Kaifeng Monster

Chapter 8 Red Line (1)
It happened two months ago.

On that day, Zhanzhao came back from working on a case and passed by Xisi Street. It was the afternoon market, and it was extremely bustling. Somebody was startled and rushed towards the middle of the street.The crowd dispersed in fright, and while pushing and shoving, a woman in lotus clothes was knocked to the ground, seeing the horse's hooves flying and the beauty splattered with blood...

Well, I won't go back to the scene of that day sourly here, anyway, it was Zhan Zhao who rescued the beauty at that critical moment.

The beauty's name is Qiongxiang, and she is the only daughter of the wealthy Xu family in Kaifeng City.Don't ask me why my boudoir Jiao'e appeared in the downtown area, maybe it was on a whim, maybe she stole out of the boudoir, these are not the point.

The point is, this slim young lady is raised in the boudoir all day long, her father and brother are businessmen, and they make a living in the eyes of money.What's more, life and death were hanging by a thread just now, if it wasn't for him...

At a glance, her cheeks are flushed, her heart is dark, and her heart is full of worries.

Zhan Zhao didn't even see if she had long eyebrows or short eyes, and when he saw the servants of the Xu family approaching, he turned and left in a hurry.

This encounter, for her, was a stunning moment in her life, and it was haunted by her thoughts and dreams all the time since then; for him, it was just a trivial matter.

Of course Zhan Zhao didn't know that this was the beginning of the whole thing.

"Brother Zhan, Brother Zhan..." Zhan Zhaofang stepped out of the gate of Kaifeng Mansion, and heard Wang Chao calling urgently behind him.

Zhan Zhao turned around and almost bumped into Wang Chao who was rushing towards him.

"I heard from Mr. Zhan that Big Brother Zhan is going to Duanmu Thatched Cottage." Wang Chao smiled beamingly, "I just bought two taels of walnut osmanthus cake. My sister Duanmu likes to eat it."

You... Miss Duanmu?Duanmucui is a few years younger than you, what kind of sister is she?
Well, Zhan Zhao admits that Duanmucui’s reputation in Kaifeng Mansion has soared since the Liuzhi case. Not only did Mr. Bao speak highly of it, but even Mr. Gongsun tried his best to overcome his fear and communicate with Duanmucui. , but the performance of Zhang Long and Zhao Hu was too flattering.

Zhan Zhao was speechless, took the walnut osmanthus cake from Wang Chao's hand, and then waved his hand, indicating where Wang Chao could go to cool off.

"Actually, there is cloud cake with jujube paste." Wang Chao continued to babble, "I forgot to buy this time, if Sister Duanmu likes it..."

When he looked up, Zhan Zhao had already gone far.

Passing by the West Street Market, I accidentally saw dolls selling on the side of the street. One of the dolls, a girl in a blue dress, looked a bit like Duanmucui's doll version.The corners of Zhan Zhao's lips could not help but smile, the stall owner observed his words, quickly wrapped up the doll, and handed it to Zhan Zhao.

Zhan Zhao paid the money, took the doll and turned around to leave, when he bumped into a dilapidated charlatan.The man was in his forties, his clothes were knotted, he was very dirty, he had two goatee beards, and a pair of mouse eyes wandering around - all around Zhan Zhao.

Zhan Zhao was so scared by the man, and was about to walk away from it, but the man rushed forward with a yell, and shouted loudly: "Young master, you are blessed, the red luan star is moving, and you will meet great joy..."

Fortunately, Zhan Zhao was not drinking water, otherwise he would have choked to death.

It took a lot of effort to get rid of the man, and when they arrived at Duanmu thatched cottage, Duanmucui was about to go out.

"Xishan is full of evil spirits. I don't know what kind of monsters are going to be born. I have to go and see...the osmanthus cake from Wang Chao? Just eat it on the way... Is the doll also sent by Wang Chao? Like you always send some ghosts and goblins..."

"You..." Before Zhan Zhao could open his mouth, Duanmucui was blown away like a gust of wind, leaving only Zhan Zhao standing on the ground with his breath.

