"Brother Yu, Brother Fang, what do you think?"
Zhang Modong said with a smile, as if he was sure that the two of them would lend it, but he didn't expect that he had already borrowed the money, but the two people in front of him still didn't let go.
"No, no."
Fang Xi even said bluntly: "Brother Zhang, this is obviously a scam. I don't believe it at all, and we can't watch you being deceived. I won't lend you this money. I advise you not to be deceived either." .”
"There's too much wine, too many dishes, and it's late at night. Let's call it a night." Fang Xi stood up and pulled Yu Lu.
Yu Lu nodded apologetically at Zhang Modong, and went straight downstairs with Fang Xi.
"Hey! You guys..." Zhang Modong stretched out his hand to stop him, but failed to stop him. He could only watch the two of them go down, and his expression changed.
Yu Lu and Fang Xi, who came downstairs, also looked unhappy. When they left the restaurant, they immediately called for the oxcart. They were celebrating the New Year now and could not pay it back elsewhere. Where there were so many people, there must be oxcarts transporting drunken people. .
Sure enough, with a wave of his hand, a coachman came up to help him get into the car, smiling: "Two gentlemen, the wind is cold, come up quickly, where are you going?"
The two got in the car and sat down. Yu Lu was startled for a moment and said, "Go to... the east side of Mao'er Lane in Nanluo Hutong."
I originally wanted to go to Wanglufang Taisun's Mansion, but suddenly I remembered Taisun's advice and chose to go home.
"Take a seat, you two." The driver shouted, and the ox cart started to move. It was snowing and raining in the middle of winter, and most of all, every household had returned home to celebrate the New Year. They hung up red paper lanterns. There were almost no pedestrians in the streets and alleys. Soldiers stood at important street entrances, occasionally checking the passers-by.
Fang Xi looked outside and whispered: "Tell me, is it..."
"Shh, don't say it outside." Yu Lu made a gesture, leaned on the cushion and closed his eyes to rest, just thinking.
"Zhang Modong is actually not familiar with us, but he is looking for us every day, which makes him very suspicious."
"What does it mean to be an unparalleled scholar? Could it be..." Yu Lu didn't dare to think about it anymore. The hotel was actually not far from home, and soon the oxcart arrived.
There is a hotel near my home. I can see that the originally busy store is much deserted. Only half of the door is open. A few poor people who can't afford the banquet are eating and drinking in the store, and they are all drunk.
Yu Lu glanced at it and saw no strangers. He went back and wrote a note and put it in the window. If others saw it, they would think it was normal. Then he did not go into the room to rest immediately. He greeted the servants who came out: "It's Chinese New Year, you guys." There’s no need to greet me, I’ll give you a holiday.”
Then he said to the shop owner at the door of the hotel: "Boss, we drank outside. Please boil some hot water for us and bring us some fruits and peanuts so that we can keep vigil during the New Year..."
This is very common. Although Yu Lu and Fang Xi have their own houses, they still use hotels for many services, which is more convenient.
The shop owner didn't seem suspicious at all, he smiled and said, "You hear me, guys, hurry up and boil some water, bring towels, and prepare some snacks."
After a while of greetings, the waiter quickly came in with hot water and a hot towel. Yu Lu soaked his feet in the basin and wiped his face with the hot towel. Suddenly he felt something moving, so he couldn't bear to look at it and asked casually: " What happened in your store?"
The waiter added another pot of hot water and smiled: "It's nothing, it's just Mr. Xing Ye, who comes from a poor family, has a cold, and is ill!"
"The boss said that he would be treated by a doctor and that the fees and accommodation would be waived for the time being. He said that he would take a test in Beijing soon. He might be a literary star. Even if he is not, it would still be a good thing."
After hearing this, Yu Lu nodded, remained silent for a while, and said, "You are also doing business, so let's do this. You will be exempted from accommodation. I will pay for the medical expenses, so I also want to accumulate some virtue."
