Chapter Forty-Eight: Sniffing the Rose

After the snowball incident, Chai Qi didn't dare to trouble Shen Laibao Hualing again, and fled around the road as soon as he saw it from afar. Shen Laibao felt that this was good, if Chai Qi was too stubborn and didn't know the severity to be deterred, it would be a big trouble for them.

It's better for the villain to hide from himself than to hide from the villain himself.

On the sixth day of the lunar month, the new year has not arrived, and the flower phoenix is leaving the flower family. The news that she was leaving also reached Ge Mingxiu's ears, and after hesitation, he still didn't go out to see her for the last time. I stayed in my room until the evening, and finally went out, wanting to find a tavern to drink.

Coming out of the gate of the Shen family, I heard movement next door, and when I looked there, the person who came out turned out to be Hua Phoenix. He thought he was wrong, and under the flickering lights, the person was really her.

Hua Fenghuang was sensitive and alert, and he also noticed that there was someone next door, and he was looking this way, and when he raised his eyes, he saw Ge Mingxiu.

Since seeing each other in the villa in July, Hua Fenghuang has been looking for a chance to talk to him, but Ge Mingxiu is hiding very much, I heard that she is hiding from the creditor, but she always feels that she is also hiding from herself. Seeing him dodge in again, she couldn't help but shout, "Hey." ”

Ge Mingxiu paused, stiffly retracting his legs, "Huh? ”

"It's freezing, let's go have a drink."

Ge Mingxiu, who has always only had men ask for wine, was stunned, because it was a woman who invited him, and even more because the woman was a flower phoenix.

The flower phoenix wears a white cape embroidered with white plum blossoms, the white plum blossoms are dyed red, and under the background of the flying snow, the posture is upright, and the complexion is light, like a fairy in the snow. Ge Mingxiu looked at it for a while and nodded.

The two of them came out of the south wind alley one after the other, and when they first arrived, the sky was already dark and dreary, and the white snow reflected the silver light, like a lamp reflecting the sky from the ground. The long lights on the street were hanging, and the cold wind blew, making the shadows of the two people mottled and intertwined.

Ge Ming repaired for a while before saying, "I heard that you left today, it's so late......"

"It's snowing too much, I'll see it tomorrow."

"Then the snow will be so heavy tomorrow, will it be moved to the day after tomorrow?"

Hua Fenghuang smiled, "What are you doing to find out my whereabouts so clearly?" So you're going out tonight because you think I'm gone? ”

The idea was seen through at a glance, and Ge Mingxiu was quite uncomfortable. Hua Fenghuang felt that although Ge Ming had not made any achievements in the year since he established the capital, perhaps because people were too scheming. When her niece and daughter-in-law mentioned Ge Mingxiu to her, she also said that he was always cheated of money when he was in business, and he was willing to give charity.

It's scheming, and it's a bit silly.

She was pondering him when she heard him say, "Yes...... Although I know what you said at Wanxiang Temple is right, I always feel embarrassed to be confronted by you. ”

"Am I embarrassed?" Hua Fenghuang pursed her lips and smiled, staring with long eyes, "Are you afraid that I will be embarrassed or do you feel embarrassed?" ”

Ge Mingxiu was stared at uncomfortably, and Hua Fenghuang didn't embarrass him, and said bluntly, "What I said in Wanxiang Temple was to stop Mrs. Shen who wanted to be a matchmaker for you and me, and secondly, because I didn't think you were a bad person, so I didn't want to perfunctory your sister, and then let her have any ideas, it was better to say it directly and understand, so that she broke her mind." ”

Some feelings should be broken, and they will never be dragged into the mud. It's just that it's often easy to be called ruthless, and the flower phoenix is also used to it. But they don't know that the first moment to explain that even the lotus silk is cut off at one time, which is the expression of affection.

She didn't expect Ge Ming to understand, and it was good that he didn't scold her for being ruthless.

"Thank you."

Her eyebrows moved slightly, looking at the tall and handsome man, "Huh? ”

Ge Mingxiu clenched his fist under the thick sleeves, his face swollen red, "Thank you for telling the truth and not perfunctory to my sister." ”

Flower Phoenix slowly retracted her gaze, "Hmm." ”

The two of them were speechless side by side, the snow under their feet gradually deepened, the flower phoenix stepped on the snow unhindered, and Ge Mingxiu walked a little unsteadily. Hua Phoenix slowed down and waited for him to come along.

