Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Majiazhuang Carnival

Dong Xiaowan thanked the guests behind closed doors, hid in a boudoir, and waited for Mao Pijiang.Three months later, the savings in Dong Xiaowan's hands were almost exhausted. Although Aunt Chen still had some money, she refused to embezzle her mother's hard-earned money. It was all hard-earned money that was drawn from the fire pit of the Qinhuai River by powder and moaning. what! She began to sell some of her favorite things. When the buyer brought by Sha Jiuwan saw the "Ice Flowers Like Jade Picture", her heart throbbed, as if a piece of flesh had been gouged out.The painting slowly unfolded on the wide desk, and she turned her head sadly to look at the desolate field after harvesting outside the window.

The buyer is a hermit. Dong Xiaowan thinks that his sly face is clearly a profiteer, but the money in his hand is a necessity of life.After several rounds of bargaining, I finally got four hundred and twenty taels of silver.She thought that this would be half a year's livelihood, and her face became happier. She sat in the sedan chair silently, Sha Jiuwan held her hand, rested her head on her shoulder, and comforted her tenderly.There was a faint smell of farm smoke on the road, and the bearers quickened their pace.Sha Jiuwan leaned on her shoulder and slept soundly.The sedan chair passed through the city gate, leaving Suzhou City behind.That painting might be hanging on the hermit's wall, she almost shed tears thinking about it.

After a hasty dinner at Aunt Sha's house, Dong Xiaowan held a bag of silver in her arms, and seeing that it was not far from the house, she simply walked home to let the evening breeze wake up her mind.She looked like a stroller. When she was approaching the door of the house, she saw the lights in the attic, and Xi Xi's figure was reflected on the curtains, like a night walker who suddenly saw a light of hope not far away, she felt kind and warm.When she was enjoying herself, Dong Xiaowan didn't notice that there was a group of people following her.It wasn't until close that she suddenly heard their obscene laughter.She turned her head suddenly, and among the guys standing close to her were two fan-wielding boys, although well-clothed, but with an evil spirit, her heart was beating wildly.At this time, what she cared about was Yin Zi in her arms, but she didn't think that it was her beauty that these two villains were peeping at.She hurried to the front of her house, but luckily Shan Ma knew she hadn't come back, so she didn't lock the door.She dodged in, quickly closed the door, panted heavily with her back against the door, and the laughter of the group outside the door came in through the crack of the door.

The two villains Dong Xiaowan met this time were not ordinary prodigal sons, but the most domineering villains in Suzhou.Although he is not as lawless as Nanjing Zhu Tongrui, he is more cunning and scheming when he does bad things.One of these two villains is named Dou Hu and the other is named Huo Hua. Dou Hu is a well-known wealthy man in Suzhou City. His family has thousands of fertile fields and twenty or thirty workshops of various kinds.These properties were exploited by the Dou family for five consecutive generations from the farmers in the manor.Dou Hu is the only child of the Dou family. His father passed away the year before last, so he alone owns millions of dollars.He travels around the mountains and rivers all day long, and is especially famous for his lust. There are twenty-four wives and concubines in his backyard, which he calls "harem".But he is still not satisfied.Last month, he occupied a woman named Tofu Xishi outside the west gate, and almost killed this woman.Relying on his wealth, Dou Hu often goes to the government office to manage things on weekdays.Although he felt sorry for the money, he comforted himself:

"It's better to avoid disasters if you lose money." Huo Hua was originally the worst prodigal son in Suzhou.At the age of thirteen, she seduced and raped her two younger sisters.In the eyes of the people in Suzhou, this Huo Hua never wanted to get rich all his life, but he made a windfall.It is said that he went out to sea with others to play, and picked up a big turtle shell in the sea, and there was a bowl-sized night pearl in the shell, which was bought by a Persian Hu for 100,000 taels of silver.With this money, he became the uncle's relative of the wealthy Tian Wanwan in Suzhou, and in just a few years he built a large fortune.Huo Hua can't change his prodigal nature, which prostitute in Suzhou City hasn't been angry with him?Once, when a woman from Yangzhou met him, she would rather die than submit to the evil power, Huo Hua actually bit off half of her ear.The next day, a house slave was asked to raise his ears and flaunt it everywhere.

Dou Hu and Huo Hua have the same stink, and they often go to do some disgusting things together.I don't know how the two beat around the bush and found out that they were cousins, and Huo Hua became a cousin when he was a little older. This day, the two of them walked around the Bantang area pretending to be gentle, but they actually came out to hunt for beauty.Dou Hu thinks women look best at dusk.Huo Hua also took it for granted, otherwise the poem would not say: "After the evening of the appointment." Dou Hu laughed and said: "You have some ink in your belly, I really can't see it." The prey, when it was getting dark, rested under the shadow of willows, and several thugs also gathered together.From a distance, it looks like there are ghosts among the willow shadows.Just when the two were discouraged and ready to go home for a drink, Dong Xiaowan appeared in their field of vision like a bright pearl. Although she was in the night, her beauty still repelled half the darkness.Dou Hu and Huo Hua were fascinated by watching at the same time, their lips parted slightly, and saliva dripped down.Several thugs took the opportunity to show off and please, and lined up behind Dong Xiaowan to learn how to walk, humming obscene tunes.Originally, according to Dou Hu and Huo Hua's evil temper, they might just grab this woman and leave.However, both of them had small calculations in their hearts. It would be boring to share such a beautiful beauty with two people, and it would be interesting to monopolize the oiran.The two of them just watched the beautiful woman escape into the courtyard gate with bewilderment.

When Dou Hu returned home, several coquettish concubines greeted him. While flirting with them, he asked his servant Dou Ji to go and find out who the beauty was just now.Several women scolded him coquettishly: "Master, who are you looking for, we want more younger sisters." After saying that, they rushed forward, rubbing and pinching him.After a while, Dou Ji found out a shocking news: "The beauty just now is Dong Xiaowan, a famous Qinhuai courtesan." Dou Hu was overjoyed, pushed several concubines aside, and shouted, "Prepare a generous gift, tomorrow Send it to Lao Tzu, I want to marry the twenty-fifth wife."

Besides, when Huo Hua returned home, he immediately sent someone to find out the news.When the report said it was Dong Xiaowan, a famous Qinhuai prostitute, Huo Hua felt happy: it was exactly what I wanted.But then he thought about it: "Then how did the famous Qinhuai actor come to Suzhou? If it is a big man who begged for a golden house to hide her beauty, it would be bad for me to make a fool of myself, so I have to be more careful." He called his servant Huo He to call Jing Shangtian, nicknamed "Ghost Idea", came to discuss and discuss. Huo Hua pulled Jing Shangtian to the east wing, closed the door and plotted how to get Dong Xiaowan.Just as he was about to speak, Jing Shangtian put his middle finger on his lips and hissed, and his two mustaches shook twice.He pointed to the window, and Huo Hua saw a woman's figure reflected on the window paper, it must be his wife.Huo Hua was furious, opened the door and rushed out, the woman fled in panic, was caught up by him, kicked her ass, and kicked to the ground.Then there was a burst of beatings until the woman kept begging for mercy. "Go back to the room and wait for Lao Tzu to come back to sleep."

