Red Mansion Reader

Chapter 121 Accident
The children were finally found in the warehouse of Manyuanyuan. Xin Suzhao personally brought ten officers and soldiers, and no one dared to stop them coming and going.

When he broke open the copper lock on the firewood room, Chen Heng saw a few children lying on the woodpile at a glance, Niuniu and Xiaohu among them.The two children were very excited when they saw the big brother who was setting off fireworks for them.

"Big brother, I knew you would come to save us." Niuniu was obviously frightened, and suddenly saw an acquaintance and immediately started sobbing.

Chen Heng was a little embarrassed, he really didn't know how to coax the children, so he had to hold Niuniu and Xiaohu up by his hand, and asked the latter whether the children nearby were all from the camp.

"It's all, it's all." Wang Xiaohu nodded seriously, and he asked Chen Heng again: "I have been telling Niu Niu all the time, big brother, you will definitely come to save us."

"It's also the mark you left." Chen Heng patted the child's head encouragingly, and advised: "But if you encounter such a thing in the future, you still have to come back to us, you know? Don't do such a dangerous thing alone again gone."

That is to say, what I met this time was a human trafficker. If what I met was a robber, how much strength would a child have to fight them?

Wang Xiaohu didn't know if he understood or not, so he just smiled, turned around and started telling jokes to Niu Niu.

Now that all the lost children have been found, Chen Heng can finally let go of the worries he had been hanging around for half the night.He and Xin Suzhao looked at each other, and led the accompanying officers and soldiers to protect the children, and walked out of the Manchun Courtyard.

The guests I met on the road all had weird expressions when they saw their neat appearance.Probably did not expect such a combination of scholars, officers and soldiers, and children to come to the brothel?
When leaving, Xin Suzhao originally wanted to make a fuss, and took the opportunity to arrest several principals of the Manchun Courtyard and lock them in together.However, Chen Heng persuaded him to come down. The case in front of him is obviously very involved, so how to investigate?How far to check?After all, it is up to the government office to have the final say.

As long as the traffickers are in their hands, places like Manchunyuan will eventually reach the temple where monks cannot escape.

Right now, there is no need for the two of them to act on their behalf. The important thing is to send the children home first and put the traffickers in jail.

After thinking for a while, Xin Suzhao agreed with Chen Heng's idea.The two parted directly at the archway at the entrance of the alley. Xin Suzhao took the prisoners straight to the government prison, and Chen Hengxian sent the children back to their families.

Outside the camp, the family members who had been waiting anxiously for a long time, when they saw their child, couldn't restrain their emotions. They rushed out of the porridge shop and hugged the child, crying bitterly on the spot.

Anyone who sees such a happy scene of family reunion will feel happy.

However, Chen Heng, as the planner who hosted the fireworks tonight, had to apologize when this happened, and he deserved it.Fortunately, the refugees did not embarrass him, they only blamed himself for not taking good care of the child.

When the refugees were sent back to their tents one by one, only the students who came were left outside the porridge shop.Everyone was terrified and frightened all night. They were afraid that the hard work during this period would be in vain. Now that Chen Hengping found the children back, they couldn't help coming up to congratulate them one by one.

"You should be more careful these few days." Chen Heng told several leading classmates, "If you can go out at night, go outside. If you encounter bad people, don't act rashly, just come back and call someone."

"I have to buy a few gongs." Du Yunjing thought for a while, and then added for Chen Heng, "If something happens, just ring the gong, and the people around us will rush over immediately, which is faster."

"This method is good."

"I'll go buy it tomorrow. Brothers, don't worry, leave this matter to me."

"Okay, okay, everyone has worked hard, that's all for tonight, everyone go to bed first, there are still a lot of things waiting for us tomorrow."

As the crowd gradually dispersed, only Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai remained beside Chen Heng.

The two of them approached each other, pouted their mouths in the distance, "What about that girl? Was she also abducted?"

Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Heng looked into the distance, and saw a figure sitting alone under the shed, with a burning brazier in front of her.The girl lowered her head and was still wearing her own cloak, looking rather bleak.

How could I forget her.

Chen Heng slapped his forehead, nodded and said: "Well, she was also kidnapped. I'll ask, but I don't know if she is from Yangzhou. By the way, is there any food? Get me some, and go back and forth at night. Toss, hungry panic."