Getting angry for a while, she shook her head and smiled wryly, and was about to enter the room to put down the doll, but Duanmucui returned suddenly: "I forgot to tell you, there is a fish soup made by Mr. After drinking, wash the soup bowl for me."

The first time I listen to it, I feel a little warmth, and then I feel like being frosted.

Duanmucui turned around and was about to leave, but suddenly noticed something again, and let out a gasp: "Zhan Zhao, you are covered by a red cloud..."

"The red luan is moving, right?" Zhan Zhao was annoyed.

"The red luan star is moving? You are so beautiful." Duanmu Cui spat, "The red cloud covering the top and the seal hall turned black, it is true that the peach blossoms are a catastrophe. Which girl are you offending again?"

Before Zhan Zhao could answer, Duanmucui was like the wind blowing away without a trace.

After returning from Duanmu thatched cottage and taking the first step into Kaifeng Mansion, Zhan Zhao noticed something strange.

When the guard at the gate saw Zhan Zhao, he couldn't hold back a smile on his face; when he entered the door, he met two sweeping servants, and they bowed to Zhan Zhao, "Lord Zhan is overjoyed."

Overjoyed?Which song is this sung?
Zhan Zhao's heart was hairy, and when he entered the hall, Gongsun Ce smiled triumphantly, and reached out to pat Zhan Zhao's shoulder: "Guard Zhan, congratulations. I really can't tell, usually it's quiet—if you don't make a sound, that's it. It was a blockbuster. It was hidden from us."

Zhan Zhao was completely confused: A blockbuster?What did you do?

Gongsun Ce smiled from ear to ear, and motioned to the hall.

The one with the silly smile before the case was actually...

The old servant of the Zhan family, Zhan Zhong!

Zhan Zhong came for Zhan Zhao's marriage.

"The mistress has accepted this relative. Xu's family is a big family in Beijing. I heard that Ms. Qiongxiang is very virtuous and virtuous, and she is a perfect match for the young master..." Zhan Zhong smiled, and did not notice Zhan Zhao's expression The brows became tighter and tighter.

"It's time for Zhan Huwei to start a family." The ignorant man, like Gongsun Ce, laughed at Yan Yan, "With the words of the matchmaker and the orders of the parents, it seems that Kaifeng Mansion is going to have a happy event..."

"But Uncle Zhan, this incident was too sudden..." Zhan Zhao really didn't know how to speak.

"Suddenly? Isn't this what the young master promised?" Zhan Zhong was stunned, "The matchmaker also brought the sword tassel that the young master gave to Miss Qiongxiang. The sword tassel was knotted by the master's mother, with three wishful beads on it, and the mistress gave it a glance. Then he recognized it, and knew that the young master had promised first, so he agreed to the marriage. I heard that Miss Qiongxiang gave the young master a jadeite jade bead and sword tassel in return, isn't the young master using it all the time?"

It's nonsense, when did I use that girl Xu's jade bead and sword tassel, I obviously used...

Zhan Zhao held the giant que across his chest, and was about to call Zhan Zhong to take a closer look, but he was suddenly dumbfounded.

The concentric knot sword tassels made of five-color silk ribbons have two small jadeite beads at the end, which are moist and shiny, rippling playfully, very cute.

This is this...

when did it happen? !

"Isn't it Zhan Zhao?" Duan Mucui was dissatisfied, "I don't want to take you to play like this. Kaifeng Mansion came to me when there was a strange incident, and also came to me when there was a happy event. I never paid your Kaifeng Mansion a penny. Xing uses me as a housekeeper."

Zhan Zhao remained silent, for a long time, a few words came out from between his teeth: "This is not a happy event."

"Marriage is not considered a happy event, so what is considered a happy event for you?" Duan Mucui was curious, and began to lower his head and snap his fingers, "When you meet an old friend in a foreign country, when you are in the bridal chamber, when you are named on the gold list, you mean Xu Qiongxiang is the best. People from Wujin, Changzhou, so you can 'meet an old friend' during the wedding night in the bridal chamber, and then the emperor will open his mouth and seal you a 'Gold Medal Royal Cat' or something?"

