The green silk cloth flickered, and a slender hand was stretched out first. The joints were clear and the skin was like jade. Before seeing the person, the word "noble" had already come to mind.
Then the silk cloth was slowly lifted up, revealing the person inside with slightly raised peach blossom eyes, upturned corners of the mouth, almost smiling even when not smiling, and a face that was peerless and unparalleled.
"I am too fragile to ride a horse," Yun Qi said without any shame.
Princess Ding'an snorted disdainfully: "Then don't go. Otherwise, if a wild beast appears, you will be frightened to death."
Clearly mocking, Yun Qi pretended not to hear and greeted Nangong Zhi from afar, "Hey, Mr. Shaofu."
Nangong Zhi saw it and said tactfully: "It is indeed inconvenient for a carriage to enter the mountain. The mountain road is small and rugged, making it impossible to travel."
Yun Qi raised his head for a moment, then nodded seriously, "It's a human saying."
What's the meaning? Implying that what she said was not human? There was a surge of anger in Princess Ding'an's eyes, and she wanted to explode, but she suppressed it without knowing what she saw.
The carriage must not be able to be ridden, and it was agreed to leave it at the county office for the time being. Before entering, Yun Qi signaled with his eyes and whispered to Lu Anran: "I can tolerate this, and the plot is not small."
Lu Anran pursed her lips, knowing that Yun Qi was referring to the fact that he deliberately provoked Princess Ding'an to test her, but he didn't find out anything inside. "I understand, be careful in everything."
Yun Qi was picky and couldn't choose his favorite horse for a long time.
Lu Anran casually pointed at a docile-looking horse and patted the horse's neck. He thought of the 'Jiao Jiao' in Wangdu. That horse was greedy and gained weight not long after buying it. He didn't know if he would go back this time. , will it be so fat that it can’t carry anyone’s weight?
One person and one horse were walking, just as they were about to leave the backyard, they heard the footsteps in front of them, which stopped just beside her.
A low wall and shrubs blocked the view, but it did not prevent the conversation between the two from reaching her ears.
"Zhizhi is weak-tempered, so don't be too strong as a sister." A deep male voice, with a hint of the vicissitudes of time, said
Another voice sounded, and Lu Anran's eyes moved slightly. It was someone she was familiar with.
"Strong? Is this how your father sees it?"
There was a pause in the middle. When Lu Anran was considering whether to go back the way he came, the male voice from before said again: "I know to some extent that you are dissatisfied, but you and her are sisters, so why should you criticize her harshly."
Meng Shizhao didn't expect that after they met again after not seeing each other for many days, what her father said to her was not only 'strong' but also 'harsh'. She raised her eyebrows, showing a hint of aggression under the arrogance.
"Father, instead of blaming me here, why don't you ask your good daughter yourself what she has done that requires me to punish her harshly."
Meng Xueli hesitated for a moment and sighed: "Your mother was gentle and virtuous. You were also obedient when you were young. How come you are so obedient now?"
Meng Shizhao's heart slowly sank, and there was even a trace of self-deprecation in his eyes, "My father used to praise me for being smart, but now he blames me for being disobedient, so Meng Zhi is the gentle and considerate good daughter in my father's heart, right?"
"The fact that you still report it to your aunt while holding a grudge is not because of your father's favor. Your mother is in poor health and is in need of support. Such a big family always needs someone to support it."
Meng Shizhao looked at her father and felt strange for a moment. She thought to herself that there is no end to disappointment, only more disappointment. She raised her head and raised her chest, with the same proud expression on her face as usual, as if she would be disappointed if she lowered her head. Lost.
"I see."
Although Meng Xueli was a little confused, he still felt relaxed and happy in the face of Meng Shizhao's rare show of weakness, "It is still good to send you to the royal capital. Both you and Zhizhi will be fine in the future. Sisters should work together. She is brave Xiao, you are the elder sister and take care of me."
Meng Shizhao's red lips twitched slightly, wanting to say something, but in the end she didn't speak. All the light in her eyes dimmed completely for a moment, and Meng Xueli's back in her eyes shrank little by little until it disappeared, as if her father, who was as majestic as a mountain when he was young, also disappeared from her. I was withdrawn from my life little by little.
Lu Anran felt a little embarrassed. She had no intention of eavesdropping on other people's private affairs, but this was already the third time, and it was still the Meng family.
What indissoluble bond does the Meng family have with her?
Fortunately, he didn't meet the real owner this time. After Meng Shizhao left, Lu Anran led the horse out. The horse raised its head and shook its head and snorted, as if to urge Lu Anran.
"Why are you just standing there in a daze? Are you eavesdropping?" Yun Qi chose a horse at some point and came over, riding on a dark horse. He put his forehead on one hand and laughed so hard that he deserved a beating.
Lu Anran turned his head, white clothes and black horses, Yunqi chuckled, the sun came down from the upper pockets, one person and one horse seemed to be shining.
"Isn't this horse good?" Yun Qi jumped down and stroked the horse's belly with his hand. The black horse's fur was shiny and he raised his eyebrows with satisfaction, "One in a million."
Lu Anran said matter-of-factly: "What a good horse." But she didn't see this one in the stable.
Yun Qi seemed to see her confusion and explained: "Meng Xueli was hiding secretly, but I discovered it."
"Master Meng rode here?"
"You don't know that." The two of them led the horse out side by side, and Yun Qi said, "Even though Meng Xueli is a civil servant, he has always loved collecting famous horses."
Just as some people like calligraphy, painting and antiques, Meng Xueli's hobby is quite ordinary.
