smile to heart

===========================

In view of the fact that the evil spirit ruined the marriage, there are many doubts, Qi Zhong and others decided to deal with the matter first, and then proceed to the next step.Since the investigation of the case does not conflict with his own mission, before Qi Zhong left, he quietly discussed with Mu Yun, and when he went to the theater to investigate, he brought Fang Yanxiao along as a test.

The two secretly agreed, and the group set off from the inn to the ruins of the theater.

The theater is next to the water, and the scenery is enviable, but when Qi Zhong and others arrived, they only saw a pile of frames of the theater that had been burned black by the fire, only two ancient willows in front of the door seemed to have escaped from the fire, and now their branches and leaves are rejuvenating , melodious with the wind.

Stepping into the building, the eyes are full of depression, and the moss under the green steps is deep.

"Baa eh, baa eh."

Just when everyone's thoughts were blocked, there were sheep bleating in the house.

"It's the sheep bleating again? Could it be that old man lost the sheep again?" Qi Zhong looked around and found the sheep that night under the dilapidated stage.

"Oh, it's true." Qi Zhong stepped forward to take a closer look, and confirmed it at a glance.

"Here comes the lamb."

Qi Zhong pulled the withered grass in the courtyard and yelled at it.

Fang Yanxiao walked over slowly, wanting to check the injury of the sheep.Unexpectedly, when the sheep saw her, its eyes widened in fright, and then it ran away, bleating.

Fang Yanxiao lowered her eyes, stopped in her tracks, and stopped approaching Mu Yun and the others.

Qi Zhong was speechless: "This sheep is stupid, it doesn't eat grass."

"Baa eh, baa eh."

The cry of the sheep echoed in the empty dangerous building, revealing the fear and panic in its heart

When the sheep blew away, a hoarse shout came from the empty building: "Baa baa, baa baa, where have you been? Come out."

Everyone looked towards the source of the sound, and saw the old sheep herding man coming out of the dangerous building with a broom that night, muttering: "Alas, disobedient sheep, I just went to get the broom, and you disappeared again."

"For no reason, I'm not busy with farm work, but I came to this deserted theater to sweep the floor."

Qi Zhong pinched his chin and said thoughtfully.

Mu Yun lowered his eyes, also felt weird, and was about to step forward to ask.Qi Zhong took the first step, and said angrily: "Hey, old man, come here, we have something to ask you."

Mu Yunlue wanted to help his forehead, and reminded in a low voice: "You should be more polite, the elders are respected."

"Oh, you don't understand, this old man won't take the hard way, and if he doesn't pretend to be fierce, he won't talk to us."

Qi Zhong also refused in a low voice.

Mu Yun didn't argue with him, stepped forward politely, and asked in a warm voice: "Old man, we don't intend to disturb, just to solve the evil spirit in the town, please tell me some clues, so that everyone in the town can feel safe as soon as possible. "

The old man rolled his eyes and shook his head again and again: "I, I can't understand what you are talking about."

"Don't understand? Aren't you from this town? Pretend to be garlic."

Seeing that someone was about to leave with a broom, Qi Zhong hurried forward to block his way.Mu Yun frowned to stop him from moving, and pulled him aside.

"I have no children, that doesn't touch me, I just don't know."

The old man stopped and replied again, picked up the broom, and began to sweep the dead leaves and dust in the corridor.

The old man paused and asked, "Who are you and what are you going to do?"

"Us? We are the little ghosts who helped you find the sheep that day. You owe people favors, and you have such a bad tone. Be careful that one day the sheep will fall again and you won't be able to get it back."

Hearing what Qi Zhong said, the old man's face was unnatural, and his tone softened: "I really don't know what kind of evil spirit, if you ask, I can't help it."

"Then do you always know the past of this theater troupe? When a fire burned down here, why are you cleaning here now?" Mu Yun asked again.

After hearing this, a look of sadness flashed in the old man's eyes.

"Forget it, let me tell you, I used to do cleaning work in the theatrical troupe, and the troupe master treated people generously during his lifetime. Back then, my house was flooded, and she gave me money to build a new home for me. If the kindness is not repaid, the person will be gone. I have to stay here for a long time and continue to do my duty, which is also a great consolation."

