Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

A pot of green plum wine, two plates of Guanghan cake.

There are many graves in the western suburbs, and the heights are scattered in an unknown geometry. Lighting incense sticks and burning paper money, the warm wind blows the incense ash everywhere.

"Enke's exam is about to start, I hope my sister will bless Tang'er with the spirit of heaven, safe and sound, high school in the examination hall." Rong Kaiji stood solemnly, murmured prayers sincerely, held incense and worshiped, and inserted it upright.

Rong Huaijin's unlettered tombstone was buried next to Rong Kaiji's blood relative's tomb, and father and son often worshiped together when they went to the grave.

"This green plum wine is brewed by Tang'er himself." Rong Kaiji poured the wine from the pot, and told Rong Huaijin's ghost in a rambling manner: "The child is getting more and more sensible, he has always been serious about his studies, and his knowledge has greatly improved. The master often praises him The article is well done, and thanks to the support and assistance of several noble people, there will be a lot to do in the future." After a pause, Rong Kaiji looked dignified, and silently prayed: I only hope that my sister will know under the spring, and that Tang'er is safe. Life is the most important thing, even if you are a little girl for the rest of your life. Being a businessman is better than being pursued jointly by the Zhou family and the Nanhou Mansion.There is also King Qing, that Highness trusts Tang'er very much, and now he really can't imagine the situation after the incident in the future, the future is unpredictable...

Rong Youtang knelt down on his knees, silently burning the paper money, sadly reminiscing about his mother.

After a long time, Rong Kaiji finished talking about what he wanted to say, and greeted his son: "Okay, Tang'er, let's go home, and come to worship after the announcement."

"it is good."

Rong Youtang cheered up, tidied up patiently and meticulously, picked up the basket, helped his adoptive father to leave, and went to the official road outside to find Li Shun who was guarding the carriage.

The western suburbs are famous cemeteries.The deceased relatives of ordinary people in the city and people in nearby suburban counties are buried here. These are tombstones wrapped in graves, and descendants of descendants regularly repair and worship them.

At the same time, separated by a man-made tall and steep sill, the depression on the west side is a mass grave.Beggars who died of illness and freezing without relatives and no reason, foreigners who died suddenly with unknown identities, and those who were murdered by gangsters, etc., the government could not stop them. Some sleep naked... Therefore, there are many wild dogs and cats in the western suburbs.

"Father, be careful." Rong Youtang supported his adoptive father, carefully walking through the winding path between the graves.

The steep slope is ahead.

Rong Kaiji habitually looked up for a few eyes: Did the devastated Zhou family send someone to pay homage to that tomb?

After Yang Ruofang secretly sent killers to murder Zhou Renlin, in order to appease Zhou Renlin's anger, she falsely claimed that the bodies of Aunt Rong's mother and son who "accidentally fell into the lake and drowned" had been salvaged.

"Huh?" Rong Kaiji suddenly exclaimed in a low voice.

"Father, what's the matter?" Rong Youtang asked without raising his head, he was holding the basket in his left hand and supporting him with the right, looking down at the road.

"Those two were... sent by the Zhou family to worship?" Rong Kaiji asked doubtfully, but at the same time he was very angry: The Zhou family lost their humanity and killed innocent people. In the end, they even refused to send someone to repair the tomb. Collapsed by rainwater!

Rong Youtang knew for a long time that the Zhou family had set up a tomb for himself and his mother in a hasty way to hide the eyes and ears. In order not to be exposed, he had to endure it, pretending not to see it, and concentrate on paying homage to the tomb where his mother was actually buried and the family members of his adoptive father who died .

About a mile apart, separated by countless graves and tombstones.

Rong Youtang stood on tiptoe and gazed into the distance:

I saw two women, one in a blue dress and the other in a green dress, near the mass grave in the front side, screaming in terror and calling for help.

The young woman in the blue skirt was in a bun, and was protected by a maid-like woman in the green skirt who retreated. The woman in the green skirt carried a bamboo basket and kept waving it—for some reason, they were surrounded by five or six wild dogs.

