At this time, in Shi's home, Shen Dingzhu was pasting couplets, and Xu Huaisong was standing beside her.
"When this happened, you should have told me earlier. I will give the money to Mr. Shi first as a delaying measure to bring his daughter back and then talk about reporting to the official." Xu Huaisong said calmly, stretched out his hand to help Shen Dingzhu remove Hengbiao. Correct.
Shen Dingzhu wanted to report to the official yesterday, but she didn't expect Xu Huaisong to come back.
When he learned about this, he first suggested giving money. Of course he had the money, and he also wanted to ensure the safety of Mr. Shi's daughter. After he brought the person back, it would not be too late to report it to the official.
Shen Dingzhu agreed to his proposal and did not rush to the government.
For this reason, Mr. Shi asked A Liang to buy wine. He must thank Xu Huaisong for his kindness today.
Shen Dingzhu is wearing a purple auspicious cloud treasured coat, and a pair of bright moon earrings in her ears are a bit rough in workmanship, but they can't conceal the charm of her beauty.
She raised her head and looked at the two festive red lanterns under the door, illuminating the couplets.
"Have you finished your business, Mr. Xu?" Shen Dingzhu and Xu Huaisong went to the yard together and asked casually.
Xu Huaisong paused, and Kurosawa said calmly in his narrow eyes: "Yeah. It's a bit tricky, but we'll leave it to the next year. New Year's Eve is more important."
Mr. Shi and A Liang had already placed the round table in the yard, with two or three charcoal pots for the fire surrounding it.
"Let's eat hot pot and drink fine wine. When the time comes, we can still see the fireworks all over the city. It's very beautiful." He greeted Xu Huaisong and Shen Dingzhu, who sat on either side of him.
It's New Year. Shen Dingzhu took out two auspicious red envelopes from his arms and handed them to Mr. Shi and Xu Huaisong respectively.
"Even me?" Xu Huaisong raised his eyebrows, a little surprised.
Shen Dingzhu's smile was clear and her dark eyebrows were watery, reflecting the radiance and warmth of the whole courtyard.
"Of course, open it and take a look."
Mr. Shi looked at it with a smile. Inside the red envelope, there was an auspicious knot with the words: Peace.
Xu Huaisong's knot is also an auspicious knot, but it says: wealth.
He was stunned for a moment. He bought this from the local Baima Temple a few days ago when he asked Shen Dingzhu to accompany him to meet wealthy businessmen.
"Okay, okay, auspicious knot, I like it, Azhu, you are really thoughtful!" Mr. Shi put it on immediately, with a smile on his face, and even his white beard was slightly raised.
Xu Huaisong squeezed the auspicious knot tightly, his narrow eyes were slightly drooped, the color was warm, and after a long time, he said: "Thank you, I like it too."
Shen Dingzhu poured himself some plums that had been soaked in snow water and warmed in advance, so they were still warm.
She raised her glass and said with a smile: "Celebrate a new year that is not complete. I wish Uncle Ren good health and a long life, and Mr. Xu be as rich as the clouds and have good fortune."
Mr. Shi raised his glass happily: "Okay!"
After Ah Liang brought the prepared meals, including large fish and meat, he was also pulled to sit down together.
Several people raised their glasses, shouting out the white mist in the cold night, and laughing beyond the wall.
Mr. Shi also took out a few red envelopes and handed them to the three of them respectively, including A Liang.
Shen Dingzhu opened it and saw that it was nearly forty taels of broken silver.
"Uncle Ren, is this lucky money?"
"yes!"
Shen Dingzhu didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "We are already so old, it's time for us to give out lucky money to others."
Mr. Shi immediately waved his hand: "You are all children in my eyes."
After that, he covered his mouth with his hands and quietly told Shen Dingzhu: "I give you the most, because one part is reserved for this in your belly."
Shen Dingzhu's eyes warmed slightly: "Thank you, Uncle Ren."
Mr. Shi laughed heartily: "You're being polite to me again, you kid. Come on, come on. I wish us all the best in the new year!"
Several people smiled and talked, but Xu Huaisong stopped talking and drank one glass after another in silence.
