Chapter 32 Beloved

Sand, sand, sand, the rain outside is still falling.Looking at the momentum, it has been a little smaller than before.But because the conversation in the room stopped, the sound became clearer.At first glance, the sound of the rain seems very monotonous and dull; however, if you listen carefully, you will find that it is not the case.Due to the fact that the raindrops are sometimes big and sometimes small, the wind force they are subjected to when they fall is strong and sometimes weak, and the objects and places that are finally splashed are different, resulting in extremely complicated and rich changes.Fang Yizhi can be said to be well versed in the wit of this.In the past, when he encountered this kind of weather in his spare time between official duties and studies, drinking tea and listening to the rain became a pleasure for him.At this moment, he couldn't help but tilt his ears.However, just for a moment, all kinds of considerations about this return to the south once again occupied his mind.He began to think: Maybe everything is his own worry.After finding Yu Huai, ask about the situation, if there is nothing, then he will go to meet his friends and have a good story.Then, spend another two or three days to write down in detail what I experienced and heard during the fall of Beijing, and report it to the Secretary of General Administration.If he can reach Jian Guo smoothly, he might be summoned again. "By the way, if Jian Guo asks about my future employment plans, how should I answer? Could it be that I still go back to the Imperial Academy? No, don't go back to that kind of right and wrong place! The bitterness and sap of family struggles these years, I It’s enough to learn enough! It’s better to invite Ying to join the army and go to battle to kill thieves. Even a corpse shrouded in horse leather is more enjoyable than living in deep shoes! Well, if the Northern Expedition is successful and Shenjing is restored, maybe I can still meet my lost wife and children See you." Fang Yizhi's heart ached again as he thought of his family members who were abandoned by him in Beijing and whose life and death were uncertain.He still remembered that on the night when he decided to escape alone, his wife dragged her young son, kneeling in front of him, crying so sadly.At first, his wife begged him to stay and not to abandon their mother and son.Later, seeing that he was determined to go, she grabbed the sharp knife on the table and stabbed it hard in the chest, crying and saying that she would die before him, so as not to suffer and humiliate in the future.It was he who struggled to take the knife away, repeatedly persuaded and enlightened her, and ordered her to live on no matter what, to raise her son, maybe there will be a day when they will meet again in the future. ... "Now, I finally came back alive. But what about them? How did they live this month? If there were no accidents, they should still be alive. But once the thieves find out that I am missing, they will definitely come to pursue me. Then..." Fang Yizhi didn't dare to think about it anymore.His heart constricted in pain, the blood in his body was rushing wildly, his head was also roaring, and his two legs seemed to no longer belong to him, and he just moved mechanically, faster and faster... …

"Master Fang, Master Fang!" A woman's excited voice sounded beside her ears.Fang Yizhi looked back furiously, and when he saw a fat face covered in makeup and a pair of protruding eyes like goldfish, he rushed to his lips with a stern reprimand: "Bastard, what are you yelling about!" However, In an instant, he came to his senses, "Well, this is the madam, and now I am in Hanxiuzhai, at her home!" He thought, then bit his lips tightly and stopped. "Hey, Master Fang, it's all right, Ten Niang is back!" The madam reported with a smile on her face, obviously not aware of the strange expression on the guest's face, "The concubine asked her to come to see Master Fang immediately, but that girl insisted on saying this You can't see anyone, you must go into the house and change your clothes before you come out!"

"By the way, there is another Li Shiniang!" Fang Yizhi thought with a wry smile, "Since I have entered this door, how can I not be recognized as a prostitute? Whether it is true or false, I have to deal with it anyway! So, he slowly raised his head, tried his best to suppress the miserable thoughts in his heart, went back to the chair without saying a word, and sat down. Although the two courtesans said they were changing clothes, it took another half an hour before there was the slight sound of skirts swaying from behind the screen.After waiting for a while just now, Fang Yizhi's emotions finally calmed down gradually because the madam was talking with her all the time.He turned his face towards the screen coldly, feeling as if his eyes were bright, the tall and tall Li Shiniang came out slowly holding a white sunflower fan with green gauze lined with gold trim.Followed by her younger sister Li Meijie.It seems that they not only changed their clothes, but also took a bath, re-applied their faces with makeup and powder, painted their eyebrows, and even carefully selected the accessories on their heads, so they looked extraordinarily fresh, charming and radiant.The sisters of Han Xiuzhai have long been famous in the Qinhuai River area, especially Li Shiniang, who is quite familiar with Fang Yizhi.In the past, in Fang Yizhi's eyes, this weak and sickly beauty was not necessarily more to his appetite than famous prostitutes like Gu Mei, Sha Cai, and Ge Nun.However, perhaps because he has been in a state of extreme tension, panic and embarrassment for the past two months, and what he has experienced and heard are all wars, prisons, blood and death. It seems like a lifetime away.Now, once facing such a charming and beautiful woman, and feeling the warm atmosphere enveloping him closely, for a moment, he even felt a little dazzled, and couldn't help being stunned.

