After dinner that day, Gu Xinyi quietly washed her face with cold water a few times, and asked Zhu Qiaozhen to tell Mrs. Gu that she had a fever. Gu Qingyuan asked Gu Chong to take her to Dongguan Street to see a doctor, and when she went home, Gu Chong was the only one left, and she quietly got off the car halfway and ran away. When she arrived at Xiguan Bridge, it was just time, but it was two hours at the end of the unitary hour, and she didn't see Fan Junsheng, so she had to go home stupidly. When she got home, the door was hidden, and she cautiously went inside to find the porter Erhu napping on a small stool, and after entering the house, she heard the door locked. guessed that her father might have deliberately let her out, but fortunately Fan Junsheng did not appear. There was no danger this night, and I didn't see Fan Junsheng, so I had to go again tomorrow night, that method obviously couldn't be used anymore, and she didn't dare to risk it when she had the last chance.

On March 17, Gu Xinyi didn't do anything, and she has been thinking about what to do, and I'm afraid I won't have a chance to leave Liaocheng tonight. When he arrived at the Ji family, he not only had no chance with Fan Junsheng, but also had to face the rumored fierce Ji Ertang; On the other hand, once you leave, you have to leave your beloved parents, and you leave them with a big problem, which is a crime of disloyalty and unfilial piety. After lunch, she finally decided to go, and left immediately, she was afraid of accidents if she was late, and she was afraid that she would be soft-hearted. She simply packed a few clothes, took some silver dollars and exchange tickets, and put them into her baggage together with the Seven Exquisite Brocade Boxes, and then wrapped them tightly around her waist; Then he put on his father's robe and hat, lowered the brim and walked out of the door. She first went to the abandoned "Jule Theater" on the east side of Dongkou South Street Road to hide, and did not come out until dark, and quietly rushed to Xiguan Bridge.

Gu Qingyuan was careless today, always thinking that she would only go out after dark, and she didn't watch out during the day, and waited until dinner time to find no one. He and Gu Zhong hurriedly rode to Xiguan Bridge, he had already been there yesterday. There were a lot of people coming and going just after dark, but I hadn't seen her for a long time, and I hadn't seen Fan Junsheng. This time it was even more urgent, and immediately arranged for four groups of people to ride out of the city to chase, along the east, west, north and south directions.

Besides, Yao Tiehammer, the day before he saw those words, he went back to Ji Tang to report them. They were not sure of the time or the place, and they were not sure what was going on, so they immediately sent him to keep an eye on him overnight, and the next morning they added two more men. So from Gu Chong driving the car out, to Gu Xinyi sneaking away halfway, and staying at Xiguan Bridge for another hour; then Gu Qingyuan appeared, and then returned to the Gu family one after another; They also spent a whole day, and it was already more than midnight when they returned to Ji's house to report. Ji Tang didn't understand it anymore, he couldn't figure out what the bride-to-be and father-in-law were playing. So he sent them to take over the stubble, and when he saw her go out, he immediately took someone home to report the news, and Ji Tang wanted to bring someone to follow him personally. If she still goes out tonight, she will definitely have to go home and sleep unless she finds out what she is going out for the night.

A few people waited all day, and they didn't see Gu Xinyi go out when it was dark, but Gu Qingyuan went in and out several times, walking and riding, and went out several times after dark. Yao Tiehammer couldn't get an idea, so he asked people to report to Ji Tang. Ji Tang was busy decorating the new house, and after listening to the report, he was like a second monk at a loss. If you think about it again, just follow her path yesterday and go again, no matter what happens at home, you have to figure out her affairs, after all, you will get married tomorrow and there will be no accidents.

In fact, Gu Xinyi arrived at Xiguan Bridge before she was in the unitary, because there were still people coming and going on the road, she didn't dare to be at the bridge, but squatted in the shadow next to the Xiguan Outer Bridge. Because it was cloudy, there were no lights nearby, so I couldn't see it at all if I didn't pay attention. In particular, she was dressed in a dark gray kaftan with a black top hat that covered most of her face. She was also very nervous, paying attention to the people who came from several sides, making sure that she saw Fan Junsheng and her father was not there.

Just after the unitary hour, Fan Junsheng walked south along the lakeside path of Dongchang Lake and met Gu Xinyi at Xiguan Bridge a few hundred meters. Before he reached the outer bridge, he heard someone whispering "Junsheng", and turned his head to see that no one startled him. When I got closer, I heard her voice, and asked in a low voice, "Xiaoyi, why are you here?" Not to mention in Xiguanqiao - huh? How do you dress like this? He was astonished to see her outfit, more so than to see her here.

