without me

The day of the spring equinox is crowded with people, Yingxiu tries her best to push away the people blocking the way like a low wall on the street.

I'm afraid that if someone takes the opportunity to bump into a place he shouldn't touch in the crowd, but he can't grab him in the street and ask for an explanation——

In case of delaying what the master ordered, I don't even think about continuing to do it.

"It's fine for the Fifth Young Master to play, why is the Eldest Young Master like this..." After all, the master has great strength when he hits people, let alone Mrs. Ruan, if she goes crazy, it will be a big deal.

Yingxiu was even more afraid that she would lose her way of life, and she just let out an "Ouch" when she was pushed, and slipped away in a hurry after being wronged.

After finally getting out of the crowd, Yingxiu brushed off the corner of her clothes and looked around.She entered Jiang's mansion at the age of seven, and had never seen what Zhangtai looked like.Fortunately, I met an aunt who was carrying a bamboo basket, and kindly showed me the way, so I found it.

Not far from what she had imagined, Yingxiu looked at the plaque above her head and had no choice but to bite the bullet and pass through the girls.

But... as soon as he stepped on the threshold, he was stopped.

"Yo, girl, what are you doing here?"

Yingxiu takes a step to the left, and Shuitao blocks to the left; Yingxiu looks to the right, and Shuitao blocks to the right.

She was not used to the teasing and whispering of the men and women around her, and her face flushed quickly.

"I... I'm here to find someone."

Shuitao looked her up and down, and asked teasingly, "Is this here to catch your lover?" Yingxiu waved her hands hurriedly.

"You're kidding, I don't think you look like a maid who is here to catch rape," Shuitao giggled, "Tell me, which family it is from."

Seeing that the other party didn't intend to embarrass her, Yingxiu breathed a sigh of relief. "Young master of the Jiang family," she finally extended two fingers and added, "Both of you."

After hearing this, Shuitao paused, "...is there something urgent?"

Yingxiu nodded, and the other party glanced at the guests behind her without showing any signs, then turned her head to greet the two girls, and whispered with her mouth to her ears.

One of the two girls went upstairs, the other walked around the wall, pushed open the back door and went out.

The shadow of the eaves has been elongated a lot, from warm to cool, from vacant to completely covering the figures of the two.

I lamented that Liu'er's knowledge of the outside world was almost blank, probably because of the phrase "can't go out", maybe it was really isolated from the world.

The back of the Hongxing Building is some distance away from the house, and I saw a girl I met in the building from a distance, walking towards here on the path.

Liu Er followed my gaze, straightened her sleeves and stood up, and I followed suit.

"Mr. Jiang?" The girl walked up to me with brisk steps, "Mr. Jiang."

I motioned for her to continue.

"A little girl came and said that your Jiang family has something urgent, Miss Shuitao asked me to call you."

Urgent matter?I guessed for no reason, and went to the back door accordingly.

"Hey wait!"

The girl stopped me abruptly, with an apologetic smile on her face, which made me confused.

I wondered: "Didn't it mean something urgent?"

"Yes, but..." She pinched my sleeve and led to the back of the room, "We also have urgent matters."

To say that this place looks like the backyard of a certain house does not mean that the house is behind the Hongxing Building, nor does it mean that it is the backyard when entering from the back.It is not overgrown with flowers and plants, but the posture of the willow tree is really pleasing to the eye.

Looking from a distance behind the detour, you can see more trees outside the fence, with branches and leaves poking around.Such an environment is like the gate of a house, especially this wall.

It's very strange that Liu'er lives here and not in the building.

Even if I follow along cooperatively, I still want to ask for an explanation: "What's your urgent matter? What does it have to do with me?"

The girl walked away with the Mazha, "I need you to enter our Hongxing Building through the main entrance."

The foreword and the afterword did not allow me to clarify the relationship between them, and the other party wandered around the wall, finding an angle to put down the Maza.

"Look at that tree?" She pointed to a crooked-necked tree poking in.

I could vaguely see it, and I nodded.

The other party bowed and saluted, gesturing to me.

"Sir, please."

……

Me: "What?"

She glanced up at me, and gestured to the saddle, "My lord, please."

