Because everyone had rushed out, the Desheng Building was actually quiet.
Master and servant Cheng Jiaoniang stood on the stairs, seemingly still unconscious.
He was actually thrown away!
As invitees, they were abandoned by the invitees!
Wang Shiliang ran out, and his servants were worried that the young master would also run out, leaving the four of them here.
"Too much!"
The maid shouted, her face red with anger.
"How about we go to the room first?" Banqin said.
Although many people went out, there were still many people who remained. They were standing on the stairs in the hall, very conspicuous.
This is all that can be done now, and the maid angrily calls out to a Zhike who lives in Desheng Building.
"The room booked by Mr. Wang?" The guest looked at them after hearing this.
When women come to Desheng Tower, they either make reservations themselves or someone else makes reservations for them.
If you order something yourself, you won't ask any more questions, and if someone else orders it, someone will definitely pick it up.
In this way, I only know the name but not the room, so I asked the guest to ask...
Could it be that some female family member came to cause trouble?
"People just ran out to see the oiran! We have to go into the room and wait." The maid naturally saw what Zhike was thinking and said angrily.
That makes sense. Zhike held back his laughter and nodded, asking her to wait for a moment while Dian Dian went to check. He came back not long after.
"When I go back to my wife, there is no room reserved for the seventeenth son of the Wang family." He said, with a strange expression on his face.
No?
This bastard! Did he do it deliberately to amuse his wife?
The maid stomped her feet angrily.
"No, forget it." Cheng Jiaoniang said, "It's the same when we go out and see."
That's all it can do.
Under the strange gazes and low comments of several knowledgeable guests, the maid felt her head was pounding and her face was hot.
This is the first time in her life that she is so embarrassed!
To be fooled by such a bastard! Being fooled by such a loser!
Cheng Jiaoniang's expression remained unchanged, and she stepped downstairs. After taking a few steps, she heard someone say something.
"Are you here too?"
Someone laughed.
Cheng Jiaoniang stopped and looked around, and saw Qin Shisanlang walking in slowly with some young men. When he saw them, he quickened his pace and came over.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled and bowed down to salute.
"Are you going back so early?" Qin Shisanlang asked, unable to conceal his surprise and surprise.
Unexpectedly, after leaving Tianjie and not having Zhou Lang as a companion, I just wanted to find a nice and quiet place, and I unexpectedly met her.
The smile on his face couldn't help but spread.
Is this fate?
"No, let's go out and take a look." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Go out and watch?
Qin Shisanlang's eyes turned slightly, back and forth, left and right.
"Young Master Wang..." he asked tentatively.
"Let's go." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Gone?
Qin Shisanlang was a little surprised. Cheng Jiaoniang's expression was always the same. Don't expect to see happiness, anger, sorrow and joy from her face, but the expressions of the maids next to her could not hide anything.
Gone? This ungrateful fool!
How many people were waiting to meet this little lady, but he actually got an appointment but then left her?
Qin Shisanlang didn't know whether he was lucky or unlucky.
"This is really an invitation rather than a chance encounter. This Desheng Tower is the best place to see the river lanterns. It's my first time here. I wonder if my wife is interested in joining?" He said with a slight smile.
"Okay." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
No politeness, no excuses, just do whatever you want, never hide or evade.
Qin Thirteenth Lang believed that if he asked her what was going on with the Wang family master, this woman would definitely answer without hiding it. But, what's the point of asking about this kind of thing?
Do you want to spoil your mood by asking?
Isn’t it time to enjoy the beautiful scenery now? Shouldn’t we enjoy the unexpected joy that comes unexpectedly?
"Madam, come with me." He said with a slight smile.
Fireworks from far and near bloom in the sky from time to time, and various lanterns are walking in the river, turning the river into a star river, and filled with water vapor, it is like a dream.
"It's really good." Qin Shisanlang said with a bit of sigh, "It's really different."
"What's different?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked.
Qin Shisanlang leaned against the window and looked at the stars outside.
"In previous years, I also looked at the lanterns, and I was very happy. I think my mood is the same as other people's." He said, smiling again, "But now that I have recovered, I can see that normal people are in a good mood."
It’s like this, it’s completely different from what I imagined.”
He looked out the window as he spoke, his expression as misty as the mist and lantern shadows on the river.
He didn't need to look deliberately, but he could feel the woman next to him turning her head to look at him.
This was the second time this woman looked at him seriously like this. The first time was to treat his illness, and at that time he was too anxious and restless to pay attention to the way she looked at him.
In order to watch the lights outside, a few lights in the room were deliberately turned on. It was dim, and the occasional fireworks in the night sky made the face shine from time to time.
Under this kind of night light, the woman's usually dull expression became much softer.
Reborn and transformed, destiny changed drastically, this kind of emotion is something everyone would cherish...
