Once magnificent, now brilliant

"Amnesty! Amnesty! Young Master, amnesty..." The elderly man in a padded jacket shouted loudly, walking staggeringly, walking towards the dilapidated thatched cottage as quickly as possible.

The door opened, and the cold air poured into the smelly and dusty room, and Qi Xiang walked out.The two oblique scars on the right side of the face extend from the ears to the nose and the corner of the mouth. They are abrupt and hideous, and they have not been treated well.There was no joy or surprise in his eyes, as if what he heard was something ordinary.

Steward Pan plopped down on his knees, his wrinkled eyes filled with tears, "Master, you finally don't have to suffer any more and can go back to Beijing!"

Qi Xiang stretched out his hand to help Butler Pan, his thin arms were broken, and the rags and clothes that had been covered with pudding were hanging on his body, "Uncle Pan, get up first."

The warm light of the morning sun shone on Qi Xiang's face, making his sickly white face almost transparent. His lips were dry and cracked, and there was a deep lip line in the middle of the lower lip, which was caused by repeated drying and healing. .

The exiles in the western frontier threw away their hoes, shook their clothes, and cheered for the sudden freedom.Some of the officers and soldiers guarding them smiled, not because of these prisoners, but because they were finally able to go home, and they didn't need to wait for the shift change in half a year.But most of them are contemptuous. They usually beat and scold these prisoners. Now that they are amnesty, these people can't move, but they are still slaves. They will be beaten and scolded in the future. I don't know how happy they are something.

"My lord...we..." Steward Pan got up and supported Qi Xiang, "Let's go back to Beijing!"

Qi Xiang looked at the excitement not far away indifferently, without any sense of empathy, "Don't worry, just make plans slowly."

Butler Pan was not in a hurry to persuade him. Being able to leave this place was already an eye-opener from the heavens, and there would always be a way out in the future.

The emperor of Dachuan was blessed with a son on the [-]th Qianqiu Festival of the first lunar month. This kind of day of universal sympathy was old, so the emperor used the name of praying for the child to give amnesty to the world.It has been more than ten days since the news came from Beijing. It is also a good intention that everything will recover from the sting today.

Qi Xiang is very clear that the amnesty is only a temporary freedom. According to the law of Dachuan, they can return to their original place, but they are still slaves. This makes it difficult to go back without help and documents. The work of servants is just to suffer in another place.

Helping Qi Xiang back to the hut, Steward Pan said excitedly: "My lord, I'll go back and clean up the house right now, and you can move there later so it can be clean."

Qi Xiang nodded slightly, without any joy in his eyes, like a puppet without emotion, but not dull.

Butler Pan went with a smile. He has a modest residence here, but he never had the opportunity to let Qi Xiang live there before.

Some of the families of the pardoned prisoners were planning where to go, and some had already made up their minds. They packed up their few luggage and set foot on their way home.The temperature in the border area is relatively low, and the wind is still mixed with the smell of snow melting, but because people's hearts are warm, they don't feel cold.Just like a sparrow released from a cage, even if it doesn't know where to go, it is still free.

Many people left impatiently, the thatched cottage was almost empty, but there were still many people left in Datongpu.The officials will return to Beijing tomorrow for a business trip, and there are no prisoners to watch over tonight. They have bought a lot of good wine, and they have been drinking the special sauced beef from Xizhen since noon. The smell of the wine wafts into Qi Xiang's thatched cottage Qi Xiang looked in the direction of the classroom from a distance, his eyes were calm and unwavering.

This thatched cottage is not comfortable, it leaks rain in summer, is ventilated in winter, and can't light a fire to keep warm, but it was Pan Butler who spent ten taels of silver to get it for Qi Xiang, otherwise Qi Xiang could only stay in the crowded bunk room , Dirty and messy everywhere, and rarely take a shower, after a day's work, just wipe a place to sleep, sour bugs fly in summer, and dripping water turns into ice in winter, it is simply not a place for people to stay.

After tidying up the house, Butler Pan rushed to pick up Qi Xiang.

Qi Xiang didn't have much luggage either, the most important thing was just two jars of ashes in the corner of the house - one belonging to his mother and the other belonging to his school boy.

Kneeling in the corner of the room, Qi Xiang picked up two altars, carefully wiped off the soil at the bottom of the altars, and gently put them on a piece of black cloth, "Mother, Liang Fu, we have changed places."

Butler Pan's eyes were red, and he wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeve, and only after Qi Xiang tied up the bundle did he help him up, "My lord, I'll come."

