mountain just now, but no trace of them was found." There was a hint of worry in his eyes, but it was fleeting and made people feel sad. It cannot be easily noticed.
Butler Ma frowned, looked at Xu Feng and muttered: "On weekdays, the two sisters often go to the back mountain to play, but they always come back early, but why today..." His eyes flickered, thinking: "As far as the old slave knows, they go to the back mountain not just for fun, but most of the time to look for a herb called Dendrobium. I remember once, I heard the eldest lady say with my own ears that she often saw Shangguan Madam suffered from lung disease and had a severe cough. I heard that this wild herb growing in the deep mountains and jungles can cure Mrs. Shangguan's lung disease, so I often went to the back mountains to look for it." After saying this, another kind of thought appeared in his eyes. The gentle and loving look, I don’t know whether it is approval or love?
When he was young, he got to know Xu Feng, who was wandering around the world. Xu Feng was a few years older than him, so he always respected Xu Feng as his eldest brother, and he was willing to act as his younger brother.
At that time, Xu Feng was in his early twenties and in his prime. He had already experienced more than ten sword duels at a young age. He successively defeated the three famous masters of Taihang in Taihang, Shanxi. Later, he participated in the annual "Nanyue Sword Fair" at Hengshan, Nanyue on the bank of the Xiang River, and defeated the "Phoenix Swordsman" on Zhurong Peak, the top of Hengshan. Luo Yichuan, "Xiang Fei Sword" Shangguan Die, and Hengshan Sect's great disciple "Furong Yi Sword" Luo Feiyan.
In that Nanyue sword competition, he defeated the three most famous swordsmen in the martial arts world with just a three-foot iron sword in his hand. He suddenly became famous and gradually emerged in the martial arts world. Out of his admiration for Xu Feng, he was willing to follow his elder brother and travel with him in the world, and the two formed a life-and-death friendship.
When Xu Feng saw that all the servants had gathered in the courtyard, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Liu Ruyan who was standing aside, then looked at Butler Ma, then walked forward and introduced them to them: "Nephew Liu, Manager Ma, Let me introduce you two." He took Liu Ruyan's hand and walked to Butler Ma, smiled slightly and said, "Nephew Liu, this is Manager Ma Xiaoyun!" Then he turned to Butler Ma: "Ma Manager, this is Liu Ruyan, Young Master Liu!"
Liu Ruyan bowed her hands to Butler Ma, nodded and said, "This junior has seen Butler Ma!"
Manager Ma also returned the gift, looked at Liu Ruyan, and said with a smile: "It turns out to be Liu Shaoxia, nice to meet you!"
At this time, Xu Feng strode up to the hall and said to everyone present: "Today, Leng Yue and Xihua disappeared in the butterfly garden in the back mountain. Now we are all divided into two groups to search for them. The person on the left will follow me. Search in the direction of Wangyou Valley, and the people on the right follow Manager Ma to search in the direction of Butterfly Garden. We will definitely find them tonight."
Xu Feng gave the order, and the two groups of people held torches and marched towards the back mountain in two directions. Liu Ruyan followed Xu Feng, feeling worried and uneasy. She just hoped to find the two of them as soon as possible and figure out where they had gone! I silently prayed that they would all be safe and sound!
He never expected that as soon as he arrived at Hongqin Residence, Miss Lengyue and Sister Hua would disappear inexplicably. He really couldn't figure out what was going on. Could there be something fishy about it? Or is it just a random coincidence? He couldn't help but the thoughts surged in his heart. The truth of all this would be revealed only when he found them.
As soon as Shangguan Hongqin heard about it, his baby daughter disappeared together with Xihua. Dang Ji was restless and anxious, pacing back and forth in the hall, mumbling about how Leng Yue and Xi Hua disappeared for no reason. Where on earth would they go? Will you encounter any regrets?
It's a pity that she is a woman after all. Her daughter suddenly disappeared, so she was naturally more anxious than anyone else! She originally wanted to follow everyone in the search, but before leaving, she was dissuaded by her husband Xu Feng.
It was getting late now, and the terrain in the back mountain was complicated. It was difficult to distinguish the path at night. I was afraid that if she followed her, something would happen on the road! Xu Feng comforted her and told her to wait for the news at home! Two maids were left with her in the living room.
A group of people holding torches marched on the path leading to the back mountain. Xu Feng and Liu Ruyan led a dozen people on the mountain path leading to Wangyou Valley on the left. Manager Ma and Cuilian led a dozen people on the plank road to the right that leads to the Butterfly Garden.
Nawangyou Valley is located in a concave low-lying area on the left side of the mountain behind Mingyue Peak, with a dangerous and complex terrain. The Butterfly Garden is located in a natural landscape garden on the right side of the mountain behind Mingyue Peak. Although the terrain is gentle, there are many trees in the garden and there are crisscrossing roads, like a wide maze. If you are not careful, you can easily get lost. The two places come together to form a circle, meeting in the middle. How easy is it to find two people in the dark night?
