Ten states

When He Si'er saw Tangjiabao for the first time, she couldn't believe that the area in front of her seemed ordinary, and there was nothing unusual about it. What's more, this old town was actually one of the most mysterious and terrifying places in the rumors of Jianghu. one.Under the gloomy sky, this small town composed of old buildings seems to be like an old man who has been lingering with rheumatism all year round, exuding a damp, dull, slightly musty old man's smell.

Of course, He Si'er knew very well that this was really Tangjiabao. You Ruo Wu's eyes have been lurking in the dark to watch her.During the period of leading the Zhengdao League, it was not just a matter of going through the motions. There were also many times when hands-on efforts were needed, and there were several rather thrilling experiences, which improved He Si'er's experience in the world a lot. She has been wearing the supernatural talisman brought by Mao Shan all the time, and she has become more and more familiar with the use of sensors, which makes her have a subtle sense of changes in the surrounding environment. It's just surveillance.Tangjiabao's cautiousness for hundreds of years is also one of the reasons why this family has been able to occupy such a frontier place for so long.

Walking into the small town and looking at the seemingly ordinary streets and pedestrians around, He Si'er was in a complicated mood, with a little excitement and awe, because for any Jiang Hu person, this is the most legendary in the world, and it is also the most legendary place in the world. One of the most mysterious and powerful places.The pair of girls who came over there hand in hand, might not be inferior to any well-known master of hidden weapons in their hands, and the candied haws skewers in their hands might be able to shoot into anyone's heart in just a few seconds.The few old people chatting with tea and cigarettes on the street, maybe their deeds when they were young have been spread all over the world and regarded as legends by countless people. In some places, they can even stop children from crying at night.There is a basket of corned eggs for sale over there, the old lady with a very kind smile, maybe as long as she is willing, the corned eggs in her hands can carry an indescribable poison at any time, corroding the person who takes it into a whole in a few breaths. Heaps of rotten meat.Of course, He Si'er believed that most of the time, such as when she went to buy things by herself.That stewed egg must be very safe and delicious.

But most of the time, it was a kind of disappointment and weirdness, because she knew that she might become a part of this place in the future.

"Miss He, the inn in front is the main contact station for the Tang family to communicate with the outside world. The second master Tang is waiting inside." The words of the middle-aged man who led the way woke up He Si'er. People who will be overwhelmed immediately, ordinary appearance, ordinary body.Ordinary age.Even after walking with him for more than half a month, He Si'er could hardly find any extraordinary features in him.The shadow guards are all like this, either they have a sufficiently prominent identity as a cover like Li Shishi, or they can blend into the crowd and disappear at any time like this.Of course, no matter what kind, they can be the direct force of the Dagan court in the arena, and their nature will never be ordinary.

"Miss He, Master Wuji has ordered you, so I can only send you here. Everything in Tangjiabao will be done by you alone. You have to be careful, we in Tangjiabao It's not easy to arrange people." The man led her to the front of the inn.He turned and bowed to bid him farewell.

"It's been a hard journey, Uncle." He Si'er returned the salute earnestly, not in the slightest because of this man's seemingly ordinary appearance, nor because he was Nangong Wuji's subordinate, she knew very well that if In terms of real skills and Jianghu experience, this middle-aged man is much higher than himself, which is why she was able to walk here without a trace all the way and come here safely.Turning around and looking at the seemingly peaceful street scene around him, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

"Then I will take my leave." The man walked a few steps, then turned and said to He Si'er as if he remembered something. "In fact, Miss He doesn't need to worry. Although there are rumors in the world that the Tang family's actions are secretive and ruthless, they are all based on specific means. In terms of major issues, they are calmer and more rational than anyone else. Even if you are alone here, you don't have to. Worry."

He Si'er was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "Thank you uncle for reminding me, I understand."

