Chen Qiuniang still lowered her eyes, bowed her head, said softly, and said slowly: "Yes, fate." ”

"Good and decent, why do you suddenly think about this nothing?" Zhang Ci pulled her to sit down.

"Thinking of how hard Xiao Yanyan tries and calculates everything, she is just the fate of a chess piece." Chen Qiuniang couldn't say anything when she said this. Jiang Fan and Zhang Ci were silent at the same time, the atmosphere was dull for a while, Chen Qiuniang felt that she shouldn't affect the relationship between these two people so much, so she sniffed and said, "I'm sorry, I'm thinking too much." ”

"This kind of meaningless thing should not be thought about in the first place. In this world, Zhang Ci and I will protect you, the power of the nine major families, you have at least the support of the five families of Zhang, Jiang, Pan, Cao, and Lu, what are you afraid of? Jiang Fan said with a smile.

"It's me who is overthinking." Chen Qiuniang had already adjusted her feelings at this time, and there was a bright smile on her face, and she also took the opportunity to ask, "Ah, I have never been in contact with the Lin family, why do you support me?" And the Cao family, I have only seen Cao Can, aren't you fooling me? ”

"How can I fool you? The new patriarch of the Lin family has admired you for a long time, and he likes food in his life, but he is one of the shareholders of the wealthy feast. As for the Cao clan, Cao Can, who guards the northwest, is the patriarch of the Cao clan. The old men of the clan also exchanged views with him, and learned that this-" Jiang Fan said this, pointing at Zhang Ci, before continuing, "Knowing that this person did not violate the ancestral teachings, and could control the overall situation and set things right, he no longer cooperated with the Council of Elders." Even considering the abolition of the presbyterian system, the future will be a matter between the patriarchs of the major families. ”

"I didn't expect my reputation to be so big." Chen Qiuniang said with a sigh of relief, although she was still very depressed in her heart, she successfully changed the topic and completely broke the dull atmosphere just now.

Jiang Fan laughed, and then said: "The nine major families are the housemothers, and they don't have to be among the dragons and phoenixes, but they also have to convince the major families." ”

When Chen Qiuniang heard the words "housewife", her heart was confused, and she didn't know how to continue talking. Zhang Ci, who had been silent, patted her face lightly and said: Yun'er, no one knows whether fate exists. But even if you save zài, can you tell what your fate is? Is it true that if you do nothing, your fate will befall you? ”

"It's my magic barrier, Youqi." Chen Qiuniang wanted to desperately open this page, so she immediately said like a little girl who had done something wrong.

Zhang Ci ignored it and still said: "The so-called fate is the result of the right time, place, and people, circumstances, knowledge, and many other things. Fate is just a result, and the outcome depends on the process. Therefore, how this life can live unbridled is the most important thing, and the final result is no longer important. ”

Chen Qiuniang wanted to say, "In the past, I also thought the same way, focusing on the process, and it doesn't matter what the result is. But after falling in love with you, I began to demonize and become obsessed with a result", but she didn't say anything, just smiled slyly, and said coquettishly: "Okay, I swear, I won't think nonsense in the future." ”

"You." Zhang Ci smiled helplessly.

"I'm hungry." Chen Qiuniang was coquettish and cute, and changed the topic.

Zhang Ci had little resistance to her coquettishness, and all three of them were hungry, so they devoted themselves to eating. During the banquet, because the three of them were young people and there were no other strangers there, they left behind all the rules of "eating without saying a word, sleeping without speaking", and chatted while eating. The content of the chat basically revolves around food, Chen Qiuniang is an expert in this area, Zhang Ci is also a child who loves the kitchen, and Jiang Fan is a foodie, so the three of them get together to eat, and the topic is naturally inseparable from food: commenting on the chef's skills in the feast of this wealthy family in Cangzhou Mansion, asking Chen Qiuniang how much true the chef has gotten, or asking about condiments, heat, knife work, and ingredients.

Chen Qiuniang is a master of gastronomy, because she has spent the past ten years studying hard, and her accomplishments in gastronomy have long surpassed her original university career in civil engineering. So this meal, in a friendly Q&A, I ate the end of the day.

Zhang Ci and Chen Qiuniang wiped their mouths, still dressed as the old man and the little servant, got into the carriage one after the other, and entered the plum garden after seven turns and eight turns. Jiang Fan changed into the dress of a young general, a spear and a white horse, and entered the plum garden in high spirits.

Because the three of them had just eaten enough and didn't need to eat dinner, Chen Qiuniang took the initiative to make tea. In the past, in this time and space, the craftsmanship of tea was not high, and it was only suitable for boiling from picking to making, so tea leaves were cooked, put on seasonings, and used to eat. The taste and character are much inferior to modern tea. After Chen Qiuniang founded the wealthy feast, she cooperated with the tea garden to innovate the tea system, and it was popular to make tea and drink tea in the wealthy feast. Nowadays, this method of making tea is popular among the elite, and the new method of making zuò tea is more expensive than gold.

