[New Peerless Double Pride 3] Over the years

In a flash, two months passed.

My days in Qiuhuangdian were monotonous and endless, accompanied by the always dim lights in the cell.

and the half-dead man.

Jiang Wuque's condition never changed, new injuries always piled on top of old ones, fever, internal toxins were unclear, Qi and blood were not smooth, I couldn't cure him, and he couldn't die either.

The puppet master in Jeju appeared alternately with me, trying to control his mind with poison, but I couldn’t see the difference either. , is always silent, I don't know if I am awake or have lost my mind.

On this day, he took the initiative to talk to me for the first time, and he asked me a question, he asked: "Have you ever seen a seven or eight-year-old child?"

I was surprised by this sober sentence, and I didn't even know how to react for a moment. I was applying medicine to his new abdominal injury. I raised my head and looked at his eyes covered by messy hair and scars.

"Children? There are no children in Emperor Qiu's Palace."

He closed his eyes and didn't make another sound.

But the next day I found out that I was wrong.

There are children in the Hall of Emperor Qiu, and the owner of the hall raises a large number of children from five to fifteen years old in private. He trains them, isolates them, and makes them become the future elite of Emperor Qiu's Hall.

But I didn't notice it at first, so I answered Jiang Wuque's question wrongly.

Next, my treatment of him was still silent, but I stopped and couldn't help wanting to remedy it.

"Actually, there are many children in Qiuhuang Palace, and there are also many children aged seven or eight. Which one are you looking for?"

I asked Jiang Wuque, who had his eyes closed, that in the past two months, I didn't talk to him often, and I didn't know how to communicate with him at one time.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at me with a dull look.

I suddenly thought of puppetry for a moment, so I shook his arm vigorously, and he blinked and looked at me again.

"Hero Jiang, the seven or eight-year-old child you are looking for, what does he look like, I can help you pay attention."

He slowly withdrew his gaze, said nothing, and never said a word.

I knew that I had done my best, and even exceeded the limit. He didn't say anything, so I had no choice but to pack up my things, get up, and walk towards the door.

At this time, Jiang Wuque's voice sounded behind him, hoarse, and even hard to distinguish, "A boy..." he asked, "Have you seen it?"

I turned around, even though I knew I shouldn't.

Even if I sympathize with him, I shouldn't risk changing anything for him, I shouldn't have any contact with him, I shouldn't try to understand what happened to him, I shouldn't want to help him, and I shouldn't feel that I have Ability to do something for him.

Even if I am "surplus", I still cherish my life, I still want to save my life and go home, and I still want to live a normal life.

"What kind of boy?" I approached, to ask.

Jiang Wuque frowned, obviously thinking about one thing made him tired, and even concentrating on it would make him extremely painful, "I don't know..." He replied, leaning his head on the cell wall, the cold and hard stone wall, he put the back of his head Arrived on top.

I knelt down in front of him, "The seven or eight-year-old boy you mentioned, I don't know what he looks like, so do you know his name?"

He doesn't respond.

"Master Jiang?"

When he closed his eyes again, I knew this short conversation was over.

Maybe even he himself is very clear that looking for someone is just a delusion. Although it is not easy to find someone in this heavily guarded Qiuhuang Palace, the person Jiang Wuque is looking for is not just a seven or eight-year-old child, so simple.

I guess, that child is the bargaining chip used by the Hall Master to threaten him, and they must have a relationship, most likely father and son, even if this is the worst possibility.

Jiang Wuque married Tie Xinlan, everyone in the martial arts world knew it.

But I can't think about it, because if I think about it, there will only be one result, and the wife and children will be separated.

……

Soon, the young master who had been going out for training returned.

This is a major event, and no one in Emperor Qiu's Palace knows about it.

The so-called Young Master is not the Palace Master's own son, but the Palace Master has a biological daughter who is said to be pampered and willful, unlike the gentle and gentle Mrs. Hu, who is the Palace Master's wife, the mother of the Palace Master's daughter.

It's just that I have never understood why I still call myself Mrs. Hu since I am the wife of the palace master.

But I didn't have the honor to meet any of them. Except for the hall master, my scope of activities is very small. I just go between the house and the cell every day, and the house is only a hundred steps away from the cell.

As for the source of all my news, it is the elder brother guard who works daily shifts outside the cell, and the two maidservants who help Jiang Wuque with daily life. Even the secret training of children in Emperor Qiu's Palace was mentioned by them by accident.

The Palace Master has set extremely strict regulations for everyone in Qiuhuangdian, but I am the only one who is not considered a member of Qiuhuangdian, so in fact I am very free, but my cautiousness makes myself not free.

On this day, I stayed in the cell overnight, Jiang Wuque's new injury was stable, and I was finally able to leave with peace of mind.

