The man in black is named Wen Zhan. He is one year older than Lu Qingtang. He is from Weinan County and ran away because of a conflict with his family. Unexpectedly, he was kidnapped by bandits as soon as he arrived in Fangcheng County. He finally escaped and was shot with an arrow in his leg.
He was injured and couldn't hunt, so he had to steal things from nearby villages. But he never hurt innocent people, he just stole some food.
After hearing what happened to him, and looking at him again, I saw an indescribable nobility in him.
Especially the pair of obsidian eyes, which look very energetic. Coupled with the fair skin, he looks like a young man from a wealthy family.
But he didn't want to talk more about his family affairs, so Lu Qingtang didn't ask any more questions. The two chatted for a while, and then heard Yu Bai's shouting coming from down the mountain.
Lu Qingtang immediately walked out of the cave entrance to greet him. Yu Bai and the farmer's brother took turns carrying Wen Zhan down the mountain. When they arrived at the farmer's house, they cooked him hot porridge, which made him even more embarrassed.
Wen Zhan apologized to his sister-in-law and brother, saying that he went down the mountain to steal things because he was very hungry. Fortunately, my sister-in-law and brother were generous, and they didn't care about his difficulties, and Lu Qingtang also offered money as compensation.
Wen Zhan is in strong health and can get out of bed and walk after only two days of treatment. Coupled with Lu Qingtang's good medicine, he doesn't feel any pain.
He sat in the yard and watched Mo Bao and Mo Mo feeding the chickens. He couldn't help but smile. He said to Lu Qingtang beside him: "Ms. Tang, you are so beautiful and kind. Why did that man abandon you?" You? I can’t figure it out.”
Lu Qingtang was sitting on the millstone. When he heard Wen Zhan's words, he smiled bitterly, "Maybe he and I are not suitable. If we are not suitable, just break up. In fact, it is not a big deal."
"My wife is open-minded, but she is the one who has been wronged the most. Sometimes people are helpless. They know something but don't dare to resist. We are all the same kind of people." Wen Zhan said, he lowered his head and raised the corners of his mouth slightly, A wry smile appeared.
Seeing his worried look, Lu Qingtang stopped talking about this topic. She asked him again: "What are your plans for the future? You can't go back to that cave to hide, can you?"
Wen Zhan looked up at her, his clear eyes dazzling in the sunlight. He shook his head and said, "I don't know. I've actually wanted to go home for a few months."
"Then let's go together. We also happen to be going to Weinan County, so we can be companions together." Lu Qingtang looked at him tentatively.
Wen Zhan smiled, and the smile on his lips was very beautiful. He nodded, "Okay, thank you Madam Tang for the invitation."
While he was talking, he saw Lu Qingtang getting up and taking the two babies to feed the chickens, with a very gentle light in his eyes.
…
After resting for two more days, Wen Zhan's leg was almost healed. Lu Qingtang told everyone about taking Wen Zhan on the road. The others were fine, except Yu Bai, whose face was full of displeasure.
Yu Bai was extremely angry. He said to Lu Qingtang: "Madam, it's not safe to have such an unknown person following you around. Besides, we don't lack manpower."
"Keep your voice down." Lu Qingtang made a gesture to silence him and pointed at the three babies sleeping on the bed.
Yu Bai immediately covered his mouth, and then whispered: "Madam, this person's origin is unknown and unsafe, and he...he always looks at you with a leering look, which is not a good thing at first glance!"
Lu Qingtang put his hand on his forehead and said helplessly: "That's the point, right? Besides, why is he so squinty? His eyes are quite normal."
As she spoke, she recalled that when Wen Zhan looked at her, he was gentler at most, not lewd. This Yu Bai was really careless.
Then she continued: "Yu Bai, are you thinking too much? I think you just have a prejudice against Wen Zhan. It's not his fault that he is tall and handsome."
Yu Bai stopped talking. He lowered his head and whispered, "Even if he is a gentleman, it doesn't matter to us. He is a man after all."
Lu Qingtang couldn't help but smile, she raised her fingers at Yu Bai, and when Yu Bai came closer, she added: "There is a bandit den nearby. Wen Zhan was kidnapped in the mountains, so he naturally knows something about bandits. I think if we... I mean, if he meets a bandit, he might still be familiar with the way to escape. Besides, it’s nothing to take someone home by the way."
"I see, but..." Yu Bai's eyes wandered, "Even if this is the case, we have to be careful. He is a man after all."
The corner of Lu Qingtang's mouth twitched, and then he waved his hand to him, indicating that he should go back to the house and sleep.
Yu Bai walked out of Lu Qingtang's room, returned to his own room, found a pen and paper and wrote something on a note. Then a carrier pigeon is taken out of the cage, the note is tied to the pigeon's leg, and the pigeon is released.
He looked at the homing pigeons going away and murmured in a low voice: "Pigeons, pigeons, you must tell the prince the news quickly. There is a bad boy here seducing our princess!"
In the past three months, Yu Bai had been communicating with Mo Zeshen through carrier pigeons. He learned that Mo Zeshen had been keeping vigil for the Queen Mother until July 7, and then he was suspended from his post and was in the palace to think about his mistakes. However, within a few days, His Majesty issued a decree to arrange for him to go on a secret tour of Weinan. As for what Yu Bai was, he did not know.
But this is not important. What is important is that Mo Zeshen is going to meet Lu Qingtang again. As a servant, Yu Bai naturally hopes to see his master happy.
He calculated the time and according to Mo Zeshen's usual schedule, he would be able to reach Fangcheng County in the next few days. He just hoped that the sooner the better, lest the unknown Wen Zhan steal his princess.
…
The breeze in the early morning was blowing coolly on his body. Lu Qingtang liked this pleasant weather.
At this time, everyone in the carriage was ready. Wen Zhan carried the two babies onto the carriage, turned to look at Lu Qingtang, "Ms. Tang, get in the carriage quickly, we are leaving."
Lu Qingtang said goodbye to the farmer's sister-in-law, brother, and two cute children, and then got on the carriage.
Outside the carriage, Yu Bai didn't like Wen Zhan, and he felt even more uncomfortable riding in the same carriage with him.
After leaving the village, the carriage walked forward along the mountain road, and soon entered the mountains. As long as you walked out of this path and walked a little further, you would reach the suburbs of Fangcheng County.
It's not a big deal that the mountain road is rugged, but it's surrounded by mountains on both sides and towering trees on both sides, making the road look eerie even in the daytime.
Lu Qingtang couldn't help but lift the curtain and look outside. She always felt that something was wrong.
So, she said to Wen Zhan and Yu Bai, "Do you two think there's something weird?"
Yu Bai looked at her in confusion, frowned and said, "Madam, what's so weird, why didn't I notice it?"
Wen Zhan frowned and immediately became alert, "That's right, Mrs. Tang, I always feel like it's a little too quiet here."