"Help!"

"Help!"

They huddled together, cried loudly, stumbled, and kept backing away, completely unable to resist the wild dogs that were eating human flesh.

Although there were three or five people who went to the grave nearby to find out, they all hesitated and watched with apprehension: the cats and dogs in the mass graves are full of ghosts, the most "dirty" and "fierce", and they will be unlucky for a year , bad luck.

Rong Kaiji subconsciously took two steps forward, frowned and reminded loudly: "When encountering vicious dogs, don't show weakness, the more you are afraid of them, the more rampant they will be!"

"Help!" Su Yingying screamed, she finally insisted that some passers-by might be willing to help.

"That uncle!" The bamboo basket in the maid's hand had been bitten away by wild dogs. She was on the verge of collapse, and she cried out for help hoarsely: "Master, kind man, help, they are going to eat people!"

"That's Aunt Su from the Zhou family." Rong Youtang told his adoptive father, and he immediately pulled out the dagger from his boot, looked around, picked up some fist-sized stones and put them in a basket.

"Ah?" Rong Kaiji was astonished and asked in puzzlement, "Why did she sweep the tomb?"

"I don't know. Dad, you stand here for a while, I'll go chase the wild dogs." Rong Youtang instructed.

"Are you willing to—" Rong Kai hurriedly stopped: Are you willing to help the Zhou family?

"For the sake of their worship." Rong Youtang smiled lightly, and stuffed a few stones into his adoptive father's arms: "I'll protect you." Then he held half a basket of stones, clenched his dagger, aggressively, and it didn't take a moment Then rushed over quickly.

"Go away!" Rong Youtang pretended to be fierce, threw stones first, stomped deliberately, threw stones frequently, and waved the dagger: "Go away?!"

Five or six wild dogs were caught off guard, dodged the stone attack, jumped back, but refused to leave, bared their teeth, smelled dirty, growled sinisterly, lowered their front bodies, ready to go, and made a jumping attack.

"Don't cry, you can't be weak, scold them!" Rong Youtang ordered the shivering woman who hid far away, and threatened with a dagger while throwing stones.

"Get out, get out!" Su Yingying was crying, listening to orders tremblingly, when her maid saw that there was finally a man helping her, she became bolder in an instant, put her hands on her hips in anger, and shouted loudly: "Beast! Isn't it enough to give beef? What do you want to eat human flesh? Get lost!"

After all, Rong Kaiji was not at ease, and then rushed over with more than a dozen stones in his lapel, and also stomped, chasing away the wild dogs in a dignified manner.

Not long after, five or six wild dogs saw that there were so many people, they were defeated, broke up, jumped over the steep ridge, and fled back to the mass grave with their tails between their legs.

"Oh, they ran away, thank you two benefactors!" The maid let out a long breath with cold sweat all over her head.

"Many, thank you two benefactors." Su Yingying was shocked and bowed her body to express her thanks. She was wearing a plain blue silk dress without makeup, only a silver hairpin in a bun, and no other jewelry. Her maid was also plain and clean. The manners and grooming of the two grave sweepers were impeccable.

Rong Youtang couldn't help but feel good about it, and then looked at it carefully:

The tombs in front of me have been sorted out, the collapsed graves are filled with soil, the tombstone altar has been cleaned, and the incense sticks and paper money are all ready.It's just that the offerings were messy, dried fruit pastries were scattered all over the floor, and there was not even a mince of cooked beef left, all of which were licked up by wild dogs.

Rong Youtang nodded with satisfaction in his heart: With these alone, I don't regret helping you!

"It's near a mass grave, so it's best not to bring meat sacrifices with you when sweeping the tomb, so as not to attract wild dogs to snatch them up. They're alive and well, so they're not so afraid of people." Rong Kaiji kindly reminded.