When he arrived at the tavern, Ge Mingxiu, who usually likes to drink, ordered some rice wine, which was soaked in medicinal herbs, sweet and mellow, and he would not get drunk after drinking a pot.

Hua Fenghuang has met many people who want to get her drunk with wine, and she has also met people who use tea instead of wine to make a gentleman's gift. But when she said she wanted to drink, the other party actually bought the wine or a pot of sake, and she saw it for the first time.

She and Ge Mingxiu drank five glasses before they felt a little warmer. Ge Mingxiu asked, "Where are you going, it's almost the New Year." ”

"It's fine anywhere, just don't stay at home."

Ge Mingxiu said stubbornly, "But you should stay at home during the New Year's holidays." ”

Hua Fenghuang looked at him with a smile, "Then why don't you go home?" ”

Only then did he realize that Ge Mingxiu, who seemed to have been at his brother-in-law's house for four or five months, showed a look of sudden realization, and he couldn't help but laugh when he saw Hua Phoenix, this person was really stupid. Ge Ming repaired for a while before saying, "I'll go back in the new year." ”

"And what are your plans for the coming year?"

mentioned that in the future, Ge Mingxiu was confused again. Hua Fenghuang knew that he hadn't thought about it, this kind of casual and peaceful character was living a stable life, but he had to be anxious about the people around him, "I'll say something you don't like to hear, you are the eldest son in the family, and you must always take on the responsibility of the family." For yourself, for your parents. ”

Ge Mingxiu nodded, "I know, so I'm always outside, I haven't gone back, I'm learning business with my brother-in-law." ”

Hua Fenghuang smiled, "Master Shen is a shrewd businessman, even if you learn his business experience, you can't become a businessman like him." ”

Ge Mingxiu glared, "Why?" ”

Hua Fenghuang paused slightly, but still said truthfully, "You are too stupid." ”

Grenshuff was struck by the blow.

Hua Fenghuang said, "If you can be an official, you must be a good official." It's just that officialdom is mixed, people like you like it, but you don't like it, and if you enter the officialdom, it's a dead end. The nature of the country is easy to change, and you have to find something to do that is right for your personality. ”

"For example?"

"Like being a teacher." Hua Fenghuang also has her own thoughts, after the incident in Wanxiang Temple, she also paid attention to Ge Mingxiu's affairs, and learned a lot of things from her nephew and daughter-in-law. Ge Mingxiu was always among the best when he was studying in the academy, and later he was admitted to the Yuan Dynasty, but for some reason he didn't want to be an official, so he didn't enter the Beijing Normal School to take the imperial examination.

But fortunately, he didn't enter the officialdom, otherwise with his temper, he would also be ostracized. People who are too rectum and not tactful, and a few people can accept and like it. Even the thirsty saints will feel that this is a thorn in the head.

Ge Mingxiu pondered for a long time, "This is okay, being a gentleman is also a decent thing, but I can't make money, and my father and mother are afraid that they will be unhappy." ”

"Believe me, if you can settle down, your father and mother will be happy."

I don't know why, everything she said entered Ge Mingxiu's heart, maybe it wasn't that the words entered his heart, but that she had already entered his heart, so every sentence was pleasing to the ear and I felt quite benefited.

Ge Mingxiu felt that his matter had been settled, and poured her another glass of wine, "If you can go home during the Chinese New Year, your father and mother will definitely be very happy." ”

Hua Fenghuang moved her lips, but she didn't say anything, and she didn't know if it was because she hadn't drunk and talked with a stranger who had no scheming for a long time, which made her feel a little more sad on a winter night, and she felt that it was not a bad thing to go home for the New Year.

She thought about it, and suddenly saw the person in front of her burping, and then chattered, and it was actually drunk.

She shook the pot of rice wine, and only drank two-thirds of it, and half of it went into her stomach! Ge Mingxiu's alcohol consumption was so bad, she was a little envious.

――You must know how depressed a person who is not drunk with a thousand glasses is troubled, and when he has no confidant and can't even get drunk!

