A ragged cub at the beginning

On the day of the Little New Year, Yu Xiaotao came with a full basket of vegetables and meat.

Tang Xu took a quick look and saw that they were all their favorites. "How much is this?"

"Don't mention this today. I'll be angry if you do. We eat and drink here every day, and Yunniang is learning this and that, but I've never seen you mention money." Yu Xiaotao glared at Tang Xu, "Today I'm going to show you my skills, and you wait and see."

"Okay then." Tang Xu didn't say anything more and helped Yu Xiaotao take An An off her back. The little girl grinned and moved her hands and feet up and down when she saw Tang Xu. "Our An An is so happy. Is she happy to see Aunt Xu?" Tang Xu lifted the child slightly higher, making her giggle.

"Crazy girl, she just loves others to be crazy like her." Yu Xiaotao scolded with a smile.

Tang Xu said unhappily, "Nonsense, our An An is so cute, she's not a crazy girl, she's a happy girl, everyone likes her when they see her, right?"

After playing with An An for a while, Tang Xu took a shower and went out.

"Are you opening the shop today?" Du Yun asked.

"Yeah, what's the matter?" Tang Xu joked, "Want to invite me to play?"

Du Yun laughed, "Yes, young lady, are you willing to give me a favor?"

Really! Tang Xu pursed his lips, raised his chin, and said, "You're lucky. There's no reservation today. Where are you taking me to play?"

"There is a Taoist temple on Jishou Mountain. It is said to be very effective and popular. The scenery on the mountain is also nice. Would you like to take a look?" Du Yun seemed a little nervous and straightened his clothes while speaking.

Only then did Tang Xu realize that he was wearing new clothes, a clean and fresh emerald green color, his hair was neatly combed and pinned with a green jade crown, and pearl tassels hung from his temples.

No wonder her eyes lit up when she saw him just now. She looked down at herself, her lotus-pink jacket and skirt were a perfect match. She looked up at the other person, "Are we the only two?"

"Do you want to take the children with you?" Du Yun asked.

Tang Xu thought about it and decided to forget it. It was their first date. "Let's just go together. How do we go?"

"The carriage is ready." Du Yun turned around and saw a carriage parked in front of the Du family's door. The coachman stood beside the carriage waiting respectfully.

"I'll tell Qi Qing." Tang Xu glanced at the shop.

"I'll go." Du Yun said and went to the shop.

Tang Xu was still the only one sitting in the carriage, while Du Yun and the driver were sitting outside.

Tea, snacks and fruits were prepared on the small table in the carriage, and there were even a few storybooks. My fiancé is so thoughtful, Tang Xu smiled and drank a sip of tea.

It turned out to be scented tea with honey in it, sweet and refreshing. She opened the car curtain. It was still early in the morning, and there were not many people on the road, but the wind was a little chilly on her face.

"The storybooks are all popular recently. Do you like them?" Du Yun asked.

"I haven't read it yet. I didn't expect that Mr. Du also reads storybooks?" Tang Xu teased.

"I haven't read it. It was recommended by the students." Du Yun seemed a little embarrassed and his voice was tense.

"Let me take a look," she picked up a book at random, "Scholar and Lady", "Phoenix Man and High-ranking Official's Daughter", the high-ranking official's daughter fell in love with the hero at first sight and insisted on marrying him despite her parents' opposition. Tang Xu rolled her eyes and read the next book, but put it down after seeing "Don't Despise the Poor Young Man". The remaining books were all similar, except for one that was different, "The newly crowned top scholar who had a wife and a son rejected the daughter of a high-ranking official in the capital." She became a little interested and continued to read. My goodness, the wife felt that she was not worthy of her husband who had already been the top scholar, so she asked to leave.

The high-ranking official was grateful for the original wife's sensibleness, and also admired the champion for not fearing power, so he married his beloved daughter to him as his equal wife. From then on, he enjoyed a high position and a high salary, and was surrounded by beautiful women, reaching the peak of his life. How dare he fantasize.

Do all these young ladies like to dig wild vegetables so much? It's outrageous.

Flipping through the storybook, chatting with Du Yun, they soon arrived at the place where the Taoist temple stood on the top of the mountain.

The carriage could not go up, so they had to walk. There were no stairs in the mountains, only a trampled wild path. Two or three people walked up together, and some were alone. Du Yun carried a basket in one hand and picked up a stick from the nearby woods with the other hand. He wiped it with a handkerchief and then held it out to Tang Xu, "Come, I'll hold your hand."

Tang Xu felt sweet in his heart because he was so thoughtful. He looked at the path hidden in the forest, pulled the other end of the stick, and followed Du Yun up.

The mountain road was not only winding but also uneven. But Tang Xu didn't have to work hard. Du Yun looked thin, but unexpectedly she was quite strong. When they came to a slope, they pulled her up directly. She even had the leisure to enjoy the scenery in the mountains.

Unfortunately, it was winter, the trees were bare, and there was only dry grass underfoot.

Halfway up the mountain, many people sat on the side of the road to rest. Du Yun turned around and asked, "Do you want to rest?"

