57 Silent
"My last name is... Shuangmulin."
August 14th.
Tian Nongxi stayed in Qingdu County for half a month and the new shop finally opened.
She named the shop "Hao Zai Lai" in the hope of sharing in the good fortune of the first three shops.
Occasionally, people who travel around recognize me, which is a pleasant surprise. They give me a bowl of lotus seed porridge as a thank you, and then they will bring other people to visit.
The chef was recruited by Bu Qin from Ruiyang County. He is good at cooking home-cooked meals that suit the tastes of the people of Yanchao.
On the first day of opening, many people came to join in the fun.
There were people coming and going, and the two shop assistants were too busy to handle it, so Tian Nongxi rolled up his sleeves and took the stage.
She had been busy washing vegetables for two hours, and her neck was sore from doing so.
After finally finishing washing, it was one of the waiters' turn to rest, and she went to serve the dishes again.
At noon, he even went to the kitchen to stir the wok himself.
After making three servings of blanched choy sum, I leaned against the wall to relax.
Bu Qin stuck her head out and patted her with a smile.
Tian Nongxi was startled, "You came so early?"
Bu Qin: "There's help back home, so I guess you're too busy here, so you came early."
Tomorrow is August 15th, Mid-Autumn Festival.
Tian Guangzong wrote to her early, asking her to go home and accompany her grandmother no matter how busy she was.
Although Huang was not in a clear mind and it didn't make much difference whether she saw it or not, Tian Nongxi still agreed.
The land at home cannot be left idle.
Plus, she has no experience of having to go home to be with her family during holidays, so it would be nice to have the experience.
After all, the two places are close to each other, and there will be no traffic jam in Yanchao.
The only problem was that the restaurant in Qingdu County had just opened, and Tian Nongxi was worried that something might happen without her.
Bu Qin, who had come to Qingdu County to visit her a few days ago, heard about this and volunteered to help on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The two discussed it, and Tian Nongxi wanted to go and come back quickly.
After greeting the cook, Bu Qin brought two bowls of food and called to her, "Come on, I'm so hungry I don't have any strength left."
The backyard hasn't been cleaned up yet, with all sorts of things piled up together and no place to step.
Tian Nongxi led Bu Qin to the front.
It was past noon and a few tables were empty.
She held up her face and watched Bu Qin eat heartily, while she lazily put down her chopsticks.
"Why did you only eat so little? Brother Ye said you didn't eat anything." Bu Qin looked up and asked.
Ye Ge is the chef of Hao Zhai Lai, his name is Niu Zhiye, and he is very familiar with Bu Qin.
Tian Nongxi choked up and whispered, "You won't feel hungry after being hungry for a long time. Just eat and don't worry about me."
"That's right, you won't starve yourself if you run a restaurant."
Bu Qin lowered her head and ate and drank recklessly.
Only Tian Nongxi was left staring at the bowl without blinking, gradually becoming distracted.
A few days ago, when Wen Tingluan came home, she asked him how he spent the Mid-Autumn Festival, and he just said it was up to him.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, as the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace and the only child of the royal family, he did not return to the palace.
If she had not met the emperor and empress, she would have thought that their family had a bad relationship.
For some reason, she invited Wen Tingluan to go back to Ruiyang County to celebrate the festival.
Wen Tingluan was stunned for a moment, then agreed readily.
He promised to return to Qingdu County the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival and take a carriage to Ruiyang County with her.
The appointment was for 3 p.m., but it wasn't here yet, so it was understandable that Wen Tingluan hadn't shown up.
But for some reason, Tian Nongxi felt uneasy.
The sounds of conversations between two or three people at the next table came into her ears. Hearing familiar words, she looked up and saw the setting sun shining on the wooden table. The little child was biting his fingers wholeheartedly, and his uncontrollable saliva flowed down the corners of his mouth and fell onto the wooden table, like tears exposed to the sun.
The man who was chatting happily clicked his tongue heavily and cursed under his breath.
Tian Nongxi handed over a white handkerchief and comforted her, saying that it was okay.
After thanking him, the man returned to his conversation with his friend.
"I think the house has been sold. I saw with my own eyes that the person entering and leaving was a young girl."
