$35. Dandy (10)

In winter, the trees withered, and it snowed heavily in Shengjing. The originally bustling streets became cold due to the unusually cold weather this year. The small vendors who used to peddle their goods, the people who came out to buy things, and even the government officials who patrolled the streets were nowhere to be seen. .

There is no way, it is so cold today, it has even reached the point where water turns into ice. Winter in Shengjing is always colder than in the south, but it has never been as cold as this year.

There was a sudden stampede on the snow-covered road.

Then, the jubilant suona sounded.

People who had been waiting behind closed doors for the cold winter opened their windows curiously and stuck their heads out, wanting to see whose family had chosen to hold a wedding event on such a cold day.

The sound of suona sounded from far to near, and a big red flower bridge appeared in people's sight, surrounded by servants wearing red clothes. In front of the flower bridge, there was a handsome man riding a majestic horse, smiling very openly.

Obviously, this is the groom.

Xi Yuzhen, who was sitting in the flower bridge with her head covered, swayed as the flower bridge moved. A girl next to the sedan was saying with a bit of regret: "It's a pity that the wedding was done in such a hurry and in such a winter. Everyone." Everyone is bored in the room, and it doesn’t look lively at all.”

She was the three-faced spy. Ever since he knew that she was Duan Qingen's person, Xi Yuzhen had become a little close to this girl. Mrs. Hou also felt that this girl's identity was with her, so she was not afraid of betrayal, so she took the opportunity to mention her. The first-class girl in front of Xi Yuzhen asked her to follow Xi Yuzhen as a dowry.

Seeing that Xi Yuzhen had a lot of trust in this girl, as if she had no doubts about the water pouring incident last time, Mrs. Hou also felt that she could use this girl to stumble Xi Yuzhen in the future.

However, the girl who Madam Hou had placed high hopes on had been incited to rebel a long time ago. At this moment, she was wholeheartedly working for her sister and son. She was standing by the sedan and said angrily: "When your husband turned sixteen, the Duan family came to propose the marriage. Madam She felt sorry for my sister to get married early and wanted to keep her by my side for a while, but she turned out to be seventeen, and she said she was in a hurry and didn’t have time to arrange the dowry. She had already been engaged for several years, which was too misleading! "

Xi Yu is really not as angry as she is. Anyway, she already knows what kind of person her aunt is. What's more, since she got engaged to Duan Qing'en and learned about his plans, she has consciously stopped herself from focusing on the gains and losses of the house. , backyard battles, but look further.

"I am not the biological mother, and our relationship has always been weak. I didn't expect her to help arrange the dowry, so why should I be angry."

But the girl was full of grievances for her master, "It's okay if my wife doesn't take care of my sister, but she still wants to delay my sister's wedding. Looking at the whole Shengjing, how many unmarried men there are at the age of seventeen? If it weren't for the fact that Lang Jun is always devoted to his sister and keeps himself clean, he would already have someone waiting for him by now. "

"She did it on purpose! She deliberately wanted to drag my sister down!"

Xi Yuzhen knew that what this girl said was right. If it weren't for her good luck and it was Duan Qing'en who was engaged, she might have been dragged into the marriage as her aunt wished. There is no reason in this world for a man to wait for a woman. When the time comes Even if Duan Qing'en took a concubine and had a concubine and a concubine, it was her family's fault, so she wouldn't be able to say anything.

The girl is still talking: "If Madam hadn't been delaying the wedding, how could this big wedding be held in winter? It's too cold this winter. People are hiding in the house and won't come out to watch the fun. We don't think so. Just as popular.”

Usually when someone in Shengjing holds a wedding event, and goes out to the street with the beating of gongs and drums, there must be many people coming to watch the fun. Even if they may not even know who the bride and groom are, they can at least stabilize the scene.

But because it was too cold in Shengjing this year, and the wedding was held in winter, even if the servants took all the shortcuts to play gongs and drums, they were the only people on the street to welcome the bride.

For people like them, it is indeed too cold.

Xi Yuzhen was also a little disappointed. A woman only gets married once in her life. Naturally, like everyone else, she hoped that her marriage would be a lively one.

