Chapter 2 Chapter Two Shun

Thinking of this, Tianshou decided to leave.Although I saved this woman in ignorance, since the marriage is harmful, I should stop it as soon as possible.Tianshou decided to go far, far away.When he was sitting on the steps putting on his shoes, he heard the sound of vomiting in the room, and he couldn't help running in again.Pu Neiren was covering her mouth with her undershirt, trying not to spit it out. "Don't cover your mouth! Spit it out to survive!" Tianshou put the bowl he had prepared in front of Pu Neiren, and patted her on the back to help her vomit the poison.The black liquid surged out like a mountain, it was unbelievable, how could such a thin body hold so much.

After a long time like this, Pu Neiren finally regained his composure. "I... lie down..." The badly wounded lips have not yet healed, so every word is difficult to utter.Tianshou made a gesture to show that he understood what she meant, and then bent down to help her lie down.At this time, he saw a piece of white paper falling on the mattress, so he picked it up and handed it to Pu Neiren.Pu Nairen's face suddenly turned pale as paper. Pu Neiren unfolded the paper with trembling hands, her sunken eyes filled with tears.The handwriting on the paper was very scribbled, as if it was written in the imperial dining room, and the ink might be octopus ink or Coprinus comatus.

Minyi: With the vial in my hand that will kill you, I don't know what to do. I first thought of fine grass leaves, which can detoxify the poison of Fuzi decoction, so I found some in the imperial dining room. If you die, I don't ask your forgiveness.If you survive, you must firmly remember my instructions. They say you committed adultery with another prisoner, I absolutely don't believe it. Although I have no way of knowing the details of the incident, one thing is certain, if you appear in front of them again, you will definitely lose your life.No matter what happens, don't come back.

Don't think about going back to the palace, the farther you can escape, the better. I can only send you away helplessly, you can hate me, no matter where you are, as long as you are still alive, you must live well. After reading the letter, Ming Yi was in a daze, shedding tears.Tianshou went outside to evade, neither to leave nor to stay, standing there in a dilemma.A beautiful woman holding a letter full of sorrow, I am afraid there is no more heart-wrenching scene in the world. That night, the kerosene lamp in the room was dim, and the light embedded the woman's figure into the window paper, and the shadow danced faintly, all night long.

Tianshou tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep all night.As soon as Dongfang showed his fish belly, he couldn't wait to run to the soup pot.It would be a bad thing if he fainted from his already severely weakened body coupled with sadness.She cried so sadly that she might have left long ago.If only that was the case.Thinking that the woman might have left, an inexplicable sense of loss appeared in a corner of his heart. Tianshou stood in front of the door with a medicine bowl in his hand, his heart was beating up and down. "Can I go in?" "Please come in." The woman neither passed out nor left.The voice from the other side of the door was unexpectedly calm.

Ming Yi stood up to greet Tianshou.She changed into a peasant woman's skirt and gown, which may have been given to her by the master.The hair that is rolled up on the top of the head and the exposed forehead are very dignified.The lips were broken and swollen very high, and the blood stains on them were faintly discernible, but an innate noble temperament could not be concealed no matter what. Panicked, Tianshou held the medicine bowl in his hand but didn't dare to sit down, and didn't dare to look her in the face, lingering like ants on a hot pot. "Please sit down."

Tianshou sat down on the floor dawdly.The sweat-stained bedding was gone. "You saved my life and I don't know how to express the gratitude in my heart." Ming Yi seemed to be making a big salute.Tianshou stood up abruptly. "You must not do this." Ming Yi saluted Tianshou silently, and Tianshou, who was frightened and frightened, also returned the salute. "I have nothing to repay your great kindness, please forgive me." "You have to hurry up and recover. Your body and mind must have been severely traumatized." "I will always remember your kindness. I will take my leave first."

"I'm afraid it's too early to go now." "I can't stay here and continue to trouble you, I should go." "where are you going?" Ming Yi smiled faintly, but did not speak. "I'm not prepared at all, why..." "Is there anything to prepare for? If there is a way to walk, if there is no way, then find a way." "A woman's family is in poor health, and the road will be very dangerous." "Anyway, they are people who have died once. What else should I be afraid of? Since I have nothing to fear, I can live with empty hands."

Tianshou lived in fear for fourteen years, and finally decided to leave.Now after hearing Ming Yi's words, he couldn't help being speechless, wondering if she was free and easy or self-defeating.Is fear not human instinct?It's better to stop her first. "Since you believe you have nothing, it's even more dangerous. People are evil." "Your worry about me, together with the previous kindness, I will always keep in mind, and I will never forget it." After speaking, Ming Yi resolutely set out on the road. Tianshou stood blankly, there was no way to stop her, he could only watch the woman's back drift away, the purple thick band on the braid was dazzling red in the green mountain scenery.

"The third woman, she killed you..." The Taoist priest's voice stopped Tianshou's footsteps. "In order to survive, should I just watch this poor woman leave alone?" A woman doesn't leave because of something, she leaves because she can't stay here. "The second woman, you saved her, but she died because of you." Let her go like this, maybe she will encounter disaster and lose her life.She is penniless and has nowhere to go. The long journey is too dangerous for her. Thinking of this, Tianshou chased along the path the woman had walked, moving deftly and quietly, like the shadow of a woman.Tianshou intends to follow him like a shadow from a distance until the woman finds a place to stay.