Tang Xu's training these days was not in vain, and he was not tired at all at this moment, "No, I'm not tired."

Among the six arts of a gentleman, riding and archery are the basic skills. When Du Yun was young, he also practiced some basic kung fu with a martial arts master, so his physical strength was not as weak as Tang Xu thought. The two of them walked to the top of the mountain, and their breath was still peaceful.

A sedan chair was parked outside the Taoist temple, and several bearers were sitting on the roadside to rest.

Which family's eldest daughter is this? She even came up in a sedan chair, so comfortable.

But the top of the mountain was a bit cold. Tang Xu stamped his feet and looked at the building in front of him.

The three characters of Feiyun Temple are written in a flamboyant style, and the couplets on both sides are very casual. On the left is: Believe it or not, life is free, you can worship as you like, Taoism is up to you.

It is worthy of being the national religion of China, and its main theme is to do whatever one wants.

Despite the couplets on the door, there are still many believers. However, judging from their expressions, most of them do not seem to be here to make wishes, but rather to travel.

As soon as you enter the door, you will see a huge cast iron incense burner. The fragrant mist rises with the wind. It is not pungent or choking, but it makes people feel solemn.

"Go and burn some incense." Du Yun said.

In the main hall was the Three Pure Ones. Du Yun gave her three incense sticks, which she lit after worshipping, hoping that everything would go smoothly for the kindergarten.

Du Yun helped her take the incense outside and put it into the incense burner. She took the lottery tube and shook it devoutly. A very good lottery came into her sight. Was her luck so good? She looked at the lottery tube in disbelief. Wow, at first glance, all the lottery were very good. It was also a very good lottery.

She looked at the Taoist priest who interpreted the divination, walked over and sat down. The Taoist priest had a long beard and just looked up at her and asked, "What is it that you don't understand? What do you want?"

"Why are there only good fortunes?" Tang Xu asked.

"Why do we need to draw lots? Do you want to draw lots?" The Taoist priest took the lot and said, "It's up to you."

Tang Xu was speechless. Of course no one wanted to sign, but you just didn't do it. Isn't it a bit... cool?

"Just do whatever you want to do. You won't know the result until you do it." The Taoist priest put away the note and said, "Next."

"How?" Du Yun asked.

"Hmm..." How to say it, Tang Xu smiled helplessly: "There are only good lots and best lots in that lottery box."

Du Yun was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and laughed, "The host of this temple is a very casual person, so it doesn't seem strange."

"Then why do you say they are effective?" Tang Xuqi asked.

"The Taoist priests of Feiyun Temple often travel around to provide medical treatment without asking for a penny. All they want is a meal. It doesn't need to be delicacies from land or sea, but fresh vegetables and rice are enough. The poor families at the foot of the mountain, and even the rich people in the town, will come here to seek medical treatment if they have incurable diseases. Feiyun Temple has a very good reputation, and wealthy people often donate incense and money. However, the money they spend on medical treatment and medicine, and on setting up tents to provide porridge in winter, leaves little left." Du Yun admired him very much.

"Then I'll donate some too." Tang Xu casually took out a silver ingot, about two taels. She usually didn't carry much money with her, so this was all she had.

Du Yun was in no hurry to stop him. He was impressed by Ah Xu's amazing hand speed and threw two taels in himself. "Let's go to the backyard? You can overlook the whole mountain from there."

"Let's go." Tang Xu followed him.

There is a side hall in the backyard. Going out from the side door of the side hall, many people are gathering around a pool of water to draw water.

"What is this for?" Tang Xu asked curiously.

Du Yun took out a small pot and said, "This is mountain spring water, very sweet. Many people come here to get the water, thinking that drinking it can cure minor illnesses. Do you want to try it?"

"Okay." Tang Xu had no objection.

It looked like a big rock, and the spring water gurgled down from the cracks in the rock and flowed into the pool. Du Yun was standing in line behind, and the people who were getting water were very quiet, taking it and leaving, as if they were afraid of disturbing something.

Du Yun took the full pot and asked, "I also brought tea leaves. It's too cold to drink like this. I'll lend you a stove to make tea."

Tang Xu couldn't help but look at the basket in his hand. It was quite big. "Where can I borrow a stove?"

"Come with me." Du Yun was very familiar with this place. He turned a corner and came to another courtyard. He handed over the basket in his hand and said, "Wait for me in the pavilion. I'll make tea. There are snacks in the basket."

"Okay." Finally, he could see what was in the basket. Tang Xu put the basket down, lifted the cotton cloth covering it, and opened the round wooden box. A sweet fragrance filled his nose. There were seven or eight different snacks in it. Although he was not too tired after walking this distance, he was a little hungry.

While eating snacks, a girl came over. She looked humble and docile, but her words were not very pleasant. "Could you please move aside? My lady wants to rest here."

Tang Xu turned a deaf ear and continued to eat his snacks. Your daughter is so shameless, asking others to give up their seats as soon as she opened her mouth.

When Ziping didn't get a response, she looked up at the other person, and saw that she didn't seem to hear him and was still eating. So she called out again, "Girl?"

