The days suddenly passed quickly, the lanterns on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month were talked about by the people of the capital for only three or five days, and they were forgotten cleanly, everyone was preparing for the new year's life, and they couldn't wait for the spring flowers to bloom, even the "lazy man" Hu Guiyang in the alley of Guanyin Temple had to be busy.

Fan Dajian sent a lot of silver, and after the lady counted it, she was very satisfied, and divided it into several points, which were used to buy furniture, flowers, banquets and other things, and hired some servants, and the entire Zhao Mansion finally returned to normal vitality.

"Don't look at Zhao Zhai, there are occasional times when there are many people, but there is no popularity, why? Because none of the people you've recruited have made this a real place to live. Now it's okay, just a hostess, and this is a normal family again. "The flower lady has a lot of emotion.

"It's a pity that we can't regain the excitement of the year." The Zhao house in Hu Guiyang's memory is always overcrowded, and naughty children run around.

"Don't be lively, don't be lonely, just be safe and stable, no matter what, first remove the name of 'murderous house', go try on clothes, don't be poor with me."

Hu Guiyang has a lot to do, try on new clothes, write invitations, count items, and have to receive a wave of guests, especially in the last few days of the first month, when there are suddenly more guests.

Many of the guests are the righteous daughters of the Zhao family, bringing their husbands and children to congratulate, and some people stayed to help, Hu Guiyang can't remember a few, and he always looks at a loss when he talks, but fortunately he can always laugh, which is rare and timely, and avoids a lot of embarrassment.

He thought that these people were found by Mrs. Hua, but when he asked, they didn't, they got the news and came voluntarily, which was regarded as a trip back to their "mother's house".

Sun Long and his wife arrived early and lived in Zhao's house, which helped a lot, especially to help Hu Guiyang recognize people, and the old couple remembered that every righteous daughter of the Zhao family had to hug their heads and cry several times every day.

That afternoon, Hu Guiyang rarely had a moment of leisure, found a room to sit alone in a daze, and after a while, someone knocked on the door.

Lao Qiang came in, in just one month, his attitude has changed greatly compared with years ago, he is very respectful, if the host invites the same table to drink again, he will not agree to it anyway.

"Master, there is a Shi Baihu who asked to see him, and Mrs. Hua asked me to bring it here directly."

"Please." Hu Guiyang didn't expect Shi Gui to come.

Shi Guida not only came, but also held the child, did not wear an official uniform, and said with a smile as soon as he entered the house: "I'm sorry, he has to come with him, and after he comes, he refuses to go down to the ground or speak." ”

The child buried his face in his father's arms and did not squeak.

Hu Guiyang stepped forward and smiled: "The child is so old? I'm really ...... Unexpectedly. ”

"I didn't think you'd really get married." Shi Guida wanted to put his son down, but the little guy hugged him tighter, so he had to continue to hold it in his arms.

Hu Guiyang scratched his head, "Yes, there are always unexpected things." Have you been idle lately? ”

"Fortunately, the heroes of the capital are also going to celebrate the New Year, and when the canal is open to navigation and there are more ships coming and going, they will be active again, and I will be busy for a while."

Shi Guida was transferred back to Jinyiwei, full-time to explore the big and small affairs on the rivers and lakes of Shuntianfu, usually idle, once the factory guard wants to arrest someone, or investigate a case, he has to get news from him, in return, Shi Guida often sells personal favors to familiar heroes to help them get rid of some small troubles.

"It's hard to do this kind of work, right?" Hu Guiyang asked.

"Don't seek merit, but seek no fault, which is more suitable for me."

"You've changed a lot."

"After having a son, I am not so interested in fame and fortune, I do my job, and then do some business to supplement the family, and my life is more stable than before."

Hu Guiyang smiled but did not speak.

"What, you don't believe me?"

"Have you ever had that kind of dream?" Hu Guiyang asked.

Shi Guida was silent and didn't answer, Hu Guiyang stepped forward to tease the child, "Little guy, what's your name?" ”

The child turned his head and asked in a childish voice, "Where is the ghost?" ”

Hu Guiyang was stunned, and Shi Gui hurriedly said, "Don't talk nonsense." Sorry, he didn't know where to hear that......"

