Dongyin

"Mr. Zhang from West Street has hired a theater troupe. Tonight, I will invite everyone to listen to the music and watch a play." In the spacious living room, a little girl in pink clothes was waving a wooden comb in her hand and said excitedly to the woman in the mirror, "Listen." They said there are lion dances on the street! Miss, we must go out to see tonight, to be happy!"

Feeling the girl's joy, the woman sitting in front of the mirror was inevitably a little moved.She stared at the person in the mirror for a long time, then raised her hand to pick up the lip balm in the box, and sipped it lightly.With a little makeup on her lips, her face, which was as pale as paper, suddenly became angry.

The girl smiled and said, "Miss, you put on lip gloss, the shade is suitable, it's really the finishing touch."

The woman couldn't help but blushed slightly, looking at the pot of New Year's Eve orchids in front of the window, her eyes gradually softened.After a while, I finally came back to my senses, "Ying'er, where did you get that purse I embroidered a while ago?"

Ying'er responded and hurriedly took it.Chu Xiying took a look, and the color was somewhat dim because it had been left aside for a long time.Seeing her staring at the purse, Ying'er hesitated and said, "I heard that Princess Mingyan is very good at sewing."

Chu Xiying was taken aback for a moment, Ying'er probably didn't know the meaning of giving a purse with her kind of mind, she was only afraid that she would be outdone by others, she shook her head lightly and sighed, "...I didn't say I would give it away either."

Seeing her frowning again, "Miss" Ying'er couldn't help saying, "Aren't you happy? It's always like this lately." It's all because of Duan Hong, who keeps a straight face all day long, even after eating New Year's Eve dinner!

Chu Xiying only smiled shyly, with a trace of comfort in his heart, but did not speak.

"Miss, let's go out for a walk when it's new year. Didn't you always read about Huagai Qingfeng, Longmen Chunlang?" Ying'er was a little excited, and said, "There is also the Xiaozhong of the ancient temple. It is said that there are 28 statues in four niches. It's so lifelike."

"Really?" Chu Xiying was fascinated, but his eyes dimmed in an instant, and he said lightly, "Let's talk about it after a while."

After a while, who knows when, Ying'er was quite annoyed, knowing that she couldn't be persuaded, she just sighed heavily, turned and went out.

With the harsh sound of closing the door, Chu Xiying's heart was lifted without warning, and then put down again in an instant.She knew what Ying'er wanted to say, she understood everything, but she couldn't let it go.She just sat there blankly, looking at the pot of ink orchids, her thoughts drifting away.

It was getting dusk, the light and shadow under the window receded a little bit, and the coolness hit.Chu Xiying finally got up, closed the window, and went out.

This courtyard is a residential area, very narrow, and the houses are even more tightly packed.The door to the study on the left is ajar.After a few steps, you can have a full view of the scene inside.An old portrait of Confucius, two wooden chairs with backrests, Chu Xiying stood in front of the door, tilted his head, and suddenly froze.

I saw Duan Hong wearing a light white brocade robe, sitting in front of the desk with a pen, like a scholar who is about to take an exam, with a focused but impatient expression.Duan Hong's clothes are mainly dark colors all the year round. This is the first time Chu Xiying saw her wearing a white robe. That scene was deeply imprinted in her mind, and she actually had a vague illusion that in the years to come Duan Hong is neither an emperor nor a royal official, just like such an ordinary person until he dies.

"You're here." Hearing the voice, Duan Hong looked up at her.

Chu Xiying responded softly, and moved over, only to see a stack of memorials piled high on the case.

Duan Hong put down his pen heavily, frowned, threw the folder in his hand into the brazier, and let out a long breath.

The pot with sparks that were left on it started to burst into flames, and Chu Xi stared at the yellowing scroll from the corner of his eye, thinking, "Did something happen in the court?"

Duan Hong shook his head, stood up and sighed, "Zheng Yu fled to Chen State, and he should return to Zhao soon."