Mingyi came to a place not far from the canyon where he fainted, and bowed deeply.Trying to figure out the direction, she vaguely saw the roof of the palace.After saluting, Ming Yi felt infinitely lost and stared at the direction of the palace for a long time.The little gown she was wearing was very simple, and she didn't look like a person who traveled far.At this time, a gust of wind blew by.Tianshou was peeking not far away, and a violent wind blew in his heart. Tianshou thought she would just stay there, but she didn't expect her to be on the road soon.The wind is getting stronger and stronger.Tianshou smelled the rain. It was dark before they got out of the mountain.To make matters worse, it so happened that a thunderstorm began at this time.Mingyi quickened his pace.The road under his feet was extremely muddy, and it was quite difficult to walk in the small palace shoes.In the dark night, there is no moon and no stars, and there is still no one who has gone far. As if caught by a tree root, Ming Yi, who was walking in front, fell down.But she didn't even hum, stood up silently, and wiped her sleeves. But Tianshou almost didn't cry out.Seeing one of Mingyi's shoes sinking into the mud, he wanted to pull the shoe out of the mud with his own hands and put it on for her.Thinking of this, his fingers trembled.He really wanted to run forward immediately, pick her up on his back, and run down the mountain in one breath.However, Tianshou did not do so.Every time he wanted to rush up, the Taoist priest's words would ring in his ears. "The second woman, you saved her, but she died because of you." Obviously can help, but can't do so, can only watch on the sidelines, this is more painful than being unable to help, this is the first time Tianshou has this feeling in his life.The rain has not become smaller or bigger, and it is still vigorously falling.Ming Yi's body trembled in the darkness, and Tianshou, who was also in the darkness, even felt her trembling. As if he couldn't hold on any longer, Mingyi looked around for a long time, and finally found an oak tree with a sunken bird's nest underneath.It was as if the tree could hold the shrinking woman in its arms and shelter her from wind and rain.Tianshou was relieved now, so he found a bush where Ming Yi could be seen and burrowed in.In this way, Tianshou spent the whole night with his eyes open. The sound of the rain penetrated into the leaves, and Tianshou's body and mind were also soaked. The next morning, when it was dawning in the east, Ming Yi was in a hurry to get on the road. Both the woman walking in front and the man following behind had not eaten for a whole day.Tianshou brought a lot of fried rice noodles in his luggage, but he couldn't eat it alone.He gradually slowed down his pace. In order not to let the sensitive Mingyi notice, he could only quench his thirst by rubbing wet leaves. "Where is this woman going?" Looking at the direction, it is not the south, it seems to be the road leading to Gangwon-do. Even if her hometown is there, it is not appropriate for her to return to her parents' house in her current state.Maybe she has no fixed destination at all. The sound of the water grew louder, and soon a small stream appeared.Mingyi moistened his throat in the stream, and then took off his shoes and socks. Fortunately, the injury on his foot was not serious.Since there is so much water in the creek, it means that there will be villages nearby.Tianshou looked around at the gradually darkening mountain scenery, just waiting for Ming Yi to get up. Where the stream meets the river, there is a brightly lit tavern.Seeing Mingyi coming in alone, the men pushing the cups and changing glasses couldn't help but cast their gazes at her.If it weren't for her proud gaze, it would be easy for people to regard her as a lowly woman. Ming Yi's eyes kept looking at the steaming soup and rice, but she couldn't keep her face, and she couldn't beg for nothing.Ming Yi observed the expression of the proprietress, and Tianshou took this opportunity to find the back door leading to the kitchen. Ming Yi found an empty seat and sat down blankly.The proprietress brought up a tray and put it in front of Ming Yi. "Please enjoy." On the tray was a bowl of porridge and a small dish of soy sauce.This kind of food is rarely served in taverns, but Mingyi has no time to think about it. "Thank you! But I don't have any money right now." "You don't have to pay." The proprietress replied sullenly, then turned around and left, refusing to leave even a polite word. Tianshou stood at the threshold of the kitchen, waiting for Ming Yi. "I have made rice porridge according to your order, please pay." The proprietress reached out and asked for money.Tianshou paid her more than enough food. "Let her stay overnight here today. When you leave