The gossamer in the sunny summer day affects thousands of thoughts of Qi Lan, who is fishing in the city at the moment. Qi Lan's thoughts seem to be floating in the air at the moment. Qi Lan faces the setting sun slanting in the west and the floating light. On the golden river surface, he suddenly and inexplicably recalled what happened in the past. What happened in the past appeared in Qi Lan's mind like pieces of falling red, drifting very far away with the summer wind.
The low-hanging willow trees in early summer cover the ancient moat bank in deep shade.
The ancient moat bank still seemed to be the same as Qi Lan remembered it. Qi Lan was instantly moved by the scene. The memory machine in his mind kept rewinding, and finally stopped at Qi Lan's birthday when he was seven years old...
Qi Lan vaguely remembers his birthday when he was seven years old. The colorful flags of the Shouguang Prince's Mansion were waving, the dance pavilion and singing stage with carved beams and beams were filled with cool smoke, and the summer breeze was blowing warmly on the artificially connected river bridge.
The summer scenery is so beautiful, but Qi Lan, who lost his wet nurse, has not stepped out of the house for three months, and everyone seems to have forgotten Qi Lan's existence in a tacit understanding.
However, today is Qi Lan's birthday, and Qi Lan, who is still a child, still hopes that someone can celebrate his birthday.
With such expectation, Qi Lan waited from early morning to noon. At noon, Qi Lan's mother suddenly sent someone to summon Qi Lan. Qi Lan felt a little happy in his heart. He rummaged through the box and found out his favorite one. A set of clothes, he happily ran to his mother.
Qi Lan's mother, Yu, was of ordinary origin, but she was a beauty, as beautiful as her name, Poppy.
Even though Qi Lan's mother, Yu, has given birth to three children in succession, she is still extremely beautiful.
When Qi Lan walked into Yu's house under the guidance of her servants, Yu's beautiful eyes were looking with affection, looking at her younger brother Qi Lin with tenderness and harmony.
Qilin was young and would fight with Yu from time to time, but Yu always had a smile on his face and let Qilin do whatever he wanted.
That kind of warm and happy scene made Qi Lan still unable to forget it even though he grew up to be an adult in the future.
Mrs. Yu's thoughts were all focused on her youngest son, and she didn't even notice that Qi Lan had walked in under the leadership of her servants.
It wasn't until the servants around Yu Shi couldn't stand it anymore and reminded Yu Shi that Yu Shi realized Qi Lan's arrival.
The moment Mrs. Yu looked at Qi Lan, she took away her motherly eyes and smile, and replaced them with eyes that were very decent but lacked some warmth and alienation and a faint smile.
"Lan'er is here. He doesn't make a sound when he comes...I don't know who he learned this from...that's all...sit down..."
After saying that, Mrs. Yu pointed to a seat at random and asked Qi Lan to sit there.
"Come here, go get the things."
After Mrs. Yu watched Qi Lan sit down, she continued to tease Qi Lin with the rattle while giving instructions to her servants.
Under Qi Lan's eyes full of curiosity and expectation, the servants came out with a set of clothes on a wooden tray.
Qi Lan was immediately overflowing with joy. He cautiously wanted to reach out and touch the bright red clothes, but he took his hand back as if it was damaged.
"Today is your uncle's birthday. Your aunt specially organized a birthday party for your uncle. After all, your aunt and your father are the same family, so your father will naturally want to congratulate you..."
"Originally, I wanted your eldest brother to accompany your father to the birthday banquet... But it's a pity. Unfortunately, today, your eldest brother was temporarily called by his master to practice martial arts, and your mother, I have to take care of you at home. Brother, your brother is young, and it is inevitable that some of the people under his command will not do their best."
"So, it's up to you to go to this birthday party. This dress was originally prepared for your eldest brother... But since you are the one going there now, according to your eldest brother's wishes, this dress will be given to you... Although you are older than your eldest brother I'm a few years younger, but the house provides good food and drink, so I guess the difference in body shape won't be too big..."
"Just take these clothes and wear them. You have to thank us parents and brothers for our care for you. We are afraid that you will lose face when you go out, so we specially prepared a new suit for you... You must know how to be grateful as a human being. ...We can no longer let those servants fool our eyes."
When Mrs. Yu said this, she took a look at Qi Lan's reaction. Seeing that Qi Lan did not admit her mistake immediately and thanked her and his elder brother for the gift of clothes, she felt even more sorry for the son who had caused her difficulty in giving birth. dissatisfied.
Qi Lan naturally didn't know that his mother was so dissatisfied with him at this moment.
