Rebirth: sailing a thousand times

Dark clouds covered the entire sky, and the strong wind and heavy rain kept hitting Jingling City, the imperial capital of the Dayin Kingdom.Everything was in chaos, and it was hard to tell where was the sky and where was the earth.

The violent wind and rain, which is rare in autumn, has lasted for half an hour, and the muddy water on the street is knee-deep.

In front of the closed gate of the largest imperial merchant "Gu Mansion" in Jingling City, a young man in white was kneeling.

The muddy water all over his head and face had already covered up his originally incomparably handsome face, his black hair was messily pasted on his drenched back, and the white shirt mixed with rain and mud was tinged with shocking dark red patches, which were bloodstains. It was blood that had dried up and was soaked by rain.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his long black eyelashes stuck to his eyelids, and his lips were slightly pursed, like a weak little beast about to lose its voice, haggard, pale, hopeless and helpless.

He had been kneeling for a long time, and the noise that swept across the world became the silent background beside him, silently listening to the faint beating of the heart in his empty chest.

The gate of "Gu Mansion" creaked open, and an old man dressed as an elderly servant squeezed out the gate holding an umbrella.

He only walked a few steps, and the umbrella was broken by the strong wind. He simply threw away the broken umbrella, ran to the boy in the rain, knelt down in the rain with a "plop", his lips trembling for a long time, "Third young master, master and the others really left early yesterday morning and moved back to the old house in the south!"

A stream of rain mixed with tears flowed into his mouth. It was salty or astringent, making it hard to tell what it was like. The young man's lips moved, and he choked up a few words before saying, "Tian Bo, the Gu family really doesn't want me anymore." Is it?"

Tian Bo burst into tears, wanted to say something but finally swallowed it back.

The young man stared at the dense rain line for a long time with bewildered eyes, still a little unwilling, "Dad, what did he say when he was about to leave?"

Seeing that Tian Bo was hesitating to speak, the young man smiled gently, "Let's talk, it's come to this point, what else can I not accept!"

It was a smile that was gentle and heartbreaking, with great sadness and pain in it.

Tian Bo cried, "Master asked me to tell you that the Gu family has a son like this, and I am ashamed of my ancestors. I only hope that I will never meet you in life or death. From now on, you are not allowed to be named Gu again."

Hearing this, the boy froze, the strength he had accumulated for a long time was drained in an instant, and he fell into the muddy water.He chuckled twice, his voice was low and hoarse, and he was lost in the boundless wind and rain in a blink of an eye.

The wind is gradually weakening, but the rain has not yet stopped, the sky is dark and there is no light, and the sky and the earth are still in a haze.

"Take care, Uncle Tian."

The boy stood up and staggered only a few steps. His thin and desperate figure was swallowed by the dense rain in an instant.

--text--

three days ago.

Early in the morning, Gu Shaobai had a smile on the corners of his eyes and an expression of affection on his brows. Looking at his delicate and handsome face, the servant girl Qiuyue felt a little deer bumping in her heart, and she blushed and had a fever. Why did the third young master grow up so long? What an awesome face!

Qiuyue fetched water for him, and glanced at him, "Young Master, why are you in such a good mood today? If there is any happy event, let's talk about it and have fun together!" She was a girl for him when she was young, knowing Gu Shaobai's temper Gentle, without the arrogance of ordinary princes and brothers, so the relationship between master and servant has always been informal, Qiuyue is even more outspoken, and she can say whatever she wants.

Gu Shaobai put down the wet handkerchief, pursed his lips and smiled, but didn't answer.Qiuyue was not angry either, knowing that although the third young master was gentle and elegant, he was very determined, and no one could ask him a word he didn't want to say.

Gu Shaobai absent-mindedly ate breakfast, quietly came out of the small courtyard where he lived, and looked out through the brick-carved lattice windows on the verandah. will not be noticed.

After leaving the Moon Gate, he had to go through the main hall to reach the gate. He walked along the row of red-lacquered wooden windows to the entrance of the meeting hall. There were noisy voices from inside, and he remembered that today was the regular morning meeting of the Gu family. day.He listened attentively, and a very majestic voice interrupted the chaotic discussions of the crowd, "Stop arguing, second brother, talk about it first."

The Gu family was one of the largest imperial merchants in the Dayin Dynasty.The Ministry of Households was supposed to be responsible for the purchase of the materials needed by the palace, but for many years, the purchasing power has been controlled by a few princes. It's okay for a royal family member to get some oil and water.And the imperial merchants are the tools for these royal relatives to make money.Gu's Mansion was originally a wealthy businessman in Zhangcheng in the south. Four years ago, he accidentally hooked up with Prince Yu, who was in power at the time, and became the hottest top imperial merchant in the Dayin Dynasty. He moved his family from Zhangcheng to the capital of Dayin as a matter of course. Jingling.

