Soon, the pothos came out of Xu's house and got into the carriage again.

The groom waved his whip and flicked it, and the two brown horses pulling the cart dragged the carriage towards the mouth of the alley.

In the carriage, the green pothos said truthfully to Duanmu: "Fourth girl, the clear sky said that her forehead was rewarded by Mrs. Xu, and it came from Qixiu Fang on Zhongsheng Street. ”

Green pothos didn't understand why her girl cared about the forehead, according to her, although the embroidery on the forehead was not bad, it was just "good". For the Duanmu family, it is not a rare thing.

Duanmu Fei casually replied absentmindedly, and the topic of wiping his forehead ended here.

is different from pothos, Duanmu can probably guess that his sister's mention of this forehead is just a smooth mouth, and what his sister cares about should be the merchant outside.

As Duanmujun guessed, Duanmufei cared that it was indeed the strange merchant, and his thoughts turned quickly.

Obviously, this merchant should have come to the Xu family, or rather, someone from the Xu family, so he lingered in the area of Liuye Lane for an hour and didn't leave.

And he looked at the Xu Mansion so many times before leaving, it seems that he should not have seen the person he wanted to see.

There are two possibilities, or the person he wants to see doesn't know he's coming, and he's just coming here to try his luck; Or maybe the person he wants to see can't find time to see him for some reason in the past hour.

Nine times out of ten, he wanted to see a woman.

Most of the people who come to the merchant to buy things are female customers, and occasionally there is a man who buys things for the women and children in the family who is too eye-catching in the women's pile, and it is inevitable that people will joke a few words after dinner.

Duanmufei's gaze still fell on the back of the merchant in front of him, his eyes were shining, as bright as the twinkling stars in the night sky.

What makes her even more interesting is that this merchant should not be a real merchant.

The shoulders of people who often carry burdens will be cocooned by the flat burden, and there is a fixed posture of carrying the burden, but this merchant is obviously not very suitable for carrying the burden, and frequently moves the position of the flat burden on the shoulder.

Of course, there is also a glimmer of possibility that he is a "new" merchant who has just started doing business in Beijing.

However, Duanmufei's instincts tell her that this eccentric merchant is hiding some unspeakable secrets.

Duanmu hooked her lips with interest, smiled slightly, and invited the green pothos to give her an order.

Pothos nodded, "Hmm".

The narrow willow alley is only big enough for a horse-drawn carriage to move in one direction, and the sound of horses' hooves and the sound of the wheels of the car is clearly echoed in the alley.

The carriage was naturally faster than two legs, and soon caught up with the merchant near the mouth of the alley.

When the merchant saw the carriage again, his body stiffened, his feet slowed down, and he looked at the carriage again, with a little scrutiny and a little alertness.

"Smack!"

The groom did not look at the merchant, he waved his whip again, and drove the carriage past the merchant without pausing at all.

The green canopy carriage turned right at the entrance of the alley in front of it and turned onto Meizhu Street.

Coming out of Willow Leaf Lane, it is the plum bamboo street perpendicular to it, across the plum bamboo street, and the willow leaf lane is directly opposite the treasure bottle lane. There are many official eunuchs living in this area, and the streets and alleys are quite lively.

The merchant breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the departing carriage, and then turned to the right and walked west along Meizhu Street, still dragging a long note in his mouth, and continued to solicit customers.

Duanmu Fei in the carriage casually glanced at the shops on the street, and his eyes inadvertently swept the merchant behind him, and the corners of his lips curled higher.

Just now she saw that the merchant turned the flat shoulder on his shoulder slightly to the right, and guessed that the other party would go in this direction, so she deliberately asked the green pothos to tell the groom to speed up and turn right in front of the merchant, just to let the merchant let down his vigilance.

Duanmu Fei has lived in Beijing for both generations, was born in the capital, grew up in the capital, and she knows the capital by heart, and she couldn't be more familiar.

Go out from the end of this Meizhu Street, turn right to Jiahe Street in Xicheng, and there are many merchants in the area of Xicheng; Turn left and you will see one of the most lively streets in Beijing, Haitian Street.

Duanmu Fei could probably guess where the merchant was going next, and his eyes widened, as if a sparrow was flying, and he was excited.

After being bored at home for so many days, it's rare to encounter such an interesting thing when you go out, and it's really lucky.