She closed her eyes under the hijab, and her voice was still gentle: "The situation is not good now, so it would be nice to be able to get married. Don't be too demanding."

She is lucky to be able to marry Duan Qingen.

If you ask for more, you may end up with a surplus or a loss.

The two of them were talking, and Duan Qingen, who was riding a horse with a majestic appearance, looked at the road covered with snow and hooked his hand with the boy next to him.

Seeing the person coming, he whispered something. The waiter agreed, ran to the back and pulled a middle-aged woman to the front.

She had a happy face, holding a clay pot in her hand, and shouted to the people who were hiding in the house and looking out, with a loud voice: "Duan Xi and his family, we will always be married."

"Today is the wedding day for my husband, the Duan family, and the eldest daughter of the Zhongyi Hou family. Let's spread the joy here."

After shouting, she reached into the clay pot, grabbed a handful of copper coins from it, and sprinkled it on the ground.

As soon as they saw the lucky money, the common people who were afraid of the cold and only looked outside the house immediately opened the door and ran out, snatching the copper coins on the ground, and walked forward with Huaqiao, eagerly waiting for the middle-aged woman to sprinkle them again. A handful of copper coins came down.

As they walked, the people along the way opened the door and followed behind, wrapped in thick clothes. Some people were more active and squeezed to the front and shouted: "Congratulations on your marriage. The husband and wife will grow old together, and the family will be full of children and grandchildren!"

When the middle-aged woman saw him saying congratulations, her face showed satisfaction, she grabbed a handful of wedding money and threw it in his direction.

With this good example in front of them, the remaining people also began to speak various happy words. For a while, the place next to the sedan chair was very lively.

Xi Yuzhen in the sedan listened to the congratulations outside, pursed her lips and smiled silently under the hijab. She smiled all the way and was carried to the door of Duan's mansion.

The guests had already been seated in the mansion. Those waiting at the door saw the sedan arriving and hurriedly stepped forward to welcome Duan Qingen to dismount. Then they watched him lift the curtain of the sedan with his own hands, hold the bride's hand, and help her get off. sedan chair.

“The bride and groom are here!!”

"Congratulations!"

"Have a baby soon!"

Along the way, there were lively congratulations all the way. Xi Yuzhen was covered with a hijab and could only lower her head to look at the road under her feet. Along the way, Duan Qingen held her hand and greeted the congratulations from time to time.

"Worship the heaven and the earth..."

"Two bows to the high hall..."

After paying homage, Duan Qingen and Xi Yuzhen went to Duan's father, the Miao family.

Duan's father smiled with tears in his eyes, but he still pretended to be fine. He just said to his son in a dumb voice: "From today on, you will get married. From now on, you can no longer just play around like in the past. You must be more considerate and filial to your wife." Parents, take care of your little brother.”

"Yes, the son will obey his father's teachings."

Xi Yuzhen, who was standing next to him, was listening to Miao's words.

With a loving smile on her face and gentleness in her eyes, Mrs. Miao looked like a good mother-in-law.

She looked at the future daughter-in-law in front of her who was wearing a wedding dress. Even though she wished that Xi Yu was really infertile, she still spoke affectionately and softly on her face.

"Good boy, if you marry into the Duan family in the future, you will be my Duan family's daughter-in-law. My brother has a good temper and is considerate. You and your wife should play the harp in harmony and spread the branches of the Duan family as soon as possible."

"My daughter-in-law will follow her mother's teachings."

Xi Yuzhenfu bowed down.

It stands to reason that the process has almost come to this point, but Duan Qingen looked like a child, like an adult who hates things, and said to Miao: "From now on, the real sister will be the mother's daughter-in-law. The mother will not reward her." What?"

The relationship between mother and son was always harmonious. The guests didn't think anything was wrong. They just thought it was Duan Qing'en who was acting coquettishly with Mr. Miao. Ridiculous laughter immediately broke out in the hall.

"Look at Engeer, he just got married, and he's thinking about getting benefits from his mother."

"Hahahahaha, he's still a young man."