Seeing this, Mr. Shi quickly expressed concern: "What's wrong, Master Xu? Today is New Year's Eve, so we can't be gloomy."
Xu Huaisong smiled lightly when he heard this, put down the wine cup, and looked at Shen Dingzhu opposite with his narrow eyes, dark eyes.
There was a warm halo behind the beauty, and the gentle night breeze carried the heat in the copper basin and hit her cheeks, turning her face pink, like natural rouge.
Mr. Shi touched Shen Dingzhu under the table, and the beauty realized that Xu Huaisong was looking at her, so she swallowed the lotus seeds and lotus roots in her mouth.
"What's wrong?" Her red lips were moistened, her beautiful eyes were shining, and she showed a natural coquettishness.
Xu Huaisong pursed his thin lips and finally said: "After the third year of junior high school, I will prepare to return to Beiliang."
Shen Dingzhu was surprised: "So fast?"
Mr. Shi also said: "Yes! Why are you in such a hurry? It's not the first lunar month yet, and it's difficult to sail on the glaciers. Didn't Xu Dadong say that he planned to stay until after the Lantern Festival?"
Xu Huaisong looked at Shen Dingzhu speechlessly with narrow eyes, and had many things to say but stopped.
He knew who set the fire in the warehouse, and he also knew why Xiao Langyan did what he did.
This is the warning of Emperor Jin.
He still cares about Shen Dingzhu, no matter what the reason is for them to separate.
But Xu Huaisong knew that if he stayed any longer, worse things would happen.
But he couldn't help it, and looked into Shen Dingzhu's eyes and asked, "Do you want to come with me?"
Shen Dingzhu opened her red lips, was stunned for a moment, and then shook her head: "No."
Mr. Shi tried to smooth things over: "Master Xu, this is because you are inconsiderate. Our A-Zhu is seven months pregnant. It's definitely not okay for you to let her bump along with you."
Xu Huaisong had already considered it.
"I brought four merchant ships. The cabins are comfortable and warm, just like on land. They are accompanied by nearly thirty servants. Mr. Shi, you believe me, with me here, I will not let her suffer, at least it will be better than now. better."
Mr. Shi held the wine glass and glanced at Shen Dingzhu. The little old man lost his smile and drank a glass of wine in silence.
Xu Huaisong looked at Shen Dingzhu again, his tone serious.
"What I told you before is still valid. I will take care of your child as my own flesh and blood. If you are worried about Uncle Ren, I will leave a large amount of silver for him and buy ten more servants for him. He provides for his retirement.”
Mr. Shi waved his hands hurriedly: "Don't worry about me about the two of you, Azhu, you have to think about it yourself."
Shen Dingzhu put down her chopsticks. Her beautiful eyes were dark and now the light from the lantern shone in them, making them look like pearls.
"Master Xu, I really can't leave, and I won't agree to it. I'm sorry."
"Are you doing it for him?" Xu Huaisong asked this question almost without thinking.
They both knew who this "he" was referring to.
Shen Dingzhu's eyes dimmed for a moment: "Yes."
Xu Huaisong really didn't understand what happened to the two of them, so that Shen Dingzhu appeared alone in Chengzhou, but Xiao Langyan did not appear in person.
A long silence, accompanied by the sound of someone setting off firecrackers not far away, filled the space between the few people.
Xu Huaisong sighed, as if he had expected this.
It was because he didn't give up and wanted to ask again.
Since she still doesn't want to, that's it.
He took out four deeds and a jade medal from his arms and pushed them in the direction of Shen Dingzhu.
"I have opened several good stores in Chengzhou in the past few days. I have also hired accounting clerks and prepared calligraphy, painting, jade, and some antique toys. I am just waiting for an auspicious day to open after the first month. This is the jade seal of the owner. You Take it, and the business of these shops will belong to you from now on."
Shen Dingzhu was surprised, and his beautiful eyes flickered to Kurosawa: "Aren't you planning to expand your business to the Jin Dynasty? Why... why did you give it to me?"
Xu Huaisong smiled: "I'm afraid some people will be unhappy if I do business here. It's conceivable that it may not go smoothly, so I'll leave it to you."
