Chapter 64: No Way to Keep Chun (2) It’s him, it’s him, it’s him,…
The next morning, Meng Xuanli was having dinner in the house. Since she didn't eat much last night, her mind was completely focused on the meal and she didn't notice that there was someone standing outside the door.
The man knocked on the door hesitantly and walked into the room. He noticed the dark circles under Meng Xuanli's eyes from a close distance and asked with concern, "Did you not sleep well last night, Madam?"
Meng Xuanli put down the bowl and looked up. He saw that the person who came had a rosy complexion and clear eyes. She must be the wet nurse that Fuyao mentioned yesterday.
But...why doesn't she have a Lingnan accent?
Seems more like a northerner.
"I slept a little late last night." Meng Xuanli narrowed his eyes and spoke softly, "Madam Zhang, please take a seat. I heard from Anxiang that you are from Lingnan?"
"yes."
Madam Zhang picked up a nearby chair and sat down, looking at her seriously. "I also have a baby at home who needs nursing, so I'm willing to take on this job to help supplement the family income."
"Then Tongtong, I'll have to trouble Madam Zhang from now on."
Meng Xuanli looked at the food on the table, as if chatting: "It would be nice to eat plum blossom soup cakes in spring." After saying that, she drank a sip of soy milk.
Madam Zhang nodded in agreement and smiled, "Yes, it has a light taste. It would be even better if it were paired with Wang Lou's cave plum blossom buns."
Wanglou's cave plum blossom buns? Isn't that in Bianjing?
Meng Xuanli frowned. As someone who had lived in the north, she had no idea how to pair food with other foods, but Madam Zhang looked like an expert...
Seeing that Madam Zhang's expression did not change, Meng Xuanli responded softly, "Next time I go to Bian Jing, I will go and try his buns." She lowered her eyes quietly, wondering who would ask Madam Zhang to take care of Tongtong?
He is so quiet and calm, he must be from the north.
Could it be my father? But he had forgotten his own existence.
Could it be Ming Tan? But she didn't know her whereabouts.
Meng Xuanli was silent for a while. After repeated guessing, a name emerged in his mind - Wei Yuan.
On her journey south, she had only met one old friend, Wei Yuan. Furthermore, he was the only one who had the ability to do so.
Meng Xuanli did not continue to ask questions, but planned to write a letter and send it to Dongdu to thank Wei Yuan for his kindness.
When she finished drinking the soy milk, Fuyao walked in and said worriedly, "I don't know what's wrong with Tongtong. She doesn't sleep at night but sleeps during the day. Madam, should we find a doctor?"
Madam Zhang smiled and said firmly, "Don't worry, young lady. This is normal. Babies are born not long ago and they sleep day and night."
"So that's how it is." Fuyao nodded awkwardly, "I thought I was sick."
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Zhang stood up, bowed slightly, and said to Meng Xuanli, "Madam Meng, I want to go see the child first so that I can take better care of him in the future."
Seeing her thoughtful, warm, and sincere words, Meng Xuanli didn't want to keep her any longer. Instead, he said softly, "Then I'll trouble you, Madam Zhang. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, please come to me directly. I will do my best to help you."
Meng Xuanli glanced at Fuyao and winked. Fuyao understood and said with a smile, "Madam Zhang, the wing room is ready for you. If you want to stay here, you can. There's also a monthly stipend. I'll give you the key later."
When Madam Zhang heard this, her eyes and eyebrows were all smiling. She said "Ah" shyly: "Thank you, Madam Meng, but I have two children at home, so it's not convenient for you to stay. But I will come earlier during the day."
Meng Xuanli was concerned about the inconvenience of traveling back and forth, but since she had said so, she couldn't persuade her to stay. "Okay, let's do as Madam Zhang said. Come during the day and leave in the evening."
Madam Zhang agreed with a smile and turned to leave.
Fuyao saw her walk away and went forward to clear the dishes on the table: "I think this lady is experienced, much better than me."
Meng Xuanli found a cloth, soaked it in water and wrung it out, then began to wipe the table. "She is experienced, but Fuyao, have you ever thought about whether she is too experienced? It's like she carefully selected it..."
Fuyao was about to wash the dishes when she heard this. She was stunned for a moment and turned around: "Yes, my lady... Lingnan is not as talented as Dongdu. How could there be such a considerate person?"
"Could it be that the Duke's spirit in heaven allowed us to meet Madam Zhang?"