After Huo Hua beat his wife, he felt satisfied in his heart, and there was a smug smile on his face. Jing Shangtian leaned in front of him and offered a trick, which made Huo Hua laugh out loud. "Good plan, let's do it." "Early in the morning, Dong Xiaowan got up, sat alone in front of the window combing her hair, recalling the scene with Mao Pijiang, and blushed. At this time, Xixi yelled loudly from downstairs: "Sister, come quickly!" Look, the wild geese are flying south. " Dong Xiaowan pushed open the window and saw a thin layer of frost on the roof in the distance.She said to Xixi, who was standing among the rosy chrysanthemums, "What's so strange about wild geese flying south, what a fuss is there."

Xixi stuck out her tongue mischievously and said, "Time flies, I know you feel slow in your heart. When these geese fly back, won't Mr. Mao come to pick you up?" "Poor mouth, watch me come downstairs and tear your mouth apart." Dong Xiaowan really ran downstairs, arguing with Xi Xi in the yard.The two chased and fought around the flower garden, and when they stopped panting, their skirts were covered with dew. At this moment, the gate of the courtyard was knocked loudly.Aunt Chen felt that this person was menacing and had bad intentions, so she asked loudly through the courtyard wall: "Who are you looking for?"

Outside is a group of prodigal sons sent by Dou Hu to give the bride price.Dou Jiliang opened his voice and said: "My master wants to marry your young lady, so he specially sent gold, silk and silver as a dowry, and the door has not yet been opened to welcome you." "My lady has already promised her, don't dream about it." Xixi said loudly inside. Dou Ji said: "Damn it, you don't know how to praise, brothers, open the gate of the courtyard." At this time, a group of old people rushed up with brooms in their hands, and beat the prodigal sons head-on.He yelled, "Kill you rascals." Dou Ji got angry, snatched the shoulder pole carrying the bride price from the attendant, and beat the old people indiscriminately.A few old people were beaten until they cried and called their mothers. Knowing that this master is not to be messed with, they all ran away with their old legs, not daring to meddle in Dong Xiaowan's business anymore. The commotion in front of Dong's house attracted many people, young and middle-aged men surrounded him, among them were the sons and grandchildren of those old people, they were holding sticks in their hands, angrily wanting to beat Dou Ji out of chaos.This Dou Ji has seen many scenes, at this moment he is afraid of causing public wrath, so he hastily summoned his followers to leave. As soon as Dou Ji left, it was quiet again in front of the courtyard.Aunt Chen also breathed a sigh of relief, but she murmured in her heart: I don't know which disaster star came to the door again.Dong Xiaowan was originally in a good mood, but after this disturbance, her mood became dim. There was another commotion outside the courtyard gate, Aunt Chen looked out through the crack of the door, but there was a group of prodigal sons making a fuss, yelling obscene words and throwing some old shoes and other waste into the courtyard from time to time.Dong Xiaowan stomped her feet angrily. This group of people made a fuss until the afternoon and still didn't intend to disperse, and the big-footed single mother was so anxious that she didn't buy today's food.Fortunately, Liu Er, who was punting the boat, was a knowledgeable person. He threw a few fish, two green vegetables and a few loofahs in from the backyard wall.Xixi waved to him gratefully in front of the attic window. The whole family ignored the noise outside the courtyard and got busy with dinner.Dong Xiaowan cooked a pot of white water fresh fish in person, with just a little salt, it was so delicious that several people were amazed.The family enjoyed their dinner happily. The group of prodigal sons made a fuss until dark, so they headed towards Tongqiao together.Jing Shangtian was waiting for them, and gave them two coins each.This group of people was actually Huo Hua's accomplices, and it was also Jing Shangtian's bad idea: when these people made troubles that the Dong family couldn't bear, Huo Hua would play the role of a hero to save the beauties and drive away all these prodigal sons, and the Dong family would Thanks to him, he naturally fell in love with Howard. For several days, the noise in front of Dong's house became more and more fierce.Knowing that Huo Hua invited people to make trouble, Dou Hu became anxious, fearing that Dong Xiaowan would be snatched away by him first, so he asked some thugs to rob people on the same day.Dou Ji hurriedly stopped him and said: "No. This woman probably won't be able to snatch it. If he could, Huo Hua would have done it a long time ago. He didn't dare to snatch it. There must be some reason for this, sir, please be careful." Dou Hu turned around, He also thought it was reasonable, so he asked Dou Ji to invite some people to go to her door to make a fuss.As a result, the front of Dong's house became even more lively.People in Suzhou know that Huo Dou and his family are the worst offenders, so no one dares to speak out to be fair. The Dong family was disturbed to the point of restlessness, and everyone was as anxious as ants on a hot pot, but they couldn't think of a way out.Fortunately, Liu Er threw some silver taels from the backyard wall every day and asked him to buy daily necessities on his behalf. After