The middle-aged man nodded without answering, turned around and disappeared into the passing crowd, and disappeared within a few blinks.He Si'er turned her head to look at this seemingly ordinary inn, and walked in with a sigh of relief.

"Fairy He, the second master is waiting for you."

As soon as she entered the door, the waiter's enthusiastic face jumped out immediately, which caught her off guard, so she could only follow the waiter through the noisy and lively lobby to a small building in the backyard, where she saw Tang Er Ye.

Tang Erye is a chubby middle-aged man. He looks honest and honest on the outside, and his clothes are rustic. He always has a very kind and friendly smile on his face. It really seems that he is waiting for a girl from a neighboring village. Come to visit my own farmer in Shuzhou.However, even if He Si'er really didn't feel anything special about this Second Master Tang, he treated it with 12 points of spirit.The second master of the Tang family is the head of the second household of the Tang family. Apart from Mr. Tang and Mrs. Tang, he is one of the ten or so most powerful, capable, and highest-cultivated individuals in the entire Tang family.Put it anywhere in the world, they are equally first-class figures, not even inferior to her two uncles who command Yingshanwei.

"Hehe, girl He from the Nangong family is here, sit down. Try the green bamboo leaves here, it's no worse than the Lingwu tea in Yunzhou." Second Master Tang greeted He Si'er very kindly, but the directness in his words also conveyed The pragmatism and efficiency unique to the Tang family. "Master Nangong Wuji has already informed us before, saying that what he really wants to say will be passed on to you, so there is no need to waste time, just say what you have."

He Si'er didn't feel slighted at all, and the second master of the Tang family came to meet him in person, which was already a very honorable thing for a junior.It was just that she didn't know what to say, so she could only take out a carefully kept letter from her bosom and handed it over: "Actually, Uncle Wuji didn't tell me anything, he just asked me to hand over this letter to you." Here you are. Or the old man."

"Oh. I'm sorry for my niece." Second Master Tang took the letter, opened it without checking, and took out the letter to read it carefully.

This is a very long letter.More than a dozen sheets of paper were filled with petty lower case letters.Tang Erye read it very quickly and seriously. The content of the letter seemed to be very important and strange. He frowned shortly after reading it, and after seeing the content of the letter, his face changed. Gradually, surprise emerged, unbelievable.Confused, and slightly amused, and so on.

He Si'er couldn't help feeling a little strange when she saw it.Although it was the first time for him to meet Second Master Tang, he only had a general understanding of the Tang family based on rumors in the world.He also knew that the forbearance of the Tang family was almost an instinctive character, and as Second Master Tang, it seemed that there was no need to put on a show in front of a junior like her who was running errands.

The only explanation is that the surprise in this letter is too much.It has exceeded the capacity that Tang Erye can subconsciously hold.

After half an hour.Tang Erye finally finished reading the letter.He closed his eyes and let out a long breath, opened his eyes and looked at He Si'er in front of him, thought for a while with a strange expression, and asked, "Girl He, do you really not know what is written in this letter?"

He Si'er shook her head: "I don't know."

"Then do you know why Nangong Wuji asked you to deliver the letter?"

Tang Erye's expression and tone didn't change, but He Si'er could feel something from the change of title.As the second master of Tang, addressing Mr. Nangong is an official politeness, which seems to be respectful.In fact, there is a taste of applying derivatives.And calling him by his first name like this means that Second Master Tang is already very serious.I don't want to waste time and energy on some polite formulas.

"I still don't know, the second uncle didn't tell me." He Si'er didn't want to play tricks like probing words. She knew that her level was too far from the second master Tang in front of her, so she honestly said answer.

"Then what do you think is the reason?" But Second Master Tang was a little reluctant, and there seemed to be something else deep in those seemingly ordinary eyes. "I think the daughter of He Jinzhi and Nangong Wuyan shouldn't be a respondent who can only listen to people's orders."

