Ling Deyan returned home in the evening, and Qingxi greeted him with a smile: "Dad, I put tea cooking utensils on the stone table in the backyard, are you interested in accompanying Heng'er to taste a good Longjing before the rain?" ”

He still had some official documents to consult, but he couldn't bear to spoil his daughter's interest when he saw that he was very interested. The father and daughter sat comfortably under the big locust tree, drinking tea and chatting.

"You haven't been out for the past few days, I think you're suffocating, right? What permission is it to please me today? He asked with a smile.

"Dad, I invited you to enjoy the tea, how did it become an ulterior intention? Don't worry, I promise to be at home obediently for the next few days, and I won't go anywhere. Qingxi smiled softly. The spring sun shines on her face, showing the girl's liveliness and agility.

"Really? I heard that yesterday the Zeng family sent someone to bring you a message, it was that kid from the Zeng family, right? ”

"yes." Qingxi nodded casually, not caring that there was too obvious tentative meaning in his father's tone. "Before, he picked up one of my silk handkerchiefs, but he just gave me a book of poems, and then he went out of Shangdu on an errand. I asked Ober to return the book of poems and to Sipa. But he sent someone to send back the poetry collection, saying that he would not take back anything he had given away! ”

Ling Deyan put down the teacup in his hand, looked at the water boiling out of the small red clay stove on the side, pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "Heng'er, you have a relationship with this child. ”

Qingxi's hand to add water to the furnace paused for a moment. She looked up at Ling Deyan and replied seriously, "Dad, I know what you and your mother are thinking. It's just that I've always regarded him as an older brother, and there's nothing else special about him. ”

Ling Deyan smiled slightly: "Who do you have other thoughts about?" Marriage, in the long run, must be a person who can get along harmoniously for a long time. You've known each other for a long time, and you're familiar with each other. You don't need to be too repulsed, just go with the flow. ”

Qingxi frowned slightly, pursed his lips, but didn't say anything more. It's not that she doesn't agree with her father's words, but she is unwilling in the end. If she really has no choice, she can accept it; But I always wonder if there will be another possibility in life. She smelled the fragrance in the cup, and said again playfully, diverting the topic: "I saw that my father was worried about business for the past two days, and I wanted you to relax and relax, but you were worried about my business." You should learn from your grandfather and let go of it. ”

"I'm an official in the court, how can I let go of my freedom?" Ling Deyan brushed his sleeves and beard, with far-reaching vision, and said leisurely: "Not to mention being in the court, even outside the court, people like the Sixth Highness seem to be participating in it autonomously or involuntarily now. Who can let go of the affairs of the country? ”

"Your Highness Six? Is it the Eternal King who sees the head but does not see the tail? Qingxi was slightly surprised, this person rarely came out of the mouth of officials who discussed political affairs.

"What? Do you still know anything about the Sixth Highness? Ling Deyan retracted his gaze and looked at his daughter.

"He's the storyteller's favorite character in Meijinglou." Cheonggye's slightly uplifted tone indicated that she had a strong interest in the topic.

Every time she disguised herself to go to Meijinglou to drink tea and listen to books, she would hear the story of King Heng nine times out of ten. The king of Heng in the mouth of the storyteller wanders the rivers and lakes, acts chivalrous and righteous, solves people's dangers, and shares people's worries. She knew that these stories could not be fully believed, but this highness was not in Shangdu all the year round, too mysterious, and easy to swim in the landscape, so she was naturally the best object to insert stories. But no matter how whimsical it is, the people of Shengdou don't dare to arrange the slightest bit of the prince's disappointment, so they only have a tall image. Such praise earned face for the royal family, and the court was naturally happy to see it.

"Daddy has a relationship with him? I haven't heard you mention it! ”

As soon as he said this, Moon Shadow walked over and reported, "Master, girl, Young Master Zeng is visiting and is waiting in the front hall. ”

"Oh? Say Cao Cao, Cao Cao has arrived. Good to come, good to come. Ling Deyan got up with a smile, carried Qingxi, and walked towards the front hall.

