Denghuaxiao

Chapter 214 Birthday

 Time flies by quickly.

August has entered, the rain has continued, and the Mid-Autumn Festival has passed in a blink of an eye.

 The palace commander's house was very busy.

The ceremony is approaching, and the squads and commanders in front of the palace are busy training every day in preparation for the ceremony that will take place ten days later. Even on the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th, the front team of the palace doubled the manpower to guard the inner gates.

 The imperial guards in the palace were even tighter than in the past. Some courtiers speculated that the incident was related to the rebellion caused by a traitor in the palace of Concubine Chen.

 In addition, Prince Yuan Zhen claimed to be ill and did not appear in court for several days, and there were rumors.

 It is raining in the Palace Commander's Mansion and the martial arts field is wet. The guards will have a break from training today.

The sycamore trees in the courtyard were knocked to the ground by the rain. Duan Xiaoyan hurried in with a bamboo basket on his back. As soon as he entered the house, he shook off the rainwater from his body, put down his umbrella, and lifted the oilcloth covering the bamboo basket -

 With a "hurrah", all the resting guards gathered around him.

A bamboo basket is filled with triangular red talismans, and there are also some peach blossom branches tied with cloth, beads and other things mixed in. Duan Xiaoyan wiped his sweat, put his hands on his hips and said: "Queue in line, come one by one." He then raised his hand and knocked off the paw of a guard, and said displeased: "They are all the same, pick whatever you want!"

He Blind Man on West Street asked the Fox Fairy Queen to personally consecrate a string of peach blossom talisman beads. The more he bought, the cheaper they got. Duan Xiaoyan volunteered to buy them for everyone in front of the palace, and finally negotiated a price that was satisfactory to both parties.

Noisy sounds drifted into the house along with the sound of rain. Pei Yunying glanced outside the door and frowned slightly.

"It's getting more and more unruly." He said coldly: "You don't care."

Xiao Zhufeng was sitting at the table, holding a cup of hot tea. Hearing this, he said, "Whatever, you bought one yourself."

His eyes passed over Pei Yunying's desk.

Underneath the thick pile of military inscriptions, a corner of red is faintly exposed.

Pei Yunying said: "Didn't you buy one too?"

 Xiao Zhufeng: “…”

 He silently pushed the wooden drawer in.

 Both of them were silent for a moment.

“She hasn’t been to the Commander’s Mansion for half a month.” Xiao Zhufeng lowered his head and took a sip of tea, “Did you two quarrel?”

"no."

 “That means you have no chance.”

Pei Yunying was displeased: "You are sick."

 Since the last rainy day, he and Lu Zhen have not seen each other for half a month.

The affairs in the palace are busy. Emperor Liang Ming seems determined to punish the prince this time and change his intention to establish a prince. The courtiers are well aware that the prince's party and Chen Guogong's party are in the same situation. The emperor has sent troops to leave Beijing for Qishui a few days ago. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Emperor Liang Ming often called him for night talks.

 It was very late when he left the palace. Sometimes he wanted to go to West Street, but he was afraid that it would be late at night and delay his rest. After hearing from the spies of the Taishi Mansion that Lu Zhuo was fine these days and Qi Yutai behaved well, he did not go to see her for the time being.

After driving for several days and nights, the matter at hand finally came to an end and I squeezed out two days of rest.

"I'm worried about you," Xiao Zhufeng stood up and walked to the window, looking at the rain falling under the eaves, "after all, I have my ex-fiancé Ji Xun."

 “That’s just your conjecture.”

 “He is a gentleman and has good conduct.”

Pei Yunying sneered: "What about a gentleman? In her eyes, he is no different from dead pork buried under a tree."

Xiao Zhufeng asked: "Are you confident?"

"Of course. I'm different from you. You like silent blessings, but for me, liking means possessing."

The young man's smile faded, "Don't say she has nothing to do with Ji Xun. Even if there is, if she really likes Ji Xun, I will..."

 Xiao Zhufeng: "What do you want?"

　　…“…I will break them up.”

Xiao Zhufeng was speechless and said, "So today you deliberately ignored her birthday and didn't go home, just to meet her?"

Pei Yunying glanced at him: "If you want to see my sister, just go by yourself and use me as an excuse, okay?"

 Xiao Zhufeng ignored him: "Do you want to express your feelings to her?"

 “Now is not the time.”

Pei Yunying's eyes moved slightly and he said calmly: "She is dedicated to revenge and has no time to be distracted. It would be better to do it slowly."

 Xiao Zhufeng looked at him for a long time, put down the teacup in his hand, and spoke contemptuously.

"Okay ah?"

