Zhang's family banquet was simple and exquisite, which made Xi Xue feast a lot. After the meal, Mrs. Zhang casually picked up an excuse and left, leaving the space to her daughter and the pair of young people "Xi Tianxue". It's not that Ba is looking forward to recruiting "Xi Tianxue" into her Zhang family's door, but she is indeed more satisfied with Xi Xue, so let the two of them get along by themselves, if it can really be a good thing, she is also happy to see it. After all, Zhang Xiahua is indeed not small, according to her vision and temperament, she missed this "Xi Tianxuan", and she may not know when she will be able to complete this first-class life event.

When Mrs. Zhang was there, she was looking for a lively atmosphere - you can't talk about cultivation, alchemy or anything like that at the dinner table, but as Mrs. Zhang left, Xi Xue and Zhang Xiahua didn't know what to say. I had been chatting in the carriage for three or four hours, and all the topics that seemed to be able to be talked about were finished. The two just sat like this, talking about dry and nutritious topics, such as Zhang Xiahua actually started to talk to Xi Xue about Cao Yuan. How boring it is, so that a girl will talk about another girl in front of the boy she likes.

Cao Yuan? was impressed enough by this roommate Xi Ze, just because she didn't know how to recognize her identity, which made him vigilant. Thankfully, she didn't immediately expose herself. Otherwise, the high-level military and political leaders in Yangzhou know their identity, where do they still have their lives now? He still has to bear this feeling. Xi Xue doesn't like to owe favors, so I'll have a chance to pay her back in the future.

There is nothing to talk about Cao Yuan, it is worth mentioning that Cao Yuan will participate in this year's "Young Heroes Conference" as one of the representatives of the "Zangfeng Martial Arts Hall". In this heavy Han Empire, the whole country attaches great importance to the cultivation and excavation of young warriors, and encourages and even stimulates teenagers to practice martial arts in various forms to become stronger. Among them, the "Young Heroes Conference" is the most grand ceremony, second only to the "Martial Arts Examination".

Xi Xue was fortunate enough to be accepted as a disciple by Huo Weiyi, in addition to Huo Weiyi's fancy for his talent, the Han Empire's focus on the general environment for the cultivation of young martial artists was also an important factor.

Speaking of the "Young Heroes Conference", Zhang Xiahua said a few more words: "It's very strange, in the past, [Zangfeng Martial Arts Hall] didn't participate in the [Young Heroes Conference], but this year, I don't know why I suddenly felt like I wanted to participate." But it's okay to participate, when the representatives of our martial arts hall get good results, other martial arts halls can no longer say that our martial arts hall is in vain. ”

Xi Xue knew why the "Zangfeng Martial Arts Pavilion" suddenly wanted to participate in this year's Young Heroes Conference, because the master of the pavilion was going to do something big. Of course, you can't talk to Zhang Xiahua about this.

After chatting about Cao Yuan and the "Young Heroes Conference", Zhang Xiahua suddenly felt a little stuffy in the room, so she said: "Xi Tianxue, why don't we go for a walk in the backyard?" She was a little red as she spoke. Although the backyard of Zhang's mansion is large, since his father "left", there have been no other men in the backyard, that is, the servants sent by him are all women.

Xi Xue didn't know what was going on, so he casually responded.

Speaking of the backyard, Xi Xue felt that it was more appropriate to say "inner city", because it was necessary to pass through two high walls to enter an area with extraordinary views. Outside the high walls, the guards are quite tight, patrolled by heavily armed guardians, and the walls are equipped with heavy ballistas and archers, isn't this equivalent to a city? This Zhang family is not so much a wealthy businessman, but rather a strong man.

Led by the eldest lady of the Zhang family, Xi Xue entered the backyard smoothly. As he walked through the door, he could feel a bunch of eyes fall on him, some of them hostile, and he didn't care at all.