tomorrow morning, go to the village cobbler and buy her a pair of strong leather shoes, and bring her something to eat. Don't mention me, and if she asks, you can tell a lie .” "Understood." In this way, day after day wasted on the road.During the day, Tianshou followed Ming Yi like a shadow.After sunset, Tianshou quietly protects Ming Yi.He followed her and kept a certain distance. If he found an obstacle, Tianshou would first go around to help her open the way.This kind of thing is not once or twice.Walking to the river without a bridge, Tianshou moved stones to cushion his feet.When encountering bandits, he blocked ten with one, no problem.Tianshou silently escorted Ming Yi, and Ming Yi's weakened internal organs gradually recovered. Finally arrived at the edge of the Lipu River, opposite to Gangwon-do.There is a street lined with taverns in Lipp Docks, and the people who come and go are away from home.Ming Yi chose one of them, and before Tianshou had time to act, she started talking to the proprietress.The two talked about three or four sentences, and Ming Yi followed the proprietress into the kitchen, and when he came out, he had an extra tray in his hand. "Miss Boss! Give each of us a bowl of rice wine." Several impatient men clamored for drinks as soon as they entered the tavern.The proprietress pushed Mingyi towards them. Tianshou was furious, but he still decided to look at the situation first.Mingyi put the food in front of those men, and was about to turn around and leave. "Where are you going, come here." "This girl looks pretty good." "Pour a glass of wine for the uncle." "Brother asked you to pour wine, didn't you hear?" It seems that these men will not let it go.Ming Yi hesitated for a while, and finally held the wine bottle in his hand.Suddenly, Tianshou rushed out desperately. Tianshou didn't care about injustice, grabbed Ming Yi's wrist and was about to leave the tavern.At this time, those men blocked their way. "What do you want to do?" "Go away!" "This guy wants to die and wants to go crazy." Before the words fell to the ground, the man's fist flew over.However, Tianshou's speed was faster, and the opponent received a punch, and immediately retreated to the back.Seeing that other people were about to rush up, Tianshou overturned the wine table and ran away. "The guy ran away." "Grab that kid!" The men chased them out.Tianshou held Ming Yi's hand tightly, and disappeared into the crowd in the blink of an eye. After completely getting rid of the pursuit, Tianshou suddenly found that Ming Yi's hand was still in his own, so he quickly let go of his hand and turned around. "You can't do that kind of thing." "..." "Your hands are not hands for that kind of thing." Mingyi didn't answer.Tianshou turned around and found that Ming Yi was crying silently. He turned around abruptly, his heart was beating wildly, he couldn't bear to watch it any longer, so he strode away with his arms shaking, as if he was angry. Ming Yi stood there, looking at the gradually widening distance between Tianshou and Tianshou, he suddenly thought of something and chased after Tianshou.The situation was reversed, now Tianshou was walking in front, and Ming Yi was following behind.Tianshou strode like flying, Ming Yi pursued closely, both of them were secretly working hard. Under the scorching sun, the two hurried on their way silently.The stones are rolling, the branches are swaying with the wind, and the faint sound of birdsong is heard occasionally. After crossing the steep hillside and reaching the top of the mountain, there is a vast flat land in front of you. On both sides of the ridge without shade, daylilies and autumn baskets are growing vigorously. When passing the ridge, Tianshou didn't look back.Although he was anxious, he knew that if he looked back, he would never be able to leave this woman in his life. Finally reached the downhill road, Tianshou ran away.For the woman's legs and feet, going down the mountain seems to be a bit difficult. Every time she takes a step, there will be the sound of rolling stones.Tianshou couldn't tell whether the sound came from his own feet or from the woman's feet, but he still ran forward frantically until he finished the mountain road and reached the flat ground.Turning a corner, there is a river, on the bank without a ferry, an old boatman is leaning on the boat and dozing. "move." Tianshou urged the boatman, and the boat moved forward slowly.The sun is shining, and countless small flowers seem to bloom on the surface of the water, shining with golden light.Tianshou suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his chest. It turned out that the waves also bloomed countless small flowers in his heart, rippling painfully. "Why do I feel like this? My heart will become a dagger that kills this beautiful girl...I can only