"I see. My condolences."

Knowing the whole story, Mu Yun apologized, bowed his head and replied.

The old man ignored them and swept the dust and fallen leaves in the corridor with a broom.

Because the empty building is spacious, it is surrounded by the sound of sweeping the floor in all directions.

"Let's go." Min Zhi felt that the trip was useless, and began to remind everyone to return.

Qi Zhong pinched his chin, pondered for a moment, and said: "Wait a minute. Since the sound of sweeping the floor has been there before, it is part of the memory."

"What are you going to do?" Min Zhi came back again, puzzled and asked.

"In this case, if you use the sound to enter the illusion, you can also get the illusion of the troupe's master's past memories."

After explaining, Qi Zhong began to cast magic spells, ignoring the hesitant and refusing gaze in Mu Yun's eyes.

Before everyone could react, they were already in the illusion of the past.

Back to the scene a few years ago, Qi Zhong walked to the stage facing an empty mahogany round table in the center, and sat down naturally.

Looking around in a blink of an eye, the surroundings are full of country gentry who came to watch the play. The second floor is full of people, and only Qi Zhong's table on the first floor has already been reserved. It is only after a long time since the guests have come that the table becomes empty.

Everyone sat beside him in coordination and watched the play together.

On the stage, two young women waved their water sleeves with a fairy air, and the melodious sound of silk, bamboo and zither was heard.

Qi Zhong carefully looked at the faces of the two women, and suddenly said in surprise: "These are not the two from that night..."

"Player."

Mu Yun added what he hadn't finished.

Both of them had already recognized that the graceful dancing woman on the stage was the two ghosts who danced under the ancient willow at the three-way intersection that night.

"A girl who was so good-looking in life turned out to be so terrifying after death." Qi Zhong sighed regretfully.

"Lonely ghosts, buried in ancient willows, while the full moon sucks yin energy, coupled with obsession with singing and dancing during life, they eventually degenerate into spirits and monsters."

Mu Yun explained slowly, and then said: "The vicinity of the ancient willow is also the place where the shadow disappeared. The past of the theater troupe is the key to solving the mystery."

Everyone didn't know where their tacit understanding came from, and they were all in a fog, and they were silent for a while.

……

Behind the scenes.

The two girls who had finished dancing hurriedly took off their costumes, and the pearl hairpins on their heads had not been removed. When they saw the class master entering the door, they immediately asked excitedly.

"Team master, class master. When will work be over today?"

In the light and shadow under the door, a young woman came slowly, dressed in a jasper plain skirt, gentle and elegant, and asked with a smile: "You two little girls, looking forward to finishing work so much, where are you going?"

The two girls stuck out their tongues playfully, and smiled: "My sister and I heard that there are fireworks dealers walking in the town, and some noble households bought a lot. We plan to go over the wall and watch them set off fireworks."

The woman who was called her elder sister shook her head and said, "You remember wrong. They have already discussed how to carry the fireworks to the river to set off. There must be a lot of people at that time. It will be lively and fun."

The head teacher nodded gently and responded with a silent smile.

The younger sister said again: "That's great, why don't the class leader go with us too."

The head teacher shook his head and said dotingly: "I won't go, but today, according to the request of you two children, I will finish work earlier. That's fine, you can arrange it yourself."

After finishing speaking, Chu Yan went out.

The two sisters giggled and said, "Thank you class leader."

Not long after she left, a hurried figure rushed in outside the door.

"Yan'er, Yan'er."

A young man with a handsome appearance and simple clothes hurried into the room, looking anxiously for Chu Yan.

As soon as the two sisters saw him, they joked, "It's you poor scholar again, who allowed you to call our class leader's nickname? You are still a scholar, so frivolous."

After being reminded, Yang Zhan blushed slightly, lowered his head, scratched his head in embarrassment and said: "Xiaosheng was rude, the girls taught me a lesson."

Seeing how honest he is, the two women laughed and said, "You always come to our class leader, but you want to teach her to read? Oh, let me tell you, our class leader was a talented girl from the capital back then, so we didn't need you to teach her."