They were all laughing, but Miao couldn't laugh.

She herself was from a mediocre background, but she wanted to accept the tea from the daughter of the Marquis, so she naturally had to dress more gorgeously so as not to be overwhelmed.

Therefore, all the jewelry on her body can be said to be her most luxurious and cherished.

Apart from the set of pearls, they were all she had.

Duan Qingen in front of her was still smiling admiringly at her, full of trust.

At this moment, Miao wished that she had never gained Duan Qingen's trust, and it would be better for him to speak on such an occasion.

The waves in her heart were overwhelming, but she still kept her motherly smile on her face. She looked at her stepson kindly, and while taking off the jade bracelet on her wrist, she joked: "You are such a skinny monkey, you are used to hating me. Sooner or later, I want you to loot all the good things I have here.”

There was another burst of laughter in the hall, but no one knew that Miao was telling the truth.

It really can't be true anymore.

It was so painful that she took off the bracelet and handed it to Xi Yuzhen's hand. She held on and said, "This is a good thing. It has not been in my hands for a while. I give it to you today. You can pass it on to me in the future." Give me my granddaughter-in-law.”

Xi Yuzhen took the bracelet and put it on his hand.

It feels gentle to the touch and is indeed a good thing.

She had always known about Duan Qingen's relationship with her stepmother, so she blessed her body and replied crisply, "Thank you, mother. My daughter-in-law will definitely wear this to greet her mother every day in the future."

Miao choked. Giving away the bracelet already made her heartache. And seeing Xi Yuzhen wearing this bracelet hanging around in front of her every day, she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to hold on and would fall down.

This Qing En's daughter-in-law is really just like him, they are both difficult to deal with.

Seeing Xi Yuzhen being sent to the house wearing her beloved bracelet, while Duan Qingen stayed behind and toasted everywhere with a happy face, Mrs. Miao was filled with hatred.

If she could be given a chance to go back to the past, she would have let Duan Qingen "die" of illness when he was young. What would she be afraid of if she took some risks? It would be better than being like this now, with this bastard asking for a treasure today and a rare object tomorrow. Good.

"Madam, let's go entertain the guests too, right?"

Duan's father had passed the sentimental stage. He stood up happily and looked at his wife. Miao quickly put a smile on her face and said, "Yes, we will also entertain the guests."

After a busy period, Mrs. Miao was chatting with other ladies. When she glanced at him, she saw Duan Qingsong standing in the corner with a gloomy look on her face. She felt anxious and quickly put down the ladies and came to him.

"What are you doing!" When she walked up to her, she looked around and saw that no one was paying attention. Then she scolded in a low voice: "Today is your brother's big day. You put on this look for fear that others wouldn't notice. Don’t you respect your elder brother?”

Duan Qingsong was not as good-looking as Duan Qingen, and he only focused on studying and hardly participated in physical communication. He was thin and thin. Even if he wore a lot of clothes in winter, he still looked sick. When his mother scolded him, his face revealed Dissatisfaction comes.

"Mom, that jade bracelet, you clearly promised to give it to my wife when I get married."

Miao's heart ached when she mentioned the jade bracelet, but at this moment she could only suppress her heartache and reprimand her son: "Your elder brother has already spoken, in front of so many people, I have to come up with something!"

"Big brother, big brother, big brother again!!"

Duan Qingsong had already accumulated a lot of anger in his heart. He could suppress it forcefully before, but today he saw that the jade bracelet his mother had promised him was given to Xi Yuzhen, and he could no longer suppress it.

"Does mother really care about me wholeheartedly? You always say that I am much more important than your eldest brother in your heart. You say that I am your biological son and you have to plan for me. But today I realized that mother was just saying that. It sounds good, but in fact, you are still dedicated to your eldest brother.”

Miao simply thought she had heard wrong: "Why do you think so?? You are my biological son. I'm not crazy. Of course I am wholeheartedly for you, Brother Song."

