Chapter 153 Chapter 27 The Sound of Firecrackers

Chu Qiao was actually awake all the time, she just didn't want to open her eyes, she knew that there were people walking around her, calling her softly, crying sadly, feeding her medicine, and silently He looked at her carefully, neither approaching nor speaking. She knew it all, but she didn't want to wake up, she had been falling asleep in a drowsy state, her heart was like a cold dry wood, shriveled and deprived of nutrients.She was having a dream over and over again, the dream was icy cold, she was floating in the dark icy lake, the surroundings were so cold, there were pieces of ice constantly touching her skin, Zhuge Yue was facing her, bit by bit As he sinks, there is a faint light flickering behind him, reflecting his pale face, only a pair of eyes, dark and bright, like stars, unable to distinguish between emotions and anger, just looking at her quietly, quietly Slowly, little by little, sinking.

For the first time in her life, Chu Qiao was so fragile, she was so tired that she wanted to sleep away, her life was gone, the dreams that made her crazy and persistent were smashed to pieces in an instant, she didn't want to think about it, Powerless to think, or even courage to open her eyes to face the reality, she wanted to escape, weakly thinking that nothing would happen until she opened her eyes, until this moment she finally realized that she was also a woman, who would experience pain and pain. Sadness will hurt and even despair.She refused to eat, refused to drink medicine, and refused to take a drop of water.

Until one day, there was a sudden commotion outside the door, someone was cursing her loudly, and countless venomous words flew out fiercely, piercing into the bottom of her heart one by one, the voice was so familiar that she opened her eyes hastily, Climbing down from the bed, she only had time to see Zhu Cheng's penetrated body. The young butler who doesn't know martial arts is covered in wounds, his clothes are torn and bloody, like a madman, one arm has been cut off, but he is still trying to rush in crazily, blood is sprinkled on the bluestone slabs in the yard On the ground, his eyes were red, and while cursing, he used his remaining hand to attack the guard next to him.The guards didn't act cruelly, they just prevented him from approaching the house, knocked him down over and over again, and then watched him get up in embarrassment over and over again indifferently.

"You wolf-hearted and ungrateful woman!" Zhu Cheng was hissing and roaring. His whole body was full of sores and chilblains, many places festered, and it looked like the injuries left by lurking in the snow for a long time. Zisu hugged her, trying hard to cover her eyes with trembling hands, but Chu Qiao stood straight, like a sharp gun, she stood motionless, watching Zhu Cheng being repeatedly beaten. She was knocked down, then got up again and again, rushing towards her again and again. "stop." Chu Qiao whispered slowly. "stop!" She suddenly yelled loudly, staggeringly pushed Jing Zisu away and ran out, the wind outside was so cold, like a cold knife, she ran frantically, pushed away the guards blocking her, and shouted loudly: "Everyone stop!" !"

"I kill you!" Zhu Cheng yelled, and rushed forward with a clumsy swing of the knife. Chu Qiao stood there stupidly. At this moment, it seemed that she was no longer the vigorous modern agent. Without dodging or dodging, he watched helplessly as the saber slashed at his head. However, at the moment when the sword edge pierced her clothes, a sharp arrow came out of the air, piercing Zhu Cheng's heart with precision, and the blood spurted from the young housekeeper's mouth, and it all sprinkled on Chu Qiao's cheek. superior.The man's body trembled, his pupils dilated instantly, his knees softened, and he knelt down on the ground. Chu Qiao helped him up, and saw the man looking at her with eyes full of disgust and hatred, exhausting his last breath of strength, A mouthful of thick bloody phlegm spit on Chu Qiao's face, and scolded coldly:

"Bitch!" With a "bang", Zhu Cheng fell to the ground, and the dust flew up, like a small insect with wings on Chu Qiao's blood-stained cheek. She slowly raised her head, but only saw Yan Xun's indifferent expression. faces. Putting down the bow and arrow, Yan Xun walked over with a gloomy expression, looked down at her, and said in a deep voice: "I have already announced to the world that you set a trap to lure Zhuge Yue to come and kill him. This man I came to Yanbei with Zhuge Yue, so I came here quickly. I guess in a few days, the assassins of Zhuge's family will come in batches, but I have sent a large number of people to protect you. You do not have to worry about."