Leaving the prison cell, walking through the long corridor, and going out, it was still the endless darkness of the night.

The cool wind is very fresh, with the smell of morning dew, I can't help shivering, but suddenly I don't want to go straight back to the bedroom.

I walked forward in the long corridor, and the guards who came and went saw that I did not deliberately stay in trouble. The cell was near the northwest corner of Qiuhuang Hall, and I walked forward, out of the gate of the courtyard, and a path led to the desolate back mountain.

It is still within the sphere of influence of Qiuhuangdian, so the back mountain is the back mountain of Qiuhuangdian.

There is a bamboo forest on the back mountain that I like very much. I have only been there once, and I found it when I passed by inadvertently while collecting morning dew decoction for Jiang Wuque.

I have a poor sense of direction though, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go back to that place again.

Walking on a mountain road that is not too rough, the sky has begun to shine slightly.

The white mist lingered among the trees, like a mist of smoke, and when I finally stood in front of a large bamboo forest, the thin morning light shrouded the bamboo forest.

As I walked forward, I heard the sound of falling bamboo leaves, the sound of the wind, and—I stood still, it was not the sound of the wind, but someone practicing swords in the bamboo forest.

Not far away, between the morning halo and the bamboo shadow, the cold light flickered frequently.

I didn't dare to approach, so I stood in the distance and watched quietly.

The sun has not yet risen, and in the mountains and forests, there is only a glimmer of light and deposited ink.

I raised my feet and moved step by step, the shadows of bamboos crisscrossed, following the figure of the man dancing his sword, I looked at him and then slowly stepped forward. , Draw out the phantom.

A child, very small in stature, the oldest is no more than ten years old.

Still a boy, but with a sharp sword style.

Every move is coherent and freely swayed, the sword energy moves away, and the bamboo leaves fall from the sword end.

The morning light shines through the bamboo shadows, and the thick mist gradually turns thinner. Finally, there is a figure of a person, the breath of bamboo in the early morning, and a large silent mountain forest.

Exquisite swordsmanship.

And me, the passing bystander.

And I watched because I saw a difference.This child is different from the others. Others are not allowed to enter and leave the back mountain through the Hall of Emperor Qiu, and the others do not include children of this age. The Hall Master trains all the children in a unified way. It is impossible for me to meet him at this time and here.

Of course, you can tell at a glance that he is not an ordinary person, even if you are far away, he has a certain quality, which is different from ordinary people, just like I also have a certain quality, no matter how you look at it, he is just an ordinary person, the characteristics of an ordinary person .

The bamboo forest was at dawn at this time, the fog had not yet cleared, and the leaves were falling frequently, pierced by the sword light drawn by a child.

I suddenly had an idea that this person is the young master, an idea that can be concluded without any verification at all, just like I was sure of his unusual identity, I also thought of other possibilities, thinking that he might be Jiang Wuque wanted me inquire about people.

He retracted his sword, stopped, and stood silently.

I didn't want to be discovered by him, so I turned around and left, but when I turned around, I saw that he suddenly put his sword on the ground, and wanted to start to move forward, but he didn't take a step, but his body shook slightly.

From the doctor's point of view, his left foot was injured, and the injury was not serious. In this case, he should not practice swords, as it would accelerate the deterioration of the injury.

I didn't want to look too abrupt, but I couldn't help turning and walking back.

Holding the sword, he was half kneeling on the ground at this moment.

I know this is an opportunity, the only unusual child in Qiuhuang Palace, a boy of seven or eight years old, with a cold temperament like Jiang Wuque, a little more violent, even if he hasn't really gotten close.

He was very vigilant, and he spotted me after walking a few steps. He turned his head to look at me, and I simply quickened my pace, "Your foot hurt?" I walked up to him and looked at his left foot.

He raised his head, even though he was a child, his eyes at this moment were unexpectedly cold and deep.

"Who are you?" He asked in a childish voice, but his tone was completely defensive.

"I'm a doctor, and I want to help you look at your feet."

"Doctor?" He asked back, his expression still cold and resisting, "Why is there a doctor here, who are you?"

"I'm indeed a doctor." I looked at him sincerely. His eyes were beautiful and upturned, but even more proud and indifferent. I thought about it and said to him, "I'm a new recruit from Emperor Qiu's Palace." Doctor, come up the mountain for a walk, and I want to help you see the injury on your foot."

"I'm fine." He barely stood up, and I went to help him, but he avoided it.

"You still doubt my identity?" I felt a little strange, talking to a child who was much younger than me. He was obviously still a child, but his demeanor and behavior were old and suspicious.

Like his face, the child's skin is smooth and fair, but there are many small scars, some of which are only pale pink traces, and some are newly added sword wounds. He is really a child who has experienced many battles. With a trace of hesitation, he pursed his lips, appearing more indifferent and inhumane than the palace master.

