[Comprehensive] Comb girl

The journey at sea was considered safe.

The ship drifted slowly on the inland sea for more than a day, and when it was almost dusk the next day, it had already seen the villages of Shikoku on the opposite bank.The humble port is shrouded in the mist of night.

There are ships of the Heike family patrolling nearby, and there will be a war if they are not guaranteed.Therefore, if you want to disembark, you must hurry up.Under the cover of the night fog, the people on the boat went ashore silently.

"Ading!"

When Ah Ding was about to get off the boat, Jiu Lang suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Ah... my lord." Ah Ding turned sideways and saluted him.Although I have solemnly thanked him before, Ah Ding is not stingy with his gratitude, "Master Jiulang's kindness, I will never forget it."

Jiulang looked around, pulled her into a corner, lowered his voice, and asked, "Are you... from the Heing family?"

A Ding froze for a moment, then quickly shook his head like a rattle.

Seeing her slightly flustered brow, Jiulang felt a little more measured.He didn't let go, but squeezed Ah Ding's wrist tightly, and said: "The woman with you is called Chun. She drank too much wine last night, and she already told her. Both of you are from the Ping family, aren't you?"

His gaze was a little sharp, and at this moment, he revealed the spirit of a Bando samurai.

Ah Ding was startled, his heart jumped immediately, and his feet were a little weak.

——Xiao Chun would actually slip up in this kind of place!What a headache.

"Who is your master?" Kuro asked, "Is it a man from the Hera family?" He stared closely at Ah Ding, trying to get an answer from her eyes.

However, he didn't immediately yell at someone to shoot the woman in front of him, as if he wanted to give her a chance to deny it.

Ah Ding had never seen any big scenes, but she couldn't help being timid in the current scene.

——If you don’t think of a way, maybe you will be shot to death by random arrows here!

A Ding lowered his eyes, showing a sad expression: "My master is just a woman who can't protect herself. Although she is from the Ping family, she got married early. I don't know if you know... poor Lang Yuqian ?”

As he spoke, Ah Ding secretly observed Jiulang's expression.

Jiulang froze for a moment, his expression became a bit strange, like nostalgia, but also like pity.He held Ah Ding's hand and let it go quietly. "Her husband, did you treat her badly?" Jiulang asked, "That's why she sent you to the Heing family for help?"

"Yes." Ah Ding said in a low voice, "Madam hid on the mountain and lived in a nunnery. She often said to us, 'It would be great if there was an older brother to protect'. But Madam It's just a woman after all..."

In Jiulang's clear eyes, there was a complex mood like a haze.

Ah Ding breathed a sigh of relief in his heart: what he said seems to have worked!

It is good that Lang Yuqian is a concubine of the Heike family, but Lang Yuqian's mother is also Kuro's biological mother - Mrs. Tokiwa.

Mrs. Tokiwa is very beautiful, and when the head of the Heike family saw her beauty, he forced her to be his concubine.Mrs. Tokiwa brought Kuro together and lived under the influence of the Heike family for several years.In the past few years, Mrs. Tokipan gave birth to a concubine daughter, Lang, who has the blood of the Heira family.

Lang Yuqian and Genkuro Yoshitsune are half brothers and sisters.

The people who disembarked have almost left, and the fog is about to disperse.If you don't disembark again, the ship will set sail for the return journey.The person in charge of the boat was already blowing the whistle to order that if Jiulang didn't make up his mind, Ah Ding would go back to the country of Meizuo on the other side of the inner sea.

Hearing the urging voices of others, Kuro finally made up his mind to let go.

"Forget it. A woman is just an innocent person involved in the war." Jiulang sighed, his eyes melted slightly, "You go, be careful on the road... By the way, if there is a chance, I would like to Go see Lang Yuqian."

After finishing speaking, he ordered someone to bring Xiao Chun over, and then pushed Ah Ding onto the steps to disembark.

Ah Ding stumbled off the boat, regained his senses, and saw Jiulang standing at the stern, his clothes bulging by the sea breeze at night.He looked at Ah Ding from a distance, and the lantern in his hand was like a star that flickered in the night.