"You don't need to guess, since my second uncle asked me to deliver the letter, it's because this letter is very important." He Si'er looked at Second Master Tang with neither condescension nor condescension. It doesn't matter if you have the experience and brain to judge or something, a confident and composed attitude is already quite magnanimous. "If the second uncle said that there is an extremely important event that must be handled personally, otherwise I think he must have come in person."

Tang Erye said lightly: "Well, that's right. This letter is indeed important, but it's not the reason why you were sent to deliver it. Every shadow guard is a talent chosen from thousands of people. I want to escort a very important letter. For important letters, any of them is more capable and more suitable than you. Do you think so?"

He Si'er opened his mouth but no words came out.She knew that what Tang Erye said was right, but the shadow guard who escorted her here before could explain the problem very well.She thought about it a little unwillingly, and then said: "The importance of a letter is not only that it can be delivered safely. Who will deliver the letter and how to deliver it is also a way to express your attitude. The second uncle asked me to come, Naturally, I want to express an attitude.”

Second Master Tang nodded lightly: "Yes, it's an attitude. But what kind of attitude do you think it is?"

"Of course it's a kind attitude." He Si'er replied.She naturally understands the current situation between the Tang family, Nangong family, and the shadow guards. "Everything that happened in Jingzhou before, including the death of Tang Shishi, was a complete misunderstanding. We will make corresponding compensations everywhere. After this period of communication, everyone in the Tang family must also understand our misunderstanding. sincerity."

"I'm a little confused about these words, girl He. And you shouldn't be the one to say these words." Second Master Tang smiled, and there was a sense of austerity lurking deep in that seemingly kind and plain smile. "If you can stand here, it means that we have already understood the sincerity of the Nangong family and the shadow guards. What kind of concessions the shadow guards need to make, what kind of conditions Nangong Wuji needs to agree to us, these are not our turn. You worry about it. I am just asking you this question very personally. Do you know that your second uncle, Mr. Nangong Wuji, the deputy commander of Yingshanwei, sent you to Tangjiabao to deliver a letter to express a What kind of attitude?"

Feeling that there seemed to be an invisible shadow in Tang Erye's words, He Si'er took a deep breath, but she could only follow the words and step into the ball. She had already realized it a little earlier.But he didn't want to think too much about it: "...I want to convince Tang Jiabao of our sincerity in cooperation."

"Yes, sincerity." Second Master Tang smiled, very kindly.There is a trace of coldness in the words. "He girl, you are Nangong Wuji's sincerity. He wants to tell us that I have sent He Jinzhi and Nangong Wuyan's daughters to you, so naturally I will not play any more tricks."

"...I'm just me. I hope Second Master Tang doesn't need to include my parents when he considers the problem. It doesn't matter who they are, what their status is, and what I do."

"Of course it has something to do with it." Second Master Tang smiled again. "If you weren't the daughter of He Jinzhi and Nangong Wuyan, how could you be qualified to stand here? You were not raised by nature, if your parents didn't give birth to you, raise you and teach you, how could you be so capable. Where's the money to help your second uncle?" Having said this, Second Master Tang's expression became serious. "Girl He, it's a good thing for people to have ambition and drive, but they must never forget their roots. If you want to say these things, you have to wait until you really have the strength to surpass your parents. I can also tell you. Your parents absolutely One of the most amazing parents in the whole world, you know?"

"... Si'er has been taught." He Si'er could only surrender.

"But you don't have to worry too much. Your second uncle really needs such sincerity now. Because without your sincerity, it would be hard for us to believe what he said in this letter. "Tang Erye patted the envelope on his hand. "You're right. This is a very important letter. I can't decide how to deal with it. I have to let the old man and the old lady read it. But I believe that because of your sincerity here, everything that follows will be fine." very smooth."

"..."

"By the way. Do you know why I said this to you?" Second Master Tang asked suddenly.

"do not know."