Qi Lan stared at the colorful dress in front of him for a long time, then picked it up with complicated thoughts and carefully looked at the size...
I suddenly couldn't help but feel sad...
My eldest brother is a martial arts practitioner, and his figure is stronger and taller than others. However, he has been weak since he was a child, so he has not practiced martial arts. In addition... the servants in the house are looking at the dishes and the recent wet nurse. His death made him even more exhausted physically and mentally...
Therefore... the same piece of clothing that my mother Yu said was similar... now... is much different... If Qi Lan really puts it on like this... I don't know... but it will make trouble. There is a joke about a child wearing an older child's clothes...
"Mother...this dress is too big..." Qi Lan finally said cautiously.
After hearing this, Mr. Yu glanced at Qi Lan very impatiently, then glanced at the clothes casually, and then said:
"There's nothing we can do about it... Mother, how did I know you were wearing such small clothes... It's all because of your naughty nature... The new clothes made for you every quarter by the house wear out so quickly... …I wear such plain clothes all day long…No wonder I don’t even have decent clothes for going out to meet guests…”
Qi Lan pursed his lips and did not dare to refute anything, but he still defended himself in his heart: [He is actually not naughty, he is just young. Although he is thin, he grows very quickly. In addition, when the family usually distributes new materials, he is always the last one in line... so the clothes are just a little plainer...]
But if Qi Lan didn't say anything about this, the Yu family would naturally not know about it. Even if Qi Lan told the Yu family, the Yu family would still have thousands of words waiting for him... Just like in the past, Qi Lan took the initiative to complain to the Yu family and said that his subordinates It was the same as the people who stole the medicinal materials he used to repel mosquitoes... and ignored him, just passed it off, and even asked him to be more frugal...
"Don't stay here, your father will be back soon... Go and put on your clothes. If the clothes are too big, tie them with a belt... Where can I find time for you at this time? new clothes……"
After saying that, Mrs. Yu asked someone to take Qi Lan to change into this nondescript piece of clothing. Fortunately, Ms. Yu had one or two little girls who were good at embroidery. They temporarily sewed more in some secret places. After a few stitches, the clothes were always shortened, and with the help of the belt, they looked the same...
Therefore, when Qi Lan's father waited in front of the house for Qi Lan, who had accompanied him to the birthday banquet, and saw the clothes on Qi Lan's body, he only frowned slightly... without saying anything more, he brought I took Qi Lan to the birthday party...
——
(I am your super cute dividing line~)
Shangqi is not celebrating his birthday this year. In addition, the emperor has recently issued an edict to promote frugality. Therefore, although the merchant is very prominent, this year's birthday banquet is not grand. However, it is hosted by the Princess of Nankang. After getting the master, he hung colorful silks and lanterns around the business, invited a small theatrical troupe, opened a few jars of fine wine, set up a few banquet tables, and invited some close people to come to the birthday banquet. , have a meal together.
After Qi Lan's father arrived at the merchant with Qi Lan, he went straight to the main hall under the leadership of his attendants.
In the main hall, Princess Nankang and Shang Qi and his wife were wearing colorful clothes together, standing at the door of the main hall, receiving all the guests with smiles on their faces.
Princess Nankang was very happy when she saw her biological eldest brother arriving, and then she personally greeted him and said with a smile:
"Brother, you're finally here. You really asked me to wait. I almost thought you wouldn't come."
"I just love to joke. Today is the birthday of your husband, my brother-in-law. As the eldest brother, I naturally have to come."
"It seems that brother, you still have my sister in your heart. How about...but you brought a generous gift~"
"Hahaha~ It's natural. Not only did you bring me this gift, but my father also told me early that he asked me to bring you the gifts he prepared."
"Oh~ It seems that my family still loves me very much~ Then hurry up and sit inside~"
With that said, Princess Nankang was about to ask her eldest brother to go inside. At this moment, Princess Nankang looked at Qi Lan and suddenly said:
"Hey~ Brother, didn't you tell me before that you were going to bring your eldest nephew? Why, suddenly it was Lan'er who came..."
"Oh...I almost forgot to tell you that your eldest nephew was suddenly arrested by his master today and can't come...and your sister-in-law has to take care of your younger nephew at home, so she can't come either. So, you and I My sister-in-law just discussed it and brought your second nephew here."
Princess Nankang suddenly understood and nodded and said:
"I see... That's a good relationship. I haven't seen my second nephew for a long time... He's really good-looking."