Duanmu casually rolled the handkerchief with his fingers, and smiled like a crescent moon.

"Merchant!"

In a shop in front of him, a plump woman in blue leaned out and beckoned to the merchant, "Do you have a comb here?" ”

The merchant replied loudly: "Yes, yes." ”

As he spoke, he heard a little girl's coquettish voice from the carriage a foot away in front of him: "Sister, it's still early, let's not go home yet, let's go to Qinxiang Teahouse to listen to the pipa tell the story." ”

"I heard that the new female gentleman in Qinxiang Teahouse is a must, and everyone who has heard it is full of praise."

Another female voice smiled dotingly and replied, "That's it!" ”

"Sister, you've been so busy lately, just take advantage of today to come out and take a break in your busyness."

“……”

The distance between the carriage and the merchant grew farther and farther apart, and what the sisters said afterwards was not heard by the merchant.

The merchant lowered his head and hurriedly quickened his pace towards the woman in blue, and the flat pole on his shoulder made a "squeak" sound, and the boxes picked up at both ends of the flat pole also shook slightly.

Duanmu's carriage continued along Meizhu Street, turned right again at the intersection in front of it to Jiahe Street, and then stopped at the Qinxiang Tea House at the end of the street.

The lobby of the teahouse was very lively, and Duanmufei heard a melodious and melodious pipa sound from the teahouse in the carriage.

"Girl, be careful." The green pothos helped Duanmu Fei get out of the carriage.

The moment Duanmu Fei landed, he raised his hand and gently knocked on the carriage three times.

An unusually bright light flashed in her half-drooping eyes, and she affectionately took Duanmu's arm and entered the teahouse.

"Two girls, please." Xiao Er of the teahouse neatly threw a white towel on his shoulder, greeted him attentively, and smiled, "The elegant seat on the second floor is gone, I wonder if the girls mind sitting in the lobby on the first or second floor?" ”

Duanmu asked with a smile: "Is there a location on the second floor facing the street by the window and a better view?" ”

"Yes, yes, yes." The little second brother replied repeatedly.

The veiled female gentleman sat in the center of the lobby on the first floor, holding a pipa in her hand, the pipa sound was melodious and tactful, and the rap voice was clear and graceful, and the love was sincere.

The tea guests in the lobby were fascinated by the listening.

"Two girls, please." Xiao Er led Duanmu Fei and Duanmu Jun up the stairs to the second floor.

There are still a lot of empty tables and chairs in the lobby on the second floor, and the sisters chose a quiet position in the corner to sit, and most importantly, this location has a good view, through the window facing the street, you can see Jiahe Street below at a glance.

Duanmufei was very satisfied with this location, looking down on the bustling street below, and Duanmujun ordered tea and snacks with Xiao Er.

As soon as the second brother walked on the front foot, the other figure on the back foot naturally sat down on the spare chair at the table, and the other tea guests just glanced at this side casually, and they didn't pay much attention to it.

Appearing next to Duanmu Fei was a young man in his twenties, wearing an ordinary cyan robe, with a tall figure and delicate facial features.

"Four girls." Mo You smiled at Duanmu Fei.

It's not the first time Duanmujun has seen Mo You, and he is calm and relaxed.

Duanmu Fei lowered his voice and asked Mo You: "Did you see the merchant at the door of Xu's house just now?" ”

"See." Mo You nodded busily.

That merchant is such a big person, if he doesn't see it, then he is an unqualified secret guard, and the son won't remove him!

Duanmu pursed his lips and smiled, and then said: "I guess that the merchant should live in the two nearby 'merchant streets', and he will come over later, you can follow and take a look." ”

There are two streets next to Jiahe Street, where most of the merchants come and go, so they are also called "merchant streets" by the people of Beijing.

As soon as Duanmu's voice fell, Mo You had disappeared.

“……”

“……”

The green pothos on the side blinked in amazement, and secretly sighed that these secret guards of the future uncle were really elusive.

Duanmu Fei has long been accustomed to it, there must be a master and a servant, Mu Yan is also like this, she has scared her several times before.

"Zhenzhen."

Duanmu Jun called, Duanmu Fei followed his sister's gaze and looked at Jiahe Street below, and saw the merchant carrying the burden slowly and leisurely walking towards the teahouse.