The people on the ferry had dispersed, only two women remained.On the dilapidated ferry bridge, a late-returning water bird was parked.A small boat circled on a wooden stake floats up and down with the waves.

Looking at Kuro's receding figure, Ah Ding remembered the stories told by the adults in Honmaru——

Genkuro Yoshitsune remarried twice with his mother when he was a child.Because of the blood of Genji flowing on his body, he was isolated and rejected by his mother and concealed his identity.Although longing for the company of his family, he can only live alone.

Lang Yuqian never said the words "Longing for Brother", it was all made up by Ah Ding.

She felt guilty for telling such a lie.

"It's really scary!" Xiaochun leaned over, unaware that he had caused trouble, "I just drank a little wine and fell asleep, and the next day they wanted to arrest me... I don't know what happened to us?"

Ah Ding smiled wryly: Oh, Xiao Chun...

***

After leaving the village, we walked on a deserted path to get close to Yashima where the Heike family was located.Although he was on the road all day long, Ah Ding didn't think it was hard work.Perhaps it was because she was used to rough work before, and she found it very easy to "just walk".

After traveling day and night, she and Xiaochun finally arrived at Yashima.

Hearing that it was a messenger sent by Lang Yuqian, the maid of the Ping family received Ah Ding and Xiao Chun.

Although the Heike family withdrew from Kyoto, their extravagant habits did not change.They retreated to the Shikoku area, guarded the Daxi Kingdom, built mansions, repaired temples, and built the originally remote Yashima to be as prosperous as Kyoto.The mansion where the Heira family lived was as gorgeous as the houses in Rokubala, Kyoto.

Ah Ding stood in front of the door of the Ping family, raised his head, and took a slight breath.

The complexity and exquisiteness of this mansion was beyond her imagination.She even wanted to touch the upturned eaves to see if the foil inlaid on them was real gold or silver.

Ming Zi, the female officer leading the way, saw Ah Ding's surprised appearance, showing a look of disgust and pride.

"Please go this way." Akiko's tone of voice was elegant and lingering, emphasizing the pure Kyoto aristocrats, like cherry blossoms falling leisurely in spring; the delicate posture when walking also reveals a sense of elegance and beauty.

Seeing Ming Zi's appearance, Ah Ding couldn't help feeling ashamed of himself.She tried to quietly imitate Akiko's posture, but she couldn't get it right, and it seemed a little funny.

After all, a female official like Ming Zi has been nurtured by the Ping clan for more than ten years.The peace and elegance immersed in the bone marrow cannot be learned overnight.

Mingzi wanted to show off the two maids from Kyoto, so he pointed to a few bare trees in the courtyard and said, "That's the Yoshino cherry blossoms in Kyoto. The Yoshino cherry blossoms bloom in March, but the Yashima cherry blossoms But it blooms in April. In order to keep these cherry blossoms alive, Madam has spent a lot of effort. The spring scene here is incredible."

Ah Ding was amazed when he heard this.

At the same time, she thought of Sanriyue's teaching to herself: The Ping family spends a lot of money on such trivial details of elegance and luxury, how much money can be used to raise soldiers and fight?

Usually Mrs. Zi's room arrived soon.

Mrs. Shizi is the step-wife of the old Patriarch Roupaladen Taira Kiyomori. After the death of Roupaladen Taira Kiyomori, Mrs. Shizi put her son Hirazumori on the position of Patriarch, and began to devote herself to Buddha, chanting scriptures and chanting for her deceased husband day and night. .

Perhaps because of her belief in Buddhism, Shizi's room did not match her noble status. It was not extravagant, but rather clean and elegant.

Mingzi explained the intention of Ah Ding and Xiaochun to Mrs. Shizi, and handed over a letter written by Lang Yuqian himself.

Mrs. Shi Zi, who was copying the scriptures, paused the pen in her hand slightly, but did not look up.The other two female officers beside her also hung their heads in a low voice, making no sound.After Mrs. Shi Zi finished writing that scripture, she accepted the letter from Lang Yuqian.

