【0229 Peerless Shuangshu】

"Wei Bao, why are there so many people here? Not to mention three or four thousand, right? There are up to 200 people in Daming, why do you get so many people? Wu Xuexia asked coldly: "Besides, you are not the first chief!" What do you want to do? ”

"Where are you so much all day long, why? I don't want to do anything. Wei Bao smiled: "They are all people who came to see the play, I don't know where they came from, so I can't get out, right?" Even people passing by want to come to me for a meal or a stay, and we have never been allowed to do so. A family of kindness. Hehe. ”

Wu Xuexia snorted softly, knowing that Wei Bao could argue with his tongue, and he couldn't talk to him, and his own words could attract him a few words. The ghost believes you, and this is obviously the large number of homeless people you have taken in! Where are so many people coming to you to beg for food and stay overnight? You are surrounded by a high fence outside, and the guards are so tight that even our guards and envoys can't enter, let alone those who pass by? Gathering so many people, do you want to rebel?

Thinking of Wei Bao's rebellion, Wu Xuexia couldn't help but bulge in her heart, but Wu Xuexia's idea was immediately forgotten, she didn't think that anyone dared to rebel in Liaoxi, after all, this is a military center of the imperial court, and tens of thousands of troops are stationed all year round. But now that I have another layer of understanding of Wei Bao's strength, I wonder I always feel that Wei Bao is a little self-righteous, I really can't see it, there are so many people under him?

Everyone present saw that Wei Gongzi had just brought three beautiful girls over, and now he had brought two more, and these two were like immortals, the men who watched couldn't take their eyes off, and the women who watched were secretly ashamed of themselves. sighed that there would be such beauties in the world, and there would be two.

Zhao Jinfeng and Wu Xuexia followed Wei Bao left and right, both feeling strange, they had never felt like this.

Of course, the two super beauties have not appeared in public places, and they are used to being the attention of the public everywhere and are used to being the focus of the audience. It's just that this is the first time they've walked side by side with a man and become the focus of attention with a man.

The most important thing is that this is Wei Bao's territory, no matter how bright the charm is, when it comes to Wei Bao's territory, it can only be starlight, and it can't overpower Wei Bao's dazzling glory like the rising sun!

Wei Dakang, Huang Ying, Fan Lao Pimple and his wife, Wang Zhihui and his wife, Fan Xiaolin, Wang Qiuya and Xu Rui in the VIP seat, several neighbors who are good friends with Wei Dakang and Huang Ying, and more than 30 people at the level of stewards of the world business, everyone also saw Wei Bao come back, and brought two big beauties back, and from a distance, they felt that the two young and beautiful girls brought back by Wei Bao seemed to be able to automatically exude some kind of brilliance, full of fairy spirit.

"It's Miss Zhao and Miss Wu." Fan Xiaolin's eyes are sharp.

Wang Qiuya and Xu Rui snorted, and seconded Fan Xiaolin to see it right.

The three girls were cast a shadow in their hearts at the same time, although Wei Bao had already set the status of the three of them as concubines today, but they had not officially passed the door for a day, and they always felt a little empty in their hearts. Zhao Jinfeng won't say it, Wei Bao has already said that he wants to marry, and there is a sister Fang, what if Sister Fang is also willing to marry Wei Bao? Their number two, three, and number four positions are unstable. Sister Fang's affairs are still worried, why is there a Miss Wu now?

As soon as the three girls saw that Miss Wu did not come with Wu Gongzi, but with Xiao Bao, their hearts were even more up-and-down, in their opinion, Miss Wu said that she wanted to fight for the concubine room, if the Wu family was interested in Xiaobao, I am afraid that even Xiaobao would have to give up if she wanted to marry Zhao Jinfeng! As long as Xiaobao wants to develop on the ground in western Liaoning, he must not offend the Wu family, nor can he offend the Wu family, the ancestral family of the Wu family will join forces to top the entire sky of Liaoxi and Liaodong! These days with Wei Bao have improved the knowledge of the third daughter, and Xu Rui has already seen and heard a lot! He has a good understanding of the outside hierarchy and social profile, and often answers various questions from Fan Xiaolin and Wang Qiuya. So they all know very well that Miss Wu is a princess-like figure in Liaoxi.