Chen Heng didn't even bother to eat dinner tonight. He originally wanted to eat and chat with his friends when Xin Suzhao was resting.

"Really, I'll go find your second uncle."

"My second uncle hasn't left yet?" Chen Heng was a little surprised, he didn't expect Chen Huaijin to stay here.

"He said he couldn't worry about you." When Jiang Yuanbai said this, Chen Heng couldn't help being moved.Qian Dayou added: "Tell us specifically to wake him up when you come back."

Chen Heng was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt that there was not much emotion left.He waved his hand and said flatly: "There's no need to wake him up, just get something to eat."

Seeing his friend turn and leave, Chen Heng also straightened his clothes, and walked towards the figure outside the flames in the distance.The ground in winter is a bit dry and hard, and it is easy to make a rustling sound. Chen Heng's intentional stepping sound was naturally heard by the other party.

This girl is really interesting, her eyes are not shy, she stares straight at Chen Hengmeng.

In the eyes cast, it is more curious than sizing up.

It's like a villain who suddenly broke into a new world, a little cautious and a little excited.

Chen Heng found a place not too far away, pulled a wooden stool, and sat by the fire.

"Have you eaten?" Chen Heng asked.

He is the host and guest, so he must speak first.

It's just that he was a little tired today, and he didn't really want to pay attention to any red tape, so he sat straight on the stool and nodded as a greeting.

The girl also followed Chen Heng's example and began to nod her head, and replied, "I haven't eaten."

No, you didn't eat, why did you nod.Chen Heng was dumbfounded when he heard this, and he wanted to laugh, but he didn't care too much, "Would you like to have some together?"

"Okay." The girl replied calmly.

Chen Heng probably didn't expect the other party to be so forthright that he agreed so simply.

But it was an invitation he sent on his own initiative, so he wouldn't say much.

After a few simple and reserved words, he put the topic on the girl's life.

"Girl, what's your name?"

"My name is Zhen."

"What about the name?"

"I... I don't seem to have a name..." The girl's voice became softer, not because she was secretly sad, but more like trying to remember, as if she wanted to fish out a bright moon from a pool that wasn't many.

Chen Heng was at a loss for words for a while, and decided to change his method, "It's okay, the name is not important."

Miss Zhen continued to nod, but only slightly.

"Then do you know where your home is?"

"do not know."

"Do you know the names of your family members?"

Fortunately this time, the girl began to shake her head.

Chen Heng asked a few more questions, but Miss Zhen still didn't know anything.

It's really difficult, and Chen Heng is also a little distressed.He has a delicate mind and has gradually figured out the other party's life through questions.

She was abducted since she was a child and has been detained and raised.In the past ten years, the most people I saw were children, except kidnappers.

Chen Heng was very angry in his heart, and felt that those human traffickers deserved to die.

He can be regarded as seeing the clue, the girl in front of her has always been ignorant in her words and deeds.Rather than being stupid, it would be more appropriate to describe it as innocent.It will become like this, which is inseparable from more than ten years of isolation from the world.

At this moment, Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai came over with dishes. When Miss Zhen saw this thing, she subconsciously stood up and squatted aside while Chen Heng was stunned.

"Girl, what are you doing?" Jiang Yuanbai was so frightened that he couldn't hold the food in his hand steadily.

Miss Zhen blinked, the firelight illuminated her ignorant eyes, and her wet black hair floated beside her cheeks. She said softly, "The seat is for you."

How can there be such a reason, Qian Dayou frowned, although ancient times did not pay attention to women first.But the virtue of humility is also a must for men.If the news got out, the three big men let a girl squat aside, and the scholars lost all face.

Chen Heng knew that this problem must have fallen on those traffickers.He was afraid that it would be laborious to explain, so he quickly changed the subject and said, "Miss Zhen, just sit down. The two of them have eaten and are not hungry."

"Oh." Hearing what Chen Heng said, she sat back in the seat just now.

Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai breathed a sigh of relief, and they were also a little apprehensive. After putting down the dishes, they hurriedly turned around and went out to find a table.