he bought things, he threw them in, and the Dong family's life was able to survive. Not going out all day made Dong Min bored, he always wanted to go out and drink with some bad friends.On this day, he suddenly slapped his thigh and said, "I have a solution." Dong Xiaowan, Aunt Chen, Xixi, and Dazu Danma, who were sitting beside me sullenly, cheered up and gathered around and asked, "Tell me quickly, What way?" Dong Min said his idea, and everyone thought it was okay.Aunt Chen murmured: "It's all the way of a prodigal." She had no choice but to follow Dong Min.Dong Min had some silver taels in his pocket, but it was inconvenient to go through the front door, so he climbed over the wall from the backyard. Dong Min searched all the way, and finally found his distant relative Qiu Dayuan, the famous Qiu Dahun in Suzhou.Qiu Dayuan was very loyal, so he found the gang of prodigal sons invited by Huo Hua that night, with Dong Min as the host, invited them to drink in the restaurant, and gave each of them five qian and asked them to put a yard in Dong's house. .The leader of the prodigal son said: "Master Huo is very rich and powerful, and the little brothers can't afford to mess with him. Since we took the money from Brother Dong, we have to help you eliminate the disaster. How about this, little brother goes to your house every day and only pretends Let’s make a fuss so that we can ask Mr. Huo about business. Brother Dong’s family can do whatever they want. The door of your house is wide open, and we won’t go any further. Brother Dong, can this method work?” Dong Min also knows these prodigal sons very well. It's not easy to ease the situation because of their own reasons. Dong Min used the same method to invite the prodigal sons hired by the Dou family, and they also agreed to just go and make trouble. In this way, although there were still people making noise in front of Dong's house, it was not as violent as before, and it ended early every day.Dong Xiaowan also gained some peace, and can calmly think about dealing with difficult situations. Dong Xiaowan suddenly thought of the prefect of Suzhou, maybe he can do something.She thought carefully about a good strategy and considered every detail. First of all, Aunt Chen asked Liu Er to invite Sha Jiuwan.Dong Xiaowan ordered her to send a letter to the magistrate, expressing her longing for seeing each other, and agreed to meet at Tongqiao tomorrow evening to express her heartfelt feelings.Sha Jiuwan was ordered to leave. Secondly, Shan Ma stopped Liu Er through the wall, asked him to come in through the wall, and gave him five taels of silver.Dong Xiaowan asked him to go to Suzhou Mansion to wait tomorrow evening, and when he saw that the magistrate had indeed left the house, he rushed to report.Liu Er readily agreed, and then climbed over the wall and left. Dong Xiaowan asked Liu Er to do this for the sake of safety, so as not to be persecuted by the wicked when he rushed to Tongqiao without meeting the magistrate. Then, ask Xixi to quickly take a shortcut to the Suzhou mansion to see the magistrate's wife at dusk tomorrow, and only ask for Dong Xiaowan.The lady must be suspicious.So he rushed to Tongqiao, so that the magistrate could not touch his body. The plan was made, Dong Xiaowan smiled smugly, went to the attic alone and opened the window, looking at the lazy prodigals outside the courtyard, a trace of contempt flashed in his mind.Just when she was proud, a group of sparrows flew over chirping, and suddenly she frowned, thinking, "If the magistrate didn't come to Tongqiao after going out, wouldn't I have to miss it again?" She hurriedly ran downstairs again, and Aunt Chen was about to When I went out to find Sha Yufang, she told my mother, "Mother, you can hire a fast carriage and wait not far in front of Tongqiao at dusk tomorrow. If anything happens, we will take the carriage and go somewhere to take shelter." "It's still a good girl who is thoughtful." Early the next morning, Sha Jiuwan found an official who had something to do with him and asked him to help him meet the magistrate.The assistant minister took the opportunity to hug her again and took advantage of not spending any money.Sha Jiuwan met the magistrate and told him how Dong Xiaowan admired his talent and appearance.The magistrate had wanted to take advantage of Dong Xiaowan for a long time, but he had no idea how to do it. Unexpectedly, she asked for it herself, and she was so happy that she agreed immediately. The magistrate was restless, and finally waited until dusk, and he greeted his wife first, using the excuse that he needed to go out for a while, but his wife did not stop him.The magistrate took several family generals and went straight to Tongqiao in the official sedan chair. He kept telling the bearers on the sedan chair, "Hurry up, hurry up." Let’s say that Liu Er, who was pretending to be selling vegetables in front of the Suzhou mansion, saw the prefect go out and get on his sedan chair, so he took a shortcut and ran back, waving at the people in the attic from a distance.Dong Xiaowan saw it clearly, so he ordered Xixi to go out in person.Aunt Chen hired a carriage and waited by Tongqiao. Dong Xiaowan opened the courtyard door, stood by the light and looked, there were a few prodigal sons lingering outside the door, staring at her intently. As if no one was around, she walked to the middle of the street and waved to a sedan chair.She was wearing a long skirt fluttering up like a