Su Yingying bowed her head and bowed her head: "Thank you for your guidance, my family worshiped here for the first time. I didn't understand it, and I was almost bitten. Fortunately, the two of you helped each other out. My family is very grateful."

"It probably smells like beef on your hands." Rong Youtang guessed.

The maid in blue immediately raised her hand to sniff, and said with a wry smile: "Master, you are right. Sigh, I won't dare to bring meat here again, let's replace it with dried fruit."

Rong Youtang didn't want to talk too much, so he said tactfully: "It's getting late, don't let it go, you all should be careful."

Su Yingying's master and servant immediately panicked, subconsciously turned their heads to look at the group of wild dogs looking around on the steep slope not far away.Su Yingying was terrified, and hurriedly begged: "I beg your benefactor to be merciful, can you allow the two of my family to go together?"

Rong Youtang was noncommittal, and respected his adoptive father with his eyes.

"It's just a little effort, don't worry about it." Rong Kaiji suggested modestly: "How about going to the officialdom?"

Su Yingying bowed her head happily: "Your elder please come first." Although she was born in the world, but she can be praised as Luchuan's oiran. Apart from her beauty, her etiquette is naturally not bad, otherwise Zhou Renlin would not have brought her to the capital in secret.

A narrow path, four people walking together.

Rong Youtang's adoptive father was in front, and Su Yingying's master and servant followed closely behind.

Halfway through the journey, Rong Youtang suddenly heard Su Yingying groaning in pain behind her.

"Sister, what's the matter with you?" Su Yan is Su Yingying's confidant brought from Luchuan. They have been together for nearly ten years, and they are called sisters in private.

"No, no problem."

"Did you get frightened just now?" Su Yan stabilized herself in panic, raised her head and begged: "Benefactor, wait a moment!"

Rong Youtang had no choice but to stop, Rong Kaiji turned his head when he heard "fetal gas", thought for a while, and asked: "Can you hold on? You are pregnant, why did you take the risk of visiting the grave?"

Su Yingying endured the pain, raised her head and smiled bitterly: "Grandpa, my family is a foreigner, and there are no relatives or friends in Beijing. Now I am here to pay homage to my sister, mother and son who have no chance to see each other. First, I empathize with her and mourn their misfortune. Second, I do good deeds. May the unborn child be born safely."

More importantly, this move can win the appreciation of Zhou Renlin, a hypocrite.Rong Youtang knew it well.

Rong Youtang sighed, turned around, took the bamboo basket Su Yan was carrying, and asked, "Can you walk to the official road by yourself?"

Su Yingying's face was snow-white, and she apologized in embarrassment: "My lord, please let me take it easy, it should be fine."

"Okay, take a break." Rong Youtang nodded.He has no prejudice against the Zhou family who are similar to Su Yingying, and he has no intention of venting his anger.

The four of them stopped and went, and finally when Rong Youtang wanted to help, his adoptive father preempted him—Rong Kaiji was worried that his son would feel uncomfortable near Zhou Renlin's concubine.

The two carriages returned to the city at the same time, and they separated after entering the city.

Two days before the Enke Examination, Sein Fei made an appointment with Rong Youtang, and they met in a restaurant on South Street.

"It's her, the pregnant woman in blue." Seong Fei sat at the window, overlooking the bustling market, and tapped Su Yingying, who was helped out of the carriage by Zhou Renlin, with his chin. Staring at Zhou Xiaotong, she found that the maid beside her quietly went to the secluded medicine hall to dispense the miscarriage medicine. Aunt Su was very smart and didn't drink the medicine given the night before. one game."

"Did Yang Ruofang bring her children back to her mother's house again?" Rong Youtang asked firmly.

"That's right. Now Su Yingying doesn't trust the doctor who comes to her door at all. She would rather come out to see a doctor by herself. She's a frightened bird. She didn't find the same hospital yesterday and today. How afraid is she of being killed?" Song Fei glanced at the employer strangely, He seemed to ask casually: "Does Master Tang have a blood feud with the Zhou family?"