"Couldn't you..." I looked at the crooked-neck tree, "Could you tell me to flip out?"

"Exactly."

"Turn it out and enter your Hongxinglou through the main entrance?"

"Exactly, my lord, please..."

"Stop, stop."

I hastily interrupted, surprised and even more unbelievable, "Your Hongxinglou's hospitality is really special."

The girl gave me a shy smile, and I said that I couldn't bear it.

In fact, if you look closely at this area, there are only a few obvious marks on the foot of the horse, which are almost inseparable from the four feet of the small bench.Even the surrounding weeds are drooping in the corners of the wall, as if to make way for this set of smooth movements.

And that girl has already started to roll up her sleeves.

"Young master Jiang, do you need help?" Liu'er also looked at me with concern after helping to tidy up the skirt with a look she had long been used to.

Is this normal, is this normal?

I suddenly hated those small picture books, why didn't I start drawing from the threshold where the left and right feet stepped into the chapter platform first.

Who knew such a thing would happen.

"Forget it..."

As long as I am easy to talk, I am at your mercy.

Stretching my arms and legs, I stepped on the Maza, but it was still not enough, so I had to jump up and hook the wall.But a person who is bedridden all day is not very flexible. Thanks to the strong and thick branches of the crooked neck tree, it was a bit difficult to climb up. Liu Er supported me underneath.Moving vigorously along the branch, it finally landed safely.

Yaoji used to sneak out of the house every time, it was Jiang Ci who brought a rope with him to catch me.Anyway, I was still beaten after being discovered, as long as this kid is intact, he can get me out no matter what.

Thinking about it this way, isn’t it the first time I’ve climbed a wall or a tree in more than ten years?

Sad.

The girl was nimble, and landed perfectly from the wall in two or three hits.It's a pity that I am a head taller than her and I can't do it. No matter how I think about it, it must be the reason why Dad always hurt me.

Naturally, the outside doesn't look like the inside of the wall, and it looks like it hasn't been taken care of.In fact, it is just a small forest. Its lushness is due to the spring. Under the shade of the trees, weeds are overgrown. If you look closely, you can find a few flowers.

I heard the sound of Liu Er closing the bench on the other side of the wall.

"My lord," the girl next to me bowed again, "Come with me."

The small road is not a detour, just walk into a certain alley and walk a few steps, you can see the bustling crowd and the wide street.

Immediately afterwards, the three big characters of "Hongxinglou" were engraved on the plaque, and I once again stepped into the house with difficulty from the thin arms of the welcoming girls waving handkerchiefs.

You don't need to look for it specially, Yingxiu is staying beside Shuitao, and the existence of Shuitao is very conspicuous.

"Young Master Xu is here." After the girl who led the way finished her work, Shuitao gave her the guest who was waiting next to her, and they went upstairs together.

Seeing me, Yingxiu hurriedly complained: "Why did the young master come to this place? If you don't go back, the master will have to vent his anger on me."

I messed with her carefully combed braids, "When the fifth child comes down, I guess he hasn't played enough."

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Ci appeared at the stairs with a serious expression on his face.

That expression, left and right, is like someone who stays up late at night and is forced to get up early the next day.On the way back, he was still out of his mind, thanks to me holding his arm, otherwise he would have been chased by the horseshoe.

On the street, I clasped Jiang Ci's shoulders and shook vigorously, "You brat is obsessed with Wenxiang nephrite at such a young age? It's outrageous."

While shouting to wake up, the other party also woke up.

"Brother has the nerve to talk about me," he said, "Why did you take the water peach outside the house? Could it be that the bustard secretly hid a fairy for you to take advantage of?"

……

If I told Jiang Ci that "we're just chatting", he would definitely not believe it.

"Nonsense, what kind of fairy is there?" I realized later, it seems that there is something in common.

"It's really clean, much more pleasing to the eye than the one at the door."

The closer this step is to the Jiang Mansion, the busier it looks on the street.Our juniors have grown up here since we were born, and we are friendly with our neighbors from top to bottom.I took advantage of the crowds to watch the excitement, and trotted to buy the pastry that I had been thinking about for a long time, but usually there was a long queue.

Of course, there were quite a few people who wanted to make a connection. In short, the onlookers circled around the carriages parked at the gates.