When he walked past the main entrance of the teahouse, he turned his head and glanced at the lobby of the teahouse, and then his eyes fell on the carriage that Duanmu's family parked in front of the teahouse.

Duanmujun's eyes flashed with a hint of interest, and he vaguely guessed something. Naturally, my sister wouldn't let the secret guard check a merchant for no reason.

Duanmu Fei leaned into Duanmujun's ear and whispered, "Sister, that merchant is not quite right. ”

"I just found out that he was sneaky at the door of Xu's house, so let the secret guard take a look."

In fact, many courtiers are staring at each other, so if something happens to a certain mansion, it is often impossible to hide the ears and eyes of other mansions, but generally speaking, they are all sent to watch, and the entourage and the like are stared at, and the mansions are also tacitly acquiesced.

However, the merchant below, he deliberately pretended to be a merchant, pretending to be serious, acting too covertly, and looking vigilant.

That's not quite right.

Anyway, check it out.

Duanmu Fei watched the back of the merchant disappear around the corner, carelessly picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and just took a bite, he heard a sound of "kicking" upstairs from the direction of the stairs.

"Childe, please upstairs." Xiao Er's familiar voice came from the direction of the stairs, "There are several places upstairs, although it is not a private seat, but the view is very good." ”

While speaking, Xiao Er walked up to the second floor first and stretched out his hand to the guests behind him to make an invitation.

Immediately after, I saw a long and thin figure also go up to the second floor, it was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, with a delicate baby face, the corners of his mouth were slightly curved, and he seemed to be smiling and moaning, and his appearance was very pleasing.

Hey? That's a coincidence! Duanmu raised his eyebrows and waved his hand happily at the other party. "Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Tianwen came over, looked at Duanmu Fei, blinked slowly, and almost blurted out the words "small injustice and big head".

That's a coincidence, isn't it? Xiao Tian's mood was a little delicate.

He has been in the capital for more than a month.

Before today, he had been honestly staying in the princess's mansion to recuperate from his injuries and had never left, but as soon as he came to his senses, Mu Yan actually left Beijing and left him alone in the princess's mansion.

When he learned the news this morning, Xiao Tian didn't come back to his senses for a while, and he couldn't figure out Mu Yan.

During these days, he lived in the princess's mansion and was regarded as a guest, and the princess's mansion could be said to be meticulous to him, not only that, but early this morning, the chief steward sent him a monthly order, which was fifty taels.

It is said that this month's case is the same as Mu Yan's.

Xiao Tian almost doubted that Mu Yan, the regent, was in a bad brain, was it really okay to let this kind of person run the government?

Xiao Tianwo thought about it in his courtyard for an hour, couldn't figure it out, so he simply didn't want to, took the silver and went out tentatively, only to find that no one cared about him at all, and he came and went freely in the princess's mansion.

Anyway, it's someone else's money, Xiao Tian didn't feel distressed, he went to see a play first, and after watching the play, the guests of the opera class said that the pipa in this teahouse was good, so he came again, but he didn't expect to meet the little injustice and her sister here.

If it weren't for his temporary intention to come here, if it weren't for Duanmufei arriving one step earlier than him, Xiao Tian would almost wonder if Duanmufei was following him.

Xiao Er looked at Duanmu Fei, then at Xiao Tian, and was also happy, and asked, "Childe, do you know these two girls?" In that case, how about you just share a table? ”

Before Xiao Tian responded, Duanmu Fei had already answered for him: "Young Master Xiao, you can sit with us." She also ordered a cup of tea for Xiao Tian.

Xiao Tian went over and sat down.

After a while, Xiao Er also brought Xiao Tian's tea.

The fragrance of tea is lingering, and the female gentleman in the lobby below is still playing and singing, and the sound of the pipa is getting more and more going, all the way to the climax, and then it slows down, and then the female gentleman holds down the pipa strings, and the pipa sound stops abruptly.

The lady held the pipa and saluted the tea guests, and the lobby below erupted in warm applause.

Xiao Tian also applauded again and again.

Suddenly, the thunderous applause stopped, and the female gentleman retreated with the pipa in her arms, followed by an intermission.

The surrounding tea guests are still discussing and commenting:

"This female gentleman's pipa storytelling is really worthy of its reputation!"

"Yes, I also heard my cousin mention it, so I'll come and see it today. Fang Cai's "Peony Pavilion" sang really wonderfully! ”

"This brother, her "The Story of the Purple Hairpin" sings better."

