All your life is gentle

Master Lu Changgeng, the chef of Jiaxi Restaurant who changed the knife, has a catchphrase: "People are fate..." In two days, he was promoted from the assistant chef who changed the knife to one of the chefs in charge of the spoon. , In the end, he always said this to others and himself: "A person is a life..."

During dinner last night, a table of distinguished guests suddenly asked to see me by name.Strange in my heart: Whether the food is satisfactory or not, at most I can tell the shopkeeper about the chef, but I have never heard of seeing someone who wants to change the knife.He went in and bowed, and was about to raise his head, when he heard a voice say: "Master, I don't know your name, master?"——That voice, that's a nice one!It reminds people of slippery tender tofu flowers and crispy fresh cabbage hearts, which are soft and refreshing.It took me a while to realize that the speaker had a local accent!

"The villain's surname is Lu," Master Lu became very respectful, "The humble name is Chang Geng." After saying a word, he stood up straight, and the distinguished guest opposite him smiled at him.Oh!Whose son is this, he was born so well!It's like, like——by the way, like the silvery tender tofu flowers, the juicy fresh cabbage hearts...

Someone next to him said: "Lu Changgeng, this is Mr. Li, Lan Tai Ling of the Imperial Academy."

Only then did I realize that the person speaking was the boss of the boss's boss... Mr. Fu, who was on the same level, hurriedly saluted formally.But Mr. Fu said: "Don't be so long-winded. Mr. Li asked you something, it's easy to answer." Lu Changgeng nodded and said yes, and said to my mother, so this is what they said to be like a god. Master Chunfeng Lantai Ling.This piece of tofu must be the tofu made by grinding gold and silver beans in Tianhe water; this cabbage is also the cabbage grown from five-color soil pouring cloud bottle water...

Zi Shi thought to himself: Lu Changgeng, what a nice name.Question: "Listen to what Master Lu said, is he from Yuezhou?"

"Yes, the villain is originally from Liaocheng." He couldn't help but probed, "Dare to ask my lord——"

"Well, we are neighbors, I came from Tongcheng." He put the bunch of cucumber slices on an empty plate alone, picked it up and said to Lu Changgeng, "I take the liberty to invite you here because I saw the sliced ​​cucumbers. The knife technique is a bit familiar - it is comparable to the craftsmanship of a master Ge in the "Deep Drunken Country". At first I thought it was a "fish scale knife", but after a closer look, it doesn't look like..."

Lu Changgeng was overwhelmed with surprises: "The young master is indeed an expert. Ge Sicai from the "Deep Drunken Township" of Tongcheng, known as Ge Sandao, is my senior brother. He and I both practice fish scale knife, locust tree leaf knife, golden needle knife and coir raincoat knife. In terms of slices, Brother Ge likes to use fish scales, and I prefer locust leaves."

"So that's how it is." Zi Shi nodded, "Jiangnan kitchen knife workers cut fish scales and locust leaves into slices, cut them into shreds with golden needles, and pulled flowers from coir raincoats. The fish scale knife seems to be broken evenly, and the locust leaf knife is broken in the middle—no matter where One, the introductory rule of sectioning requires at least [-] slices from a medium-sized cucumber..." Fu Chuqing thought to himself: Isn't this the same as hidden weapon kung fu?Lu Changgeng has worked in the back kitchen for several years, if he knew he had this ability, why not ask him to practice a hidden weapon and be transferred to the front waiter...

After hearing what Zi Shi said, Lu Changgeng's waist straightened, his face turned red, his eyes lit up, and his voice became louder: "Young master is not only an expert, but also an expert! Rare, rare!"

Jiangnan cuisine has a light flavor, cumbersome processes, and a lot of attention. In Xijing, locals and northerners dominate, and the effort is thankless, so there is no market.Master Lu's knives are exquisite, that is to say, he has done great work on knives.Most people can't tell whether a cucumber is cut into [-] or [-] slices, and they don't care.But he is very proud of his craftsmanship, even if no one applauds, he is not sloppy at all, playing alone and proudly.Now finally came a knowledgeable person, the joy in my heart was very exciting, and the few blessings in my life, such as leaving my teacher, getting married, and fleeing to Shuzhou, were comparable.