bury her in my heart and gradually forget it as the years go by." Only then did Tianshou look back.Suddenly, his heart seemed to fall and hit the back of his foot.Ming Yi didn't get on the boat, and stood upright like a road sign, looking towards Tianshou.Mingyi stood there extremely desolately, as if she was the number one poor woman in the world. Tianshou's heart suddenly felt sad, and he couldn't tell whether it was for himself or for Ming Yi.He snatched the oar from the boatman and rowed vigorously towards Mingyi. The boatman yelled loudly, but Tianshou turned a deaf ear to it. "Because... because of me..." Tianshou stood in front of Ming Yi, out of breath, unable to speak completely.Ming Yi looked at her, the corners of his eyes blushed uncontrollably. "You live because of me, and you will die because of me." Tianshou finished speaking in one breath, and then observed Mingyi's face. "So, it's dangerous for you to be with me." "My life is no longer my own." Looking at Tianshou's face, Ming Yi said. "Please take me in." "I said, you will die because of me. Even so, are you still willing to follow me?" Mingyi stopped talking.Her peaceful gaze was like water waves, quietly drifting towards Tianshou. The sound of hammers was everywhere in the village.In the field between two thatched huts, cucumber vines climbed up the earthen wall.Greasy dishbrushes dangle gently from the eaves.The smoke from the chimney was like a white hair, floating into the sky.The sun is the size of an egg yolk, but it also emits a fiery light. The continuous sound of hammers stopped abruptly, and then there was the sound of quenching.In the smithy surrounded by a fence, a burly blacksmith was hammering something with his heart. A little girl ran down the hill and was wandering around the blacksmith's shop.This little girl is about eight years old, and her bright face is full of childishness. "father." She called out cautiously, then opened her mouth with a grin, and both front teeth fell out. "father." Hearing the urgent call, the blacksmith father knew that it was his daughter who had returned.Seeing his daughter, the father was so happy that he almost grinned from ear to ear.Tianshou, who has worked as a blacksmith for eight years, still has strong exposed shoulders. "Caught it?" Hearing her father asking herself, the girl smiled again showing her two missing teeth.She said triumphantly, "Caught it." The girl took out the thing hidden behind her, it was a rabbit that was still warm after death. "It's with those little guys again..." "Where's my mother?" At this time, the girl's mother had quietly stood behind her.Tianshou closed his grinning mouth tightly, and picked up the hammer that was put aside again. Seeing her father doing other things, the girl saw that something was wrong.Looking back, my mother was looking at me coldly. "follow me!" Mingyi said sternly.The girl cast a look of help to her father, but the father pretended not to see anything, and only focused on beating the red-hot iron. "What are you doing? I asked you to come with me..." No way, the girl had no choice but to follow behind her mother, but she still refused to let go of the rabbit in her hand.Mingyi entered the room and took out the whip. "Hurry up and show your calves!" The girl seemed to know this was the result, so she obediently showed her calf, which was already covered with scars. "Didn't I tell you that you are not allowed to play on the mountain with those boys!" The sharp whip was drawn down, and a new scar was immediately added to the child's delicate skin. "Eun Cheng must catch the rabbit..." "Encheng, isn't he the young master of the Jinshi family? Didn't I tell you not to play with the children of noble families?" The whip fell on the girl's calf again, this time it seemed to be more forceful than before.What makes the girl feel more painful is not the whipping, but the grievance. "I just want to go to school and come back right away, but Eun Sung is always pestering me." "Again... go to school again..." As soon as the words came out, the girl quickly realized that she had made a mistake.It's over this time! "Go to the school to study with others again?" "mother……" "Yes or no?" The girl nodded, and the mother's whip fell at the same time. "I told you, don't get close to the school!" The girl endured the whipping until she finally burst into tears. "En... Eun Sung and Yun... Yun Quan, they all go to school... why is it just me... why can't I go to school?" After thinking about it, the girl still felt wronged.She cried so sadly that she was a little choked up. Ming Yi had nothing to say.The child was crying so sadly that she couldn't just sit back and watch.Mingyi calmed down, pulled the child up, and held him tenderly in his arms. "Jang Jin, do you still remember what mother told you?" "Yes, Eun