Chu Qiao looked at Yan Xun, she didn't even know the name of the person in front of her in a trance, she tried hard, opened her eyes wide to see him clearly, but felt the pain of going crazy, the sun was shining on him, It was so golden that she couldn't open her eyes. The guards dragged away Zhu Cheng's body, blood was flowing all the way, but those eyes of resentment were still open, looking at her viciously, as if they wanted to swallow her in their stomachs. Yan Xun quickly led the people away, and the courtyard became quiet. The servants picked up a large bucket of water and splashed it on the ground with a splash, washing the blood on the ground over and over again. Chu Qiao stood there without moving, no one dared to To quarrel with her, Jing Zisu stepped forward cautiously, tugged at the hem of her clothes tremblingly, and called softly, "Yue'er? Yue'er?"

The wind blew on her body, her body was icy cold, Zisu shook her arm lightly, her voice gradually became crying. Suddenly there was a young man's angry scolding sound outside the door, Ah Jing cursed at the guards who blocked him, and strode in, seeing Chu Qiao's appearance, her nose was sore.He didn't care about the servants around, he picked up Chu Qiao and walked into the house. It was so cold outside, but Chu Qiao was only wearing a white singlet, and the maids rushed up in panic to rub their hands for her. With her face warmed, she let others fiddle with her in a daze, as if she was already dead.

"Girl, don't do this." Ah Jing said to her with red eyes: "Your Majesty is not to blame, it's all because Cheng Yuan, a treacherous villain, is slandering and deceiving the Lord, girl, you have to be stronger." Ah Jing's voice sounded so far away, as if it came from the distant sky. Chu Qiao turned her head slightly and looked at him suspiciously. After a long time, she asked in a slow and deep voice: "He Xiao Woolen cloth?" Chu Qiao's voice sounded so hoarse, like a broken bellows, Ah Jing was slightly taken aback, as if she didn't understand what she said, and asked stupidly: "Ah? What?"

"Where's He Xiao? Where's the soldiers of the Xiuli Army? How are they? Is there something wrong?" "It's all right," Ah Jing quickly replied: "They have nothing to do, they are in the military guards now, they want to see you, but you are still recovering from illness, Your Majesty does not allow outsiders to disturb you." "Oh." Chu Qiao nodded silently, her expression was very calm, and she asked again: "Are all Zhuge Yue's men dead?" "They're all dead. The bodies have been salvaged. Most of them are still there. Some are too deep to be found, but they're dead even if they don't think about it."