"It's okay." Hu Guiyang grimaced, "I'm a ghost." ”

The child smiled and turned his head, "You're not a ghost, it's not scary at all." ”

Shi Guida couldn't control his son, and said to Hu Guiyang: "Don't bother with him. It's no secret that I've had dreams, similar to others, and at least half of the people who have been to Yunyang Mansion have had similar dreams. ”

"So much!" Hu Guiyang was a little surprised, a few months ago, there were not many people who dreamed of crazy things.

"You haven't done it?"

Hu Guiyang shook his head.

"Hey, you're always different from us."

"I didn't mean to."

"Haha. I'm here to congratulate you on your marriage, the congratulatory gift is at the flower lady, she is very enthusiastic about this matter. ”

"More enthusiastic than her own son's marriage, Brother Hua has complained to me several times."

"I'm going to go out tomorrow, and I may not be able to come back, so I won't attend the wedding."

"I'll invite you to drink in the future, we live so close, there are so many opportunities."

"yes."

The two were about to have nothing to talk about, but Shi Guida had no intention of saying goodbye, Hu Guiyang smiled and said, "Did someone ask you to pass a message to me?" ”

Shi Gui nodded, still refusing to speak.

"Xichang Wang Zhi?"

Shi Guida nodded again.

"Tell him, I really quit, the whereabouts of Shenyu and He Sanchen are already there, and I have a weak heart here."

"Okay, I'll just reply to the factory father."

"You still work for the West Factory?"

"Officialdom is like rivers and lakes, there are always favors to be repaid, and after the return, there is a new favor."

"Both factories were excluded, which disappointed the two factory owners, right?"

"What a disappointment, it's just fear, they are afraid that there will be a new yamen to overpower all the factory guards."

"New Yamen?"

"You haven't heard yet?"

"I've been busy lately, and I haven't been out of the house."

"Your Gunpowder Bureau has been transferred to the Gunpowder Bureau, and the number of craftsmen has increased dozens of times, and it is said that in the future, it will be the same as the factory guards, and the twists and turns will go directly to the inner palace, and there is no need to close the boss. The palace will soon appoint a close eunuch to take charge of the gunpowder bureau, and several powerful eunuchs in the palace will want to compete for the position. ”

"My Arsenal? Hehe, where did the Wen family go? ”

"So it is said."

"What about He Sanchen?"

"It's said he hasn't shown up yet." All the news of Shi Guida is "supposed".

Hu Guiyang suddenly realized, "Wang Zhi didn't ask me to help arrest people, but hoped that I would fight for the Gunpowder Bureau for him, right?" ”

Shi Gui laughed and nodded, patted his son's back gently, and coaxed him to sleep.

"It's only been a few days, and I've gone from arresting people to begging people, this ...... It's changed too much, right? ”

"The heart of allegiance to His Majesty has not changed."

"My reply hasn't changed: I have a heart."

"The factory doesn't ask for promises, I just hope you remember today's events: he has no ambition for Shenyu, and he has no malice towards He Sanchen."

"I'll remember." Hu Guiyang smiled, "Speaking of which, the biggest change comes from Your Majesty, the factory ......."

"Don't talk about these things, I've been here and said it, so I won't bother you."

Hu Guiyang forgot that not everyone was as open-mouthed as him, and gave it away, "I don't send it far, I will come often in the future." ”

Shi Guida walked out with his son in his arms, stopped at the door, and said without looking back: "As a hundred households in brocade clothes, I hope you can help the factory and ...... Former brother, I have to remind you: since you want to stay out of the matter, the farther away from He Sanchen is better, a meeting, or her words, can immediately make you irreversible, as for what she thinks, or how you do it, it doesn't matter. ”

"Thank you."

Shi Guida left, and Hu Guiyang continued to sit in a daze.