Meng Xuanli's smile froze on her face. She didn't think about the dead person at all, even though she had been stunned for a moment before.
She raised her eyes, looked at Fuyao for a long time, and said in a deep voice: "Even if he has a spirit in heaven, it is not us who are in his spirit."
After a moment, Meng Xuanli withdrew his gaze and continued to wipe the table: "Fuyao, after you wash the dishes, help Madam Zhang familiarize herself with the yard."
"Mrs. Zhang was sent by Marquis Wei. I will go to the post office later to give him a letter to express my gratitude."
Fuyao bit the inside of her lip, looking worried: "Madam, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." In Fuyao's cognition, no one would understand Madam except the Duke, so the words just now were the only answer she could think of.
But the lady didn't seem to like this answer.
"I know. Go ahead."
Drops of water dripped down the edge of the table, leaving a dark mark, like Meng Xuanli's hand, which suddenly became cold and unable to bend.
After Fuyao left, Meng Xuanli went to the side to wash her hands. After she had packed up, she wrote a very objective letter, stuffed it into an envelope, and prepared to go to the delivery shop.
The flowers on the street were in full bloom in the spring, fluttering in the wind. Meng Xuanli looked up and saw light red, bean white, and tea green.
It was so beautiful that it swept away the gloom and made her unable to move.
The wind blew, and her dress fluttered. Meng Xuanli walked forward and came to the door of the next courtyard. The door suddenly opened from the inside.
She subconsciously stopped and looked sideways at the person standing inside the door.
He was dressed in a tea-white robe, his hair was frosted, and he was leaning on a cane. He looked like a zither player with a lingering sense of style. If we were to use a painting to describe a person, this old man would belong to a landscape painting.
Cold and elegant, leaving blank space.
Meng Xuanli smiled, bowed through the blossoming petals, and said, "Hello, old sir. I am Meng Xuanli from next door."
Lu Guanque kept his eyes averted. After confirming that she didn't look surprised, he spoke cautiously, "So it was you who knocked on the door a few days ago... Where are you going, Madam Meng?"
His voice sounded like he had eaten something wrong. Although he was not very old, it was hoarse and difficult to pronounce.
"I'm going to the post office to deliver a letter."
After a long while, Meng Xuanli saw that he did not move, and felt that he had disturbed his meditation, so he smiled and said, "Sir, please leave without disturbing me. I will go first."
"Wait... wait..." Lu Guanque called out to her briefly, a little flustered. He hesitated for a moment, then, with a sigh, said, "I'm going to the delivery shop too... Madam Meng, can you come with me?"
"Sir, is there no one to take care of you?" Meng Xuanli tilted his head, somewhat puzzled.
"Yes, but Xiaotong went to the city to buy medicine today. I was alone at home and couldn't wait any longer, so I came out."
"So that's how it is." Meng Xuanli saw that his legs were not very agile and said, "How about this, sir, why don't you give me the letter and I'll go run it for you. You just wait for the news at home."
Lu Guanque gripped his cane, increasing his strength. He leaned on the roof to watch her, and when he saw her leave the courtyard, he couldn't help but want to follow her. He had originally planned to wait until she passed by before opening the door, but by chance, he opened the door just in time to see her face.
Memories flooded into his ears like a tide, flowing into his blood. He was completely silent at the bottom of the sea, separated by her bright eyes.
He didn't know how to start, even though he had rehearsed it many times and was fully prepared.
In front of her, he seemed to have turned into a speck of dust. No, it was dust, an inconspicuous, annoying speck of dust.
Seeing that he remained silent, Meng Xuanli approached him through the gentle breeze and said with concern, "Sir, if you're worried about being alone, why don't you come to my house? I have a few cats in the yard that could be a source of entertainment."
"Have a seat..." Lu Guanque's heart surged, "Madam Meng, don't you mind... me?"
"I don't mind." Meng Xuanli curved his eyes and smiled faintly. "Sir, walk west and my home will be on your right. My daughter is asleep at home. If you want some tea, just call Fuyao softly."
"Give me the letter."
Lu Guanque felt uncomfortable, his eyes turned red, he quickly lowered his brows, leaned on his crutch, and handed the letter in his arms to her.
He turned around, with his back to her, and walked towards Meng Xuanli's home, taking one step at a time, tears falling with each step.
This was her home, and she let him in out of courtesy and concern. He had already seen her today, and he should have been content, but for some reason, he still wanted to see his daughter, the daughter she had left behind.