"Hiccup-" Ge Mingxiu was about to drink, but in the blink of an eye, he found a hand passing by, and then his hand was empty, regardless of whether the wine glass was still there, he raised his head and drank the cold air, and burped with satisfaction, "Phoenix, I like you." ”

Hua Phoenix said disapprovingly, "Oh. ”

"When you beat me up, I thought you were a tiger spirit in the mountains! Later, I patronized and got angry with you, and when I saw you the next day, I realized that it was not a goblin that I had encountered, but a goblin! Kitsune. You're so good-looking, good-looking. ”

It is said that he spit out the truth after drinking, and now it seems to be true. She picked the phoenix eyes, and sure enough, it was because of her face that she had a good feeling, man, virtue.

"I've never met a girl so capable of fighting, and I think if I'm with you, you'll be able to protect me."

Hua Fenghuang smiled, looked at Ge Mingxiu who was talking about wine, and began to listen carefully to what he said interestingly.

"I gave you wild flowers that day, and you said you didn't like them, but there was no one in the girl's family who didn't like flowers, and the flowers must be too ugly. So I ran all over the hill and finally found a particularly beautiful flower. I took the flowers and wanted to give them to you, but you told my sister...... Say...... Those words were spoken. ”

After Ge Mingxiu finished speaking, he whimpered, like a child who had been wronged, lying on the table in great pain.

Hua Phoenix didn't expect that to come out, no wonder she met him at the door that day, and he kept his hands behind his back. That hand was ...... at the time Hiding the flowers he picked all over the hills?

I don't know if the flowers are good-looking......

Ge Mingxiu muttered a lot more, Hua Fenghuang listened carefully, and it wasn't until she couldn't hear clearly in the back that she sat up straight. She looked at Ge Mingxiu, who was already talking in her dreams, and thought to herself that if he could meet a girl who was sincere to him in this life, he would definitely have a very happy home.

But that person will definitely not be himself.

Ge Mingxiu is good, but he can't make her tempted to marry him.

There is one person in her heart, and she will only put that person in her heart, all the time...... Always......

Snow is like catkins, sprinkled from the dark heaven, blending into the snow on the ground, disappearing, and blending into one. The cold wind howls, the winter night is cold and lonely, cold, cold to the bone marrow.

&&&&&

The next day, Ge Mingxiu woke up from the bed of the Shen family, he didn't remember much about last night, and after drinking the hangover soup and having breakfast, he suddenly remembered, "What about the flower phoenix?" ”

Shen Laibao, who was drinking soup, replied, "She rode away after half the hour." He added, "I said I was going home for the New Year." ”

It's also strange that the aunt and grandmother of the Hua family, who said yesterday that they didn't want to be talked about by their relatives and "hide debts", changed their words today, and rode home, and unceremoniously tied all the generous gifts prepared by Hua Ling and her mother to the horse, and left with a whip.

Ge Mingxiu was lonely in his heart, and read in a low voice. Mrs. Shen couldn't help but whisper, "There is no grass at the end of the world." ”

"That's right." Ge Mingxiu asked, "Where did you study?" ”

"Moxiang Academy, what's wrong, uncle?"

"I want to teach there."

Everyone raised their heads in unison, and Old Lady Shen twitched her ears even more, "What?" ”

Ge Mingxiu said, "Old lady, Mingxiu wants to go to Moxiang Academy to be a gentleman." ”

Shen Laibao felt strange again, why did his uncle change his temper? The grandmother of the Hua family and the uncle of the Ge family changed their painting style rapidly, and he had to think about it more, could it be that the two of them drank together last night? The only one who can send Uncle Ge back is the second child in the tavern......

By the way, Ge Mingxiu won't know anything as soon as he drinks, how did the shopkeeper know where he lived, he obviously had acquaintances at that time. But why didn't acquaintances show up? There is only one possibility, and it is inconvenient.

In this way, it is easy to think that the person who drinks with you is the flower phoenix.

Shen Laibao didn't want to delve into this matter, since Hua Fenghuang didn't want people to know, Ge Mingxiu didn't say it, he traced it so clearly, but he violated them, although he was also curious.

