incomprehensible

Chapter 121

The barren people are generally short and thin, and there are few young and middle-aged people in the settlement at this time, not to mention the tall and long-legged Ye Xuehuan, even Lan Qi can't find suitable clothes.

The two of them didn't dare to be too arrogant. After groping around in several courtyards on the edge, they withdrew and decided to go to the next settlement to lay down black hands.

Although Lan Qi had gained something, he waited until he was away from a safe distance to look carefully, only to find that the trouser suit he took out was obviously a woman's style.

Ye Xuehuan almost burst into laughter on the spot, but Lan Qi could think about it, at least the size was right, it was much better than the big robe he was wearing with bare shoulders and no hands.The woman's hair was combed, so there was nothing she couldn't wear in women's clothes; what's more, it wasn't a skirt, and it was wrapped in a cloak, and Ye Xuehuan was the only one to see it, so he didn't have any burdens at all.

This area is close to the middle reaches of the Yehe River, and there are dense settlements of desolate people. Ye Xuehuan searched three small settlements within five days, and finally found something he could wear.

It was obviously a new dress made by the little girl's family for her lover. It hadn't been worn yet, and it was washed and hung in the yard, but it was taken away. I don't know if the little girl will cry the next day.

What's more, he even took away the only little mule in the settlement.

The desolate people also need to eat food, so they must also cultivate the land.It is impossible to have such a luxurious production tool as a farm cattle. Just such a thin and thin mule may have been snatched from the border people in the central area.

Owning a mule that can pull a plow is a symbol of strength for a barren settlement, and it is enough to make the whole village proud.

If the desolate people find the mule missing, they will have to search for it the next day, and they will be in danger of being exposed; but with Lan Qi's current physical strength, he really needs a means of transportation.

The little mule can barely be regarded as a cub. If it is in the center of the city, it will still eat night grass and put on more fat. It may be beaten again, which is simply miserable.

Thinking of this level, the two instantly lost the sense of guilt of theft.

It was probably tempered by the burden of the coolies. The little mule was docile and quiet, tied to the edge of the field blindfolded, and didn't even have a shed to shelter from the wind and rain.Ye Xuehuan stuffed it with some hay, touched the side of its neck, and it followed obediently without a sound.

Of course, Prince Rong has never dealt with mules, but he is also so comforting and close to Qingdian on weekdays, and it is also very suitable for mules.

With a mount, it is difficult to hide. The two no longer ventured close to the settlements of the barren people, but only walked through the mountains and forests.Lan Qi deliberately made some traces, pretending that the mule escaped by himself, and led the sufferer to the opposite direction, and continued to ride the spoils along the Hebei River.

Carrying a Lanqi is naturally much easier than pulling a plow. The little mule is very happy about this and is very close to the two of them.When he was on the road, he pointed where to go, and when he was resting, he gnawed on the turf by himself; stroked the messy hair on its head, and shook the pair of long ears, which was somehow cute.

Lan Qi named it Amao very casually, and Ye Xuehuan teased: "I named this animal, do you want to take it back to raise?"

Lan Qi didn't deny it, but raised his eyebrows and asked, "Can't my Prince Rong's mansion afford a mule?"

Ye Xuehuan sneered: "Have you seen anyone raising mules in the palace? If you want to raise them, you can raise them in the frontier army, and raise them together with the war horses. In the future, the princess will ride them to the front line to supervise the army."

Lan Qi: "..."

Ye Xuehuan imagined the scene for a while, and burst out laughing, only to be kicked by Lan Qi to stop.

He didn't object, Lan Qi had always been like this, he was indifferent and alienated when dealing with people, but he always had a lot of sympathy and patience when dealing with these harmless little animals.This is probably due to his personality. Animals only follow their instincts, so they are innocent; but humans should be bound by laws and ethics, and they should be punished if they make mistakes, without any excuses.

He was used to seeing all people as rational, unable to understand that some people would know and make mistakes because of desire or human affection; although he can understand some of the dilemmas in it now, he never approves of those behaviors.Ye Xuehuan even felt that if Lan Qi hadn't been too young when the Qi family incident happened, he might have taken the initiative to sue his father; or if he made a big mistake one day, Lan Qi would only be punished with him instead of appeasing and covering up.

