I looked at the floor under my feet carefully, but not seeing anything different, I was secretly amazed and followed him inside.
The whole house is very carefully arranged, there are no doorways, all things are placed within easy reach of someone who is sitting. His table was not the low table that was popular in the Han Dynasty at that time, but a table that was suitable for people in wheelchairs. He was probably the first person in Chang'an to use foreign tables and chairs.
He invited me to sit down, I looked at the sanzi on the table and remembered that since I woke up until now, I haven't eaten at all! Swallowing hard, I looked at the sanzi, but my stomach couldn't wait and growled.
She was making tea, as soon as she heard that sound she turned towards me, I embarrassedly said "Haven't you ever heard your stomach growling? I want to eat that plate of sanzi".
Smiling he said, "It was prepared for the new year, not for eating, it's too greasy. Tell the kitchen to prepare food! What would you like to eat?" I haven't had a good meal in a long time, I frowned, what do I want to eat? I can't order food at the restaurant. After thinking for a while, I said, "Whatever! The important thing is there is meat, big pieces of meat, don't be like Hong Gu's place, good meat is cut into small pieces, something new when you eat it just a few times, but gets boring after a while." ".
He smiled and pulled a rope hanging in the corner of the room, and Xiao Feng immediately ran in, he ordered him, "Tell the kitchen to roast a whole leg of lamb and make two kinds of vegetables, then bring it here". He glanced at me and said again, "Hurry up a bit".
He placed the tray of tea on his lap, then turned his wheelchair around. I looked at him, pretended not to see the tea water that looked like it was about to spill, then grabbed the sanzi greedily. He put a cup of tea in front of me, I drank it voraciously while eating sanzi.
Seemingly happy, he poured the tea and also took a small sip of tea, "I rarely have guests, this is my first time making tea, please be advised!"
My mouth was full of food, I randomly nodded, "Do you have many brothers and sisters? Is there Shi Ye after you?"
He said dryly, "There's only me at home. Father wanted to have a big family, so since I was young he had people call me Ninth Young Master to bring good luck. Now people are used to calling me that, even though father's wish didn't come true, I'm too lazy straighten my call".
I swallowed the food in my mouth "In my family, apart from me there is also a pack of wolves, the one you met that day was my little brother".
A smile appeared on his face, "People say your name is Jin Yu?"
I nodded "What's your name?" "Meng Ximo".
Surprisedly I said, “Your surname isn't Shi?
Are you the employer of Shi Corporation?"
"Who told you that the employer of Shi Company is surnamed Shi?"
I stuck out my tongue, "I saw on the doorway it was written Shi Mansion, so I thought it must be. Ximo, means Western Desert, this name is not in Zhongyuan style".
He smiled and said, "Your name is Jin Yu, but you don't look very rich."
I smiled and said, "Not now, but after this I will be rich".
Xiao Feng came in carrying a food box, as soon as I opened the lid, I smelled a pleasant smell that pierced my nose, I stepped quickly towards him, but suddenly remembered that the host had not offered the food! I immediately turned to him, he gently said, "Hurry up and eat while it's still warm! Now I'm not hungry, so I won't accompany you to eat".
I sat in front of the table and ate voraciously, I didn't touch rice and vegetables, I only ate lamb thighs, he turned his wheelchair so he was in front of me, then pushed the vegetables beside me in front of me, "Eat some vegetables". I glanced at the vegetables indifferently, he said again, "If a girl eats more vegetables, she will become more beautiful".
For a moment I was stunned, is that right? If you see his serious expression, it seems he's not lying to me. I looked at the lamb's thigh which had a lovely aroma, then at the vegetables which tasted bland, for a moment I tossed between delicious dishes and beauty, then finally picked up the vegetables. He smiled and looked out the window.
People who have eaten their fill are always happy. I patted my bloated stomach while smelling the aroma of the tea in front of me, and felt that this was the pleasure of life.
While drinking tea, I made a selfish plan, I put down the teacup, then looked at him with a smile. He motioned to me with his eyes for me to say what I wanted to say.
"Hmm, let's see, actually while staying at Hong Gu's place I ate well, and was also able to learn many things, but because today you have made such a fuss, Hong Gu definitely won't dare to take me back, now I have no money. As people say, brave people do dare to bear the consequences. I see that your attitude is extraordinary, surely you can be responsible for me?" My face didn't blush, after speaking without taking a breath, I looked at her expectantly.