fairy, and the bamboo curtain on the sedan chair was drooping down.Dou Ji, who was hiding in the corner, saw Dong Xiaowan going out alone, it was a godsend opportunity, and hurried to Dou Hu.Dou Hu was being entangled by several wives and couldn't get out. Hearing what Dou Ji said, he jumped up and rode his horse to Tongqiao. A few coquettish women had nowhere to vent their evil fire, so they stepped forward and twisted Dou Ji. Dou Hu saw a man holding Dong Xiaowan's hand on the Tongqiao from a distance, very affectionate, jealous, and wanted to rush up and tear him in half.At this moment, a person came out from behind a few weeping willows. He rushed up and grabbed the rein of Dou Hu's horse tightly. When Dou Hu took a closer look, it was Huo Hua.I thought: "This kid is faster than me." Huo Hua said: "My dear brother, don't be reckless. Take a closer look at who that person is?" Dou Hu looked at the man on the bridge as he said, he looked familiar but couldn't remember who it was. Huo Hua said again: "That's the magistrate in plain clothes." Dou Hu was startled and broke out in cold sweat. "What a vicious woman, I almost fell into a trap and offended the court order officer. Grandma, let's go." Dou Hu and Huo Hua each brought their own families, and quietly turned and left not far from Tongqiao.Dong Xiaowan saw their movements clearly.The two cunning foxes were not fooled! While dealing with the magistrate, she anxiously hoped that the magistrate's wife would appear soon. Let's say that Xixi took a shortcut and hurried to Suzhou Mansion to ask to see his wife. The family will reply, "Madam just went out in a sedan chair." Xixi was startled, and asked anxiously, "Where did you go?" Jiang shook his head and said, "I don't know where I went." Xixi thought badly that her sister might be in trouble, so she pulled her legs and ran towards Tongqiao, crying as she ran.When I ran to Tongqiao, I was so tired that I couldn't move my legs.The bridge was empty, there was no one there, Xi Xi didn't know what to do, and stood there blankly. A carriage stopped beside her, and the curtain was raised, Aunt Chen poked her head out and shouted: "Xixi, get in the carriage quickly." Xixi stooped into the carriage, her head was hugged tightly, and her face was even kissed.She struggled hastily, only to see that Dong Xiaowan was still sitting in the car. It turned out that the magistrate's wife saw that the magistrate was in a hurry, and he was no different from his usual official duties, so she called the family general to question him, but the family general couldn't hide the truth.The madam was furious and immediately chased him out, so it was a pity that he didn't meet him.As soon as Madam arrived at Tongqiao, the magistrate's dream of mandarin ducks was frightened away. The magistrate was counted by his wife last night, and he was angry in his heart, so he got up early.I hid alone in the study and flipped through the books of sages and sages until the sun was high, but I didn't see a single word in my eyes. The family will report through the paper window: "Suzhou rich man Dou Hu Dou Yuanwai asks to see the master." "Call him in." The magistrate usually takes money from fellow Dou's favors, and it is inconvenient to offend him in anything. Dou Hu entered the study room, bowed deeply and said, "Congratulations to the magistrate for meeting a confidante." "Where did you say that?" Dou Hu had a smile on his face, but he didn't answer. He first asked two attendants to bring in a load of gifts, and said: "It's just a small gift, I hope the master will accept it with a smile. Don't laugh at me." "What's the reason?" "The villain heard that the magistrate is on good terms with Dong Xiaowan, a famous actor of the Qinhuai River, so I'm here to congratulate you." The magistrate looked at him and didn't answer. Dou Hu said with a smile: "The villain heard the rumors from the servants that last night on the Tongqiao, the magistrate secretly crossed the spring breeze. It's really a good story about a gifted scholar." The prefect's face was slightly embarrassed.He knew that Dou Hu had many eyes and ears, and it was impossible to deny it.Then he sighed and said, "It's a pity that my wife disturbed the love scene and lost my interest." "Master, do you know how Madam can trust you?" "I was wondering." "Actually, this is all Dong Xiaowan's scheme." "How do you say that?" "That Dong Xiaowan was originally a goblin on the Qinhuai River. When he arrived in Suzhou, he was bored and bored, so he wanted to play tricks on the master. In fact, Madam was invited by her girl Xixi." "It makes no sense!" "If the master doesn't believe it, why don't you ask the general on duty?" The magistrate announced that the family general from last night, the family general was uneasy because he accidentally spoiled the master's Yaxing last night, and it happened that Dou Hu gave him some silver taels and asked him to push the leak of love to Xixi.As if he had grabbed a life-saving grass in an emergency, he talked about Xixi in front of the magistrate. "I'm so pissed off." The magistrate charged, "I want Dong Xiaowan, a bitch, to know how powerful I am." Dou Hu took the opportunity to say: "Dong Xiaowan was famous for being good at playing tricks in Nanjing. I didn't expect to bully the magistrate, and I really deserved to die. However, the villain thinks that killing a chicken with a sledgehammer is not good, let alone the magistrate himself. The villain is willing to do the