After Xiao Jue finished playing the zither and received everyone's praise, she returned to her seat. After that, He Yan no longer had the mood to eat heartily. Who knew if there would be other people coming over to see her other talents? What if they wanted her to write or write poems? She couldn't just say, "I have an agreement with my husband."
She sat down nervously all the way to the end of the table. Fortunately, nothing else happened. After eating and drinking, everyone dispersed. He Yan followed Xiao Jue out. It was only at this time that he was able to speak with Cui Yue Zhi alone.
Cui Yue Zhi's oldest concubine walked beside He Yan, slightly behind Cui Yue Zhi and Xiao Jue. This concubine was older than He Yan. She looked gentle and honest, and her surname was Wei. Concubine Wei said, "Young Master is really good to Young Mistress."
He Yan was stunned. Just as he was about to ask, "Why do you say that?", he thought about it and said with a smile, "Yes, my husband loves me very much. He usually listens to me and is always on my side. I also feel that I am really lucky in my previous life to be able to find such a good husband in this life. "
Concubine Wei laughed and said, "Everyone says that the women of Jiyang are straightforward. I think Young Mistress is the one who has something to say."
He Yan laughed in his heart. If he gave Xiao Jue the title of "Excessively Doting on Wife", wouldn't she be able to use this "title" to do whatever she wanted in Jiyang? Xiao Jue probably didn't expect that she would dig a hole for herself!
As they spoke, the two of them had already entered the main hall of the residence. They didn't know which concubine of Cui Yue Zhi's had already prepared hot tea and was waiting for them to enter.
Cui Yue Zhi sat down on a chair and waved his hand, "All of you are dismissed."
The concubines and servants all left.
He smiled and said, "Huanqing, Yuyan, sit."
Although Cui Yue Zhi was a cavalry officer, he didn't put on any airs. He looked no different from a soldier in the army. He looked honest and kind, but he had a pair of bright and sharp eyes. They were like a blunt and heavy saber. When the saber was unsheathed, it was terrifying.
Xiao Jue and He Yan sat down on the chairs beside him.
"Yesterday, I wanted to come back and pick you up, but Her Highness the Princess held a banquet and couldn't come back. It's only today that we meet. " He carefully observed Xiao Jue for a while, then sighed and said, "Just now at the banquet, I only thought that you looked good. Now that I look carefully, you and my dead big brother do have some similarities."
He Yan: "…"
"He looks similar to me as well." Cui Yuezhi said, "As expected of a member of my Cui Family."
He Yan: "…"
Xiao Jue nodded.
"When you were born, I even carried you. At that time, you were only the size of two of my fists. Maybe only one of my fists. "Cui Yuezhi said," Big Brother couldn't bear to let me touch you. Later, you were taken away … "His eyes dimmed." Big Brother and Sister-in-law missed you before they died. If they could see you being so outstanding today, they would be very happy. "
Xiao Jue was silent.
Cui Yuezhi laughed. "Look at me. Why would I talk about these unhappy things? What a bummer! Huanqing, Yuyan, you came at the right time. In a few days, it will be the spring equinox. Jiyang's Water God Festival will be held. You must join in the fun. I guarantee that you won't want to leave. "
He Yan was surprised. "Spring equinox?"
"What?" Cui Yuezhi said, "Is there something wrong?"
"No, no." He Yan laughed. "It's just that my birthday is also the spring equinox … A few days later. What a coincidence."
"Really?" Cui Yuezhi was also surprised for a moment. Then, he laughed. "It seems that Yuyan and Jiyang are fated! Your birthday coincides with the Water God Festival. Huanqing, when the time comes, you must celebrate Yuyan's birthday. "
Xiao Jue glanced at her and said, "Okay."
They chatted for a while more. Then, Cui Yuezhi stood up and said, "Huanqing, Yuyan, come with me to the ancestral hall to offer incense to Big Brother and Sister-in-law. You haven't seen each other for many years. If they know that Huanqing is married now, they will be very happy. "
He Yan and Xiao Jue followed him to the ancestral hall. After Cui Yuezhi offered incense, it was already late. Cui Yuezhi asked the servants to bring them back to their rooms so that they could rest early. When tomorrow arrived, they would go sightseeing in Jiyang City.