Smiling he looked at me, for a while he didn't say anything, but my face was getting hotter and hotter, I avoided his eyes, while looking at the floor, I said, "I can read, can count, strong, and also not stupid, does your shop need people?”
"You mean to stay in Chang'an?"
"I just came, now I don't want to go yet, I don't know when I will go".
"Stay here first! I want to see what suits you best, you think about it yourself, what do you want to do".
My heart fell to the floor, I got up and saluted to him "Many thanks! I won't ride for nothing, I can do anything Xiao Feng can do".
He smiled and shook his head, "You and Xiao Feng are not the same, Xiao Feng was an intern at Shi Company, now he is studying."
I said, "What about me?"
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "You are my guest." In my heart appeared a feeling of disappointment that is difficult to describe, but he said again, "A friend I met again." I lowered my head while pulling my lips, did not say anything.
Within a few days, I already knew the ins and outs of Shi Mansion, I also met the man in purple and black clothes I met at Yueya Quan at that time, one named Shi Jinyan , while the other one was named Shi Shenxing . Hearing their names, I laughed to myself, really good names, one name fills in the flaws, while the other name really suits the sufferer.
When the two of them saw me living in the Bamboo Hut, Jinyan said in surprise "How could this be? Jiu Ye likes quiet, he and Xiao Feng can't stay here at night. You said you want to stay in the Bamboo Hut, has Jiu Ye allowed you to stay here?" But Shenxing only glanced at me sharply, then stared at the floor, still not moving, if the name changes to 'buxing'[], it is really appropriate.
The two of them together with the Shi housekeeper, Shi Tianchao, took care of the trading affairs of the Shi Company. Every morning, they came to the Bamboo Hut to report various trade matters to Jiu Ye in detail, and the time they needed varied. Xiao Feng and three other youths who were around the same age often listened to it. The names of the four of them were Feng, Yi, Lei and Tian[]. When they discussed trade matters, I deliberately stayed away from Pondok Bambu. Today, because I was worried about Hong Gu, I all went out of the Shi Mansion. The past two days it has been snowing heavily, making it difficult to travel, today it happened to stop snowing so I could go visit them.
"Yu Yatou, why are you wearing such light clothes? The falling snow will make you cold, I'll ask the servant girl to get some clothes for you". Uncle Shi who used to bring you into the Shi Mansion told the coachman to get the carriage while grumbling.
I was jumping up and down waving my arms, then smiled and said, "As long as my stomach isn't hungry, I'm not afraid of the cold. Today means nothing to me." Uncle Shi smiled and told me to come home a little earlier.
Even though the snow had stopped falling, the sky was not yet bright, still shrouded in lead-colored clouds, heaps of pressure, the pale white sky looked as if it was about to collapse. The snow piled on the ground was very thick, when the wind blew, the snow flew about the bodies of the pedestrians. Most of the hikers couldn't get into the carriages and did their best to curl up, tug at their necks, and tread in the snow with the utmost care. Sometimes the horse-drawn carriages that were going fast splashed snow, so that the bodies of the pedestrians were often covered with half-blackened snow.
I told the coachman to shout so the pedestrians could get ready, and slowed down a bit as the carriage passed them. With a loud voice the coachman agreed.
The door of the house was tightly closed, a pair of red lanterns that were usually lit, no matter in the middle of the night or in broad daylight, could not be seen. I knocked on the door, after a while someone called out, "We haven't been open for a few days......" While talking, the maid who opened the door saw me and quickly took back her words. With a strange expression he turned his head, calling for Hong Gu.
Hong Gu quickly ran out, grabbing my hand he said with a smile, "You are really kind, come visit me". I asked, "What's wrong? Why isn't it open?"
Hong Gu took me to sit beside the charcoal stove, then sighed and said, "It wasn't me, Master Wu was worried, he didn't know what to do with me, he was trying to guess the master's intention, it seems he didn't make it clear whether I should be severely punished or not. It's light, it's been reported that he hasn't been able to sleep for several days, but he hasn't found a good way out yet. He can't let me open this house openly, that's why he told me to close it first."
I chuckled, "Then Master Wu was trying to help you, he didn't want to cause you trouble, so he was looking for ways to avoid trouble". Hong Gu lightly tapped my forehead, "Then I have to thank you a lot, otherwise Master Wu won't be able to protect me. By the way, have you met the big master? Why is he looking for you? What does he look like? Is he already advanced in age?"
I said, "So many sisters in this house hang their rice pots on you! You are not worried about your efforts and are wondering about these things."