"Where's Zhuge Yue? Did he catch it?" Ah Jing licked his lips slightly. Seeing Chu Qiao's calm expression, he said in a deep voice, "I've caught it and was escorted by General Yue and returned it to Da Xia. Zhao Che came to pick it up in person. Because it was a whole body, we even exchanged it for the dead body." A ransom of one million gold from the Zhuge family." Chu Qiao still had a dull expression, her eyes were straight, she just nodded, and Ah Jing said nervously: "Girl, don't worry, no one destroyed his body, and it will be sent back in good condition, Your Majesty will return it to you." A good coffin has been prepared..." "Everyone is dead, what do you need a coffin for?" Chu Qiao said lightly, then stood up, she hadn't eaten for six or seven days, but she was given some medicine at the beginning, she walked lightly, almost fell down.Zisu wanted to help her, but she pushed her away. She tremblingly came to the desk, picked up the pen and paper, as if she wanted to write. "I'll grind ink for you." Zisu hurried forward to grind for her. The door of the room was still open at the moment, the wind blew in, and the volumes of books on the desk were rattling, and Zi Su anxiously told the girl: "Close the door quickly!" When she lowered her head again, she saw that Chu Qiao had finished writing. She folded the letter and handed it to Ah Jing, and said calmly, "Please hand this letter to He Xiao, and let him follow the instructions above. We must prevent Zhuge's killer from entering Yanbei." Ah Jing took it in a daze, but saw Chu Qiao waved her hand and wrote another letter very quickly, and handed it to him: "Give this letter to Mr. Wu, and tell him that personal strength is limited, and the way to achieve belief But there are many kinds, I have planted the seeds in Shangshen, and now I hand it over to him." Afterwards, Chu Qiao took up a pen and wrote another letter. "Give this letter to Yan Fan, and tell her that everything is left to her." Ah Jing had an ominous premonition, and the straightforward man asked stupidly: "Girl, aren't you trying to commit suicide?" Chu Qiao raised her eyes to look at him, her eyes were still so clear, but Ah Jing felt that something was different. Yes, it is different. Even though the girl was calm and calm before, when she looks at you, you will really feel her emotions and her joys, sorrows and joys.And now, even when she looks at you, you don't feel her gaze.Her eyes look at you, but they also seem to penetrate you, beyond the body, beyond the house, beyond the courtyard wall, beyond the clouds and moon in the sky... "Won't." Chu Qiao said something lightly, then turned her head, and said to Zisu: "I'm hungry, bring something to eat." Jing Zisu was stunned immediately, and after a while, she happily agreed and ran out quickly. The food was always prepared and kept warm, and Zisu led the servants to quickly set up a large table, stood beside Chu Qiao and said excitedly: "This is sent by His Majesty. You have just recovered from a serious illness. Eat it." This is the best. This is the medicated diet prescribed by Dr. Yu. It nourishes the spleen and stomach. You haven’t eaten for a few days, so you can’t eat too meaty. This is the chicken soup I made with my own hands. I have been feeding it with a slow fire for eleven hours. Try it soon taste……" Gradually, Zisu's voice lowered little by little. She looked at Chu Qiao helplessly, and saw that she was holding the rice bowl, but mechanically put the rice into her mouth one by one, chewing and swallowing big mouthfuls. I quickly ate a bowl, then got up to fill another bowl, sat down and continued eating. The way she eats is scary, like a beggar who has been hungry for a long time, desperately trying to pick her mouth, Jing Zisu was frightened, and tremblingly wanted to hold her, but seeing Chu Qiao buried her head and ignored her .Zisu bit her lip, tears fell little by little, she pulled Chu Qiao's arm hard, and cried sadly: "Yue'er, just cry when you feel uncomfortable, don't hold it in like this, it will ruin you , you cry when you feel bad!" Chu Qiao didn't say a word, she was still eating, she chewed mechanically, as if she wanted to chew and swallow the pain and depression in her heart together. The room was very quiet, only the sound of Zisu's sobbing. Ah Jing held the three letters, but felt his fingers were cold. He wanted to say something, but suddenly met Chu Qiao's cold eyes, and the woman looked up coldly. He raised his head and said lightly, "Let's go." When Ah Jing left, Chu Qiao was already taking medicine. The doctors came in batches, carrying big medicine boxes, and the yard seemed to be alive again, but for some reason, Ah Jing felt even colder. up. As soon as I went out, I saw Yan Xun standing under the poplar tree. Although Yunbi has a good name, it is a poor and remote village with poor mountains and bad waters. There are heavy snowstorms every year. The people living here