work of a dog and a horse, and come forward to deal with this bitch on behalf of the master." The magistrate suddenly woke up: You boy turned this corner, in fact, you want to take advantage of yourself, but you have already shown your disgust just now, so it is inconvenient to take it back now.He said: "Although this slut is hateful, there are many cute things about it. Member Dou is also a person who cherishes beauty and love, so you should be merciful and don't take her life." Dou Hu said happily: "Master, please don't worry, the villain will follow orders. Make sure Dong Xiaowan knows how powerful Suzhou Mansion is." Dou Hu's last words were heard by the maid who brought the tea.This woman had some friendship with Sha Jiuwan, so she hurried into Sanmao Pavilion Lane to tell the truth.Sha Jiuwan was very exhausted after answering customers continuously last night. After hearing the situation, he didn't care about the hangover, so he hurried to Bantang and told Dong Xiaowan. Dong Xiaowan was forced to have no choice but to go to Hangzhou overnight with pity, to avoid the limelight for the time being. The carriage passed through the desolate fields. There were rows of dead trees on both sides of the road. Occasionally, there were one or two dead leaves trembling in the autumn wind. The carriage stopped at the edge of a burnt field, and the straw stacks in the field were arranged one after another. .Dong Xiaowan and Xixi got out of the car.The coachman unloaded the cart from the horse.Then lead the horse to a canal by the roadside to drink water.There are scattered houses in the fields near and far, and smoke is rising from the bushes around the houses. Seeing the bleak autumn colors, Dong Xiaowan was filled with sadness.Xixi was holding the close-fitting package, staring at the horse drinking water.There are flocks of birds flying south in the sky, and the chirping of birds seems to add a bit of chill. The coachman got on the horse again, and when the two of them got into the cart, he rubbed his hands vigorously.He couldn't figure out why these two beauties were traveling this season.He said to himself: "Autumn is deep." Then he whipped his whip and shouted "drive--" the carriage passed through the desolate fields again. In the evening, a village with a relatively large population appeared in the distance.The coachman asked a farmer who was carrying the plow and leading the oxen: "Where is the front?" The farmer looked at the carriage suspiciously and said, "Majiazhuang is ahead." A burst of dog barking ushered the carriage into the village. Several puppies chased the wheels and barked. The dirt rolled up by the wheels made the dogs dodge and jump.The coachman knows well that beating a dog depends on its owner, so he just whips the tip of his whip on the hood to drive away these annoying animals.Every time the whip hit the hood, Dong Xiaowan and Xi Xi in the car would shrink back unconsciously, always thinking that the whip was going to hit them. The coachman asked a woman who was standing in front of the door in a daze: "Ma'am, is there a house for lodging in this village?" The woman replied lazily: "No. The owner of the village is very hospitable, you go to his house It shouldn't be a problem to ask for a stay." The carriage moved forward for another ten feet, and after being pointed out by a village boy, it turned a corner and stopped in front of a rich mansion.The groom said: "Miss, let's go meet the owner, maybe we will have a good meal." Xixi jumped down first, and then helped Dong Xiaowan down. Dong Xiaowan knocked on the copper ring on the door.After a while, the door opened, and a thin old man asked, "What's the matter, Miss?" Dong Xiaowan was about to ask for a place to stay, but the old man suddenly asked excitedly: "Miss is Dong Xiaowan, the beauty of the Qinhuai River?" Dong Xiaowan and Xi Xi were both shocked, Xi Xi said: "How do you know my young lady?" The old man hurriedly opened the door, and knelt down on the wide stone slab in front of the courtyard door, shouting "Benefactor, my benefactor" while kowtowing. Dong Xiaowan didn't know what was going on, so she quickly reached out to support him and said, "Master, the little girl can't afford it. Get up quickly, get up quickly." The old man kowtowed ten times before getting up with tears all over his face. He was still very excited, and his white beard was trembling frequently. The noise in front of the door attracted the horseman, who stood under the lintel of the east wing and asked, "Housekeeper, what happened?" The housekeeper said loudly with mixed feelings of sorrow and joy: "This lady is the benefactor I mentioned, Miss Dong Xiaowan." The horseman was about fifty or so, he looked at Dong Xiaowan, and Xiaowan's beauty surprised him.He twitched his sparse goatee, straightened his chest, cleared his throat, stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "I have admired Miss Dong for a long time, and I am lucky to meet you today. Please have tea in the living room. " Dong Xiaowan passed Wanfu and said, "Thank you Ma Yuanwai." Then everyone entered the living room together. The groom dragged the carriage into the courtyard gate alone, the high threshold blocked the wheels, and he had to push the wheels over with great effort. At this time, another servant led the horse into the stable, and arranged for the groom to go to the guest room to rest and eat. Dong Xiaowan asked the housekeeper, "I don't know why the old man knew the little