Qi Xiang didn't argue with him, and after handing over the burden to him, she said, "You take it home first, I want to walk around."

"This..." There is no scenery to speak of in this borderland, so what is there to do?

Qi Xiang showed a slight smile. If one ignores the scars on his face, he could be said to be as handsome as a crown jewel, with an unrivaled beauty, "I have been here for five years, and the farthest I have been is to the mass grave slope. Now that I am free, I want to go around everywhere." have a look."

"You go back with me to rest first, and I'll accompany you for a stroll tomorrow." Steward Pan carefully held his bag.

Qi Xiang waved his hand, "Go."

Butler Pan had no choice but to leave with his burden in his arms. He was getting old and his legs and feet were not very good before. Now he moved more slowly. If Qi Xiang walked fast, he would not be able to catch up.

Looking at the back of Butler Pan leaving, Qi Xiang's eyes were as heavy as water, and after making sure that no one else was walking around, he left the thatched cottage.

Five years ago, Qi Xiang's father, the general Qi Yi, led the army to go out. He made a mistake in his decision-making and was defeated. As a result, there were less than ten people left in the [-] army, and two cities were lost. Qi Yi also died in that battle.Chaotang was shocked, Longyan was furious, and the Qi family was imprisoned and exiled to the West Frontier.

That year, Qi Xiang was 19 years old, and the talented second son of the Qi family became the son of a sinner who was spurned by everyone overnight. All his talents and reputation were blown away by the bloody wind in that battle. .

Butler Pan was a servant brought back by Qi Xiang's mother, Aunt Fang, more than ten years ago.Pan Steward was originally a bricklayer. When he was young, he followed the village scholar to read and write, but because of his poor family, he did not formally study.

Butler Pan broke his leg at work that year and was unable to continue doing his old work. The house leaked when it rained overnight, and his daughter was seriously ill and had no money for medical treatment.Steward Pan was looking for a job everywhere, and met Fang Shi who had gone out to pray for incense.

Mrs. Fang was grateful for his love for his daughter, his legs were not well treated and he was limping, and it was hard to find a job after thinking about it, so he asked Qi Yi, saying that Qi Xiang must have someone who can take care of things, and the family is short of manpower, so it is not easy to ask his wife I asked for it, so I picked one that was not bad, and I will use it first.

Qi Yi doesn't like Qi Xiang much, and he doesn't care about his affairs.Now that Fang has found a candidate, he didn't bother to worry about it, so he agreed.

In this way, Steward Pan began to work with Qi Xiang, and Fang also paid him money in advance to treat her daughter.But Steward Pan's daughter was suffering from an emergency, which was not easy to treat. The money was spent, but she didn't keep her. His wife was heartbroken, and within a year, she followed her.

Pan Butler, who has no wife or daughter, did not follow, but followed Qi Xiang and Fang's wholeheartedly, vowing to repay Fang's kindness with his whole life.Steward Pan was very profitable and kind, and he quickly changed from a servant to the manager of Fang's yard.Later, the old housekeeper returned to his hometown in old age and recommended Pan Butler to be the housekeeper of the mansion. From then on, Qi Xiang's life at home became easier.

After the Qi family was exiled, Steward Pan was not a servant of the Qi family who signed a contract of sale, but just a servant, and was not implicated.But he still followed the team of exiles to the western frontier, and wanted to continue to repay Fang's kindness.Even though Qi Xiang told him to go back many times, even after the Fang family disappeared, he still stayed here, working part-time during the day, not earning much, but trying to help Qi Xiang as much as possible.

The night was as cold as ice, and everything was silent, the sound of the body hitting the ground was dull and abrupt.

The officer who was thrown to the ground suddenly became sober with a look of alcohol on his face, but he didn't understand the situation, and said cursingly: "Which bastard, dare to throw me, I don't want to die, right? You son of a slave, see if I don't chop it up!" about you!"

The sharp sword tip touched Shangguancha's neck, shining coldly.The official didn't dare to move at once, and muttered a few vague words on his mouth, but didn't say anything more.He just raised his head stiffly, the clouds covered the moon, and the surroundings were pitch black. He couldn't see the person in front of him clearly. He could only judge that it was a man based on his height and figure.

"Okay, good man, forgive me..." The official's voice trembled, he didn't know who the other party was, and he couldn't even ask for mercy.

"Excuse me?" The man's voice was very calm, "Stand up."

The official got up tremblingly, moving slowly, for fear that the blade would accidentally scratch his neck.

"Turn around."

The officer honestly turned his back to him, his heart beating like a drum, and he was dripping with cold sweat.

