in spring

Chapter 38 In the Bamboo Forest

Chunying panicked in her heart.

who is thisIs it the young master of Hou Mansion?Will she be scolded if she approaches here against the order?Will you be punished?The rest doesn't matter, she doesn't want to be punished!But listening to this young man's tone, he doesn't seem to be angry. Is he a good person?He won't blame her, will he?After all, who is this?

Her mind was in a mess, and she didn't know how to answer for a while.The young man didn't seem to be surprised, and asked again: "Have you lost your way? Or have you come here specially? The Marquis once had a decree that no one else is allowed to approach, don't you know? You are a new girl? "

Chunying finally came to her senses, but her tongue was a little knotted: "I... I'm new here... I'm passing by... There's a cat..." She realized that she was really incoherent, took a deep breath, and quickly thought Organized the language, and at the same time stood upright honestly, bowed his head and said: "I was waiting for someone on the small road outside, and I saw a Persian cat. I chased it in for a while, and I didn't intend to violate the order. Young master, Don't punish me..." She put on a pitiful look, hoping that the young man would let her go gently because of her "young age".

The young man smiled faintly: "That cat is the most playful, always running around. You go, don't come near here again, and don't tell anyone that you have been here."

Chun Ying was stunned.This is the end?Did he not scold or punish him? !

Seeing her staying there, the young man asked with a smile, "Why? What else do you want to say?" Chunying waved her hands quickly: "No, no... no, no..." She bowed to him: "Thank you, Master." Then he walked away quickly.

When she arrived at the edge of the bamboo forest, she was relieved when she saw the path she had been waiting for from a distance, and was immediately taken aback.A tall man dressed in black appeared out of nowhere, and at some point stood in front of her, staring straight at her.His face was pale and pale, and he was blind in one eye, and the exposed scars were eerie.He was holding a long-handled bamboo broom, with his rolled up cuffs revealing his calloused and knife-scarred hands.

Chunying couldn't help but retreat a few steps, and stammered, "You... who are you?"

The man didn't answer, but asked in a hoarse voice: "Where are you going?"

She didn't go anywhere, just waited for someone on the small road ahead!But how dare Chunying say that?He had to answer: "Go to the kitchen."

The man raised the broom handle and pointed in one direction: "Go straight, turn right when you go out, the third door."

"Thank you, thank you..." Chunying thanked dryly, then watched him slowly walk back into the bamboo forest, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.She didn't dare to take a breath, turned around and ran back to the small road. She looked anxiously in the direction of Huanhuaxuan and saw that Chen'er hadn't come back. She stamped her feet and decided not to wait for her. If you are a person, go to the kitchen.

However, she still couldn't help thinking, who is that young man?Could it be the person who lives in the house under the mountain?He doesn't look crazy or sick. Could it be that he is really the illegitimate son of Master Hou?But it doesn't make sense?Even the young master was brought back from outside after he was born. Even if there is an illegitimate child, why hide him from others?
Or... this person doesn't actually live here, but just happened to come here today?The straight jacket he is wearing is made of dark blue fine cotton, and the soap boots are a bit thick although they are made by the needleworkers in the house. This outfit is not shabby, but it doesn't look like a young master either. Could it be...he is actually a legendary The young master? !
Chun Ying deeply felt that this possibility was very high.Isn't the legendary young master unfavorable?It's not surprising that the clothes he wears are worse.In addition, the young man seemed to have a gloomy look between his brows, and he was obviously a person who had no ambitions!Alas, the life of the concubine of the Hou family is really difficult. In fact, he is really a good person. He obviously violated the order, but he let it go lightly, and asked her not to tell others.He must be a gentle and kind man, right?I wish him peace and success, and live a happy life with his wife.

Chunying sincerely prayed in her heart.

The "young master" she blessed, after she left the bamboo forest, was stunned for a while, then turned back to the room with a wry smile, and said to the guests in the room: "Brother You, come again next time, please don't let me go." Put on the ears again, I'm really worried that it will attract others."

The guest was Li You, the third young master of the Hou Mansion, who was teasing the white-haired and yellow-spotted Persian cat in his arms. He frowned and said, "I just thought that you would be bored living here in seclusion. Playing with it can also relieve boredom." Forget it, who knew that this little beast would actually run out?" He pinched the cat's ear, "It's all because of your ear!"

The cat was in pain and grabbed at him. He quickly threw it away, looked carefully at his hand, and saw that there was no scar left, so he breathed a sigh of relief and cursed: "Beast! Even I dare Catch, see if I don't skin you!" The cat rolled on the ground, then quickly ran out of the house, just in time to be hugged by the man in black.The latter nodded to the young man, hugged the cat and walked away.

Li You said embarrassingly: "Every time I see Sanqing, I feel hairy in my heart. Why do you keep such a person by your side?"

The young man smiled: "He has nowhere to go, I'm homeless, we share the same illness, it's good to be with each other."

Li You hurriedly said: "Why are you homeless? You grew up in our mansion, so you are naturally a member of our family. If my father hears your words, he will definitely be sad."

The young man's eyes darkened, he sat down at the desk silently, and opened a book.

"Brother Nian!" Li You stepped forward, hesitant to speak, and after a while, he said slowly, "My second uncle is back...have you seen him? I heard...he had a quarrel with his father One fight, probably because he was dissatisfied with his father hiding you here without telling him. But he also brought good news, there may be hope for Zhou Shibo's case, and you will be able to recover your status soon, so you don't have to worry about it anymore!"