While eating, Chen Heng noticed a detail.Miss Zhen's eating posture is very gentle, although she knows little about worldly affairs, her every action is so natural that there is no trace, it is really puzzling.

People can't help but wonder what kind of family the other party is from.

The evening breeze was quiet, and although there was a brazier nearby, Miss Zhen's clothes were not completely dry after all.Chen Heng noticed that the other party was shivering, so he brought Xue Biao's blanket and motioned for Miss Zhen to cover her lap.

Miss Zhen doesn't talk much, but when she eats something delicious, she can't help but squint her eyes, like a cat that only eats fish.

"Brother Heng, what's the situation with her?" Jiang Yuanbai couldn't suppress his curiosity, so he leaned into Chen Heng's ear and asked softly.

Chen Heng's eyes moved slightly, indicating that it is not suitable to discuss this matter at the moment.

However, Qian Dayou was frightened by what happened just now, he could not help but drag Jiang Yuanbai to hide in the distance, only daring to stop and watch.

Brother Heng is young, so it's okay to have a meal together, but the two of them are young, but they want to avoid suspicion.In case of any further twists and turns, how can an innocent man go out to meet people in the future.

"Eat more if you like it." Chen Heng saw that Miss Zhen was holding a dish, so he pushed it over.

In fact, there are not many dishes in the evening, and Gu's cooking skills are the same over and over again, but it is fresh and delicious.

The rising fire light illuminated half of their bodies. Under the vast stars and moon, the two sat facing each other, and everything around them was silent, except for the occasional crackling of firewood.

"Delicious." Miss Zhen nodded again, showing a happy expression.

I don't know if it's because of the delicious food in front of me, or because of the bright moon in the sky.

Chen Heng smiled softly, he had already begun to figure out the girl's way of speaking.

More than ten years of claustrophobic life has prevented her from being restrained by the current etiquette. Although she is a little ignorant in the world, she can get along with a different kind of ease.

It's like going out to eat with friends in the previous life. You don't need to pay attention to the rules of eating, and you can completely forget the red tape.

"Is it tasty?"

"good to eat."

Such a few words are enough.

"What are you laughing at?" Miss Zhen asked suddenly.

This is the first question she asks tonight.

Chen Heng thought for a while, but still replied, "Because it's delicious."

"Xiaohu said, are you setting off the fireworks for everyone?"

Miss Zhen's problems seem to be increasing.

Chen Heng originally wanted to explain the twists and turns, for example, he just came up with an idea, and the real decision was made by the government and so on.But I also feel that it is so laborious and unnecessary.

Once in a while, let go of some deliberation.He thought so in his heart.

After coming to this world, Chen Heng didn't know if he had changed the world, but the world must have changed him silently.

"Probably." Chen Heng replied, and then asked, "Do you like fireworks very much?"

This is the second time Chen Heng has heard the other party mention this matter tonight, and he is also a little curious about the reason.

Miss Zhen turned her head to the side, she was really thinking seriously.

In the end, a rare panic appeared on her face, "Looking at the fireworks, I feel very familiar."

What kind of experience will make a person familiar with fireworks.

Chen Heng didn't know either, he lowered his head to pick up the dishes, and only gave an example softly, "There will be tomorrow, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Eve. When the Lantern Festival comes, the fireworks in Yangzhou will be even more..."

Chen Heng stopped speaking suddenly, he didn't know what he said wrong.

Miss Zhen in front of her was holding a bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other, and she was stunned.

Tears rolled down her cheeks naturally, and she seemed surprised by it.

The small mouth was slightly opened, and the eyes were full of panic and bewilderment.

It wasn't so much that she was crying as it was that her body was sad.

"Let's eat." Chen Heng thought for a while, but skipped the topic.

"Okay." Miss Zhen nodded.

Tonight, she slept alone in the shed.

Chen Heng only came a few times in the middle of the night to add some dry firewood to her.

At dawn on the second day, officials from the government office came to the camp to investigate the follow-up of yesterday.

Some students gathered around and questioned the punishment for this incident filled with righteous indignation.When there were too many people, the attitude of the officials could not help softening, and Du Yunjing was the one who took the lead.

After a few times of strictly declaring that the magistrate will definitely punish them severely, the students' mood was finally calmed down.