He knew that she left the child in tears.
After Meng Xuanli took the letter, out of courtesy, he did not peek inside, but he still accidentally saw the word "Dongdu".
She was stunned for a moment, then looked back and saw the staggering figure, and felt that they were destined to be together.
#
When Meng Xuanli came back, he saw the old man sitting alone under a locust tree, surrounded by two cats, looking up at the kite in the blue sky and white clouds.
Although she had only met this old man once, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with him.
Did she see him in Dongdu?
In Danqing Building? Or in Shunhe Building?
Meng Xuanli shook her head, feeling that she was overthinking it. She quietly closed the door and walked under the locust tree.
Lu Guanque noticed her arrival and lowered his gaze: "Thank you for the trouble, Madam Meng."
Meng Xuanli nodded and asked softly, "Are you originally from Dongdu, sir?"
Lu Guanque didn't dare to say anything else, fearing exposure: "Yes, I used to play and write music in Danqing Tower."
"Danqing Tower?"
Meng Xuanli nodded. "I heard that place is very hard to get into. You've been able to play and compose music in Danqinglou for so long, it's a testament to your exceptional skill. I admire you."
Lu Guanque didn't dare to say anything more. He leaned on his cane, pretending to tremble, and said in a low voice, "It's getting late. I should go back."
"...Okay, then I won't keep you, sir."
Meng Xuanli stepped aside to make way, and the wind happened to blow over, and Lu Guanque's thin sleeves were rolled up, revealing his wrists.
Almost at the same time, he hurriedly covered it up.
Meng Xuanli was quick-witted and saw a scar that was so familiar that it couldn't be more familiar through the floating memories.
She froze in place, her long hair seemed to turn into a rope, strangling her neck.
For a moment, Meng Xuanli forced himself to remain calm, pretending he hadn't seen anything. "It's sunset now, and the child might not be back yet. Why don't you stay for dinner, sir?"
dinner?
It turned out that her intention was to ask me to stay for dinner.
Lu Guanque's heart began to beat again. He turned around and saw that she looked normal. Then he said, "Then I will respectfully obey your command."
Meng Xuanli made a gesture of invitation. After he walked away, she waved to Fuyao and whispered in her ear, "Go buy some mustard, buy more."
Fuyao glanced at the people in the room, completely confused: "Madam, this old man is old, he shouldn't eat anything too spicy, right?"
"Why not? Just go." Meng Xuanli's mind was full of the scar. He asked again, "Where is Madam Zhang?"
"Tongtong went to bed early today. After Madam Zhang gave her some instructions, she left." Fuyao said truthfully.
Meng Xuanli bit her lip, her eyes deepening as her thoughts turned again and again: "I know, go buy some mustard and make your famous cucumber salad tonight."
"Go quickly."
Meng Xuanli pushed Fuyao out of the door and then quickly walked to the side room. Her tense mood finally relaxed when she saw her sleeping daughter.
That scar was caused by her bite. Meng Xuanli would not be mistaken or make a mistake.
But why did Lu Guanque appear here disguised as an old zither player?
etc.
Why is he still alive?
Isn't he dead?
What exactly happened here?
Tongtong seemed to sense her confusion, and she moved her hands and woke up.
Meng Xuanli looked into his daughter's eyes, his heart softened, and he sighed deeply.
The most urgent thing for her was to put these doubts aside and deal with these things after torturing Lu Guanque.
After all, it is much easier to solve a problem when a person appears in front of her than when a problem appears in front of her.
Since he wanted to hide his identity so much, she would do the opposite and let him reveal himself.
After making sure of the situation, Meng Xuanli gently picked up his daughter and walked towards the main room.
At dusk, it suddenly started to rain, the sky turned from clear to cloudy, and a layer of indescribable fog floated in the courtyard.
When Lu Guanque saw her coming with the child in her arms, he was surprised but also a little happy: "Is this Madam Meng's daughter?"
"yes."
"Oh, by the way," Meng Xuanli said with a smile as he sat on the chair, feeling the cool air, "The old man just moved in, so he might not know yet."
"My husband is studying in Luofu Mountain now. He said he will come back to pick us up in two years."
Lu Guanque's expression changed slightly, shock flashed in his eyes, and he smiled: "Is the meal ready? I'm a little hungry."
He did not comment and withdrew his gaze from Meng Xuanli.
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