Stars twinkled in the sky, and the silvery moonlight shone on Mingyue Peak, showing a quiet and cold brilliance. A strange atmosphere shrouded the night.
The night is as cold as water, and the chill is getting stronger. The surrounding mountains and fields were dark and quiet.
The two teams have arrived at their respective search areas.
The burning torch was blown by the night wind and made a sound, flickering with sparks that were extinguishing. Dozens of torches illuminated the dark mountains, and the shouts of people echoed throughout the mountains and fields.
"Miss? Miss Xihua? Where are you?" The servants shouted loudly, holding torches high. Shouts came and went, full of urgency and anxiety.
"Miss Lengyue? Sister Hua? Where are you?" Liu Ruyan raised the torch above her head and shouted over and over again at the top of her voice.
"Miss Lengyue? Sister Hua? Where are you?" He walked quickly around the Valley of Forgetfulness, looking around carefully, not missing any small corner.
Behind the broken rocks, in the deep bushes, in the dense woods, even in the huge cracks on the cliff edge...he would never let go of any place where someone might be hiding.
Xu Feng took five or six servants to search in all the caves in Wangyou Valley. He believed that the most likely place for them to appear was in the cave. He has lived on Mingyue Peak for decades and knows every mountain, rock, plant and tree here. He avoids the obvious areas and focuses on the dozens of caves scattered throughout the canyon. I thought in my mind: There are numerous forks in these caves, criss-crossing roads, and complex terrain.
If the two of them got lost while wandering in the cave, or entered a deeper place, it would be difficult to find them. Or even encountered another more dangerous situation, being hijacked by some other force, maybe imprisoned in a cave... Before they were discovered, all guesses and assumptions were possible. .
He couldn't think too much now, he just searched cave after cave, not missing any blind spots. Try to find them as soon as possible. The more time they delay, the more danger they will face.
"Leng Yue, Xi Hua, where are you? Are you there?"...
Xu Feng and his servants called over and over again to find...
After Liu Ruyan searched for some secret regular places in the valley, he then turned to the edge of the cliff on one side of the valley to search. After searching to no avail, he suddenly had an idea and realized whether there was a possibility of them falling off the cliff. Just now in the courtyard, I heard Manager Ma say that the two of them often come to the back mountain, not only for fun, but also for the purpose of picking herbs. Maybe they found the herbs they were looking for on the edge of the cliff and accidentally fell off the cliff while trying to pick them. Next... If this is really the case, then they are in serious danger!
Although the cliff of the back mountain is not as steep and dangerous as the front mountain, it is still no less than tens of feet deep. Once it falls, you will either die or be injured! No matter which one it is, the consequences will be unimaginable.
The night is getting deeper and deeper, and the cold dew is getting heavier and heavier. He had already climbed the mountain all day today and felt very tired. Now, he was running around non-stop and felt even more exhausted. But for the safety of the two sisters, he could no longer care so much.
Over there, a group of people led by Manager Ma and Cuilian also tried their best to search around. They waved torches and called the names of the two sisters one after another at the top of their voices. My tongue was dry, and my shouts echoed in the garden under the night, but not even a faint response could be heard.
After searching for a long time, everyone was already exhausted. These two people, who were obviously very lively, why did they disappear out of thin air for no reason? There is a big question in everyone's mind? No one can figure out what is going on? What happened during the day they came to Houshan? Could it be that they are really in danger? Everyone can't help but have an ominous premonition in their hearts!
The two teams searched until midnight, but still found nothing. After several loud arrows rose up in the sky above their heads, everyone met at Mingyue Pavilion in the center of the back mountain as agreed in advance.
Dozens of torches gathered together again, shining in front of Mingyue Pavilion, as bright as day.
Xu Feng said to everyone with exhaustion and frustration: "We have been searching for half a night. Everyone has worked hard. I would like to thank you all. It is already the fourth watch in the middle of the night. Although I have not found Leng Yue and Xi Hua, that's all. Tomorrow We’ll make plans in the morning, and everyone should go back and rest!”
He suppressed his inner uneasiness, made an impassioned speech to everyone, and then led them back home. He was already old, already in his fifties this year. After searching in the mountains for half the night, he was already exhausted physically and mentally. After thinking about it for a long time, he decided to take a long-term approach tomorrow and formulate a careful plan.
Maybe, they will show up tomorrow! He tried his best to restrain his inner sorrow, anger and uneasiness, and persuaded himself to think about the incident in a positive light.
At this moment, the stars in the sky have gradually disappeared, and the moonlight has dimmed, floating in a dark cloud!
Everyone is looking forward to a miracle happening tomorrow!