"Lang..." After reading Lang Yuqian's letter, Mrs. Shi Zi clasped her hands together and said slowly, "Just ask her to stay in the capital. Today's Zongsheng Palace probably doesn't have time to take care of her, let alone I brought her to Yashima."

The "Zongsheng Hall" in Shizi's mouth, that is, the current head of the Ping family, once led Ping Zongsheng, who was an official of the Taizheng Minister.

Hearing Mrs. Shizi's words, the expressions of Junko and Ah Ding changed - it seems that Mrs. Shizi didn't intend to lend a helping hand to Lang Yuqian.

That's right, Lang Yuqian is not Mrs. Shi Zi's biological daughter, and Mrs. Shi Zi might not feel pity for her.

At this moment, a voice came from the corridor: "Grandmother, Lang Yuqian is also from the Ping family, why didn't you help me last time?"

Hearing this, Ping Pingzi put down the pen in his hand.There was a smile on the slightly aged face: "It's Weisheng....The "Lianhua Sutra" that I told you to copy last time, how did you copy it?"

The sound of light footsteps approached, and the man who made the sound walked slowly to the front of the paper door with the painting of Haichuan rushing to the waves. It turned out to be a young man wearing a black hat.He was wearing a black-colored Erlan straight gown, with a light cherry sticker inserted between the skirts, his demeanor and attire were impeccable like a nobleman's.

When he walked to the door, a fallen leaf happened to float on his shoulder.He noticed it, smiled slightly, then lightly picked up the leaf and said, "There are so many things that are destined for me today."

The way he smiled was like cherry blossoms and plum blossoms at the same time.

Although Ah Ding didn't remember the specific official position of this "Wei Sheng", it was always right to salute first.

"It just so happened that the copying was finished, so I'm going to return it to grandma today." Ping Weisheng said, ordering the servant behind him to bring a scroll of scriptures.Immediately, Ping Weisheng unfolded the pale gold bat fan in his hand, and said unhurriedly, "Two days ago, Zongsheng Hall mentioned the matter in front of the corridor, so I must be worried about coming to Zongsheng Hall."

As soon as this young master named Ping Weisheng spoke, Mrs. Shi Zi's attitude changed.

She unfolded the Buddhist scriptures, and saw that the handwriting on the scriptures was neat and clear, extremely careful and rigorous, so she showed a faint smile.While laughing, she said: "In that case, Mingzi, let's tell Zong Shengdian about this matter....Ah, ah, I'm really sorry to bother Zong Shengdian with such a thing at a busy time."

Ming Zi answered "Yes" and left the room.

"As for these two maids..." Mrs. Shi Zi glanced at A Ding and Xiao Chun's indecent pot attire, frowned slightly, and said, "A Lang said that he wanted to invite them to stay in Yashima. But this It's really out of place to look like a countryman."

"It's okay to stay by Madam's side first." An elderly female official covered her face with a bat fan and said in a drawn-out tone, "Just teach me slowly. Didn't Madam say that some girls didn't come with me when I came to Yashima? Are you not used to doing things yet? Let Akiko teach them manners."

Mrs. Shi Zi didn't care about the lives of the two low-class maids, so she nodded casually.Immediately, she beckoned and asked Ping Weisheng to sit beside her.

There is no business with Ah Ding and Xiao Chun here, they both left the room with their heads down.When he was about to leave, Ping Weisheng raised his head and smiled lightly at Ah Ding, that smile was as dazzling as the sun and the moon.At that moment, Xiao Chun turned shy and asked in a low voice: "Who is this? I don't even know his title..."

The female official Ming Zi just came back from the Patriarch Zong Shengdian, and when she heard Xiao Chun's ignorant question, she immediately lost her temper.Mingzi slapped Xiaochun's elbow lightly with a bat fan, and said, "Hold your hands and feet back! With such big steps, you don't look like a servant girl of the Heing family....That one is Lieutenant General Komatsu, You don't even know?"