Sung and Yun Kwon are both young masters of noble families, and I am the daughter of the humble Baekjeong* (the most humble class in ancient Korean society)." "Yes, Bai Ding's children are not allowed to study." "Why is that, mother?" "Because Bai Ding's status is humble." "But I like reading. I'm better than Eun Sung." "That's not okay. It's only natural for noble children to read and write, and grow up to be an official. If Bai Ding's daughter reads, it will bring disaster to the whole family. How many times does mother have to say it before you can remember?" Having said that, Jang Geum closed his mouth.There is a genetic component of Tianshou in her character, and she is very stubborn. "In this world, nobles, middle-aged, and beloved all have their own duties, and so does Bai Ding. If Bai Ding imitates nobles, he may be killed." Ming Yi also worried about whether such words were too cruel for a child, and now that the words had been spoken, he simply made it clear.My daughter is very curious, if you don't frighten her, it's hard to guarantee that she won't cause any trouble.After hearing what his mother said, instead of being afraid, Jang Geum raised his head to look at his mother with blinking eyes. "But, mother, we are not white men." Hearing this, Ming Yi immediately felt terrified.But Jang Geum looked confident and confident, as if he took this matter as her capital to show off. "You, what did you say?" Seeing that his mother's face was completely pale, Jang Geum immediately knew that he had said something wrong again. "Again, who told you that we are not Bai Ding?" "Father... is an officer..." It was like five thunderbolts, Ming Yi only felt that his eyes were pitch black, and his usual gentleness and tranquility were no longer there. "Where did you hear that? Where?" "There... hangs my father's... military uniform and shield." Jang Geum pointed to the closet in fear and cried bitterly.Ming Yi was about to continue beating Jang Geum with a whip when the door opened and Tianshou walked in.Jang Geum still held onto the rabbit tightly, and quickly hid behind his father. "It's my fault." "Sir, get out of the way." "I said, it's my fault. Jang Geum pestered me to ask what it was, and I just..." "Anyway, you can't tell this to an ignorant child?" "I made it very clear to her." "Absolutely not this time, come here!" Ming Yi's eyes widened, but Jang Geum, who was hiding behind Tianshou, was not prepared to obediently listen to his mother. "Aren't you coming here quickly?" "Ma'am, I've already said it, and I made it very clear to Jang Jin." "I will take this opportunity to teach her a lesson." Said, Ming Yi pulled Jang Geum, unexpectedly Tianshou's speed was even faster, he picked up Jang Geum, and smiled apologetically at Ming Yi. "Leave it to me! I'll tell her one more time, and I promise not to let it out." "Sir..." Mingyi went out with her husband.Because of her impatience, her shoes kept slipping.Mingyi was about to put his shoes on again, but at this moment, a black shadow walked into the blacksmith shop.It was Shang Gong wearing a green round shirt* (traditional Korean women's dress-translator's note). "Is anyone here?" Tianshou, who was walking out with the child on his back, stopped, and the couple immediately became tense, exchanging uneasy glances with each other. "I am Shang Yu, who is in charge of selecting the maids." Ming Yi immediately stood in front of Tianshou, bent down and said. "Yes. What are your orders..." "I walked around the neighborhood and heard that your family makes good knives, so I just stopped by to have a look." "It's such an honor." "Can I take a look?" "We usually only make to order, so we don't have any in stock. If you'd like, how about taking a look at this one that's being made?" "okay then." Tianshou was still standing at the door, neither going out nor coming in, looking panicked.Mingyi winked him out Go, Tianshou left the blacksmith shop worriedly. Coming to the stream, Tianshou put down Jang Geum and let out a heavy breath. "This time our father and I are miserable." "What's the matter, Dad?" "I broke the agreement with your mother and revealed the secret to you. It's terrible." "And me?" "Your mother found out that you knew the secret, so you are miserable too. I'm afraid you won't be able to keep your calf now." After listening to his father's words, the child also sighed.The father and daughter squatted side by side in front of the running water, as if the order had been established long ago, and the two sighed in turn. The petals of the crape myrtle flower floated on the crystal-clear stream. Chang Jin held a handful of water, and the water quickly flowed away from his fingers, leaving only the pink petals tightly attached to the palm of his hand. "what is this flower?" "It's the crape myrtle flower." "Yes, because