"No, I think you haven't changed." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Qin Shisanlang looked at her.
"Do you think so, madam?" he asked.
Cheng Jiaoniang nodded.
"You are really not a normal man," she said.
Qin Shisanlang was stunned.
He had heard this sentence before, that time when she was so angry to death.
"Being sad about the spring and sad about the autumn, pretending to be a good person, letting the past pass, and sighing if you can't take it up and let it go, you are not a real man." Cheng Jiaoniang continued.
Qin Shisanlang was stunned, then laughed, then smiled bitterly.
"Yes, yes, the lady is right." He said, standing up straight and looking at Cheng Jiaoniang, "When dealing with the lady, I really need to reflect on myself all the time."
"That's not my fault, it's your fault." She said, "What I say depends on what you say first."
Qin Shisanlang smiled and nodded.
"Talking with my wife is better than ten years of reading." He said with a smile.
"What about Shu Xiu?" Cheng Jiaoniang looked at him and said.
Under the dim light of the lights, the young lady's face was serious.
Qin Shisanlang was startled, then laughed. The more he laughed, the more he wanted to laugh. He held the window a little awkwardly, leaning forward and back.
The maid turned to look at Banqin and Brother Jin.
"Is it so funny?" she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
Banqin and Jin Geer were also laughing, and when they heard this, they looked at her and made a confused sound.
"Forget it, pretend I didn't ask," the maid said, turning her head and looking out the window.
The sound of silk and bamboo drifted from afar, there was a sudden swaying in the galaxy, and a gorgeous flower boat came from afar.
"Why did the ship leave? Why did it turn around and go back?"
Wang Qishilang in the crowd shouted in surprise, looking at the flower boat going further and further in the river.
With great difficulty, he managed to squeeze into a favorable position on the bridge. Just waiting for the flower boat to come over, he raised his hand and shouted a few times to let Madam Zhu see him.
Of course, with so many people shouting, Madam Zhu couldn't stand it, but the key is that he has his own people to help him.
When Chun Ling gives a little reminder, Miss Zhu will definitely see her.
Thinking of the situation at that time, Wang Qishilang felt itchy all over with joy.
But why did the boat turn around before it came over?
"Foreigners, you don't know." Someone next to him laughed and said, "The light boat in Desheng Tower belongs to Desheng Tower after all. It wants to gain popularity for Desheng Tower, so Mrs. Zhu's boat will not wander around the city.
, after gathering popularity, they will stop in front of Desheng Tower, and then perform songs and dances for the guests of Desheng Tower."
Singing and dancing?
Wang Qishilang was a little startled.
Miss Zhu’s singing and dancing!
".. That can only be enjoyed by the rich... Book a room in Desheng Building and you can see clearly when standing in front of the window... People like you and me who have no money can just be content with listening to the excitement...
." The man rambled, but before he could finish his words, Wang Shiqilang shouted.
“Can I watch it in the private room?”
Wang Qishilang shouted, grabbing the man's arm.
"Of course, you can watch it in the private room." The man was startled and shouted.
Wang Qishilang immediately stamped his feet.
"Why didn't you tell me!" he shouted, "If I had known this, why would I have run around like this!"
Saying this, he pushed the man away and hurriedly got off the bridge, cursing and walking back on the flooded street.
"Bah, it sounds like you have a private room."
The people on the bridge came to their senses and spat.
At this time, Madam Zhu's boat had already stopped in the river next to Desheng Tower.
The noise all around gradually quieted down, and the pipa music, like beads falling on a jade plate, spread out in the river. When the song ended, there was a loud cheer.
Chun Ling, who was kneeling on the boat, stood up with a smile and glanced at the Desheng Building in front of her. At this time, the windows of the private rooms on the second and third floors of the Desheng Building were wide open. It could be seen that they were full of people, and hanging by the window.
The small lights were lit, as if countless eyes were staring at this place. Chun Ling suddenly stopped moving and looked at a window with some disbelief.
At this time, there were several people standing by the window, watching the singing and dancing like the people in other rooms.
But how could that person be her?
Chun Ling stood up suddenly, took a few steps forward, and blinked hard.
The lights flickered on and off, and the room was dim, but she really saw clearly, it was that woman!
How could she enter the private room?
She told Wang Shiqilang that she had agreed to a private room, but she was lying to him.
How could she, a little girl, book a private room? Even if she was Miss Zhu's girl, it wouldn't work. If Miss Zhu came forward, it would be alright, but how could she let Miss Zhu come forward?
If Miss Zhu is made suspicious, her future will be over, let alone revenge.
Where did they get the private room?
Is this Wang Shiqi family so capable?
Chun Ling couldn't help but squint her eyes, trying to see more clearly.
"Chun Ling."
Someone shouted in a low voice.