Zhan Zhao got angry, and in a moment, two words burst out from between his teeth: "Damn friends."

"Hey, Master Zhan is angry?" Duanmu Cui smiled openly, "What is Master Zhan going to do with the bad friend? Should we cut off the seat and the seat or cut off the righteousness?"

Zhan Zhao remained silent, but anger gradually gathered between his brows.

Duanmucui was excited, she had never seen Zhan Zhao really angry.

Anyway, I'm not afraid to offend him.

"I won't fall into your trap." Zhan Zhao suddenly folded his arms in front of his chest, and leaned back against the wall leisurely, "You think I don't know, so you want me to be angry, you want me to be angry, I walked away, so you don't have to help me solve it, right? There is no way, for the sake of the overall situation, Zhan can still endure the humiliation."

Saying that, she gave Duanmucui a smug look.

In the famous modern comedy movie "East and West", the whitest and cleanest leader of the Beggar Gang has a very unique explanation for kicking people: "The position you just stood in is so handsome, I couldn't help kicking you kick."

In this context, we can only say that Zhan Zhao's eyes are rolled too vividly, full of many emotions such as "contempt", "smugness", "all within my expectations", "what you can do to me", etc. The word "owing flat" is described so penetratingly that it makes people feel that if you don't take action, you will really be sorry for the amazing white eyes.

So, without thinking about it, Duanmucui punched him.

"Okay." Zhan Zhao put the folded hot towel on the side of his face, "I have been taunted and taunted by you, and I have been beaten. You should solve the problem for me."

Duanmucui nodded reluctantly.

"However, Zhan Zhao, there is one thing I have to say first," Duanmu Cui said solemnly, "The fate of a married couple is fixed and cannot be exacted. The way of husband and wife is also a fate. If your marriage with Xu Qiongxiang has long been If it is recorded in Yuelao’s marriage letter, then I can’t do anything about it. As long as the red thread holds hands, two people, even if they are in the family of enemies, separated by high and low, from eunuchs at the end of the world, and in Wu Chu’s foreign land, they must marry.”

"I wouldn't be able to memorize it like this." Zhan Zhao felt a little nervous.

"That's not certain." Duanmu Cui resentfully said, "Go out and have a look, is there a moon tonight?"

Zhan Zhao was puzzled, but he still went to the courtyard as he said, and looked up at the sky: "Yes, it's just the clouds covering the moon."

"Then wait until the moon comes out."

Seeing that Zhan Zhao was at a loss, Duan Mucui explained: "Yue always checks the book with Yue, and knots the rope under the moon. Only by the moonlight can the red line on your feet be revealed. Follow the red line to find your destined person. That person is Xu Qiongxiang, and I have nothing to do; if that person is not, there must be something wrong, and I will try to track it down."

It seems that this is the only way to do it now.

The moon finally emerged from the clouds.

Duanmucui picked up two burning incense sticks, and stood in the middle of the courtyard with Zhan Zhao, lightly closing his eyes, his lips moved slightly, and he didn't know what spell he was reciting.Zhan Zhao turned his head to the side and looked at Duanmucui carefully. At that time, the moonlight was like water, Duanmucui's concentration was concentrated, his expression was clear, and he was completely different from his usual humorous laughter.

After a while, Duanmucui opened his eyes, but he didn't look at Zhan Zhao, only paying attention to the incense stick in his hand.

Zhan Zhao followed Duanmucui's gaze, and was a little stunned: the smoke from the incense sticks was originally spreading upwards, but now there was no wind, but changed direction, winding upwards obliquely, It's like a snake.

Duanmucui let out a sigh of relief, and whispered to Zhan Zhao: "Master Yue has finally received this incense."

Only then did Zhan Zhao realize that the direction of the smoke meandering was exactly where the Toad Palace was.

Yin asked: "There are many Yuelao temples near and far. Doesn't he receive incense all day long? Your incense is rarer?"

Duanmucui proudly said: "That's natural. The incense used by those people on weekdays is of no use except to smoke him half to death? But my incense stick is naturally very different..." As he was speaking, he glanced at Seeing that Zhan Zhao was full of interest, he immediately stopped talking: "You don't understand even after I tell you."