When the two of them returned to their rooms, He Yan impatiently sat down on the bed and said, "I'm so tired! I've been sitting upright for the whole day. Pretending to be a woman is really not something that humans can do. Even the daily training in the martial arts field is much easier than this. "
"'Pretending' to be a woman?" Xiao Jue chuckled. "It seems like you really don't think of yourself as a woman."
He Yan was also very helpless. He thought that this couple that Xiao Jue found was also a talented woman. If she wanted to pretend to be the 'daughter of a military officer' or the 'girl who helps the docks move firewood for Shi Tou', it would be perfect.
Xiao Jue took off her outer garment and placed it on the wooden table next to the sofa. He Yan sat up. "I really have to thank you for today. If it wasn't for your help, something big would have happened."
"Didn't I spoil my wife too much? Didn't I do everything for your sake?" Second Young Master Xiao's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "That's what I should do."
He Yan: "Did you hear that?"
Although it was all a lie, it was still very embarrassing for Xiao Jue to hear it. She smiled and said, "I just wanted to make our relationship seem more loving and real. Young Master, please don't be angry."
Just as they were talking, someone knocked on the door. He Yan said, "Come in."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao each carried a basket of food and placed the plates on the table one by one. He Yan was startled and asked, "I didn't ask anyone to make food."
"I asked." Xiao Jue said, "Leave it here and go out."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao obeyed and left the room.
He Yan asked curiously, "Didn't you eat enough? You were at the banquet just now. "
Xiao Jue sneered. "I wonder who was the one who couldn't sit still because of Ling Xiu. He was so frightened that he didn't even eat." He said, "Promising?"
He Yan muttered, "You found out."
Xiao Jue: "Yes, everyone found out."
"Is it that obvious?" He Yan was very suspicious, but when he saw the food on the table, he immediately became happy. He said, "So these are specially for me? Thank you, Young Master! Young Master, you're too kind. There's no one better than you in the world. "
"Don't say anymore." Xiao Jue frowned slightly. "It makes me sick."
He Yan was already used to his way of speaking. He pulled him to the table and sat down. "Just treat it as supper. You can eat with us."
"I'm not eating."
"Eat, eat." He Yan pulled his sleeve and didn't let him go. He gave him a pair of chopsticks. "Look, there are two pairs of chopsticks here. They were originally prepared for two people. I can't finish them alone. Young Master, please help me. "
Xiao Jue seemed to have heard a joke. He said lightly, "Lady He might have underestimated his good appetite."
"Although I have a good appetite, I'm not a glutton." He Yan said, "Besides, haven't you heard of the saying 'a feast for the eyes'? I could eat three bowls of rice, but after seeing Young Master's good looks, I can eat five bowls."
Xiao Jue choked for a moment. "Are you a pig?"
"Don't speak so harshly." He Yan said as she pushed a plate of shrimp seeds with winter bamboo shoots and three gourd rolls in front of him. "Don't you like to eat these? Eat. "
Xiao Jue was stunned. After a moment, he looked up at her. "How did you know?"
He Yan stuffed a piece of thousand-layer steamed cake into her mouth. "I saw you eat twice during breakfast. During lunch, you did it again. You won't touch anything you don't like. I guess you like it. But you're strange. Why do you like to eat vegetarian food? Are all rich people so particular? "She thought to herself. No wonder his waist was so thin.
Xiao Jue didn't answer her. He just lowered his head and ate slowly.
He Yan didn't care about him. When she was young, she wanted to be a man. Because she was afraid of being exposed, she especially liked to study the details. After all, the details determined success or failure. She carefully observed all the men in the He family. At one time, some people even thought that he had a mental problem. Later, when he was in the army, it was better. After all, he had been a man for many years and already had experience.
If she really wanted to observe a person, she would be able to observe very carefully. Moreover, Xiao Jue was now with her. It was too easy for her to know what he liked to eat and what he disliked to eat.
"Is your birthday really after the spring equinox?" He Yan was eating happily when Xiao Jue suddenly asked.