Duan Qingsong didn't believe her at all. Not only did he not believe her, he also directly shook off Miao's hand. "Everything you have good things in your hands has been given to the eldest brother. The eldest brother is socializing in foreign affairs, treating guests to meals and shopping, and never worries about not having enough money." Kyoto said that my eldest brother is generous and generous. Mother, look at me again. On weekdays, you only force me to study. You either let me go to the academy or to the study room. When I have a meal with my friends, you have to scold me. No. If I go out again, sometimes my son really doubts that his eldest brother is his mother’s biological son.”

"I, I..."

Miao was almost angry to death, but the situation was not right. She could only look around hastily and whispered anxiously: "Didn't I tell you before? I'm flattering you. Look at your elder brother. Now that you're married, you're still a man of no means, but let's look at you. If I hadn't kept strict supervision on you and forbade you from associating with those bad friends, would you be as knowledgeable as you are now?"

"So what if you can't be civilized and martial?" Duan Qingsong pulled Miao to look at the guests in the hall, "Look, mother, when the eldest brother got married, almost all the legitimate sons of civil and military officials from the dynasty came. Have you ever seen a man who married like this? What if he is a playboy? What if he is ignorant and incompetent? With his father protecting him and the blood of so many adults protecting him, he will never have to worry about anything in his life!"

"Look at me again. When I go out, people say that I am Duan Qing'en's younger brother. The Duan Qing'en who lives in the water garden. Duan Qing'en who is close friends with the He family brother. Duan Qing'en who is the most popular in Shengjing. Just now I went to propose a toast to them. He didn’t even know me, but when he heard that I was my eldest brother’s younger brother, he immediately changed his face and wanted to toast me three times. Does my mother know what I was thinking? I wanted to find a gap in the ground and crawl in!”

Duan Qingsong had such resentment for a day or two. He was not magnanimous. On the contrary, he followed the Miao family and was narrow-minded.

It would be okay if Mrs. Miao held Duan Qing'en in such a way and raised him to death. But now, not only did he not raise him to death, but he was still alive and well, the imbalance in Duan Qingsong's heart was very big.

He is Miao's biological son. As a result, Miao has only loved Duan Qing'en since she was a child. When her father scolded her, she helped to persuade her. When Duan Qing'en got into trouble, she helped to hide it. Duan Qing'en even had some items in his mother's shop. of cards.

Look at him again. He has been treated harshly since he was a child. If he can't memorize books well, his teacher will be the master. If he can't write poems, he will be scolded by his father.

When he felt that he was having a hard time before, he would think that his mother was doing it for his own good, to make him a talented person and to let him inherit everything from his father.

But seeing Duan Qing'en's reputation in Shengjing getting bigger and bigger, and all the princes in Shengjing following him, and everywhere he went being praised, Duan Qingsong couldn't sit still.

Because she was married to the daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyi, there were even people from other Marquis's houses coming as guests today.

The more prosperous Duan Qing'en is, the more depressed he feels. He drank again just now, but now he can't help it anymore.

He pulled Miao and asked her: "Mother, tell your son that you want to find a wife for your eldest brother who will hold you back, but look at how many high-ranking families come to drink because of your eldest brother's marriage to the Hou Mansion. These will be his connections from now on!”

Mrs. Miao was angry and anxious, and quickly took her son's hand and walked to the corridor, "Please keep your voice down!! If anyone hears it, we will be doomed!"

"It's over! I'm done a long time ago!" Duan Qingsong let go of his biological mother's hand and walked drunkenly to his yard. As he walked, he muttered: "With a mother like you, I would have been done a long time ago. …”

"Mom, just watch. As long as Duan Qing'en lives, I won't be able to get ahead. If you really do it for my own good, just kill him and it will be over."

"What nonsense are you talking about!!"

Mrs. Miao stood there, so frightened that she wished she had three heads and six arms to see if there was anyone around. When she saw no one, she felt relieved. Looking at the back of her son stumbling away, she was so angry that she almost cried.

She is dedicated to this child, why doesn't he understand?

Duan Qingen exchanged drinks among the crowd, but did not miss the unpleasant conversation between mother and son.

As if he thought of something, he smiled even wider.

"Brother Eng, look at you, you are so happy to have a wife. Come, let us brothers have a drink."