"No, it's not. I'm not talented, so I didn't think about it that way." The scholar explained in a panic.

After the elder sister finished speaking, the younger sister joked again: "Oh, I see, you really like our class leader, you came here in a hurry, and you want to ask her out, don't you?"

Hearing this, the scholar blushed slightly and nodded slightly.

"Ah."

"Ah. You really dare. You come to the theater to do odd jobs on weekdays, and you still think you are honest. When did you become so malicious? Let me tell you, our troupe leader Jinzhiyuye will not agree to you."

One woman said arrogantly, but the other woman laughed.

"Where are you asking her to go? Tell me, maybe we can help you."

Yang Zhan said shyly, "Thank you very much. I heard that there will be fireworks in the city tonight, so Xiaosheng wants to invite her to watch the fireworks."

"Oh, I dare you to borrow flowers to present Buddha. You didn't buy the fireworks, and you want to use some tricks to invite beautiful women. Are all scholars so cunning?"

"Ah no. That's not what I meant. I have other preparations. Girls, please help me." The scholar hurriedly defended, his tone anxious.

"Sister, are you stupid? The class leader rejected our invitation just now, what does that mean? It means that she is deliberately waiting for someone to ask her out. If you reject this kid, you will ruin the class leader's good deeds."

Another woman whispered next to her ear.

The scholar caught a glimpse of them muttering, and buried his head lower.

"Oh, this way, it's cheaper for this kid."

"Everyone in the class knows about the two of them, okay? If you keep scaring him like this, maybe one day the class leader will find out and tell you a few words."

"No way. The little scholar must have used a lot of sweet words to deceive our head teacher."

The two said something again and laughed softly.

Yang Zhan hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help but asked again: "You two girls, can you tell Xiaosheng, Yan'er, oh, where is your class leader now?"

"Hmm... you guessed it."

The woman was still playing tricks on him, the scholar was embarrassed, and every time he came, he would be teased like this.

At this time, a figure suddenly turned back outside the door.

"It's really forgetful. I was talking to you two girls just now, and I forgot to take things..."

"Yang Zhan, why are you here?"

The scholar turned around and said at a loss, "Yan'er, I, I came to look for you."

Seeing that he couldn't speak smoothly, Chu Yan glanced at the two sisters beside her again, she suddenly understood, and asked with a smile, "Looking for me? Why are you looking for me?"

"Cough cough."

Just as Yang Zhan was about to say something, there were two laughters behind him.

Chu Yan looked back, the two sisters blinked, and silently exited the door.

"The two of them have always been talkative, and their words are neither big nor small, so don't take it to heart."

"Ah."

Seeing people nodding, Chu Yan asked back to the question just now: "By the way, you came to see me, what's the matter?"

"I want to invite you to watch the fireworks tonight. I wonder if you have time."

Yang Zhan replied in a low voice, not daring to look into the woman's eyes, his expression was extremely shy.

"Hey, I don't have time."

Chu Yan pretended to be sorry and said.

Yang Zhan mistook it for the truth after hearing it, and said disappointedly: "It's okay."

"but……"

Seeing people being fooled, Chu Yan smiled lightly.

"But you have time to ask me out."

Only then did Yang Zhan realize that she was joking just now, and said with a simple and honest smile, "That's good, that's good. We made an appointment like this, and I'll pick you up later."

"Ah."

The two laughed and went out, leaving a group of people from other lands watching silently.

Qi Zhong said, "A gifted man and a beautiful woman are in love with each other. It's really enviable."

After hearing his emotion, everyone didn't bother to pay attention, and left silently.

When Qi Zhong looked back, he found that only Mu Yun was still there, looking at the stage clothes and other items curiously, and didn't pay much attention to what he said.

After stroking his forehead, Qi Zhong stepped forward and said, "Forget it, anyway, you are still waiting for me. Let's go, let's watch the fireworks too."

"..."

The night came as promised, firecrackers and fireworks were set off by the river, and men and women came out to watch the fireworks bloom as if they were going to a market.Qi Zhong and the others followed the class leader and the scholar to the river.