Rong Youtang directly ignored the other party's question, and said: "Keep watching, be careful. How is Li Dan?"

"Oh, the Zhou and Li families originally intended to get married, but the Li family's heirs are weak, and Li Dan is bound to take concubines, but Yang Ruofang is jealous. The Zhou family originally had an aunt and concubine, but they died inexplicably. Zhou Xiaotong also plotted against his father's concubine. See 'The upper beam is not straight and the lower beam is crooked'. Marriages are mostly yellow."

Rong Youtang nodded in satisfaction, and reminded: "The enemy's opponent is our ally for the time being. If conditions permit, you can help a group of Su Yingying appropriately. She is in the Zhou family's back house and has all kinds of tricks. Can she succeed? Nothing."

Can toss a lot of things, right?

Song Fei nodded, moved closer, and said teasingly: "Master Tang, I dare to ask: Could it be that you are Su Yingying's old friend? That woman was once a famous oiran in Luchuan, tsk tsk, it is said that savage women are affectionate—"

"Stop talking nonsense, it's nothing." Rong Youtang interrupted.

"Hey hey hey~" Sein Fei laughed wildly and didn't want to be beaten, he seemed to be in a daze, but actually he got close to carefully observe the disguise on the employer's face, and he whispered curiously: "Is this a human skin mask or a whitewash? It's quite realistic .”

Rong Youtang was unceremonious, and repelled the opponent with his elbow on his chest: "Seinfei, you asked me to come out today, and that's all? Nothing else? Are you worthy of the 1000 taels I used back and forth?"

"I know, I know!" Seinfeld hurriedly raised his hands, feeling like he was having a headache: "Can you rest assured? I don't know how much I cherish my signboard, and I will definitely handle things carefully with the money. Isn't this reporting the progress? Otherwise, I will You don't know what you did."

"Just remember."

"Okay, there is actually one more thing." Seinfeld hesitated rarely, hesitating.

Rong Youtang got up and made a gesture to leave——

"Hey! Wait, look at you, you just don't have any patience." Sein Fei stared at his employer's eyes, and said slowly: "A few days ago, Su Yingying took her personal maid out of the city to visit the grave in the western suburbs..."

Rong Youtang looked as usual: "What's the problem with sweeping the grave?" Hmph, can I not know that you are deceiving me?

"She went to pay homage to Aunt Rong's mother and son, who are also Zhou Renlin's concubine, and she hasn't found any problems yet." Song Fei said ambiguously without blinking: "During the period, they were unfortunately besieged by wild dogs and rescued by a handsome son. It's beautiful, and it's quite interesting." I just found out that day that the concubine born to Aunt Rong who died of a strange cause was named Zhou Mingtang.

Sometimes, a hunch that lacks strong evidence or even seems absurd can be true.

"Since you are watching, why don't you help me? It's better to win the reputation of being a hero for saving the beauty." Rong Youtang said lightly.He never thought that he could hide his identity for a lifetime, and he has been hiding and avoiding for a long time, fearful, exhausted, and already aware of everything that may happen.

Therefore, he didn't panic about Seinfeld's temptation.

"How dare I?" Sein Fei has never shown his true colors to others, and he has a superb disguise technique. Today, he is pretending to be a young scholar.He sighed and regretted: "The famous oiran is so beautiful! I want to be a hero to save the beauty, but I can't be sorry for the money given by Lord Tang, alas~"

"Other than that, what else is there?" Rong Youtang asked sternly.

"Gone."

"That's fine, you continue. After the Li family clearly rejects Zhou Xiaotong, it will be considered a success, and the payment will be paid at that time." Rong Youtang got up and left in a hurry.

Sein Fei also got up, he walked lightly, unknowingly chased after two steps, then stopped abruptly, and warned himself: Hey, forget it, why bother?Whoever he is, just give the money as soon as possible, and don't cause trouble.

the seventh night of june

Going to take the exam tomorrow morning, Rong Kaiji is a hundred times more nervous and anxious than his son.