We wanted to wait for the people in the car to come in, but the boy was carrying boxes of things, which looked really heavy.

Seeing that it would take a lot of time, Jiang Ci and Yingxiu followed behind.In addition to being courteous, I walked in without caring about the "guest".

Waiting in your own house and not being able to enter, is there anything more absurd in the world?

Yingxiu suddenly lowered her head.

Jiang Ci raised his arm, neither raising nor letting go, "Brother..."

Before I could catch my eyes, a gentle voice entered my ears, and I suddenly looked towards the source of the sound.

"Xu'er."

A dignified and elegant woman approached slowly.

She pretended to be sullen: "Why don't you go to see the master and go out for fun? It's outrageous."

Every word and every single product is an accusation, but the tone is to coax children.

I reluctantly responded: "Isn't this accompanying Lao Wu?" Finally, I shook the snack in my hand, "Mom, sweet-scented osmanthus cake."

The other party smiled, "It's really rare that you can buy it."

Jiang Ci and Yingxiu, who were waiting outside the door, didn't come in until their mother ordered the reception and left with snacks.

Jiang Ci sighed, "Brother really has experience, but Mrs. Ruan is not angry."

I just kept my eyes cold and didn't look back at the figure of my mother leaving.Yingxiu also hesitated to speak, but still didn't dare to say anything, and went to work in a hurry.

Everything should be ready for the birthday earlier. I didn't know the news when I was in bed. Jiang Ci told me that there might be important people visiting, and the whole family had to get together.

Counting the time, if you don't see your father, you will be scolded as an unfilial son.I'm used to this kind of address, but this kid Jiang Ci can't do without it, and it seems that he is not in a good mood just now, so he can only talk about it.

Greetings are the same as always, my father is perfunctory, and we are perfunctory, it's just a formality, but today there is one more sentence than usual.

The smiling face on the chair became fake, and my father nodded symbolically.

"Father has a guest today, everyone is here if Xu'er would like to come and accompany you," he added without any question in his words, "Xu'er is the eldest son, don't refuse the opportunity to learn more It's outside."

I really want to say something: Your eldest son just finished seeing Zhangtai today.

But the so-called important guests, I am indeed a little curious.Except for the uncle who passed away a few years ago, I can't think of anyone whose status is so important and who will come to his birthday party as a guest, so that he can be so important.

Afraid of getting into trouble, whether I should or should not, I actually have no choice.

"Xu'er understands."

Then he had nothing to say to Jiang Ci, and after finishing those few words, he opened the door and went out together.

Jiang Ci... didn't like to see his father. When he was a child, the elders' thoughts were not on him and Zhuiyan. As the fifth and sixth in the family, there was no extra love.

I looked at him, fearing to become a stranger to this family.

Blood relatives who don't know each other, so that no one will take care of them.

I'm afraid... I can't keep him, it can't be like this, absolutely can't be like this.

"Don't make a bad face."

I pinned his head and cursed, and the sentence "Fourth Aunt doesn't like to see you with a sad face" stuck in my throat, and I swallowed it silently.

And Jiang Ci paused for a moment, and continued to go back to the house, holding a lot of bananas in his arms.

There is nothing to do, nothing to think about, the princes and ladies of the Jiang Mansion greeted each other and stayed in the house, especially me, with nothing to do.Just waited until later, Jiang An knocked on my door.

When it was still bright, I had already entertained a group of guests. At that time, Jiang Ci and I had just returned from Hongxinglou.

The guests ate and drank one after another, the congratulatory gifts varied in size and severity, and the master chatted happily with a smile on his face. The lively and peaceful scene made people feel tired watching it.

I just glanced at it, and it was even more interesting than being in a daze.

No matter how lively it is, after the show is over, there will be chaos and chaos. Bowls are not bowls, and chopsticks are not chopsticks.

"Young Master," Jiang An leaked his face through the crack of the door after I answered, "Master has ordered, I will take you there."

As if I was afraid that I would run away.

There was one during the day, and another one when it was dark, just to see the distinguished guest.The gathering of wives, concubines and children should be a big event, whether it refers to the distinguished guest or the rest is unknown.I wandered into irrelevant places, and the table was well-prepared with food, which was not as rich as I imagined.