There are few people in the world who can be so unselfish, so for most people, Lan Qi is very difficult to get along with; but if there is no such person, who will maintain the etiquette and order in this world?

——If there is no such Lan Qi, who will stick to a clear heart for him?

Even if it was the enemy's settlement, Lan Qi felt that stealing other people's clothes and mules was very unspeakable, and he felt very sorry for his conscience, so he replaced the two crocodile flowers that could no longer be measured by money. The clothes stayed where they were.

From this point of view, Amao may be the most expensive mule in the world, but I don't know if the desolate people are willing to accept his "conscience".

As the two traveled northward, the settlements of desolate people gradually decreased, indicating that they were approaching the border of the central area; however, for some reason, they didn't even meet a patrol team along the way.

Even though he knew that no matter what happens in the DPRK, the border guards would not be affected, and it was more likely that they happened not to be on the patrol route, but this vague abnormality still made Ye Xuehuan feel uneasy.

He intends to speed up the journey, but Lan Qi's physical condition really does not allow it.

In the middle of February, Nanhuang became more and more humid and warm. Although it was not yet the time for miasma, the fog and dew at night were extremely heavy. Lan Qi suffered from the cold and cold. He had been coughing for days, and now he had a low-grade fever.

Ye Xuehuan was afraid that his condition would worsen, so he didn't dare to drive at night, let alone stay where he was; fortunately, Ah Mao was carrying him, otherwise it would be really difficult for him to move forward.

After a few more days like this, there were no settlements of desolate people along the way, and there were traces of repairs on the river, which should have entered the jurisdiction of the frontier army, but there were still no people. There were no desolate people disturbing the border, and There are no border troops patrolling the border.

Lan Qi guessed that their current location was to the west, and the conflicts were all concentrated near the mines in the east, so the west was deserted; although Ye Xuehuan felt strange, but for the time being, he could only think so.

At dusk that day, they went around another mountain, and at the foot of the mountain they finally saw a flat and open land, with a small village on it, and scattered blue-gray houses in it.

The setting sun and evening clouds, the wooden fence and the smoke from cooking, such a simple and ordinary frontier scene, in Ye Xuehuan's eyes, also looks extremely warm and peaceful.

The arduous journey of more than [-] days was finally over.

"Lan'er." He patted Lan Qi on the back, "Look."

Lan Qi had been suffering from low fever and listlessness, lying listlessly on Amao's back. He opened his eyes and looked down the mountain after hearing this, and finally heaved a sigh of relief and smiled feebly.

Ye Xuehuan led Amao into the village. It was time for dinner, and every household was lighting a fire to make food, and no one noticed that outsiders entered the village.

Of course, there are not many families in the village, which is far smaller than the villages near the mines in the east; Lan Qi's guess should be good, they are indeed still in the west.

Ye Xuehuan knocked on the courtyard door of the nearest family.

The old faded wooden door creaked open, and the person who came to answer the door was a rickety and thin old woman, with white hair on the temples, yellow and black complexion, and wrinkled face, who seemed to be in her seventies or eighties; Being poor and hardworking, she tends to look old. This old woman should not be as old as she looks, at least her eyes are clear and her mind is not confused.

She probably thought it was a neighbor who came to borrow some firewood, rice, oil and salt. She was smiling at first, but when she saw that it was a stranger, she immediately became vigilant, looked at Ye Xuehuan hesitantly, and asked, "Are you...?"

"Don't be afraid, old people."

It is impossible for Ye Xuehuan to reveal his identity rashly at this moment, not to mention whether this ignorant border dweller will think him a liar or a lunatic, and he himself can't bear to say that he is a prince in distress.Immediately lied casually, saying that he was the guard of a rich family in Yunyan County. Unfortunately, he encountered deserted people, and he fled here with his young master.

When he was on the southern tour, he knew a little about those wealthy households in Yunyan, and now he spoke of them with names and surnames, very realistic.