it blooms for a long time, it is also called zinnia. If someone scratches its bark, the leaves will move, so it is also called little tickle tree." "I only have one name, why do flowers have three names?" "Flowers can have many names." "Why, Dad?" "Because flowers don't have ears." "What about that person?" "If you have several names, then when Dad calls you, you don't know what to call you, and you don't know if he is calling you, it will be very troublesome. So, I will give you a name, Jang Geum, that's what I call you." "Is this the name you and my mother agreed upon?" "Of course, father and mother discussed it." "Mom is too much." Speaking of mother, Jang Geum suddenly felt depressed. "But in father's opinion, you have gone too far. Why don't you listen to mother at all?" "Mother always won't let me do what I like to do?" After speaking, Jang Geum sighed again.Seeing the child like this, Tianshou felt both liking and pity in his heart. "You really like reading that much?" "Yes, father!" Jang Jin looked happy, and wrote a large character on the ground with his immature hands. "Heaven", what is surprising is that the word "heaven" is written neatly. "I think it's very interesting to write the character '天' in this way. Also, look, it's really amazing to write the character 'Xuan' which means black." The word "Xuan" is also well written. "Is it so magical?" "Dad, don't you think it's amazing?" "I think you are more amazing." "father!" "What's wrong?" "Father, when will you become a middle-aged man?" Jang Geum's specialty is picking words that make people speechless. "Who knows." "Only when Dad becomes a middle-aged man, can I read and write as I like, and I can also be an official. Oh, yes! Dad, you can be a master!" "Do you like someone?" "If Dad becomes a master, can't he go to China? I can also follow you to the Great Wall to see if the Great Wall is really 10,000 miles long?" Tianshou's heart was twitching, the child had so many thoughts, yet he was born in a Baiding family.Thinking of this, Tianshou felt extremely heartbroken. "Jang Geum." "Don't worry, Dad, I know." "Then tell me, what do you know?" "Don't tell anyone." "Until when?" "Until Daddy tells me I can talk now." "What if you accidentally say it out?" "Father, mother, and I will all die." Jang Jin's crystal clear eyes were full of sadness, Tianshou almost melted in this gaze, he took out the three-color tassel streamer that he had kept for a long time to give to his daughter in the future. "Is it pretty?" "Wow, it's a three-color tassel streamer!" "I'll give it to you as a gift, as a reward for your promise to Daddy." "Father! Can you really give it to me?" "Of course...the ink container, the pen holder and the knife are all on it. Since you like to read and write, Dad asked you to bring it with you. The knife is not for stabbing yourself." "What is that for?" "Don't you like stabbing everywhere? There is nothing on the mountain or in the field that you haven't stabbed. You take it with you. It will be useful in case of any emergency." "The knife is all right, but the ink and pen holders are useless." There was a hint of displeasure on the child's expression, but it passed in a flash. "But Dad, why can't the rabbit walk, but only jump around?" "Hehe, well, you should ask the rabbit directly!" "I asked." "What did the rabbit say?" "It didn't answer me. It's disobedient but I can't smack its calf. It's so frustrating." "This bad guy." "Also, father, the iron azalea grows leaves first and then blooms, but why does Jindal bloom first?" "It's because Jinda Laihua's temper is rather irritable." "Do flowers have temper too?" "Every flower has its own name, and of course it also has a temper, Jang Geum!" "Oh, Dad." "No matter what time you are, you are Jang Geum, Seo Jang Geum. Don't forget this fact!" "Father, what are you talking about?" "You only have one name, no matter whether your father is Baiding or a middle-aged man, you will always be Xu Changjin. This is an unchangeable fact. That's why you only have one name, understand?" Jang Geum nodded speciously, as if she didn't understand what her father said.No matter how smart she is, she is still a young child after all.While thinking this way, Tianshou looked at the mountains in the distance, and suddenly remembered what happened in the blacksmith shop. Tianshou stood up and picked up his daughter. "Now we should go home and see your mother." "If I order it today, when can it be finished?" Xun Yushanggong touched the knife, his eyes were cold and clear.Mingyi just wanted to get rid of her quickly. "It will take about five or six days." "Okay, make me three pocket knives." "Can you spare some time to pick it up?" "When I come back from Jinxian Valley, I will come here again." Xun Yushanggong walked out of the blacksmith shop without waiting for