In terms of identity and status, she is a princess, but this is not enough, the most important thing is that Miss Wu looks like a country, not to mention a man, even these women can't help but can't take their eyes off Miss Wu anymore, it seems that every part of Miss Wu is good-looking, delicate like a person in a painting, a smile can make people have a long aftertaste.

Zhao Jinfeng is a gentle and elegant lady, Wu Xuexia is really like a proud princess, the temperament of the empty eyes is what Zhao Jinfeng does not have, in Wu Xuexia's proud world, there is no room for any humility, the society in her eyes is not lower than the royal family, or even higher.

"Miss Zhao." Fan Xiaolin greeted her warmly and took Zhao Jinfeng's hand. This is what makes Fan Xiaolin special, although her heart is sour, she can't see it on the surface.

"Xiaolin, it's called Jin Feng, you don't need to call Miss Miss." Zhao Jinfeng was also very happy to see Fan Xiaolin and others, she has lived with her mother for a long time, and she can only talk to the maid and her mother on weekdays, and rarely get along with girls of the same age, so she is naturally willing to play with Fan Xiaolin, Wang Qiuya, and Xu Rui.

"Okay, Jin Feng." Fan Xiaolin smiled, "Come, come and sit with us." ”

Fan Xiaolin pulled Zhao Jinfeng to sit down beside her, and the position where they sat was the main table where Wei Bao was, the core and most prominent position in the audience.

Wang Qiuya and Xu Rui have also met Zhao Jinfeng, goodbye at this time, the four girls are so unhappy chattering together.

No one greeted Miss Wu, it was not that Wei Bao's subordinates were deliberately slacking, the main people in charge of the scene were men, and it was inconvenient to greet women, especially women with such a prominent status, plus there was a son by his side.

Wei Bao was very personable, and said to Miss Wu: "Miss, since you are here, how about listening to the play?" ”

Wu Xuexia's beautiful eyes glanced at Wei Bao, and she hummed expressionlessly.

Wei Bao was slightly amused, no matter when Wu Xuexia talked to him, it was easy for him to have a feeling that he was a slave, although it was a little uncomfortable, but he didn't think about what to do with Wu Xuexia, this uncomfortable feeling was not serious, so he instructed his subordinates: "Arrange a seat for Miss Wu." ”

"Yes, Childe." The subordinates agreed, and hurriedly went to move the table again.

Zhao Jinfeng met with Fan Xiaolin, Wang Qiuya, and Xu Rui, and after chatting a few words, they went to greet Wei Dakang and Huang Ying very obediently.

"Uncle Wei, Aunt Wei." After Zhao Jinfeng saluted, Ying Ying gave a salute.

"Okay, get up and talk."

Zhao Jinfeng, who has a stunning appearance and knows how to be polite, is so happy that Wei Dakang and Huang Ying can't keep their mouths together, although Wei Bao didn't tell them about Zhao Jinfeng, but Zhao Jinfeng is willing to come to listen to the play, what a joyful thing. It is easy for people to associate the relationship between Zhao Jinfeng and Wei Bao.

If it had been placed a month ago, Wei Dakang and Huang Ying would not have dared to think that Zhao Jinfeng, the daughter of Zhao Lizheng, who was as beautiful as a fairy, and was famous in Liaoxi, would come to their house, let alone associate Miss Zhao with Wei Bao.

It's just an association, and it's already exciting.

Huang Ying happily shook Zhao Jinfeng's little hand: "Beautiful, really beautiful." She really looks like a fairy. ”

Zhao Jinfeng blushed shyly: "My aunt has won the award." ”

Huang Yingle couldn't stop laughing: "Really sensible, really generous, go, play with Xiaobao and them, if Xiaobao has something to snub you, you must tell me, I will beat him." ”

Zhao Jinfeng listened to what Huang Ying said, and she didn't know if Wei Bao had already told Wei Bao's parents about her father's proposal to Wei Bao, and her face was even more red with shame, and she hummed softly, looking like a prospective daughter-in-law seeing her in-laws.

Zhao Jinfeng went back to sit with Fan Xiaolin.

Huang Yingle asked Wei Dakang: "How is this girl?" ”

"What else is there to say about this? If you can marry Zhao Lizheng's daughter, it will really be a smoke from our ancestral grave! I heard that many first- and second-class families in the capital have entrusted people to come to us to propose marriage for their sons-in-law. Vedakon swallowed.

