Vicissitudes know Jinhua

The two of them were exhausted from running around for the past two days, and they had no food and lodging. Now that they were clean and burrowed into the thick quilt, they finally found a stable bed. Their heads were next to each other, and they felt as if they were in the clouds, and soon fell asleep. , This sleep did not wake up until the next day at three poles.

After Mu Zishi put on his clothes, he was about to ask the shopkeeper about the carriages and horses. Qi Shaohong tilted his head and looked at him: "Why do you like to squint your eyes recently? Your eyelashes are long and dense. If you squint your eyes again, I can't see you clearly." eyeballs."

Mu Zishi approached him, and suddenly opened his eyes wide, but seeing Baoguang flowing and radiant, Qi Shaochong didn't feel its beauty but was startled: "I... I didn't say anything, don't scold me..."

Mu Zishi said angrily: "Who is going to scold you? It's not that you don't know that my pupils have different colors. If someone sees them, it's easy to remember. If I leak my whereabouts and identity because of this, it will be a disaster if I get caught by Qi Hefeng's spies. .”

Qi Shaochong suddenly realized: "No wonder... I thought you were blinded by the sand."

After thinking for a while, he clapped his hands and said, "Anyway, you are delicate and beautiful, why don't you just wear a veil and dress up as a little girl, wouldn't it be more deceptive?"

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Qi Shaochong felt that something was wrong. He peeked at Mu Zishi's white and red face, which looked like a frosted persimmon, and he wanted to bite off his tongue. Prepared for the rampage, Mu Zishi remained silent for a moment, and said as if nothing had happened: "Let's go, let's go to the shopkeeper, and go to the teahouse to sit for a while, and hear if there is any news from Chen Jing."

Qi Shaochong was in doubt, he had a straight-talking temperament, and immediately asked: "Huh? You didn't scold me? Are you confused?"

Mu Zishi said lightly: "You are not the fourth brother, why should I take what you say to heart?"

Not being scolded, Qi Shaochong heaved a sigh of relief, but he held a bit of sour and bitter breath in his chest. He didn't know what to say for a while, so he could only go out with Mu Zishi.

The old shopkeeper pulled his abacus and greeted warmly: "Did the two young masters sleep well? Although our inn is not big, it is clean and comfortable to live in. Regular customers who have traveled all the way to Lingzhou live here."

Mu Zishi hurriedly asked with a smile: "Our brothers are also going to Lingzhou. Dare I ask the old man, can there be vehicles and horses in Huangni Town to take passengers there?"

The shopkeeper touched the goatee and said, "You can ask the right person. Huangni Town is as big as a dung beetle. How can there be a special chariot shop? But among the merchants living in the Beikuan courtyard, there is a group of bright children. Rush to Lingzhou early in the morning, if you are willing, give me some money for the carriage, and I will tell you to go!"

Mu Zishi was overjoyed: "Please trouble the old man!"

Qi Shaochong bowed and chatted to express his gratitude. The matter of the carriage and horses was settled, and the two of them went out of the inn to stroll around in peace. The news about teahouses and restaurants was the most well-informed. Mu Zishi inquired about the location of the largest teahouse in the town, and the two walked slowly along the street past.

All the way Mu Zishi lowered his head and didn't know what to think, and didn't say a word, Qi Shaochong was worried, but he didn't dare to ask.

When I got to the entrance of the tea house, I saw a small sugar stall across the street. Sugar juice was boiling in a small stove. There was a wooden shelf in front. There is also a small spoon for scooping syrup, and a shovel knife for sugar shovelers.

Mu Zishi stood still, and suddenly asked, "Have you ever eaten sugar figurines?"

Qi Shaochong shook his head: "I've seen it on Zhuque Street, but Feng Bi... is the leader of Long Shuowei of Liangyi Palace. He said that the candy is dirty and he won't let me eat it."

Mu Zishi said: "I have eaten it."

Qi Shaochong asked: "Fourth brother bought something for you?"

Mu Zishi seemed a little proud, and said: "No, he didn't let me eat this either... Qi Wushang accompanied me to eat it, and what we ate was monkey diarrhea."

Leaning at Qi Shao, he rushed a glance: "Do you know what monkey diarrhea is?"

Qi Shaochong was ashamed of his ignorance, and whispered: "I don't know."