Just a small nose, thin lips, a pointy chin, less than my shoulders, and he's still just a kid.

"Sit down." In the tone of an elder, I stretched out my hand to help him sit down.

He looked at my hand, and then at me, "You are from Qiuhuangdian, don't you know me?"

I smiled, but still pulled him to sit on the ground, "I've only been here for two months, and I don't know many people. What's your name? My name is Sun Yingyu."

He frowned, but the way he frowned was cute, "Xie Xinghen." He said.

"what?"

"Xie Xinghen, my name."

"Xie Xinghen..." I squatted beside his feet, trying to help him take off his shoes and socks, but he suddenly pressed my hand.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I turned my head to look at him. He has enviable bright eyebrows and starry eyes. I don't know what he should look like when he grows up.

"I want to help you see the injury," I patiently explained, "I don't have see-through eyes through my shoes and socks."

He let go, and I fluently helped him take off his shoes and socks, and rolled up his trousers. After staying in the Emperor's Palace for two months, I don't know when, helping others undress has become another strong point of mine.

I raised the corner of my mouth in self-deprecating, I saw a small and exquisite little foot, fair and small, it was just a wound on the ankle, wrapped in gauze, but yellow blood fainted from the gauze, it was a knife wound that almost hurt the bone, The treatment was not good, and the surrounding area of ​​the wound had suppurated and watered out.

"How did this happen?" I raised my head and asked him, "You didn't listen to what the doctor said. If you continue like this, you'll be limping."

His eyes widened when he first heard it, but he soon calmed down.

"Don't your feet hurt?" I still asked, "Why don't you see a doctor anymore?"

"I'm fine." He tried to be brave, "I don't want a little injury—"

"This is not a minor injury." I interrupted him, feeling dignified, like a kind elder.

He doesn't need to be on guard anymore, I just want to help him heal his injuries, he doesn't need to be on guard at all.

Or, he felt I didn't know him, and relaxed.

His name is Jie Xinghen, everyone in the Emperor's Palace knows that their young master is called Jie Xinghen, I am relatively ignorant, and I can pretend that I have never heard of it.

Before bandaging the wound, the wound must be cleaned thoroughly. This is also my strength. I am quick and try to minimize the pain. Xie Xinghen has been watching my movements. At the last step, I applied Jinchuang medicine to heal the wound. Re-bandage.

"You are really a doctor." He said suddenly.

I smiled, "You can't bluff people with this kind of thing."

"It's still early, how come you come here for a walk at this time?" He began to question me.

"Because I just finished work."

Seeing that he was dissatisfied, I simply explained everything at once: "I am in charge of treating the prisoners in the cell. Last night, the prisoner had a fever, so I have been busy until this morning. After the work, I didn't feel sleepy, so I came here for a walk. coming."

"Aren't you afraid?" he asked, "running up the mountain alone before dawn?"

"Aren't you afraid? A child ran up the mountain before dawn."

A cold light flashed in his eyes, obviously my words caused his displeasure, "I have the ability to protect myself." He replied coldly.

I had no choice but to say: "I also have the ability to save myself."

I wanted to help him put back his shoes and socks, but he stopped my movement and put the shoes back on himself.

"Your foot hurts," I reminded, "and you should wear a shoe size up."

He ignored me and stood up first.

"When you go back, remember to find other doctors to prescribe medicines for reducing fire and swelling."

He turned to me and whispered a thank you.

"you are welcome."

Then he leaves.

……

On the second day, in the same bamboo forest, as expected, I saw Xie Xinghen again.

He is not practicing sword, or he may have just finished practicing.

He sat upright on the big rock under the bamboo, with an upright posture, even though there was no one around him, he didn't relax his back a bit. He seemed to hold a kind of hostility to everything around him, so he was on guard, making every movement of his body One part must not be slack.

And he was in a trance, he was tranced looking at the top of his head, the top of the bamboo, and farther away was the bright blue sky.

I approached, but he was not immediately alert, until I stood in front of him, he withdrew his gaze and slightly looked up at my face, at this time, I think he had already guessed that I would appear again.

"I have prepared some things for you." I handed him the package that I carried with me, which contained some medicines for internal and external application, and a pair of boots that were an inch bigger than his feet.

He flipped through the objects, then looked up at me with something suspicious in his eyes.

I smiled at him kindly, "You shouldn't be short of these medicines, but I think maybe you don't like to see a doctor, and your foot injury can't be delayed."

He lowered his head and rewrapped the opened package, "Thank you." Then he thanked in a low voice.