I don't know if Jiang Fan really likes to drink tea, or because it is related to Chen Qiuniang, Meiyuan has stored a lot of tea from wealthy feasts. Chen Qiuniang chose the Ming Qian tea, which was liked by all three of them, and the taste was fragrant. During the period, Jiang Fan and Zhang Ci changed their clothes, Jiang Fan was dressed in white, an uninhibited and handsome son, and Zhang Ci was dressed as a noble son in the plum garden before, as for Chen Qiuniang, she was still dressed as a small maid and made tea here. Jiang Fan and Zhang Ci meant to let Chen Qiuniang see Chai Yu in person like this, after all, Chai Yu and her are old acquaintances, but I am afraid that things will change, and the less people know her identity, the better, so I have to meet Chai Yu in the appearance of this little guy.

In the north of Cangzhou, at dusk, it was already lit up, and there was still a glimmer of daylight like a gossamer. Chen Qiuniang knelt at the table and made tea with peace of mind, and after a while, Chai Yu was escorted in by five or six maids from the plum garden. It is said that it is "charged", but it is actually inappropriate, Chai Yu is not tied up.

Chai Yu was dressed in a dark shirt, his long hair was untied, and he was draped behind him, and the cold young man with bright eyes in the past was now much taller and more heroic. It's just that three years have taken away the peace on his face, and it has made him look frightening and inexplicable, with his dark clothes, which actually makes Chen Qiuniang feel frightened.

He entered the hall, only stood at the near end, arched his hand to Zhang Ci very perfunctorily, and said in a very unfriendly tone: "Second son Zhang, don't come unharmed." ”

"Chai Gongzi doesn't have to be polite." Zhang Ci waved his hand, got straight to the point, and asked, "Presumably you already know the purpose of this trip, right?" ”

"Got it." Chai Yu replied.

Zhang Ci said: "Then I won't repeat it, just ask Chai Gongzi if it's okay?" ”

"Second Prince Zhang is really joking, if you are asked to carry your ancestors, change your surname, and live as another person, will you be willing?" Chai Yu smiled sarcastically.

Zhang Ci ignored it, but said with a straight face: "If there is a way to solve the dilemma I am facing, even if I change my time and space, change my identity, and become a fisherman, it doesn't matter." When he said this, his eyes swept over to look at Chen Qiuniang, and suddenly disappeared again.

Chai Yu didn't answer immediately, and after a while, he smiled sarcastically and said, "Second Prince Zhang is against his will!" ”

"Every word from the bottom of my heart." Zhang Ci ignored Chai Yu's dissatisfaction and sarcasm, and still spoke in a calm tone, even with a peaceful nobility between gestures, as if he was a bowl of water, let the wind blow and the waves, and take care of himself without being alarmed.

"The hatred of the country and the family, the second son of Zhang has never had. The pain of losing the country, the shame of annihilation, Zhang Ergongzi has never had; You have not even had the hatred of taking your wife. Chai Yu was excited, his tone was hateful, and his whole face was violent.

This is Chai Yu, who is completely unfamiliar to Chen Qiuniang. Three years have made the Chai Yu in her memory completely changed, the Chai Yu in her memory is as quiet as water, with an indescribable nobility and arrogance, but is the man in front of her really Chai Yu? Chen Qiuniang wanted to ask, but there was too much involvement in the question. Moreover, she was dead to him.

"Three years have passed, but Chai Gongzi has not grown." Zhang Ci's tone was still calm, but the disappointment contained in it was obvious.

"Growth? What is growth? At least I like me at the moment. Chai Yu still had a sarcastic tone, and the hatred in his heart was difficult to settle.

"Three years ago, although Chai Gongzi was young, he was a person with the temperament of a king, and he was very decisive in killing and scheming, and even the ruthlessness of the king was learned. What your Lao Tzu left you, you learned well. It's a pity that after three years, you are like a secular person, and your eyebrows and words are difficult to peace, which is a big taboo, even if you want to take on this great responsibility now, you can't afford it. You claim to be a descendant of the Chai family, but you don't have half of your father's arrogance and atmosphere. Zhang Ci mercilessly pointed out Chai Yu's shortcomings.

Chai Yu was not angry but sneered, and said, "You have no doubt, but I can't be kind to you." I won't forget it, Qiu Niang was implicated by someone and fell into the Minjiang River. ”

When Chen Qiuniang heard this, she handed the teacup to Jiang Fan's hand, and couldn't help thinking: Isn't it that he has changed like this, but it is for himself?

"Her beauty, at a young age, is peerless, Princess Meng, that is her life." Zhang Ci still spoke in a calm tone.

"Oh, when you saved me, I didn't want to, but you told me that you would protect her. Your Zhang family has a thousand-year-old family, and you have firearms in hand, and the Zhao family is also afraid of the Zhang family, but you can't even protect a weak girl who has lost the country? Chai Yu suddenly stepped forward and said in an aggressive tone.