"Master Fang, all blessings..." The two famous prostitutes folded their sleeves at their waists, bowing gracefully. "Oh, that's all, that's all!" Fang Yizhi suddenly came back to his senses, and hurriedly responded, then stood up and returned the salute. "When did Master Fang arrive? The sisters of the slave family don't know what to do, and hope that Master Fang will forgive you for being negligent!" Li Shiniang opened her lips lightly, expressing her apology first.As a well-trained sister from the old hospital, she always speaks softly and slowly, which makes people feel an indescribably comfortable feeling.

Fang Yizhi gave a "hmm" without answering; at the same time, he clearly felt that a long-suppressed desire was awakening in his heart, and it rose rapidly, making him a little confused and unsure. "Ah, what's wrong with me? How could it be like this?" He wondered angrily.Resisting the temptation, he forced himself to look away from the faces of the two courtesans, to escape their eager gaze. "Hey, why didn't Master Fang say anything? Could it be that he was really angry?" Sister Li Mei came up with a smile flickering on her cheek.Her voice is clear and crisp, but equally pleasant.

Fang Yizhi glanced at her: "Hmph, if they knew that I am not just an abandoned woman with an uncertain future, but also a pauper relying on friends to help me, I probably wouldn't have such a face!" As soon as the painful thought flashed, he immediately calmed down, so he leaned back in the chair and said lightly: "The lower official just arrived in Liudu today. I didn't dare to visit you immediately. I just stopped by to ask about the whereabouts of Mr. Yu Danxin. What is the crime of the two young ladies?" "Ah yo!" The two girls yelled in unison, "Master Fang is refusing to forgive the slave sisters by saying so!"

Fang Yizhi stopped answering, just shook his head solemnly. "Then," Li Shiniang half-covered her mouth with a white sunflower fan, and said with a smile, her slender eyes flickering, "Master Fang has to change what he said just now, and change it to: 'I made a special trip to visit my sisters, and inquire about it by the way. Yu Xianggong's whereabouts, can you make it?" Fang Yizhi frowned.Naturally, he understands the entanglement of such sweet and soft words, it is nothing more than to create a bone-crushing atmosphere.And such an atmosphere is essential for making the next transaction.Right now, although he has no intention of doing business, firstly, he came here to ask for something from the other party, and secondly, he didn't want to appear too blunt and old-fashioned, so as to lose his old style and demeanor.So he responded with a slight smile, deliberately shook his head and said:

"What the lower official said just now is the truth. If you change it like this, wouldn't you become a liar? Hehe, you can't do it, you can't do it!" "Then, after all, Master Fang still refuses to forgive the sisters of the slave family!" Sister Mei pouted her lips and acted coquettishly.She is a few years younger than Li Shiniang, with a pair of lovely flexible eyes, "Mom, look, what can I do!" She turned her head and asked the madam for help. This is actually a signal, implying that the performance of this scene is almost the same, and it can be transferred to the next scene.The madam naturally understood, immediately waved her hand and said:

"Hey, Mr. Fang is playing with you! Why do you sisters take it seriously? Well, it's getting late now, and you have had enough bickering. Why don't you clean up the banquet and accompany Fang well?" It is serious to drink a few cups, master!" From the moment he learned of Li Shiniang's return, Fang Yizhi secretly considered how to deal with this expected embarrassing situation.Given his noble status in the past, it is natural for the master to arrange this way, and it is not necessarily possible to receive this kind of reception if he is an ordinary visitor.But today's Fang Yizhi is far from being comparable to the past.As a completely bankrupt fugitive, he couldn't even afford a table of drinks.Right now the clothes on his body are fairly glamorous, and there are still seven or eighty taels of silver hidden in the cage, but it is all a gift from Maoxiang, and he may have to rely on it for his living expenses in the next few days.Under such circumstances, Fang Yizhi no longer has the vigor and courage to spend a lot of money to show off his arrogance and extravagance like in the past.However, it seemed difficult and painful for him to admit this openly and frankly, especially in front of this kind of woman!Therefore, he secretly made up his mind to try to resolutely evade all arrangements that might be blackmailed by the other party, but without losing face.With years of familiarity with various ways in Fengyuechang, Fang Yizhi is confident that it is not difficult to do this.So, as soon as the madam said that there was going to be a banquet, he immediately nodded:

"Should, should! I have been separated from the two young ladies for two years, and I am lucky to meet you today. I just need to have a drink and talk to satisfy my thirst!" After finishing speaking, he frowned again and pretended to be embarrassed: "It's just that I just arrived in Liudu today, and I still have a lot of mundane affairs to take care of. After the meeting, Mr. Yu will leave. It's too hasty to say that. Let's do this, the kindness of the two young ladies, I will remember it for the time being when I am an official today, but I will come to respectfully accept it another day, how about it?"