After saying that, Princess Nankang bent down and touched Qi Lan's thin face, and then frowned slightly.
"I haven't seen you for many days. Why does my nephew feel a little thinner..."
"His mother said that this child has a bad temper. He recently had a temper tantrum with his mother who beat his wet nurse to death... He refuses to eat well. What can we parents do..."
The princess of Nankang looked at her distressed look, then looked at her nephew's cute and innocent face, then thought about her sister-in-law's temper, and then said:
"What can a child understand... The nanny who nursed him since childhood was beaten to death by you like this. If it were me, I would feel uncomfortable..."
"But, Lan'er... If you are angry, you can be angry, but you can't skip eating... If you don't eat, it will be your own body that suffers~ Today~ Auntie will take you to have a good meal to replenish your body~"
After saying that, Princess Nankang saw Qi Lan nodding obediently, and then she wanted to reach out and pick up Qi Lan, and take the child in to eat the banquet together.
But halfway, they were intercepted by the merchant who came to them at some point and said nonsense:
"Let me carry you. You are not in good health and have been tired for so many days. Let me carry Lan'er in for you..."
As soon as Shang Qi finished speaking, he suddenly paused, and then he carefully groped Qi Lan's body...
Finally, after confirming his suspicion, he frowned...
Princess Nankang naturally noticed her husband's reaction, so she hurriedly waved people inside and waited for her eldest brother to sit down before going to her husband to understand the cause and effect...
After knowing the cause and effect of her husband's frown, Princess Nankang suppressed her dissatisfaction and asked her servants to quietly bring Qi Lan to herself and Shang Qi.
"Lan'er... are these clothes your own? Why do my aunt and uncle see that your clothes are so big... and there is such rough needlework inside..."
"Yeah...Lan'er, is there someone bullying you at home... Just tell your uncle, and your uncle will help you talk to your father and vent your anger..."
"..."
"..."
Qi Lan had just been brought to Princess Nankang and Shang Qi by her servants when she was pulled into their arms by the two of them. You and I spoke anxiously.
"No...this dress belongs to my brother...I don't have any decent clothes to attend my uncle's birthday party...my mother gave me a piece of my brother's clothes...the clothes are too big...my sisters around my mother helped me sew them of...otherwise I won’t be able to wear it..."
"It just happened suddenly... mother didn't mean it..."
Although Qi Lan was very sad about his mother's favoritism, and even felt that her mother was indifferent to him, even though he was so pitifully thin now that he gradually re-cut his old spring shirt to make it slimmer again and again, and he was dissatisfied. , However, Qi Lan still didn't want her aunt and others to scold her mother in her heart, so after explaining the ins and outs of this dress, she immediately added.
Princess Nankang and Shang Qi looked at each other...feeling very sorry for this sensible child.
Shang Qi patted Princess Nankang's hand and told her to calm down, then squatted in front of Qi Lan and said:
"We get it, and we don't blame your mother."
"My uncle has a nephew who is about the same age as you, and has a similar figure to you. My uncle just went to borrow a new pair of clothes for you. Can we change into them now?"
"good……"
As soon as Qi Lan finished speaking, Princess Nankang took a brand new lake blue dress from the maid's hand and gesticulated on Qi Lan's body.
Princess Nankang's expression was serious, and she didn't seem to be faking... But Qi Lan suddenly felt a strange feeling in his heart... But Qi Lan couldn't explain what it felt like, and he didn't know why he felt this way, but What he felt in his heart and what he thought in his mind made him blurt out the question:
"Auntie, why do you care so much about me?"
"Silly boy, of course it's because we are relatives... You and I are relatives whose blood is thicker than water..."
"Yes...my uncle and you are also relatives. Although uncle and you are not related by blood, uncle and you are also relatives..."
"Family..."
"Yes... relatives, we are relatives who help each other and overcome the difficulties together."
"..."
"..."
Princess Nankang and Shang Qi explained to Qi Lan what relatives were and what their use was, while they quickly helped Qi Lan take off the inappropriate clothes and put on this brand new set of clothes with Qi Lan. The clothes fit Lan's figure very well...
Finally, when Qi Lan wanted to thank Princess Nankang and Shang Qi for their kindness and was about to leave with the maid, Princess Nankang and Shang Qi suddenly stopped him and looked at Qi Lan with puzzled eyes. , took out a box from the bookshelf.
Princess Nankang and his wife squatted in front of Qi Lan again, and opened the box under Qi Lan's curious eyes. Suddenly, a carefully carved, lifelike, and white-as-snow-white jade rabbit appeared.