After Shi Guida came, Dongchang, Nansi and Jinyiwei all sent people to set up, especially Nansi, Zhenfu Liang Xiu personally came to the door to congratulate him, and persuaded him in a roundabout way, seeing that Hu Guiyang really didn't appreciate it, he returned disappointed, and finally didn't forget to remind: "Captain Hu can help not only Nansi, but also Dongchang and Li Xianchang, I don't need to say much about the benefits." ”

"I'm really willing to help, but unfortunately I can't do it." Hu Guiyang still refused.

There are still three days left before marriage, and the promise he made to Huai En will also be invalid, Hu Guiyang is looking forward to this day coming soon, he is ready to live the most ordinary day.

The people of the He family in the south of the Yangtze River rushed to the capital, and Yue Cheng He Weng was a kind old man, and he came to Zhao's house to check it out, and was very satisfied, and promised on the spot that after the canal was completely navigable, he would send more dowry.

Shang Shaobao sent Shang Rui, and also sent a generous gift, as well as an admonition: "Seeking things is in people, success is in heaven, if there is a glimmer of opportunity, I hope that Captain Hu will think of the people in the world." ”

Hu Guiyang's answer was still the same sentence "I have a weak heart": "In a few months, you will understand how ridiculous it is to pin your hopes on me, I really can't change anything, Shang Shaobao still asked the ministers of the DPRK and the Central Committee to help, and advise Your Majesty normally." ”

"The cabinet is controlled by Wan An, and there are no ministers in the DPRK who dare to speak out."

"That can't put such a big burden on my shoulders, and besides, it's not clear whether what Your Majesty is going to do is good or bad."

"The collapse of the imperial court must start with the loss of labor and money."

"If you have a weak heart, please tell Shang Shaobao, I am really powerless."

Shang Rui was a little disappointed, but he didn't dwell on it and left a gift to leave.

On the afternoon before getting married, Luo actually came to the door, without a congratulatory gift, and went to the East Cross Courtyard to find the bee girl, and came out for a long time to ask to see the head of the family, Hu Guiyang.

"You cut off one of my arms." As soon as they met, Roche complained, "I thought that the bee girl would stay enough sooner or later, but I didn't expect it...... Years of friendship are not as good as a dog. ”

"Maybe it's because dogs don't talk much." Hu Guiyang sat behind the table and did not get up to greet him.

Luo sneered, "Congratulations to Captain Hu on getting married tomorrow." ”

"Thank you, are you coming over for a wedding drink tomorrow? I have a lot of women here, and you can sit with them. ”

"I'm not coming, I don't have time."

"Do you have any news of Xiao killing the bear?"

"They're not coming, either."

"I didn't expect them to come, I just wanted to know if they were alive or dead."

"The original trap of the two factories was not to kill people, but to catch alive. Xiao Kill Xiong, Zhang Yi, Zhao Aqi, and Xiao Tan are not dead, they are recuperating from their injuries, and they are mixed with Li Ou and Jiang Dongxia, and they still want to get a piece of the pie. ”

"Hearing you say that, I think they might come tomorrow, like you, without a congratulatory gift."

"Bee Niang stays here, you still want a congratulatory gift?"

"Bee Niang is here to occupy a cross-courtyard in my house, I wish she would leave."

"Anyway, if the bee girl is a little wronged......"

"If the princess lets me go, you won't let me go, if you let me go, the flatbread won't let me go. Don't worry, I don't have her alone at home. ”

Luo hesitated for a moment, "The He family has already entered Beijing, and no one has seen the daughter of the He family yet." ”

"If you come tomorrow, you'll see you." Hu Guiyang said with a smile, he had not revealed the true identity of the He family's daughter to anyone.

"Alas, He Sanchen wouldn't do such a stupid thing, if she can really stay away from you, it will be a good thing for everyone."

"yes, so she's definitely not going to look for me."

Roche turned and left.

At night, Hu Guiyang actually had insomnia, got up early the next day, changed into new clothes, and some friends such as Yuan Mao and Fan Dajian, plus more than a dozen nephews such as Brother Hua, prepared to accompany the sedan chair to He's house to greet relatives.

Mrs. Hua hurriedly came in, drove away a group of male companions, and said to Hu Guiyang: "The He family said that the daughter has not arrived yet, so let's wait here and go to greet the relatives." ”