Walking along the cobblestone path in the backyard, the branches of the unknown trees on the left and right are blooming with small plum and peach flowers, and a petal is also scattered on the ground. When a gust of wind blows, it can also roll up a rain of flowers, like a fairyland. The courtyard is deep and winding. Xi Xue couldn't help but praise and recited: "Traveling by the river, forgetting the distance of the road, suddenly met the peach blossom forest." Hundreds of steps between the shore, there are no miscellaneous trees in it, the fragrant grass is delicious, and the fallen flowers are colorful...... This is simply the legendary "Peach Blossom Spring". Living in a place like this is like a dream. ”

Zhang Xiahua heard Xi Xue's praise, and her heart was naturally happy, but then she was sad again, and said: "It's empty, it's cold, what's the use of the beautiful scenery?" Ever since my father ...... It's been a long time since it's been lively. Xi Xue asked, "By the way, why haven't you ever heard you mention your father?" Zhang Xiahua smiled slightly, looking particularly sad, and said: "My father died on the front line six years ago. ”

"Sorry, I don't know."

Zhang Xiahua shook her head, "You don't need to apologize. It's been six years, and I'm not the little girl who knew how to cry before. Xi Xue was about to change the topic, but he heard Zhang Xiahua say, "Don't you wonder why I have my mother's surname instead of my father's letter?" ”

Isn't that weird? In the Confederacy, it was very common to take the mother's surname. However, Xi chose to ignore that this is an empire. He is not an imperial person, and of course he does not know that in the Han Empire, children must take their father's surname - unless they are rich. That's right, Zhang Xiahua's father is a son-in-law, that is, a "son-in-law". Obviously, there is a tradition in the Zhang family for this kind of thing, and it is no wonder that Mrs. Zhang has the idea of recruiting students to join the Zhang family - of course, it has not been clarified for the time being.

In the Han Empire, the son-in-law had no status at all, and he was even more despised by others. However, Zhang's father and Zhang's mother really loved each other, and Zhang's father withstood great pressure before finally tying the knot with Zhang's mother.

Xi Xue quietly listened to Zhang Xiahua's description, "...... But after the father and mother were together, they still did not get happiness. It's not that the two of them have a bad relationship, but because my grandparents and other people in the Zhang family still look down on my father, and always make things difficult and even humiliate him. At that time, my mother had not yet presided over the affairs of the Zhang family. His father worked hard to get the Zhang family to recognize him, but he was not allowed to do business, and there was no way to enter politics, so in the end his father could only join the army...... My father worked hard and was very brave, and it only took a year of hard work to go from a small soldier to a titled captain, and he returned to his hometown in beautiful clothes. I still remember my father riding a tall horse and lifting me high......"

Xi Zedao: "What about later? ”

"Later, ......" Zhang Xiahua took a deep breath, as if to suck back her tears, "Later, there was a conflict on the border, I don't know the specifics, it seems that the army of the Confederates attacked, and then in that conflict, my father was sacrificed, and I ...... Even the last of him ...... Woo! ”

Because of the Confederates? Xi Ze's mood suddenly became heavy, looking at Zhang Xiahua's appearance of bowing her head and crying, she felt pity in her heart, and couldn't help but hug her back and let her lean on her shoulder - a little unsightly, Xi Xue was not high enough to lean on his arms.

Zhang Xiahua thought of her father's death and the hardships of the past six years, and suddenly couldn't help herself, her heart was out of control, and she hugged Xi Xue and cried. Xi Ze felt the soft squeezing sensation in his chest, but there was no charm in his heart, only gloom and heaviness.

Originally, she wanted to find out her identity and say goodbye to Zhang Xiahua, but now she learned that her father died in the battle with the Confederates...... How can Xi Ze open his mouth to find out that he is a Confederacy? Xi Xue said: "If you want to cry, cry out loud, it's okay to cry." He didn't open his mouth Zhang Xiahua still suppressed his crying, he said this, Zhang Xiahua cried "wow", "Why?" We're all human, so why do we have to fight around? Why do you want me to have no father? What is it for? ”

If her father died at the hands of a foreign race, she would also be painful, but also proud, because her father was a hero, but he died at the hands of the Confederacy, who was also a human being, and she only felt that her father's death was very unjust, and it was not worth it.