Zi Shi laughed and said, "I can only eat, but I don't know how to handle it. How can I be called an expert."

"It's good to know how to eat! Just know how to eat!" Lu Changgeng rubbed his hands, "Why don't you—my lord try the villain's craft?"

"I'm already full today, let's try another day." Seeing the other person's face drooping immediately, Zi Shi changed his mouth, "Then ask Master Lu to make two side dishes that are fast enough to take up space, and I'll satisfy my hunger first."

Lu Changgeng walked out with a smile all over his face, but within a quarter of an hour, a plate and a cup were brought up.Fu Chuqing poked her head out to have a look: on the plate were some cold cucumber slices, arranged in a fan shape, the seams and overlapping corners were all clear, and the patterns laid out layer by layer seemed to be painted; the cup was clear and bright, half a bowl of soup, There is a big white chrysanthemum floating, with thousands of petals in full bloom, but I can't see what to do with it.

Zi Shi admired: "This "pity the fragrant grass" and "appreciate the autumn white" come out at the same time, it can be seen that the use of the knife is perfect." Knowing that Fu Chuqing didn't understand, he turned his head and explained: "The ancients have a word saying "remember the green Luoqun, Lianfangcao everywhere", sliced ​​cucumbers with various knife techniques, and placed them in a skirt fan, hence the name "Lianfangcao". , It’s actually cut out of steamed tofu.”

Master Fu was flattered and nodded repeatedly.After clicking a few times, I saw that the person had already turned his face away, and was waiting for the approval of the cook with a sympathetic expression.

But Lu Changgeng only said one sentence: "Young master, please try it." His expression and tone were full of expectation and confidence.

Zi Shi first picked up a chopstick of cucumber and put it into his mouth.Swallowed it down, didn't talk in a hurry, and took another sip of soup.Slightly squinting his eyes for a moment of recollection, he slowly said: "The juice is neither thin nor thick, and the soup is neither muddy nor fishy - I just found out that there is such a master in this Xijing City today. Master Lu, I If you come here every now and then, just eat cucumber, cabbage and tofu, which is troublesome and unaffordable, will your shopkeeper have any complaints?"

"He dares!" Fu Chuqing finally waited for her chance to make an appearance, "Call your shopkeeper Yan, and I will let you be the chef tomorrow!"

Afterwards, Zi Shi was eating, and Lu Changgeng accompanied him.Occasionally chat a few words, click to stop.It seems that they have been friends for many years, and there is a kind of harmony and tacit understanding.

In the end, Mr. Li asked Master Lu for a food box, packed a cup of "Appreciating Autumn White" and took it home for supper. He smiled slightly until he got in the car.Sitting in the car was not idle, flipping through a few books borrowed from Elder Gui Yuan.Fu Chuqing took the book out of his hand, straightened her legs and let him rest on the pillow: "Don't look, the lights are shaking so badly, you'll feel dizzy after a while."

If you don't look, don't look.Zi Shi followed the example of kindness, closed his eyes and meditated.

Fu Chuqing felt that he was in a much better mood recently.When talking and laughing, there are obviously more times than before. Although this kind of time is usually to others, but occasionally to myself.At first Master Fu was very happy, thinking that he had finally figured it out and was willing to accept himself.It took a lot of time to realize the fact: he was in a bad mood before, and it had something to do with him.Now I am in a better mood, no matter what problem I have figured out, or because of some reason, I am afraid that most of it has nothing to do with me, and it has nothing to do with it.

Now he wears what he gives, eats what he gives, expresses his opinions no more than once, and gives up immediately when he encounters opposition—I want him to be obedient, but not this kind of obedient.He is so indifferent and doesn't care about it, his obedience is so depressing.What's even more exasperating is that for those broken books, he can go without eating, drinking, or sleeping. You feel sorry for him and considerate him, and you donate money and effort to find a way for him, and he doesn't even bat an eye.It's like lying comfortably on my lap right now. In his heart, I, Fu, is like a pillow. Whoever it is, the pillow will still be the pillow...

While stretching Lushan's claws into the lapel of the man in his arms, Fu Chuqing was extremely depressed: "What am I trying to do, I..."