Gu Shaobai listened intently, it was his father who was talking, it seemed that they were discussing some important matter, there was a big difference, and it was unresolved for a while.

Ever since the Gu family moved to Jingling, things have been going smoothly, but in the past six months, there have been turbulent waves and constant turmoil.Today's incident is unscrupulous, and it must have something to do with Prince Yi, who is most used by the emperor today.

He was thinking about how to go around quietly.

"Third brother, why are you standing outside the door?" A tall man in a blue shirt stood behind him, smiling pleasantly.

Shaobai's heart skipped a beat, it's bad, it's the second brother, who was busy eavesdropping, and didn't notice that the second brother came over at this time.

In the meeting hall, Gu Shaobai's father, Gu Junxuan, the head of the Gu family, heard the voice of his second son Gu Shaoqing, and looked towards the door, "Qing'er, come in, who else is outside?"

Gu Shaobai had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow Gu Shaoqing into the hall.

Gu Junxuan sat at the top, and the second uncle Gu Jingxuan, the third uncle Gu Kangxuan, and several big shopkeepers of the Gu family sat on the left and right sides.Gu Shaoqing pulled Shaobai to sit quietly in the last seat.

Gu Junxuan nodded slightly at the two of them, motioning for Gu Jingxuan to continue.

Gu Jingxuan had a clear face and a short beard, "I think we shouldn't fight over the purchase of military rations this time, let's leave it to the Xiao family..."

"Why? Second brother, you are confused..." Gu Kangxuan interrupted him impatiently.

Gu Junxuan waved his hand, motioning for Gu Jingxuan to continue.

"Since Prince Yu was exiled, all the power of the imperial court's purchases has fallen into the hands of Prince Yi. We have come to ask for an interview many times, but he always avoids him. I'm afraid that what happened three years ago, Prince Yi still hates us. !" Gu Jingxuan's face was full of worry.

Gu Kangxuan was somewhat disbelieving, "The death of Prince Yi's mother and concubine three years ago is actually not our fault. When the old Prince Yi gained power, his concubine's mother's family tampered with the medicinal materials supplied to the imperial pharmacy, and then As good as it is, the family property was confiscated after the incident. Princess Yi’s father vomited blood and died in a fit of rage. The princess was already weak. After hearing the bad news, she fell ill and died later. It’s their own fault, so what have we got to do with it? ?”

"Third brother, it's a bit simple for you to think." Gu Jingxuan took a sip of tea and stroked his short beard, "Although we don't know the truth, Prince Yu and Prince Yi did it because of the factional dispute over power. It’s not known whether they are shoddy or they are shoddy, but in the end most of the purchase rights fell into the hands of our Gu family. You said that you and Prince Yu didn’t hook up, who would believe it!”

Gu Shaobai listened quietly, but his mind had already traveled far away, and flew to the person he was thinking about all day long.But he didn't know that the words he heard today were just the thread of bad luck that was about to befall him.

Suddenly, the majestic and calm voice of his father Gu Junxuan interrupted Shaobai's thoughts, "Stop arguing. I decided that the Gu family will take the initiative to withdraw from the military ration purchase this time. Just in case, it's better to be cautious."

His decision was finalized, and everyone stood up to leave without any objection.In a blink of an eye, there were only two Gu Shaobai brothers left in the meeting hall.

Gu Jun took a sip of tea firmly, and looked at Shaobai with loving eyes, "Shaobai, you are also 17 years old. Father knows that you like piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and father does not need you to manage the family business like your brother. It’s going to be Qiu Wei soon, you have to hurry up and study more to get a fame, and I’m worthy of your mother who went earlier.”

Gu Shaobai lost his mother when he was young, even though he was a concubine, his aunt treated him fairly well, and his two elder brothers also treated him well, because he was intelligent, intelligent, gentle and calm, so Gu Junxuan especially loved him.

"People are looking for you these days, but you are always away, what have you been doing?" Gu Junxuan put down his teacup and asked casually.

Gu Shaobai's heart tightened, maybe his father discovered something, peeking at it, Gu Junxuan's expression was normal, nothing unusual, he relaxed a little, thinking how to prevaricate, when Gu Qingbai opened his mouth first.

"Father, you don't know yet, Shaobai has made some new friends?" Gu Qingbai said with a smile, "It's nothing more than reciting poems and playing chess with his friends?"

Gu Shaobai looked at Gu Qingbai gratefully, and replied respectfully, "Exactly, father."

Coming out of the meeting hall, it was almost noon.Autumn has just entered, and the sun is bright white and dazzling.Shaobai is wearing a light green thin gown with dark green trim on the cuffs and neckline, a few stalks of emerald bamboo embroidered on the hem, and a dark green long silk sash of the same color around his waist, the dark green and light green reflected his handsome face that is as white as jade like glass Transparent, under the scorching sun, like a pearl, soft and restrained.

