The morning light enveloped the mountain forest, the dew receded, and a long call came from the bottom of the mountain.
"Miss - it's time to eat -"
Qixing, who was sitting in front of the tombs of Yue Laoren and Yue Nu, stood up and saluted the two tombs.
"I'm leaving," she said, picking up the two hares and the bamboo stick that were thrown aside and walking slowly down the mountain.
The newly built shed was burned down, leaving only the apricot flower thatched cottage by the lake. The traces of the fire left the place a bit dilapidated, just like when they first came back.
But Qingzhi didn't look as panicked as before, and he was moving the chicken and duck cages neatly into the car.
"Miss, let's eat," she said, and then asked, "Have you removed all the traps on the mountain?"
Qixing nodded, there was never a trap, so there was nothing that could not be evacuated.
The green pheasant took the hare and shook it: "Hey, I can only blame you for your bad luck. Today is our last day of hunting." After that, he put the hare in the car.
Qixing sat in front of the table. The master and servant finished a simple meal, put away the indoor utensils and covered them, and the villagers who saw him off also came over.
"Miss Ah Qi." Several women were carrying baskets filled with vegetables and fruits, "Don't dislike it. We grow and cook these at home. You can take them to the city to eat."
Qixing and Qingji reached out and took it.
"How could you dislike it?" Qixing said, bowing and thanking him.
Several children behind looked reluctant and asked: "Will Sister Qixing come back?"
Qixing said: "Of course I will. I am only going to live in the city temporarily. The mastermind behind the murder has not been caught yet. It is not safe for me to live here."
The children immediately became happy and continued to ask: "Will A Niu come back?"
A Niu is their nickname for the wooden cow. For village children, this is really an unforgettable toy.
Qixing smiled: "I'll make another one for you."
The children cheered for joy.
"Go, go, let's play." Aunt Wang shouted, "Miss Ah Qi has to go to work, don't delay her."
The children ran away laughing.
Qixing smiled at Aunt Wang: "It's okay, just do it when you have free time."
Aunt Wang sighed with an expression: "You are a kind-hearted person just like your grandfather, and you are particularly good to children."
"Miss Ah Qi, don't worry and go to the city." Other villagers said, "We will take care of the graves of your grandfather and mother, and we will also take care of the houses here. We will never let anyone burn them again."
Qixing thanked him and said, "My grandfather will never be lonely before and after his death because he has you as his neighbor."
With the villagers seeing them off, Qi Xing and Qing Pheasant led their donkeys and pulled a full cart toward the city.
Since the feud with the Lu family was not revealed, the case was considered closed. However, Qixing accepted Linglongfang's offer of accommodation and moved to the city.
"The place is a bit small." Madam Dong said, leading Qixing and Qing Pheasant into the door.
"But it's convenient." The grocery store proprietress said enthusiastically, "It's not far from the embroidery workshop. You can still walk back even if you stay up late at night."
Madam Dong glared at her: "Miss Qixing doesn't need to stay up late. She used to live outside the city and wasted time walking back and forth. Now she lives in the city and the daytime hours are enough. There is no need to stay up late."
After saying that, he smiled and looked at Qixing's hand.
"We don't want to stay up late. The embroiderer's eyes can't be damaged."
She is not the kind of short-sighted person, she has been making a lot of money raising this embroiderer for a long time.
The grocery store proprietress smiled and pointed around: "The most important thing is safety. I know all the neighbors who have lived here for many years. They are all honest people."
"Okay, stop boasting, we rented your house and we won't regret it." Mrs. Dong said angrily.
The grocery store proprietress smiled: "It's okay, it's okay. This one isn't suitable. I'll find another one."
Mrs. Dong groaned: "I know your house is rich."
Qixing smiled and thanked: "This is very suitable."
The grocery store proprietress’ smile became even brighter: “As long as it’s suitable, it’s fine.”
Madam Dong smiled and pushed her: "Don't worry, go in and help clean up."
The master and servant had simple luggage. Once the skinny donkey was brought into the shed in the backyard and the chickens and ducks were put into the cages, they were all packed.
"Okay, I will live here with peace of mind from now on." Mrs. Dong said, stroking her hands, "Now that the government is clear and clear, those murderers and arsonists must restrain themselves no matter what."
