MTL - Perfect Encounter-Chapter 4

An Ruochen squatted down in fright.

With only a glimpse, she saw clearly that it was Mrs. Xu who opened the door and came in, the matchmaker who promised her family. It was she who came to the door with Qian Pei's betrothal gift, and said "Congratulations, young lady" to her with a beaming smile. Congratulations to pigs, dogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and geese.

An Ruochen's back was pressed against the wall, and he huddled under the window, not daring to move at all. He was so nervous that his heart jumped out of his throat. If Mrs. Xu saw her here, she would be completely speechless, and if the matter got to her father's ears, she would have no chance to escape.

An Ruochen didn't dare to breathe, and carefully listened to the movement in the room, staring at the half wall. Hearing the sound of Mrs. Xu sitting down, An Ruochen tried to slowly crawl towards the half wall.

Just as her palms reached the ground, when she heard someone knocking on the door, Mrs. Xu got up quickly with a bang, An Ruochen was so frightened that she didn't dare to move.

Mrs. Xu went to open the door, and An Ruochen took the opportunity to climb to the side of the window, only three steps away from the broken wall. But An Ruochen didn't dare to act rashly. According to her visual inspection, the position of the wall could be seen through the window in the room, so she would climb over it and be watched. An Ruochen held his breath, waiting for the opportunity.

It was a man who entered the room, and Mrs. Xu called him "Mr. Xie". An Ruochen couldn't tell how old this Mr. Xie was, but he spoke in a very warm way. Just dating a matchmaker in this kind of place would definitely not be a good thing.

An Ruochen guessed right. She heard Mr. Xie say to Mrs. Xu: "If those two girls can't do it, you can find another one. Don't talk to them too much. If you can save it, you have to silence it. Now leave them alone, I have important errands for you manage."

"Yes, please tell me, sir."

"Find a few people, and ask for fresh faces in the city, who are smarter, and go and burn the granary in the north of the city."

An Ruochen was taken aback, she couldn't help but peeked into the room quietly, the man's back was facing the window, she couldn't see his face, Mrs. Xu listened to the man's words with a serious and respectful face, and didn't look at him at all. Look at the window. An Ruochen felt that the opportunity had come, no matter where they were going to burn, she walked towards the half of the wall lightly, and when she raised her legs halfway, she heard the man in the room say: "Is there someone?"

An Ruochen was so frightened that she almost bit off her tongue. She quickened her movements and quickly walked to the other side of the wall, dodging behind the wall.

"No one. The next door is an empty house, unoccupied." This was Mrs. Xu answering.

An Ruochen stared at the narrow backyard and the dilapidated back door, sweat dripping down his back.

Mrs. Xu walked to the back window to look out while answering the question. The narrow aisle and the half-broken low wall were no different from the past. Suddenly a cat jumped over the wall, Mrs. Xu said, "It's a cat."

But Mr. Xie still went out. He went to the broken wall to have a look, then raised his foot and walked over.

There was indeed no one in the next room. Mr. Xie looked in from the window, feeling a little worried, so he went into the room. Mrs. Xu also followed and said, "It is indeed a cat."

Mr. Xie looked around the room, opened the cabinet, and looked under the bed. There was nothing there, and there was dust on his hands. He gave up on that and led Mrs. Xu back into the house. After explaining a few words, he seemed uneasy, and said: "Don't come here again, next time we will change to another place to talk."

"Yes, yes." Mrs. Xu nodded repeatedly in agreement. This Mr. Xie is cautious and suspicious, and she has learned it a long time ago.

After the two talked for a while, they quickly left. When Mr. Xie left, he glanced at the wooden door next door.

An Ruochen huddled and hid for a long time, but didn't hear anything, so she gritted her teeth and poked her head out of the tank. No one was seen, no sound was heard. So he stepped out of the tank lightly, quickly covered half of the wall and listened, and there seemed to be no one next door. She entered quickly, opened the front door, went out, locked the lock, and sprinted out of the alley.

Running across the alley in one breath, detoured into the alley, there were so many pedestrians around, An Ruochen was relieved, she slowed down, straightened her hair and clothes, and walked towards the tea shop as if nothing had happened. She thought of the reason for leaving for so long in the morning - she went shopping in other stores and forgot the time.

When An Ruochen walked into the path, a man walked into Pinghu East Lane. It was Mr. Xie.

He went back and forth because he was still very worried, not only was he worried, but he also remembered that when he left, he saw a lock on the closed door next door. If the house is empty, why not lock the door. If there is no need for a lock, why is there another lock.

Mr. Xie quickly walked to the door of the house at the end of the alley. The door is locked.

Mr. Xie frowned, he was sure that the lock he saw when he left was just hanging. Mr. Xie took a look, luckily tore the lock off the dilapidated door, and pushed the door open.