Xi Xue gently patted Zhang Xiahua's back and said, "I believe that one day the Confederacy and the Empire can truly let go of hatred and coexist peacefully." Zhang Xiahua didn't say anything more, just cried loudly.

Gradually, Zhang Xiahua's crying was much quieter, and when she stopped crying at all, she twisted the hug that left Xi Xue, her eyelashes beaded, and said, "I'm sorry for letting you see me so ugly...... And got your clothes wet. The girl was really made of water, and when she cried, Xi Ze's entire shoulders were soaked.

Xi Zedao: "How come? You look good at all times. Zhang Xiahua was ashamed, glanced at Xi Xuan, and ran away in shame. Just in time a gust of wind blew and rolled up a petal. What a pleasing scene. Xi Ze said secretly: "I'm afraid that it will be difficult to see such beautiful scenery in the future." ”

Xi Xue followed, and after a while, he walked out of the flower forest, and suddenly his eyes opened up, and an artificial lake was embedded in the ground in front of him like a large piece of jade. Zhang Xiahua was standing by the lake, I don't know where to take a bag of fish food, and was throwing it there, and a large number of ornamental fish of different colors had gathered on the edge of the lake, enjoying a delicious meal happily.

"Xi Tianxue, do you want to give it a try too?" Zhang Xiahua smiled like a flower, except for her red eyes, she couldn't see any traces of crying before. Xi Xue said secretly: "The girl with the name of Xia Hua is not as fragile as she imagined. Xi Xue happily took the oiled paper bag, grabbed a handful of fish food and swayed it. When the fish food falls into the water, it immediately attracts a surge of fish, and the water waves are churning and the colorful scales are shining, which is very beautiful.

Zhang Xiahua smiled: "When I'm unhappy, I like to come here to feed the fish." When I've fed them all, I'll be happy. Hey. Xi Ze smiled: "Then if you are happy every day, these fish will starve to death." Zhang Xiahua said: "No." Isn't there my mother, and other sisters? When I'm not around, they come and feed them, and they can't go hungry. ”

The two of them sat on the shore on the ground. The grass was very soft, not punctuating at all, like a blanket. Two people share a bag of fish food, you grab a handful, I grab a handful, and when two people catch together, they will also catch each other's hands. Gradually, the charm and warmth of Dandan spread between the two. Quietly, it is the first love.

Xi Ze admonished himself that he couldn't go on like this, but he was very reluctant, for him, this was the best time besides being with his family, so he could only be silent in the contradictions.

When the fish was fed, I didn't know who took the initiative, anyway, the hands of the two people grabbed together.

Zhang Xiahua said suddenly: "By the way, I almost forgot, my mother asked someone to send me a message before, saying that something happened recently, let me take shelter from the manor outside the city with her." Practice...... Heaven's Choice, or you will go with us, right? I don't know what happened, but I had to go out of the city to take refuge. ”

Xi Xue sighed secretly and said, "I'...... I'm afraid I can't go with you. Zhang Xiahua breathed and let out an "oh" in disappointment. Xi Xue said again: "Moreover, I will leave Yangzhou City tomorrow." Zhang Xiahua asked in surprise: "You want to leave Yangzhou City?" Xi Ze said: "Yes." I...... I'm going to go home. Looking at Xi Xue's expression, Zhang Xiahua asked, "Is it ...... Going for a long time? ”

Xi Ze said: "Well......"

"Oh......" Zhang Xiahua lowered her eyelids and faced the lake.

Xi Xue didn't like this atmosphere and feeling quite a bit, took a deep breath, and said, "In addition, I have one thing to tell you. ”

Zhang Xiahua said: "What's the matter?" ”

Xi chose to look into Zhang Xiahua's eyes and said, "I'm a Confederate." ”