"I, I'm afraid my dad will catch me." She said weakly, "Let's go, don't take the big road." ”

"Where are we going? Why did Master Gu arrest you? He thought she was acting strangely today.

"Junsheng, did you forget? Aren't we going to the Northwest together? She listened to his tone and her heart flipped over, at this time she could not turn back, and she was most afraid that he would hesitate.

"The organization hasn't replied yet, I don't know when I'll leave, and I can't take you with me." He said.

"You don't take me? Don't you know that if you don't leave today, you won't have a chance? So what did you call me for? Watch me jump into the fire pit to see the joke? She instantly felt that the world was about to collapse, and anxious tears rolled in her eyes.

He felt that maybe he hadn't made it clear, so he hurriedly explained to her: "Xiaoyi, don't worry, I didn't mean that-"

"What does that mean? You should know that I am wholeheartedly devoted to you! She pressed eagerly, hoping that he would change his mind.

"Xiaoyi, I understand your thoughts, and I want to be with you too. But I can't make decisions without organizational permission! His tone was embarrassed.

"Is there no other way to do it? Do you have to be part of your organization? Why don't you just take me away? Can't you just find a place where no one is around for the rest of your life? She really doesn't want to give up, she thinks that "choosing one person to promise a lifetime of love" is mutual, and he should only have each other in his heart like her.

"Xiaoyi, I swear that I will only like you alone for the rest of my life. But it is also my dream to participate in the revolution, I can't give up the national righteousness for the sake of my children's personal feelings, and if I can't display my ambitions, I will regret it in my life. He was also excited, and raised his left hand as if he were vowing to look at her in the dark. couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in his heart, understanding that it was not easy for her to make a choice, but he was not willing to give up his ideals.

She was almost in despair. She is here to follow him today, and for this reason, she is willing to turn her back on her parents and family and bear all the infamy, not to compare her ideals or her in his heart, which is more important. She wanted to escape from Liaocheng, but he couldn't. She sadly took a few steps back and leaned against the corner, and the next step was only to go to the Ji family, which might be the grave where her youth was buried.

He saw that she was silent, took two steps closer and said, "Xiaoyi, please believe me, one day I will take you out of Liaocheng and never be separated again." ”

She gently raised her sad eyes and said faintly, "Is it possible?" Could it be waiting for me to turn into a pile of loess? Nurture the sprout of your hope, and after countless winds, frosts, snow and rain, bloom with the fragrance of the tree. When you lift your nose and sniff lightly, there's in that breath—"

"Nope! Xiaoyi, you must wait for me to come back, we will stay together for the rest of our lives! Even if I do die, it will be me first, and then my soul will be in front of your window. He couldn't help but be moved, because she read the poems he had written.

"Forget it, Junsheng, I'm going home, you go find your ideals." She decided to give up, and her hopeful heart faltered in the night. The sadness is indescribable: if I love him and should bear everything alone to fulfill his dreams, then it is no matter how I end.

"Xiao Yi!" He stretched out his hands to support her shoulders and said affectionately, "Xiaoyi, you must believe in me, and you must also believe in yourself, we must be together." ”

"Really?" Hope came to her mind again, "But after tomorrow I'm just-I'm just-you're not disgusted with me?" ”

"Well, believe me, as long as the heart does not die, there must be hope. Thousands of difficulties and dangers cannot stop our sincere hearts, and victory will eventually belong to us. "He has never really been discouraged, either for her or for his career.

"That's- well, Junsheng, I'll wait for you to come back. Even tomorrow - my heart belongs only to you. She gradually regained her confidence, and the tears that had been lingering in her eyes for a long time did not come out after all.

"I believe in you, go back, I'll send you." He also gave birth to a lot of reluctance, this time she will become a wife, a member of the Ji family, and it will be even more difficult to see her again. But so what? He's done his best, he's struggled a few times.

"Junsheng, wait a minute. In order not to let my father see it, you better not send me. As she spoke, she turned around and took out a small black cloth bag from her underwear and placed it in his hand seriously, "Junsheng, this key is the Seven Tricks Exquisite Box, it is the only key, you have to keep it." Uncle Lebo once said, 'A lock, a core, a key, choose one person to promise a lifetime'. My lock cylinder is just waiting for your key to return, and the box contains what is important to you and me. When the box is opened, it proves that our undying love has withstood the test of reality. Let's go. ”

After she finished speaking, she walked quickly to the way she came, and she was not afraid when she figured it out, and she was very energetic when she walked.