The furnishings in the room are the same as before, and there is no one under the cabinet or bed. He believed that there was really no one this time. But he had to look again.

He searched every corner of the house very carefully, but found nothing. The big empty water tank annoyed him, and he had neglected it earlier. He continued to check, and unexpectedly found a small white jade earring pendant in the shape of a bunny under the window of the room where he had a conversation with Mrs. Xu just now.

Mr. Xie held the earrings and looked carefully in the sunlight, squinting his eyes slightly.

When An Ruochen returned home, she didn't realize that one of her earrings was missing until the old nanny asked her about it.

The little girl who went out with her said: "Perhaps they were crowded in the clothes shop. Today, for some reason, so many people go to that shop."

"It's a pity." The old nanny knew that An Ruochen liked this pair of earrings very much, and she often wore them. She asked the little girl to go to the clothes shop to look for it. The little girl was too tired today, so she didn't like it very much, but seeing the old nannie's serious face, she went.

After a while, the maid came back and reported that she couldn't find it, An Ruochen was very worried. The old nanny thought she was reluctant to part with the earring, and said, "Isn't there another one? I'll take it to the jewelry store and let them make another one as it is."

"No, no, that style is old too, if you want to change it, you'd better get a new one." An Ruochen said hastily. If it was really lost and picked up by someone, then going to the jewelry store to have a new one is like telling the other party: "That's right, it's me! I overheard your conversation." An Ruochen rubbed her forehead , It's really scary to suppress this imagination.

When Huwei General Zong Zeqing walked into the Ziyunlou study, he saw Long Dazheng holding a book and curling his mouth as if smiling.

scare!

Zong Zeqing quickly rubbed his eyes, and looked again carefully, okay, he wasn't smiling, but still had that serious face. It must have been an illusion just now. So Zong Zeqing's plan remained unchanged, and he threw himself on the chair next to Long Da like mud: "General!"

Long Da continued to read the book calmly, completely unmoved by Zongshi's acting like a baby.

Zong Zeqing looked at Long Da's expression, sat up straight, and spoke earnestly, "General, send me to the front line to garrison for a few days, and let me rest."

Zong Zeqing is twenty-five years old, a few months older than Long. She had a baby face, delicate, gentle and fair, she smiled harmlessly to humans and animals, innocent and cute, but she was brave on the battlefield. Because of his great achievements in the war, he was named General Huwei by the emperor and awarded the fifth rank.

The official is sealed, but the official authority is not there. He laughs and laughs all day long, and can get along with anyone. Xie Gang saw through him, and said: "Why don't you come to me as a spy, your face should be very useful."

Pooh! How is General Tiger? Tiger!

But in fact Zong Zeqing is really doing the job of a spy, another kind of spy.

For example, when he arrived in Zhonglan City, Long Da was busy with official duties, serious and solemn, he only talked about military affairs, received a lot of gift posts, and didn't go to anyone's invitations. Zong Zeqing was different, he would go to anyone who invited him, and he would go if he didn't invite him. With an amiable smile, he patiently and thoughtfully communicated with various officials and helped Long Da explain various things. It is said that the general's imperial order is pressing him, and he dare not relax. Moreover, although the current military situation is not urgent, how can the Long family army be lazy and undisciplined when they arrive for the first time, so that if the neighboring countries see it like this, it will not have the effect of deterrence and so on.

Because of Long Da's eloquence, Zong Zeqing's eloquence immediately attracted many people to flirt with him. In just a few days, Zong Zeqing was in the city like a duck to water, socializing constantly, shouting and hugging.

Zong Zeqing's serious acting like a baby was rejected by Long Da again. He raised his eyes and asked with a serious face, "Have you heard anything?"

Zong Zeqing started talking non-stop about which official was related to which mansion, who was so-and-so's distant cousin, who-so-and-so's cousin was the second wife of a certain official, which rich gentry was in charge of which businesses in the city. Which county magistrate is in power, which big family controls which business line, how are the prefects and the officials, what gossips are going on in private, etc. They talked for an hour and drank two pots of water.

Long Da listened while turning the pages of the book without interrupting him. Zong Zeqing finally finished speaking. Seeing that Long Da didn't respond, he deliberately picked the middle part and said it again. When he talked about XX at the beginning, Long Da said lightly: "You have already reported this."

Very good, it proves that the general listened, so he needn't be sad. Zong Zeqing poured another glass of water, and said enthusiastically and earnestly: "General, it has been too hard for Chuqing to patrol the front line for many days. Let me go for a few days instead." Military training is too tiring, why don't I go to the school grounds for a few days instead."

Drinking, socializing and gossiping is more tiring than practicing. The general doesn't feel pity for his subordinates at all, only he has pity for himself.

"Okay."

Zong Zeqing's spirits lifted, and he suddenly felt alive again.

