Huang Xuan, who had changed into a worn-out red coat, stood on tiptoes in front of the wooden cabinet. She opened the cabinet on the top shelf and put back a long and narrow ink stick wrapped in gray cloth.
Calm turned around and glanced at Huang Feihong, the father of the paralyzed young man at the table.
The three of them had just returned from Xunyang Tower without saying goodbye.
They once again returned to the small courtyard at the end of the dilapidated alley. It was old and dilapidated. Several families lived crowdedly in the courtyard, and the whole courtyard could hear their farts. The free garden was filled with farm fruits and vegetables, providing a rare touch of lush greenery. Under the eaves,
There is an empty swallow's nest crumbling in the corner, and I wonder if any wanderers will return south in the coming spring.
Huang Xuan passed the table silently, went out to the kitchen, squatted beside the stove with her knees in her arms, patiently lit a fire, and boiled a pot of tea.
After Huang Feihong stepped into the threshold of the small courtyard, he breathed a sigh of relief. The man's broad shoulders relaxed a little. Now he brought Lu Ya to the only table in the small house and invited him to sit down.
The bearded man turned his head and went to the wellhead first to get a bucket of cool well water and wash his face.
He rummaged through and found a gray-black sweat towel that he had brought back from the Xunyang Grottoes construction site yesterday. He wet it with well water and twisted it. He returned to the table with the wet rag, leaned over and wiped it, grinning and saying:
"What's your surname, Taoist priest?"
"My surname is Lu, and it's a single word." Lu Ya looked at the father and daughter, who had a tacit understanding of cooperation after entering, and divided their duties to serve the guests. He hesitated for a moment: "You can also call me Pindao Daodao, Yuan Yazi."
"What duck?" Huang Feihong was stunned: "Yuan...duck?"
"..." Lu Ya.
"Dad, what is your seniority? The one in the middle is usually given a common name. This is how the Taoist priests of the Three Qing Dynasties were named."
Lu Ya raised his eyebrows slightly with a paralyzed face. He turned around and saw a little girl in a red coat. She had short legs and was running back into the house to look for tea leaves and tea sets. After a smooth explanation, the little girl trotted out again holding the tea jar.
.
From the kitchen outside the door, there was the sound of hot water about to boil.
"I see, that's interesting." Huang Feihong was suddenly stunned, patted his head and said:
"Round Duck, if I became a Taoist priest, would I also be called like this? My Taoist nickname would be... Yuan Hongzi? Haha, that's interesting. If I were Xiaoxuan, I would call her Yuan Xuanzi. It sounds pretty good."
Lu Ya glanced in the direction of the kitchen and explained surprisingly patiently:
"It's almost the same, but it also depends on your seniority. On Maoshan, Longhu, and Gezao Mountains, you need to be of the same generation as Pindao before you can start with the word 'Yuan'. However, because Pindao's master has a long life, Pindao's seniority
Slightly bigger... Chong Han Tong Yuan Yun, Gao Hongding Da Luo, Sanshan is more and more revitalized... According to the blood generation of Sanshan, currently the latest generation of disciples of Fulu Sanshan are Yun Zi generation and Gao Zi generation, for Pindao's Yuan Zi generation
Seniors, everyone must bow respectfully when meeting them, this Yuan Zi senior... is definitely not bad."
It was rare for him to speak such a long sentence in one breath. Lu Ya took a breath. Not to mention Ouyang Rong and Xie Lingjiang, even in front of the profound little princess, he had never spoken for such a long time... and even kept calm.
Add one sentence:
"Yuan Xuanzi sounds really good."
Huang Feihong muttered: "Why are you so particular?"
Lu Ya kept paying attention to the man's expression and nodded:
"The Shangqing Taoist line where Pindao is located has lasted for thousands of years, has a long history, and has a profound foundation. It is not comparable to some small Taoist temples that deceive pilgrims. Huang Shanren can rest assured."
Huang Feihong suddenly raised his hand and patted his shoulder heavily, his tone serious:
"Since there are so many things to pay attention to, if Xiaoxuan calls Yuan Xuanzi, it seems that I can't call you Yuan Hongzi and Yuan Feizi. What is the name of your master's generation? I want Daodao to be your lifetime."