"Ah, that's impossible!" the madam exclaimed pretending to be surprised, "Master Fang is a distinguished guest whom we have known for many years, and today he walked thousands of miles back to Liudu, and he was the first one to visit Shi Niang. The great kindness is enough for ten mothers to use for a lifetime! If you don't even eat two glasses of beer wine, you will let Master Fang go. Even if the concubine says yes, others will say no! In the future, if this word is spread outside, my mother-in-law Where do you put your old face?" Li Shiniang's madam is naturally not an idle person. These few words are both humble and beautiful, and she especially pulls out the reaction from the outside to help her. Fang Yizhi chokes Fang Yizhi all of a sudden, opens her mouth twice, but says I can't speak. Sister Li Mei saw it from the side, and smiled obediently to help: "Master Fang came here after a long time. Could it be that he just drank a cup of tea and left us sisters in the heart?" This question reminded Fang Yizhi, and he quickly grasped the point and said, "That's right, I'm here today, and I don't think about anything else but a good tea from Hanxiuzhai! As for the banquet—no I told the two young ladies that a few days ago, in Danyang, Xiaguan happened to meet Mr. Pijiang, and a group of acquaintances. Nausea. I can't bear to leave the two ladies behind, but it's better to drink tea, so let's save the banquet for another day!" After a pause, he saw the three women looking at me and you, but they didn't speak. He raised the teacup in his hand and said loudly pretending to be bold: "Besides, what's the interest in two or three people drinking in a deserted manner?" If the two young ladies are interested, wait for the officials to invite Chen Xianggong, Wu Xianggong and a group of friends, and then invite Bian Saisai, Li Xiangjun, Zhang Yanzhu, Sheng Zhongwen, just above the river house, Set up ten seats and eight seats. At that time, wouldn't it be more enjoyable to drink him and get drunk? Hahahaha!" Just now, he pushed back and forth and refused to set up a table, which obviously aroused the suspicion of the madam, but after such a bluff, the madam's round face, which was originally a bit gloomy, suddenly smiled again. "Since it's like that," she said flatteringly, "then, the concubine doesn't dare to force her. But, at that time, Mr. Fang, don't forget Shi Niang and Sister Mei!" "Oh, no, definitely not!" Fang Yizhi shook his hands and said briskly and loudly.He was originally a curious, optimistic, playful person, especially in this kind of romantic scene, where everything was just acting on the occasion, so he didn't feel that there was anything wrong with doing so; , frightened the old procuress back, feeling secretly proud. "Hmph, what kind of person is my Fang, could he capsize in this kind of place!" He thought proudly.Just about to bluff a few more words to make the other party more convinced, at this moment, Li Shiniang, who had been silent all this time, suddenly turned her face and said to the madam: "Mother, isn't Master Fang looking for Mr. Yu? Why hasn't the bustard returned for a long time?" This sentence naturally implies that there is no need for the madam to stay here any longer, so as not to hinder her from receiving guests.The madam understood immediately, and quickly agreed: "Then, I'll take a look!" After finishing speaking, he politely asked Fang Yizhi to sit down, and then hurriedly left the main room. "Sister," Li Shiniang looked at Sister Li Mei next to her again, "Yu Xianggong is coming soon, look at the makeup on your face, it's gone, go and get it done, don't let Yu Xianggong see the joke!" "Oh, is that so?" Sister Li Mei was slightly taken aback, as if she wanted to say, why did the makeup just fade away?But when she rolled her eyes, she understood a little bit, so she smiled slyly and said, "Okay, here is my sister accompanying Master Fang, my sister is not afraid of being rude!" Fang Yizhi watched Sister Mei's back, and couldn't help wondering, it was natural for the madam to leave while the sister was with the guests, but why did this one get sent away? "Well, is it because I refused to hold a banquet that I deliberately downgraded to fail?" He thought unhappily.Looking at Li Shiniang who had already sat on the stool, his eyes turned cold.Ten Niang seemed to guess what he was thinking, and quickly explained: "Oh, she's only going in for a while, and she'll come out right away, so please Master Fang Haihan!" "Well, with a young lady to accompany you, your wish to be dismissed from office is already fulfilled. Since Sister Mei has something to do, there is no need to rush her!" Fang Yizhi said a lot. "It's just that the slave's family has something to ask, and I hope Master Fang will