"Is everything packed?" Rong Kaiji worried about gains and losses, and was always worried. He unpacked the burden and checked it again, and solemnly told him: "Three exams in a row, three days each, you have to take care of yourself, rest assured, don't be nervous, It's windy and cold at night, remember to add clothes..."

Rong Youtang had just finished taking a bath, wearing moon white underwear and clogs, nestling comfortably in the armchair, nodding frequently, willingly obeying all the instructions of his adoptive father.

Xu Shizheng

"Tomorrow's exam, you have to get up early, Tang'er, go to sleep now and recharge your energy." Rong Kaiji ordered solemnly, and then urged his son to rest.

"Okay." Rong Youtang got up, creaked and stepped on clogs and walked inward. Although he didn't feel sleepy, he was about to lie down and close his eyes to rest, but before he could reach the edge of the bed, the housekeeper Li Shun hurried in and reported: "Master, Young Master, His Royal Highness King Qing and General Guo have arrived."

"Oh, hurry up and invite the nobleman to sit down and serve good tea. I'll go out right away." Rong Kaiji hurriedly ordered, he saw Rong Youtang coming out from the back room from the corner of his eyes, and immediately pushed him back: "I'll serve you, you rest quickly , don’t drink tea so excited you can’t sleep.”

"It's okay, I'll just go out and say hello, they may have something to do with me." Rong Youtang held the screen and tried his best to fight.

Rong Kaiji thought for a while: "It's okay, don't neglect the distinguished guests."

Immediately, Rong Youtang simply put on his outer robe, and the father and son went to the living room together, naturally bowing first.

"Exemption." Zhao Zeyong raised his hand to help, and his eyes fell on Rong Youtang's clogs: those ten toes are pink and round, with a beautiful shape, it's really... interesting to see.

"Brother Rong is going to go tomorrow, and he will definitely win the laurels in the Toad Palace. I will replace the wine with tea, and I will congratulate you first." Guo Dalang raised his teacup with a smile.

Rong Kaiji hesitated to speak, but Rong Youtang quietly said that he was not in the way, finished his drink with a smile on his face, and made a respectful toast: "Thank you, Mr. Guo, I would like to accept your good words, and I hope to have the opportunity to treat you to a wedding wine after the exam."

"Hahaha~" Guo Da encouraged: "There must be a chance! Lu Jijiu appreciates you, saying that your future is limitless."

Zhao Zeyong has never talked much, but his eyes are full of smiles, which can be called soft.After he finished his work, he rushed back to the city from Beiying, and specially called his cousin to come to Rong's house, just to have a look at the other party before the end of the game.

"Your Highness, Mr. Guo, this is the newly made Guanghan Cake, sweet but not greasy, try it?" Rong Youtang warmly served tea and fruits——he is here, how can I lie down and rest with my eyes closed?It simply cannot be done.

The food delivered to King Qing and Guo Da was inspected by several accompanying military doctors, and Rong Kaiji, who had stayed in the palace, knew the rules best. At this moment, he was busy greeting the rest of King Qing's entourage in the side hall.

"It's okay, it's delicious." Guo Da picked up two yuan and got up wisely: "I'll go out to see the flowers and plants in your house." He walked out the door and volunteered to be a sentinel.

Zhao Zeyong asked in a low voice, "Did you wake up from sleep?"

Rong Youtang looked at the clogs under his feet with the eyes of the other party, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed, shrank his toes, and said in embarrassment: "I'm sorry, I'm about to go to bed, but I'm sure I won't be able to sleep."

"You are still young, just let go of the exam, if you fail the Enke, you still have the Zhengke, and if you fail the Zhengke, with the status of a student supervisor, you are already qualified to be an official, so you don't have to pay too much attention to your ranking." Zhao Zeyong expressed relief.

Uh, is there anyone who encourages students to take the exam?

However, it also makes sense: do your best, obey the destiny, and there is no absolute way.