Duan Qingen raised his glass: "Come on, let's have just one drink. Today is a big day. It wouldn't be good if you got me drunk."

As soon as he said this, the drunken relative who was pestering him for a drink said, "Don't be afraid! Isn't it just a marriage? It will be the same when we have a wedding tomorrow."

Zhou Gao came over from the other side holding a wine glass, "He is the groom's official, how can he be drunk? Come on, I'll drink for him."

Duan Qingen passed by him and patted his shoulder, "Brother, thank you."

Zhou Gonggong always has a good drinker. He drank the wine in one gulp and said with a carefree smile, "It's nothing. Today is so important. It's not good for you to be drunk."

The banquet lasted until dusk, and then the guests dispersed. Some people said that Duan Qing'en was indeed the head of Shengjing's dandy, and he was extremely honorable.

For his marriage, many husbands in Shengjing who were out of town or living in the Imperial College took leave, just for his marriage.

Especially Zhou Gao, Xu Huming, and He Lisheng. They were notorious for not listening to their families. They left a letter before leaving and said they would travel all over the country. At that time, people from the three mansions almost wanted to find them. No one could be found in the entire Shengjing City. If they hadn't sent letters to ensure their safety every now and then, others would have thought something had happened to these three people.

They didn't come back for the Chinese New Year before, but this time Duan Qingen got married, but all three of them rushed back, which shows the depth of their relationship.

When the young men left, Duan Qingen stood at the door to see them off one by one.

"You drank too much today, and you want to have dinner together in a restaurant. Don't offend your family."

These gentlemen who had always played well with him all responded with a smile: "An Xin, how can we collide with our own family?"

After receiving the reply, Duan Qingen then sent off to the other husbands. When sending them off, he also said the same sentence.

"I drank too much today, and we want to have dinner together at a restaurant. Don't bump into your family."

***

Liu Laoba struggled to walk on the road while pulling the cart. The cart was filled with firewood that he had picked up on the mountain and finally dried. Because there was too much padding on it, the cart was naturally heavy. Liu Laoba this year Fifty-two years old, he is as thin as a bamboo pole, and his shoulders are sunken from left to right due to long-term work. At the moment, there is a drawstring on top, making it easier for him to pull the cart forward step by step.

If he takes one step, he will brave the cold wind and shout: "Selling firewood, selling firewood..."

The wind was so strong that he set out this morning. By the time he reached Shengjing, it was already dusk. He hadn't eaten when he came out of the house. His stomach was empty and he couldn't make a sound. After being blown by the wind like this, his voice was even quieter.

Fortunately, the people living nearby heard the cry. A few families immediately opened the door and walked to Liu Laobao, wrapped in the thickest clothes at home, and said, "I want a bundle of firewood."

Seeing that he had a buyer, Liu Laoba was so happy that he wanted to smile, but found that the corners of his mouth could not be raised, and he did not panic. The weather was too cold, and it was normal for his face to freeze.

So he took the firewood out of the car with a stiff face, and took the copper coins handed over by the buyer with his hands covered with frostbite and wrinkles.

Some people bought firewood and left, while others pulled him in because they were staying behind closed doors to ask, "I heard that another group of people froze to death outside the city?"

Liu Laoba handed him the firewood and replied: "Yes, I saw a lot of them when I entered the city. Some people begged the official to let them enter the city, but they were beaten to death by the official."

The buyer sighed a few times, with an unbearable look on his face: "It would be better if we just drove him away, why would this be the case?"

Those victims who wanted to enter the city also wanted to survive. At least there were roofs in the city that could shelter them from the heavy snow. In a place like that outside the city, people of all ages could freeze to death in just one night.

Liu Laoba was silent and did not answer. His family did not live in Shengjing City. Every time he went to the city, he had to give money to the officials. Sometimes he was also confused. This year's situation was obviously not good. Logically speaking, even if the imperial court did not exempt him from the tax, he was silent. Taxes shouldn't be raised, but the court has raised them.

He is numb, and the taxes for the imperial court are rising year by year.