At this time, a ten-year-old brother led a five- or six-year-old little sister to the sugar figurine stand. The two were dressed in ordinary clothes, but looked happy. The sun was dancing on their red faces, and the little sister smiled He shouted: "I want to eat a big goldfish!"

The sugar figurine scooped up a spoonful of syrup, and said with a friendly smile, "Just a big goldfish, and it's still bubbling, okay?"

As he spoke, he shook his wrist lightly, and the golden and translucent sugar juice drew smooth lines, quickly outlining the appearance of a goldfish on the slate, shaking his head and tail, and pausing his hands, the goldfish's eyes bulged and came alive.

Qi Shaochong stared intently and opened his mouth, only to feel that the sugar man's skill is not inferior to that of Qi Wushang.

When the goldfish is ready, the peddler sticks a long bamboo stick to it and picks it up with a shovel, and hands it to the little girl. The elder brother takes out four copper coins from his pocket, and smiles at the little girl, "I'll buy it for you during the Chinese New Year." A monkey has diarrhea!"

Mu Zishi remembered that he was riding on Qi Wushang's shoulders when he was a child, and while eating sugar figurines, he secretly wiped the sticky syrup on his hair. A sugar monkey comes, and then knocks a small hole on the head, pours the syrup in and then seals it. When eating, you have to pierce a hole in the monkey's buttocks, suck the syrup first, and eat the sugar monkey after eating. More particular For some, you can buy a small glutinous rice bowl for two pennies, put the syrup on the monkey's buttocks, and when the syrup is finished, the bowl will be soaked in sweetness. Waxy."

Qi Shaochong was fascinated by it, his eyes were already sparkling with anticipation, and Mu Zishi rolled his eyes: "Do you want to eat?"

Qi Shaochong blurted out: "I want to!"

Mu Zishi snorted, "I won't buy it for you."

Then he went to the teahouse.

Qi Shaochong bumped into a big nail and was almost killed. After being stunned for a long time, Fu finally realized in his heart that Mu Zishi was still holding a grudge for letting him pretend to be a girl, and deliberately vented his anger on this.

Although he couldn't eat the candy man, he knew that he still cared about him after all, and his heart felt sweet, and the depression just now disappeared.

Mu Zishi walked away a few steps and found that Qi Shaochong didn't follow him. Looking back, he saw him standing with a smile on his face like the sun shining generously.

The two of them sat in the teahouse for more than an hour, and heard a lot of gossip from the parents who bought new year's goods, but there was nothing in the city of Chenjing. Only a middle-aged man who looked like a businessman complained: "Business is easy now, but it is difficult to go in and out of the city. The door is too troublesome, my young master was interrogated for enough time to eat a meal, it's really weird."

Mu Zishi and Qi Shaochong looked at each other, secretly glad that they left the city as soon as possible that night, otherwise, even if it was only delayed for a day, the consequences would be disastrous.

The two of them didn't go back to the inn at noon, they just wandered around Huangni Town at will. The people's livelihood was full of various things in the world, and everyone was struggling to get enough food and clothing. The palace in Chenjing was turned upside down, but it didn't affect their ordinary life. .

It was already dark when they returned to the inn. The old shopkeeper led the two to meet the merchants who went to Lingzhou the next day, and agreed on the price of the ride. After returning to the house, the two climbed into the bed and had a good night's sleep. Waking up early to dress and wash, Qi Shaochong was very obedient and tried his best to do it by himself. Occasionally, Mu Zishi saw something that was really not good, and naturally reached out to help him.

Although it was only a few days, they lived together day and night, and there was a tacit understanding in their actions.

In the end, Mu Zishi patted the creases of Qi Shaochong's clothes, and accidentally dropped a piece of paper from his sleeve. He picked it up and saw that it was Lu Kuangxi's prescription. Throw it away in a ball.

Qi Shaochong wondered: "Why did you throw it away? Doctor Lu is very skilled in medicine, you have to keep his prescriptions carefully. What if you get sick?"

Mu Zishi said: "I won't be sick, and I can't be sick."

Taking Qi Shaochong to escape thousands of miles is like walking alone at night on the prairie with a little fat sheep. If he falls ill alone, Qi Shaochong will be in chaos.

Mu Zishi stepped out the door with the package on his back, but Qi Shaochong quietly bent down and picked up the prescription and stuffed it into his arms.

The two stayed overnight with the dealer's convoy Xiaoxing, and entered the inner city of Lingzhou three days later. They had all the documents and household registrations, and the guards only collected the city gate tax as usual before waving their hands to let them go.