Ming Yi to answer.Suddenly she turned around again, squinting her eyes and asked. "Have you seen me somewhere?" "How could the servant have met Shang Gongmao?" Ming Yi tried her best to pretend nothing had happened, but her face was already red up to the ears.Fortunately, Xun Yushanggong did not continue to question. As soon as Xun Yushanggong left, Tianshou came back.Jang Geum leaned on his father's lap, quietly looked at the expression on the adult's face, and then ran away without a sound.Tianshou frowned and asked Ming Yi. "Isn't it someone you knew before?" "Yes, she left after ordering." "So she will come again." "It seems that Xianggong made a very good knife." "I should do a little worse in the future." "Really, how can you say that?" "No, I should have done almost, lest strangers should buy knives on hearsay." Tianshou answered seriously, and Ming Yi couldn't help laughing. It's time to make dinner.Tianshou's only son stayed in the blacksmith shop, and Ming Yi went into the kitchen.Jang Geum was pouring water into the bean sprouts basket, and his eyes, which were swollen from crying just now, were still red.Jang Geum concentrated on watering, and seemed to have completely forgotten about the beating just now. Mingyi pretended not to notice, walked to the pot and lit it, then put the rice on it.Ming Yi sneaked a glance at Jang Geum, seeing that Jang Geum was picking bean sprouts, Ming Yi smiled gratifiedly.Jang Geum at this time is really a young and ignorant child, even though he is Ming Yi's own child, Ming Yi still can't understand her. Shredded radish, pounded garlic, chopped green onions, and then arranged them, Ming Yi's movements were quick and skillful.For a while, the only sound in the kitchen was the brisk sound of the cutting board.Ming Yi felt that the kitchen was too quiet, so he turned to look at Jang Geum, only to find that Jang Geum was using bean sprouts to make a "heaven" character.Ming Yi's heart skipped a beat, as if it was being torn apart.We should teach her how to give up while she is not very sensible, but what should I do? "Jang Geum." The child never heard his mother calling him. "Jang Geum." "……What's wrong?" "Do you really want to learn to write?" "Yes, mother." "Starting tomorrow, mother will teach you how to write." "is this real?" "Yes, but you are not allowed to go to school again in the future." "Mom, can you also write?" "Didn't you understand what I said? The condition is that you are not allowed to go to school again!" "Yes, mother, I understand." The child answered happily, but Mingyi was still worried.When she is happy, she will definitely forget everything. "Mother's mood... Chang Jin, mother is afraid of losing you and father, you must understand mother's difficulties." "Don't worry, mother, I just don't go to school in the future, and I will hide that secret." The young child's expression was extremely resolute, and Ming Yi decided to trust her eyes. "When did mother learn to write?" The child was in high spirits and murmured happily. "Father is right. Mother can paint and make clothes, and the food that mother cooks is also the best in the world. Even if it is made of dirt, mother can make delicious food." The child's words made Ming Yi feel happy, but they also aroused anxiety deep in her heart. "Father wants me to learn from mother, and I must be like mother." That night, the kerosene lamp in Tianshou and Mingyi's room was not extinguished until very late.The ignorant Jang Geum fell asleep, and Ming Yi applied crushed herbs to her chubby calves.Because Jang Geum was beaten every now and then, his calf was left with scars of different colors. Tianshou silently looked at his wife and daughter, looking for an opportunity to speak. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault." Just by the tone of his speech, he knew how much Tianshou felt sorry for his wife.Ming Yi felt even more sad. "Since the child has seen it, she will ask questions endlessly." "Actually, I also wanted to give the child some hope before I told her." "..." "When I told her that the children of the Baiding family cannot read and write, you don't know how sad she sighed..." "Hope, I'm afraid it will become a delusion." "But you seem to have gone too far. This child's rationality is like yours, and his disregarding personality seems to be inherited from me. No one can deny the natural personality." "It's because no one can deny her natural personality, so I'm more worried." "lady." The voice of Tianshou calling his wife was full of infinite tenderness.Mingyi felt strange, so he raised his head to look at her husband, Tianshou was staring at his wife with a kind of deep eyes that he had never seen before.In normal times, as long as they look at each other for a long time, he will feel shy. "Let's forget the Taoist's prophecy. I wanted to do this a long time ago. It was just accidental that he guessed two words correctly, and the third word has nothing to do with us. Let us understand it this way." "I understand what you mean, and I hope it is true. It should be like this, and it can only be like this." His wife's response was unexpected, and Tianshou's face brightened immediately, but unfortunately, this bright expression was only for a short moment. “即使没有道士的预言，我们也要小心翼翼地生活。