are always I can't fill my stomach, so I flee famine every year. After a long time, except for some elderly people, only these Populus euphratica are left. Seeing him coming out, Yan Xun didn't look back, he handed over several letters in his hand, Yan Xun opened them one by one, and looked carefully, the three letters were not long, but Yan Xun spent more than half an hour reading them.Finally, he put the letter away and handed it to Ah Jing, "Do as she says." Ah Jing's face was flushed, as if he had been discovered by someone for being a thief. He was silent for a while, and finally said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, will the girl be overwhelmed with suicide? I heard her as if she was telling her last words." Yan Xun's expression remained unchanged, and he gave Ah Jing and Chu Qiao the same answer: "No." "Then..." Ah Jing asked again: "Why do you want the girl to be charged with murdering Zhuge Yue? Not to mention the dead men of Zhuge's family will retaliate wildly, and the girl will love you too?" "Hate me?" Yan Xun's voice rose, and when he heard this, he smiled and said flatly, "That's better than death." Ah Jing was slightly taken aback, he seemed to understand something in a trance, but he didn't understand it completely, and he asked again: "Your Majesty, will it be okay if we just take a dead body to deceive Daxia and Zhuge's family? We took it away." their ransom." Yan Xun didn't answer him, but stretched out his hand, pointed at the vast snowy field in front of him, and said slowly, "Ah Jing, do you know why Yunbi is not marked on the map of Yanbei?" Ah Jing didn't know why he suddenly asked this, he shook his head: "I don't know." "Because it's useless here," Yan Xun said in a low tone, coldly: "This place is too small, with jagged rocks, it can't be cultivated, and it can't be used as a pasture. It is bad, there will be snow disasters in winter, the geographical location is remote, even the Quan Rong people will not come here to plunder, whether it is military or economic, it is a burden for Yanbei, and it is useless, so even the map It’s not marked here anymore.” He smiled coldly, with a low voice, and turned his head slowly: "To Zhuge's family, Yunbi's existence is only a shame and a burden to Yanbei. To a reckless and reckless person, And the imperial general who died not on the battlefield, but because of his obsession with a woman, what do you think will happen to him? It’s too late for the Zhuge family to separate themselves from him, so who will collect his body?” Ah Jing suddenly realized, and said: "Oh, no wonder His Majesty wants to use the girl as a cover, so it turns out that his ambition is for Zhuge's family." Yan Xun looked into the distance expressionlessly, and said slowly: "Zhuge Yue's death is just the beginning, Zhuge Clan, Zhao Che, General Le Xing, and Meng Tian who recommended him at the beginning will all be affected by this matter, everyone Isn’t Xia in chaos? Zhao Qi is dead, Zhao Song can’t be helped, Wei Clan and Zhao Yang’s forces are too weak, I might as well help them, only when Da Xia’s interior is unstable can my country survive Be safe." Ah Jing was speechless in a daze, he stood there, the wind was blowing on his face, he looked a little dazed. "Ah Jing, don't always compete with Cheng Yuan." Yan Xun looked at him, frowned and said lightly: "You are no longer an assassin and killer of a civil organization. The Yanbei Eastern Expedition is coming soon, and you are my confidant. Playing politics , you must have a means and attitude to play politics. Many people need to be sacrificed. If you can't see this, then you will always be like those unrealistic delusions of the big peers, and be a lifetime yellow Liang Meimeng, but she will never taste the taste of power in her life." Yan Xun turned his head, not to look at Ah Jing's dull expression, he didn't say a word, although lions are ferocious and useful, they are hard to control, sometimes, he just needs a pack of dogs. As for Ah Chu, she will always understand that killing Zhuge Yue is imperative, and setting up this trap in her name is also a helpless move. Firstly, Zhuge Yue is difficult to get along with, and it is really difficult to control him without extraordinary means. Secondly, He really needs the follow-up effect of this matter, and when Da Xia falls apart because of this matter, she will naturally understand that he is right. As for her feelings for Zhuge Yue, Yan Xun scoffed, he was not afraid when he was alive, how could he be afraid of a dead person?She just lost her temper and felt sad for two days as usual. Time will dilute everything, but he has plenty of time. Ah Jing was silent, thought for a while, and suddenly asked: "Your Majesty, the girl is very sad, why don't you go in and see her?" "I don't have time. I'm going to close it tonight. Zhao Che has been here long enough. It's time for him to go home and have a look." After Yan Xun finished