Huang Ying smiled and said: "Where can our Xiaobao be worse than the son-in-law of the dignitaries outside?" Zhao Lizheng, I've seen it, it's a man with a lot of responsibility! Huang Ying said, thumbs up! If Zhao Lizheng can take a fancy to our Xiaobao, Xiaobao will not be an official, and it is possible for his daughter to marry him! Otherwise, how could Miss Zhao come to us to watch the play? ”

Wei Dakang was slightly unhappy when he heard Huang Ying praise Zhao Kehu. What's so great about Zhao Kehu secretly? Can you give birth to a son like my son? Now these four are all Xiaobao's, Xiaobao's, and mine! I'm much better than Zhao Kehu!

Wu Xuexia sat alone, and after taking a seat, Wei Bao didn't care about her.

Wei Bao originally wanted Fan Xiaolin or Xu Rui to greet Wu Xuexia, sit with her, and talk to her, but later thought that she was so arrogant and so kind to herself, just now I saw that Wu Xuexia was also a commanding appearance to Zhao Jinfeng, and I am afraid that she would not have a good face for others, and it was useless to let her women be wronged, so she dispelled this idea.

Wei Bao's parents saw that Wu Xuexia didn't mean to come over to greet them, and secretly thought that this was their home, their own A, their own territory, and their self-respecting identity, and they didn't want to pay tribute to Wu Xuexia.

"Xiaobao, can you start the play now?" Fan Lao Pimple came over to Wei Bao with a play book: "Let's make a play?" ”

Wei Bao hummed, opened it and saw that there were only four scenes on the red paper - "Three Dozen White Bone Spirits", "Pansi Cave", "Xue Rengui's Expedition to the West", and "Peony Pavilion".

Although there are few plays, I didn't expect that I would recognize them all? At least I've heard of it, and I probably know what it does, but I'm relatively unfamiliar with "The Peony Pavilion".

"Jin Feng, can you order a play? I'm not familiar with play. Wei Baoqian smiled at Zhao Jinfeng beside him.

Fan Xiaolin is very good at being a person, and knows that Wei Bao wants to be next to Zhao Jinfeng, originally Zhao Jinfeng and Wei Bao were separated by a little distance, and they were constantly 'oppressed' by Fan Xiaolin, but now the chair and Wei Bao's chair are close together.

Zhao Jinfeng was blushing with a pink face, her heart was beating up, she was slightly cramped and uneasy, she didn't hear what Wei Bao said to herself, she hummed softly, but she didn't move, her face didn't dare to turn around at will, her beautiful eyes had nowhere to look, and she kept looking at the stage.

Wei Bao saw Zhao Jinfeng's shy appearance, secretly amused, and when he first saw Zhao Jinfeng in Shanhaiguan, he returned to the situation when he first saw Zhao Jinfeng in Shanhaiguan, thinking that this fairy-like beauty could actually sit beside him at this moment, and he actually became the master of this scene at this moment! More than 3,000 people in this scene are all their own subordinates, and thinking of this, a sense of pride is overwhelming!

"Jin Feng, our son-in-law asked you to make a play." Fan Xiaolin knew that Zhao Jinfeng was distracted, so she smiled and repeated Wei Bao's words in Zhao Jinfeng's ear.

Zhao Jinfeng came back to his senses at this time, first looked at Wei Bao, and then looked at the playbook: "You can order it." I can listen to anything. ”

"As long as you order, I like to listen to whatever you like." Wei Bao's eyes didn't leave Zhao Jinfeng's pretty face for a moment, as if he was going to devour other girls alive.

"Then this play, right? I heard that it was newly released. I haven't heard of it yet. Zhao Jinfeng pointed to "The Peony Pavilion": "I have heard several other plays of Tang Xianzu before, and they are all very good. ”

Fan Lao pimple nodded and said, "It's still Miss Zhao who can order a play, this is the hottest drama nowadays." ”

"The Peony Pavilion" is a play written by Tang Xianzu, an opera and writer in the Ming Dynasty. Tang Xianzu is a native of Linchuan, Jiangxi. Born in a scholarly family, he has long been famous, he is not only proficient in ancient poetry, but also can read astronomy and geography, medicine and divination books. At the age of 34, he successively served as a doctor of Taichang Temple, the chief secretary of the Zhan Mansion and the chief priest of the Rite Department in Nanjing.

