The red lady with a smile

Chapter 9

Fenghuang Mountain is a Zhongshan mountain five miles away from Yaoxu Town. The peak is not high, the vegetation is luxuriant, the running water in the mountain stretches endlessly, and there is a small village at the foot of the mountain. Attracts Arlo's attention.

On the first day of the new year, he went to the promise in the letter as scheduled, and he set off on the journey alone without a leader or instructions.

Walking on the familiar mountain road, he clearly moved towards the destination, as if he had expected the location of the other party long ago, without any hesitation.

Walking through the mountain road, passing through a small forest, and climbing up a few bluestone stairs, Aluo returned to the familiar and strange place on the hillside. The simple, exquisite and magnificent mansion he saw when he first arrived was gone. No matter how memorable it is, now there is only a piece of scorched earth and... remaining ruins.

No, no, something is wrong!

A Luo frowned, looking at the scene in front of him, something flashed through his mind, his script moved instinctively, and he walked towards a small tile-roofed house left in the ruins.

This room is too conspicuous. Although there is indeed such a room in the impression, it seems to be different from the dilapidated Xiao Ji before. Without thinking about it, an incredible idea emerged—this room has been repaired.

But it is very strange, no one lives here, why only repair this house, and what is the purpose of the person who repaired this house! ?With doubts in his heart, A Luo decisively pushed open the door, only to hear a creak, and a different scene in the room was immediately displayed in front of him.

There are no extra decorations in the house, only a high cabinet, a desk, and a bed. The most important thing is the bed. Although its appearance is not the same as an ordinary bed, you can see brocade embroidered mattresses and hibiscus tents at a glance. The decoration is extremely luxurious and comfortable. It is inconsistent with the whole house, and now the ambiguous silhouettes on the bed are even more lingering, the clothes are scattered all over the floor, and the obscene atmosphere around is arousing imagination.

"Oh, it's really early. Maybe I should postpone the deadline." A strange male voice came from the bed.

A Luo didn't move, but waited for the man to open the curtain by himself. Sure enough, after a while, a younger man got off the bed, but because the light in the room was too dark, A Luo couldn't see him clearly. Only the three scars on his left cheek and the sharp and domineering eyes like a falcon can be seen clearly.

"Should I say this is the first time we met...or, long time no see?"

The man smiled jokingly, with only a pair of underpants on his body, and his upper body was naked, without concealing the traces of ambiguity that could be found everywhere, standing in front of A Luo so generously.

However, his behavior seemed careless and irrelevant, but A Luo did not ignore the delicate tenderness at that moment.Although it was vague, A Luo did see that before the curtain of the bed was lifted, this person clearly intended to make the other person in the bed perfect so that the spring would not be exposed, and the softness of his movements had inadvertently revealed his sincerity.

"By the way, I almost forgot. The young master of the Wei family is a dumb man who can talk. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for an answer today."

Judging from his tone, it seems that the two are very familiar with each other, but when A Luo thinks back, he can't think of this person.

Just when A Luo was in doubt, the man lazily picked up the clothes on the ground and put them on. He said while moving, "Hey...Young Master Wei forgets things a lot, it's normal not to remember, but don't blame me for not reminding you. , some things are unrighteous.”

The words in these words pierced A Luo's heart like a sharp sword, causing him to frown instantly, clenched his fists with both hands, ready to attack.

The man didn't seem to care about his changes, he put on his coat and put away his saber, and then he leaned into the bed curtain to look at the person behind him - he was sleeping soundly, and then he smiled at Arlo.

"Originally, I had other plans today, but for his sake, I will let you go today, and we will settle some debts later!" As he said that, he dodged and pushed open the only window in the room. Jumping out, it is obvious that it has been prepared for a long time.

A Luo had no intention of chasing him, but he clenched his fists even more while looking at the window, his joints turned white, and he refused to look away for a long time... until after a while, the person on the bed hummed softly like a dream, and then pulled Returned his attention.

Taking a deep breath to calm down his emotions, he slowly let go of his hands to make sure that he would not lose his composure again. A Luo stepped forward and opened the curtain. A little unstable, but it is still difficult to hide its posture like a heavenly man.

"..."

A Luo moved his lips, but before he could make a sound, he slowly stretched out his hand to caress the cheek of the person on the bed, his eyes were full of affection, but unlike the closeness in the past, what contained the most in it today was apology.

Look carefully at the movement of his lips, the one word repeated over and over again - I'm sorry...

◇ ◆ ◇

Five days later, A Luo came back, bringing Han Mingruo with him.

Xuan Qing was very excited when he heard the news, but when he excitedly went out to welcome A Luo back, he found that there was no place for him beside the man.