Hong Gu smiled and said, "Okay! If you don't want to talk I won't ask again, but tell me why the lord is looking for you, you didn't say that in Chang'an you have no relatives, and that you have no family anymore." ?"
I pulled my lips and smiled, "We have met before, we can say we are old friends, only I didn't know that he was in Chang'an". Hong Gu opened a pair of hands, then sighed and said, "Humans really can't guess Heaven's will, even if I am bright, I can't go against Heaven".
While we were chatting and joking beside the stove, a little servant girl pulled back the curtains and barged in, without preamble saying, "Miss Shuangshuang went out, the maids couldn't stop her and got scolded instead".
With an expressionless face Hong Gu asked, "What did he say?"
Looking down the maid said, "He said, there's no reason for him to be alone can't earn money, today he won't open, he won't open tomorrow, what will he eat later? After all... after all, Tianxiang Mansion offers a high fee, He also remembers old friendships, now….now he feels better to leave, he says a woman's beauty doesn't last, and her whole life depends on these short years, so she can't waste it.
Hong Gu's face, which was gloomy before, heard her words but became relieved, with a soft sigh he told the servant girl to leave. I asked, "Does Tianxiang Mansion belong to the Shi Company?"
Hong Gu said, "Before this, yes, now no. Actually, I also don't know what happened. The past two years have been growing their business more and more, I think, soon, the entertainment houses managed by Shi Company won't be I can't underestimate them anymore, they want to become the number one entertainment house in Chang'an. I'm a subordinate, I don't know what the big master really means, why did he let them get bigger and bigger".
Silently, Hong Gu stared at the fire in the stove, then smiled and got up, "Don't talk about these worrying matters, after all I can't run my business either. Today we were bored all day at home, after two days of snow, the day It's a good day for plum blossom viewing, since we don't have any business open anyway, I'd better call all the ladies out for a walk." I immediately agreed.
I was on the train with Hong Gu, Hong Gu was afraid of the cold, he was wearing a fox fur coat, his hands were embroidered gloves, when he saw that I was only wearing a coat filled with cotton, he chuckled in awe, but he didn't admire the strength of my body, but admiring how I, on such a cold day, and in the midst of people wrapped in thick coats like buns, can still appear graceful.
When the new carriage was about to leave the city gate, suddenly there was a commotion, an army split the crowd with their spears, everyone immediately stopped walking and moved to the side of the road, our carriage immediately stopped at the door of a shop. In an instant people were screaming and horses neighing, things were in chaos.
I curiously pulled back the curtains and craned my head to look outside, but Hong Gu calmly smiled and said, “Smelly girl! army troops make people dumbfounded!”
While he was speaking, in the distance several horsemen had galloped into the gate. I looked at them attentively. From a distance it seemed that they were young, they were all dressed in brocade and fur coats. They galloped on their chosen horses. Wealthy youths have bright futures, they really look elegant.
My heart suddenly shook, that man… that cold and handsome man with sharp eyebrows and sparkling eyes, wasn't it Xiao Huo? Although right now his clothes and demeanor were very different from when he was in the desert, I'm sure I didn't mistake anyone. The other youths galloped on their horses while joking, but his lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes looked into the distance, it was clear that even though he was in that place, his mind was elsewhere.
Hong Gu saw my dumbfounded face and said, "Why?" I pointed at Xiao Huo and asked, "Who is he?"
A faint smile appeared on Hong Gu's lips, "Yu er's eyesight is truly amazing! Even though they were all born as nobles, she is different, besides, she hasn't married yet, not even engaged yet."
I glanced at Hong Gu, "It turns out that Hong Gu is a shrewd matchmaker, but unfortunately chose the wrong profession". Hong Gu laughed, pointing at Xiao Huo he said, "His maternal aunt is the empress, his maternal uncle has the title of Great General, his great name shakes the Xiongnu and Xiyu, he rules over eight thousand seven hundred families. His name is Huo Qubing, the most young master He was famous in Chang'an. He seemed cold and emotionless, but it was said that his disposition was very tough and haughty. He even dared to oppose his uncle in public, but in fact he was compatible with the emperor, who always defended him, so that in Chang'an there was no more one who dares to offend him."
I watched his figure on the horse, the feeling in my heart is indescribable. When I was desperate in Chang'an, I wanted to find him, but couldn't find him. When I entered Shi Mansion, I thought that after passing through the long foyer, at the end of the bamboo forest was what I would find, but I still couldn't find it. However, at a moment I completely did not expect, he appeared. Even though I had suspected that he was not an ordinary person, I had absolutely no idea that he was the nephew of the emperor of the Han Dynasty and the Great General Wei Qing.