It took longer than expected to eat a meal, and it was already late when I got home.The younger brothers and sisters have already returned and are waiting in the yard as usual.Zi Shi got out of the car, took the food box in Li Zhang's hand, and said impatiently, "Zi Zhou, Zi Gui, come with me, and I'll show you something good!"

Zigui said: "Brother, can you take a look at it later? We, we have something to tell you."

Um?Taking a closer look, the twins' faces were unusually solemn.Pass the food box back to Li Zhang: "Then go to the study and talk."

The three brothers and sisters walked towards the study, Fu Chuqing raised her legs and followed.Zi Shi stopped and looked at him, then at his siblings.The twins looked at each other without speaking.Zi Shi then said nothing.The four of them entered the study together.

They all sat down, but Zizhou saw that Zigui didn't intend to speak first, so he said, "Brother, today we went to see my grandfather and grandmother, and my aunt and third young master Ning also went." In any case, it cannot be called out.

"While chatting, Third Young Master Ning brought up...the topic of marrying the son to him. We diverged a few times, but the elders took it seriously. Later——"

Zigui stopped him: "Let me tell you this part. After lunch, my grandmother and aunt called me to the back hall alone and asked me what I meant. I said," with a proud smile, "I said, the two elder brothers in the family Wen can manage the family well, and martial arts can protect the country. The person I like, Xie Zigui, doesn’t want to be both civil and military, at least one of them must be capable. After hearing this, my grandmother and aunt didn’t say anything else.”

Zizhou was transferred from the Department of Collection to the Department of Policy and Government last month, and entered the highest power center. His position is still Si Wenlang, but his real power is quite different.Although Zishi's Lantai order was an academic position, the minister of Zichen Palace was a specially appointed consultant of the emperor.In this way, the eight words "Qi family governs the country, guards the country and the country" are not too exaggerated.As for Mr. Lan Tailing's lace and gossip, it's just some romantic affairs, harmless.

Zi Shi looked at his younger sister, and could almost imagine the girl's expression and tone at that time.He secretly thought that if Mrs. Han and Mrs. Ning agreed to the girl's own intention, wouldn't this matter be closed for the time being?What happened next?

At this time, Zi Zhou said: "In the afternoon, my aunt said that she would go to the palace to accompany her to talk. Third Young Master Ning probably knew what Zigui said, and followed him listlessly. We sat in Liyang Palace for a while, and the emperor came Here we come." ——As long as he learns that his goddaughter has entered the palace to see his godmother, this godfather will definitely come to join in the fun, and he will never return.However, the godfather has been very competent so far, happily joining in the fun, generously giving out pocket money, and not making any other demon moths.

When Zi Shi heard that the emperor was coming, his heart skipped a beat, and he realized that the problem must be the emperor.I can't think of how serious the consequences are. Judging from the twins' reactions, it seems that they are not so serious that they cannot be dealt with.But these two are getting better and better as they practice calmness, even as the big brother, it's not so easy to see the depth... Let's wait for them to finish talking.

"It was pretty normal at the beginning, but in the middle of the conversation, Third Young Master Ning suddenly rushed out and knelt down in front of the emperor, begging the emperor to make the decision and betroth Princess Yining to him with snot and tears. With that look, I wish I could hang myself and wipe my neck on the spot. ——” Speaking of this, the twins remembered the situation at that time, showing resentment and contempt.Zi Shi squinted at Fu Chuqing, Master Fu felt guilty for no reason: "You, what do you see me doing, Ning Sanshao has never looked for me..."

"Ah, it's nothing." Zi Shi said lightly, "I just suddenly felt that in this world, honest people have their own kindness, and shameless people are all shameless." Facing the twins, "The emperor himself likes to act, and he also likes acting." Look at other people's plays. Ning Sanshao's singing, he is determined to catch up with pretending to be a matchmaker, and act like a blind mandarin duck. Ningsan's trick is very authentic." Seeing the twins nodding, Having made enough mental preparations, I plucked up the courage to ask, "Should we just wait for the emperor's imperial decree to bestow marriage?"

Zigui knew that elder brother was in a hurry, and hurriedly said: "It's not like that, elder brother, listen to me. The emperor said that he was going to give a marriage. At that time, the empress, the eldest aunt, and Zizhou didn't know what to do. I just told the emperor. Said, said that the emperor once praised me personally that "women do not give up to men", so, so, I can't live up to the emperor's expectations, and I will be a heroine who will last forever!"