His gaze dropped down, falling on Shen Dingzhu's belly hidden under her loose robe.
"No matter what the reason is for you to leave him, you must have the ability to support yourself and your children. I hope you can live a better life, so I simply leave him to you. It happens to be your strength, so don't refuse."
How could Shen Dingzhu not refuse? She returned it.
"I can't accept it, Mr. Xu, you have done enough for me."
"Take it," Xu Huaisong's voice was light but his attitude was firm, "Just treat me as the big boss and you as my shopkeeper. You can still work for me as before, but we are separated from each other. You write to me once a year. Letter, just give a brief report."
A Liang was busy cooking next to him, but even he was so surprised when he heard this that he almost dropped his chopsticks.
He opened his mouth wide and couldn't help but look at Mr. Shi. This is
This big boss Xu has given Ah Zhu too many benefits!
It gave her the confidence and capital to settle down in an instant.
Mr. Shi kicked A Liang under the table, and A Liang continued to lower his head and cook silently.
This is not something he should worry about.
Shen Dingzhu couldn't have it, so when Xu Huaisong saw this, he put it away first.
When he is about to leave, find another opportunity to put it in the Shi family.
Fireworks and firecrackers began to set off in the city, and the crackling sounds were accompanied by the dazzling sky.
Shen Dingzhu took out a simple pipa.
Xu Huaisong glanced at it and saw that the pipa was quite old.
"I repaired the strings of the piano for a distinguished guest, but she didn't want it anymore because she said she was going to get married, but this piano was given to her by her sweetheart, a scholar, but the person she was going to marry was Not this scholar."
"She asked me to find a good owner for this piano. I was just afraid that she would regret buying it back one day, so she kept it. I also learned a simple tune for this purpose. I will play it to you today and treat it as Mr. Xu. Farewell."
Mr. Shi quickly cheered: "Good! Ah Zhu always plays by herself behind closed doors. I say she plays better than many piano players."
Shen Dingzhu was sitting on the chair, with the pipa on her legs and her white hands holding the strings up and down.
When the tone comes together, the ancient and distant feeling comes.
The song changes from slow to fast, and then from hasty to slow, like a heavy rain falling all over the world, and finally it turns into a faint desolation.
At this moment, all the intrusions of the world disappeared. Listening to the tune, Mr. Shi seemed to see two lovers separated due to a trick of fate.
He sighed.
Halfway through the song, Shen Dingzhu stopped playing the strings.
Xu Huaisong opened his narrow eyes: "Why don't you continue?"
Shen Dingzhu smiled: "I didn't learn it in the second half."
One sentence instantly brought the frozen atmosphere back to liveliness.
Mr. Shi and A Liang laughed loudly: "I have to practice more, I played really well!"
Shen Dingzhu smiled and said nothing.
Xu Huaisong glanced at her lightly.
It's not like she hasn't learned the fingering technique so skillfully, but just by listening to the name of "Si Bai Tou", she didn't learn it for him, so they could only listen to half of it.
Shen Dingzhu put the cloth back on the pipa. At this time, there was a banging on the door from the outer courtyard.
A Liang stood up immediately: "I'll open the door and have a look."
As soon as he walked to the door, before he could touch the door bolt, the entire door was kicked open from the outside and fell apart!
A Liang was pressed under the door panel and screamed in pain.
Hearing such a violent movement, several people in the yard were startled.
A cluster of fireworks ignited not far away, rose into the sky and exploded.
In the bright sky, Shen Dingzhu's breathing seemed to have paused, and she opened her beautiful eyes wide.
Looking helplessly, there were three thousand elite soldiers outside the door, and it was completely dark.
A black boot with an auspicious pattern stepped into the door, stepping on debris on the ground.
Xiao Langyan's thin eyes were as dark as the sea, and when such gorgeous fireworks light fell into his eyes, there was only a fierce coolness.
Time seemed to be frozen. Across the noise, cold night and firelight, the two of them met each other's eyes for a moment and looked at each other.
Shen Dingzhu's eyes were slightly wrong, and she subconsciously looked at Xiao Langyan's legs.
Xiao Langyan saw this subtle expression, his pupils tightened, and a surge of anger arose in his heart.