The two came to the front hall, and Zeng Qidao was sitting upright on the Taishi chair. As soon as he saw the two of them, he hurriedly got up and stood still, first nodded slightly at Qingxi, showing a hearty smile, and then saluted respectfully: "Hello Uncle Ling." ”

"Sit down, sit down. This time I went to Suyang on an errand, right? Ling Deyan said and pulled him to sit down.

"Everything went well, I came back a few days ago, but I was just busy reporting to the court on the situation of exterminating the bandits and dealing with the rest of the things, so I had time to visit my uncle today." Zeng Qidao spoke sonorously and powerfully, without any mud and water, and he was a general.

Ling Deyan said with a smile: "I heard about it. This time it was poor, it was done well, and the saint was also very satisfied, and praised the tiger father for having no dogs. I'm afraid you didn't just come to see me today, right? As he spoke, his eyes narrowly glanced at his daughter who was sitting next to him.

Zeng Qidao lowered his head embarrassedly, but only for a moment, and then said frankly: "Indeed." Yesterday, I sent someone to return Qingxi's sister's things, but she returned them again. I heard that she hadn't been out of the house lately, so I came over to take a look. ”

Ling Deyan smiled even deeper, and got up slowly, "She is indeed suffocated, you can come well, just tell her about what you have seen and heard in Suyang." I still have some official documents to read, so I'll go to the study first. ”

Zeng Qidao hurriedly got up and saluted again. When Ling Deyan walked away, he took a step forward, looked at Ling Qingxi, and asked, "I haven't seen you for a long time, how is Heng'er?" ”

Qingxi raised his eyes and saw that Zeng Qidao seemed to be thinner, and his skin was tanned, but he looked more energetic and resolute. "It's good, it's just a book of poetry, and it's worth your trip?"

Zeng Qidao took out the "Night Rain Poetry Collection" from his arms and sighed heavily: "Is this poetry collection really not good-looking?" ”

"It's really not pretty."

Zeng Qidao was stunned for a long time, a trace of disappointment passed in his eyes, and he was still holding the book in his hand, and he didn't put it down, nor did he put it away.

Seeing him like this, Qingxi muttered a little, Zeng Qidao has always been outspoken and clean, when did he ever have such a seemingly dilemma. Realizing whether his words were too straightforward, he spoke again: "No." I'm just angry that you don't return my silk handkerchief. It's useless for you to keep your daughter's things. ”

Zeng Qidao laughed twice, put the book down and said, "What you said is true." I actually just think we're close, and these little things are nothing, but I don't think about it. ”

"Alright. Let's not talk about that. Tell me about what you saw and heard about your trip to Suyang this time. ”

Zeng Qidao saw that her eyes lit up as soon as she mentioned what she had seen and heard in other places, so he also changed his mood and talked endlessly. From the extermination of the bandits, to the mountains and rivers of Suyang, from the scenery on the way back, to the interesting stories on the way, I told it all over again. At the end, he mentioned: "This time I was able to complete the errand so smoothly thanks to the help of one person." ”

"Who?"

"Oh, a charlatan." Zeng Qidao bowed his head slightly, replied lightly, paused slightly, and then raised his head and said: "This time the bandits are guarding the mountain pass, and it is not easy to attack. Someone came to offer advice saying that he knew the hidden way on that mountain, and could attack the enemy from the rear, and it was this man who helped us win easily. However, he is not greedy for merit, and I beg me not to mention him in the briefing to the court. Said to avoid unnecessary trouble. ”

Ling Qingxi frowned slightly, and then looked clear: "It can be seen that he is a free-spirited guest." ”

Zeng Qidao nodded noncommittally, and then as if he remembered something, he changed his tone and asked, "I heard that you will follow Uncle Ling to Baoding Mountain?" Don't you often say that you want to see the Baoding Blood Juan, the Spring Moon of the Jade Pavilion? When the time comes, I'll find a free time, and we'll go and enjoy the scenery together. ”

Ling Qingxi nodded, and didn't say anything.

After talking for a long time, Zeng Qidao knew that it was inconvenient to stay longer, so he went to say goodbye to Ling Deyan and returned home. walked to the door of the hall, turned around and said, "I've seen you in Baoding Mountain." ”