The old woman was skeptical when she heard it, not because she heard any flaws in the story he made up, but felt that the "guard" was too handsome and a little too imposing, even though he was dressed in plain clothes and dusty, he was still undeniably handsome. He is also not tall like a person from the southern border, and his neck is so sore that he can only look at him.

What kind of master can let such a person be a guard?

Seeing her hesitation, Ye Xuehuan said more sincerely: "I know it's rude, but my little master is really sick, so I just ask the old man to let us stay overnight, and we will go to Luoxia Pass tomorrow morning, and we won't bother you much. "

The old woman turned her head to look at Lan Qi beside him, her attitude softened immediately, she hurriedly opened the courtyard door and said, "Oh, you pretty little girl, why are you so sick, come in quickly."

Lan Qi: "..."

Ye Xuehuan: "..."

After making up a tragic story for a long time, it is not as effective as Lan Qi's silent trick.

Lan Qi was even more speechless. Being mistaken for a little girl really made him feel delicate, but if he had to clarify, he had to explain why he was dressed as a woman, which would be troublesome, so he had to bite the bullet and admit it, and said in a low voice: "Thank you Granny."

It is probably because Lan Qi's cute little face is so pleasing to the elders, and the sick and haggard appearance is even more painful. A few well-timed coughs even made the old woman's face a little cramped, and she moved half of her body away. Welcoming them in.

There is a simple hut in the yard, which should also be used to raise heavy-duty donkeys and mules, but they are not at home for the time being, and a few hens are clucking around in it.Ye Xuehuan tied Amao to the shed, and the poor little mule had been eating and sleeping in the open for a long time. Only now did he have a decent shelter, and he was so happy that he stuck out his tongue.

The old woman said her surname was Tian, ​​and she lived with her daughter and son-in-law.The young couple went to Luoxiaguan to go to the market two days ago, and there happened to be a vacant room for them to stay for one night.

Ye Xuehuan thanked him, carried Lan Qi into the empty room, and put him on the bed.

It is said to be a bed, but it is just a wooden plank supported by four wooden frames, with two beds of cotton batting on it, and the conditions are extremely poor and simple.The bedding was so old that it turned white, but fortunately it was clean.

Lan Qi's cloak was slightly dirty and torn, so Ye Xuehuan took it off for him and put it aside, wrapped him tightly with the quilt, and whispered: "I'll get you something to eat, you take a rest first ,OK?"

Lan Qi nodded obediently.

Tian led Ye Xuehuan to the kitchen again.She herself should have just had dinner, and there was no fire in the stove, but the residual heat was still there.

She skillfully lit a fire, poured clear water into the pot, and said with a smile: "Young brother doesn't seem like he can cook, let the old woman cook some porridge for the little girl."

Ye Xuehuan was also not polite, said thank you, and leaned against the door to watch her cook the porridge.

When the Luoxia pass was passed, there were cases of deserters sneaking into the village to rob and cheat, so the border residents were very vigilant.Although he and Lan Qi didn't look like desolate people, Tian didn't necessarily believe that they were good people.

If he didn't want to make too much noise, he had to gain the trust of the border residents first.

Sure enough, she sprinkled a handful of rice into the pot, and then said casually: "This is the westernmost village, far away from the mine. How did my little brother escape here?"

Ye Xuehuan replied with a gloomy face: "The luck is bad, and we encountered desolate people not long after leaving Luoxia Pass. Our group fled separately, and I took Lan... and Miss to the mountains, and then I got lost. Lu, I finally came out of the mountains and arrived here."

When Tian heard that he almost called out the "boudoir name" of her "Miss", she gave him a meaningful look, and said, "That's not easy. The little girl is delicate, so it's no wonder she's sick. It's just that the village is far away. There are only doctors in the three villages in the east, and I can’t ask for them now. I remember that the child of the fourth family next door also had a fever a while ago, and there may be some medicine left, I’ll ask you later.”

She spoke with a strong southern accent, but fortunately she spoke slowly so that she could not understand.

Knowing her intentions, Ye Xuehuan shook his head and said, "No need, he's weak and can't take many medicines. Tell me which village has a doctor, and I'll take him there tomorrow."