It's OK to kill someone, but it's the murderer who set the fire. Qing Zhi lowered his head slightly uncomfortably.
Qixing nodded: "Yes, it must be safe under the eyes of the government."
The night inside the city is much more lively than the night under the mountain outside the city.
Although there is no hustle and bustle during the day, the lights of the street shops are on, watchmen, patrolmen, and people returning home late at night will come to eat, drink and rest, creating a different kind of liveliness.
The old man setting up the stall fried the diced quail meat, and then took out a plate of thousand-feuille cake from the steamer, which was hot and delicious.
"Sister, you've got it, be careful when ironing it," the old man from the store said, handing over the wrapped food.
Qing Pheasant took it and pointed to the pickles on the chopping board: "Give me some of this too."
These are free snacks. The old man in the store said hello with a smile, packed a plate for her, and asked: "Are you the new tenant of Shopkeeper Wu's house? I see there are only two of you girls."
The old man who runs the stall all year round seems to know everyone on this street and pays attention to new faces.
Qingzhi nodded: "We just moved here."
The old man in the store smiled and said, "It's nice here. You two girls don't have to be afraid. I'll be here all night, old man, to keep you alert. Those murderers and arsonists don't dare to come near."
Qing Pheasant smiled and thanked him, then took out an extra piece of money and put it on the stove: "Thank you very much, Uncle."
The old man in the store was busy trying to return the money: "How can I ask for money?"
Qing Zhi had already picked up the things and ran away, and said: "It's the money for pickles. The lady said, if you take more, you have to pay."
The old man in the store laughed aloud, and watched the girl's figure enter the alley. The door panel made a soft sound, and then became silent.
But Qing Pheasant and Qixing are not the only ones at home.
Shopkeeper Lu of the Wei Dong family is all in the hall.
Naturally, they chose the house of the grocery store proprietress.
Qixing lives here, firstly, to act like he is safe and avoid danger, and secondly, it is convenient to meet with the Wei Dong family.
This house has a secret door for easy entry and exit.
When Qing Pheasant came in, Wei Dongjia was asking Qixing: "Are you going to let the Lu family go like this?"
When talking about going to the embroidery workshop to be an embroiderer, Qixing also asked Wei Dong's family to inquire about the talents who were taking the imperial examination in the capital, especially Lu Yizhi who came from Yucheng.
After making this request, Qixing also talked about the dispute with the Lu family. After the death of his grandfather, he entrusted him with an orphan and promised to marry him, but now he regretted it and kicked out the family.
When Wei Dongjia heard this, he was very angry. He also thought about the Ning family. At that time, he secretly ridiculed the girl and the Ning family twenty-fourth because of a verbal dispute and sought revenge for personal gain. It turned out that it was not just a verbal dispute, the root cause was the Lu family.
.
The rule in the family is not to seek revenge for personal gain, but the Lu family's behavior is no longer a personal grudge. Breach of trust should be punished, not to mention murder.
The Ning family has been punished for their evil deeds, so of course the Lu family cannot let it go.
Shopkeeper Lu asked: "Miss Qixing thinks that the Lu family is more complicated than the Ning family and is not easy to handle?"
The Lu family belongs to Yucheng, and they are separated from each other by mountains. Furthermore, the Lu family is a businessman and has a harmonious relationship with the local government. To the government, the Lu family is not a threat, only a benefit.
The most important thing is that the third son of the Lu family has outstanding talents and a bright future.
The Ning family's affairs are about borrowing strength to fight against others, but the Lu family's strength is neither easy to borrow nor easy to fight against.
In the final analysis, it was because things were different now, with families separated and people separated, making things difficult. The Wei Dong family couldn't stand these aggrieved words and snorted, "It's not possible to confiscate the family and exterminate the clan, so we can set fire to the Lu family."
Qixing smiled and said: "Let alone setting a fire and letting Mr. Lu die quietly, it is not impossible."
At this time, Qing Pheasant came forward and laid out the food he bought.
"Miss, please talk and call me if you need anything." She whispered.
Qixing pointed to the table: "Get some meat to eat."
Qing Pheasant responded by picking up diced quail meat, wrapping it in oil paper and exiting. When he closed the door, he saw the three people sitting across from each other in the room——
Murder and arson.
She swallowed softly, closed the door, and sat down in the yard, watching her surroundings while eating.