"What do you think of the scenery under the cliff?" The man's voice was very soft, as if he was talking to himself.

"Okay, man, there's no scenery here..." The official bit his tongue, and couldn't care less.

The man seemed to smile, "Go down and have a look, the scenery is very nice."

"You..." After confirming that the other party would never spare him, the official's desire to survive made him fight back.But when he touched his waist, he found that he was not wearing a saber.In desperation, he could only scream and go up with empty fists.

The man didn't fight him, he just dodged back and forth, as if playing tricks on him in vain.

The officials couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes, and because he was drunk and dull, his punches became more and more chaotic.The man picked up a broomstick-thick branch that had been placed there at some time, and pierced his abdomen with one stroke.The muffled sound made by the intersecting of wooden branches and flesh was distorted and creepy, and the smell of blood collided with the smell of alcohol, which could not be more pungent.

"Uh..." The official's eyes were wide open, and he looked at his abdomen without focus. In the darkness, he couldn't see what stabbed him, and he could only feel severe pain and a little burning.

The man let go of the wooden branch, took two steps forward, and pushed with both hands, the official fell off the edge of the cliff without any resistance, only screams drifting in the wind, helpless and small.

"You have never forgiven others, so what qualifications do you have to be forgiven?" After finishing speaking, the man turned and left.

In the small farmyard, Steward Pan placed the bought beef, pig's trotters, and a few packs of roasted seeds and nuts. A small pot of plum wine was paired with two teacups with gaps.

Steward Pan gave Qi Xiangman a hand, "My lord, I know you can't drink too much, so let's just drink this cup. Your aunt will be happy when you regain your freedom. I wish you good health and all the best in the future. "

Qi Xiang smiled, such a blessing is meaningless to him, but he appreciates the old man's heart, "Uncle Pan, you have suffered with me these years."

Steward Pan quickly waved his hands, "What did you say, young master? These are all things I should do. When young master gets married in the future, there will be someone who knows the cold and hot, and I will have an explanation when I go to see Aunt Fang."

Qi Xiang picked meat for Butler Pan, "I have seen your hard work these years, my mother knows it well, and I will only be grateful for your care. It's still the same sentence, you don't owe me anything."

"My lord, whether I owe or not owes me a steelyard. Xia'er was not rescued, but I have tried my best, and Aunt Fang has also done my best. Without Aunt Fang's help, I will regret it for the rest of my life. I have never formally studied." , but also keep in mind the kindness of dripping water, and should be repaid by the spring, this kindness will not be forgotten. You let me follow you and serve you, this is what I should do, otherwise my conscience will be disturbed. "

Qi Xiang sighed softly, "Okay, let's not talk about this. Eat more."

"Hey." Butler Pan ate a few mouthfuls of meat, and served Qi Xiang with brown rice porridge. The dishes were simple, but it was the happiest meal they had in the past five years.

The next day, when Qi Xiang woke up, it was already dawn.The porridge that Butler Pan cooked for him was placed on the stove, and he had already gone to work.

Qi Xiang didn't have much appetite, so he drank two cups of scented tea and walked around the small courtyard. He didn't like to bask in the sun, but it's been a long time since he basked in the sun leisurely.

The folk customs in the west are tough, and the voices of the people are also loud. Qi Xiang can hear the chatting of the women gathered under the tree to mend from a long distance away.It's about an official servant who drank too much to go out last night, but he stumbled and fell off the cliff, his stomach was pierced by a branch on the cliff, and he fell flat, looking very miserable.In order to go back as soon as possible, the other officials didn't want to waste time on this matter, so they urged Wu Zuo to have a hasty inspection. Wu Zuo said that the man had no other injuries on his body, he just fell down.The officials buried him on the spot.I'm already packing my bags and leaving tomorrow morning.

Qi Xiang didn't listen much, and her pace didn't change, but she suddenly got an appetite and went back to the house to eat.

"Mr. Qi? Does Mr. Qi live here?"

Qi Xiang had just eaten a few mouthfuls when he heard someone call the door, apparently looking for him.

Opening the door, Qi Xiang saw a round-faced young man dressed in dusty clothes, and behind him stood several people dressed as generals.

When the boy saw him, he was stunned for a moment, and screamed uncontrollably: "Mr. Qi, your face!"

Qi Xiang looked at him for a while before asking, "Are you Xiao Song?"

Xiao Song fell to his knees, "Yes, young master, do you still remember the young one? Congratulations young master for regaining his freedom, the young master asked the young one to pick you up and return to Beijing!"

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