Tian couldn't go out to find someone, so his face was inevitably a little stiff.Ye Xuehuan asked her how far it was to Luoxia Pass, and she immediately replied, "It's not far, it's only three days' walk east. There are still five villages on the way, so it doesn't matter if you walk slowly."

Ye Xuehuan nodded his thanks again, but couldn't find anything to say for a moment.I have basically explained the situation on my side, whether it is talking too much or asking about the other party's situation, it will appear very suspicious.

At this moment, a soft call came from the door: "Brother Rong..."

Ye Xuehuan felt like being scratched by a little paw, and when he turned his head, he saw Lan Qi wrapped in his cloak, poking his head in from the door, staring at him pitifully with his dark almond eyes.

Based on Ye Xuehuan's understanding of him, he might have concealed his breath and listened outside the door from the beginning, and now he will continue to make up stories.

"Why are you up?" He pulled Lan Qi to his side, his expression so gentle that water dripped out, "Are you hungry?"

Lan Qi hugged his arm, shook his head and said nothing.

"Be obedient, you still have a fever." Ye Xuehuan patted him on the back, "Go back and lie down, okay?"

Lan Qi still shook his head, pressed his forehead against his shoulder, and said sullenly, "I don't want to be alone..."

Ye Xuehuan sighed helplessly, wrapped his arms around his waist, and secretly glanced at Tian Shi, with an embarrassing look that he couldn't help but was ashamed to be found out that he had unreasonable thoughts about the lady in charge.

Lan Qi instantly realized that he was playing the role of a restrained and affectionate guard according to Tong Xuan's standards, so he should be the one who took the initiative, so he pinched his cuff and wanted to cry: "Brother Rong, you, You stay with me..."

Not to mention Tian, ​​even Ye Xuehuan, who knew that he was acting, almost melted at the sight of the timid little pleading and anticipating appearance.

He hugged Lan Qi and sat down on the woodpile, tightened his cloak and buttoned the hood again, and said softly: "Then you cook porridge here with your mother-in-law, and I'll feed Amao, and I'll be here soon." Come with you, okay?"

Lan Qi waited for Ai Ai for a long time, and finally reluctantly agreed.

Tian Shi looked at the two of them, and seemed to find it quite interesting, and said cheerfully: "Brother, please take two eggs from the chicken coop by the way."

Lan Qi obviously saw Ye Xuehuan's mouth twitch, but when he turned around, he put on a gentle smile, nodded and left the kitchen.

——Sing on his side, it's Lan Qi's turn to come on stage.

Seeing the cat ears on top of his head, Tian felt a novelty, "Little baby's clothes are really interesting."

"Well, it's a style unique to Danlu." Lan Qi smiled sweetly and softly, "Daddy asked someone to bring it back for me..."

When the word "daddy" was mentioned, he lowered his eyes again, with a sad and lonely expression.

In just one sentence, I immediately outlined the image of a weak and timid lady who has never been out of the house. At this time, I was physically and mentally exhausted, and I was so fragile that I couldn't do without people.

His voice was originally clear and slightly childish, but now it was hoarse due to the wind and cold, and he could not distinguish between men and women.

"Poor baby, look away." If Tian felt something, she sighed pityingly, "It's best if you can find a family member, if you can't find it, just live a good life with your lover, there will be more in the future. "

An old man who has lived for most of his life has to be more open-minded. He guesses that most of the "family" in his mouth are already in danger, but he doesn't say comforting words like "they are fine" and "they will be found". He looks ahead.

But Lan Qi's focus is obviously not on those "family members" who don't exist at all.

"I, brother Rong is not mine...my..."

He curled his legs and hugged his knees, shaking his head in a panic, as if he couldn't even say the word "lover" in embarrassment.

"The little one still wants to fool my old lady." Tian looked at him with a smile that was not a smile, and there was a bit of kindness in the joke, "The old lady's eyes are not bright yet."

Lan Qi was slandering him for being a girl because of his lack of vision, while lowering his head and muttering: "Brother Rong saved me, I, I should promise him with my body..."

Tian said with a smile: "You Jun's little brother, even the old lady is curious about it, I'm afraid the little girl has already been tempted?"