Fan Junsheng looked at Gu Xinyi's back slowly disappearing in the night, his wide clothes and delicate figure were very incongruous, not only sad. She is worthy of "choosing someone to promise a lifetime of love", but he failed her affection for a distant dream. If she has three longs and two shorts in the Ji family, how can he be worthy of her even if he has a successful career? However, at this time, he urgently needs to show his ambition to prove his strength, and only the successful Fan Junsheng is worthy of her. At least that's what he thinks at this time, and he can only hope that the sky will take care of her more.

Seeing her disappear into the night, Fan Junsheng walked back with mixed feelings. Walk along the lakeside path and through the curvy alleys. Just when he came to the gate of his yard and stretched out his hand to open the fence gate, suddenly several people rushed out behind him, and he was startled and just about to ask about the situation, he felt a pain in his head and lost consciousness.

When Fan Junsheng woke up again, he was woken up by cold water. He opened his eyes, his hair and face were wet, and the back of his head hurt. There were two people standing in front of him, tall, thin, handsome, about twenty years old, with broom eyebrows, small eyes, high nose, narrow bridge, and long face. Wearing a blue-gray gown, a black melon shell hat, and a slight smile in the corners of his eyes. He was short and slightly chubby, in his thirties, with a dark round face and a collapsed nose. Look closely, there is a fist-sized black mark on the left side of his face, with two small mustaches, and big eyes with a fierce light. The place where they were was was like a storeroom with stacked books, with shelves and books covered in a thick layer of dust. Fan Junsheng felt wet, cold and painful on his body, and only then did he realize that he was tied to the shelves by Wuhuada.

The two beards first put the barrel on the ground and pinched their waists and said, "The kid is brave enough?" Even the second young master of my family dares to rob him? ”

"Hmm......" Fan Junsheng wanted to speak, but found that his mouth was blocked. The two beards reached out and "snapped" to slap him on the left side of his face, ripping off the foul-smelling dirty rag in his mouth. Only then did he speak: "Two big brothers, you have arrested the wrong person, I don't know you at all." In fact, he guessed that the person known as the second young master was Ji Tang, and the purpose of arresting him was obviously because of him and Gu Xinyi.

"Yo? Don't you know? Then let you have a good (1) recognition. The two mouthfuls of nonsense pinched Fan Junsheng's cheeks with their hands, and stuffed the dirty rag that had just been removed into his mouth. I couldn't help but say that I was beaten in the heart and stomach. While fighting, he gritted his teeth and shouted: "See if you know, see if you know it, look at ......"

These big fists, like hammers, smashed violently on Fan Junsheng's body for five or six minutes, making him feel that his internal organs were displaced. He snorted in pain, tears poured out unobeyedly, and he wanted to shout but couldn't, until he was dripping blood along the rag. Ji Tang stood there and watched the excitement with his hands in his hands, without saying a word, and even his expression did not change. Two handfuls of nonsense tore off the dirty rag in Fan Junsheng's mouth, and used it to wipe the blood from the corners of his mouth and asked, "Boy, do you know our grandfather now?" ”

Fan Junsheng nodded effortlessly, and begged weakly: "Second Young Master Ji, please be a master, I really have nothing to do with Xiaoyi." As soon as he finished speaking, he slapped his left cheek again.

"! Is your name for the second young grandmother? The two said nonsense, and the right hand was still raised high above the head.

"Ah, no, I'm sorry! Second Young Master Ji, Miss Gu and I are really innocent. It's true. Fan Junsheng hurriedly replied. The two handfuls of Hu put their hands down and glared at him standing behind Ji Tang.

"Uh-hmm-" Ji Tang cleared his throat, his voice calm and quiet, "How long have you two known each other?" ”

"Talk back! Don't let my young master ask twice! The two beards pinched their waists and stared wide-eyed.

"More than a year." Fan Junsheng felt pain all over his body, and blood kept dripping down his chin.

"There's a brocade box, have you ever seen it? What's in it? Ji Tang asked. Xiao Triangle's eyes widened a little, staring at Fan Junsheng's face.

"I don't know, I haven't seen it." Fan Junsheng said.

Ji Tang stopped talking, turned his back to Fan Junsheng, and tilted his head not to look at him. The two mustaches walked over and blocked his mouth with a dirty rag, and it was too late for him to shout when he realized that something was wrong. Hammer-like fists slammed into his chest. He only hummed as hard as he could, and tears flowed down his cheeks. This is the reaction of his mastery.

"Do you want me to ask again?" Ji Tang was already close to Fan Junsheng when he asked this, and the dirty rag in his mouth was also removed by the two wipes.