I know he is not a muddleheaded person, he definitely needs these things, but no one will prepare them for him, he will not shirk my kindness, because I am a doctor in Qiuhuang Palace, I should have done it for him do these things.He didn't want people to think that he was weak or unable to endure because of a small injury, so he endured it. Most of the injuries on his body should be endured in this way.

And my kindness to him comes from my curiosity to explore one thing.

I'm not always curious, but this matter is too huge, so huge that it fills my daily life, I have to choose to face it squarely. Regarding the child Jiang Wuque wants to find, this is a dangerous but interesting adventure. Exploration, because in itself, solving star hatred is a danger.

Or should I put it this way, Xie Xinghen will naturally classify everything that moves around him as a threat, and when I become his threat, I will put myself in danger.

Even if he is a child.

But he was just a kid after all.

He put the package aside, turned his head, and looked seriously at the colored bamboo forest in the distance.

The color of the morning sun, when he looked at it, he was as straight and stiff as when he was looking at the sky, but the light filled his eyes, and he would feel happy like a child.

The rising sun always brings strength and joy to people.

"Do you like this place very much?" He asked suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he turned to look at me.

I nodded, "Before you showed up, I thought I was the only one who found this place."

There was finally a hint of relief in his eyes, and his voice was no longer hard and indifferent, "Since I was five years old, I have come here to practice swords every day, except for the days when I am not in the temple, I will be here every morning."

"So that's how it is...then I stumbled into your territory by mistake."

I responded aloud, if he wasn't a child, or if he was older, an older man, then I would have taken him to be implying that there was a plain and straightforward hint in what he said that he didn't hate I appeared here, but instead he sent me a disguised invitation that he would be here every day, which meant that I could find him here every day.

But I don't want to think too much, even if he grinds himself like a rock, I prefer to see him as a simple child, because only in this way, I can get close to him, I have to be close to him, if I want to know get more.

He was engrossed in watching the swaying bamboo forest. I realized that I was a bit inferior and tried to gain the trust of this person, but what I paid was hardly sincere.

If he is Jiang Wuque's son, what should I do? Will I tell him the truth, or even tell Jiang Wuque that I saw his son?

What kind of role am I playing, I am just a dull and boring hired subordinate, but suddenly one day, I feel compassion.

Or, did I feel bad?

I can't tell whether I really want to help Jiang Wuque, or I want to discover more thoroughly the tragedy that happened to him.

If the palace lord can know my state of mind and thoughts at the moment, then my life will not last long.

It's just that the hall master is too far away, he is too far away from me, and can't control me.

But I am very close to the young master of Qiuhuang Palace.

"Have you ever been to the Four Seas?" I stood opposite him and asked him, "It's only half a day's walk from Qiuhuang Palace, and my home is there."

"your home?"

"Have you been there recently? The biggest pharmacy there is opened by my father."

He didn't say anything anymore, it seems that he has never been there, and maybe he thinks that telling the truth will disappoint me.

"There is also a blacksmith's shop next to it," I didn't mind, and continued, "My family has always been neighbors. The owner of the shop is called Jin Kingu, and the blacksmith is really hardworking."

He still looked at me and said nothing.

"Can I sit down?" I asked him, and he nodded.

Sitting down beside him, "Can you go out often?" I asked again, "Who are you in the palace, young master?"

He is not surprised that I know his identity. If I pretend to be ignorant at this time, it will appear to be deliberately concealing it.

"I would like to ask you to bring me a letter home. If you can travel across the world next time, can you tell my father... I will definitely go home for the New Year, and I am fine here."

He didn't understand, "Does this kind of thing need special help?"

"Yes." I should always find a reason to explain that I deliberately got close to the young master of Qiuhuangdian, like a little benefit, I always have to find the benefits I want from him, so that he can be beneficial to me explain.

"Before Chinese New Year, my father would travel far away to contact drug dealers. I was always worried that he would not be able to come back before the New Year, so I sat alone at the door of the house and waited. Waiting and waiting was very boring. I counted the clothes of every passerby. 32 cyans, 27 yellows, [-] reds... and my father came back."

"Is it boring?" I turned my head and asked Jie Xinghen, who was listening carefully, "Some ordinary little things, trivial, and very boring... Anyway, when I come here, I can't see other people, and it may be because of these things. Memories will become clearer, the first time I have been away from home for so long, but I find that what I remember more and more clearly in the end are these sporadic and insignificant things..."

I raised my head and looked at the tall bamboo roof, "Sometimes, I try to think, if I hadn't waited for Dad to come back at the door, would he have missed it in time—if I hadn't counted the colors of those clothes, if I hadn't Counting to No. 40 red, maybe my father won't appear at that time... It's strange, me."

He waited for me to look at him, and after a while, he said: "It's very strange, there is still a long time before next year, you think too long."

"No, this is the closest time I can think of to get out of here."

He was silent, looking at me with narrow, upturned eyes.