Even clumsy people like Lao Tong and Zhi Changle noticed something was wrong.
"Zhiyan and I have the same father and mother," Shen Xu said.
So that’s it.
"They don't like me," Shen Shu smiled, "There is some quarrel between our mothers, but Zhiyan and I have a very good relationship."
Lao Tong and Zhi Changle nodded.
Lao Tong said, "This is very rare."
"Yes," Shen Shu said, "my father has favored me since I was a child, but the opposite is true for Zhiyan. When Zhiyan was young, he was beaten many times by my father. He did nothing wrong. My father wanted to beat him, so he beat him. ."
"Is this happening?" Zhi Changle said in surprise.
"Well, the worst time was when Zhiyan had almost no skin intact on his back, his leg bones were almost broken, and he couldn't get out of bed for several days."
Lao Tong and Zhi Changle looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
Since they arrived here, they have been treated very well, with good wine, good food, and big fish and meat. They have never been so happy in their lives. However, in the past day, they have not seen who is the current owner of this house. appearance.
And now Shen Xu is talking about how badly their father treats Shen Lie. This is someone else's father and son's business. What can they say as guests here?
Shen Xu looked at them, smiled, and said, "I'm sorry for the moment. Seeing that you two are so close and honest, I lost my temper and didn't keep my mouth shut. They say that a family's ugliness should not be made public. It turns out that if you talk too much, you will be wrong."
"Nothing, nothing." the branch leader said cheerfully.
"But since it has been mentioned, I will say a few more words," Shen Shu still smiled and sighed quietly, "It is precisely because of my father that Zhiyan has been withdrawn since he was a child. He likes to be alone and does not like to talk to others. , it is said that when he was first taken to Guo's house, he didn't even speak for a month. Therefore, I am worried that after you get along with him, you will think that he has a weird temper and you will not like him. If he makes you feel uncomfortable, two brothers Don’t worry about it.”
"No way," Lao Tong said hurriedly, "No way."
"That's good," Shen Shu's smile faded slightly and she said warmly, "My health is dying now. If there is anything in this world that worries me, it's Zhiyan. He is a cold person with no warm heart. Now I should be happy to have friends like you."
A gust of cold wind blew, sweeping up a few pieces of falling snow, and the dim yellow lanterns on the corners of the eaves swayed in the night.
Shen Xu raised her hand, touched the teapot in front of her, and said, "This is what I brought here. It cools down so fast."
Zhi Changle and Lao Tong looked around. Under the swirling lights, Shen Shu's fingers were very slender. They should have been a pair of beautiful hands, but the skin was too withered and wrinkled, making it rougher and older than their hands.
"It's winter, it gets colder faster..." Zhi Changle said with a smile.
Shen Xu also smiled and nodded "Yes."
Looking up at the dark night, Shen Xu stood up and said, "It's been a long time since we had such a free chat, and I'm still not finished. I guess it must be very late now."
"Fortunately," Lao Tong said, "We couldn't sleep at first, so we were waiting for Ah Li here."
"I'm also waiting for Zhiyan," Shen Xu said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight. I'll find a way to find him and say goodbye first."
"Then what," Zhi Changle stood up hurriedly and said, "If you can, can you help us find out where Ah Li has gone?"
"Okay," Shen Xu nodded, paused, and suddenly smiled, "To be honest, I really admire you. I knew Ah Li before you, and I liked her very much at that time. She is a country girl full of aura, tenacity and intelligence. Wild little girl, it's a pity that she didn't get close to me at that time. Looking at your friendship now, you are really like brother and sister."
Zhi Changle scratched his head and giggled twice, "Yes, really?"
"I will find a way," Shen Xu raised her hands and saluted, "I'll take my leave now. See you tomorrow. You guys should rest early."
A blue and white bamboo silk umbrella was leaning against the eaves. Shen Shu went over to pick it up, raised his hand and opened it, like a dark flower blooming in the night.
He turned around, smiled at Zhi Changle and Lao Tong, and walked away.
On a hazy snowy night, he has red lips and fair skin, painted eyebrows and eyes, holding an umbrella, and smiling like a peach and plum under the moon.
Old Tong and Zhi Changle were shaken, and they saw him wearing a long coat and wide sleeves, walking away gracefully, with a lonely back.
After a long while, Lao Tong said, "It's so... strange."
"You think so too?" Zhi Changle looked back at him.
"I can't explain why it's strange," Lao Tong frowned, "but I don't want to stay in this Shen Mansion anymore."
"Me too..." Zhi Changle said, "But Ah Li hasn't come back yet."
"Yes, Ah Li hasn't come back yet," Lao Tong looked up at the sky. The night was deep and far away, and the heavy snow was falling. He said softly, "I don't know where Ah Li is."
Compared with the people who tipped off the news and ran quickly, the Xuanwu soldiers were not in much hurry.
Killing is a physical job. After they left Qingshan Academy, their speed was slightly slower.
Although murderous intent and violence have been rampant in the past few days, the Xuanwu soldiers are an orthodox imperial army. Two thousand people march in neat steps, and occasionally someone speaks in a low voice, very softly.
Huaizhou Street is getting closer and closer. Crossing this street, in front of you is one of the three famous Great Lakes Bridges in Beijing, Jinfeng Bridge.
Two miles north of Jinfeng Bridge is the Huaizhou Street intersection where the Yu family's coffin was found. Dozens of Yanyun guards died at that street intersection that night. It is said that there are still people on the shops and houses beside the road. Some arrow holes can be seen.
The Xuanwu soldiers finally began to speed up. The leader, Captain Chen, was riding a horse and came down the steep slope from the bridge when he gradually realized something was wrong.
"Sir, is there anyone?" said the guard who was also riding a horse beside him.
In front of Jinfeng Bridge is an empty street leading in all directions. The ground is pale with frost and snow, but in the dark night ahead, there seems to be a figure, standing alone.
Captain Chen did not stop and frowned.
It is indeed a human figure, a man, dressed in black clothes for the night, with a slender figure, broad shoulders and strong waist, and a very elegant and handsome posture.
The two sides were about fifty feet apart, and it looked like the other side was waiting for someone.
"In his hand is..." Konoe said again.
The man's hand was holding the reins, and there seemed to be something at the same time.
"It's a bow!" Another guard shouted in surprise.
As soon as the words fell, the man raised his hand, and a long arrow was cocked in the darkness.
"No!" Konoe shouted, and immediately drew his sword.
But he saw that the arrow had taken off the string and was shooting quickly.
A tiny bit was magnified in the darkness, and rushed to the front with huge strength.
Several guards stepped forward to attack the horse, and without even pulling out their sabers, they heard a "pop" sound, the arrow pierced Captain Chen's eyebrows, and blood spurted out from the back of his head and splashed on the horse.