Lan Qi almost wanted to roll his eyes, but he could only make up a story according to this setting: "Brother Rong used to be a soldier, and he should have a bright future, but he offended a villain, was dismissed from the army, and had nowhere to go. Dad took him in. He, he always said that my family is a benefactor, and he can't have any wrong thoughts about me, just, just guarding me like this is enough..."

"He is so powerful, he could have escaped by himself when he met the desolate people, but I dragged him down, I was so useless... He was also injured himself, and he still has to take care of me... Woo..."

He has been abused by Lu Yao, Ye Xuexun, and Nangong Xiuren in the past two years, and he has been stuffed with so many strange little storybooks. This kind of storyline is easy to come by, and he coughs twice from time to time, speaking intermittently and stuttering Baba, even more sincere and touching.As he spoke, his eye sockets were still red, and he covered his face and sobbed, and anyone who saw her would shed tears of sympathy.

Mrs. Tian sighed, but she didn't know how to persuade this kind of eldest lady who had never suffered.

Ye Xuehuan just came back at this time, with two fresh eggs still stained with some green lumps in his hands, he hurriedly stuffed the eggs into Tian's hands, stepped forward and hugged Lan Qi, He patted his back clumsily, and asked anxiously, "What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Lan Qi buried her face in his arms, sobbing and crying: "Brother Rong, when you go back to Luoxiaguan, if you can find daddy and the others, will you, will you be like you used to...will you never... will hug me..."

Ye Xuehuan was really at a loss for what to do now, he didn't know how the plot would develop after he fed the little mule with two handfuls of fodder, but silence was the most suitable reaction for him right now.

Lan Qi is still unrestrained, and his acting skills make Yu Tian's golden feather amazed when he sees him, "If that's the case, then I would rather, I would rather not find my father. I have no one to rely on, and you, you won't left me..."

"I think so, am I too selfish and vicious... Woo... How can I be so bad..."

"..."

Ye Xuehuan almost couldn't take it anymore.

He deeply reflected on himself in his heart, did he let Lan Qi spend too much time in the past two years, otherwise, where would he have the time to read so many obscenity-filled scriptures, what kind of things are in his mind? "It's just to make Tian believe that they are a pair of troubled young couples. Why did they make it up so soul-stirringly?"

When we first met in Luanyang back then, he also had the intention to embarrass Lan Qi, and a few cryptic dirty words made Lan Qi speechless; now that Lan Qi didn't even have a word dirty, he almost couldn't hold back, This retribution came too violently.

——It is really time for Master Taifu to take a good look at what kind of virtue is in the heart of the student who is as pure and lonely as the sky and the sea in his mind.

Ye Xuehuan took a deep breath, silently made another account of Lan Qi, then hugged him and said in a low voice: "What nonsense are you talking about. We are all... all like that. In my heart, you are my wife. No matter how hard or tired you are in the future, I will never let you suffer any grievances."

Lan Qi stopped crying immediately, and beat his chest with his small fist, and said with shame and anger: "Why, how can you say this in front of others..."

Ye Xuehuan also seemed to have finally realized that there was a big living person next to him, his face was slightly stiff, but his arms were tightened, and he gave a fake cough, and said: "You are still sick, don't think about it anymore, I won't lose it." Down yours."

Lan Qi responded softly, and hid softly in his arms, and seemed to feel that it was impolite. A pair of wet eyes appeared from between the crooks of his arms, and she secretly glanced at Tian, ​​portraying the mood of a shy little girl like vividly.

Tian was as calm as if she couldn't see it at all, but there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. Most of the old people like to watch this kind of drama where the down-and-out guard and the daughter love each other and make a private decision for life in adversity, so they are very happy to see it. Very tolerant, did not make any comments, hummed an unknown tune, and cooked porridge on his own.

Ye Xuehuan observed her expression, knowing that she had been fooled, he couldn't help being a little proud and amused, thinking that he and Lan Qi would act together, and even the current prince would be soft-hearted and compromise, let alone such an old woman from the frontier.

But at the same time, he was in a complicated mood, and suddenly understood why Lu Yao's love words were so marketable.