"Father."

He raised a kind smile and waved at me.Looking around, only Jiang Ci, Jiang Zhuiyan and Xiao Qi had not arrived, but the mother and even Mrs. Dong had already arrived.

There were only three seats left, and my father squinted his eyes to indicate the position beside me. Before I moved, I caught a glimpse of the person sitting on the other side of him—probably the "guest".

The man also looked at me unabashedly, and I saluted him wisely before taking my seat.

"Hahaha."

Apparently my father was a little approving when he saw the man, and patted me on the back, "Boss, Jiang Xu."

Then he whispered to me, without looking back, without taking his eyes off.

"... Grand Master Situ."

I was shocked.Even if this person resigned with the departure of the first emperor, he is still a famous teacher, and his son is now educated as the Minister of the Household Department. He is really a person that cannot be ignored.

Old Situ's eyesight was failing, and he said with a smile, "What a boy, he has a straight spine and handsome eyebrows."

I also made a reserved smile, feeling the familiar eyes around me.

The source is naturally the father, the master, and the head of the family. I have long been familiar with his thoughts and ideas under his stick, and I have no need to speak out after more than ten years, like a roundworm in my stomach.

He told me not to expose.

So I didn't say anything, and the old man couldn't recognize that it was a daughter's house.

At this point, Jiang Ci came in a hurry, followed closely by Zhui Yan.

"Father," Chasing Yan was careful not to be tripped, "Is the child late?"

"It's not too late, come and sit down."

The two filled the only remaining seats, and the table was barely complete.Four wives and six children, Situ looked around seriously, stroked his long beard and smiled knowingly with his father.

Including my uncertain mother, who is looking down dignifiedly and gently.

Jiang Ci still didn't say a word, I kicked him under the table, pointing to Mrs. Dong secretly: Xiaoqi won't come over?

Mrs. Dong's real name is Dong Xi, and she is the fifth wife married by her father. She gave birth to a healthy and beautiful girl a few years ago.

The boy was always happy when he was with Jiang Ci, and his relationship with the elders in the house was eased because of this...

At least there is less private yin and yang.

Jiang Ci just woke up from the stupor, pointing his fingers on the table, and mouthing: Here, chaos.

I don't know why the chaos, but the atmosphere between the head of the family and this grand master...the former prince and grand master is really weird.On the dinner table was a peace that I had never seen before, and I only talked a few words when it was mentioned. Fortunately, my father avoided topics about me and worked hard to create family harmony.They waited and waited, but they didn't see how much food anyone ate, presumably the drunkard didn't care about drinking.

Suspicious of Situ, I didn't hear the slightest sign until now when I was chatting--Ms. Wei, the third wife my father married was actually a distant relative!

I've never heard of this matter, maybe I was too young when Wei Lianzhi entered Jiang's house... Even in the future, I don't want to see me, every time I'm touched, it's like I owe her something, my eyes are slanted, I'm afraid I'll have to Fly out of the face.Where is the time to find out what seven aunts and eight aunts she has.

The relatives are only distant, and I still can't figure out why Situ Dajia came here.

The white and green vegetarian dishes on the table were picked out in twos and threes.During the whole process, the three of them chatted all over the world, and the rest of them, including me, were speechless throughout the whole process as if they had discussed it in advance.This kind of tacit understanding is rigid and serious, which is not seen in ordinary people at all, and it belongs to high-ranking officials and nobles.

No one dared to go in.

As if it was just for Situ to take a look at everyone, the cover-up dinner table was logically removed at the end of the conversation—even the people dispersed.

Father waved Jiang An to lead someone to clean up, and said to everyone sitting: "I have something to say with the grand master, you should leave."

No interruptions are allowed, the beginning and the end are particularly absurd, and the intention is unclear.I also met the lady and son who looked up but didn't look down, and the two young ladies.

As soon as the door was closed, Mrs. Wei called the fourth child to leave without talking to anyone...

In addition to expertly rolling her eyes at me before leaving, a special treat that struck me as mocking.The fourth child also followed his gaze and looked at me, leaving helplessly.

Whether it's a habit or giving up, I ignored it and approached Jiang Ci: "Xiao Qi is asleep?"

