Han Changmu snorted and spit out a mouthful of tea, which splashed everywhere. He kept coughing with an embarrassed look on his face, choking to the point where he couldn't speak a complete sentence.
However, Yao Yao refused to give up and continued to joke and chuckle: "Sir, speaking of it, your status and family background are nothing, so accepting a beauty is nothing. Don't be embarrassed."
Han Changmu calmed down for a moment, his face darkened, and he said seriously: "Yao Canjun, have you finished all your errands? I have given you such a good look recently that you dare to be appointed as a superior."
Yao Yao choked, knowing that Han Changmu was embarrassed, so he continued to smile but stopped talking.
She kept laughing, which made Han Changmu's heart tremble.
He gritted his teeth and secretly resented it. Looking at Yao Yao's bold look, it seemed that she was no longer afraid of him. This was not good. Sooner or later, he would have to deal with this stinky girl and let her know how to write the word "fear".
While chatting and laughing, the shop owner climbed to the top of the tall wooden ladder and hung various large and small colorful lanterns on the ropes tied above the yard.
There was still some light sunshine in the sky, but it was not completely dark.
The unlit colorful lanterns swayed in the evening wind, as if the brilliant afterglow falling from the sky.
Yao Yao looked at the lanterns and smiled: "Master, what are you doing hanging lanterns out of season?"
The shop owner stood at the top of the tall wooden ladder and was hanging the largest peony-shaped lantern in the middle of the yard. He turned around and laughed loudly: "Tomorrow is the Double Ninth Festival. Hang some lanterns to make it lively."
Yao Yao said with a surprised smile: "Shouldn't the Double Ninth Festival be about climbing high and overlooking the distance? It is only during the Lantern Festival that lanterns are hung."
The shop owner chuckled and said, "Your guests don't know that in our place and at this time of year, the mountains are cold and bare and not much to see. It might even snow on the top of the mountain, so every household in our house also hangs lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival. We also hang lanterns during the Double Ninth Festival, we also hang up lanterns on New Year’s Eve, and we have to hang up lanterns even more during the Lantern Festival to create a lively and festive atmosphere.”
Yao Yao said with a smile.
Hanging up lanterns during festivals, isn't this the same pattern as those merchants in her previous life who held shopping festivals during festivals, and even Singles' Day became a shopping festival?
It’s all for fun and joy. It’s a festival. If you don’t spend some money, it will be uncomfortable to have your hands idle.
Yao Yao walked to the yard and raised her head to look at the lanterns. The sunlight penetrated the thin lanterns and fell colorfully on her face. Her expression was a bit confused.
There is also a lantern festival every year during the Lantern Festival in Chang'an City, which is much more beautiful than these.
But she had never had the chance to take a closer look. No matter how gorgeous it was, it was in vain. It was not as practical as enjoying the lanterns quietly now.
"When it gets dark and these lanterns are lit, they will look better." Han Changmu walked behind Yao Yao at some point and looked up at the lanterns.
Jiannan Road also has a lantern festival every year, which is also particularly grand and spectacular.
But he doesn't like being crowded in a sea of people, and he doesn't like the long-term desolation after the extreme excitement.
Yao Yao was startled by the cold and clear voice and turned around in a hurry. She was considered tall among the girls, but she only just reached Han Changmu's shoulders.
She raised her head, and when she saw Han Changmu's cold face, she panicked and said with a stuttering smile: "My lord, my lord, why are you so mysterious and invisible? You scared me."
Han Changmu said calmly, "You were distracted."
Yao Yao curled his lips and felt cold all over, so he went upstairs to see what Meng Huimao had done.
During the evening meal, Han Changmu Zhuangruo accidentally arranged for Meng Hui and Yao Yao to live in the same room.
Even if Meng Hui didn't dare to escape easily, he had to guard against it.
Meng Hui was stunned for a moment, then she bowed and said yes.
Yao Yao ate without even raising her head. This was her duty, and there was nothing to be surprised or reject.
At this time of year, it gets dark very early. Yao Yao wanted to talk to Meng Hui a few more words and explain her situation. However, Meng Hui handed Yao Yao a note out of desperation, but she refused. I have become a dull gourd. If I can answer one of ten questions, it is good.
Yao Yao said nothing more, extinguished the candle and let Meng Hui sleep on the kang. She lay outside, and when she raised her head, she saw the dark sky.
The moonlight is very good tonight. The moonlight is not covered with dust, and glows with a faint cold white light. It is soaked in the small dilapidated Hu shop, and the bricks and tiles are like being dyed with the cold autumn frost.
After running around for so many days, he finally cleared away the clouds and saw some clues. Yao Yao relaxed and soon fell asleep.
Just after midnight, the watchman walked slowly through the streets.
The clouds scattered on the deep sky suddenly condensed quickly, covering the moonlight and stars.
There was a slight sound of wind rushing through the empty yard. Han Changmu suddenly woke up and looked up out of the window.
There was no one in the quiet courtyard, and there was no wind. The lanterns hanging high in the courtyard were colorless and motionless.
Where did that sharp gust of wind come from?
Han Changmu sat up immediately and saw bright cremation points suddenly rising not far away and exploding in the night sky.