"Oh, my master is really kind-hearted. He looks like he can go to high school." The guy said quickly, smiling and narrowing his eyes.
"Also, for example, my friend Zhang is having dinner with me."
This friend refers to the people who call each other after winning the imperial examination. If they are scholars, they can only call them little friends.
"He didn't have anything to do. There were just a few people who came to him and talked with him for a long time."
Yu Lu's heart moved and he described the fortune teller and said, "Is there him?"
"It seems that he is, he seems to be an adult."
"Sir?" Yu Lu's heart trembled, but he asked casually.
At this time, after washing his feet, the waiter took a basin and poured water on it, and casually replied: "Yes, I heard Mr. Zhang call you "Sir", I must be an official."
Yu Lu stopped talking and took out a piece of broken silver, about one tael or more: "I want you to serve me during the Chinese New Year, so I'll reward you."
"Oh, thank you, Master, thank you, Master." The clerk's eyes narrowed with joy, and he left with a thousand thanks. As the door closed, the whole yard suddenly became silent.
"Brother Yu, the note is gone." As soon as the others left, Fang Xi went to look and whispered.
"Well, let's stay up late!" Yu Lu said solemnly, and the two of them sat down, lit a charcoal fire in the basin, lit two candles, and discussed the meaning of the scriptures with each other over melon seeds and peanuts. They seemed very comfortable.
But there was something on my mind. As time went by, I gradually became tired and found it increasingly difficult to relax. The sound of firecrackers outside the window aroused my mood.
"After all, has the note been sent to Taisun's house? Doesn't the movement just now seem to be a person or an animal?"
Waiting impatiently, Yu Lu took two sips of tea and suddenly became interested in reading, so he recited: "I have examined myself three times in a day. Have I been unfaithful in my plans? Have I not trusted my friends? Have I not learned to pass them on?"
When I was about to chant, I heard someone at the window continue to chant: "A country of thousands of chariots, respecting things and trusting, being frugal and loving others, so that the people can take advantage of the time."
"Who?" Yu Lu was shocked. He looked around, but saw no one. He was surprised to hear a noise, and a man in black suddenly stood in front of him!
Yu Lu calmed down in an instant and looked at it carefully, but the more he looked at it, the more familiar he became. Fang Xi even said directly: "Brother Su... no, Your Highness?"
"It's me!" The man in black took off his mask, it was Su Ziji.
"Why did Your Highness come to kiss you? You are still dressed like this. Don't you know that the white dragon fish suit is trapped by the fisherman?" Yu Lu suddenly became anxious.
"During the Chinese New Year, it's not easy to send people, so I had to borrow too much wine to rest, so I came along the secret passage." Su Ziji said with a smile: "I'm never like this. We've known each other for many years, don't you know? ?”
"Tell me, what's the specific situation?"
Yu Lu still wanted to persuade, but he also knew that Taisun came secretly and would not have much time, so he calmed down for a while and explained the situation one by one.
"...Your Highness, that's what happened. There were a few words written on the fan. At that time, I felt that something big was going to happen, so I didn't dare to stay long, so I immediately came out with Fang Xi."
"There is also the fortune teller, but he is called a master. I'm afraid it's not simple inside."
Yu Lu's words caused Su Ziji, who still had a relaxed smile, to change his expression. He frowned and thought about it under the lamp. After a moment, he relaxed his eyebrows and said to Yu Lu: "I understand, what do you guys think about this matter?" You're right, you don't have to deal with Zhang Modong anymore, just close your doors and just study in your residence."
"Leave the rest to me." Su Ziji said calmly, and immediately left, his body swayed, and he disappeared out of the door.
Seeing Su Ziji disappear, Yu Lu and Fang Xi looked at each other for a long time before sitting down again with ugly expressions.
"As expected, is this a test question, or is it possible that we are using it to frame your grandson?"
"The water in this capital is really bottomless!"