Yun Qi: "It's a horse. It's only useful if you ride it. It can't be eaten just by being put in the stable to gain weight. I, the prince, will take it out to see the world."
Meng Xueli's expression was filled with joy when he thought of borrowing a horse.
Meng Xueli had just acquired this horse, and he liked it so much that he brought him to Diqiu. However, with Yunqi's shameless skills, he was really embarrassed to refuse, but he was so distressed on the spot that he could hardly breathe.
Lu Anran said: "No wonder Master Meng appeared here just now."
"Oh, by the way, you and Meng Shizhao have a good relationship."
Lu Anran reminded: "She helped me once."
The two of them had walked to the front yard, and looking out from the gate, they could see everyone. Meng Xueli and Yu Fangjing were talking to the prince. Next to them, Nangong Zhi and Qi Shang occasionally nodded in response. On the other side, the students all stood together. Because they were young and energetic, they did not show any fear at the time when they were full of enthusiasm.
"You know that about the Meng family, right?" Yun Qi raised his chin in the direction of Meng Shizhao, "Doting on concubines and destroying wives is widely circulated among the Licheng family, and it can be considered a 'good story'."
Lu Anran saw Meng Shizhao as dazzling as before, arrogant and self-possessed, and even the hint of domineering aura between his brows had not weakened at all.
"But, I know a little bit more." Yun Qi made a gesture and chuckled, "Before Jixia Palace reopened, the Meng family got an admission ticket to Chengjun Academy. It should have been The quota was for Meng Shizhao, but for some reason, it was changed to the concubine of the Meng family."
Lu Anran frowned slightly, remembering the quarrel between the Meng sisters that she had heard, "It seems that Meng Shizhao suddenly fell ill and the candidate was changed."
"Tsk, you believe it too? Who among those from powerful and powerful families is really stupid?"
Lu Anran thought that it was fortunate that her father did not give her any other siblings. She was reluctant to deal with trivial family disputes, but then she thought about it, and she still had a headache because there was Lu Jianyu in the capital.
When the time comes, there is an order to assemble outside, and everyone is ready to set off.
Yun Qi flicked his sleeves and took the lead to step out, "Just wait, the Meng family's troubles are not over yet."
—
The Crown Prince Sang Jin nodded to Qi Shang, "Qi Shen, lead, you and I will set off together. When we reach the foot of the mountain, we will search from north to south. If we find anything, we will use fireworks as a signal."
Qi Shang clasped his fists: "Wei Chen takes orders!"
Then he said to Meng Xueli and Yu Fangjing: "Excuse me, you two adults, please stay here. The safety of Longling Dojo depends entirely on these two adults."
"Yes, don't worry, Your Highness."
Zi Sangjin glanced at the five hundred soldiers, raised his hand and waved forward fiercely, "Let's go." He straightened the reins and immediately galloped forward.
Yu Fangjing praised: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has gradually matured, his momentum is not weak, and he has become somewhat of a majesty."
Meng Xueli looked into the distance expressionlessly, the emotions in his eyes changing many times, but he didn't say anything.
Nangong Zhigong cupped his hands: "Two adults, let's take a step first."
"Young Master, please."
Nangong Zhi smiled gently and looked back as if he was looking for someone.
"Nangong Shaofu, are you looking for me?" Yun Qi walked over from the side and said with a smile.
"Prince Yun, it's time to set off."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you." Yun Qi suddenly became more talkative.
Nangong Zhi faced the students with a faint smile and said seriously: "In the deep woods and wilderness, all dangers are unknown. You two must not act alone. If you are in danger, try to avoid it as soon as possible and call your nearby companions. Do you understand everything?"
"Understood, we all follow Mr. Shao Fu's arrangements."
After repeated explanations, Nangong Zhi nodded, said goodbye to Meng Xueli and Yu Fangjing, and led the students towards the city gate.
Yun Qi and Lu Anran looked at each other, exchanged a tacit look and then followed the team.
In the crowd, Princess Ding'an held her chin high, glanced arrogantly from the corner of her eye, and revealed a cold smile.
—
In the Yunfu Courtyard, Qiuchichan was sweeping the floor with the melodious chanting of sutras. After sweeping, he put the big broom in the corner, took water and poured it out. A figure jumped out and almost poured it all over him.
Fortunately, the figure flashed quickly. Qiu Chan patted her chest and said, "Miss Xiaolu, you scared me."
Lu Taotao was holding something in his arms and muttered, "Sweep your floor."
Qiu Chan smiled and didn't mind Lu Taotao's attitude. Instead, she asked, "The prince and Miss Lu went out early in the morning. Does Miss Lu want to have breakfast?"
Lu Taotao was a little absent-minded and waved his hand back, "No, no, no, it's so verbose."
Qiu Chan watched her glance left and right, then crouched behind the wall, and suddenly jumped over with Qinggong. She was curious about what happened to the little deer girl today. She acted like a thief at home.
Lu Taotao was not a thief, but just a little awkward, so that when he looked in front of Feng Qing, he was a little speechless.
"What are you doing? Are you eating flies in your mouth? Are you stepping on shit on your feet?"
Lu Taotao stared at him with wide eyes, "You're the one eating shit!"
Feng Qing curled her lips and lay back with her hands behind her head, "That means someone is feeling guilty."
Lu Taotao puffed up his cheeks and said nothing.
"What are you doing here? Do you still want to eat meatballs?"
Lu Taotao almost spat out the word meatball when she heard it. He rubbed his stomach and threw something over in annoyance.
Feng Qing was hit, and the young Marquis said unhappily: "Fortunately, it didn't hit her face, otherwise I wouldn't be done with you." He picked it up and looked at it, "What is this?"