 …

 It is raining heavily outside the door.

 Lu Zhen came out of the room and picked up the umbrella in the corner.

When Du Changqing saw this, he waved to her lazily, "Go early and come back early." His eyes caught sight of Yin Zheng behind Lu Zhu, his expression froze, and he quickly lowered his head to adjust his compass, avoiding the other person's eyes.

After more than ten days of depression, the injured Du Changqing returned to the hospital, looking as if nothing had happened. He continued to curse as usual every day, but at some point he could not help but reveal a trace of sadness.

 Like really sad.

 In comparison, Yin Zheng is much more calm and generous.

Yin Zheng saw Lu Zhen out of the house. When she saw Lu Zhen wearing the hibiscus flower hairpin as usual, she said "Huh" and wondered, "Why haven't you seen the girl wearing that hairpin these days?"

Although the wooden comb is not gorgeous enough, it adds beauty to Lu Zhen's hair. However, it seems to have disappeared for some time, and it was not found in Lu Zhen's makeup package.

　　Lu Tong said: "It's broken. It's been lost."

“Huh?” Yin Zheng said regretfully, “What a pity, it’s so pretty.”

Lu Zhen didn't seem to hear her words. He lowered his head and got into the carriage waiting at the door, "I'm leaving."

 …

When Lu Zhen arrived at the Taishi Mansion, Qi Yutai was talking to the people sent by Qi Qing about the Tianzhangtai Festival.

Hundred officials and guards were present at the palace ceremony. Rumors about Qi Yutai's epilepsy were spreading a few days ago. At this ceremony, he needed to appear in front of people to put an end to the rumors.

 Taishifu attaches great importance to this.

The housekeeper was explaining to Qi Yutai the etiquette and procedures on the day of the ceremony. Qi Yutai impatiently slapped the post in his hand away: "It's not the first time, what should I prepare for?"

The housekeeper wanted to give some more advice, but when he raised his eyes, he saw Lu Huan walking to the door with his maid, so he stepped back and saluted Lu Huan: "Medical Officer Lu."

Lu Zhu nodded, put the medical box on the table, and motioned for Qi Yutai to sit down and take his pulse.

 When the pulse was over, the old housekeeper asked: "Medical Officer Lu, how is the young master doing lately?"

“The pulse is stable and there is no sign of discomfort.”

 The old housekeeper was relieved.

"Okay, okay, get out quickly." Qi Yutai said impatiently, "I can read the post."

 The old housekeeper glanced at Lu Huan again, and Wen Yan stepped back.

As soon as the housekeeper left, Qi Yutai couldn't wait to reach out to Lu Yun.

 Lu Zong paused: "Let's do the acupuncture first, Mr. Qi."

The golden needle pierced the skin, itching and hurting, but the itch in my heart was completely relieved. Qi Yutai covered his nose with his sleeves, his nose hidden in his wide sleeves quivering, poured a pot of hot tea into his throat, and let out a comfortable sigh.

 Happiness.

 It’s so enjoyable.

 The daily acupuncture is the moment he looks forward to most.

The medicinal powder made by Lu Zhuo to replace Hanshi Powder greatly satisfied his drug addiction and prevented him from going crazy at home. He was so obsessed with this thing that he couldn't help himself, and it became the only comfort in the Taishi's mansion now.

What's more, this medicine powder is not as powerful as Hanshi Powder, and it will not cause impulsiveness after taking it. Therefore, after half a month, no one has noticed anything wrong, not even the medical officer invited by the Taishi Mansion.

 This is also the only drawback.

The medicine is weak, which means it is not satisfying enough, as if it is just scratching the surface, or it stops abruptly at the critical moment, leaving people unsatisfied.

Qi Yutai licked the oil paper wrapped in the medicine powder, licked the last bit of powder clean, and said dissatisfiedly: "Lu Huo, can't you add more medicine powder to me, just a little bit every time, do you think I'm going to be a flower child?"

　　Lu Zhen put away the golden needle and said, "Master Qi, this medicine is poisonous if you take it too much. Now this is the best dosage for your body."

Qi Yutai sneered: "Did you do it on purpose?"

Lu Zhen came to give him acupuncture every day, but he did not bring him medicine powder every day.

Sometimes she felt that the guard maid in the house was watching closely, or she felt that his pulse condition had changed, and there was no medicine left that day.

 She was very cautious, so no one noticed her for such a long time.

 But Qi Yutai's appetite was aroused, and he was constantly scratching his heart and lungs.

“It won’t be long before the ceremony is held.” Lu Huan said, “Master Taishi said that no accidents should occur before the ceremony.”

 “So you want to use this to pinch me?”