The youth Zhou Nian smiled faintly: "This news has been spread every year for more than ten years, but it has never come true...Why do you say this to coax me? The case settled by the late emperor and that person is not so easy. Overturn the case?"

"It's true!" Li You said anxiously, "I overheard my father talking to my second uncle. They said that the emperor has been in power for two or three years. There is hope to be rehabilitated!"

Zhou Nian still shook his head: "That was the decree issued by the first emperor himself. There is a word of 'filial piety' suppressing it. How can it be so easy for the emperor to overturn the case? Besides... the king's heart is unpredictable... I'm afraid that Lord Hou and the second master will Bring trouble on me." He raised his head and said to Li You: "This is at the foot of the emperor, and a family like this should be careful in everything, so that no one can take advantage of it. Hopeless things should not be extravagant. If you have the heart, why not persuade Lord Hou to be wise and protect yourself."

Li You was a little discouraged: "Why do I feel that we outsiders are more enthusiastic than you? Don't you want to reverse the case for Uncle Zhou? Father and second uncle are both safe people, and they will never speak freely about things that are not sure. Besides, my family is the emperor. Darling, with Eldest Sister here, based on the relationship between King Jing's brother-in-law and the Emperor, how can something happen? You are worrying too much."

"So what about the royal family?" Zhou Nian's tone was a bit sad, "In the past ten years, have there been fewer royal family members who have failed due to incidents? What's more, there is a big source of wealth in the family. Who doesn't want a piece of the pie? The emperor and Prince Jing Even better, after all, it wasn't from the same mother, my family... back then... my own flesh and blood were ruthless, how can you rest assured?"

"It's two different things, why can't I rest assured?" Li You lay down on the bench next to him sullenly, "The empress left early, the emperor was raised by the concubine, in order to save him, my Prince Jing My brother-in-law almost lost his life, and now that leg is not so good! The emperor has always respected their mother and son. If that person hadn't stopped him, he would have almost regarded the noble concubine as the queen mother. Have you not seen them? The appearance of being together is no different from mother and child brothers in ordinary people, but it is much more intimate than me and my two brothers!"

Zhou Nian glanced at the young man, and smiled slightly: "Are you envious of the harmony between brothers? Royal brothers, who knows how sincere they are? Although your two elder brothers treat you lightly, they are still fair and fair. Be on guard, and don't be afraid of his plotting behind the scenes."

Li You was discouraged: "In short, you can't say anything good, that's all, I don't persuade you, you can think whatever you like!" After saying that, he closed his eyes, as if he was about to fall into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, Zhou Nian felt a little sorry, thinking that Li You had come to comfort him with good intentions, why did he keep pouring cold water on him?The little girl who broke in by mistake just now is actually about the same age as Li You, and I can still tolerate her, why can't I treat Li You the same?
Thinking of this, he brought up another topic in a relaxed tone: "Speaking of which, I heard that you have a new favorite recently, who is the imperial beauty sent by Princess Jing? It's amazing, I don't know what kind of beauty it is National color?"

Li You blushed slightly, turned over and said: "Since when have you listened to the gossip of the servants?! What new favorite? It's just a girl. Because she looks very good-looking when she is angry, I let her show her face in front of me more often. So that I can practice my pen. She is a beauty bestowed by the imperial court, but she is staying at our house for the time being. What will happen in the future depends on the order of the noble concubine in the palace! Although I am young, I am not ignorant of taboos. The palace can do whatever it wants, but our family can't!"

Zhou Nian hurriedly said: "I thought you forgot it, but you actually knew it very well. It was my mistake." After a pause, he hesitated: "It's just... that the rumor has finally spread, and it's not good for your reputation. .”

"What's so bad about that? That Rouge has lived in our house for these days, can she still go back to the palace?" Li You said indifferently, "Two people have already died of sudden illness when she gave it like this. Do you know what's tricky in it? It's her blessing that she can come to our house. After a few years, I'll order the steward to find her a good house, and I'll be worthy of her."

Zhou Nian was taken aback: "So you thought so? But I heard..."

Li You sneered: "In my yard, I don't know how many people have that idea. The rumors are spreading, are they all true? I'm not yet twelve, and I've become an evil ghost! I value that Rouge only because she has a temper and doesn't get close to me, she seems to be a sensible person, if she is still like this in a year or two, it will be rare!"

Zhou Nian shook his head and sighed: "Since you think so, why do you put on all kinds of poses to make people think you are a frivolous person?"

The sarcasm on Li You's face was even deeper: "This will make people feel at ease. From the old lady to the little girl who sweeps the floor in the house, they all expect me to be safe, obedient and obedient. The family is spreading. Of course I don’t want to go against their wishes. Unlike the idiot of the second brother, who really thinks that he can ask his father to hand over the family business to him by being competitive everywhere, and my father is not confused!"

Zhou Nian sighed, the words swirled around in his mouth a few times, and finally swallowed them down: "It's getting late, you should go back quickly, if the old lady finds out that you've come to my place again, she might be angry."

Li You said with a smile: "Just talking about me, the old lady won't beat me. If father knows that I am close to you, I'm afraid he will be happy." I found two books on the Internet, said a few more words, and then left.

Outside the bamboo forest, Li You found the cat, grabbed its paws and hugged it into his arms. When he raised his head, he became the gentle young master smiling innocently again.

And Zhou Nian in the bamboo forest lit an oil lamp, took out a book from the hidden compartment of the bookshelf, looked at the deceased father's pen on it, and sighed faintly.

(We decided to let the sighing man continue to sigh...)
(End of this chapter)