"No, don't. Second Young Master, I really haven't seen that box. Fan Junsheng shook his head with all his might, but he couldn't even feel himself, and his head was still drooping. The bones in the upper body hurt like a falling apart, and if it weren't for the rope and clothes to wrap it, it would probably be paralyzed. "I only heard from Xiao-Miss Gu said that there is a box called the Seven Tricks Exquisite Box, which was given by the swastika thirteen of the original lock shop on Loudong Street before leaving, and she didn't say anything in it, and I didn't dare to ask. Second young master, I'm telling the truth, please spare me. ”

"Oh-swastika? Well, interesting. Ji Tang said that his small eyes narrowed into two slits, and suddenly looked at Fan Junsheng with wide eyes, "Xinyi is so good to you, will you have told you what treasure is in it earlier, and you forgot it?" ”

"No, no, absolutely nothing! She only said that it was a square box bigger than a palm, with patterns engraved on the outside, and I really don't know anything else! Please let me go, I'll leave Liaocheng and come back immediately. Fan Junsheng really wanted to grow wings and fly out of Liaocheng at this time, and he still had great ideals waiting to be realized.

"Well, I'm sure you're not telling a lie." Ji Tang turned around and walked a few steps as he spoke, and stood there with his hands together, neither looking back nor speaking.

The two beards didn't speak, and once again blocked Fan Junsheng's mouth with a dirty rag. He instantly understood that there was no good luck in the ferocity, and he shook his head and wept in fright, and begged him with a hum to stop fighting, but all he could do was struggle.

I saw Liang Hu take out a short dagger from his arms, put the scabbard back again, and smiled gloomily at Fan Junsheng, which was the only smile he showed tonight. shook the blade more than two inches long in front of Fan Junsheng's eyes, bared his teeth and said, "Boy, my young master believes in you, I will give you a good time when you look at this." Remember, no matter what you entrust in your next life, you have to do your part, not what you don't want. As he spoke, he used the blade to pick off a few sections of rope on Fan Junsheng's chest, and picked up his clothes layer by layer.

By this time, Fan Junsheng was completely desperate, tears kept flowing, and he didn't even have the strength to struggle. His heart was full of fear and hatred, as well as regret: "Mother, I should have listened to you a long time ago, just leave on the first day of junior high school, no matter where you go, it is better than death." Xiaoyi, I'm sorry for you, if I left with you, I wouldn't end up with this result! Teacher, Mr. Chen, Xiaosheng has no chance to serve the country anymore, Xiaosheng hates it so much! ”

"Boom Boom ......" "Boom Boom ......"

Suddenly, there was an urgent slamming of the door. The two beards quickly put the dagger into their arms, and turned their heads to look at Ji Tang and the others. Ji Tang frowned, and then rushed outside. The two beards nodded and walked out quickly, and took the door with him, Ji Tang walked a few steps and stood behind the door, listening with his ears against the door frame.

It was pitch black outside, and there was a faint sound of a car engine. There was not much time for two shouts outside: "Second young master, second young master, come out." It's someone from the Nanxun Zhou family who is looking for you to talk about something! Only then did Ji Tang open the door and go out, closing the door casually.

After a while, the sound of the engine was gone, and Ji Tang and the two mustaches did not come back. Fan Junsheng gritted his teeth and struggled with all his strength, and the rope loosened a little. It turned out that the body and arms and legs were tied with the same rope, and when the two beards cut the rope, they had already begun to loosen. He broke out of the noose and fell to the ground, hurting from the inside out. He didn't care about the pain, so he forced himself to get up and walk out. Cautiously walked out of the house, the whole yard was unlit, and it was pitch black. He staggered to the front and pushed the door, the door was hidden, and the window on the other side and the door were faintly lit, apparently a shop facing the street. He pulled the front door again in the past, and it turned out to be empty, gritting his teeth and walking out, only to find that it was Loudong Street, and the vague Wenyue Building could be vaguely seen on the left.

After figuring out the direction, he decided to run away from the city, and he must not drag his mother down because of this, and deliberately wiped a handful of blood from the corner of his mouth on the wall after walking a few steps. Leaving the east gate, he continued to walk forward, and the severe pain in his body made his head begin to empty, and his physical strength gradually stopped. Suddenly, he didn't know what he tripped over, and when he fell, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and he couldn't tell where he vomited, whether it was on the ground or on his clothes. He struggled to get up and walk forward, his chest hurting so badly that he felt like he was dying. Tears flowed down unobediently, and I called in my heart: "Xiaoyi, I'm sorry, Xiaoyi, I should really listen to your words and leave Liaocheng together." Xiao Yi, I'm sorry, I feel like my dream is going to be in vain, I'm going to die, Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi ......"