"The future is long, hang out for a while, don't let them think you are too easy to grasp."

"Yes, yes." Zong Zeqing has followed Long Da for many years, and it is not wrong to cooperate with him to sing black and white

It was the first time, so he was naturally familiar with Long Da's methods. Since General Long has strict discipline over his subordinates, how can he allow his subordinates to chat and drink with others every day. So he rested for a few days, and then looked for another opportunity to tell people that he was reprimanded by General Long and punished him to lead troops to train hard, and waited for an opportunity to confide bitterness to people, so that it was easier to get closer to those people.

"I read those gifts and posts. There are a few that I can meet."

"Is there something special?"

"En." Long Da put down the book in his hand. "It's really special."

Zong Zeqing saw the title of the book on the cover, forgot what he wanted to say, and stuck his mouth half open.

Really his grandma's bear! "Biography of General Dragon"!

This flattery is shot in the sky! How shameless do you have to be to do this? !

"General!" Zong Zeqing's voice trembled, he was so excited that he really wanted to read this book. "Can I borrow this book and read it later?"

"No." Long Da calmly put away the book. "I'm afraid you won't be able to hold back after watching it, and laugh from beginning to end during the banquet, ruining the reputation of my Long family army."

Zong Zeqing was stuck there with his mouth half-opened, how wonderful? Still not allowed to watch?

"Whose banquet does the general plan to attend?"

"settle down."

An Ruochen was a little anxious, it wasn't Aunt Lu who delivered the food today, and she didn't have a chance to talk to her. The house in Pinghu East Lane cannot be lived, she has to ask Aunt Lu to find it again. Also, she wants to tell Aunt Lu that if anyone inquires about renting a house, she has to make up a complete story. This matter can't drag the aunt down, and don't expose yourself.

Just thinking about it, the maid came to report, and the master asked everyone to go to the hall. An Ruochen couldn't guess what was going to happen, so she went there with extreme caution.

In the hall, An Zhifu was proud of the spring breeze, and announced with great joy that General Long would be a guest at their house in the future.

As soon as the words were finished, the aunts and maids in each room immediately exploded, and the servants and maids couldn't help but whispered to each other.

An Ruochen lowered his head and secretly frowned. That General Dragon? She still remembered what he looked like. She obviously looked mighty and majestic, but she was kicked in the head by a donkey and was flattered by her father. Want to come to her house as a guest? The second-rank official, the whole thing is shining brightly, but it is about to flash in the wrong place.

An Ruochen sighed inwardly, it seemed that Zhonglan City was in danger, Pingnan County was in danger, it was quite unreliable to rely on this great general to protect them.

But this is an opportunity for her. General Long's coming as a guest means that the whole family's attention will be on General Long, and there must be no one in the backyard. At that time, she will slip away quietly, without anyone noticing.

It's too late to change the house, but maybe she doesn't need the house. There are distinguished guests at home, and no one pays attention to her. Even if she is found missing, Dad will not go out to look for her because the general is in the way. She has enough time to go out of the city.

This is a great opportunity, she can't miss it.

An Zhifu didn't know what the eldest daughter was thinking, so he happily instructed about the banquet in the future. On that day, everyone must do their best, be courteous, and dress appropriately. Especially the daughters, um, to be precise, all the daughters except An Ruochen should be well-dressed, wearing bright red ornaments, wearing whatever is beautiful or expensive, and if they can talk, To dare to accompany wine, in a word, to make the distinguished guests return with satisfaction.

An Ruochen lowered his head to listen to the training while thinking about the escape, and rolled his eyes in his heart. Dad, do you want to take off the name plaque at the gate of the mansion and put up a signboard of "Baihualou"? You are not the procuress of Hualou, and your daughter is not a joke. Is this kind of order to be beautiful, talkative and dare to accompany wine, is it something a father should say?

Still satisfied and return, satisfied with pigs, dogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and geese, bah!

The day after tomorrow will come soon.

The lanterns and festoons in Anfu have taken on a new look, which is comparable to the excitement during the Chinese New Year. Many good people stopped and looked at each other from a distance, An Zhifu was waiting for General Long at the gate, his nose was so proud that his nose went up to the sky.

Zong Zeqing and Long Da led the guards on horseback. Zong Zeqing was so startled that he almost fell off his horse when he saw the red carpet extending from the intersection to the entrance of Anfu, the crowd of people at the entrance of Anfu, and An Zhifu who was dressed in red and green as if he was about to get married.

This is too... I can't think of an adjective for a while. Zong Zeqing rubbed his nose and took a peek at Long Da. If the general couldn't hold back and walked away, would he follow suit, or continue to play nice?

But there was no joy or anger on Long Da's face, he was calm and composed.

Zong Zeqing touched his nose again, there was a word "big" in front of his official title "General", which was really unusual.