Lu Ya: "...??"
Just when a paralyzed Shangqing Taoist priest at the table could not suppress his twitching eyelids, in the back kitchen, Huang Xuan was squatting in front of the fire with her knees in her arms, quietly waiting for hot water.
The conversation between her father and Daochang Lu came from the other side of the house and fell into her ears. She looked back at the kitchen door from time to time.
This courtyard is relatively small. It is still afternoon, and all the aunts and uncles next door are out selling and working. There are no people around. Huang Feihong has a loud voice. Huang Xuan can hear the conversation clearly in the kitchen.
Dad's voice sounded as usual and he was still carefree, but the three of them had just slipped back. When they entered the door, Huang Xuan happened to see her father walking at the back. His expression was a little depressed, and his eyes were a little complicated as he looked back at the magnificent building at the end of the alley.
New house.
But not long ago in the Narcissus Box in Xunyang Building, when she told him that she wanted to hand over the house deed and leave immediately, her father was just stunned for a moment and asked if we had affected our benefactor. When he saw her nodding, he said nothing.
He took out the deed to the house that he had slept in his arms all night, picked her up and left through the window.
Seeing her father looking back at the door, Huang Xuan originally wanted to formulate some words of comfort, but unexpectedly, her father turned around, stepped forward, touched her head, lowered his head and smiled, and in turn enlightened her.
In the kitchen stove, the flame emitted an orange light and hit a small face with a dazed expression.
A little heat wave from the furnace smoke hit her face. The little girl in the red coat grabbed her sleeves and covered her mouth and nose. Her clear eyes were staring straight at the dancing flames in the furnace. The corners of her eyes were sore and moist from the smoke. She lowered her head and rubbed it.
She didn't know how long she had been squatting in front of the stove with her knees in her arms. The kettle started to bounce, and she came to her senses and stood up immediately.
After a while, Huang Xuan carefully carried a hot water bottle and returned to the house.
Huang Feihong, who was chatting in Zilaisu, stepped forward and took the kettle. His rough hands were not afraid of being burned and he poured tea directly.
Lu Ya leaned back slightly and looked down at the slender stream of water emitting hot mist in front of him.
"Come on, Taoist Master Lu. I was joking just now. I hope I didn't mean to offend you. You said how could Xiaoxuan and I be Taoist priests, right? Taoist Master, stop being so straight-faced. Haha, let's drink tea."
Huang Xuan nodded in agreement and whispered: "Thank you, Taoist Priest, for your help."
Lu Ya was hesitant to speak, but under the warm hospitality of the Huang family's father and daughter, he took the tea cup and began to sip it.
The box before was located near the river. There was a steep cliff below the window, which was more than the height of the third floor. However, the three of them slipped out smoothly... Anyway, what Lu Ya did at that time was no different from the flying over the wall in chivalrous novels.
, the Huang family’s father and daughter were eye-opening.
Especially Huang Feihong, who seemed to have figured something out, blushed and felt a little embarrassed:
"Director Lu is really very skilled. I was trying to give in to Mr. Huang earlier. Alas, I'm really embarrassed. I would like to give you a cup of tea."
Hearing the respectful tone of the bearded man in front of him and the admiring gaze of the little girl in red coat who had been paying attention to him, Lu Ya, who had always been calm and uncontested, couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
Immediately recited the phrase "Immeasurable God Who Saves People" in his heart to soothe the waves in his heart.
But at this moment, Huang Feihong across the table suddenly took out something from under the table and handed it to him solemnly:
"It seems that Daoist Master Lu's Taoist crown fell to the ground accidentally last time. I picked it up in the alley and kept thinking about returning it. Taoist Master, please put it away. I hope it will not delay Daoist Master Lu."
"..."
Lu Ya had tea in his mouth. After hearing this, he covered his mouth and coughed twice. Then he quickly stretched out his hand and put away the Taoist crown on the table. He waved his hands as if nothing happened, with a paralyzed face:
"nothing."