girl? Calling her a benefactor, Xiaowan felt uneasy." The housekeeper said: "My name is Xu Ren. Some time ago, I was living on the streets of Nanjing. I had no money left and no relatives. I was begging on the street for a living. I wanted to raise money to go home. One night, I saw two carriages running in the dark. , went forward to beg with a glimmer of hope, but at that time it was the young lady who was sitting in the car and generously donated me two taels of silver so that the old man could go back to his hometown. Even Yongquan can't repay this kindness!" Only then did Dong Xiaowan recall that when he escaped from Nanjing, he had indeed given some money to an old beggar. He did not expect to meet him here today. Life is full of wonders, and everyone sighed with emotion. That time, Xu Ren went to Nanjing to look for his son who was an official, but unexpectedly, his son was transferred to the remote and wild Youyang Prefecture to take up the post.Fortunately, after meeting Dong Xiaowan, he stayed in Majiazhuang on his way back to his hometown, but was insisted on staying by Ma Yuanwai, so he became the housekeeper of Ma Yuanwai's house. Ma Yuanwai was moved by this romance, and his heart was filled with passion. He immediately ordered to arrange a sumptuous dinner, and also sent a letter to the village people, inviting the whole village to eat and drink for three days of celebration. This year, the weather is good and the weather is good, and the autumn grain is full of the whole farmer's family, and everyone is happy. The manor was busy, full of people, lively and cheerful. Dong Xiaowan and Xi Xi rested comfortably in the boudoir on the attic without being disturbed.Dong Xiaowan looked at the happy scene and envied the farmer's life and work in peace.Before I knew it, I thought of Mr. Mao, and imagined that Mr. Mao was so prosperous. The carnival in Majiazhuang lasted for three days.These Zhuang people are not very surprised by Dong Xiaowan's beauty, they prefer the shochu that has just come out of the cellar in the bowl.The groom was even more joyful, and drank to his heart's content. You must know that he was never so bold, happy and extravagant during the Chinese New Year at home. On the third day, Dong Xiaowan insisted on leaving, but Ma Yuanwai and Steward Xu repeatedly persuaded him to stay, and then he reluctantly agreed to stay one more day.Unexpectedly, he met another idle young master, he was the youngest son of the owner of Mengjiazhuang who was twenty miles away.Master Meng carried the birdcage to play here, and seeing the horsemen's house was lively and cheerful, he asked why.The Zhuang Ding told him that it was the horsemen who were entertaining Qinhuai beauty Dong Xiaowan.Young Master Meng heard Dong Xiaowan's name for a long time, and felt itchy in his heart, so he squeezed in the door, and happened to see Dong Xiaowan's back, he didn't see that face clearly, but that bright red dress was deeply engraved in his memory, he remembered the red dress. Dong Xiaowan and Xixi went to the backyard, seeing that it was still early, they played with the two daughters outside the horse.There is a fish pond in the yard, in which many red fish are raised. I love to play, and want to pick some lotus leaves, so I bend my body and climb up the rockery, and stretch out my hands to pull it. Just when I touched the leaves, suddenly the soles of my feet slipped. It fell into the fish pond with a crash.She panicked in the water, her limbs danced wildly, and the girls by the pool were so anxious that they couldn't do anything.One of the girls caught a glimpse of a long bamboo pole and hurriedly fetched it, and was about to put it into the pool for Xixi to grab, who would have thought that Xixi stood up suddenly, the pool of water was only up to her waist.The people by the pool couldn't help laughing.Xixi said regretfully: "If I knew it was only this deep, I wouldn't have drank this dirty water in vain." After Xixi took a bath and changed clothes, it was already dark, and because they had to go on the road tomorrow, the two went to bed early.Xixi was frightened by falling into the pond. Once she relaxed completely at this moment, she soon fell into a sweet dreamland.But Dong Xiaowan couldn't sleep, she felt the shadow of Mr. Mao floating in the darkness, and what surprised her even more was that her own heart was beating with fear, as if something terrible and dangerous was about to happen.At this moment, in the darkness, only the window opened, and I couldn't help dripping cold sweat on my back. Through the mosquito net she saw dead branches dancing like ghosts against the blue autumn sky, and the open window flapped in the night wind.She got up quickly and closed the window tightly. When she fell asleep in a daze and opened her eyes again, it was already dawn.Xixi got up early, because she accidentally wet her clothes yesterday, so she put on the dress Dong Xiaowan wore yesterday, and put a large pile of clean clothes on the bedside.Dong Xiaowan said: "Silly sister, take it off quickly, it's my sister's dirty clothes." Xixi smiled and said, "Leave the clean dress to my sister." Xiaowan pretended to be angry and said: "Nonsense, you have never been seen in my eyes. Not a slave." Seeing that she couldn't compete with her, Xixi sat on the bed and wiped her tears, shouting: "I will wear this, I will wear this." Xiao Wan was afraid that she would be too sad, so she had no choice but to Said: "I will follow you." Xixi finally