Getting closer to the gate of An's house, when An Zhifu saw Zong Zeqing, he smiled so brightly that Zong Zeqing's skin got goosebumps. That's right, he was the one who came forward to make arrangements for the General's willingness to go to An's Mansion for a banquet. He was the one who told An Zhifu to tell him about it and told him to make good arrangements. Of course, the general will choose whose banquet to go to.

An Zhifu said at the time, "As long as the general likes the book." Zong Zeqing immediately thought of "Biography of General Dragon". It was actually sent by An Zhifu? What kind of divine book is it? I can't see it, it just scratches my heart!

But right now the most irritating thing is An Zhifu's warm eyes, don't stare at him like this, and don't stare at General Long like this, you laugh so disgustingly, don't you think?

An Zhifu obviously didn't feel it, he warmly welcomed the arrival of General Long and General Zong, and flatteringly welcomed them into the mansion.

After entering Anfu, Zong Zeqing was a little surprised again. What kind of rules are there for women and scholars on both sides to stand in line to welcome them?

An Zhifu didn't realize there was anything wrong, and happily introduced them one by one: "General, this is my eldest son, named Ronggui. Ronggui, meet the general soon."

Long Da nodded, maintaining his serious face. Turning his gaze, he found An Ruochen in the queue. She stood at the back, in an inconspicuous position, with her head lowered, with a docile look.

An Zhifu walked behind Long Da while chattering. He died in his wife, four concubines, two sons and four daughters. The eldest daughter promised someone else, so she skipped it and didn't mention it, and the younger daughter was too young, so she didn't mention it. The eldest son, An Ronggui, is fifteen years old, and learned to do business with him. The second daughter, An Ruoxi, just turned sixteen, and both of them are descendants of the second wife, the Tan family. The third daughter, An Ruolan, is fifteen this year, and the third wife is from the Xue family. These two daughters are of marriageable age, well-behaved and lovely...

Long Dadang didn't listen, the serious face has such advantages. He seemed to look around inadvertently, but he was always paying attention to An Ruochen. What seems wrong with her? He thought, ah, so that's the case, her figure is different from the last time we met.

An Ruochen heard his father and Long Dameng boast that his two daughters who were waiting for a baby were "cute", and wanted to pretend to be dizzy and let people carry her down quickly, and looked up at the second and third sisters secretly, really embarrassing for them . The two younger sisters lowered their heads to their chests, their faces were flushed, and their shame was really pretty.

An Ruochen glanced at the general out of the corner of his eyes, and looked over subconsciously, but saw that General Long was actually looking at him. What's up with her? She is not in the range of "pleasant". She's not shy either, ah, by the way, it's normal for her to be timid in this scene, so hurry up and get into the mood. But where are you looking, General, the direction of your gaze is a bit wrong.

An Ruochen frowned, and almost jumped up when she realized it. He even looked at her breasts. Although his eyes only stayed for a while, he was still caught by her. He raised his eyes and met her gaze, but he didn't feel ashamed at all, let alone the guilt of being caught. He looked directly into her eyes, sharp and inquisitive.

An Ruochen lowered her head, her face flushed like the two younger sisters, she was not ashamed, but angry, so angry that she even clenched her fists.

It's really shameless to be so shameless.

Long Da quickly walked into the banquet hall and took the upper seat, as if the eye contact just now hadn't happened. It's just that An Ruochen looked very nervous, and he felt that she was thinking of something.

An Zhifu neatly stuffed his two daughters into the seats next to Long Da, and sat with him on the other side. The others took their positions, chatting and laughing happily, and the atmosphere was cheerful and enthusiastic.

Zong Zeqing was contemptuous of An Zhifusai's daughter's behavior in his heart, he glanced at Long Da, and thought to himself that the people in this city really are tough, and they are not at all informal. The general was right, he was never allowed to read the book, and he could hardly hold back just looking at An Jia's face, if he read the book... oh, I really miss it, I really want to read it.

An Ruochen lowered her eyebrows and bowed her head, honest and quiet. But she didn't know whether it was because she had thoughts in her heart or what, she always felt that someone was staring at her, it was General Long. But when he raised his eyes to take a peek, he saw that the general was listening to others with a dignified face, as if he didn't pay attention to himself at all.

An Ruochen couldn't figure out what Long Da was thinking, she sat for a while, and began to calm down from the anger she felt just now. What is the reason why the general came to her house as a guest? It was absolutely impossible that it was the side outside the city that made him **** for her. Although she was quite satisfied with her appearance, she didn't think that having such a charm would make the general condescend to come here. It's even more impossible to sell her father's face. What about making friends with people in the city, from the east gate to the west gate, her father can't be ranked in the line of characters. Her father is dizzy with joy, don't you think there is something weird about this matter? No matter what the weirdness was, An Ruochen felt uneasy.