“……”

Xiao Tian drank the flower tea and said casually: "This capital is really good, food, clothing, housing, transportation and play, everything is good." ”

"Then don't go." Duanmu said with a smile.

"......" Xiao Tian finished for a while, looking at Duanmu Fei's eyes a little subtle.

Does the little injustice mean to "recruit peace" for her?

Xiao Tian pretended not to understand, and said perfunctorily with a smile: "The golden nest and the silver nest are not as good as your own kennel." ”

"That's right." Duanmu nodded in agreement.

Although Jiangnan is good, she also feels that it is not as good as the capital.

Duanmu said with a smile: "In addition to the theater teahouse, there are many fun and delicious places in the capital. ”

Duanmu Fei counted his fingers with great interest and said, "The Feng family's hundred operas are performed very well; It's also good to rent a painting boat in Half Moon Lake and listen to music; The whole street of Xiyang Street sells all kinds of Western goods; By the way, there is also a Hejia gambling house in the north of the city, I heard that there are at least twenty or thirty gambling methods in that gambling house, but unfortunately I haven't been to ......"

Duanmu Fei still looked a little regretful, and when he talked about this, the topic came to eating, "People in Beijing are more particular about eating, and all major cuisines can find top restaurants in Beijing." ”

"The aroma of wine is not afraid of deep alleys, although some small shops are not big, but the dishes are authentic, such as there is a fish ball noodles in the west of the city, called ......"

"Wang Po fish balls." Xiao Tian tacitly agreed.

Duanmu Fei said in surprise: "You also know? ”

Xiao Tian shrugged his shoulders, "The last time I came to the capital, I accidentally found it when I was wandering around. As he spoke, saliva began to secrete from his mouth, and he became a little hungry.

This capital, this bit of food is memorable.

Duanmu asked with a smile, "Then what's so fun about Jinju?" ”

Xiao Tian was energetic, raised his chin and said: "The capital is just a small place, Jinzhou is much more vast than the capital, and there are countless scenic spots, Hukou Waterfall, Hengshan Hanging Temple, Yungang Grottoes, Wutai Mountain, ......"

"Also, our various noodles in Jinju are also famous, such as ramen, slices, stewed noodles, dipping slices, cat ears, etc., at least a hundred ways to play......

Xiao Tian said seriously, and the sisters listened seriously.

Duanmufei has never been to Jinzhou, except for following the emperor out of Beijing for hunting, summer vacation and southern tour, she has never left the capital in her two lifetimes.

Every time I drive out of Beijing, there are many rules, and it is not convenient to play around.

Duanmujun also listened to it, and sighed regretfully: "It's a pity that Jinzhou has been too chaotic recently. ”

Thinking of the current Jinzhou, the corners of Xiao Tian's mouth stiffened, and his eyes became deeper and deeper.

Jinju is his hometown, and watching it decay to this point little by little, how can he not be heartbroken!

"This was not the case in Jinju in the past......" Xiao Tianqing's voice was vaguely hoarse.

In the past, although Jinzhou was not as prosperous as the capital and Jiangnan, but the people were also considered to live and work in peace and contentment, and the people of Jinju were the most hospitable at that time.

But later, Jinju gradually changed......

At this time, there was a crisp and mellow pipa sound from below, followed by the woman's clear rapping voice.

Xiao Tian came back to his senses and followed the sound towards the lobby on the first floor, and at some point, the female gentleman who was veiled and holding the pipa came back again, playing the pipa lightly and slowly.

This one is sung "Mulan in the Army".

One of Duanmufei's favorite plays is "Mulan in the Army", I never get tired of watching and listening, I don't know how much I have seen.

Duanmu listened with relish, and heard that when Mulan put on men's clothes and went to the battlefield for her father, the first words were also nearing the end, and the female gentleman ended with two sentences of "Mulan Poem" as the first sentence: Thousands of miles to the plane, Guan Shan is like flying.

Duanmu Fei's mind couldn't help but have the next sentence: Shuoqi spreads the golden watch, and the cold light shines on the iron clothes.