She paused for a moment, but didn't show it on her face. She said indifferently, "How is that possible? I just said it casually. What if Master Cui wants to give me a birthday gift? Wouldn't I take the opportunity to make a lot of money? "
Xiao Jue snorted. "Liar."
"How am I a liar?" He Yan took an inch and wanted a mile. She boldly retorted. "I think Young Master was the one who pretended to be perfect at the banquet today. You fooled everyone. What 'I have an agreement with my wife' … Hahaha, Young Master, to be honest, I didn't expect to hear such words from you. "
Xiao Jue calmly looked at He Yan's teasing. When she was done laughing, he asked, "Is it very funny?"
"It is very funny."
He nodded. "Then you can deal with it yourself in the future, Madam Qiao."
He Yan couldn't laugh anymore.
She said, "Young Master, I just said it casually. Please don't take it to heart."
Xiao Jue ignored her and drank the soup unhurriedly.
"Stingy." She said, "You are so stingy that it makes people gasp in amazement."
Xiao Jue was still unmoved.
He Yan rolled her eyes and softened her voice. "Husband, this concubine was wrong. Please forgive this concubine's rudeness. This concubine won't dare to do it again. Husband, husband?"
Xiao Jue couldn't take it anymore. "… Shut up!"
He said, "You'd better speak properly."
He Yan understood that the cold and emotionless Military Governor Xiao was someone who was amenable to coaxing but not coercion. She laughed loudly.
Her laughter traveled to the room next door. Fei Nu and Chi Wu, who were playing cards with Lin Shuanghe, raised their heads at the same time.
Chi Wu sighed and said, "To actually go to such an extent to put on an act, the Governor is really too hardworking. That He Yan is the same. He practically thinks of himself as a woman. If they are like this, what reason do we have not to work hard? "
Fei Nu was speechless. Lin Shuanghe heard this and also held back his laughter. "Yes … Indeed, they are very hardworking."
At night, one person slept on the bed and the other slept on the side of the couch.
The next morning, He Yan woke up slightly later. When he woke up, he saw Xiao Jue standing at the door talking to Fei Nu and Chi Wu.
He Yan washed up and Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao brought breakfast to the kitchen. He Yan said to Xiao Jue, "Young Master, it's time to eat."
"You eat by yourself." Xiao Jue said. "I have something to do today and will not be in the residence. You and Lin Shuanghe stay in the residence. Don't run around. "
"Are you going out? What are you going to do? "He Yan asked." Can you bring me along? "
Xiao Jue was silent for a moment. She said, "It's not convenient."
He Yan hesitated for a moment. He walked over and whispered, "Are you going to look for Chai Anxi's whereabouts?"
Chi Wu was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect Xiao Jue to tell He Yan about this.
"Yes. It will be suspicious if I bring you along. "
He Yan nodded. "Okay, then you go."
It was rare for her to be so straightforward. She didn't stick to him like a tail. Xiao Jue was surprised for a moment. She looked at her thoughtfully.
He Yan turned and walked into the room. "If you want to go, go quickly. If I change my mind, you won't be able to get rid of me."
Xiao Jue didn't say anything. She led Chi Wu and Fei Nu away.
After they left, He Yan finished his breakfast alone. Cui Yuezhi wasn't in the residence. He went to train the soldiers early in the morning. He Yan went to the next room to look for Lin Shuanghe. He didn't find him. Lin Shuanghe's servant smiled and said, "Housekeeper Lin went out early in the morning. He said he was going to buy some things and will be back later."
He Yan thought for a moment and understood. Lin Shuanghe wasn't a real housekeeper. He had been around Xiao Jue for the past few days, so he was probably tired of her. It was rare for Xiao Jue to go out today. He had some free time, so he naturally went out to play for the whole day. However, this person was too unkind. He didn't call her along when he went out. He was probably afraid that she would complain to Xiao Jue.
However, Lin Shuanghe's actions were exactly what He Yan wanted.
She had been in Jiyang City for a few days, but because she was now "Wen Yuyan", she was always with Xiao Jue. She didn't have any extra time to inquire about Liu Buwang's whereabouts. Today, Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe weren't here, so she could act alone.