"Ah?!" Something is wrong!Zi Shi's forehead began to sweat.

"Well, I said to the emperor, now that foreign enemies are in the face, those who have aspirations should serve the country loyally. After I Xiezi returned to Zhongliang, I have suffered from the emperor's favor and favor, and I have learned martial arts. Buildings and boudoirs? If you can join the army and kill the enemy, as my princess, you will definitely boost morale, become famous in the court and the public, and make a great story in the emperor's pilgrimage. Then... I mentioned those stories about "serving the army for my father" and "the women's army resisting the enemy" The stories are all well-known, making future generations fascinated by memory..."

Zi Shi held his head: It's over!This girl, the effect of this trick of "returning the other body in the same way" must be unexpectedly good.How can a princess go into battle to kill the enemy when she is given a marriage?Lord Long Live, he might not know how hot his brain is...

Interrupting her: "Did the emperor agree? Zigui, you... do you know that you are not joking? Even if the emperor is completely acting, as long as he doesn't talk back, the people below will really take it seriously!" What to say, seeing my sister's solemn expression, I choked.

——My sister's move is indeed a good last resort.However, it seemed that she was trying to coax the emperor helplessly for a while, but in fact, it was probably her real thoughts that were kept in her heart, so it was on the verge of breaking out, and the drama came true.

As soon as the eldest brother's words fell, Fu Chuqing already said, "I'll think of a way to make the emperor take back his life." Chongzi returned, "You're a girl, you're just playing around with fists and legs, go to the front to fight, what a joke! You If you really go to war, your elder brother will have to worry about death?..."

The twins stared at him without speaking.

Zi Shi shook his head: "Fu Chuqing, this is our brother and sister's business, don't interfere."

Once he replaces the three characters Fu Daren with his own name, it means that there is no room for negotiation.Fu Chuqing opened her mouth: "You..." sighed dejectedly.

Zigui walked slowly in front of Zishi, squatted down, just like he used to do when he was acting like a baby with his elder brother and said what was in his heart: "Brother, I'm sorry. I came up with this idea all of a sudden, and said it without thinking. After the emperor agreed, I thought about it carefully, and in my heart... I don't regret it at all."

Zi Shi was silent.Gently stroking her braids, finally said: "It's just... too hard..."

"I understand... Actually, big brother, last time I sent Erxia Hua and the others away, I kept thinking if I could do something."

Looking up at Zi Shi: "Brother, in fact, I have been... very uncomfortable, very uncomfortable... so I go about my day and day, deal with this, deal with that, everyone pretends not to hear and not to see, waiting to know what is wrong. It's really fake good news and bad news. I feel like I can't take it any longer. For example, cousin Fang Ning, if he continues to stalk him like this, I'm afraid that I...maybe I will get angry and kill him at some point!"

Zishi patted Beatzigui on the head.In this rotten muddy pond in Xijing, living as a princess in the Marquis's house, she really wronged her sister.She is talented and arrogant, and her fortune is very different from ordinary girls. It is exactly as she said: How can she be like a petty family, trapped in a boudoir?But to catch up with such an era, there is only one way to go to the battlefield to fight—a way that is too cruel and too hard...

"Brother, I don't care what other people think or do, and I don't care if it will work or not. I just want to try it myself. I don't want to leave Big Brother and Zizhou, but..."

"Big brother understands. Big brother won't stop you." Zi Shi smiled at his sister.After a while, he turned to his younger brother: "Why don't you go together, and there will be someone to take care of you."

"I'll stay here. We agreed."

The so-called "we have agreed", that is, the twins have reached an agreement, so there is no need for the elder brother to worry about it.

Zi Shi felt pity and relief in his heart: Finally, there is no need to worry about it, and there is no need to worry about it.

Zizhou added: "We have agreed, there must always be one of them to stay with eldest brother. Besides, I also want to try it in the Cefusi. ——Brother, I am the same as Zigui, no matter what others think or do, Regardless of whether it will be successful or not, I want to try it myself. Don’t worry, brother, we won’t mess around, we just don’t want to waste any more time. My brother once said that we can’t clarify this pool of muddy water, so we can’t Let's start to stir it up. But now..."