Thinking of the girl in armor standing with her head held high in the moonlight, Duanmu scarlet hair, her fingers tracing a few strokes on the square table, and suddenly heard a slightly sharp male voice from a table behind her: "I see that this pipa is very boring, and the wine in this teahouse is not more than Erer, let's go to the Peony Building." Today I'm in a good mood, I'm in a treat. ”

"Brother Zhang, the Peony Building hasn't opened at this time." The other male voice laughed, "But since you said it, you can't pay the bill." ”

These people didn't lower their voices at all, Duanmu frowned, and when he heard the sound, he saw that there were four young sons and brothers sitting two tables away from them.

They had apparently been drinking, and two of them had flushed cheeks and were a little drunk.

A boy in a blue robe smiled and said to a boy in a green robe: "Brother Zhang, little brother sees that you are in a good mood today, could it be that there is something happy?" ”

Another purple-robed boy hurriedly said, "I know, I know." Brother Zhang just decided on a family affair yesterday, right? It is said that it is still the daughter of Bofu! ”

Zhang Gongzi, who was dressed in a green robe, raised his head and drank half a glass of wine, and said with a smug smile: "My father and mother said that I am not young anymore, and I think it is best to get married at the end of the year." ”

The other three princes exchanged a look with each other, with an official eunuch like them, this marriage was actually a bit urgent, but they could all understand it. Since the sacrifice of the Taimiao, all the provinces in Beijing are afraid that the emperor will die without knowing when, once the emperor goes, he can't talk about marriage during the state funeral, it is better to do the marriage early.

"That's really congratulations to Brother Zhang." The other three sons all arched their hands at the son.

Zhang Gongzi took another sip of wine, his face flushed unnaturally from drunkenness, and said, "This man, are you afraid that you won't be able to marry a wife?" ”

"It's not that the girl's family is limited, but she can't stand the consumption!"

As he spoke, he put the wine glass on the table and said mockingly: "That big girl has low eyes and low eyes, and she looks unattainable, in fact, she doesn't look down on us." ”

The purple-robed boy obviously knew what Zhang Gongzi was talking about, and personally poured wine for Zhang Gongzi, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Isn't it?" Where are we as 'powerful' as others! ”

Speaking of the words "powerful", the purple-robed boy had a mocking smile on his face.

His words were quite in line with Zhang Gongzi's mind, and Zhang Gongzi picked up the wine glass again and sneered: "I used to think that she wanted to marry a Ziweixing." Oh, a girl with low eyes and low hands, she still thinks she is a big girl with yellow flowers! ”

"Hey, in broad daylight, she's like this...... In private, I'm afraid it's even more presumptuous! ”

The four sons glanced at each other and sneered.

The other tea drinkers on the second floor also heard the foul language.

Some people pricked up their ears curiously to listen, and some people frowned and said unhappily: "If you want to speak, you can go to the restaurant or flower building, and if you make a noise, you will hinder others from listening to books." ”

The friend at the same table hurriedly lowered his voice and persuaded: "Forget it." At first glance, they are the children of the eunuchs, and we can't afford to offend. ”

The four sons were talking about Xingtou, and they didn't care about the eyes of other people around them at all.

The purple-robed boy said again: "Brother Zhang, you have also got a good family affair now, don't think about these unpleasant things in the past." I see, the big girl will only regret it later! ”

"That's it!" The corners of Zhang Gongzi's lips curled, and he listened very usefully.

The blue-robed boy interjected contemptuously: "If you want me to say, this cold door is a cold door, and you can't get on the stage." This Duanmu family, just thought that there was a phoenix, so they became more and more frivolous. ”

The other brown-clothed boy was a little nervous, and lowered his voice and said, "You guys just say a few words." ”

"Since the Peony Building hasn't opened yet, let's go to the Half Moon Lake to find a painting boat and listen to a little song to swim around the lake!" The brown boy suggested.

"Brother Wang, this is a good idea!" Zhang Gongzi immediately stroked his palm and agreed.

Duanmu Fei originally just thought that these people were noisy and smelly, and the other party didn't name them, so she naturally didn't know who they were talking about.

It wasn't until the word "Duanmu" got into her ears just now that she realized that the "big girl" in their mouths was actually referring to her sister.

Duanmu frowned his little face, and looked at the four sons again, his face frozen.

Duanmu Jun also heard the conversation of these sons and brothers, and his eyebrows were deeply locked.

She thought about the conversation between these people and understood. What they said about "powerful" others turned out to be alluding to Cen Gongzi.

Duanmu Jun was also annoyed, and his bright face sank instantly.