smiled, but there were still tears on her face. After breakfast, the groom set up the carriage outside the door, and the groom wanted to keep Dong Xiaowan, but Dong Xiaowan insisted on leaving.Butler Xu bid farewell to her in tears, hoping that she would come to Majiazhuang to play again. The carriage passed through the desolate fields again, and the groom was in high spirits, humming songs along the way.Dong Xiaowan found it interesting to hear it in the car, so she asked him to sing it over and over until the groom's voice was almost hoarse. Seeing a row of villages with blue tiles and red bricks in the distance, the groom said: "Maybe we are almost at Mengjiazhuang." "Stop, stop!" Someone on the side of the road suddenly shouted viciously: "Is Dong Xiaowan in the car?" When the groom was happy, he replied proudly without thinking: "Exactly. What are the two young masters doing?" The two people on the side of the road are Young Master Meng and his cousin, Young Master Cui.Young Master Meng smiled and said: "It's just in time, I have been waiting for you for a long time." Young Master Cui rushed forward, pulled the groom off the carriage and punched him.Young Master Meng stretched out his hand to lift the curtain of the carriage.Dong Xiaowan could see clearly in the car, but she didn't know her feelings well, so she told Xixi to jump out of the car quickly, and she kicked the face protruding from the curtain. Young Master Meng was unprepared and left a footprint on his face. Dong Xiaowan and Xixi jumped out of the car and ran along the way they came.Young Master Meng and Young Master Cui left the groom behind and followed closely.Seeing that she was about to catch up, Xixi said: "Sister, let's run separately." So Dong Xiaowan turned east, Xixi turned west, and they both went straight to the household in the field.The two of them didn't expect that these were all tenants of Mengjiazhuang, who would dare to take care of Young Master Meng's affairs? Young Master Meng could only recognize the red dress, so he chased after Xixi, while asking Young Master Cui to chase after the green dress.Young Master Cui chased Dong Xiaowan for a few steps, he only said that Young Master Meng had seen Dong Xiaowan, so he stopped, thinking: "Your boy is a famous prostitute, I am a maid, I am at a loss." He stopped chasing Dong Xiaowan and turned around. Going after Young Master Meng, he also wants to meet a famous prostitute in Qinhuai. Dong Xiaowan ran into a yard in one breath, but there was no one in the yard, so she had to hide in a thick pile of straw.It took a long time to get out carefully. When Xixi was about to run to a family's house, Young Master Meng caught up with her and hugged her from behind.At this time, the few families heard the cry for help and ran out. Seeing that it was Young Master Meng, all of their heroic spirits disappeared without a trace.Young Master Cui also panted and chased after her, and the two embraced Xi Xi, and carried her into a thatched hut covered with thick grass. Several tenants saw some clothes such as pants and pants flying out of the thatched shed, and they felt itchy, so they leaned over and looked at the scene inside through the cracks in the grass, all of them swallowing.Young Master Meng came out first, and while he was wearing his trouser belt, he cursed: "What are you looking at, what are you looking for? Go back and see your parents." After a while, Young Master Cui also came out with a smile on his face, and the two young masters walked away. go.From far away, Young Master Cui sighed: "Qinhuai is so famous!" Seeing Young Master Meng walking away, the elderly people in the several households let out a harsh "Bah" and cursed: "You are doing evil, you have no conscience!" Looking at Xixi's youngsters by the shed, they cursed: "You heartless fellows, if you don't save this poor girl, what are you standing there looking at?" It took a long time for Xixi to wake up from her grief. Thinking of what happened to her sister, she stood up abruptly, put on those torn clothes, ran towards the road, and saw Dong Xiaowan standing on the ridge of the field looking around.When she saw Xixi, she kept waving to her, and the groom came over with blood on his face leading the carriage. The three of them couldn't help but burst into tears, so they drove the carriage back to Majiazhuang.It was late at night when we arrived at Dezhuang. The horseman slapped the table of the Eight Immortals hard, and the thick nanmu made a rattling sound, and he said loudly: "Damn Mengjiazhuang, the person who injured us last time is gone, and today he is bullying Lao Tzu's distinguished guest. Brothers, I can't bear this tone!" The tenants gathered in the courtyard immediately echoed: "Look for the Mengjiazhuang to settle the score, settle the score!" Ma Yuanwai led a thousand people to head towards Mengjiazhuang with their hands in their hands.Seeing that something was going to happen, Dong Xiaowan went down to the attic to beg Ma Yuanwai's two daughters.Unexpectedly, they said: "My father has his own opinion, Miss, you can have lunch at ease." The horseman and his party hadn't gone five miles when they bumped into Young Master Meng who was coming on a flying horse.It turned out that Mengjiazhuang just bought a fine horse named "Zhaoye Jade Lion". 这马是塞外名驹，通体雪白，无一根杂毛，孟少爷见了欢喜，便骑了它在大路上奔驰。 马员外等人拦住马，不待孟少爷说话，便有几个庄丁将他拖下马来，一顿好打，打得孟少爷哭爹叫娘只顾讨饶，愿意献出这匹“照夜玉狮子”作赔偿。众人打够了，便饶了他。 马员外骑了白马率领一干人回到马家庄。 马员外把董小宛叫到跟前，嘱咐她马上就离开马家庄，从哪儿来就回哪儿去，并一再声明不是他下逐客令，只是迫于无奈，担心连累了董小宛。