Wan Yue waited outside the door with the maid in advance, and when they saw A Luo getting off the carriage, they all saluted. His face was a little pale, a little more haggard than when he was in Wei Mansion.

One of them is the biological mother of A Luo's child, and the other is A Luo's beloved lover. They are the people who should be by A Luo's side both emotionally and rationally, but Xuan Qing is a superfluous existence.

The smile froze on his face. Standing in a hidden corner, Xuan Qing retreated from the thought of welcoming A Luo. He quietly watched A Luo send Han Mingruo into the house, and Wan Yue ordered the maid to prepare tea and refreshments for them... Gradually, the smile disappeared, and Xuan Qing sighed silently.

It's better to go back, I was originally a person who couldn't get on the stage, and A Luo would naturally come to meet him if he wanted to see him.

So Xuan Qing quietly hid in her room without saying a word to A Luo that day.

That night, A Luo didn't come. Xuan Qing guessed that he was going to accompany Han Mingruo. Was knocked on.

Xuan Qing wrapped up his coat and went to open the door, but before he could see who the person outside the door was, he heard the person say in an orderly tone: "Hurry up, you must leave here!"

At first, Xuan Qing was still sleepy, but when the visitor asked him to leave, he woke up almost instantly, and saw clearly that the visitor was actually Han Mingruo!

I saw that his complexion was not good, he was also wearing a thick jacket, his hair was not even combed, and he looked in a panic, as if he was fleeing from a disaster.

"This... Mr. Han, why are you..."

"Stop talking too much, hurry up!" Han Mingruo repeated again, but Xuan Qing still stood there inexplicably.

"Really!"

Impatient with his slowness, Han Ming rushed into the room, flipped through Xuan Qing's cupboard, randomly took out a piece of cloth from it, and threw all the clothes on it.

"Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Han, why do you want me to go? I don't want to..."

Xuan Qing was frightened by his sudden actions and demands. Facing Han Mingruo, Xuan Qing knew that he had no chance of winning, but he never thought that he would ask him to leave so directly.

Facing his panic, Han Mingruo said angrily: "Stop talking nonsense, just go if you are told, hurry up, or it will be too late!"

That's too late?Too late for what?

Xuan Qing wanted to ask again, but saw that Han Mingruo's eyes had been attracted by the lime-gray bracelet on his hand. He left the luggage, grabbed Xuan Qing's wrist, and said with wide eyes in disbelief: "Where did you get this?"

"This is……"

Before Xuan Qing could finish his answer, the door was pushed open again suddenly, and there was a creaking sound, and the eyes of the two also shifted. Seeing the person coming, Xuan Qing was dumb, while Han Mingruo was surprised.

"Alo..."

A Luo glanced at them, and then caught a glimpse of the situation in the room. He shook his head slightly towards Han Mingruo, walked into the room and took Han Mingruo's arm and walked out.

Xuan Qing was confused by the two of them, but no one explained anything to him. Until they walked out of the house, Xuan Qing didn't understand what happened.

Han Mingruo was dragged into his room by Alo. As soon as he entered the room, he immediately shook off Alo's hand and asked sharply, "Ah Luo, it shouldn't be like this!"

This time he wanted to come to Master Xin's villa ruins to look for clues about the antidote to the Ten Thousand Snake Gu, but he never expected that this trip would turn out to be a turning point for everything.

Being imprisoned and humiliated is so insignificant in the face of the truth. If Han Mingruo hadn't seen it with his own eyes and heard it with his own ears, Han Mingruo could hardly have imagined it. Do not believe!

"You shouldn't look for Xuan Qing, even if..." In the middle of speaking, Han Mingruo saw A Luo's calm expression, but finally failed to say those words.

A Luo was still silent, and he didn't write any explanation. He just stared at Han Mingruo quietly, and didn't even make any movements to explain.

Han Mingruo couldn't bear to see him look so innocent, but now that human life is at stake, he really couldn't agree with it.

"Send him away, please..." Changing his tough tone before, Han Mingruo begged in a low voice, "As a doctor, I only ask for the word "benevolence". up. "

Hearing this, A Luo didn't know what to think, he shook his head firmly without the slightest hesitation, intending to show that he would never send Xuan Qing away.

His persistence made Han Mingruo close his eyes in pain, "If "that person" is begging you now, you will definitely agree..."

"...!"

Seeing that A Luo's expression has obviously changed, it is completely different from the calmness just now.

Han Mingruo was even more convinced when he saw it, and he smiled helplessly.