As I walked, I felt my consciousness gradually blur, and my body shook even more. In a trance, he saw a red lantern hanging on the side of the road in front of him, perhaps because of his hallucination, he saw the word "medicine", and ran over and slammed the door with all his strength. The door was real, not an illusion, and he felt that there was hope again. There was indeed hope, and he heard someone inside running out with a promise. I thought, Xiaoyi, I'm saved. The moment the door opened, he lost consciousness again, and his body fell to the threshold.

On March 18, Liaocheng was very lively, and it was obvious from early in the morning, with a few cannon salutes sounding, and people pouring out of their homes and running into the streets. Most people heard what day it was, and some people who were going to go to Grandma's Temple to catch up changed their minds - there is still a chance to catch up tomorrow, but there is still next year, but the Ji family and the Gu family only have one marriage. It is said that anyone who goes to the two families to congratulate each other has a red envelope, and the size of the denomination is at least joyful. Some people also said that there were many big people who participated in the wedding, and the five major families of the city gathered, and the county magistrate, commissioner (2), and provincial governor will all be present.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the ticking horn sounded, and the welcoming team set off from the West Street of the Department Road. Take Xishuncheng Lane all the way to the south, then go east along Louxi Street to Wenyue Building, then walk south for a section of Lounan Street, turn into the West Gujia Hutong in the south of Huoshenmiao Street to approach Gujia. At the front of the line were more than a dozen beautiful boys, each carrying a cloth bag, and from time to time they took out something and scattered it to the people watching the excitement on the side of the road. Everywhere they went, people picked up or picked on the ground, and a group of children followed them to ask for it. Most of the hands are melon seeds, sugar, walnuts, peanuts, and red dates, and if you are lucky, you can pick up silver dollars. Behind the young man were four suona, ticking and ticking. Followed by a tall horse, Ji Tang rode on the horse in high spirits, wearing red and green, and red flowers on both sides of the hat. Not far behind the horse is a big red sedan chair carried by eight people, and next to it are matchmakers dressed in flowers and branches and more than a dozen Peugeot maids. Behind the sedan chair are ten pairs of baskets (3) carried by two people, each containing a kind of gift, fish, meat, and pastries are indispensable, and one of them must be cash, these are the bride price. Behind them were more than a dozen canvas canopy chariots, driven by the wheel, the cars empty, which were prepared for the mother's family to send off guests (4). At the end of the procession were six flatbed wagons, which were used to pull and deliver dowries. There was also a salute that came with him, because the salute was too loud and had to stay at a distance. Generally 100 meters in front of the line, if people hear the sound of cannons, they just happen to see the sedan chair behind.

Gu's home is also full of joy inside and out, from the gate to the inside of each door beam is horizontally covered with a red or rose red quilt face, there are happy couplets on both sides of each door, and the word "Xi" can be seen everywhere in the yard. There is a ceremonial table next to the entrance hall of the first courtyard, and there is an account room responsible for registering the names and gift lists of guests, and Gu Qingyuan and his wife are busy greeting guests. Tables, chairs and benches are lined up on both sides of the aisle, waiting for the welcoming procession to leave and entertain congratulatory relatives and friends. The rope outside the side room was full of various gifts, none of which were written with the name of the person and the relationship between the Gu family, such as: Xiao Li Zhuang's cousin-in-law Deng Moumou.

Gu Xinyi's state today is very calm, she has been called by Qiaozhen since five o'clock in the morning, and she has been sitting silently, nodding at most to anyone, not eating, drinking, or talking. Mrs. Gu looked at her and shed a few tears in distress, saying that she was sensible and dignified. Relatives praised her for growing up and becoming more beautiful. Gu Xi'er and Han Fuguang came early, put down the gifts and went into the boudoir to see her, said a few words and rushed to Ji's house, they were not only her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, but also her and Ji Tang's uncle and aunt.

She understood her feelings, it was a voice that could never be confided in anyone, not even Fan Junsheng. She knows very well what it means to marry into the Ji family, she is no longer a complete and pure self, and she no longer has the happiness and smile she had before today. The reason why she kept this broken body and reluctantly kept her broken heart was only for one hope, hoping that one day Fan Junsheng would come back with the news of victory and her longing. At that time, even if she dies, she will be satisfied, as long as it is in his heart with her, even if it is only a little, she is willing to go to the ends of the world with him.

Note: (1) Two good characters together, pronounced hǎohao in some dialects, play an emphatic role. (2) During the Republic of China, the officials of the local administrative administration were generally absent from office. (3) A prop in a wedding ceremony used to place the bride price. (4) In the wedding customs, the number of brides selected by the mother's family is generally even.