Zhang Ci looked at him, drank a cup of tea in his hand slowly, and then said, "Protect her thoroughly, I have never broken my promise." ”

As soon as he said this, it was tantamount to indirectly announcing that Chen Qiuniang was still alive. Jiang Fan, who had been drinking tea and was silent, and Chen Qiuniang, who was making tea, were both shocked. Neither of them expected Zhang Ci to say this, although he said it vaguely, but Chai Yu is not an ordinary person, this is really obvious.

Sure enough, Chen Qiuniang was stunned when she saw Chai Yu, although she asked in a low voice: "The day before yesterday, she was the one who went to see Liu Qiang, right?" ”

Zhang Ci did not deny or affirm, but only took a slow sip of tea with the teacup in his hand. Chai Yu chuckled lightly and said sarcastically: "Liu Qiang thinks they can play with me. As everyone knows, I know his every move. ”

"So, your decision?" Zhang Ci seemed reluctant to say more to Chai Yu, and asked directly.

Chai Yu stood there and said, "I promise you, but I want to see Qiu Niang." ”

Zhang Ci shook his head and said, "You only have to agree, or die, two ways." You don't have a third way to go, and you're not qualified to tell me the conditions. ”

Chai Yu's face froze, fell into a short thought, and when he raised his head again, he looked at Jiang Fan and said, "Han Derang can be the heir of the Jiang family, then, the Zhao family can also change the Chai family." I promise you. ”

"The gentleman promises, Chai Gongzi has worked hard in the north in the past few years, and he must also know that the south and the north are all in my Zhang's pocket, if you want to play any tricks, in an instant, your head will be different. I hope that Mr. Chai will do it himself. Zhang Ci's tone was still calm, but there was a kind of displeased majesty inside.

"Zhang Gongzi is too deceitful." Chai Yu sneered.

Zhang Ci didn't say much to him, but only ordered someone to look at him, and Jiang Hang handled the rest of the matter.

After Chai Yu left, Jiang Fan stood up with a "whoosh" and shouted: "Zhang Ci, you shouldn't be like this, he is not a member of the Nine Great Families, and he must not be a confidant." ”

"My son has decided." Zhang Ci waved his hand.

Jiang Fan was anxious, stomped his feet, and said: "Look at today's Chai Yu, he has long been enchanted, not like at the beginning, you are raising tigers for trouble." ”

"The nine major families play chess in the world, who have you ever feared?" Zhang Ci seemed to be displeased, and Jiang Fan continued in front of Chen Qiuniang.

Jiang Fan ignored it and retorted directly: "After all, these are not dead chess pieces, but people." If you are human, you will have ideas and variables. ”

"Just one Chai Yu is not enough to worry about, you don't have to care." Zhang Ci said, but he looked at it.

At this moment, Chen Qiuniang didn't know what to say. On the one hand, Chai Yu has indeed become crazy and frightening, unlike the kind and quiet arrogant boy in Liuhe Town at the beginning; On the other hand, after all, Chai Yu once treated her with her life, and it was an old one with a deep relationship. In addition, as he said, today's changes are probably also due to her factors. So, she can't say anything, and she can't say anything. So, when Zhang Ci glanced at it, she lowered her eyes and continued to wash the cup and make tea quietly.

"If it weren't for Qiu Niang, why would my son want to care?" Jiang Fan said unhappily.

"I have my own plans for this matter, but it's you, the north is bitterly cold, and Xiao Yanyan's side is also complicated, but you don't want to stay in Cangzhou Mansion for too long." Zhang Ci changed the subject.

Jiang Fan said sullenly: "You just insisted on going your own way and didn't talk to me about this matter." I want to say, if you don't do it, I will do it, even if Qiu Niang hates me. I have already installed a man, and if he has two hearts, my people will immediately take his head. ”

Zhang Ci didn't speak, only said: "It's getting late, rest early, and return tomorrow, the next few days in Beijing are the time for change." ”

"I don't need you to remind me." Jiang Fan Nunu mouthed, then looked at Chen Qiuniang and said, "Qiuniang, farewell today, the mountains are high and the water is long, I don't know when we will meet, tonight, can you talk with candles and play a game with me?" ”

Chen Qiuniang thought that in this era of no computer and no telephone, it would take a year and a half to write a letter to come and go, and today I said goodbye to these few friends, and I don't know if there is a chance to meet. ”

"Okay, you are a second child, this son is to give you some face, you forget who your surname is. It's not your turn to intervene. Jiang Fan shouted.

Chen Qiuniang wanted to wipe her sweat on her forehead, but the person who didn't know who her surname was seemed to be Jiang Fan herself. The patriarch of the nine major families is Zhang Ci, and Jiang Fan is even the heir of the Jiang family.

"It seems that you are the one who forgot your last name or something." Zhang Ci chuckled and pointed out.

"If you don't accept it, let's fight." Jiang Fan jumped up, put the long sword in his hand, and threw the other sword to Zhang Ci.

Chen Qiuniang was anxious, and immediately said, "What are you guys making trouble about?" ”

"It's okay, I've eaten well, I've eaten enough. Moreover, being able to compete with the Sword Saint won the glory. Zhang Ci took the sword, and jumped out of the window with Jiang Fan to the courtyard one after another, and beckoned in the dimly lit courtyard. R1152