A Luo has never said that he likes anyone, so everyone speculates from his actions. Everyone thinks that A Luo likes Han Mingruo, because A Luo has treated him differently from others since he was a child. Only Han Mingruo himself can feel the clues of caring.

As I said with Xuanqing before, A Luo is actually very kind to everyone, but he has an extra tenderness in his kindness to Han Mingruo. Han Mingruo once mistakenly thought that his tenderness was aimed at himself, but time After a long time, he felt strange.

Since you like it, why don't you forget to keep a distance from him?

Since I like it, why don't I want to be too intimate with him?

Since I like it, why don't I want to get married with him?

Since I like it, why can't I say "like" to him...

Han Mingruo thought carefully, and soon he realized that A Luo was not sincere to him, he was just watching, looking at another person through himself.

Although he never mentioned who that person was and whether he was still there, Han Mingruo knew that A Luo's sincerity had already been attached to that person, and he couldn't come back.So he did not agree to the marriage proposed by the Wei family, and would rather run away to run around for Aluo's Ten Thousand Snake Gu than to be "trapped" by Aluo again.

In fact, he and Xuan Qing are the same, he is not that person, but he is regarded as that person, but Han Mingruo is different from Xuan Qing. He really can't do it with a man who has someone else in his heart for the rest of his life.

"Although I don't know who that person is, I know that you have had a special liking for that person since you were a child, and now you have found Xuan Qing because of "him"! "

After Han Mingruo knew the truth, he thought about many possibilities. After several considerations, only one of them was acceptable.

"You were still young when you met me, and you didn't have the ability to be independent. The people in the Wei family regarded you as a treasure, and they wouldn't let you go looking for that person, so you can only look at me and look for that person in me. Shadow." At this point, he paused, "Now that your wings are growing and you have reached the age of marriage, it is not difficult to find someone, but the only obstacle is your own Ten Thousand Snake Gu, so you are looking for another Here comes Xuan Qing..."

Listening to his words, A Luo moved his lips, then shook his head, not knowing whether he was denying or denying.

◇ ◆ ◇

In the evening, after finally comforting Han Mingruo, Ah Luo came to Xuan Qing's room at last.

When he stepped into the room, he was surprised to see Xuan Qing sitting on a chair beside him, the bed was still covered with the burden cloth from that morning, and some clothes were also placed on it, without any trace of tidying.

Seeing A Luo coming, Xuan Qing's heart immediately touched Noise's eyes, he took a deep breath, and then dared to say, "A Luo."

"What happened to that thing? Why is it still there?" Arlo pointed to the pile of things on the bed with some displeasure.

Xuan Qing was startled, then forced a smile and said, "Mr. Han took care of that, so I wonder if it is..."

After talking, the smile could not be maintained in the end, and Xuan Qing's stiff expression showed even more worry.

Maybe Han Mingruo's behavior is nothing to others, but in Xuan Qing's eyes, his words are almost the same as the imperial decree.A Luo likes Han Mingruo, so he can naturally listen to him, so now that he wants him to leave, is it really time for him to leave?

Just when Xuan Qing was full of worries and doubts, A Luo waved his hand indifferently, smiled twice and said: "It's okay, Brother Mingruo encountered some unhappy things before, and now it's the fire, so I just came here this morning, so don’t worry about it.”

That's what he said, but Xuan Qing still faintly felt something was wrong, "Mr. Han is angry? But I think he seems to be afraid of something..."

Hearing this, Arlo's expression didn't change at all, but there was a hint of depth in his eyes.

"It's your overthinking. Don't think about it anymore. Brother Mingruo encountered some unsatisfactory things during this trip, and his mood is hard to calm down. After a few days, when he settles down, I will send him back to the Wei Mansion. You can rest here with peace of mind." .”

"That's...you are leaving again?" Xuan Qing's nostalgia was evident in his words.

A Luo smiled when he heard this, and packed Xuan Qing's burden as if nothing had happened, and then let him sleep on the bed, while he rushed over to hug him.

"I'll take him home and he'll be back soon."

Xuan Qing actually had many questions, such as what happened to Han Mingruo, why A Luo didn't let him stay here, and...why did he leave by himself... But after these words met A Luo's smile, they still remained the same. There was no use for it, Xuan Qing swallowed the question, it was not his business to care about it.

"Then, be careful on the road."

"Okay, Xuan Qing should be careful then." As he spoke, A Luo patted Xuan Qing's obviously protruding belly, "Here too!"

Now it comes to Xuan Qing's sore spot, you must know that for a young man, besides his face, the most important thing is his figure.In the past, even if his face was not at the level of an alluring country, at least his figure could still be seen, but recently, for some reason, his stomach kept protruding outwards, making him look a lot fatter, even though A Luo said It's better to be fatter, but this is too much!