When Liu Buwang parted with her, he had said that if she had the chance to pass by Jiyang City in the future, there was a teahouse at the foot of the Lian Mountains outside Jiyang City. If she wanted to find him, she could go to the teahouse to inquire. She might have a chance to meet him again.
He Yan put on her outer clothes and packed her things. Seeing this, Cui Jiao asked, "Madam, are you going out?"
"Young Master and the housekeeper aren't here today. I don't know anyone in the residence, so it's quite boring. Let's go out and take a look. The weather is very good these days. Why don't we go for a walk in the mountains outside Jiyang City? "
The two maidservants looked at each other. Why would she want to go for a walk in the mountains?
"It's settled then." He Yan said. After thinking for a while, she put the nine-section whip that could be stretched into several pieces in her arms, turned around, and walked out of the door. "Let's go."
Without Xiao Jue, He Yan was free and unrestrained.
She was a guest of the Cui Family, so no one in the Cui Family dared to stop her. Zhong Fu was worried about her going out alone, so he wanted her to take two guards from the Cui Family with her, but He Yan refused.
"I'm just going to walk around nearby. I won't go far. Moreover, it's broad daylight and there are many people here. There shouldn't be anyone who dares to steal. Housekeeper Zhong can rest assured. I'll go find my husband after a while. The two guards by my husband's side are skilled in martial arts, so they should be enough. "
Only then did Zhong Fu reluctantly agree.
After leaving the Cui Family, He Yan asked Cui Jiao to hire a carriage not far from the residence. She asked the coachman to head out of the city.
Hong Qiao carefully asked, "Madam, are we really going out of the city?"
"We're not going out of the city. We're going to take a look at Qiyun Mountain outside the city." He Yan said, "When I came here, I passed by Qiyun Mountain. I saw the beautiful scenery on the mountain and yearned for it. Since I'm free today, it's just right to go now. "
She spoke as if she was telling the truth. The two maidservants did not doubt her.
When they arrived at the city gate, He Yan showed the token that Cui Yue Zhi gave her to the city gate guards. When the city gate guards saw that she was someone from the Cui Family, they easily let her go. He Yan was allowed to leave the city.
Qiyun Mountain was just outside the city gate. It was not difficult to walk. When they reached the foot of the mountain, He Yan pretended to say, "I'm a bit thirsty. Why don't we look for a tea house nearby and rest for a while before going."
Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao naturally would not say no. Hong Qiao got off the carriage and said, "Madam, rest in the carriage first. This servant will go down and take a look."
Not long after, Hong Qiao came back and said with a smile, "There's a tea house nearby. It's not far away. Madam, this servant will help you down. Let's walk there directly."
He Yan readily agreed.
Not long after they walked, they saw a tea house under a locust tree at the foot of the mountain. There were two or three customers drinking tea and chatting.
He Yan went up and asked for a few cups of tea and a little bit of tea. She let Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao moisten their throats with the coachman.
"Madam, this servant is not thirsty."
"This servant is not thirsty either."
"It's such a long journey. How can you not be thirsty?" He Yan said, "Drink. I'll ask the shopkeeper if there's anything fun around here."
Without waiting for the two to answer, He Yan walked straight ahead.
The owners of the tea house were a middle-aged couple. Their heads were wrapped with a green cloth and their skin was dark. Probably because of the heat, it was a little red. When the aunt saw He Yan, she asked, "Miss, are the tea and snacks not to your taste?"
He Yan said with a smile, "No, I'm here to ask you about someone."
"Ask about someone?" The shopkeeper put the handkerchief in his hand on his shoulder, "Miss, who do you want to ask about?"
"His name is Liu Buwang," He Yan gestured, "He's a head taller than me. He's quite good-looking. He's about forty years old. He carries a zither and a sword. He likes to wear white clothes like a swordsman." After a pause, she added, "He doesn't necessarily wear white clothes. In short, he's an extremely elegant man."
After all, she hadn't seen Liu Buwang for many years. Perhaps the current Liu Buwang didn't like to wear white clothes anymore.