Zhan Zhao can't laugh or cry.

After a while the incense burnt out, Duanmucui's spirit was refreshed, and he said happily, "This is all right." Then, he stretched out his hand into the air, as if picking something up, and murmured in his mouth, "There are countless clues, what exactly is there?" Which one is it from?"

Zhan Zhao also opened his eyes wide: "Could it be Yuelao who threw the red line to you? Why can't I see it?"

Just as she was talking, Duanmucui said with a smile: "Yes, it's this one."

When Zhan Zhao turned his head to look, he saw a shiny filament in Duanmucui's palm, the thread was so thin that he could barely see it.Ethereal, light and rootless, the dark light all over the body flickers on and off, sometimes like a transparent golden thread, sometimes like a line of fog in the dark night, and it is hard to see how long it is.Zhan Zhao murmured, "Is this the red line? It's so beautiful."

Duanmucui smiled and said: "What red thread, this is a piece of moonlight given to me by Yuelao."

A...moonlight?
No one has ever considered the moonlight as a root, but just imagine how beautiful and breathtaking the moonlight can be counted like silk threads.

Duanmucui stretched out her hand and handed the moonlight to Zhan Zhao: "It is said that the moon is in the water, and the fragrance of flowers is all over the clothes. You can smell it. The moonlight alone also has a subtle fragrance."

Zhan Zhao lowered his head, there was indeed a delicate fragrance floating in his nose, but it seemed to be the pink and daisy fragrance from Duanmucui's body.

Zhan Zhao was afraid that if he said he couldn't smell it, he would be ridiculed by Duanmucui as an ordinary person who couldn't smell the fragrance of the upper realm, so he pretended, "Exactly."

Duanmucui didn't have any doubts, she turned her palm over suddenly, with the palm down, and said: "Go."

The moonlight seemed to be able to understand human language, and it circled around Zhan Zhao's ankle three times. After a short pause, he seemed to feel something. He left the Duanmu thatched cottage and meandered towards the east.

Duanmucui pulled Zhan Zhao and bent down together, saying, "Look, it's your red line."

Sure enough, the moonlight intertwined with Zhan Zhao's red thread and extended along the direction of the red thread, while the red thread of Zhu Dan glowed a dark red matte under the cover of the moonlight.

For some reason, Zhan Zhao was a little disappointed.

Duanmucui said in a low voice: "Follow."

It is said that a marriage of thousands of miles is connected by a thread, but luckily Zhan Zhao's marriage did not extend as far as thousands of miles away, otherwise the earth and Hebo would be disturbed, and the earth escaped from the water and escaped a lot of fatigue.

Kaifeng City, East Head, Suzaku Street.

The more he walked this way, the more empty Zhan Zhao felt.

If I remember correctly, the Xu family is nearby.

At this point, the red thread protrudes from the gap in the middle of the Zhumen. When you look up, the word "Xufu" on the lintel is extremely dazzling by the red lanterns.

Zhan Zhao stretched out his hand to grab Duanmucui: "Forget it, there's no need to go in."

The voice was unprecedentedly tired, when Duanmucui looked back, he retreated into the shadow of the lintel, unable to hide his loneliness.

"Zhan Zhao..." Duanmucui didn't know what to say, "I really have no choice..."

"I don't blame you, you have helped me a lot."

She was used to teasing and robbing each other with Zhan Zhao on weekdays, but when she suddenly saw him looking depressed, Duanmucui actually felt a little uncomfortable.

After a while, Duanmucui said: "Maybe it's not that bad...you have been with Miss Xu's family for a long time, maybe... maybe you like her..."

Zhan Zhao was silent for a long time before he whispered, "I don't like her."

What if I don't like it?
From ancient times to the present, not all marriages brought about by Yuelao are good matches.

The two separated here, Zhan Zhao returned to Kaifeng Mansion, and Duanmucui returned to Duanmu Thatched Cottage.

Without his words, it is useless to talk more.

That moonlight, at some point, lost all its brilliance and turned into an unintentional gray.

Zhan Zhao's marriage seemed to be settled in this way.

(End of this chapter)