In the nineteenth year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, he witnessed the corruption of the bureaucracy at that time and went to the "On the Auxiliary Ministers and Kechen Shu", which angered the emperor and was demoted to Xu Wendian History, and then transferred to the magistrate of Suichang County, Zhejiang, for a term of five years, with remarkable political achievements, but because of the suppression of the powerful and the anger of the powerful, he attracted the criticism of the boss and the opposition of the local forces, and finally abandoned the official in the twenty-sixth year of Wanli and returned to the country. During the period of home, on the one hand, I hope that there will be a day of "reporting and knowing", but on the other hand, I hope that "there are majestic ministers in the court, and there are no hungry tiger officials in the county, chanting and leveling, and adding a volume of poems every year is enough". Later, he gradually dispelled the idea of advancing and devoted himself to drama and poetry creation.

Among Tang Xianzu's achievements in many aspects, opera creation is the most, and his drama works "The Story of the Soul", "The Story of the Purple Hairpin", "The Story of Nanke" and "The Story of Handan" are collectively known as the "Four Dreams of Linchuan", of which "The Peony Pavilion" is his representative work.

"That's it!" Wei Bao saw that Zhao Jinfeng ordered "The Peony Pavilion", so he said to Fan Lao.

Fan Lao pimple agreed with a smile, and then went down and said in a loud voice: "President Wei and Miss Zhao order "Peony Pavilion"!" ”

"Good!"

"Good!"

"This is a good play!"

"Thank you, Childe, thank you, Miss."

The scene was applauded, there is a drama tradition in the Northeast, there is also a drama in North China, North Zhili, down to Henan, east to the Northeast, basically everyone can shout two voices of drama, everyone listens to "The Peony Pavilion", has been yearning for it, is very happy, and heard that it is the president and Miss Zhao together, immediately gave birth to a lot of ambiguous ideas, applauded even harder.

Wei Bao didn't expect that Fan Lao Pimple would report the number like this, secretly liked it, and said that Uncle Lao Pimple would be a man, and his daughter made a quasi-concubine room for herself, and she was so enthusiastic to help her match the lady of the main room, rare, rare!

Zhao Jinfeng naturally didn't expect Fan Lao Pimple to report the number like this, his face was even more blushing, Fang's heart was beating faster, I don't know why, since she was with Wei Bao, the speed of her heartbeat was not under her control, and she was nervous and hot, it seemed that every time she saw Wei Bao, it was like this.

Zhao Jinfeng peeked at Wei Bao, only to see Wei Bao staring at his face intently, his face was even redder, and he glanced at Wei Bao with disgust, and hurriedly turned his gaze.

Wei Bao smiled, and then quietly moved his chair to the chair where Zhao Jinfeng was sitting, so that the chairs of the two people were completely next to each other, forming a longer chair.

In addition, Fan Xiaolin's chair next to her was also next to her, and it seemed that she couldn't move a little more and keep a little distance from Wei Bao.

Wei Bao took a deep breath, smelled the fragrance on Zhao Jinfeng's body, and couldn't wait to take the beauty into his arms.

The jugglers on the stage went down, the rhythm of gongs and drums, Qingqing's clattering, and the main play began.

Wu Xuexia peeked at Wei Bao and Zhao Jinfeng, and saw that the two of them were sitting next to each other, and suddenly became angry, snorted softly, picked up the tea cup next to her and took a small sip, and found that it was so hot, and she couldn't lose her elegant demeanor, so she endured the heat and didn't spit out the tea, and her tongue was about to burn and foam, which made her even more angry.

"You go around and walk around, talk to people, see if anyone hears about the poisonous mist, and if so, talk more." Wu Xuexia whispered to her personal maid and a few followers: "Don't attract people's attention! ”

A few people nodded yes and looked for a chance to go down.

Lin Wenbiao, who was behind Wei Bao, saw all this in his eyes, and he didn't take it seriously, because he knew that the poisonous fog was caused by Gongzi alone, and even the people from the Statistics Bureau who he sent to assist didn't know how Gongzi did it, let alone ordinary villagers. Moreover, even if the villagers knew about it, they didn't dare to talk nonsense, secretly thinking that Miss Wu didn't know that the sky was high and the earth was thick, and she underestimated the rules of Gongzi's subordinates.

