History of Empress Dowager Development

Chapter 173

Xu Xiang took Lin Lang all the way through the streets and alleys, and went straight to Danling Street at the foot of the imperial city.But at the intersection of Dejie, Xu Xiang turned left and entered a deep alley.This place is at the foot of the imperial city, where every inch of land is precious. Although it is an inconspicuous narrow alley, the people living in it are either rich or noble.

The alley is deep and narrow, with two or three-story attics standing on both sides. Occasionally, greenery protrudes from the gaps in the bluestone slabs. The middle part has been trampled smooth, showing the depth of the years.In front of a small red door, Xu Xiang tied the horse beside him and knocked on the door lightly.

The one who opened the door was a little boy with long hair, but he recognized Xu Xiang at a glance, and greeted: "Miss Xu is here!" After glancing at Lin Lang behind him, he smiled slightly and said, "This is Miss He?"

Lin Lang was surprised when someone guessed his identity suddenly, so he turned his head and asked Xu Xiang, "Where is this place?" Xu Xiang smiled and didn't answer, and walked in holding Lin Lang's hand. The yard is about ten feet square, facing a small attic. Two old locust trees are planted in front of the building. There is a small door in the north corner of the yard, and other places are filled with stones.

Although Lin Lang doesn't play with stones, those who love inkstones know a little bit about these stones.Taking a rough look, the piles in this yard are not ordinary. Most of them are materials used by famous inkstones. Some stones have been polished, and some are naturally grown in strange shapes, big or small, filling the courtyard.

After the little boy called the two to come in, he went to play with the stones, and Xu Xiang pulled Lin Lang into the small door to the north.There is a small courtyard behind the corner door. As soon as you step close to the door, you will face an elevated shelf, which is filled with inkstones of various colors, but most of them are in the shape and the material is flat.After all, it is windy and rainy here, no one would throw Mingyan away like this.

Next to the frame was a tree of old plums. When he turned his eyes, he saw Xu Lang sitting on a stone bench, playing with an old man with stones.

The old man was concentrated, only Xu Lang turned around when he heard their footsteps, beckoning Lin Lang to go forward.On the stone table in front of him was an unpretentious wooden box, unpainted and uncarved, but Lin Lang could already guess what was inside—as expected, a drop-shaped inkstone was placed inside !

"Is this... made by Taoshi?" Lin Lang was overjoyed, and took the square inkstone from Xu Lang's hand.Its shape is like a drop of water, round and smooth, slender and lovely, as expected, it is fine and crystal clear, with stone patterns like silk, like billowing clouds.The slightly ancient green inkstone body is as simple as bronze, and it sounds like gold and jade when you clasp it with your fingers.

Lin Lang couldn't put it down, looked at it over and over for a while, her face couldn't help turning red - there was a natural crack on the ground of the inkstone, which had become fine and moist after being polished, within the ancient green, there was a hint of pigeon red, which looked like It is hidden jade.The crack is like fine water flowing through, not obtrusive, but more interesting. The left side of the crack is engraved with the pattern of twigs, and the right side is a lovebird.

Lian Lizhi and lovebirds are not uncommon. If you go to an embroidery shop, you can find many, but it is the first time Lin Lang sees them on the inkstone.The smooth and delicate lines flow through the bottom of the inkstone, and the flounder are flying together. It lacks the lingering elegance and lifelikeness in the embroidery work, but it has a little more simple and timeless taste. At a glance, it can remind people of the simple and timeless words in ancient songs. love story.

Taking a sneak peek at Xu Lang, he was also looking at her at the other end, his eyes met, he smiled slightly, and there was no hiding the affection in his eyes.

My heart pounded, and I couldn't move my eyes for some reason.His eyes are like deep pools, like lakes, not as flamboyant and enthusiastic as Zhu Chengyu's, but they have a deep and obsessive taste, which attracts people's attention.

The two of them looked at each other like no one else, which caused Xu Xiang to feel an emotion similar to embarrassment for the first time.

She cleared her throat, she was embarrassed to disturb the couple who were about to get married, so she could only talk to the old man, "Master Hong's craftsmanship is really superb, can you help me make an inkstone sometime?"

"If Ms. Xu likes it, I will choose a stone for you tomorrow." Master Hong stood up with the help of a nearby tree branch, "There are quite a few here, Ms. Xu, come and see if there is anything you like?" Xu Xiang saw him He was much more knowledgeable than himself, and immediately followed into the hut where the good stone was hidden.

Here Linlang also felt embarrassed by the moment of forgetfulness just now, she still held the inkstone in her hand and was reluctant to put it down, but said sincerely: "Thank you, Second Brother Xu, for your concern."

"As long as you like it." The stone bench under Xu Lang was not low, and when he was sitting, his eyes were facing Lin Lang's lips.There is already a bright and gentle taste in the spring. The bright and beautiful little girl is standing in front of her, with a smile in her eyes. The bright sunshine spreads on her face. There is no flaw in her delicate face, but there is a little shadow cast by her eyelashes. Come down and dance with her blink.

There was a trembling numbness in his heart, he stretched out his arms to wrap her waist and leaned over, couldn't help raising his head and kissing her eyes.

His little girl, his future little wife, always broke into his heart so easily.Even after being tempered by the bitter cold wind and sand in Saibei, tenacity and toughness have already penetrated into the heart and temper, when I see her, there will always be a corner that melts and warms instantly, as if I am in the Jiangnan where the mountains are warm and the water is soft, and there are melodious birds singing , the gentle whirling willow branches, and the soft spring water swaying, brought the barren moon in the desert a bit of tenderness.

"Lin Lang." He murmured, touching her face with calloused palms, and said in a low voice, "This is my betrothal gift for you, okay?"

His voice was rare and gentle, but the man's breath rushed towards her and wrapped her in it, his warm and solid chest bent over him, his face was backlit, but the outline was very distinct, making her instantly addicted.

I used to read storybooks, when the men and women in the story made love, there would be vows, sweet words, or pointing to the bright moon in the sky as a matchmaker, or pointing to the peach blossoms all over the mountain as a matchmaker, or standing on the top of a beautiful mountain, using the mountains and rivers as a matchmaker. For hire.At that time, she also thought that this is the most beautiful confession, moonlight, peach blossoms, or even mountains and rivers, what a beautiful and moving scene.

But at this time, in the ordinary small courtyard, the newborn spring, and the slanting old Mei, he said that he used an inkstone as a hire, but it easily touched her heart.

(End of this chapter)