They were also at the feet of the Emperor. They originally had a house and land in their family. Although they were not a wealthy family, the family lived a good life. However, since the famine came, the court increased taxes time and time again. If they could not pay for food, they forced their son to When he went to serve in the army, Liu Laoba gave birth to a total of five sons, four of whom survived. At such an age, he should be proud of having four sons alive, but he worked hard to protect the four children when they grew up. All died in the army.

After receiving the news of the death of his four sons, Liu Laoba and his wife burst into tears. They didn't understand why his sons died when there was no war in the court.

Later, a man who lost an arm from the cold came back and told Liu Laoba the truth. The court was not at war, but it was cold in winter and the court could not provide food and grass. The soldiers could not eat enough. The clothes they were wearing were said to have been replaced. Cotton is actually just a thin piece of cloth. After one night, many people can freeze to death like the victims outside.

Four sons were gone, but Liu Laoba still had to hold on, go up the mountain to cut firewood, dry it and sell it for money.

His youngest daughter froze to death, and his eldest daughter got married and died of starvation at her husband's house. But he still had to raise his granddaughter and grandson. They were too young, and he was too old. There was hardly a day when he didn't worry about what would happen if If he dies, what will his grandchildren do?

Another gust of cold wind blew, Liu Laoba stiffened his face, exhaled, looked at the people who bought their own firewood and turned around to go home, and looked up at the gray sky.

I just pray to God that this year won’t be another disaster year.

If next year is still a year of disaster and he cannot pay the taxes required by the court, his grandchildren may be sold to Ren Yazi.

Not for tax purposes, but so that they can be sold to a good home, with food, clothing, and a place where they can survive.

Fortunately, he got more money today. I heard that a family in Shengjing held a wedding event. The owner of the family gave away the wedding money, and people on the whole street grabbed some of it.

With the extra income, the money will naturally become generous. On weekdays, you may think about the whole family getting through it together, but today you will use the lucky money to buy firewood and enjoy a few warm nights.

After Liu Laoba made money, he struggled to squeeze out a stiff but joyful smile on his wrinkled face. He touched his dry belly, took out a hard piece of dry food from the package he was carrying, and ate it wholeheartedly. After it was clean, I was satisfied and continued to pull the almost empty car forward.

He made a lot of money today, so he didn't go back all night, and found a cheap place to stay warm and warm. Firewood was hard to come by in winter, so he could use firewood to pay for the house.

Just as he was planning to use the money to buy food to feed his grandchildren for a few days, Liu Laoba suddenly felt the ground beneath his feet shaking. His old face showed confusion and panic, and he almost suspected that it was... The earth dragon turned over.

He had never seen an earth dragon turn over, but he had heard his father say that it was like this, and the ground was shaking.

But then, the loud shouts of the soldiers suddenly sounded outside and told Liu Laoba that this was not an earth dragon turning over at all.

He threw down the broken cart and almost rolled on the ground, found a roof and hid behind a pillar. Liu Laoba opened his eyes wide, with fire reflected in his tired eyes.

Amidst the unanimous shouts of many people, which were like the earth shaking, he saw with his own eyes that the city gate of Shengjing shook. It was someone outside who was attacking the city.

Liu Laoba was confused and scared. He didn't dare to sit anywhere. He only dared to huddle in this corner and tightly hugged the bag containing the money.

He didn't know how long he stayed here. He only knew that it was snowing more and more. Many people wearing armor rushed over from the inner city, but it was already too late. The huge one stood there when he first entered the city when he was five years old. The city gate fell heavily, and people who were also wearing armor but with more sophisticated weapons rushed in.

When everything calmed down, the sky had brightened, and Liu Laoba was still cowering in place. He was almost scared to death.

From his angle, he could completely see those people rushing into the palace that he didn't even dare to approach.

As for the officials he wanted to please carefully, all of them had their weapons handed over and knelt on the snow.

There were other people standing in front of them. These people were wearing armor, had big horses, and were holding long guns. Just standing there without speaking or moving was enough to make Liu Laoba dare not move.

There were still some people patrolling around. Liu Laoba had been praying silently not to come to him, but when it got up at dawn, he was still discovered.