The three of them chatted for a while again, and this time they were not acquainted without fighting. The Huang family's father and daughter became familiar with Lu Ya, and their postures were no longer as wary as before.
Huang Feihong glanced at the grand and respectable mansion not far away and said with a grimace:
"I slipped away halfway this time and offended someone. They say women hold grudges, but I don't know... I wonder if landlord Chen will come to collect the house later and drive away Xiaoxuan and me. I hope it won't involve the family next door.
"
Compared with Huang Feihong, Huang Xuan's little face didn't look panic at all, and she was even a little dazed. She looked at the sky outside the window and said softly:
"No, that lady's behavior... she won't do this. Even the new house will be kept intact. We are welcome to go back at any time... provided that our benefactor is still there."
Huang Feihong was stunned.
Huang Xuan suddenly turned her head and asked:
"Do you know Mr. Lu and that benefactor?"
Lu Ya glanced at her: "Yeah."
I thought Huang Xuan would ask about the ins and outs of what he reminded me today, but she didn't expect that the little girl in the red coat just lowered her head, silently took out a small wrinkled wallet from her arms, and handed it over.
"Can Taoist Master do me one more favor and return it to my benefactor?" She said with a serious expression.
Lu Ya wanted to ask, but when he saw the hopeful look in her eyes, he closed his mouth, nodded slightly, and put away his small wallet:
"Principal Dao, go back and help you pay it back."
Huang Xuan smiled.
Just like a small plum blossom that blooms briefly in the cold winter months.
Lu Yaduo glanced at her, because in the past few days since he discovered and followed Huang Xuan, he had never seen her smile.
It seems that he doesn't like to smile very much, but he is just like the master. Oh, and...him.
Lu Ya thought.
…
In the evening, the sun sets in the west.
Deep in Prince Xunyang's Mansion, outside a study room, Ouyang Rong, who had just finished the discussion and walked out, looked curiously at Lu Ya, who was blocking the road in the gallery in front of him.
"Did she ask you to return it?" He lowered his eyes and glanced at the small wallet in his hand.
It was the wallet he gave to the little girl in a red coat to buy red leaves last time, and now Lu Ya handed it back to him.
He thought for a while and asked:
"What happened today is that Chief Lu is helping me?"
Lu Ya shook his head: "No, Pindao just said a few words and didn't urge anyone. What happened next was her and her father's choice. Pindao also didn't expect that the girl would be so decisive."
Xie Lingjiang, who was standing next to him, noticed that the eldest brother just nodded lightly, said no more, thanked him, and left calmly, walking at the front.
She followed, a little curious: "Isn't the senior brother going to meet her family?"
Ouyang Rong shook his head: "It's better not to see it than to see it."
Xie Lingjiang seemed to understand but not quite.
Ouyang Rong hesitated and added:
"Actually, I've already seen it."
"When will it happen?" Xie Lingjiang was surprised. It was clear that the senior brother had been with her today and never left.
Ouyang Rong sighed: "I don't see one household, but thousands of households."
Xie Lingjiang's brows were furrowed. For a moment, she suddenly remembered what her senior brother had said in public at the Xunyang Tower at noon, and she had a thoughtful look in her eyes:
"Elder brother, what you mean is... Huang Xuan's family is not an exception. There are thousands of families like them in Xingzifang. Huang Xuan's family is just relatively representative?
"Well, Senior Brother, I think that as the chief minister of Jiangzhou, what we should really care about are the thousands of households, right? If we want to help, we should help from here, from a large level? This is the righteousness of the world, not...not like Pei Shisan
Are they like that, giving small favors to win people's hearts?"
Ouyang Rong weighed the recovered wallet and found that there was not a penny missing. He carefully put it into his arms, glanced at his junior sister, but did not answer. He turned to look at Lu Ya, who was silent, and suddenly asked:
"Director Lu is very familiar with her family?"
Lu Ya nodded: "It's okay, I just met him recently."
Ouyang Rong didn't ask any more questions and said softly:
"Then if Director Lu has nothing to do these days, he can often go there and take a walk. Yangshang's place... just in case. Although Mrs. Pei doesn't seem to be a person who can't carry things clearly, I'm sure there's no one down there who's ignorant.