agree." "Oh, I don't know what the little lady has to teach?" Fang Yizhi couldn't help becoming vigilant again when he found the other party's expression was abnormal. Li Shiniang didn't answer, she reached out from her sleeve and took out a sweat towel wrapped in a small bag, put it on her knees, untied the knot, and took out a pearl flower from it. "This, I wonder if Master Fang still recognizes it?" She asked, and handed it over. Fang Yizhi glanced at her, caught it hesitantly, and held it in front of his eyes for a closer look.He found that it was a pretty pearl flower—five pearls, shining brightly, on a small leafy receptacle woven of gold silk.One of them was as big as half a peanut, and the other four were about the same size as soybeans.In terms of value, it is estimated that it can be worth fifty or sixty taels of silver. "Well, this is—" Although Fang Yizhi felt a little familiar, Fang Yizhi couldn't remember where he had seen it before, so he raised his head and looked at him suspiciously. "This is Master Fang's stuff! Don't Master Fang recognize it?" Li Shiniang reminded. "Ah, my stuff?" "Yes, yes, why did Mr. Fang forget? That time five years ago, when Jiang Xianggong was staying here, Mr. Fang and Sun Xianggong suddenly came in at night..." Li Shiniang said eagerly, her oval pink face immediately flushed. Get flushed. Fang Yizhi blinked, and finally remembered: At that time, Jiang Gai from Laiwu fell in love with Li Shiniang, and hid in Hanxiu Zhai for a whole month.He and his brother-in-law Sun Lin wanted to play a joke on Jiang Gai, so they climbed over the wall and entered Li Shiniang's house in the middle of the night. After rolling out, they knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, and called out, "Don't hurt the ten mothers!" Later, when the jokes were enough, they laughed and showed their true colors. It was at the banquet that night that he gave this pearl flower to Li Shiniang, saying it was to scare her... "It's all in the past, why show me?" Because the more he recalled the extravagance and indulgence in the past, the more he thought of the deplorable situation today, Fang Yizhi's face darkened again. "I want to, I want to return it to the master." "what?" "Maybe, sir, it might be of use, I think." Li Shiniang's voice was very soft when she spoke, and she seemed timid.However, Fang Yizhi seemed to have been slapped suddenly, blood rushed to his face, and his eyes widened due to rage.He squeezed the pearl flower in his hand, intending to throw it straight at Li Shiniang's face.However, when he came into contact with the other party's pitiful and beseeching eyes, he temporarily changed his mind, laughed loudly, and said: "Why, do you think that the lower official just refused to hold a banquet, but really can't afford the expenses? Let me tell you, the lower official is not that poor, and the lower official has plenty of money! The lower official..." "Master Fang, don't say it anymore, don't say it!" Li Shiniang stopped excitedly, her eyes suddenly filled with crystal tears, "Although this slave is a low-quality fireworks, I don't know much about world affairs, but I also know that Master is lucky to come back this time." How difficult it is! You must have suffered so much and endured so much! Although the master didn’t say anything, but the master’s face and appearance are seen by the slaves, and it hurts my heart... This bead flower was originally given by the master. For the slave. The slave also knows that the master will never take it back, so I just ask the master to hold it for a while, and give it to the slave again in front of the mother later—oh, maybe Sister Mei will come out I'm done, I won't say anything anymore, I'll just be a slave and beg the master once, and I beg the master to agree!" She knelt down hastily as she spoke. At the beginning of Li Shiniang's speech, Fang Yizhi still had a tense face, burning with anger because he felt insulted, but gradually his anger subsided.On the contrary, the true feelings shown by this prostitute made him more and more surprised and ashamed.After Li Shiniang finished speaking, he couldn't help feeling hot and his eyes were slightly moist. He quickly took a step forward, gently helped her up, and said in a low voice: "Okay, the next official agrees. It's tidal here, get up quickly!" After he settled Li Shiniang on the stool, he looked at her with a deep and new look, and thought to say a few words of his own.However, at this moment, through the rain curtain outside the door, Yu Huai's excited call came: "Secret, secret! Where are you?" So, Fang Yizhi had no choice but to let go of Li Shiniang for the time being, wrapped up the bead flower in a hurry, stuffed it into his bosom, then gathered himself together, and turned around...