Tang Xu ignored her, turned around and looked at the lotus pond with dead branches and leaves.

"Girl?" Ziping stepped forward and gently touched her arm.

Tang Xu turned around and pointed at his ear, "Ah? Ah?"

"Is he a deaf person?" Ziping became impatient and pointed outside, signaling her to go away.

Tang Xu couldn't help it when she reached out to pull him, "Why are you pulling and tugging? You said to give way, so give way. Your young lady is such an amazing person, call her out to let me see, why should I give way?"

"You can hear and speak, why are you pretending to be deaf and dumb?" Ziping was also annoyed.

"You can't see other people's rejection, but you insist that I scold you? This is a Taoist temple, not your backyard. I can sit wherever I want, and you can sit if you want. Why should I give up my seat?" Tang Xu said.

"Ziping, hurry up and apologize to this girl." A gentle voice came over, and a woman in purple was supported by someone and walked over. She had a scarf on her face, but it seemed very difficult for her to walk. She had to rest for a while after taking two steps, and her body was half leaning on the maid. When she came in front of Tang Xu, she took off the scarf and revealed her true face.

Tang Xu opened her eyes wide in amazement. She thought Tang Ling was already very beautiful. She didn't expect that there was someone more beautiful than her. This woman had thin eyebrows, half-closed peach blossom eyes, a round nose, and lips like flower petals. If it weren't for her pale complexion, she would be called stunning.

"I'm sorry, the maid was rude and disturbed the young lady. I apologize to you." She spoke in a weak voice, as if she would not live long.

"Miss!" Ziping stomped her feet angrily.

"Ziping, that's enough, apologize to this girl." Lvliu said sternly.

"Ah, well, that's not necessary. I'll give it to you. You sit here." Tang Xu felt embarrassed seeing her like this. He packed up his things and was about to leave.

"Miss, if you don't mind, then you can sit with me." Zhu Ying tried to persuade her, "It's rare to meet you, so it must be fate."

"Okay." Tang Xu didn't hesitate and sat down again. "My name is Tang Xu."

It was the first time that Zi Ping heard someone introduce herself like this. Just as she was about to speak, Lvliu pinched her arm and she almost cried out. She turned her head and glared at Lvliu, but dared not say anything.

Zhu Ying was stunned for a moment, then sat down on Lvliu's hand and said with a smile, "My name is Zhu Ying."

Lvliu and Ziping stood behind her, taking snacks and tea out of the food boxes and placing them on the table.

The eldest daughter is not only beautiful, but also has a nice voice. The tone of her voice is different from others, gentle and mellow, which is pleasant to the ear.

"Are you here to seek medical treatment?" Tang Xu asked.

Zhu Ying shook her head. "Yes and no. I can't host the event due to my illness. I'm just buying time."

Tang Xu was silent for a while, and then said, "I heard that people's illnesses are mostly related to their moods. We once had a man who was predicted by a doctor to live past the age of 20. He let himself go, lived his life to his heart's content, did what he liked every day, and was happy. He was fine at the age of 25."

Zhu Ying smiled and shook her head, saying, "This is a problem I brought from my mother's womb."

Tang Xu was silent, "Do more things you like, and your life in this world will not be in vain."

"I would like to see this beautiful land, but my body can't bear it. I need someone to carry me to climb such a small hill." Zhu Ying said dejectedly.

"Let me draw a picture for you." Tang Xu suddenly had an inspiration, and perhaps he couldn't control himself when he saw the beauty.

"Painting?" Zhu Ying was stunned.

Just then she saw Du Yun coming over with a teapot, so she went to meet him and asked, "Du Yun, can you borrow some paper and pen?"

Du Yun saw a strange woman in the pavilion, turned his eyes away and said yes.

After a while, a young Taoist priest brought something and told Tang Xu that Du Yun was waiting for her in the front yard.

"Don't you just want to climb a mountain? That's easy." Tang Xu spread out paper and pen, ground ink and started painting.

On the mountain peak that looks like a chicken's head, the mountain road winds up from the bottom of the paper, and the road view at the top of the mountain looks very far away.

A woman looked back and smiled on the mountain road, and two maids behind her seemed to want to support her arms.

It's a pity there is no paint, otherwise it would be better.

Zhu Ying watched her casually draw the mountain, the road, and the view with just a few strokes, and then fill in the details. The last one she drew was the woman climbing the mountain. Although her face was not very clear, she could recognize herself at a glance. She covered her mouth and said, "Is this me?"

"It's you, it's you. Look, aren't we climbing a mountain?" Tang Xu put away his pen and packed up his small basket. "I'm leaving first."

I finally got together for a date, but now I'm painting again. It seems like it's been too long. Du Yun mustn't wait or he'll get angry.

"Hey, girl." Zhu Ying stretched out her hand to stop her, but the person had already run far away.

"Why do I look so fierce?" Zi Ping asked puzzledly.

Luliu looked at her and said nothing. She looked at herself and wondered why Ziping looked fierce while she was so stable even though their actions were similar.