The man sitting opposite him shook his head in disapproval. "How could that be? She's his wife. I saw them both go back together."
"Land is very expensive on Huai'an Street. This house has been empty for years. I feel so sad when I pass by it every day."
"He's a nobleman from the capital, at least a relative of a second-rank official. How can you and I be compared?"
"Relatives? I think it's an unfavored bastard."
Tian Nongxi touched his earlobe and listened with bated breath, with a vague guess in his heart.
She tilted her head even more, and could hear the man's sneer clearly.
He stood up and scooped a bowl of soup for the child, and continued, "You are still too late. Unlike me, I am from Qingdu and I know exactly when he came. The scene was so grand, I thought it was an old minister who had retired from the army. But when I got closer, I saw that the person getting off the sedan chair was the same age as my boy now.
"He's a pretty, delicate creature, but he's got a terrible temper and won't talk to anyone. I figured I was a few years older than him, so I took him out to see the world. I couldn't knock on the door, so I climbed over the wall early in the morning. But his house was much bigger than it looked from the outside, and it was full of people. I was grabbed before I could even stand. Hey! He was right under the octagonal pavilion. He didn't say a word when he saw me being dragged out. I thought he was mute."
The man opposite laughed heartily. "How can I go out with you? Even if your son goes out with you, people will question him. It's all because you don't look like a good person."
"What nonsense are you talking about? I was also a handsome young man in the past."
"Yes, yes, this incident is very memorable to Brother Fan. It's been so many years and you still remember it so clearly."
"You know what I hate most: people who put on airs. Besides, he's been here for at least ten years, and his appearance hasn't changed. How could I have mistaken him?"
"ten years?"
"Otherwise, why do I say he is a bastard's son? He might even be a concubine's son, raised far away from the emperor, out of sight and out of mind."
"I don't think so. This man's house is unmatched even in the entire Kaining County. If he is not favored, wouldn't it be better to throw him into the pigpen? Why bother?"
The man called Brother Fan tutted and slapped his thigh. "I told you you don't understand. What if his mother is favored? What if his father is a high-ranking official famous in the capital? It would be enough for them to just sprinkle a little between their fingers. It wouldn't take any effort at all."
His voice gradually lowered, "Why would he be back now? It must be because he couldn't win the fight for the family property against the legitimate son! Didn't you read it in the storybook? A bastard's son is a bastard's son. His knowledge is far inferior to that of the one raised by the mistress."
"I don't think so. This person has an extraordinary temperament. It's no exaggeration to say that he is a descendant from heaven."
"You're such a look-seeker."
Tian Nongxi covered her mouth and smiled for a moment, which was caught by Bu Qin who had just finished eating. She murmured and asked her what was wrong.
"I'm not crazy." Tian Nongxi defended himself in a low voice.
Their noise disturbed the neighboring table. The man called Brother Fan grabbed the child, smiled at them, then turned to his friend and whispered:
"The girl we brought back has a similar figure to this girl. You can tell from her back that she's so beautiful."
"A talented man and a beautiful woman, they are a perfect match."
"No, do you understand? He definitely used money and jewelry to smash it. What a dumbass."
"I don't think so. Fan Changliu, if you're still angry that they ignored you, why don't you just climb over the wall and question them again? You've grown crooked and your body is in bad shape, right or wrong, sir?"
"Yes." The little kid named A Xiu responded in a baby voice, ran down the table and poked the jade pendant on Tian Nongxi's waist.
Seeing him staring at her intently, Bu Qin chuckled, "The baby actually knows what he's looking for."
Tian Nongxi touched Ah Xiu's head and shook his head to the apologetic man, saying it was okay.
After a moment of hesitation, she finally asked:
"Listening to the conversation between the two gentlemen, it seems that you are from Qingdu. I have only been here for a short time and have seen the house you two are talking about. What is the owner's surname..." She held her chin with her hand, looking thoughtful.
"My last name is... Shuangmulin." Fan Changliu dug it out from his memory in just two seconds, his tone firm.
"Yes, my last name is Lin." Tian Nongxi whispered, "I've lived here for ten years."
She muttered to herself, but it was misinterpreted as a question.
Fan Changliu gave an affirmative answer.
Bu Qin put down her chopsticks and looked at her, puzzled as to why the two of them were chatting.