"Boss, there is someone here!"

When this voice sounded, Liu Laoba's face was filled with snot and tears. His body was very stiff, but he got up very quickly. He did not dare to resist. He only dared to kneel on the ground and faced the man who found him with all his strength. People kowtow.

"Master, please don't kill me. I still have grandchildren. If I die, they won't be able to survive. I beg you, please don't kill me... I, I have money, I will give it to you." It’s all for you, please, I can’t die, I really can’t die…”

Zhou Gong was wearing armor and holding a long sword. He glanced at Liu Laoba and lowered his guard when he saw that he was indeed an ordinary citizen.

"You're fine, why should we kill you? Okay, I'm afraid there will be chaos in Shengjing for a while. If you are from Shengjing, go home quickly. If not, just leave quickly. Don't let others take advantage of the chaos."

"Don't be afraid of the people guarding the city gates. They won't stop the people."

Liu Laoba couldn't believe that he was let go so easily, but the officials did not give him any more trouble, but turned around and left.

He was stunned, then realized what was happening. He quickly squatted down and picked up the money bag from the ground with his frozen hands. After hesitating for a while, he gritted his teeth and walked toward the city gate.

If the official wanted to kill him, he could have done so just now, so why lie to him.

He must go home and return to his grandchildren to protect them.

After all, the world has probably changed.

****

"Master, master..."

Duan's father, who had been awake all night since the chaos broke out outside, was waiting in the yard to welcome the loyal boy who had gone out to inquire about the news. He knelt on the ground, his body shaking with fear: "Master, the rebels have invaded the palace. , I just went to look quietly, and the people guarding the palace gate were already rebels. "

Father Duan froze, and asked with trembling lips, "Where are the other adults?"

"Many adults' houses were surrounded, but no one forced their way in. They just stayed outside."

The young man had been following Duan's father and knew something. Now that the situation was not good, he quickly said: "Master, let's escape. Since you have a high official position, those people will definitely surround our house. Before they come now, , we escaped quickly, the slaves just went out, and saw that the rebels did not attack the people, they only searched the luggage and let them out of the city. We can leave the city just by pretending to be ordinary people. "

"Yes, yes, it's important to save your life."

Father Duan forced himself to calm down, "Go quickly, call the madam and the eldest brother and the second brother, tell them not to bring anything, and quickly change into ordinary clothes and come here. And you, too, change your clothes quickly!"

There was chaos in the yard for a while, and Mrs. Miao came with a panic expression on her face, "Ms. sir, do we really not take these gold and silver with us? If we don't take them, how will we survive when we go out!"

"Hey! Why do you care about this when you can't save your life? Have you ever seen ordinary people carrying a pile of gold and silver! Come on, where is Brother Song, and Sister Neng'er, why haven't you seen them?"

"Master! There are people killing people outside!!"

The loyal servant came back with a panicked look on his face, "Uncle, uncle had them taken outside the mansion and killed. The imperial concubine's family was also killed. Master, I see someone coming towards us. Don't worry about it for now. Run away!"

Father Duan was shocked, but he didn't feel sad. Uncle and imperial concubine's family were notoriously domineering. They didn't take human life seriously and caused many unjust cases. If it weren't for the wrong occasion, he would have shouted "Well done!"

Miao, on the other hand, was so scared that she widened her eyes and grabbed the servant, "What about the women in their mansion? Were the women killed?"

"No, I saw that the rebels didn't kill the people, nor did they set fire everywhere. It seemed that they were just going after the adults in the court, and didn't care about the women and children of those adults."

Miao breathed a sigh of relief, then let go of her hand thoughtfully.

Duan Qingsong heard these words as soon as he arrived. His eyes flashed. Before he stepped forward, Miao turned around and saw Xi Yuzhen coming over.

"Where is Duan Qingen? Where did Duan Qingen go?!!"

She was greatly stimulated by the war, and at this moment, she didn't care about pretending to be gentle and virtuous. She almost screamed and pointed at Xi Yuzhen and asked, "Did he run away? Did he abandon us and run away!!"