The frontier residents naturally do not have the conditions to read scripts, but like other people, they have been dulled by the boring work day after day, so they love and yearn for the lingering and beautiful love. At least those beautiful stories can still be read. Bring them a little kindness and anticipation in the world.

Lu Yao is able to make a lot of money by grasping this point, and Lan Qi, who is familiar with the routines of the script, can easily poke into Tian's heart.

From this perspective, Lu Yao may understand people's hearts better than all of them.

The rice porridge was gurgling and rolling in the pot, and the small kitchen was filled with smoke.Tian chopped some chopped green onions, mixed them in the egg mixture, sprinkled some salt, poured them into the pot, and served each of them a bowl of fragrant egg porridge.

Although she lives with her daughter, the young couple obviously spend most of their time away from home to earn a living, so she can only take care of herself, and the housework is done very quickly.Although her hands are thin and haggard, she is extremely skilled in cutting green onions, and is also fast and powerful in beating eggs. Compared with those well-maintained noble ladies, she looks much more energetic.

"Okay, you guys eat first, the old lady is going to feed the chickens."

Tian probably felt that the young couple had just confided in each other, and they had a lot to say to each other, so she was embarrassed to say it because it hindered her, so she found an excuse to leave, leaving enough space for them.

The two held a large bowl of porridge in each hand, and exchanged messages that only the two of them could understand with their eyes.

Ye Xuehuan admired sincerely: "I admire it."

Lan Qi responded humbly: "To each other."

Then the two looked at each other deeply, and showed a strange smile tacitly.

"Little bastard, what are you making up, I have to take care of you when you go back." Ye Xuehuan scolded with a smile, "Look, eat quickly."

They haven't touched rice noodles for more than two months. Before the porridge is cooked, the sweet and glutinous rice fragrance has already made them salivate.The thick white rice soup is mixed with tender yellow egg flower and bright green scallions. The ordinary egg flower porridge seems to have become a delicacy. The two of them were even inexplicably moved when they saw it. They sat side by side on the woodpile and devoured it. stand up.

Lan Qi was afraid of getting hot, so he knew how to eat and blow while eating; Ye Xuehuan had no image at all, the aristocratic etiquette that he had cultivated for many years seemed to disappear with the broken long hair, and he held the bowl in both hands and puffed and sucked. The wind swept away, and I went to add another bowl. I leaned on the stove and poured it into my mouth. I ate the porridge like a wine. "Good porridge!"

Lan Qi imagined the scene for a while, and almost choked himself, but his heart was hot.

——Only he can see Prince Rong who is so uninhibited and full of fireworks.

After eating the hot porridge, a thin layer of sweat broke out on Lan Qi's body, the heat subsided a little, and his body became refreshed, and the drowsiness came over him.

Ye Xuehuan carried him back to the bed, boiled some hot water and wiped him well, first put him to sleep, and then went to the ditch outside the village to pick up two buckets of water for Tian, ​​and filled the tank. Then he said good night to Mrs. Tian and went back to their houses.

Lan Qi huddled inside the bed, leaving a place for Ye Xuehuan, but he was already fast asleep.Ye Xuehuan lay down next to him, the bed board creaked and shook a few times, Lan Qi seemed to be startled, but he didn't wake up after all, turned over subconsciously, retracted into his most familiar embrace, and soon There was no movement.

Ye Xuehuan originally wanted to tease him about his amazing acting skills, but when he closed his eyes, his thoughts blurred, and he fell into a deep sleep in a short while.No matter how many years he was in the army, he trekked through the mountains for more than [-] days without any supplies, even his body made of iron would not be able to bear it.

The small border villages always go to work at sunrise and rest at sunset. At this time, the sky is completely dark. Maybe Danlu City is just the beginning of the lights, and it is a good time to have fun. However, this border village has already fallen asleep peacefully. There are continuous insects chirping and occasional dog barking, as well as the slight snoring of people sleeping soundly.

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People have collapsed

[PS: The title of the chapter comes from the verse of "A Gentleman in Service": Chickens live in the nest.It's time to go home, babies]