"That's because I want you to get used to our Tang family's way of thinking and habits first. From the perspective of outsiders, such considerations and actions may be too utilitarian. But this is also the reason why our Tang family has been able to gain a foothold in the arena for hundreds of years. .No matter whether it is Jianghu or the court, it is the naked strength and interests that play a role in the game after all. The strongest bond that can keep everyone together is always blood and family. Maybe when it is implemented It won't be such a naked utilitarian, but when we think about it, we must think about it this way, do you understand?"

"Thank you, Second Master, for your enlightenment."

"You don't need to be too polite. Because maybe we will be a family soon." Second Master Tang's smile was a little more kind and kind, but He Si'er seemed to have another kind of coldness in his eyes. "The accident in Jingzhou and the death of Xiao Shiyi can't be explained away with just a few misunderstandings. Even if we reached an understanding in private, there must be some things on the scene to tell others that there is no relationship between us. There will be no cracks, otherwise it will be detrimental to future cooperation... A marriage at this time is really necessary, and if it is up to you... I have to admit that Nangong Wuji is really sincere. It just so happens that you and Xiao Si'er also know each other, they are about the same age, and they are also golden boys and girls in appearance, a match made in heaven, even the old lady would think it is very suitable and very happy."

"By the way, after settling down, I'll go see Xiaosier. These days, he has been ordered by the old man to be grounded and not allowed to leave Tangjiabao. It's good for you to get closer while you are here."

# # #

The sons and daughters of the rivers and lakes, light clothes and fast horses, meet each other on the left and right, share weal and woe, love each other, grow old together......

These are all beautiful, and they exist in the dreams of almost every young man who has just set foot in the rivers and lakes, but He Si'er is no longer an ignorant girl who just set foot in the rivers and lakes. What's more, even if she warned herself when she first stepped into the rivers and lakes, as the daughter of the Nangong family who was about to become a big event, she couldn't waste time on these inexplicable children's love, she never dared to imagine that she would be so beautiful when she got married. what kind.

But women will eventually marry.Especially as a woman in a big family, marriage is an extremely important political resource. He Si'er, who aspires to make a big career with her two uncles, is very clear about this, so she has no reason to refuse such a plan. marriage, even a little faintly happy.Thinking of that young man who is as good-looking as a woman, but also has a sharp edge like a sword.She also felt the joy mixed with shyness surging in her heart. For a game that can only be an exchange of interests after all, what more can I ask for?

So it is best to bring He Si'er into Tangjiabao.She came to see Tang Qingxiao in the happiest mood. She even felt that this was the first time in her life that she was in such a good mood. It was only when she saw Tang Qingxiao that she realized that her mood was ridiculous.

Tang Qingxiao lives in an old attic on the edge of Tangjiabao.That piece of house belongs to the fourth room, and now he is the only one living in it, and he hasn't asked any servants or anything like that, like a lonely soul guarding an ancestral grave alone.

Compared with the last time in Xuzhou.Tang Qingxiao looked even thinner. Her already thin body now seemed to have only four words to describe it, that is, sheer body.However, it is not the same as the general haggard.There is no trace of fragility and weakness in him, and there seem to be two extremely hot flames in the depths of a pair of knife-like phoenix eyes, which may erupt at any time and burn himself and others to death.

Tang Qingxiao didn't seem too surprised by He Si'er's appearance, which meant that he didn't really just stay here and do nothing.He seems to know what he should know better than anyone else.

He Si'er's face was slightly red.Still thinking about how to say the first sentence, Tang Qingxiao spoke first: "Why didn't you help him?"

"Help who?" He Si'er didn't expect this to be the first sentence the fiancée would say after meeting.She vaguely understood what Tang Qingxiao was talking about, but she didn't want to understand.