Qi Zhong leaned on the fence by the river, leaning his body, looking boredly at the gorgeous fireworks in the sky, and said: "Crackling, a puff of smoke, what's so interesting?"

"I really don't understand appreciation." Min Zhi frowned.

Mu Yun glanced at him lightly, and saw the reflection of the fireworks in the night sky in his bright eyes, shining brilliantly, and felt that the fireworks above his head were bright and rigid, and lacked the agility of staring.

When he was in a trance, Qi Zhong suddenly lowered his eyes, followed a gaze, and found that Mu Yun was looking at him. He was surprised for a moment, shook his head, and said, "What's wrong?"

Mu Yun came back to his senses and shook his head.

Qi Zhong imitated his point of view, and said doubtfully, "I thought the fireworks behind me just now looked better, and I saw you as a god..."

"I...not." Mu Yun denied with a guilty conscience.

"Oh. Let's watch the fireworks."

On the water bridge, the troupe master and the scholar also cuddled up to each other, watching the fireworks in the dark night.

The sound of firecrackers in my ears gradually dissipated.

Yang Zhan was nervous for a long time, and carefully took out the gift in advance and handed it to Chu Yan. He remained silent awkwardly, not knowing how to speak.

"It's fine, why did you give me the bracelet?"

Seeing that he was nervous, Chu Yan didn't feel embarrassed. She generously accepted the gift, opened the red cloth and saw that there was a jadeite bracelet inside. Although it was not a famous jade, it was not cheap either.

"You, try it on." Yang Zhan suggested in a low voice, unable to see her expression.

"I don't wear it."

Chu Yan pretended to be angry, wrapped the bracelet again, and pretended to return it to Yang Zhan.

"Why? Don't you like jade? I think those girls like it very much... Oh, this one is only one, it won't be the same as others, don't think too much about it."

The scholar was in a hurry, explaining in a hurry.

"Fool, if you don't tell me the reason, am I ashamed to wear it?"

Chu Yan burst into a smile, the scholar didn't even have the time to confess.

"In fact, I just want to be united with you forever, never to be separated, I, I..."

The scholar was sweating anxiously, feeling extremely annoyed, he couldn't think of a good word for the poems he read on weekdays, how could he please others.

"Oh, you poor scholar, you just want to marry our class leader home with just a bracelet. It's so beautiful."

Chu Yan lowered her head and smiled, before she could speak, two little girls from the troupe rushed over, happened to bump into this scene, and came to join in the fun.

"I didn't mean that. This is just a gift. I don't dare to think about other things." The scholar said nervously.

The woman glanced at Chu Yan, and smiled again: "This bracelet doesn't look cheap, you are a poor scholar, where did you get the money to buy it? Could it be stolen?"

"No, no, this is the money I earned from doing odd jobs in the theater, not stolen."

The scholar was afraid that Chu Yan would misunderstand, so he quickly explained.

"Oh, the theater still belongs to our family, and the money to buy the bracelets was given by the troupe owner, you really know how to plan." The woman was still persistent and continued to joke.

"Oh, I said that you are a poor scholar with only a belly full of ink. If you really like our class leader, are you willing to use a bracelet to coax her to live a hard life with you?"

"Girl, don't say that. Xiaosheng never thought of letting Yan'er live a life of poverty. This bracelet is just a gift, not a sign of marriage. I will wait for my name on the gold list in the future..."

"Is your youth as our class leader worthless? You can take the exam slowly, but our class leader will definitely be able to wait. It's really selfish." The little girl spoke without holding back, and said whatever came to her mind.

Yang Zhan's face turned pale, and he didn't dare to say anything more. Now he understood that no matter what he said, the little girl would be dragged elsewhere.

"Both of you, hurry up and watch the fireworks, they'll be gone later, I don't know how long you'll have to wait next time."

Chu Yan said angrily, fearing that people would be suspicious, she hastily dismissed the two little girls.

"Okay, head teacher, let's go now, I don't want to prevent you from watching fireworks with this little scholar."

After the two sisters walked away with a smile, the scholar relaxed a little, and then said seriously.