Hua Ling came out early today, Shen Laibao went out with breakfast, and Hua Ling had already circled around her pony carriage several times. As soon as she saw Shen Laibao, she trotted over and jumped in front of him, "Brother Laibao, my father measured my head last night, and I have grown taller!" ”

Shen Laibao smiled, "How much higher?" ”

"One and a half fists." She stretched out her fist and gestured, "Na, so much, so much!" ”

"Xiaohua, what do you always want to do when you are taller? You're not short in a small class. ”

"Then I don't have to be crowded all the time when I go to see the lanterns, and I don't have to watch you climb the tree to pick peaches, but I can only pick them up on the ground. I can pick peaches with just one hand. And ......"

Shen Laibao felt that Hua Ling had an obsession with the long man, and this example kept saying thirteen, if it weren't for the fact that Liao couldn't stand it and stuffed her into the car, she estimated that she could say one hundred and thirty.

On the twenty-third day of the lunar month, the new year has arrived.

In the small year, you can start to prepare all kinds of New Year's goods, sweep dust, cut window flowers on the stove, and prepare for the New Year.

The academy was also on vacation, and Hua Ling watched her mother and aunts cut window flowers at home, and also took small scissors to learn on the side. After cutting for a long time, I finally cut out a fawn.

Seeing this, Liao said with a smile, "The little pig that Lingling cut is so good-looking." ”

Hua Ling's eyes widened, "Mother, this is a fawn, a deer." ”

Liao Shi and the other women immediately laughed, laughed so hard that the flower bell hummed, took her red deer and got off the stone bench, "I'll go to Brother Laibao to judge." ”

"Eh, Suzu? Bell bell. ”

Hua Ling is like a wild horse, and it can't be called back at all. Liao shook his head slightly, he will be seven years old next year, but he is still frizzy.

Hua Ling ran to Shen's house, and Shen's house was also cleaning, she protected the window flower in her arms, hiding from the dust that was constantly being swept off her head.

Shen Laibao was about to go out to Taohuazhuang, and wanted to discuss with the owner of Bai Zhuang to see what programs could be planned for the New Year and make some money. Before I got out of the yard, I saw Hua Ling walking briskly this way, and she was still protecting something in her arms.

"Little Flower."

When Hua Ling saw him, she took out the window flower, pinched the antlers and shook it at him, "Brother Noble Bao, I cut it." ”

Shen Laibao, who had never seen window flowers, suddenly felt novel, and this animal window paper looked very complicated, he didn't expect the flower bell to be so powerful, he sighed, "It's so beautiful, you cut it so well, Xiaohua." ”

Hua Ling, who had just been disgusted by her mother, suddenly found her soulmate, "Yes, I think too." ”

Shen Laibao smiled, she was really not modest at all. Hua Ling said, "I still have to go back to help my mother cut flowers, I'll go first." Then I'll give you this fawn. ”

With that, she carefully handed the window flower into his hand, and turned and walked briskly home.

Shen Laibao blinked several times, and even Ah Wu couldn't help but bend down and whisper, "Young Master, isn't this a pig?" ”

yes, isn't this a pig, and it's a pretty fat pig. Shen Laibao stared at it for a long time, where does this guy look like a deer?

He smiled wryly and turned back into the house, ready to put up the window grilles. Where to post? He thought about it for a while, and decided to stick it on the front door, so that he could see it at a glance when he entered and exited, and his mood seemed to be much better. Well, maybe it can ward off evil spirits.

&&&&&

As soon as the New Year arrived, the vendors on the street also began to put up all kinds of New Year's goods, especially the Spring Festival couplets that are indispensable for every household.

Hua Lang, who hadn't returned for half a year, looked out of the car window and said excitedly, "Brother, have you smelled the smell of the New Year?" ”

Hua Xu smiled, "New Year's flavor? ”

"That's right, it's the Spring Festival couplets on the street, new paper, candied candies, and the smell of cannonballs." Hua Lang's heart was very itching, "No, I'm going to buy a cannonball, buy a box, and go back to take my little sister to set off fireworks." ”

After saying that, he called the driver to stop, and Hua Xu was quite helpless, so he could only watch his playful brother get out of the car. He sat for a while and did not see him come back, and he felt bored, so he also came down to stretch his muscles.