Xi Yuzhen was still wearing her bridal dress. She didn't have much anger at Miao's accusation. She just bowed and said calmly, "My husband has other things to do."

Miao didn't believe it. Duan Qingen was a playboy. What could happen to him? He ran away.

Duan's father didn't believe that his son had left them and left. "What else is there! Send someone to call him over quickly. Is there anything more important than life now?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the servant guarding the door screamed and crawled into the yard.

"Master, we are surrounded by those people outside the mansion..."

Miao's body softened and collapsed to the ground.

"What should we do... Husband, what should we do? What if they kill someone, what if they break in..."

"Don't panic, don't panic first." Father Duan was also very nervous. He was thinking about countermeasures, but Duan Qingsong on the side suddenly spoke.

"Why are you crying, mother? The rebels only kill ministers in the court, and we are not ministers in the court."

Miao stopped crying.

Father Duan looked at his youngest son in disbelief.

Duan Qingsong's face was very calm at this moment, "If the rebels want to kill, they will kill my father, what does it have to do with us mother and son."

Miao was still holding the package full of gold and silver tightly in her hands, and her makeup was stained by tears, and she was very embarrassed.

She understood what her son meant.

If they protected Father Duan, they would have nothing to escape for their lives, but if they let the rebels kill him, they and their son could take away the gold and silver in the chaos.

The husband who had been with her for more than ten years had to choose between how to live the rest of her life and her husband. Miao shook her hands, holding the bag of gold and silver, and slowly stood up.

"My husband, I take care of the household chores for you, I gave birth to a son for you, and I even took care of Duan Qingen for you. You can't bear to see me work hard for half my life and end up poor and helpless, right?"

Father Duan's blood seemed to run cold at this moment.

He stared at his gentle wife in a daze, "Madam, what do you mean by this?" Miao was still saying, "I don't know how much I have suffered for you. You are partial to Duan Qingen and don't care about me, Song Ge'er. I have endured it. Now, it's time for you to help me and Song Ge'er." Duan's father took a step back, "Do you want me to die?" Miao shook her head and almost roared: "Song Ge'er is your own flesh and blood, husband, can you bear to watch him be a pariah for the rest of his life!!!" Duan Qingsong stood beside Miao, "Mother, why should I talk nonsense with father? If he dies, the Duan family's property will belong to us mother and son." "Everyone!" He raised his voice and said to the servants who looked at each other in bewilderment, "You all know that the rebels only kill ministers in the court. Now there is chaos and they are surrounded outside. Father will definitely not escape. As long as you listen to my orders and wait until things calm down, you will definitely get the benefits." He made the decision to kill his father, but his face showed an excited look. Father Duan stepped back again and again in disbelief, "No, impossible..."

His wife, his children, how could they want to kill him?

None of the servants moved, but the most loyal one protected Father Duan, "Second brother! Are you crazy?! The master is your father!"

"Father, so what! If we don't have this opportunity, even if we survive, we can only be pariahs for life. Even if there are no rebels, he is so partial to the eldest brother! Isn't the family property given to the eldest brother!!"

"You'd better tie him up and hand him over to the rebels immediately, otherwise, we will die!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was knocked open from the outside.

-Boom!

It fell to the ground, and the well-equipped soldiers filed in and stood silently on both sides of the front of the Duan family's door.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Duan Qingen, wearing armor and holding a long sword, stepped in quickly.

As soon as he entered, he knelt down in front of Father Duan, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice:

"My son is unfilial and frightened my father!"

Father Duan: "Brother En? You, you..."

Duan Qingen stood up, supported his trembling hand, and smiled as usual, "Father, from today on, you are the emperor."

After saying that, he looked at Miao and Duan Qingsong, who were shocked.

"And mother and brother, from today on, you are the queen mother and prince of this world."

"Hey, mother, why are you crying?"

The author has something to say: It's the end!

It's 10,000 words. Hurry up and praise this cute author who is long and updated daily~

I don't know why, but I got hungry while writing this chapter. I decided to make myself some midnight snacks. Good night, little angels. Red envelopes will be randomly dropped in this chapter. Muah.