After entering the city, the caravan went to sell goods, and the two jumped out of the carriage.Because Muzi Shizuo is sweet and Qi Shaochong is cute, and because the caravan is on a lonely journey, everyone in this team loves it. When they parted, the leading merchant even specially gave them a pair of exquisite small lanterns, and said with a smile: "New Year's Eve is coming soon!" Yes, when we arrive at your second uncle's house, hang it up and celebrate."

Mu Zishi said cheerfully: "Thank you, uncles, for taking care of us all the way! Your goods will definitely sell for a good price. Go home and celebrate the festivities!"

They waved their hands and watched the cars go away, and the two of them didn't dare to delay any longer. Taking advantage of the early weather, they identified the direction and hurriedly continued on their way.

On New Year's Eve, Mu Zishi and Qi Shaochong stayed overnight in a small inn in Luoling County, Lingzhou. They were covered in dust and tired. In the past few days, they heard vaguely in the streets and alleys that the emperor was seriously ill. Hearing these rumors, Qi Shaochong was both sad and happy. The sad part was because the court in the palace was clearly under the complete control of Qi Hefeng. The happy part seemed that both his father, the queen and his mother had survived.

Mu Zishi looked on coldly and didn't say a word, but he thought in his heart that the Luo family and Qi Hefeng's hatred was as deep as a sea. Once Qi Hefeng came to power, the possibility of letting her survive would be like seeking fire in a sea of ​​ice.But seeing Qi Shaochong heaving a sigh of relief, he didn't say anything clearly.

When the two settled down, there was already a sound of firecrackers outside. Qi Shaochong was stunned for a moment before he realized: "This is... New Year's Eve?"

Mu Zishi ordered his staff to order a large plate of dumplings and make two dishes to deliver, and said with a smile, "Isn't it just the Chinese New Year? The night banquet at Zhiping Palace is full of delicacies on New Year's Eve. I invite you to eat cabbage and mutton dumplings. It's also New Year's Eve." .”

Qi Shaochong said shyly: "Second Uncle really didn't do anything, my father is probably under house arrest by Qi Hefeng and the others... Zishi, do you think we can return to Zhiping Palace to celebrate the New Year in this lifetime?"

Mu Zishi smiled, without any sign of depression or decadence: "If you don't return to the palace, you are Qi Shaochong. You have forgotten what I told you? Only by being quiet and far-sighted, with perseverance and openness, can you gain momentum There is no need to be impatient, it is right to experience it.”

The whole family was supposed to be reunited on New Year's Eve, and Qi Shaochong, no matter how open-minded he is usually, could not help being depressed at this moment, lying listlessly by the table, and said, "Even New Year's is wandering around, why don't you feel sad at all?"

Mu Zishi supported his chin with one hand, lit up the oil lamp, and said in a low voice, "I don't want to stay in the East Palace after the fourth brother is gone. What's wrong with living among the people? Besides, those brothers of yours are not good people. , if I keep it, isn’t it just a knife and a fish for me?”

Qi Shao blinked at the black eyes: "It's also..."

But he asked again: "But don't you miss home during Chinese New Year? Don't you miss your parents and elder brothers? I think that every year, people from the Qingping Hou Mansion come to the palace to see you."

Mu Zishi seemed to smile, his dark green eyes flickered, and said: "Mu Ziyu came to see me last year, do you know what he said to me?"

Seeing his strange smile, Qi Shaochong quickly shook his head and said, "I can't guess. But last year, in Qiuwei, he and you were in the same subject. I heard that the Ministry of Rites intends to nominate him for the eighteenth place. One word threw your paper over and asked them to read it carefully, and the emperor also said that Zishi didn't pass, so why did Ziyu get admitted? So Mu Ziyu also failed the exam...presumably he has resentment towards you because of this?"

Mu Zishi said, "It's not just because of these things that he hates me."

He glared at Shao Qi and said, "Father, the crown prince, the walls have ears!"

Qi Shaochong whispered: "I'm holding my throat down."

Just as Mu Zishi was about to speak, he heard a knock on the door, but it was a waiter bringing in dumplings. There were hot dumplings, stir-fried vegetables on a large tray, and two bowls of dumpling soup with green onion.

Qi Shaochong took it off and put it away one by one, and took out a few copper coins from his sleeve: "Young brother, it's hard work."

Now he does these actions without restraint or awkwardness.