It wasn't until he looked around the street that he remembered where it was. He paused slightly, and walked back to the end of the street.

When I was near the end of the street, I saw a cake shop.

The scene in front of the cake shop was completely different from that of other shops, and it was bustling on both sides, but it was deserted here, and there was not even a trace of prosperity that could be shown. There are no red couplets or lanterns, and even the little girl sitting in front of the baked cake stall is plain. I took a book and read it, and in a trance, it was the same as when he left Mingzhou half a year ago.

The baked cakes in front of the stall were still piled high, and he still remembered the last time he rushed forward and Qin Qin was kicked down by her mother, this time he stepped forward much lighter.

The place where he was standing happened to block the morning sun, and the light of Qin Qin's reading dimmed, and he soon found that someone was coming. She closed the book and bent down to put it under the table, then got up, "Do you want to buy baked cakes, how many?" When he saw someone coming, he felt quite familiar, and he remembered after a while, "You are Lingling's eldest brother?" ”

"Flower continued." Hua continued, "When I came back from the academy in other places, I passed by here. ”

Qin Qin nodded, and said, "The baked cake is so dry, it's not suitable for you to come back from a long journey to eat, anyway, you can eat delicious food when you go home." She knows that the Hua family loves children, and every time she sees Hua Ling, the people around her will always carry a food box, and the food box is delicious. Layer after layer, all of which she had never tasted.

Hua Xu smiled, "There will definitely be soup when you go home, it's okay to drink with soup, take twenty of them." ”

Qin Qin didn't ask any more, and took an oiled paper bag and wrapped it for him. Seeing that she no longer had the intention of talking to herself, Hua continued to think that her brother had gone to buy artillery battles, and said, "After you eat the reunion dinner in the thirtieth year of the Chinese New Year's Eve, will you come out to play?" We go out together every year to set off firecrackers, and if you want to go, Ling Ling and I will pick you up. ”

Qin Qin lowered her eyebrows and thought for a moment, then asked, "Is Shen Laibao going?" ”

Hua Xu paused slightly, and didn't know if he would go, Qin Qin said again, "If he goes, I will go too." If he doesn't go, I won't go. ”

Hua Xu said, "Then I'll ask him, and I'll let someone know you when I turn around." ”

Qin Qin replied lightly, didn't say much, and seeing that he was still not leaving, he asked, "Is there anything else?" ”

Hua Xu shook her head, and then saw Qin Qin bend over and take out the book, as if she was afraid that her mother would rush out and snatch it up just now. When he returned to the carriage with the baked cakes, Hua Lang, who had gone to buy the cannonballs, had not yet returned. He took one and took a bite, and it was so dry that his throat hurt.

The flower bell who gave out the window flowers she cut came home happily, and as soon as she entered the lobby, she saw her father sitting there, and she walked over with a smile, "Daddy." ”

Hua Pingsheng showed his face, called her to his side, and handed her something, "Give it to you." ”

At a glance, Hua Ling turned out to be a walnut boat again, and it was bigger and more delicate than the previous one. She held it in her hand and played with it for a while before she said, "Did Daddy buy it for Lingling?" ”

"Didn't you always like the one before, Daddy will give you another one."

Hua Ling rolled her eyes and shook her head, "But Daddy has already given one away, and Ling Ling remembers that the eldest brother also liked the walnut boat at the beginning, so give this to the eldest brother." ”

Hua Pingsheng likes her children to be sensible, and she knows that she is sincere, so she put it away and prepared to give it to her eldest son.

But when the flowers came back, they were happy to patronize the family reunion, but they forgot about the walnut boat.

The Shen family next door also knew that the two sons of the Hua family were back, and Father Shen hurriedly asked people to call his son over. But after this shout, I realized that my son didn't know where to run with Ah Wu, and he disappeared at the critical moment, and Father Shen was quite dissatisfied. After arresting the subordinate in his room, he questioned him, and the subordinate was yelled at by him, saying that he had leaked his mouth, and confided in Shen Laibao about going to Taozhuang.

Father Shen immediately twisted his eyebrows, why did his son keep running to Taozhuang? The mind of a shrewd merchant spun around here, and he pondered,

There's something wrong inside......