As things have come to this point, Duan Hong and Zhao Chen are bound to attack.But judging from the previous events, Bai Yan seems to have a great relationship with the rebels. What Duan Hong is really worried about is that Wei Ming is also in league with Chen Zhao, and he will meet Bai Yan at that time.Chu Xi lingered, "Actually, the rule of culture and martial arts is just a means to unify the people. With the current national power, it is not difficult to bring down Chen and Zhao. Why don't you calm down the fighting and benefit the people?"

"What you said is true, but appeasement is enough to raise traitors." Duan Hongdao, "It seems that the overall situation in this world is settled, but it is actually difficult to do so. After the death of the prime minister, some princes and small countries are already ready to move. Not to mention, he alone Those old generals under his command will be hard to deal with." Moreover, once the news of the treasure in Nine Dragon Mountain comes out, Chen Zhao will definitely make a big fuss, and this battle must be fought.

When Duan Hong said this, he was understating it, but one could imagine how difficult the matter was. Chu Xiying wanted to comfort her, but found that he couldn't even say a word.

"You don't have to think about these things," Duan Hong said, "On New Year's Eve, you just got the news that Zhao Chen turned against the flag. Tonight, let's try Wanhelou's signature dishes."

Wanhe Building was packed with seats that night, and the waiter was so busy that he brought the food and wine and went downstairs.Ying'er closed the door, and the noise suddenly fell in half.The two sat down, and after a while of gossiping, the table was already half-open.The stove in that room was burning extremely hot, and Duan Hong started to sweat on his forehead after drinking some wine.Chu Xiying got up and turned off the stove, then turned around, and saw that Duan Hong had already left the table, walking unsteadily to the balcony.

At that time, Hong was already a little drunk, and a gust of cold wind hit his body as soon as he went out, and his vision became a little clearer after the dryness disappeared.Lanterns and torches all over the street illuminated Yongning Town like daytime, and the light was unreal. Duan Hong couldn't help but took two steps forward, looking over the railing, he saw people coming and going on the street, men, women and children buying paintings, watching lights and playing , very lively.

And the noise seemed to have just come, roaring in the ears of madness, Duan Hong stood there in a daze, his heart was abnormally calm.What's going on, she suddenly felt that she was living alone in another world, and the joy of the outside world could not affect her.

Duan Hong was inexplicably flustered, struggling to turn around, only to see Chu Xiying standing quietly by the door, "...Why did you come out?"

"Are you... upset in your stomach?" Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Chu Xiying couldn't help hesitating, what was Duan Hong thinking?

"That little wine is nothing." Duan Hong didn't want to stay here for a long time, so he sighed, "Let's go down for a walk."

The street was really bustling with people eating, drinking and having fun, shouting and shouting.There was a lot of noise all around, and the two walked and watched while walking along the street, without saying a word all the way.Such silence may seem casual, but in fact it makes people feel uncomfortable.

Chu Xi caught a glimpse of Duan Hong's calm and indifferent face from the corner of his eye, and sighed secretly.Obviously the distance between the two is only one or two steps, but the heart seems to be separated by thousands of miles.In an instant, the lights all over the street lost their color, and she lost all interest, so she stopped in her tracks.

Duan Hong still didn't realize it. After walking a little bit, he suddenly felt that his side was empty.She turned around and saw Chu Xiying standing ten meters away, and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Chu Xiying didn't answer, her expression was a bit cold.

Duan Hong was startled, then walked over and asked, "What's the matter?"

"On New Year's Eve, you always show a face, who is it for?" Ying'er at the side said this sentence suddenly.

Duan Hong was startled again, and then looked at Chu Xiying suspiciously. Is this what she said in her heart?

Chu Xiying just stood there quietly, neither admitting nor refuting. After pausing for a moment, she said to Duan Hong's eyes, "Master Yang is right behind, I'll go back first." After saying that, she turned around and wanted to leave.

Duan Hong grabbed her subconsciously, his eyes met, both of them were stunned, but neither of them retreated.

Duan Hong didn't let go, and Chu Xiying just stopped biting his lips and remained silent.This silent stalemate gradually attracted the attention of the people in the past.Curious, ambiguous eyes swept back and forth between the two.Chu Xiying's face gradually turned red, and she was a little at a loss.