.”
"OK."
Lu Ya responded succinctly, glanced at Ouyang Rong, and suddenly felt that what he and Huang Xuan said were somewhat similar, and they were quite similar.
Ouyang Rong didn't know the contrast in Lu Ya's mind. The three of them chatted briefly for a while. Lu Ya said goodbye and left. Xie Lingjiang personally sent Ouyang Rong to the door. Qiao Li watched his carriage go away before Shi Ran
Return to the palace and purdah.
The carriage Ouyang Rong was riding in slowly drove back to the Huaiye Lane mansion.
He was the only one in the box, and he finally felt free, so he leaned back, closed his eyes, and entered the Tower of Merit.
When the blessing bell rang in the afternoon, he was not in a hurry to see it. With his little junior sister by his side, he patiently took the trouble to send the little junior sister back to the boudoir of the palace. Halfway through, he was dragged to the study by Uncle Li and Dalang Li.
They were discussing the latest developments in the court from Luodu, and had no time to check the new blessings.
However, the blessing clock is still vibrating. According to Ouyang Rong's experience, new blessings are not fleeting, so they will exist for a long time. Well, this thing is always vibrating, so he delayed it until now.
At this moment, Ouyang Rong entered the tower, stretched out his hand to touch the bell... and touched the blessing bell.
A message came to mind:
Three thousand merits can be exchanged for blessings.
Ouyang Rong let go and looked curious, ready to exchange it. However, when he turned around and saw the blue-gold font above the small wooden fish, and saw clearly the remaining merits, his face became painful again.
[Merits: Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-Eight]
"Are we going to spend another three thousand dollars..."
Recently, he has devoted himself day and night to studying the secret knowledge of the Qing Dynasty - the Order of the Gods. Now he has reached a critical point, involving the secret knowledge of red and black talismans... He has consumed a lot of merit, and at one time he only had less than two thousand merit left.
These two days have been fruitful.
Well, first I got a lot of merit from little junior sister Bao Bao, and in addition, I also helped the little girl in the red coat with some good deeds.
Coupled with the deafening public speech at Xunyang Tower not long ago until noon, and until now, the aftermath has still received sporadic merit... It can be regarded as an unexpected surge.
In this way, it is worth three thousand and nine hundred merits, which is very difficult to increase.
Anyway, since he left Dragon City, he has not accumulated more than 10,000 merits and has been struggling...
Ouyang Rong looked at the trembling bronze bell surrounded by purple mist with a stern face:
"By the way, have you been keeping an eye on the merits of the little wooden fish? You just have enough. Every time I save enough, you will harvest the blessings. How is it the same as cutting leeks? You just don't let me have any surplus, right?
You went to work."
After complaining a few words, he sighed helplessly, no longer hesitated, closed his eyes and focused his mind.
I saw that line of green-gold fonts turning into the shadow of a golden swimming carp, like a fish jumping over a dragon gate, jumping three times in the air, and finally with a "dang" sound, it hit the ancient bronze bell heavily.
Above the sea of clouds, the sound of the bell resounded throughout the world, becoming increasingly empty and lonely, and it was unknown how far it reached unknown lands.
The rich purple energy lingering around the clock disappeared without a trace, and the ancient tower returned to silence.
Above the small wooden fish, there are only more than 800 merits left.
Ouyang Rong muttered, and his mind left the Tower of Merit.
He looked around and saw that the carriage was empty, with only the bumps of driving. Outside the window, the noisy market and the cries of goons were still there.
Everything is business as usual, and I don’t know what impact this blessing has had.
Ouyang Rong rubbed his face and whispered to himself:
"By the way, the trigger time this time was when I just rejected Pei Shisanniang and the others and walked out of Xunyang Tower to return...could it be related to Xingzifang and the group of merchants?"
I am on the recommendation page, and it seems that there are a lot of new book friends and brothers here. Ahem, I would like to recommend the old book "I Have a Sword Fairy Wife". If you like a good brother who has a delicate daily life with multiple female protagonists, you can do it. The portal is here