After slapping A Luo's hand off, Xuan Qing pouted dissatisfiedly, thinking that he was laughing at himself, "Don't touch it, isn't it just fat, and you will lose weight after the festival."

The big deal is that he won't eat anymore!

A Luo smiled and said, "It's good to be fat, I like it."

I'm talking nonsense again, who would like a fat guy with a middle-of-the-road appearance!

Xuan Qing rolled his eyes, and didn't bother with him too much, after all, A Luo's bragging was bigger than the sky at night, and he couldn't stop it, so he simply turned around and went to sleep, worrying desperately all day, he was really tired.

In a daze, no matter what A Luo said beside him, Xuan Qing fell into a deep sleep leaning on the warm embrace, maybe it was a dream, before the consciousness dimmed, Xuan Qing felt that A Luo seemed to have kissed herself...

When I woke up the next morning, A Luo was still gone, but today Xuan Qing was in a good mood. Firstly, A Luo left him behind, and secondly... Hehe, he was begging for a bargain in his dream, and A Luo had had enough. Although I haven't made a complete set of tofu, just the ones I dreamed about can definitely make people wake up laughing in the middle of the night.

I feel better, my appetite has improved, and I don’t know where the declaration of going on a hunger strike last night went. Xuanqing asked the kitchen to help me make a lot of food I wanted to eat. I stayed in the room and watched the early spring scenery outside the window.

◇ ◆ ◇

Han Mingruo lived here for two months. During this period, A Luo spent most of his time with him and Wan Yue. If he had time to visit Xuan Qing again, it would be a balance. Xuan Qing didn't feel embarrassed.

Two months later, everything came back to life, and in the season of spring, a few dead trees outside the window also sprouted new shoots. Seeing that Han Mingruo had settled down, Aluo took him away from this place.

On the day they set off, Xuan Qing realized his identity and did not go to see them off. After hearing the news of their departure in the house, he heaved a long sigh of relief, as if the burden he had been carrying all these days had been lifted off at once, and he could finally I'm relieved.

In fact, these days, he has been living in fear, fearing that one day the nightmare will come true, A Luo really listened to Han Mingruo's advice and sent him away, but fortunately, A Luo has not revealed his intention until today.

that is really good……

Fireworks in March, the town is peaceful and peaceful.

Xuanqing and Wanyue are under the same roof, the well water does not interfere with the river water, so they get along harmoniously.

One day at noon, Wan Yue took her maids out to get some air, Xuan Qing was not as leisurely and elegant as them, so she rested alone in the room.

Sleeping and waking up during the period, time passed quickly, and in the evening, the sky was dark, Xuan Qing, who was hesitating in the room what to eat tonight, was suddenly startled by a knock on the door.

Xuan Qing stepped forward and opened the door, and found that the person who came was Uncle Zhong, the old housekeeper of the house. At this moment, he was followed by a little maid, both of them had worried expressions.

"Mr. Xuanqing, forgive me for taking the liberty of this old slave. If you dare to ask me, do you know where Miss Wanyue went out today?" This is strange, how did he know where Wanyue went, only heard that she was going out.

Xuan Qing told Uncle Zhong what he knew, but what he got in return was an even more puzzled expression.

"Excuse me, did something happen to Miss Wanyue?" Xuan Qing couldn't help asking.

Uncle Zhong shook his head, "It's just a little weird, the girl usually goes out with her maid, so she must be back at this time, but today..."

"Could it be that I saw something interesting outside, so I stayed a little longer?" Xuan Qing guessed.

Uncle Zhong just shook his head when he heard the words, "In the past, if she would come back later, Miss Wanyue would send a maid to come back first to pass on the message, but I don't see you today, I'm afraid..."

At this point, their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps, followed by bursts of shouting.

"Uncle Zhong, it's not good, Xiao Cui, Xiao Cui..."

The man's voice stopped abruptly, and Xuan Qing and Uncle Zhong were shocked when they heard that Xiao Cui was Wan Yue's personal servant girl, could something have happened to her?

Thinking of this, the two hurriedly walked towards the front yard where they were shouting, but when they reached the hall, everyone was completely dumbfounded.

Xiaocui stood tremblingly in the hall, her face flustered but not restrained, and behind her were several burly men, each holding a weapon, with dark skin, evil eyes, and a cruel smile on the corner of her mouth. Not a nice guy!

◇ ◆ ◇

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." Xiao Cui was shaking while crying.