Duan Hong obviously noticed it too, but she just didn't let go.Just in time, an old man selling groceries passed by. She caught a glimpse of the wooden masks in the basket and took out two.

"This way you won't be able to see my expression."

Before Chu Xiying could react, such a sentence came from her ear. She stared blankly at the fat mask Duan Hong put on, quite surprised.Just as she was in a trance, a cold thing hit her face, she dodged instinctively, and met Shang Duan Hong's eyes.

"You don't wear it?" Duan Hong looked a little helpless, and said, "Let's go." She turned around and walked a few steps, and looked back at Chu Xiying, but she was still standing there.Yin sighed and went to pull her up.

Chu Xiying left unwillingly.

That night, thinking about it, was wonderful and memorable.That Duan Hong wearing a pig's head mask led her to guess riddles and watch plays, fight cockfights, and did everything she thought of, and everything she didn't expect.But in the future, Chu Xiying always has a little regret when recalling that night, because she has no way of knowing in this life, the Duan Hong under the mask, the Duan Hong who took her around, and the Duan Hong who was full of youthful spirit. , Whether that night was joy or sadness.

There is always silence after the bustling, the people on the street gradually thinned out, and the interest faded away, the two finally wanted to go back.

The hawkers were packing up their goods and preparing to go back, but there was still a square frame surrounded by bamboo poles on the street corner with a lamp lit.Green bamboo slices are hung on the pole with red threads, and when the breeze blows, the bamboo slices will sway and rustle under the flickering lights, which is quite artistic.

Chu Xiying couldn't help but go forward

"Girl, come over and take a look. These green bamboos of mine are spiritual bamboos raised in Wan'an Temple, I guarantee you can write whatever you want."

Chu Xiying didn't answer. She read the oaths made by Prime Minister Bai on the bamboo pieces one by one, and fell into deep thought.

"Write what you want"

His thoughts were interrupted, Chu Xiying turned his head to look at Duan Hong in surprise, and after a moment of silence, he shook his head slightly and said, "Let's go back."

"it is good"

For a long time, the two of them had a tacit understanding and did not speak again.There is a breeze in the clear night, and there is no trace of emotion in the silence.Seeing that it was time to return home, Chu Xiying said softly, "I am very happy tonight."

Duan Hong was stunned for a moment, seeing the extremely gentle look on her lips with a smile on her brow, his heart was empty, he didn't know what to say.

"Hong'er" Chu Xiying stopped and stared at her, "Can you make me a promise?"

"what?"

"Whether I go or stay in the future, you let me choose, okay?"

Duan Hong was startled, and after a long silence, he said, "Do you want to go?"

"..."

"When?"

"I don't know." Chu Xiying shook her head, frowning slightly, "But I think it's probably the day when you let me feel at ease." Seeing her happiness, how could she leave with peace of mind?You can't have both fish and bear's paw.

"...I promise you!" Duan Hong's tone was normal, but he turned around and quickened his pace.It turned out that even Chu Xiying wanted to leave, let's go, let's go, let's all go.

Chu Xiying stared at her back, his heart tightened, and a trace of bitterness slowly melted away in his heart.

"Aren't you leaving yet?"

Chu Xiying looked up, but saw Duan Hong stopped waiting for her not far away, his expression was as calm as if what happened just now had never happened.She should have been relieved, but was inexplicably lost.

When the two returned to the mansion, it was already the end of the day.

"It's getting late, let's rest." Duan Hong said lightly, and left.

"Hong'er" Chu Xiying couldn't help but stop her, but stopped talking.

Duan Hong turned around and his eyes fell on her face.

"You... don't you have anything to say?"

Duan Hong then looked away, looked at the lacquered beams and pillars, was silent for a while, and then said sarcastically, "Then what if I can't make you feel at ease all my life?"

"Then I'll be with you forever, okay?"

Duan Hong was startled suddenly, met her eyes in surprise, and froze.