Gu Qingbai looked at Gu Shaobai's distraught look, and said worriedly, "Abai, what have you been up to lately? Father doesn't understand, I don't know. You like to be quiet and don't like to make trouble. What I don't like is calling for friends to have dinner and play. I said that to my father because I saw that you had something to hide, and I was afraid that you would be blamed by your father. Can you tell the second brother anything?"

Gu Shaobai's long eyelashes trembled twice, he hesitated to speak.

"Forget it, I don't want to say it, I won't force you." Gu Qingbai stepped forward, putting his hands on his shoulders, "Abai, no matter what embarrassing things you have, you can come to your second brother at any time. Brother will spare no effort to help you." Saying that, he patted his shoulder twice, turned and walked towards the inner garden.

Shaobai looked at Gu Qingbai's tall and handsome back, his eyes were slightly red, second brother, you can't help me, I'm afraid no one can help me with what I want to do... Shaking his head again, that's all, let's take a step forward , Who can expect the future, as long as I like him now, and he likes me, that's enough.

Gu Shaobai walked out of the gate of Gu Mansion and walked towards the east of the city.People were coming and going on the street, bustling, thinking about seeing that person soon, the unhappiness and worry just now were thrown out of the sky in an instant.The road paved with large bluestones reflected the noon sun, bright and dazzling, and he was in a good mood, and his steps became brisk. Thinking back to his words the day before yesterday, his whole heart became joyful.

The bed was lightly covered with gauze, and the spring was beautiful. Shaobai was nestled in the arms of a man, feeling weak all over, mist glistened in his eyes, and he was panting slightly unevenly.

"Abai", he called his name softly, his soft lips nibbled domineeringly on his delicate and graceful neck like a swan, and then stopped all the way down on the small collarbone, where the moist and moist accumulation With a puddle of sweat, the slightly salty smell stimulated his taste buds.

Gu Shaobai half-closed his eyes intoxicated, the crisp and itchy feeling eroded his body wave after wave with his bite, he couldn't help but groan and become more limp as mud, he tried his best to push him away, "Zhou Feng , stop", he turned his back to him and curled up, whispering, "I can't take it anymore, if I do it again, I'm going to die".

Zhou Feng pulled his shoulders and turned him over with a little force, his lips covered those eyes that were sobbing.

Shaobai quickly shrank into the quilt and covered his head, and begged for mercy with a smile, "Okay, okay, who can stand you doing this twice every time. Just let me go today!"

Covered in the quilt and didn't hear anything for a long time, Gu Shaobai hesitated, poked his head out to see if he was going to play some tricks again.

Zhou Feng leaned against the head of the bed, staring at the Qingluo soft curtain on the head of the bed, his eyes were silent and desolate, deep and complicated. "A Feng", he called softly.

Zhou Feng slowly shifted his eyes to him inch by inch, and stared at him blankly. For a moment, Shaobai read a trace of suppressed pain, as deep as an abyss, and wanted to drag his life into it. A little scared, he gently shook Zhou Feng's arm, "What's wrong with you?"

Zhou Feng withdrew that puzzling gaze as if suddenly awakened, and looked back tenderly and calmly.The sadness was fleeting, Shaobai blinked, and suppressed a little uneasiness in his heart, suspecting that he was thinking too much.

Later, after being reborn, Gu Shaobai finally understood that the shadowy prey at that moment was not his own suspicion, but that it had indeed existed.

Zhou Feng picked out Shaobai's gentle and soft long hair and wrapped it around his fingertips, "Ah Bai, the day after tomorrow is my birthday, let's go to "Qingyue Tower", how about you celebrating my birthday, just you and me .”

Gu Shaobai thought for a while, "Isn't it good here? I like your simple and quiet house. Since it's just the two of us, what's the difference? Let's set a table under the pear tree in the yard and call Uncle Ping, How about it? 'Qingyue Tower' is the largest and best posthouse in Jingling, surrounded by thousands of mansions, all of which are restaurants, inns, Qinlou and Chuguan, and there are high-ranking officials and dignitaries here and there. I am afraid that it will be inconvenient for me to meet someone... "Shaobai is indeed worried. The matter between him and Zhou Feng is contrary to the laws of heaven and ethics. Before he can figure out a countermeasure, he must hide it from everyone. Otherwise, once the Gu family finds out, it will definitely be a mess. No peace.

"I heard that a troupe from the south came to the 'Qingyue Tower', and the excerpts they made up were very interesting. I booked a private room, and I will definitely not let others see us together." There was a slight sip on his lips, and he stretched out his hand to pinch the soft flesh around his waist and kneaded it, "Little thing, why don't you agree?"

Shaobai was so tickled by him that he couldn't breathe from laughing, "Okay, okay...I've got you..."