Qi Yutai looked her up and down and gave her a frivolous smile.

“Don’t worry, as long as you make good medicine, I can guarantee that you will become my concubine after the ceremony.”

 “You just have to please me.”

Lu Zhuo seemed not to have heard his insulting tone, so he calmly packed the medical box and said, "I'll take my leave first." Qi Yutai curled his lips boredly and saw the other person's delicate back holding an umbrella and disappearing in the rain.

 She is very cold.

 But it makes people want to conquer for no reason.

 In the past, Qi Yutai only wanted to kill her to capture the tiger and avenge his sister, but now he had a better idea.

He wanted to break the other person's pride and watch the other person surrender under him with cold eyes. In the end, a female medical officer with excellent medical skills in the Medical Officer's Hospital was wagging her tail in his own backyard and begging for mercy. It was more exciting than subduing a vicious dog like a tiger.

He touched his heart, and the aftertaste of the medicine powder made his heart agitate.

Who calls her an ordinary person?

 Fortunately, she is an ordinary person.

 …

Lu Zhen left Taishi's Mansion and turned the corner into the alley at the end of Taishi's Mansion Long Street. On weekdays, if there was nothing else to do, the carriage hired by Du Changqing would be waiting for her here.

The rain continued incessantly, and the carriage waited quietly under the eaves.

Lu Zhen held an umbrella and approached. When he saw clearly the person on the horse in front of him, he couldn't help but pause.

Qingfeng was wearing a bamboo hat and sitting in the driver's seat. When he saw her coming, he lifted the bamboo hat and said, "Medical Officer Lu."

 Lu Zhen looked behind the carriage.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Qing Feng said hurriedly: "My lord is not in the car. Please go to the palace at noon and ask me to pick you up first."

Seeing that Lu Zhen was indifferent, he reminded again: "Today is the birthday of the master."

 August 19th is Pei Yunying’s birthday.

He said this when he came to the hospital last night, and later he asked her for birthday gifts many times, both overtly and secretly.

　　Lu Huan asked: “So, what do you want from me?”

Her eyes were too bland, Qing Feng was stunned for a moment, and then replied: "Your Excellency, please invite Medical Officer Lu to gather together and wait for Medical Officer Lu at Danfeng Terrace." He added, "Your Excellency, you should have mentioned this matter to Medical Officer Lu before."

Lu Zhen held the umbrella tightly, and the rainwater dripped down the umbrella into lines. She spoke in a calm tone, "I am very busy today and need to make medicine."

"this…"

Qingfeng thought for a while: "I will send Medical Officer Lu back to the hospital first. After Medical Officer Lu is finished, he will send Medical Officer Lu to Danfeng Terrace."

Lu Zhen wanted to refuse, but when the words came to his lips, he changed his mind. Without saying anything, he bent down and got into the carriage.

The carriage galloped all the way back to West Street and stopped at the gate of West Street. Lu Tong got off the carriage and went straight back to the hospital.

Du Changqing and Acheng went back to their hometown first. It rained for most of the day and there were no patients in the hospital. Miao Liangfang also went back at dusk.

Yin Zheng closed the door of the medical clinic and opened the felt curtain. An orange halo was faintly revealed through the window of the small courtyard. She entered the room and saw Lu Yun sitting at the table, carefully pounding medicine.

"Girl," Yin Zheng asked, "I just saw a carriage at the entrance of the hospital. The driver looked like a Qing Feng guard... Do I have something to do with you?"

 “It’s nothing important.” Lu Yan carefully prepared the medicine, “Don’t worry about him.”

Yin Zheng said "Oh", glanced at her, and spoke softly: "Last time Mr. Pei came to the hospital, he said that his birthday was August 19th, and today is August 19th. Is he coming?" Looking for your birthday?"

"no."

Yin Zheng stood still and thought to herself: "Actually, Mr. Pei is quite good. Although he is a noble child, he does not look down on ordinary people." She looked out the window, "It is getting dark, and it is raining so heavily. It’s strange to be lonely on your birthday.”

Lu Zong paused in the action of mixing the medicine, then lowered his eyes after a moment: "I don't want to go."

Yin Zheng sighed.

"Girl, don't embarrass yourself." She didn't say anything else, she just said, "It's cold, please rest early."

Yin Zheng exited the house, Lu Zhuo still lowered his head, as if he hadn't noticed, pounding the herbs in the jar carefully, as if between heaven and earth, only what was in front of him was the most important.

Times passed by slowly, and the night gradually deepened. All the neighbors on West Street went home. There was not a single voice on the long street. There were only strong winds and rain outside the windows, and the cold air was biting.