Chun Ling came back to her senses and saw Miss Zhu handing over the pipa. Because of her confusion, a maid next to her hurriedly took it over, thus avoiding embarrassment.
"I'm sorry." Chun Ling lowered her head in panic.
"It's okay, I'm nervous for the first time." Mrs. Zhu laughed softly and comforted her.
Chun Ling breathed a sigh of relief and raised her head with a grateful look on her face.
The sound of drum music started, and unlike the lights on the ship, which were previously dark, the surrounding lamps were lit, and the bronze mirrors were erected, focusing the light in the center as if it were daytime.
In the meantime, Miss Zhu, who had put on gorgeous clothes, danced gracefully, with the colorful ribbons of her dress and skirt fluttering in the river breeze, just like a fairy in the moon palace in the sky.
"This little lady dances well." Qin Shisanlang said with a smile.
Cheng Jiaoniang nodded.
"It took a lot of hard work," she said.
Qin Shisanlang turned to look at her and smiled slightly.
"How was the lady's dance?" he asked.
dance?
"Can the lady know how to dance?" Banqin couldn't help but asked the maid in a low voice, why did Mr. Qin suddenly ask like this?
"A layman can see the fun, an expert can see the door. Since the lady can say that she has worked hard, she is an expert." The maid replied in a low voice, then looked at Banqin, "You should know better than me whether the lady can dance.
Bar?"
It's strange to know...
Banqin smiled.
dance…
Cheng Jiaoniang was silent for a moment and closed her eyes slightly.
In front of the dark eyes, someone seemed to be dancing, flashing past.
"I don't know." She opened her eyes and said.
I don’t know if it’s possible or not, or is it good?
Although his expression was still dull, no different from before, Qin Shisanlang seemed to be able to feel the woman's low mood for a moment.
"I asked something I shouldn't have asked," he said, no longer looking at the river, but with a bit of uneasiness.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled.
"But this time it's not you, it's me." she said.
"Then can I help?" Qin Shisanlang looked at her and asked with a smile.
Several fireworks exploded by the river, making a noise that drowned out his words.
Cheng Jiaoniang shook her head and watched the fireworks blooming in the air without saying anything.
The brilliant fireworks brightened the sky. Chun Ling couldn't help but take a few steps forward and stare at the window here.
Under the bright fireworks, the young man by the window is shining brightly.
The fireworks turned into ashes and the night sky darkened again.
But the bright young man's smile as he looked at the woman became increasingly clear in Chun Ling's eyes.
That’s not Wang Shiqilang!
Who is that?
Why do you smile so sincerely at that woman?
That woman didn't feel embarrassed about being left behind by Wang Shiqilang, but there were other men showing her attentiveness?
And he is a much better young man than Wang Shiqilang...
Chun Ling bit her lower lip, feeling regretful for the first time since she followed Madam Zhu.
Following Miss Zhu, we are trapped on this ship and cannot go closer to find out...
It seems she knows too little about this fool!
The lights flickered on and off, and the young man stretched out his hand and pointed this way.
Chun Ling couldn't help but take two steps back and lowered her head suddenly, feeling that her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
Yes, have you found her? Do you recognize her?
"Look at her."
Qin Shisanlang said, pointing to Miss Zhu who was spinning rapidly on the boat in the river, dancing in the snow.
"Speaking of which, we have some connections with you. You are still her benefactor."
Cheng Jiaoniang followed what he pointed at.
The flutes, drums and copper cymbals sounded, and the women in the field turned left and right tirelessly. [Note 1]
"She is the little lady Zhu."
Qin Shisanlang said, looking at Cheng Jiaoniang.
"Have you ever heard of her?"
"... They are the family members of an official who was framed by Liu Xiaoli. They were falsely accused by him and were sent to Nanzhou. They died on the way. They also raped and forced their female family members to death, leaving a young daughter about eight years old.
Sold to the Jiaofang Department, when the official's wife bit her tongue and committed suicide, she hid a blood letter of grievance and evidence in the arms of the young girl. It was Liu Xiaoli's negligence in not eradicating the root cause. This girl has always remembered the hatred for so many years. This time she got the opportunity to beat the drum and voice her grievances.
"Cheng Jiaoniang said.
She spoke slowly, but in one breath, without stumbling after a sentence.
After she finished speaking, everyone in the room, including Qin Shisanlang, stared at her with expressions of surprise.
"That's right." Qin Shisanlang came back to his senses and looked at Cheng Jiaoniang, "That's Miss Zhu."
He paused again after speaking.
"It's just, what does rape ahem mean?"
The maid who had just come back to her senses and was drinking tea to moisten her mouth spat out a mouthful of tea.
************************
Note 1: Bai Juyi in "Hu Xuan Nu"
An elder in the family had a minor surgery, and I took care of it for two days. Yesterday and today, it was the same surgery, and I will resume tomorrow. (To be continued)