He was startled and hurriedly opened the door and went out. When he heard the sound of the door next door, Yao Yao came out fully clothed and looked at the place where the sparks burst out.
Gu Chen and others came out one after another, and saw fires breaking out in the four directions, east, west, north and south. In an instant, the flames shot into the sky, just surrounding the Hu shop where they were staying.
Han Changmu's heart sank. This strange fire was clearly aimed at their group.
He said in a deep voice: "Take your things and let's go."
Meng Hui was still putting on her clothes when she heard the fire started. She was so panicked that she didn't even bother to put on her shoes and ran out barefoot.
The wind suddenly picked up in the dark night, causing the lanterns above the courtyard to rattle.
The fire burned extremely fiercely due to the wind, and thick smoke filled the entire yard, which was very choking.
But the strange thing is that burned-out buildings collapsed in the four directions, east, west, north and south. Some people screamed after being knocked down, but the Hu shop they were in was the only one that did not start a fire.
On the contrary, the strong wind carried thick smoke, which filled the second floor and confused people's eyes.
As the smoke moved higher, Han Changmu and his group had to get down to the first floor as soon as possible and find an exit, lest they be killed by the smoke instead of being burned to death by the fire.
Han Changmu ordered in a calm voice: "Meng Suige, Chen Gui, go to the front door, Wang Xian, go to the back door."
These people thought it was too troublesome to walk up the stairs, so they all jumped down from the railing.
Yao Yao looked at Meng Hui, who was trembling with fear, and sighed.
These are unethical.
She reached out and pinched Meng Hui's slender waist, jumped up, and landed lightly from the corridor into the courtyard.
Meng Hui turned pale in fright, and then turned even paler when she saw the fire all around.
After Meng Sui found out what was going on outside, a few people retreated and bowed one after another: "There are fires outside, front, back, left and right, all the neighboring buildings are on fire, and we are trapped inside by the fire. "
Han Changmu looked up. The billowing black smoke was like a giant dragon, rolling wildly in the air, covering the clouds and the moon.
The raging flames surrounded the courtyard, and the square sky was illuminated extremely brightly.
Han Changmu's peaceful face was dimly illuminated by the firelight. He recalled the terrain outside the back door and the front door. He knew very well that the fire was just a move. It would be best if he could burn them to death. If not, outside the door He must have ambushed someone, just waiting for them to emerge from the fire.
So, you have to carefully consider whether to rush out through the front door or the back door.
He said solemnly: "Let's go through the back door. The back door is an open space. There is no place to hide the crossbowman."
Meng Suige and Wang Xian were busy distributing the soaked strips of cloth to several people.
Several people covered their faces with wet cloths. Yao Yao held Meng Hui's wrist tightly with one hand and rushed towards the back door.
Tongues of flames burned along the outer wall. The entire wall was too hot to touch, and thick smoke billowed over the face and body.
Several people bent down, unable to open their eyes due to the smoke. They could only close their eyes slightly and groped forward relying on their senses.
Just after walking a few steps, there was a soft rustling sound ahead.
Several people stopped in a hurry, only to see several crossbow arrows falling in front of them, piercing deeply into the ground.
Under the dark night, there were countless crossbowmen hiding on the roof ridges, on the walls and on the treetops not far away, but the crossbows in their hands were all aimed at the yard.
Yao Yao took a step back and stood back to back with Han Changmu, muttering in a low voice: "Sir, didn't you say that this thing was just made by the weapons inspector? Why are it all over the streets?"
Han Changmu's face darkened. How did he know that the weapons supervisor was covering it up like a family heirloom?
Gu Chen cursed in a low voice: "Ah Yao, what time has it been? Maybe someone will wear the candied haws. You still have time to think about these things."
Several people stood back-to-back, forming a mutual reliance on each other, looking warily at the dark roof walls.
After a brief moment of dead silence, another hail of arrows fell.
Instead of shooting at Han Changmu and the others, it shot towards the lanterns hanging in the courtyard.
"Puff puff puff" came several soft sounds, and countless lanterns burned instantly, and the ropes tied to the yard seemed to have been soaked in oil, and the flames were rolling, burning all over the ground.
The rope wouldn't last long before it turned into a net of fire and fell towards the people in the courtyard.
At that time, no matter how great your abilities are, you will still be burned by the flames.
Meng Hui held Yao Yao's hand tightly, trembling slightly uncontrollably. Her palms were covered with sweat, but her fingertips were frighteningly cold.
Han Changmu narrowed his eyes and looked at the corner of the front door.
The corner of the wall was narrow and steep. In order to prevent theft, the owner deliberately put many sharp and sharp gravels on it, which made it difficult for people to stay.
But outside the door, there will be someone waiting.
He lowered his voice and gave instructions quickly: "Gu Chen, Wang Xian, you two take care of the crossbowmen on both sides. Meng Sui is separated from Chen Gui, and you two take care of the crossbowmen at the back. Ah Yao, you protect Meng Hui." He paused and looked at the wall covered with sharp gravels directly in front of him. His voice was low and steady, without any confusion: "I will go out from there and deal with the ambush outside. You follow my signal."