Chen Heng hid aside and didn't get involved in this matter. He was discussing Miss Zhen's placement with Jiang Yuanbai, Xue Biao and others.

"It's not good to send it to the Nursing Home." Chen Heng shook his head, "At her age, don't say whether it is suitable for her to go in. The people inside don't know what they will do to her!"

He had half a sentence, but he kept it hidden.

This girl Zhen looks a little too enchanting and beautiful.It was dark last night, and he didn't see clearly himself.It was very early this morning, when Miss Zhen was sitting in the shed, the strange gazes cast by people passing by made Chen Heng realize the seriousness of the problem.

"That's true." Xue Biao nodded in agreement, and he explained to Jiang Yuanbai and Qian Da, "Don't think it's a good place to go. There are many homeless people in it, and it's easy to fool them if they are younger. I'm afraid that some middle-aged widowers will make some unclear things in it."

"There is such a thing?!" Jiang Yuanbai was very surprised when he heard it. He was still at a good age in the world, and he hadn't seen the sinister heart.

"Then what should we do? We can't just leave her here." Qian Dayou couldn't help shaking his head, "Why don't you take her home first and take care of her for a while?"

are you crazy?The three of Chen Heng couldn't stop shaking their heads. Let's not talk about their reputations. Do you want the girl's reputation?

This doesn't work either, that doesn't work either.

What should Miss Zhen do?
The four of them faced each other with sad faces.

Looking around, Chen Heng suddenly saw someone packing his luggage in the distance, and he had an idea, "Why don't you send her to the academy first? Let the wives of the head of the mountain take care of her?"

"This method is good, this method is good." Qian Dayou immediately clapped his hands in agreement.

The old, weak, women and children entering the city today are the third group, and the first two groups will all settle in the city for a year.Only this group of people today will live temporarily in the counties below after the Chinese New Year. The government government can't find so many vacant houses, so they are placed in major academies in Yangzhou.

At that time, the academy will be full of women's relatives and children, and the wife of the head of the mountain will preside over the overall situation.No matter how you think about it, it's better than being in a camp outside the city.

"Our side is also actively inquiring about the news of the other party's family, trying to find out the whereabouts of the girl's family before the new year, and let the government send her back to reunite with her family after the new year."

"Didn't Miss Zhen ask three questions?"

"Aren't there still traffickers? Give them some punishment and interrogate them."

"Then who is going to tell her?"

Everyone finished talking about things in a few words, and made a difficulty in the last thing.Several people looked at each other, and finally they all focused on Chen Heng.

"Brother Heng, it's best for you to go."

"You saved people, but you have to send Buddha to the west."

"Okay, okay." Chen Heng waved his hand and left from his companions.

He came directly to Miss Zhen, briefly explained his reason for coming, and patiently explained the current situation outside the city.

"You don't have to worry when you go to the academy. The wife of our mountain chief is a very talkative old lady. If you have any difficulties, just tell her." Chen Heng took out some broken silver from his body, "If there is something missing If you need something, you can go and tell Uncle Wang, the concierge, he is also kind-hearted, and he will definitely be willing to help you."

"The only thing is, remember not to go out casually. Nowadays, there are many things in the city, and people come and go, and no one knows what monsters and ghosts are hiding inside."

Miss Zhen nodded half-understood, got up and followed Chen Heng closely, and remained silent until she boarded the carriage into the city.

When the carriage was traveling far away, she boldly pushed aside the curtain, and said to the people outside the carriage, "Is this how scholars thank you?"

She saw too many people raising their hands in salute today, and she seemed to want to make a fist to salute, but she had to hold the curtain with one hand, which was a bit difficult for a while.

Under the bright sun, with the wind blowing his robes, Chen Heng shook his head and laughed, "We usually say: we meet by chance, we cherish it forever."

After meeting and parting overnight, she poked her head out of the carriage and asked reluctantly, "You haven't told me your name yet?"

"Chen Heng."

　Yesterday's [-] words, I have filled in for you.I wrote it at two o'clock in the morning, but it took an hour to edit each time. I couldn't bear it anymore and went to bed. Now I will finish it secretly for you at noon.

　　Not counting today's update.

　　I mean what I say!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)