As soon as the name was mentioned, Ah Ding knew it.

"Komatsu" is the name of the place where Ping Weisheng lived in Kyoto, and "Lieutenant General" is Ping Weisheng's official position.It is the etiquette in Kyoto for high-ranking officials to address men by their residences and official titles.Only those powerful ministers or noble sons who are used to having a good name will receive this kind of treatment.For example, the old Patriarch of the Heike family is known as the "Six Polo Hall".

Lieutenant General Komatsu Dianping Weisheng has a well-known reputation in Kyoto.He has a beautiful nickname, "Lieutenant Cherry Blossom" - on His Royal Highness's birthday, he wore a crown of cherry branches and plum branches and danced the Qinghai wave dance; All the women in Kyoto were crazy about it, so they bestowed on him the title of "Lieutenant General Yingmei".

The Ping family has many heirs, and Ping Weisheng is just one of Mrs. Shizi's many grandsons and adopted grandchildren.But Wei Sheng was able to be so favored in front of Mrs. Shi Zi, probably because of this elegant and gentle demeanor.

After Ming Zi was ordered to teach Ah Ding and Xiao Chun the etiquette, she couldn't understand the slightly petty appearance of the two of them.After arranging their residences, Akiko immediately enthusiastically devoted herself to the task of reforming the two maids.

Throughout the night, Ming Zi's pretendingly serious voice echoed in Ah Ding and Xiao Chun's room.

"Sure! Make your steps smaller! Keep your fingers together! Don't pull your cuffs!"

"How can you yawn so rudely, Jun! Where's your fan?"

"You're timid, what do you look like? You are the maid of the Heike family, you should be proud of being a servant of the Heike family!"

"The name is not fashionable enough, but 'Stator' is more pleasing to the ear and looks noble."

I can't believe that Ming Zi, who looks soft and weak, has such a fierce side when teaching others.

Although Ah Ding is studying hard, Ming Zi is very dissatisfied with her accent mixed with Tango and Kyoto.

"Tonight, you should study your country accent!" Before leaving, Ming Zi said to Ah Ding, "Since you can speak Kyoto dialect, why bother with your Tango country accent?"

A Ding had just been taught a lesson all night, and immediately responded to Ming Zi gently with a so-called "noble" demeanor.

Speaking of which, she was a bit dumbfounded - if it wasn't for the mission to the Shinsengumi, she would not have learned the Kyoto dialect if she spent all day with Amei and Xiaojing, a group of pure Kyoto people.Unexpectedly, the previous mission experience would come in handy.

After Akiko left, Ah Ding was thinking about the way to speak in the room.

Mingzi said, Madam devotes herself to the Buddha, and Ah Ding must at least learn to chant the Buddha's name.Ah Ding knew few words, so Xiaochun could only read them once, and then memorize those awkward sentences by rote.When Xiaochun went to sleep, she also kept reciting silently in the corridor.

The night in Yashima is extremely cold, and the trees in the courtyard also seem to be withered, full of coldness and silence.Ah Ding stood in the corridor, meditating alone, and gradually became sleepy.

Because of sleepiness, her body swayed slightly, almost falling to the ground.Fortunately, someone appeared in front of her and caught her body.

"Why are you so serious?" Dagurigaro put his arms around her body, frowned and asked, with a slightly confused tone, "Although I'm not interested in you...but you're so serious, there's no need for it at all."

——Why are you so serious about this mission?

——The so-called "task" is just an excuse used by Sankayue to prevaricate people.

Ah Ding fell into his firm arms, was burned by the temperature of his body, and immediately regained consciousness.She immediately withdrew and replied: "Such an opportunity is rare, and I also want to be as elegant as Ms. Mingzi."

After all, she seemed to have thought of something, and there was a soft smile on the corner of her mouth: "Sanriyuedian, Mr. California, they are all powerful warriors. I followed them, but I always acted so rough. No way. They take such good care of me, and I should work harder for everyone."