Rong Youtang couldn't help laughing, and agreed: "Your Highness is right, there is really nothing to be afraid of."

"Come here." Zhao Zeyong smiled.

Rong Youtang turned his head to look at the door and window, it was rare for him to obey orders, he moved a little closer, and whispered: "Be careful of my father coming in suddenly."

Zhao Zeyong raised his eyebrows: "That's just right, so I won't—"

"I'm joking!" Rong Youtang immediately begged for mercy, Zhao Zeyong hugged him, kissed his forehead, then let go, and said: "You will be tested for nine consecutive days, and you will wear the badge of the palace. If you meet someone in the examination room Trouble, don't bear it, report directly to the inspector or examiner."

Rong Youtang was used to the other party's tough style, he nodded obediently on the surface, but said in his heart: Who would dare to be an ordinary candidate?It's been so cold for many years, even if you work hard, you have to finish the exam before leaving!

"23 is your birthday, what do you want?" Zhao Zeyong asked.

King Qing is not good at soft words, he usually expresses his affection by directly asking: What do you want?Say it, I will do my best to satisfy you.

"Hmm...let me think about it." Rong Youtang thought for a moment, pondered for a while, and then solemnly begged: "Your Highness, can I ask for forgiveness?"

"Forgive?" Zhao Zeyong asked with a smile: "What are you going to do? Isn't Zhou Minghong completely defeated by you?"

"He deserves it." Rong Youtang was confident, and then sincerely asked: "Your Highness, is it okay? I'm worried that if I do something wrong in the future, you will be unbearable and very angry."

Zhao Zeyong feigned anger and said: "Since you know it, you still made a mistake? In the future, you must report any troubles in time, and it is strictly forbidden to act without permission!"

It's too late, I've already done a lot.

Rong Youtang forced himself to hide his melancholy and anxiety, and chatted and laughed with King Qing. After seeing off the guests, he tossed and turned until late at night before falling asleep, and was woken up by his family an hour later, and hurried to the exam.

At Yinshi, the night was still dark, but the streets and alleys of the capital were extremely lively. A large number of candidates emerged, walking or taking cars, rushing to the examination room and waiting.

"Haha, luckily we left early!" Li Shun drove the carriage triumphantly.

"The intersection of Zimen Street is unbelievably congested, it's really lively." Rong Youtang sighed, observing the road with great interest.

Rong Kaiji's eyes were black and blue, his face was sullen, his lips were pursed, and he clasped his hands vigorously. If he didn't know it, he must have thought that he was also taking the exam.

Right at that time, the doors of the examination room opened, and candidates flocked to line up to check their burdens to prevent cheating, and then they could enter.

"Tang'er, take care!" Rong Kaiji was so nervous that his hands were cold, he handed over the packed package to his son, reluctantly sent it to the door, and repeatedly told: "If you have something to tell the examiner, if you are sleepy or tired, you can rest on your stomach." Son, don't push yourself too hard."

Li Shun was also worried: "That is, the exam will take nine days in total, more than enough time, we are not in a hurry."

"I know, I know, you guys go back, I'm going in!" Rong Youtang smiled, waved his hand, and walked forward with the bag, disappearing in the crowd.

At the same time, in the inn of Luotai County

"Xu'er? Xun'er? It's time to get up." Rong Zhengqing, who had been washed and dressed, shook his nephew awake.

"Hmm... Morning fourth uncle." Rong Xing, who had lost a lot of weight, struggled to open her eyes, feeling very tired, and asked vaguely, "Is it dawn?"

"It's three o'clock, get up, wash and eat, and hurry up." Rong Zhengqing urged.

"Can we enter the capital before dark?" Rong Yu sat up, unable to hide his joy, yearning for the capital extremely.

Rong Zhengqing smiled and said: "Yes, this place is only tens of miles away from the capital."

"Great! Fourth Uncle, we're finally here!" Rong Yu was so excited that she jumped out of bed excitedly.