"Lan'er, if my aunt and uncle remember correctly, your and uncle's birthdays should be on the same day..."
"My aunt and uncle don't have children yet, so I don't know what children your age like, but I thought that on your birthday, I always want to give you a birthday gift, so I prepared this Little Jade Rabbit, I want to give it to you."
"I originally wanted to give it to your father and mother and have them hand it over to you, just like before."
"However, my aunt and uncle feel that now is the best time to give it to you personally."
"Take it...this is a gift from your aunt and uncle together. Lan'er should not dislike it."
"Yes, if you don't like it, aunt and uncle will definitely prepare a better gift for you next year~"
Princess Nankang and the business agreement were discussed one by one. After finishing speaking, he took the little jade rabbit and waited quietly for Qi Lan to accept it. Seeing that Qi Lan did not accept it, Nankang County The host and his wife looked at each other and thought that their gift was not in line with the child's wishes.
Princess Nankang and Shang Qi were about to say something else, but suddenly they heard Qi Lan's sobs, and they suddenly panicked!
"Lan'er! What's wrong! Don't cry!"
"Aunt and uncle will give you something you like next time, okay?"
"Stop crying, stop crying, your uncle, I hate seeing children cry the most!"
"Yes, yes, don't cry, Lan'er... Next time, my aunt will definitely ask you what you like before giving you a gift, okay~"
"I like...I like..." Qi Lan said suddenly.
"Ah?!" Princess Nankang and his wife tilted their heads in confusion.
"I...I like the gift from my aunt and uncle!" Qi Lan raised his little face that was already full of tears, immediately put the little jade rabbit into his hand, and said very seriously.
Princess Nankang and his wife looked at Qi Lan's reaction, smiled, and then said while wiping Qi Lan's tears:
"As long as you like it...you kid...scared your aunt and uncle to death..."
"..."
"..."
Qi Lan's memories of his seventh birthday are almost fresh in his mind. He will always remember the shock that his aunt and uncle said "we are relatives" and the unexpected birthday gift brought to him... (Qi Lan Qi His birthday gifts before his age were all given to his parents by his aunt and uncle, and then none of them were given to him.)
Today is Qi Lan's birthday again, but obviously, his parents have forgotten his birthday again, but fortunately, he is no longer the child who cared about formality...
However, his aunt and uncle went elsewhere this year and could not come back in time to celebrate his birthday with him... which made him still feel a little melancholy...
But at this moment, the shouts of Xie Hao'an, Liang Liulang and others suddenly came from behind him:
"Hey! Qi Xiaoer! It's your birthday, what kind of fish are you fishing for!"
"That's right! Qi Xiaoer, what kind of fish are you fishing for! It's hard for us to eat! Our brothers specially arranged a birthday event for you!"
"Did you hear that? Why don't you get on the carriage with us! If you don't come, we will let General Chen come and arrest you!"
Qi Lan turned around and saw several of his good brothers, all dressed in fancy clothes, standing next to a carriage that could accommodate eight people, shouting to him and waving to him.
[I forgot that they are still here! 】
"Here we come!" Qi Lan was happy that he was no longer alone, and a big smile appeared on his face. Then he immediately put away the fishing rod, threw the caught fish back into the river, and said to Xie Hao'an Others said.
Qi Lan quickly ran to Xie Haoan and others. They also quickly got on the carriage together and left here. Along the way, they could even hear the exchanges between these good brothers. The sound of playfulness.
"Guaiguai Longdi Dong, Qi Xiaoer, you just released all the fish...and didn't leave any of them..."
"That's right...it would be great to use it to add food to us..."
"Yes... the braised fish is delicious... aren't you like An Laosan, who has seen through the mortal world and wants to go up the mountain and become a monk..."
"Amitabha... I am practicing with my hair on my head... I haven't really become a monk yet... Don't lie around..."
"Hahaha... It doesn't matter whether you bring a hair agent or not... What's the difference between talking and a monk, hahaha..."
"..."
"..."
Qi Lan listened to his brothers laughing and scolding each other in the huge carriage. Although it was very noisy, he did not feel anything was wrong. Instead, he sat in the carriage like Chen Xi and laughed while watching a few people arguing here. , I feel it has a unique flavor.
At this moment, a gust of cool wind blew in through the car curtain, bringing with it a few leaves as light as feathers. The leaves fell on Qi Lan's knees. Qi Lan gently picked up the leaf and looked at it. The tender green leaves, suddenly, as if there was an hallucination, on this leaf, I saw the scene where they met...
(End of chapter)