The play sung is "Peony Pavilion: Dreaming".

Who is the young man who comes near and far, and dares to tease this boudoir to go to Qinyuan, and he is shy in the meantime. He pinched his eyes and was annoyed, let's wait for this talk.

(Yin Ling) we are not the love of the previous life, and we have no half of our lives, then the Tao appears in the next life, and we dream of this life at first glance, and we are born as scholars, and we are just hugged to sleep.

(White) I think that scholar's situation is so untouchable!

He leaned on the Taihu Lake stone and stood our jade Chanjuan. When I am knocked down by Yushan, I will be warm and smoking. Climb over the carved railing, turn the swing, hold the skirt flower exhibition, dare to sit on the ground and be afraid of the sky. It will be clear for a while, and the fragrance is indescribable.

(White) dreamed of this season, why did the flowers fall down and wake up the slave!

(Douye yellow card) He swallowed happily and whined on our fragrant shoulders. I can also take it slowly, and do what I want. I can also take it slowly, and do what I want. In the spare time, a person who shines on people is so good, so formal, so soft. A red shadow scattered with flowers will hang for a long time. A red shadow scattered with flowers will hang for a long time. Dare to be haunted by our dreams?

Wei Bao couldn't understand the drama, but he could still understand the words fragrant shoulder, and he saw a pair of male and female Xiaosheng Hua Dan, babbling on stage for a long time, and couldn't help but laugh, I didn't expect the scale of Daming to be so big? Although the costumes for singing are temporary and not formal, the woman exposes half of her breasts, plus the men and women are close together, and the words of the play are so exposed, I feel curious.

"Not bad, right?" Wei Bao didn't know how to pretend to understand, and asked Zhao Jinfeng beside him softly.

Zhao Jinfeng knew that this play was a play of love between men and women, but he didn't expect the lyrics to be so explicit, and his face was flushed with shame.

Wei Baoqi said: "Isn't it good? ”

Wu Xuexia, who was at the table next to her, heard Wei Bao's question, and couldn't help but say: "The slang in the countryside is difficult to be elegant." ”

Wei Bao sweated, and said in his heart that Lao Tzu didn't talk to you, but he is a person who loves to talk to beautiful women, Zhao Jinfeng ignored him, looked at Wu Xuexia, and said with a smile: "It seems that Miss Wu doesn't like it?" ”

"If you don't like it, if you want to watch it, you can watch martial arts!" Wu Xuexia said disapprerovingly.

Wei Bao sweated, look at the delicate little woman you gave birth to, and you still like to watch martial arts? Your father and your eldest brother don't look like people who can fight, do they?

Fan Lao Pimple happened to pass by, and said: "There is a martial arts opera, isn't it easy for Miss Wu to watch martial arts?" "Three Dozen White Bone Spirits", "Pansi Cave", "Xue Rengui's Expedition to the West", these three dramas are all martial arts, but our president has already ordered "The Peony Pavilion", Miss Wu wants to watch martial arts, tomorrow, right? ”

Wu Xuexia glanced at Fan Lao Pimple coldly, what she didn't love the most was that when she was talking to someone, someone suddenly started talking, which was startling, and she felt very rude, and said coldly: "You are the class leader?" What do you call this play? The words are so unbearable. ”

Fan Lao pimple crossed his head with three black lines, "This drama is okay, right?" hasn't arrived at the garden yet, isn't Miss Wu more to say that it's a word for a while? ”

"Words?" Wei Bao was interested, and said to Wu Xuexia: "Then Miss Wu should go back earlier, right?" Such a noble person, don't defile your ears! ”

After saying that, he laughed evilly.

Wu Xuexia heard Wei Bao and the old man's sarcastic words, she was very annoyed, and snorted coldly: "I just don't leave, I can leave when I like!" ”

"Yes, yes, no one wants Miss Wu to leave." Wei Bao smiled: "It's you who said the words." ”

"I'll see how much you can do!" After Wu Xuexia finished speaking, her pink face turned red with shame, and when she thought of the word '婬', her heart pounded wildly, and secretly scolded Wei Bao for being a big villain, a big insect!