"Yan'er, in one month's time, the results of the provincial examination will be announced. Don't worry, I have a hunch that you will pass this examination. After ten years of hard study, you will marry me with great success. This bracelet It's a testimony. Don't believe what they say."

Chu Yan was moved, and hurriedly put on the bracelet, and said with a smile, "Look, does this count as trusting you?"

……

"Oh, that's great. There are lovers in the world who will finally get married."

Seeing this tenderness, Qi Zhong couldn't help sighing.

"It's just that I don't know what happened later, so that the leader of the class married a wealthy gentleman in the town, and in the end he became a confidante..."

Min Zhi caught off guard and poured cold water on him.

"That's right. Let's see."

Regrettably, the scenes on the timeline passed by in a hurry.

The fireworks were gone, the night was deep, and the crowd dispersed. Yang Zhan took Chu Yan's hand and walked on the empty street back to the theater.

At this time, there was a burst of swearing and swearing from behind, and a fat drunkard with a greasy face walked towards Chu Yan and Chu Yan cursing.

"Hey, Leader Chu, Miss Chu, why did you come out?"

The drunkard said he was going to hug her, Yang Zhan hurriedly protected Chu Yan behind him.Disgusted in his heart, he pushed the person subconsciously. The drunkard's feet were unsteady, he staggered a few steps, and fell to the ground.

The drunkard tossed his obese body, got up, looked at the scholar in front of him, and was furious: "Where is the poor boy, dare to push me, do you know who I am? Let me tell you, my father is the richest boss in the town. My second uncle is a high-ranking official in the court, believe it or not, I can kill you with a single word."

"According to what you say, how can there be kingly law in this world?" The scholar looked straight at the man without fear.

"Yo, you kid is a bit brave, you dare to challenge me. Tell me, what is your name, I will find someone to copy your hometown when I go back."

The drunkard spoke arrogantly while coveting Chu Yan's beauty.

Chu Yan recognized the person, held back her disgust, and apologized politely: "Master Jia, we didn't mean to offend you. Your lord has a lot of people, so let's stop tonight."

"Hey, the beauty still speaks beautifully. Let's go, I haven't heard enough of the theater today, why don't you go back with me and sing a few more songs."

The drunkard smiled obscenely, and spoke maliciously.

Yang Zhan clenched his hands into fists, but was stopped by Chu Yan, and said in his ear: "He is the young master of the Jia family, Jia Hai, who is full of crimes in this town. Most of the things he does are unbearable. Let's not provoke this villain. It is better to do more than one thing." One less thing."

"But, seeing him bullying you like this, teach me how to bear it?"

"Why can't I bear it? It's nothing more than a clown, as long as today is unlucky and encounters filth, just avoid it, do you understand?"

Chu Yan was rational and calmly persuaded.

"How is it? Beauty, have you considered it? It's not early, go back earlier, we can do something else."

Impatient with the wait, Jia Hai rubbed his hands with greedy eyes.

"Master Jia, you want to listen to the opera. We will open the theater early tomorrow morning. You can just come to the theater to listen. Tonight, I don't have extra time to chat with you. Let me go."

After Chu Yan finished speaking politely, she took Yang Zhan's hand and walked back.

"Want to leave? Tonight, I want you to go back and sing two songs."

Seeing that Chu Yan was about to run away, Jia Hai hurriedly chased after her with dozens of catties of fat.

"Let go, shameless."

Being grabbed by the tail of her skirt, Chu Yan glared angrily and kicked people mercilessly.Yang Zhan didn't even think about it, so he punched the man indiscriminately. Jia Hai was beaten so loudly that he let go and rolled on the ground.

At this time, a group of servants called from behind the alley.

"Master, Master."

"The young master is drunk, where did he go?"

When Jia Hai heard that someone from his family was looking for him, he hurriedly yelled: "I'm here, I'm here, you trash, don't come here yet."

When Chu Yan heard this, she hurriedly called to the scholar: "Stop beating, people are coming soon. Let's go first."

Unable to relieve his anger, Yang Zhan had no choice but to pick up the stick on the ground and hit him hard on the head, knocking him unconscious.

When the group of boys arrived, they saw Jia Hai lying on the ground like a fat pig with blood on his head.