speaking, he left. Ah Jing stood where he was, watching Yan Xun get on his horse and go farther and farther under the escort of the imperial guards. In a daze, he suddenly remembered what he had said to himself in the Holy Gold Palace a long time ago A word that has passed. At that time, I advised him to focus on the overall situation, but he turned his head and asked himself, "If there is no Ah Chu, why would I want Yanbei?" He remembered that sentence clearly, and it still echoes in his ears until today, but now, has His Majesty forgotten this sentence?Maybe he hasn't forgotten that Yanbei has never been taken seriously by him. His heart is too big and his wisdom is too high. His eyes are looking at the whole world. Ah Jing lowered her head, she didn't know right from wrong, maybe from the day he followed him, she was already destined to have what she is today. He turned around and walked towards Wei Wu's office. For some reason, his previously tall and straight back was slightly bent, as if something was pressing on his body, making him unable to walk straight anymore. Chu Qiao rested for five days, and finally recovered completely. Zisu talked with her all day long, talking about their childhood, and talking about the parents and relatives she had never met.Zisu is married, and her husband is a military officer. I saw her receive a letter yesterday. Seeing her happy face, she seems very satisfied. These few days Chu Qiao is very normal, eat well, take medicine well, and when she is not sleeping, she still does some stretching exercises in the yard. She was seriously ill before, and her cheeks became thinner, but now she is getting better. It's just that his complexion is still pale.Jing Zisu was very strange. She secretly looked at it at night, but found that although she was lying there, she didn't close her eyes at all. She often kept her eyes open until dawn, without sleep all night. Today is the New Year, and the battle for closing the pass was over three days ago. The Holy Golden Palace hurriedly sent eight gold medals to recruit Zhao Che to return to the capital. Zhao Che had no choice but to withdraw his troops. Yan Xun took the opportunity to attack Yanming Pass. But Daxia also paid more than 50,000 casualties, which can be regarded as a big gift to Yanbei before the New Year. Yan Xun came back one day early, and Yunbi suddenly became the place where Emperor Yanbei celebrates the New Year. The local officials were all excited as if they had been beaten to death. In the morning, Jing Zisu brought new clothes, which were bright red and embroidered with hundreds of lilies, which looked auspicious and festive.Chu Qiao looked uncomfortable, felt that the color was like blood, spreading little by little, and she was unwilling to touch it with her fingertips. Everything has been arranged, the news should be sent out, and Shang Shen also entrusted Mr. Wu. As for the Xiuli Army, there is no future with her. Mr. Wu and Miss Yu are the backbone of the Great Brotherhood, and they are taboo by Yan Xun, so it is inconvenient The only way to be in charge of the army is to be entrusted to the daughter of Yanbei who also has the blood of the Yan family. She is the lord of Yanbei, and with the Huoyun Army in hand, she should be able to give the Xiuli Army a good future. There is no need to stay in this place any longer. When Yan Xun came in, the room was already empty, everything was as usual, tidy and clean. He vaguely remembered the night when he and Zhao Chun'er got engaged, and his heart suddenly went cold. It wasn't unexpected, but he also held a glimmer of hope. Maybe she figured it out?Maybe she doesn't blame herself anymore?After all, they have been together for almost ten years, and she has always been so tolerant to him. No matter what he did, she can forgive him.He once gave up the envoy of Southwest Township, Yanbei, killed her subordinates, suspected her of ostracizing her, didn't she leave him?It's just a Zhuge Yue, just a Zhuge Yue, even if Ah Chu is grateful to him, how can it compare to the friendship he has had with her for ten years? Maybe they just need to talk, as long as he speaks out his thoughts openly and honestly, she should be able to understand him.Even if she is angry, sooner or later her anger will dissipate. At worst, let her come back to lead the army. Now that the overall situation is settled, there is nothing to worry about. He didn't know why he was so unsteady. In the past few days, he had repeatedly comforted himself in his heart hundreds of times, but at this moment, seeing the neat and tidy house, he suddenly panicked. He ran out in a hurry. The sleeve scraped off a small thing on the desk, only heard a snap, and the crisp sound reached his ears, Yan Xun lowered his head, only to see a pure white jade ring fell to the ground under the dim light, It has been broken into many petals, faintly reflecting the candlelight, slightly dazzling. Yan Xun