The aunt thought for a moment and smiled, saying, "Miss, the person you're talking about is Layperson Yun Lin, right?"
"Layperson Yun Lin?"
"Yes, we don't know his name. However, a few days after the Water God Festival every year, he'll appear in our tea house and ask us for a cup of tea. As for Layperson Yun Lin, we just heard others call him that, so we called him that. We don't know his name either. However, according to what you said, the person who wears white clothes, is very elegant, is good-looking, and carries a zither should be this person. "
He Yan was delighted and only asked, "Then do you know where he is now?"
"Miss, you're making things difficult for us," the shopkeeper said, "In this place, we don't ask people where they came from. Naturally, we don't know where he is now, but don't be discouraged. He comes here every year after the Water God Festival. I think he should be in Jiyang City now to catch up with the Water God Festival during the spring equinox. "
He Yan looked troubled. Jiyang City wasn't small. If she borrowed Cui Yuezhi's men, it might not be difficult to find Liu Buwang. Unfortunately, this matter couldn't be known to others. Naturally, she could only look for him alone.
It wouldn't be easy.
Seeing her strange expression, the aunt asked, "Miss, who is he to you? Why are you looking for him?"
"He's … an old friend that I haven't seen for a long time." He Yan smiled bitterly. After a moment, she said, "If that Layperson Yun Lin comes here to drink tea again after the Water God Festival this year, I'll have to trouble the shopkeeper to help me pass a message to him. Tell him that A He is now in Jiyang City. Please don't leave and wait to meet him here."
"Okay." The shopkeeper said with a smile, "I'll definitely bring it to him!"
Only then did He Yan feel relieved.
She returned to her seat in the teahouse and sat down. Cui Jiao and Hong Qiao said, "Madam, the tea is cold."
"It won't taste good if it's cold, so I won't drink it," He Yan said. To be honest, with the lesson from her previous life, she really didn't dare to drink tea casually from outside.
The two maidservants looked at each other. After a while, Hong Qiao asked, "Madam, have you thought about where to go?"
"I just asked the shopkeeper. He said that there are wolves on the mountain these few days, so it's best not to go up the mountain." He Yan lied without changing her expression, "I thought about it and felt that it's too dangerous for weak women like us. Therefore, we won't go up the mountain today. Let's go straight back to the residence. "
The coachman was speechless.
He wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he didn't say anything. How could she go out for a walk and then go back without doing anything? Wasn't she just playing with people? The madam of Hu Province couldn't be offended. She was clearly arrogant because she was pampered!
She was too much!
On the other side, Xiao Jue and the other two found the location of Cuiwei Pavilion.
Lei Hou said that the person who contacted him by letter was in Jiyang's Cuiwei Pavilion. Xiao Jue suspected that this person was Chai Anxi. However, the shop in front of her had become a piece of charred wood. When she smelled it carefully, she could still smell the burnt smell.
"This Cuiwei Pavilion was originally a shop that sold jewelry," the scout who replied cupped his hands and said, "Half a month ago, a fire broke out one night and burned Cuiwei Pavilion to the ground. The shop assistants, shopkeeper, and the new accountant, Mr. Chai, didn't run out."
The person was gone, and the clues were cut off.
"Are there any bones?" Xiao Jue asked.
"They've all been burned to ashes. How could there be any bones? The neighbors all said that it was very tragic. This Cuiwei Pavilion has always been here. The government said that this place will be renovated in a few days, but the surrounding shops are all closed because they think it's unlucky. "
Chi Wu threw the silver ingot to the scout, who kept it. He cupped his hands and disappeared into the crowd.
Xiao Jue looked at his back and said after a while, "He escaped."
It didn't burn earlier or later. It just had to burn half a month ago. Obviously, Lei Hou's capture was exposed, so the other party escaped.
"Do we still need to investigate? Young Master. "Fei Nu asked," Now that the clues are cut off … "
"There's no need to investigate." Xiao Jue turned around.
The two of them were stunned.
"Since the other party knows that they've been exposed, they must be hiding in the dark and waiting for an opportunity to make a move. The enemy is in the dark, and so am I. Therefore, we don't have to do anything. "
"Just wait," he said.
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