On horseback, he seemed to sense something and turned towards us, his eyes swept over everyone, I suddenly lowered the curtain.
Along the way, Hong Gu teased me, but I just listened blandly with a smile. Hong Gu felt that he was teasing me in vain, so he stopped joking around, then studied my facial expressions carefully.
A few moments later, while lowering his voice, he said, "Why lower yourself? All my life I have had bad luck, when I was young I only paid attention to love matters, obeyed my heart, and did not make plans for the future, now I understand why I have to do it, but I'm already old. Now that you're still young, and you also have this look, as long as you have the will, what can't you do here in Chang'an? Just like Empress Wei is now, her status wasn't higher than us before- us. Her mother was a maid in the emperor's daughter's house, then gave birth to her due to an affair, she didn't even have a father, and was forced to take the surname Wei. When she grew up, she was just a singing girl in the princess's house, however, after that, relying on her beautiful appearance, she became the emperor's favorite, and became the first lady.In addition, the Great General Wei was also an illegitimate child, when he was a child he became a horse herder, not only starved, but also often whipped his master, but he later founded great merit in driving back the Xiongnu, and attaining the highest position."
I turned around, then hugged Hong Gu while smiling, "Good Jiejie, I didn't mean it like that. I was just thinking about the incident that happened in the past. Singing girls became empresses, groomsmen became major generals, I understand what you mean. Even though we are women , we were born in an age without strict rules, a time when women often interfered in state affairs, as the saying goes, 'Emperors and nobles, generals and state officials, were they born of royal blood?'"[]
Hong Gu's face was confused, he slowly repeated the words, "Emperors and nobles, generals and state officials, are they born of blue blood?", he seemed to be contemplating its meaning, "Where did you hear those words? If only I am like you and can understand the meaning of those words, of course now I'm not like this."
Hong Gu is proud of her beauty, her intelligence is far above average, but it's a pity that her face is old, and she still has to work hard, her heart is not willing, but she is forced to accept the situation.
The white snow and red plum blossoms seem to contrast with each other. The scenery is really beautiful. I looked at it, but my heart didn't admire it. I just smiled. Hong Gu's heart also carried a lot of burden, the flowers that were blooming beautifully seemed to make him even more lonely.
After returning from looking at the flowers, it was already dark, Hong Gu and the other ladies took the train home together, while I took the train alone to Shi Mansion. Inside the Bamboo Hut, Jiu Ye was sitting alone reading a book under the lantern light. The yellowish candlelight reflecting off his body gave off a warm feeling. Suddenly my eye sockets felt a bit sore, before when I came home at night after playing outside all day, A Die would also sit under the lantern, reading a book while waiting for me to come home, alone, but full of warmth.
I silently stood at the door, slowly the warmth and calm in the room seeped into my heart, making my heart that was not peaceful that afternoon calm down, he seemed to feel it and looked up at me, "Why are you standing at the doorway stunned? "
As I stepped inside I said, "After visiting Hong Gu, I went out of town with him to see the plum blossoms". He gently asked, "Have you eaten?" I said, "Although I haven't had dinner yet, but Hong Gu brought a lot of snacks, while playing I ate and was full".
He nodded and didn't say anything else, for a moment I hesitated, then asked, "Why did you let Shi Company's entertainment houses run on their own? Wouldn't this make them not only unable to unite against competitors, but also unable to thrive? Outsiders suspect that there has been chaos within the Shi Company, that the company's leader is incompetent in managing the company!"
He put down the bamboo blades in his hand, then with a bit of indifference, smiled and said, "They didn't get me wrong, I really am incompetent".
I shook my head, after a moment of silence, I said, "Didn't you tell me to think about what kind of job I want to do? I've thought about it, I don't know any other business, but I've been a little familiar with entertainment houses for a few months, after all I'm a woman, doing bookkeeping or being a supporting role, all I can do".
While continuing to smile, Jiu Ye said, "Since you have thought about it, tomorrow I will talk to Shenxing to arrange things". I saluted him "Many thanks!"
Jiu Ye turned around in his wheelchair, then took out a package and gave it to me, "I'll return it to the owner".
The package contained a set of those blue Loulan clothes, I carefully felt them, I couldn't say what I wanted to say, a word 'thank you' wasn't enough to express my feelings.