Before she could nod, Mrs. Dong trotted over from the other side and patted us on the back with both hands. "Thanks for your hard work, Aci, I heard that Bao didn't make a fuss all day." Her smile was much better than the two in the room.

Jiang Ci still didn't say a word, and I yelled on his behalf: "It's no trouble."

The other party repeatedly took something out of his sleeve, stretched out his hand and spread it out in front of our eyes—two candies.

"Ash, you take it too."

I thanked him for taking it, and Jiang Ci was able to respond accordingly.

Watching Dong Xi walk away, I asked, "Madam Dong too?"

Jiang Ci shook his head, "I'm afraid, I always feel unfamiliar."

I said: "Mrs. Dong is fine, I have to take care of you until no one in the house dares to touch you."

The relationship is so strange, I am really worried. "You're not afraid of strangers. It's a big deal to be able to get acquainted anywhere outside Jiang's residence."

There were also many maids and servants on the road, so I sent him back to my room, wondering if he would step in, and then he would return to his appearance of daring to say anything and dare to do anything.

The exaggerated and numerous decorations are more dazzling than usual, like the only living person in an isolated city, hanging up lanterns and couplets alone, taking the trouble to open the doors and windows of every house, and putting bright flowers and plants, playing the role of Zhang Yuan. The lively illusion of lanterns and festoons.

"sister……"

I was about to go back, "what's wrong?"

Wrapped under heavy gold paper, Jiang Ci hesitated to speak.

"Just say what you want, don't learn Jiang An's bad habit of looking forward and backward."

He touched the wooden table next to him, touched a hairpin with his fingers, and gritted his teeth tightly, "Sister, if there are any gossips about chasing swallows in the house recently...please listen to me more."

As soon as the word "chasing swallows" came out, I asked, "Lao Liu? What happened to her?"

After that, there was no answer, so Jiang Ci remained silent.

Recalling that since he came back from the Red Apricot Tower, he seemed to be full of worries. There was something disturbing that I didn't know, which was slowly stirring in Jiang Ci's heart, stirring up mixed feelings.

Bits and pieces seem to do a lot of trivial things, the moon covers the figure, the house, the surface of the tiles, and every inch of soil.The soft comfort given by this thin quilt is the most real carefree wherever the eyes can see.

Jiang Mansion has been exhausting to me for many years, it cannot make my time worthwhile in my heart.

I often think, when Jiang Ci and Zhui Yan grow up safely and smoothly, can I leave without any worries?

Then I don't know what else is going to keep me going, where else I can go.Looking around, it is expected that there are all unknowns, but if it can be done, at least it will fulfill the entrustment of the fourth aunt before she died.

As for where to go, it doesn't matter.

"Candles...yes, I've run out." I remembered that there was still something to do to end this ridiculous day.

It seemed that I asked Yingxiu to help her put it there first. I stepped on the fine stones and shadows to get the candles, and went back to the house carefully holding the bottom of the candlestick, so as not to disturb the sleeping people.

The sky was surprisingly dark, if Zhui Yan would never go out, she was terrified of the legendary ghosts and monsters that haunted the night.

There may be only the rustling of leaves rubbing together in the ears, as well as some vague discussions.

"...on...," the inaudible words leaked from the transparent window paper, "...pai..."

I raised my eyes from the ground and saw the whole picture - this is my father's house.

Knowing this, I slowed down even more, in order to be safe and not move.Sure enough, the father said respectfully and clearly: "If so, I hope the grand master will take care of it."

Just like when Jiang An was talking to him, he kept his voice low.

The silhouette of Situ was stroking his long beard between the window lattices, "Keep your eyes open too, you will know right from wrong."

"Yes, you said yes."

"It seems that there are a few families who have great opinions, but it's hard to say at the court."

He snorted coldly, "Since the emperor can sit on the dragon chair, how can he be deaf.

"No matter how chaotic it is outside, it is better to make friends than to fight. The little princess should make some sacrifices for the stability of the country—not to mention that this is not a sacrifice."

I realized that the room seemed to be discussing business affairs and important matters, so I closed my ears and left in a hurry.

Today's moon is probably "none of my business".