Xuan Qing sighed, although she was apprehensive, she was too embarrassed to be too revealing in front of this little maid who was about to be frightened to death.

"Don't cry, Xiaocui, you can't help yourself... calm down."

These words are not convincing at all. Now both hands are bound by ropes, and the end of the rope is in the hands of the thief in front. They are riding on horses, carrying some valuables from the house, and they keep spitting out foul words Foul language, very rude.

He had heard about bandits before, but Xuan Qing never imagined that they would be so arrogant, just tied up Wanyue and Xiaocui, and then came to Wei Mansion to beat up the servants and rob people!They were really a group of lawless desperadoes. Although they didn't kill anyone in Wei's mansion, such actions are really hard to agree with.

The mountain road at night was difficult to walk, but those bandits were familiar with the environment, and they never lost their way. Xuan Qing and Xiao Cui were dragged away by them, and they were extremely tired. At that time, the two of them were so tired that they almost fell to the ground.

The bandit's village was extremely lively, but before Xuan Qing could take a closer look, he was thrown into a dark room. There was no single fire in the room, and he couldn't see his surroundings. He only felt that there was a soft pile of straw under his body.

After the trek just now, Xuan Qing was too tired, leaning on the straw and unable to think more. It is a pity that he was infatuated. The only thing he thought about before falling asleep was not his own safety, but that A Luo who was far away in the Wei Mansion...

Shen fell asleep all night, but Xuan Qing was forcibly woken up the next day.The bandits in the Bandit Cave were rude and savage, but they didn't seem to have any intention of hurting him. They fetched water for him to freshen up. Later, seeing that he was powerless, they also untied the rope and gave him a steamed bun and some Clear water to satisfy hunger.

Seeing their every move, Xuan Qing secretly guessed that they were not trying to claim their lives, but that their ultimate goal was probably to blackmail A Luo and extort money from Wei's mansion, because although the things looted from the house before were valuable, they were not too much, probably It can't satisfy their appetite.

Just when he was speculating, another person came suddenly, Xuan Qing saw him and glanced at himself, and then said to his companion: "Take him to the boss later, the boss wants to see him."

He was referring to Xuan Qing, but Xuan Qing was surprised. As far as a bandit was concerned, why did he want to meet him, a dispensable hostage?

Of course no one would answer this question, and the bandit also obeyed orders, so after eating steamed buns and drinking water, Xuan Qing was taken out by him.

Similar to the imaginary bandit den, there are simple thatched houses and demonstration decorations everywhere, animal skulls, tiger furs, goat horns, and some unnamed decorations, which are very scary.

The thieves gathered in small groups and looked at Xuan Qing who was passing by from time to time. The look in their eyes was creepy, like a wolf staring at the food. Xuan Qing broke into a cold sweat and couldn't help speeding up pace.

Xuan Qing was brought into the largest room in the cottage, there were three or four people waiting in the room, one of them was sitting on the biggest seat in the room, he was undoubtedly the leader of the bandit, the room was a little dark, Xuan Qing He couldn't see his real appearance clearly, but the hostility around that person was mixed to cover up.

"You stay here, you go down first." He said to the person who brought Xuan Qing.

After receiving the order, the man stepped back without any hesitation. From this simple action, Xuan Qing could tell how powerful the leader was, otherwise how could those bandits who were older than him be so obedient!

"Are you the male concubine of the young master of the Wei family?" As soon as the waiter left, the boss began to ask questions.

Xuan Qing took a deep breath, secretly trying to calm himself down, but the trembling voice still betrayed him, he was afraid.

"Yes, it is."

Feeling his fear, the rest of the bandits in the room were either dismissed or laughed at, but the bandit leader didn't change his expression. He continued to ask, "Then do you know why we wanted to arrest you up the mountain?"

Xuan Qing thought for a while, and then said: "You... want money?"

Hearing this, the others didn't care, but the boss laughed out loud, as if Xuan Qing had told some big joke.

"You want money? Hahahaha...you want money, and not only money." The boss grinned, "I want him to pay back what he owed us before!"

"...!"

When he said this, Xuan Qing felt his surroundings turned cold, and when he looked over, he found that not only the leader, but even the remaining thieves had fierce eyes, which made people intimidated.

The boss's words were very strange, as if he recognized A Luo, but logically speaking, A Luo and the bandits should not have much to do with each other. He didn't even show any concern when he heard that they existed before, but Xuan Qing was more curious. He even remembered the name of the thief leader, what was his name... Zimo.

"You and Arlo are...?"

Zimo twitched his mouth again, he was smiling, but his eyes were full of hostility, "Don't believe me, that young master and us are also "friends of the general manager". "