Wei Bao was also interested in Wu Xuexia, and felt that it was refreshing to say something to a serious beauty like Miss Wu, if it weren't for Zhao Jinfeng being in front of him, he still wanted to pretend to be on Zhao Jinfeng's side, and didn't want Zhao Jinfeng to feel that he was too delightful, otherwise, there would be more offensive language to rush towards Miss Wu.

Wu Xuexia saw that Wei Bao kept smiling at herself, and kept secretly looking at herself, her face was crimson, and even the roots of her ears were blushing, so she glanced at Wei Bao fiercely and looked at the stage.

"This is Kunqu opera from the south, which is one of the oldest operas and is known as an "orchid" in a hundred gardens. The opera genres with a long history are all influenced by Kunqu Opera, so Kunqu Opera has the nickname of "the mother of opera". Zhao Jinfeng introduced: "I heard that the garden is better, and the dream drama is indeed a bit ......."

After Zhao Jinfeng finished speaking, he blushed and didn't continue.

Wei Bao praised: "Hearing Jin Feng, what you say, I want to hear it even more." What words come out of your mouth make people feel like a spring breeze. ”

Zhao Jinfeng listened to Wei Baozan's exaggeration and took a sip gently, "Don't say nonsense." ”

Provoke Wei Bao, hehe, hey, straight music.

Wu Xuexia saw Wei Bao flirting with Zhao Jinfeng? He was even more angry and stopped looking at the two. Secretly thinking that Zhao Jinfeng speaks beautifully? Where's the catch? Do you like to watch these words and dramas and speak beautifully? Thinking of this, my nose felt sour.

【Hillside Sheep】

It's hard to get rid of the spring in the chaos

There are resentments in the ground

It is my little Chanjuan

Pick a famous door, one case at a time, in the gods.

Very good fate, throw youth away.

Who will see my sleep?

then ask for shyness

Whoever wants to dream

and the dark flow of spring.

Delay, what is the meaning of this?

Drowning and frying, splashing the remnants of life and asking the sky.

【Mountain peach】

It is like a beautiful flower for you

Like a year of flowing water,

It's the answer to be idle

Self-pity in the boudoir

Turn this peony bar in front of it

Close to the rocky edge of the lake and mountain

And you put the collar button loose, the clothes are wide

The sleeves are stained with their teeth.

Then wait for you to endure and sleep for a while.

Where did we meet?

They look like each other

There is no word about the benefits of meeting each other

【Thrush Preface】

Good sunny day

Thousands of purples and reds bloomed all over the place.

Full of carved columns, the clouds are fresh.

Supervise the spring workers to cherish Fangfei

lest the wind of dawn tremble,

So that the best talents are less thoughtful

I was also very happy in my dreams

【Dripping】

On the shore of the lake and mountain, on the shore of the lake and mountain, the clouds are steaming.

Outside the carved fence, outside the carved fence, the red turns the cui.

provoked the bee sorrow butterfly love, and the three lives were splendid and not because of dreams.

A gust of incense was sent to Lin Yuan.

【Five Kinds of Suitability】

On the other hand, the swallow murmured soft and sweet

On one side, the warbler is crisp and round.

Butterflies flutter on one side, going back and forth among the flowers.

On the one hand, the bees are taking advantage of it, and they are dazzled.

The red hearts are bright on one side, and the green willows are hanging on the other

It seems to be decorated with thousands of purples and reds

What a splendid scenery on the earth!

【Mountain peach】

This moment is a convenient time

grass through flowers,

Then the clouds are pointed, and the red pine is green.

Seeing you close to each other, slow and slow,

I can't wait to be like a piece of meat with you.

It's funny, and the rouge rain is fresh.

I want to go and still be nostalgic

They look like each other

There is no word about the benefits of meeting each other

Three points of rain in spring.

Sleep in Wushan with a cloud.

The next drama is really as Zhao Jinfeng said, it is a bit ......

Listen to Wei Bao's radish hard, but I feel that although people sing about those things in the men's and women's rooms, they also have beautiful vocabulary, right? is mainly the acting skills of the two corners on stage, Wei Bao thinks it is very good, and the artistic conception is portrayed very beautifully.

Several beauties around Wei Bao were quite intoxicated, and with the ups and downs of the fate of the hero and heroine, they all entered the state.

Wei Bao peeked at Wu Xuexia, and Wu Xuexia's eyes no longer left the stage, and she seemed to be attracted by the plot.