就算预言错了，可那些想要置我于死地的尚宫们都还活得好好的。另外我还听说当今的圣上非常暴戾，简直让人发指，有很多 人只因为说错一句话就当场毙命。废后的事情他还不知道，就已经是这个样子了，如果有奸臣把事情的来龙去脉如实禀告，到那时……” 明伊的身体剧烈颤抖，天寿也无言以对。 “我能活下来就已经是老天的恩惠了。我们不应该再给孩子留下那些没用的希望，而应该教她怎样习惯没有希望的生活。出身卑微怎么啦？能过上这样的生活，我心里已经感激不尽了。” 我们不应该再给孩子留下那些没用的希望，而应该教她怎样习惯没有希望的生活。天寿表面上静静倾听，内心深处却在大声呼喊，“不是这样的！”这样的话只能对已经没有希望的人说，并且也只有与死亡之恐惧做过斗争的人才能听懂。 长今却不是这样。孩子的希望就像芝麻叶，是斩不断，采不绝的，真是野火烧不尽，春风吹又生啊。只要它的根还扎在泥土中，只要它的茎还有阳光照射，它就永远不会停止生长。这就好像明伊，明知自己会因天寿而死，却依然紧紧追随；这又像是天寿，明知自己会牵累明伊，却还是不忍心把她放弃。尽管他救了人，而被救的人却要因他而死，所谓希望也许就是这样吧。 天寿和明伊埋头于各自的心事，长长的沉默在两人之间静静地流淌。那天夜里，夫妻两个辗转反侧，彻夜不能入眠。 又过了七个月，一口轿子悄悄抬进了仁士洪家里。夜色漆黑，伸手不见五指，仁士洪和身着素服的老妇人相对坐在外间。两人纹丝不动，互相对视，沉默在他们中间蔓延、膨胀，几乎淹没了呼吸声。 “大监*（朝鲜时代辅佐将军的武官——译者注）大人！” 急切而紧张的声音分明是一种信号，预示着苦心等待的人终于来了。 “圣上驾到！” 仁士洪猛然起身，准备迎接圣驾。谁知不等他迈步，大王已经跑了进来。祖孙二人一见面就抱头痛哭。可怜王后当年连大王的龙袍都没摸过，更没能目睹龙颜。尽管他已经成为一国之君，可一见到外婆，便立刻变成了一个缺少亲情抚慰的外孙。他那尊贵的眼泪，哗哗地流个不停。 外婆还有一个任务没有完成，她努力使自己情绪稳定，拿出了随身带来的包袱。仁士洪接过来打开，废后尹氏的遗愿终于得以实现。血迹斑驳的锦衫交到了燕山君手上。 “圣上……这……这是你母后临终前留下的血迹。她一边吐血一边嘱咐我，如果元子将来能登上王位，务必把这个交给他。她请圣上为她报这血海深仇……” 外婆放声痛哭，孙子翻了翻眼睛。 “是谁？是谁害死了母后？” “圣上……” “您快说出来！寡人一定会为母后报仇的。元勋功臣也好，先王的后宫也好，寡人一定要斩草除根，一定要为母后报仇。即使谋害母后的人是太后，寡人也要亲手杀了她。您快说呀，一个也不要漏掉，统统说出来！” 当天夜里，大小官员都被召集到景福宫思政殿，分东西两边落座，等候圣上降旨。紧接着，圣上坐上御座，满脸杀气地扫视群臣。所有的人都猜不透究竟出了什么事。 “今天把大家召集起来，讨论为废后封谥号和陵号的事宜。” 修撰权达手首先站了出来。 “殿下！请问您这是什么意思？” 左议政李克均也积极参与。 “殿下！先王有遗训，废后之事不得再提。请殿下明察，并收回成命。” 燕山君似乎早有准备，高声断喝道。 “立刻把这两个人关进大牢！” 官员中间哗然骚动。但是燕山君根本就不把他们的建议放在眼里。 “内禁卫干什么呢？立刻把这两个家伙关进大牢！” 内禁卫甲士跑过来带走了权达手和李克均。直到这时，官员们才认识到事情的严重性，禁不住冷汗直冒。 “主张赐死母后的王室！不予反驳的大小官员！打点赐死药的官员！把赐死药端到母后面前的军官！配置赐死药的内医院医官！装殓造墓、安置棺椁的内禁卫甲士！一个不漏，统统处死！现在就动手！立即执行！” 燕山君狂傲不可一世。燕山十年（1054年）三月，甲子士祸*（燕山君将所有与废后尹氏赐死事件相关的官员、王室、军官、甲士全部处死，这在历史上称为甲子士祸）爆发，那天的天气格外晴朗。 人声鼎沸的集市上，响起了喜气洋洋的太平箫声。长今正拿着一个装饰品爱不释手，听见箫声便像兔子似的竖直了耳朵。 “爹！好象是要演戏吧。” “是啊，可能吧。” 戏班子恰好从父女二人面前经过。长今拉起父亲的手便在后面跟着，天寿被长今拉着往前走。眼前突然出现一块板报，板报前面有很多人正在围观。父女两个不以为然地走了过去，天寿怎么也没想到，板报上面贴的竟然是通缉令，而通缉对象正是自己。通缉令上有三个男人的画像，天寿处于中间，格外显眼。 戏班子在摔跤场前停下了，一个男人正跟一位身材魁梧的壮士较量，眨眼之间那壮士便将对方掀倒在地。看热闹的人群中响起一片叫好声。 看来这是一场有赌注的摔跤比赛。牙子数完钱后，交给了坐在一边神态傲慢的两个贵族。 贵族下了比前面一场更大的赌注，牙子得意洋洋地站到摔跤场中央，高声喊道。 “还有没有人敢跟这位壮士较量？” 人群中一阵混乱，只是没有人愿意站出来。长今站在父亲前面，看热闹的人陆陆续续地散去。恰在这时，长今响亮地说。 “爹，您去试试吧。” 这话让天寿感觉很不舒服，便不置可否，假装没有听见，只是怎么也没想到长今是如此固执。 “爹！” “嗬，不许胡说八道！” “爹，您的力气不是很大吗？连大石头都能举起来，还能搬动大铁疙瘩呢。” “不许多嘴！” “出去试一试嘛，爹！” “现在我们得走了。” 这样说着，天寿站到了长今面前。不懂事的长今终于闯下了大祸。 “等一等！我爹要上场了！” 刹那间，所有人的目光都集中到了天寿身上。牙子指着天寿问道。 “喂，你敢不敢上来较量较量？” 众人的目光可以置之不理，可是天寿不忍心辜负长今满心的期待，他终于无可奈何地走上前去。 天寿一上场，呐喊声就响彻了整个摔跤场。牙子收好了钱，兴致勃勃地观看比赛。加油助威声好似狂风骤雨一般。 沙地上的两个男人紧紧揪住对方的胯部，谁都不肯往对方倾斜，就这样僵持了很长时间。那人突然在胳膊上用力，同时用脚去踢天寿的腿肚子。趁此机会，天寿使劲抓牢对方，将他狠狠地压倒在沙地上。 比赛以三局决胜负，然而每一局都是同样的结果。看热闹的人群沸腾了，长今跑进沙地中间，兴冲冲地扑进天寿的怀抱。 “赢了！我爹赢了！” 最狼狈的还要数那几个下赌注的人。 "How is this going?" "What happened?" “这家伙，一定是犯规了。” 牙子干脆耍起赖来。 “我看出来了，这家伙不是东镇谷那个做刀的白丁吗？” 话音未落，那几个下赌注的人都站了出来。 “你这肮脏的白丁是从哪里跑出来的？” “你这白丁竟敢坏了老子的好事？” 几个男人抑制不住心中的愤怒，挥舞着拳头冲了过来。天寿无意与他们争辩，只想钻出人群，快点儿找到长今。 “这个兔崽子，想溜……” 天寿拔腿就跑，穿过人群四处寻找长今。就在这时，有人从后面对天寿大打出手，紧接着，那些男人不约而同地冲上来，你一拳我一脚地殴打起天寿来。事情来得太过突然，天寿根本来不及躲避。 “长今！” 天寿倒在地上，扭做一团，却仍然念念不忘长今。突然，伴随一声尖叫，传来了长今的声音。 “不是！我爹不是白丁！我爹……他是保护国王的军官！” 男人们停止了手上的动作，齐刷刷地回头望着长今。 “我爹不是白丁，他是军官，是保护国王的内禁卫军官！” 长今伤心地哭着，反反复复重复着刚才的话。 天寿沉默，那些男人们也都沉默了。最后还是牙子打破了死亡般的沉默。 “对，就是那个家伙！” “通缉令上的家伙！” “哎呀，真是他呀！” 男人们蜂拥而上，对着天寿又是一顿劈头盖脸的拳打脚踢，直到天寿不能动弹。然后，他们捆起天寿的手腕拖走了。 “爹！爹！” 长今推开人群，抓住父亲的脚脖子。 “不要把我爹带走，赶快放开我爹！” 牙子粗暴地把长今推倒在地，又是一阵猛打。孩子的身体就像扬起的铁锹上飞出的土块一般，无力地跌落下来。 “长今！” 天寿的嘴唇裂开了，伤痕累累，他一直在呼唤长今，眼睛几乎睁不开，却还在努力寻找长今。一定要救长今！这念头支撑着天寿站起来。天寿用尽浑身的力量，甩开他们的手，凶猛地撞了一下旁边男人的肋骨。那个男人腰部突然受到冲撞，立刻抱着肚子滚倒在地。此时，又有一个男人扑了上来。 天寿敏捷地躲开，狂打一气之后，正要跑向长今，突然有个黑乎乎的东西顶住了他的脖子。不知道什么时候，早有士兵们赶来，拿枪指着天寿的脑袋。天寿动弹不得，听凭士兵把自己五花大绑地捆走了。 “爹！” 最让天寿感觉心疼的，不是皮开肉绽之苦，而是女儿悲切的呼唤。天寿想要告诉女儿别再无谓地哭喊，也不要跟着过来，却又担心如果自己喊出来了，反而引起士兵们的注意，所以就只好强忍着，任凭焦急的怒火烧灼内心。 “爹！爹！” 长今朝着天寿这边奋力跑来。天寿用力地朝女儿摇了摇头。 “不要再叫爹了，也不要跟上来，你先逃跑再说。” 人群中有个男人似乎读懂了天寿的心思，穿过人群捂住了长今的嘴巴。看见这个男人，天寿心里的石头才算落了地。男人正是同村的白丁昌大，他一定能把长今带回母亲身边的。天寿静静地闭上眼睛，把自己彻底交给了如狼似虎的士兵们。 厨房里飘出香喷喷的大酱汤的味道。看着长今急匆匆地独自跑来，明伊到处寻找天寿。 “你爹呢？” "..." "What's wrong?" 长今的嘴唇不停地翕动，却一句话也说不出来，她早就吓得魂飞魄散了。 “怎么就你一个人？你爹呢？” "..." “快说话呀！” “爹……爹……爹他……” “好了，长今！你爹现在在哪儿呢？” “爹被人抓走了……” 仿佛有一根灼热而尖利的铁签从头顶直插至心脏，明伊只觉得眼前一片昏黑，但她还是努力保持镇静。 “你爹被人抓走了？被什么人抓走了，怎么抓走的？” “跟别人摔跤的时候……” “摔跤？长今啊，我怎么越听越糊涂了。你说得清楚点儿，让娘听懂好不好？” “我爹跟人摔跤摔赢了，可是……” 这时候，充州女*（韩国古代的风俗，以女人娘家所在地的地名称呼结婚以后的女人——译者注）甩着胳膊走了进来。她就是昌大的女人。 “长今娘在家吗？我们家孩子他爹让我告诉你一声，你们家出事了。” “到底是怎么回事啊？” “听说长今她爹曾经当过军官，还杀死了当今圣上的亲生母亲？” 该来的总是要来的——明伊勉强把持住摇摇欲坠的身体，陷进了刻骨的绝望之中。 “街上到处都贴着长今她爹的画像，看来你们还没看见。” “那长今她爹现在怎么样了？送进县衙了吗？” “不是啊，直接送到监营*（朝鲜时代各个道的官衙——译者注）去了。大王下令说，所有参与杀害他生母的人都要抓起来严刑拷打。我们家孩子他爸说，不知道会怎么处理你们家，最好还是出去避一避吧。” 听到这里，明伊赶紧站了起来。 “长今，赶快回房间收拾行李！” “为什么，娘？” “我们得去找你爹。路途很远，一定要准备好行李。” 刚才还因为恐惧而颤抖的明伊眨眼间就消失得无影无踪了，此刻的明伊，脸上充满了悲壮，她一定要找到自己的丈夫，女儿的父亲。