When she said this, the corners of her eyes and brows were smiling, as if she had thought of something very joyful.But when she came into contact with Okurigara's sight, that smile disappeared instantly.She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look directly at him, with a slightly timid look.

For some reason, such a reaction made the bottom of Okurigaro's heart a little inexplicably irritable.

——Just now, you were smiling softly because of Mikazuki and California Kiyomitsu, weren't you?

——Why did that smile disappear the moment I saw him?

Although he was a little irritable in his heart, Okurigara was used to the feeling of being alone.With a cold face, he said, "I'm not interested in this kind of thing, you don't have to tell me."

Ah Ding lowered his head and said, "Yes....Master Jia Luo, please rest earlier."

After saying that, he has to retreat in a hurry, so as not to spoil the mood of the adult in front of him.

She walked away in a hurry, and her appearance made Okurigara clenched her fists.

He wanted to leave right there, but the sudden appearance of Ranten Shiro made Okurigara turn his gaze back again.

"Master, are you tired?" Ranto Shiro jumped in front of Ah Ding, holding his feet, trying to wipe away the non-existent sweat for Ah Ding.He looked concerned, and said worriedly, "My lord can't play with me, and now I don't even have time to rest...Why does Sanriyue Palace give the lord such a heavy task?"

A Ding was afraid that Ranto Shiro had been dancing too hard, so he bent down obediently, accepted Ran's kindness, and asked Ran to wipe his forehead for him.There was that gentle and joyful smile on her face again, and she said, "It's not hard work, it's not hard work at all."

Seeing Ah Ding smiling at Ranto Shiro, Okurigara became more and more silent.

Luan, who had been huddled in Ah Ding's arms, suddenly stood on tiptoe and looked in the direction of Da Juli.Seeing Okuri's eyes collided with his own, he showed a silent smile, like a child who got candy.

Dajuli frowned slightly.

He turned his back and said from the bottom of his heart: This kind of childish provocation...Ranto Shiro is indeed a child who has not experienced much in the world.

***

Even after moving to Yashima, the Taira clan still did not abandon the customs of the nobility.The Heira family spent the early morning in an orderly environment, and all the servants were doing their own things quietly, adhering to etiquette in front of the master.

Akiko sent someone to bring clothes to Ah Ding—it was a set of clothes that she had never had the chance to wear, with a squirrel-colored skirt on top of a thin red plum skirt, and a bat fan with tassels. Popular women's room attire.

It is said that ordinary maids are not qualified to wear such clothes, only the female officials next to Mrs. Shizi have such treatment.Maybe it was the persuasion of grandson Ping Weisheng that day that made Mrs. Shi Zi happy, so she graciously allowed Ah Ding to be her maid.

It took Ah Ding a long time to put on this set of clothes.The already beautiful face was even more glamorous because of the clothes, and it was so radiant that people couldn't lift their heads.When she went to see Mingzi, there were other female officials discussing in a low voice.

"Who is this young lady? I've never seen her by Mrs. Shizi's side before."

"I heard it's from Kyoto..."

Ah Ding went to Akiko's room alone.

When passing by the garden planted with Yoshino cherry blossoms, she couldn't help but stop and looked at the bare branches.She had never seen Yoshino cherry blossoms in full bloom in Kyoto, and she couldn't help imagining the appearance of Yoshino cherry blossoms all over the mountain in full bloom in her mind.

Just at this time, the sound of birdsong came from the high branch.

—Is it a crow?

A Ding looked up, and saw two or three black crows jumping on the branches in winter.Not only that, but on the bare branch, there was actually a thin man sitting, with red water and dry feet, but barefoot, white porcelain feet hanging down from the branch, swaying slowly, his appearance was like that in the scriptures. fairy-like.

Ah Ding was slightly surprised.

This person is...

Seeing Ah Ding's eyes, the slender and handsome guy who was playing with the crow opened his mouth.

"—Is it actually a god judge? Let Wei father take a look....Come, call father."

Ah Ding choked.

father, father? !

???