"Who else can I help? Who do you think I'm talking about? Of course it's Daoist Xia." Although Tang Qingxiao's voice was flat, He Si'er could hear the same aura as in his eyes. "I've known the news from Jingzhou Shenji Hall for a long time. Nangong Wuji wanted to arrest him. Now he went to Jingnan with the monk Shifang from Pure Land Temple. He was introduced by you to join the Zhengdao League. I know you don't know that Nangong Wuji is interested in him, and our people can't find out why Nangong Wuji wants to arrest him. That means it is definitely a core-level secret, and you are not qualified to know it. Xia Daoshi once said You're a good fool. He trusts you, but why are you just watching, why don't you help him?"

"I...I...I..." He Si'er blushed, and couldn't speak for a long time.This sudden, untimely, and simply nonsensical question just hit the key point in her heart right now. Shame, anger, and hatred were intertwined in her chest, twisting left and right, twisting into a puff of sour air and rushing up her nose, and tears welled up in her eyes. , Finally, there was still some stubbornness to resist not really crying, but asked Tang Qingxiao: "Why do you ask me this? Why do you ask me this as soon as we meet? Why don't you help him?"

"Since I went to Xuzhou privately last time, the old man has not allowed me to leave Tangjiabao. He said that if I go out privately, if I want to save someone, he will send someone to kill someone. If I want to kill someone He will send someone to protect that person for the rest of his life. He will definitely do what he says. So I can't help him, at least not yet." Tang Qingxiao replied lightly. "As for you, you are still crying now, which means that you also have guilt in your heart. This incident happened because of you, and it made it like this. Don't you think of a way to make up for it?"

"Make it up? Make it up for what? How to make it up? What can I do? Are we in charge of this matter now?" He Si'er wanted to cry, but also wanted to laugh.Up to now, she only feels that she is being pushed and pulled by an irresistible force in a huge mechanism, and there is almost nothing she can decide on her own. Originally, she thought that there were occasional sweet thoughts in it for people to taste and aftertaste , but now it was smashed to pieces again.

"Do what you can do, what you want to do." Tang Qingxiao took a look at He Si'er and then turned his head away. He Si'er only felt that the eyes burning like will-o'-the-wisp made him ache. "But I see that you are the same as me before. You may not even know what you are doing or what you want. You think you are working hard, but in fact you are really hardworking and hardworking, but only Only in the end do you know that the direction of your force may be a cesspit, and all your efforts are pushing yourself and others toward it."

"I'm not! What do you know? You don't know anything!" He Si'er screamed and cried out this sentence, then turned and ran out of the attic, covering her mouth while running, resisting the first time in her life Weeping loudly, even if there is no one else here, she is afraid that she will hear it.

After running for a long distance, He Si'er stopped, wiped away the puddled tears on her face, and turned her head stubbornly to look back.The Tangjiabao in the distance is still hovering there like an ancient giant beast, connecting with the gloomy clouds and mist in the sky, making people almost breathless.The attic where Tang Qingxiao lives is already as small as a peanut, and it seems that he can vaguely see that small and thin figure standing upright in front of the window. The burning flame that wanted to burn through this gloomy sky.

ps: I'm really sorry that it took so long. Some time ago, there were all kinds of trivia, all kinds of accidents and all kinds of troubles.Shizhou’s writing method is really thankless, and I can’t hold back without a good and relaxed mood. The housework is cumbersome and the pressure of life is huge, but I don’t want to be perfunctory or change my style midway.Fighting to restore the update now.

ps2: I recommend Ye Yongxing Lolita's new work "Battle God Armed Forces", just search for the title on Baidu.The name is a bit silly, but I heard it was meant by some stupid editors.Although the name and the golden finger are a bit silly, I don't think there has ever been a type of silly novel, only a silly author.I think Ye Yongxing's quality is quite top-notch among online writers, and I am astonished at the breadth of his reading reserves, and his writing skills as a screenwriter are also top-notch. To nitpick, only occasionally out of the author's gentle nature, he instinctively likes to use some Japanese-style warmth and intimacy, which dislikes some readers who are dark and blood-oriented, but overall it is really very good. (To be continued..)