I don’t know how long it took, Lu Zhu put down the medicine hammer in his hand and raised his eyes to look at the mark on the table.

 It’s almost midnight.

 …

 “It’s almost time.”

In the Palace Commander's Mansion, Xiao Zhufeng stood in front of the window, staring at the night rain outside the window.

 It rains heavily at night, and drops of rain beat under the leaves of the sycamore tree, and the autumn day is chilly.

Duan Xiaoyan shuddered, woke up from the sweet dream he had just had, looked at the clock on the table, and then looked out the window.

 “Brother Yun Ying hasn’t come back yet?”

 Xiao Zhufeng shook his head.

He promised to come back after his birthday to sort out the new military rolls. It was almost midnight, and his birthday was almost over, and he didn't see a single person.

 Duan Xiaoyan held her chin: "Are we getting along so well that you can't bear to come back?"

“Wake up,” Xiao Zhufeng said, “The dream is over.”

 Duan Xiaoyan was speechless.

In fact, Pei Yunying was already waiting at noon. Unexpectedly, when Lu Zhuo went to the Taishi Mansion, something happened in the palace, so he went back to the palace again.

It was already evening when Lu Chen returned to West Street. Qing Feng asked someone to deliver the message. Lu Chen seemed to be very busy and went back to make medicine first.

"Hey," Duan Xiaoyan sighed, "Medical Officer Lu is right. You can't make medicine at any time. It has to be made on Brother Yun Ying's birthday. It's hard to wait for such a heavy rain. Isn't my brother still waiting now? ?”

 Xiao Zhufeng said calmly: "No."

"real?"

 Xiao Zhufeng looked at the autumn rain outside the window for a long time before speaking.

“Pei Yunying is very picky and proud.”

Xiao Zhufeng said: "On the surface, he seems to be sympathetic to her, but in fact, he has no patience for others. He doesn't take the initiative, let alone wait for others."

“If you make an appointment with someone at Chen time, you will leave before the time comes.”

 Duan Xiaoyan was stunned.

 Xiao Zhufeng closed the window, blocking out all the cold air outside the house.

 “He is not a man who waits patiently.”

 …

 It’s raining heavily.

There was a "rustling" sound between the sky and the earth.

 The wheels of the carriage produced a splash of water as they rolled over the wetland.

The wheels rolled across the path and stopped in front of a teahouse. After a while, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Lu Zhuo stepped out of the carriage holding an oil-paper umbrella in his hand.

Danfeng Terrace is adjacent to mountains. In autumn, the mountains and fields are as red as fire. Now, before the maple leaves are red, it rains again. Looking from a distance, the mountains are dark and silent, like a patch of splashed ink.

 The lights in the tea house have been extinguished.

 Lu Xu lowered his eyes.

Qingfeng stayed in front of Renxin Medical Center for a long time. Lu Zhu asked Yinzheng to tell him that she was very busy tonight and would not go to Danfeng Terrace.

Yin Zheng went out several times, and the last time around Haishi, he told her: "Girl, the carriage has left."

 Qingfeng left and did not appear again.

This is good.

Pei Yunying should also have returned from Danfeng Terrace.

He should have spent his birthday with Pei Yunshu, Baozhu, Xiao Zhufeng, Duan Xiaoyan, and all his relatives and friends. He might have a lover in the future, but it shouldn't be her.

 He shouldn't wait for her.

In front of Danfeng Terrace, it was pitch dark, with only a few dim lanterns hanging under the eaves. She heard Du Changqing say that every clear night here, the trees are covered with lanterns, which are bright and bright. Today, the weather is not good and it is late at night. All the lanterns are extinguished and the owner of the tea house has closed the door.

 Lu Zhen felt calm in his heart.

She walked to the door of the tea house and was suddenly startled.

The rain kept falling, and almost all the lights in the teahouse were turned off, but there was a window with a light on. The wooden window was open, and there was a man standing by the window, quietly listening to the sound of rain.

  Hearing the movement, he raised his eyes.

 Lu Zhuo froze suddenly.

 On a cool autumn night, the lights are dim and the sound of rain falls. Lu Tong stood outside the window, with drizzle falling on the umbrella. He stood in the window, his features as picturesque as smoke, like a dream, which suddenly reminded people of an old saying.

There are bananas outside the window and people in the window, and it is clear that the leaves are dripping with heart.

She was stunned, but the other party laughed softly.

Pei Yunying looked at her, his crimson robe bright and dazzling. On a rainy night, the warm light fell on him, making him even more beautiful than Qiongying.

Those dark eyes stared at her, and the smile on his lips was bright.

 “I thought you wouldn’t come,” he said.