stood there in a daze, looking at the ring, suddenly remembered what Achu said that day: "If Zhuge Yue dies in Yanbei, I will never forgive you." i will never forgive you... forever…… "Yue'er?" Jing Zisu pushed open the door, ran in happily and shouted, "Come out with me to watch the lanterns!" Suddenly seeing Yan Xun who was stunned on the spot, Zisu knelt down and kowtowed in fright. She didn't hear Yan Xun's voice for a long time, and raised her head carefully, but saw the man standing there upright, with a lonely face, as if Thick fog, lingering. Chu Qiao was walking on the street, leading a horse, wearing a very ordinary blue cloak, surrounded by joyous crowds, brightly lit lanterns, bright clothes, and children running back and forth with lanterns. Those lanterns are very exquisitely made, there are dragons, phoenixes, tigers, carps, white plums and tall trees, Donghai birthday stars, puppies, chicks, well-behaved cats, and cute rabbits... There were fireworks in the sky, and the whole street was filled with a strong smell of wine, decorated with lights, street vendors were still hawking, and there were rows of colorful lantern riddles on both sides, and on the far ice rink, there were driving The people with the lanterns on the dry boats are dancing the new year dance, playing the suona beamingly. So many people passed by Chu Qiao, no one stopped to look at her, people were holding hands, husbands were holding wives, wives were holding children, children turned their heads to greet grandma, grandma even helped the old grandpa, everyone They have families and relatives. On this festive day, they walked out of their poor homes and came to the bustling streets to celebrate this rare festival with smiles on their faces. "Ah Chu, I have never said these words to you, I only say these words once, you have to listen carefully. I want to thank you, thank you for being with me in hell for so many years, thank you for being the darkest day of my life Thank you for standing by my side for not abandoning me. Without you, Yan Xun would be nothing. He would have died in a snowy night eight years ago. Ah Chu, I won’t say these words anymore, I I will use my whole life to make up for it. There are some things that we don’t need to say between us. We should understand each other. Ah Chu belongs to Yan Xun, but mine alone. I will protect you and take you away. I took you away eight years ago. You never intend to let go of your hand." "Yan Xun, I have never had a hometown. It is because of you that I regard your hometown as my own." "Ah Chu, trust me." Believe me, I will protect you, take care of you, not let you get hurt, not let you suffer a little grievance, believe me, I will make you happy, believe me... Tears poured out of Chu Qiao's eyes line by line, without a sound, just fell silently, rolled over her pointed face, slid over her thin chin, the cold wind blew over, like a thin knife, then pain.She led the horse and walked slowly. Everything in the past was scattered in front of my eyes, and that stalwart and tall body finally shattered into many pieces, flying lightly like light goose feathers. Suddenly, the big clock at midnight was struck, and a group of children ran up and bumped into her body. A little girl fell to the ground and broke the lantern in her hand. It was a small fish. Very similar, white, red eyes, it looks like a rabbit, with a gold ingot drawn on its stomach.Holding the broken lamp, the child began to cry, crying louder and louder, Chu Qiao stopped in a daze, then squatted down, reached out to wipe her tears, and took out a certain amount of money from her bosom to give her. At this moment, there was a deafening sound of firecrackers. The time to watch the New Year passed, and every household lit up firecrackers. The child was taken aback, foolishly forgot to cry, covered his ears and yelled excitedly. Chu Qiao seemed to have been punched suddenly by an invisible giant, and her face turned pale in an instant. "If you dare to die, I will chase you to the Palace of the King of Hades! Remember?" The man turned his head, raised his eyebrows, and scolded in a vicious voice. She raised her head angrily: "If you die, I will set off a hundred firecrackers to celebrate that I don't have to remember to pay you back." The sound of firecrackers became louder and louder, crackling in a row, Chu Qiao burst into tears suddenly, and the images hidden in her memory that she tried to suppress burst out again like a mountain torrent, and the heart-piercing pain instantly disappeared. The attack wiped out her calmness and self-control. "You...what's the matter with you?" The child was frightened by her, and shouted loudly amidst the sound of firecrackers: "Don't cry, I don't need you to pay for it?" The sound of firecrackers grew louder, and finally Chu Qiao couldn't bear it any longer. She knelt on the ground in the lively and festive street, covered her face, and burst into tears.