The voice was a little rough, but gradually turned decisive: "Now, we have dragged to the bottom of the pool. How can we sit by and watch? The sage knows it is impossible, but he can still do it. The current situation may not be the same. For this matter, cliffs and cliffs can lead to another path, stagnant water and sinking pools can create a new life—the world is unpredictable, if you don’t do it yourself, how will you know?”

Zi Gui nodded beside him.

The twins have been depressed for a long time, and sooner or later they will explode. The marriage bestowed by the emperor is just an introduction.Zi Shi stared at the pair of siblings for a while, and felt that there was nothing to say.The siblings who once relied on her wholeheartedly can not only walk, but also fly.If they stumbled and broke their wings, they had to get up by themselves.The so-called right and wrong, success or failure, turn your head to nothing-let them give it a go.For the future, let's see the good fortune.As for what you want to do in front of you, you have to do your best.

Suddenly he tapped on the table and began to chant a poem:

"Golden saddle, emerald sleeves and white feathers fly, Xie Zigui stays behind for a long time.

The emperor bestows color very much, and the country is not only about men and eyebrows?

Roaring through the city with a whip and horse, asking about injustices in the world.

Suddenly I heard the sound of war drums, and it was the day of red makeup to freshen up.

The jade ruler, the silver knife and the iron armor are cut, and the dust is collected for thousands of miles to unload the ring hairpin.

Holding the long-tasseled magic pestle in his hand, his heart is on the mirror stand in the water and sky.

............"

Fu Chuqing looked at the three brothers and sisters in front of him, who were obviously in the same room, but had the illusion of being far away, as if there were two worlds in the sky and the earth.He thought: This family is all crazy.

Uncle Zhong Yi composed poems for his righteous sister, Princess Yining, to go to war. He borrowed sentences from the market and recited them casually.After the Duanyang Festival, Her Royal Highness the Princess led [-] soldiers from Xijing to the front line of Xiabeiguan. The song "Xijingzi Returns" was sung by the sons and daughters all the way.

Princess Yining went out to fight, and the people in the city followed the emperor and Concubine Chi all the way to the outside of the city.

All the ceremonies are over, and the soldiers are ready to go.Zigui reined in his horse abruptly and turned around, stopping in front of the two elder brothers.But pointing at Fu Chuqing with the whip in his hand: "My elder brother will let you go for a day, and Zizhou and I will let you go for a day. Master Fu, please do it yourself!" Without waiting for the others to react, he raised his whip and left in a hurry.

Zhao Ju saw it in the car and laughed.When Mrs. Fu came to be loyal to his duty, the emperor praised: "My princess, she really looks like a female general!"

Fu Chuqing was uncomfortable for a moment, and now she is completely back to normal: "Your Majesty is blessed with great blessings! Your Royal Highness will succeed in no time!"

Zhao Ju suddenly asked, "Why don't you see Ning Tian on such an important occasion?"

Ning Tian asked for a marriage, but was tricked by Zigui into a princess and joined the army to kill the enemy, and almost passed out on the spot.After being bored at home for a few days, he turned bloody from boredom, determined to keep up with the battlefield, and made his grandfather and father anxious, so he simply put him under house arrest.

Fu Chuqing replied to the emperor: "Your Majesty, Third Young Master Ning was confined at home by the commander and not allowed to go out!"

Zhao Ju laughed all the way, ordered to drive, and accompanied everyone to drive back.

Because of Zigui's last words when he turned around, all the sorrows of parting were dispelled.Zi Shi prayed for his sister in his heart, but his mood was very stable.When I got home, I worked until late at night before turning off the lights and going to bed.Almost half of the guards and male servants in the mansion followed Her Royal Highness to the battlefield.Except for a few helpers specially sent by Fu Chuqing, the rest are all voluntary.Surprisingly, Li Wen and Li Zhang stayed, but the two girls, Li Ge and Li Qu, took off their red make-up and changed to martial make-up with their young lady, and went to the front line together.

These young and fresh lives, passionate and pure souls, including my own sister, went to the battlefield.

There are too many things to bear to think about.Fortunately, I can control myself not to think about it.Zi Shi picked up the calming soup on the bedside, and poured it down with his head up. He had no dreams until dawn.