他心里明白，马孟两家定有一场恶战。 董小宛只得和惜惜上了路，马夫驱车又按原路回去了。她却没有想到，她们刚走，马家庄和孟家庄就打了一场恶仗，双方都死了四五个人。从此，两个庄子便结下了世仇，世世代代打下去，直到一九四三年日本鬼子的炮火将两庄夷为平地为止。后来，一位古稀老人在修地方志时提到这两个村庄的怨仇，写到仇恨起因时，他在稿子上用毛笔大大地写下了“董小宛”三个字。 惜惜在马车中不停地抽泣着，董小宛将她搂在怀中，揉着她的头发。小宛的眼中一片空茫，都处都是命运的鞭影，她不知道该往何处去躲避。 她不想回苏州，苏州没有安宁，要不是和冒辟疆明春有约定，她真想走到天涯海角，永不回头。 走在老路上，马夫依旧觉得陌生，田野更加荒凉，不时可以看见成群的肥大的乌鸦。它们张开红嘴大声地尖叫。秋风也更加刺骨了。经过这一场突然的变故之后，马夫和车中的两个女人有了同病相怜的情感，有一种责任感驱使他的心，愿为这两个女人分忧。 前面出现了一条叉路。一条红士路像一条扶手似的漫不经心地穿过几株松柏树搭在这条灰白的官道上。董小宛在车窗中瞅见了，她掀起挂帘一角道：“走这条路。” “我不知道它通向哪里。”马夫朝路边的灌木丛吐了一口痰，惊飞了几只小鸟，树丛下有细细的泉水在轻轻流淌。 “走下去，只要不通向地狱就行。” “地府并不可怕，”马夫一边调整了马头，一边伤感地说道：“地府里有鬼，但没有恶人，谁也不敢在阎王面前如在人间一样强取豪夺而无所畏惧。” 马车转入另一条路。董小宛觉得马夫说话有点道理，便问道：“你好像还读过书？” 马夫听她一问，喟然长叹一声。那些由于艰难的生活而变得粗糙的皮肤似乎突然轻松了一些，他的本来面目又露了出来。他忧伤地说道：“在家乡，我会过三科科举”。 董小宛知道他必然经历过巨大的变故，虽不便过问，但对他已刮目相看，马夫自己也沉默不语。良久，马车在一座木桥上轰隆轰隆地驰过，马夫朗声诵道：“枯藤老树昏鸦，小桥流水人家，古道西风瘦马，夕阳西下，断肠人在天涯。” 这条路有些古怪，走了很远，路旁没有一户人家，开始时还有田地，接着又有些荒了的土垅，从隐约的土垅痕迹可以瞥见曾经是被耕种的土地，再往前便只有石头、枯树、矮树丛等等覆盖着的未被开垦的土地了。路两边透出阴森森的气息，他们希望在天黑之前遇到一户人家。结果，天黑尽，马车还在荒山狭谷中穿行，马夫借着灯笼的微光才勉强看清路。 山里的夜才是真正的夜，黑暗也才是真正的黑暗。那马喷着气，前腿僵直地支撑着，鞭子最初还能迫使它挪步，后来干脆不听使唤了。马夫无奈，只得请董小宛和惜惜下了车，他说：“今夜只能露宿野外了。” 当一堆篝火熊熊燃起时，他们发觉自己处在山谷中，两边是陡峭的山壁。马夫御了车，将马栓在旁边，从车座下拖出一条草料带喂了马。看着马咀嚼着食物，三人都听见彼此腹中的饥鸣声。马夫道：“早知如此，该在马家庄捎带几只猪耳朵来。” 马夫打开酒壶先喝了一口，然后说道：“两位小姐喝口吧，暖暖身体。”惜惜接过来咕咚咕咚地猛喝几大口，竟毫无反应，马夫心里就后悔：“这女人如此海量。”谁知董小宛接过酒壶也是咕咚咕咚喝了一气，马夫心痛极了，喝完了可就没处买酒了。 惜惜提着灯笼说道：“快看！”马夫顺着她的手指看去，只见灯笼下竟有两只野免在好奇地审视这里发生的一切，马夫持了一根棍子突然猛地打去，击中其中一只，另一只往草丛中一窜便消失在黑暗之中了。 三人烤食了一点兔肉，勉强抵住了饥饿，董小宛和惜惜便倦缩着睡去了。半梦半醒之间听到马夫在火堆边吹一支竹笛，调子顺着唐曲进入另一种情景。笛声驱赶着浓重的黑暗，山谷似乎也显得更深了。 马车出了山谷，穿过一片矮树林后，又看见一片收割完了且用火烧了稻草的黑糊糊的田野。马夫在车座上打着瞌睡，抱着鞭子，头不停地东倒西歪。董小宛和惜惜也在车中相偎而睡，信马由缰，车轮就在梦境中缓缓地向前滚动。 好容易碰上一个人，却是个背着铺盖卷的流浪汉，马夫不屑向他问路。马车继续向前，那人站在路边有些惊奇。再往前走，碰上几个人，依旧是逃难的人，马夫也没开口。随后，碰见的逃难者越来越多，有的还牵着牛车，车上是日常必需的家当和年幼无知的孩子，很多人脸上挂着泪痕，惊疑地瞧着这辆逆向而行的马车。 马夫终于有些沉不住气了。他问一位刚刚给婴儿喂完奶正在整理上衣的少妇：“少奶奶，前面那个村寨是什么地方？” 少妇回头望了望来路，根本就瞧不见村寨，她说：“前去二十里就是赵家庄。” “怎么你们都像出远门的样子呢？” “前面正闹什么瘟病，死了很多人呢！” “哦。”马夫有些骇然，装做若无其事的样子任马缓缓前行。他问车中的董小宛：“大小姐，还往不往前走呢？” 董小宛心想反正不能回苏州，便道：“继续朝前走。我们只是过过路，也许不会染上瘟病吧。没有什么好怕的。” 马夫道：“如果染上瘟病呢？” 惜惜道：“那就去死。” 马夫将酒壶中昨夜残存的几口酒一仰脖子全喝了，还将壶对着张大的嘴狠摇几下，将最后两滴酒也滴进口中，他一抹嘴唇道：“往前走。” 马车迎着逃难的人群飞奔起来，路上飞扬起两条灰尘的龙，它们追逐着车轮。远远望见村寨的时候，路边已可以看到死人和成群的乌鸦，以及无数红着眼睛伸着舌头的野狗。 马夫想快速穿过这个村庄，然而欲速则不达。车转过村头一所破庙，迎面碰到三匹蒙着眼拖着板车的驴子，板车上躺着几个呻吟的病人。马夫慌忙猛扯缰绳，马朝旁边一跃，车轮便轰隆一声滑入路边的沟中，被两块大石头卡住了。车朝旁边一歪，差点翻倒。董小宛和惜惜发出两声尖叫，然后掀开挂帘，从车中跳了出来。 庙里出来几个人，将板车上的病人抬入庙中。董小宛和惜惜惊异地瞧着这些人，马夫则独自弯着身子去抬卡住的车轮。 抬完病人，一个小伙子架着毛驴走了。马夫很想请两个人帮忙，但从庙中进出的人都太匆忙，没闲功夫帮他。 庙里走出来一位大夫模样的人，年纪并不大，却满脸浓密的胡须，他上上下下打量董小宛，她也觉得这人怎么有些眼熟。 那人拱手问道：“冒昧问一句，这位小姐可是董小宛？” 董小宛和惜惜相互看了看，却没开口。马夫因为找不到帮手，正在着急。眼见出来个董小宛的熟人，求他帮忙找几个帮手不成问题，便跑上前答道：“这位姑娘正是董小宛。” 那个人笑道：“宛姑娘还认得在下乎？” “看着眼熟，但怎么也想不起来。” “我是管渔。” “哎呀！你都长这么大了。”董小宛一阵惊喜，想不到异地他乡竟碰到了童年玩伴，高兴得不知如何是好。 “管公子怎么在这里呢？” “我是前天才赶来的，这一带正闹一种瘟病，治病是我们行医人的职责。请问宛姑娘何故也到了此地？欲往何处？” “一言难尽。我自己都不知道该到何处！总想找个清静之地，避一避应酬。” 管渔道：“能不能帮我几天？这里病人太多，我需要人手。” 小宛犹豫再三，问道：“会不会传染上这种怪病？” 管渔得意地说：“不会了。这些病人只要略加护理就可痊愈。”董小宛认为帮助一下这些危难中的人也是一件好事，也许感动上苍，从此就可免除奔波之苦了。于是她决定留下来，但马夫却不情愿，管渔便给他一些银两让他先回去了。 董小宛和惜惜在庙中一间厢房中帮助捣一些树根草皮之类的药。庙子很破，到处挂满了蜘蛛网。庙中住了许多病人，管渔在其间奔来走去。 每天晚上，为了减轻病人的痛苦，董小宛便将古琴摆在台阶上，弹一些轻松的曲子。管渔的乐器功夫也深得其父真传，便也在一边吹一支洞箫助兴。病人们在松明的微光中，宛若看见一位白衣仙女一般，内心充满奇迹降临的真情实感。痛得厉害的便不再觉得痛，睡不着觉的也睡着了觉。音乐声在庙中回旋，显得格外动听。那些陈年的蛛网也瑟瑟抖动，音符如昆虫般粘在蛛网之上。秋风从庙的上空轻轻吹过。 过了几天，管渔的医术得到了最为真实的印证。病人们陆陆续续地站了起来，轻一点的已经痊愈。很快，这奇迹传遍了附近的村寨。远避的庄客们又纷纷回到了庄园，赵家庄又恢复了往日的欢乐和热闹。 又过了几天，管渔看着空空的大院遗憾地说道：“此地已无病可医。”他邀请董小宛至他的影水庄暂住，董小宛本就无处可去，便答应下来。赵家庄备了酒宴为他们送行。待他们走后，村里人重新修了破庙，在供案上奉上管渔、董小宛、惜惜的牌位，香火不断。 董小宛在影水庄住到岁末，眼看年关将尽春节快到了，不免动了思乡之情。管渔见留她不住，便派了车辆送她回家。董小宛离开那天，在影水庄折了许多梅花。 于是，在一个飘着雪花的夜晚，董小宛踏着薄薄的雪，回到苏州。家里一切依旧，内心的担忧一下少了许多。 霍华站在自家的长廊上看老婆和几个丫环在雪地中用竹箕捕麻雀。自从董小宛走后，他寻遍苏州再未见到，便确信她已不在苏州了。这段日子来，他早就将她忘记了。 忽然，霍和鼠头鼠脑地窜进门来，径直跑到他身边，附着他耳朵说道：“老爷，好消息。” “啥好消息？有话快说，有屁就放。” “董小宛回来了。” "real?" “真的。” 他一拍栏干道：“这个妙人儿，正好抢她过来过年，老子好好享用享用。去，多找几个人，去她门前大闹。明天老子再英雄救美人，让她感谢我，她就是老子的了。” 霍和应声而去。院子里忽然一阵欢呼，原来有几只麻雀不幸成了几个女人的猎物。霍华心想：“老子明天一拉绳子，董小宛就是我手中的鸟儿啦。” 又过了几天，管渔看着空空的大院遗憾地说道：“此地已无病可医。”他邀请董小宛至他的影水庄暂住，董小宛本就无处可去，便答应下来。赵家庄备了酒宴为他们送行。待他们走后，村里人重新修了破庙，在供案上奉上管渔、董小宛、惜惜的牌位，香火不断。 董小宛在影水庄住到岁末，眼看年关将尽春节快到了，不免动了思乡之情。管渔见留她不住，便派了车辆送她回家。董小宛离开那天，在影水庄折了许多梅花。 于是，在一个飘着雪花的夜晚，董小宛踏着薄薄的雪，回到苏州。家里一切依旧，内心的担忧一下少了许多。 霍华站在自家的长廊上看老婆和几个丫环在雪地中用竹箕捕麻雀。自从董小宛走后，他寻遍苏州再未见到，便确信她已不在苏州了。这段日子来，他早就将她忘记了。 忽然，霍和鼠头鼠脑地窜进门来，径直跑到他身边，附着他耳朵说道：“老爷，好消息。” “啥好消息？有话快说，有屁就放。” “董小宛回来了。” "real?" “真的。” 他一拍栏干道：“这个妙人儿，正好抢她过来过年，老子好好享用享用。去，多找几个人，去她门前大闹。明天老子再英雄救美人，让她感谢我，她就是老子的了。” 霍和应声而去。院子里忽然一阵欢呼，原来有几只麻雀不幸成了几个女人的猎物。霍华心想：“老子明天一拉绳子，董小宛就是我手中的鸟儿啦。” 他喝干手中的半杯酒，将酒杯一扔，酒杯将雪地砸了个坑。他瞥见院门开处，一个人闪身而进，一个丫环迎上去招呼：“姑奶奶。”这个女人是他早已出嫁的小妹霍燕。两人不顾礼仪廉耻，勾搭成奸已数年。 霍华几步跑下楼，牵着妹妹的手说道：“想死哥哥啦，咋好久没来了？” “谁好久没来了？上半月不是来了两次吗？” 霍华便吩咐几个丫环道：“没有我的命令，谁也别到东厢房来。咱兄妹有要事相商。” 两人进了东厢房，霍华早已按捺不住，欲火大炽，一把将其搂住，狂吻乱抓，急于行起事来。 且说霍华的老婆听说小姑子来了，便用盘托了些果品亲自送来，伸手推门，门却是栓住的。她心下起疑，这才听见房中有女人的呻吟声，她一怒，只道是霍华又弄来什么姑娘，便捅破窗纸朝里一望，竟是兄妹俩在干那丑事。她吓得一跳，手中的托盘摔到地上，哗哗啦啦一阵乱响。 霍华兄妹两在房中吓得魂飞天外。他腾地跳起，顺手抓了把刀，胡乱扎好裤子。这兄妹乱伦的事可不能败露，否则他霍华在苏州便没法立足了。他追出去，看见老婆慌慌张张朝街上跑。他紧追上去。 一个丫环只当是老爷夫妻吵了嘴，便欲挡住老爷替夫人求情。谁知话没出口，便被霍华一刀劈翻在雪地上。 赶上街头，追上了老婆。他拦腰一刀将老婆劈倒在地，然后踏上一只脚，也不理她求饶，挥刀劈向她的脖子。街上人但见银光一闪，一颗人头就随着喷涌的鲜血滚了出去。 霍华心知在大街上犯人命，非同小可，赶忙几步跑回家，先打发妹妹走了，自己端坐在厅堂上，面前摆了百两银子，专等捕快来捉他。 不一会，四名苏州府的捕快扑将进来，霍华将面前的银子一推。捕快们心领神会，每人分了二十五两。为首的捕头对霍华道：“霍老爷，如今犯了这件案子，你还是出去避一避，待过了元宵之后再回来瞧瞧。那时，这案子也许已不了了之。 请霍老爷快些动身。 " 霍华当天就离开了苏州，临走前担心窦虎趁机抢了董小宛，便跑去骗他说是前次两人合伙杀人的案子犯了。窦虎吓了一跳，带了银两和他连夜跑到广州去了。 董家的家门前得了些清静，但家里却又碰上丁另一个难题。眼看就过年了，手中的银子却快花光了。大家都急得没办法，只有董旻独自喝着酒懒洋洋地说：“怕什么嘛！没有钱，这年就不过了？” 陈大娘只好去找沙玉芳借。沙玉芳慷慨借与五两银子，悄悄对陈大娘说：“其实让你那宝贝女应一次客，还愁这点银子？” 陈大娘道：“我那乖女铁了心要为冒公子守身。她可宁肯饿死，也不再应客了。”沙九畹道：“姐姐是个奇女子。” “只是那冒辟疆是不是流水无情的家伙呢？”沙玉芳说，“要那样咱宛儿就惨了。” 陈大娘道：“我也担心呢。” 待陈大娘携着银子回到家中，单妈也从外面回来，她心怯地从菜篮中拿出二十多两碎银子放到桌上。陈大娘惊异道：“单妈，你的钱早几个月都贴用了，哪来的银子呢？” 单妈却捂住脸发出了唔唔声，几个人好不容易才听清她说的什么。原来这些银子都是她去和那些船夫，马夫、农夫、皮匠、打铁匠、木匠之类粗人睡觉挣来的。 董小宛抱住单妈放声大哭，一家人就抱住一堆哭了个够。