She was surprised. "You know him? It can't be..."
Tian Nongxi interrupted her: "I don't know him, I'm just curious."
As we were talking, a new guest arrived.
The waiter went to the backyard and Tian Nongxi got up to help.
When she came back, the people at that table had already paid their bill and left.
"Go back and clean up quickly, don't be so busy." Bu Qin snatched the towel from her hand.
"Okay." Tian Nongxi thanked him and left.
It was only 3:00 PM, and there was no rush, but she always felt that the sun was too strong and wanted to see Wen Tingluan earlier.
When I got home, the house was deserted and there was no one around.
She has been very busy lately and almost only stays here to sleep.
Wen Tingluan was even worse, and he hadn't come back many times.
If you count carefully, the two of them haven't sat down to eat together for a long time.
The mahogany cabinet was full of clothes bought by Wen Tingluan. Tian Nongxi picked out a few pieces and put them away, then sat by the pond, bored, playing with the fish.
Half an hour later, Wen Tingluan still hadn't returned.
She even wanted to invent a telephone.
Standing up with his leg half numb, Tian Nongxi went to open half of the door.
Fan Changliu walked by holding Ah Xiu's hand, leaving behind only his back view of the magnificent house he had mentioned.
Ah Xiu bit his finger and looked back, and before being scolded, he received a raised eyebrow and a smile from Tian Nongxi.
The coachman who had just arrived pulled his horse to a stop at the door with a "whoosh", blocking Fan Changliu's inquiring view.
Tian Nongxi tried to invite the driver in but to no avail, so he had to serve him a bowl of tea and ask him to wait a little longer.
The driver urged her in a bad tone: "Girl, hurry up, it will be dark if you stay any longer."
Tian Nongxi smiled and said he was still waiting for someone.
The driver's expression did not change and he continued to speak rapidly.
Tian Nongxi said coldly, "You came before the agreed time. That's your business. I will leave at the agreed time."
After saying that, she threw her luggage and herself into the spacious carriage and waited quietly.
Huai'an Street is bustling with people coming and going.
Although the carriage was not eye-catching, it attracted the attention of passers-by when it was parked on the street.
Tian Nongxi simply lowered the curtain, and from time to time he could hear curious people asking about the driver's movements.
At 3 p.m., before the driver could speak, she took the lead and lifted the curtain, "Let's go."
The driver pulled the reins silently.
The horses' hooves clattered as they headed towards Ruiyang.
The pipes are wide and smooth, and the incense inside the car is quiet and warm.
The depression in Tian Nongxi's heart, which was not sure whether it was anger, anxiety or worry, was driven away. He sneaked out of the carriage and stayed in Qingdu County.
Her eyelids felt heavy and she fell asleep by the window without realizing it.
Woke up because of the stinging pain.
The pain coming from the wrist was like being pricked by dense needles at the slightest movement.
I opened my eyes hazily, and could only see a void of darkness.
When Tian Nongxi realized that his eyes were covered with black cloth, his heart sank.
She moved gently and tried, and sure enough, she felt the rough hemp rope - the source of the tingling in her wrist.
Kidnapped?!
Tian Nongxi's body tensed up like iron in an instant, and his heart had never beat so fast before.
Cold sweat soaked her back, and amid the deafening sound of her heartbeat, she rubbed her hands stiffly, trapped behind her.
Boundless despair surged in my heart.
Her knife was gone.
The rubbed skin on his wrist felt a dull pain, tears welled up in Tian Nongxi's eyes, and his breathing became heavier.
She couldn't see, but her other senses were more acute.
Her shaky sanity made her breathe lightly, but she couldn't suppress her heart that was about to beat out.
After a burst of rustling, a deliberately lowered male voice seemed to be in my ears.
"woke up?"
Tears, sweat, and blood mixed together, Tian Nongxi forced himself to speak:
"What do you want?"
The distinct tremor in her voice pleased the man, who chuckled softly.
Before Tian Nongxi could speak again, something icy and sharp pressed against his neck.
The man's voice was like a snake's tongue: "I'll give you my knife back."
【Author’s words】
In the blink of an eye, my collection has reached over 300 (pretending not to know how many months have passed). Life is really meowing and meowing (≧▽≦)
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