Chapter 20 020 He was wary of her
Ten steps away from the camp, Meng Qingshan sat down with his back against a thick tree, watching the sparks rising from the campfire not far away. They would be extinguished in an instant after reaching mid-air, but they would rise one after another, only to be nothing more than wishful thinking.
The flickering light cast an inscrutable shadow on his face, the heat burning his cheeks with a stinging sensation. A wave of restraint and forbearance washed over him as he gazed at the occasional shadow cast from the distant tent, the fire in his eyes growing ever more intense.
The next morning, as dawn broke, a thin mist drifted through the dense forest, carrying a refreshing coolness that soothed the heat of the night. After a half-month-long journey, Meng Qingshan's heart finally relaxed, and he managed to get some peaceful sleep. However, he still woke up on time. He noticed something amiss as soon as he moved and looked down to see her leaning against his shoulder. The red marks on her face had faded, but many red spots remained. He moved slightly and saw her slowly turning to sleep. It was too late for him to close his eyes, and the two of them unexpectedly locked eyes.
For a moment, her eyes were dazed. When she snapped out of her reverie, she sat up straight immediately, her ears burning. She was sensitive to heat, and it was a sweltering summer day. Outside, wild animals were kept at bay, and the fire had been crackling all night. She hadn't received his definite answer, and she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Especially with mosquitoes buzzing around her ears and biting her skin until it was numb and itchy, she couldn't bandage her hands properly. After thinking it over, she left the tent. At first, she just squatted to the side and watched him sleep soundly. Suddenly, she didn't want to disturb his sleep, but she was reluctant to go back. After thinking it over, she didn't know when she fell asleep leaning against him until dawn.
The house she lived in as a child had wooden planks for the doors and windows, which let in drafts in winter and mosquitoes in summer. However, her skin was soft and fragrant, and mosquitoes loved to bite her. Whenever this happened, Meng Qingshan would find a straw mat and lay it under her bed, and fan her. Strangely enough, as long as she was near him, she would not be bitten.
At that moment, her adoptive mother stood with her hands on her hips, cursing in the yard, "Did you owe her something in your past life? Get up now and go cook some food."
At first, Meng Qingshan whispered a few words in the courtyard, and his foster mother calmed down. Later, when he was able to earn money, he immediately hired a maid for the household. She was very happy, but because she was really not used to the smell of cooking fire, her foster mother glared at her and said resentfully, "I really owe you something."
Her thoughts drifted far away, those days of poverty and chaos seemed as distant as a past life. A deep, slightly hoarse voice reached her ears, making her tremble. She subconsciously looked up. The two were very close, and she could see that his once sharp eyelashes were no longer so erect, softening his otherwise stern look. Yet his gaze lingered on her face, clearly puzzled. "Is something the matter?"
The flush on one side of her face gradually faded, and she regained her cool demeanor, asking with some unease, "I'm flustered, so I wanted to ask my brother for some definite information. Where are we going next?"
Unexpectedly, after listening to her, Meng Qingshan stood up, looked down at her, and then placed his gaze on her round hands. Finally, he said decisively, "You should rest and recover."
"......"
The suspicion was too obvious; he was preventing her from repeating the past. Without waiting for her to speak, he strode towards a short distance away. He lowered his head slightly, and the bright light pierced through the thin mist and shone on his face. His nose was prominent, his lips were thin, and his features were strong. He exuded a natural and unrestrained elegance.
If you don't want to tell her, then don't. As long as I have her with me, that's fine.
Jiang Zhao only found out that his mistress had been out all night when it was morning. He was so annoyed that he kept hitting his head. Qing Li waved her hand to stop him. They had just struggled back from the brink of death and were exhausted. It was most important for them to recover their mental state.
Wang Da and Wang Er requested an audience from their tent outside. Qing Li gave Jiang Zhao a look, and Jiang Zhao nodded and lifted the tent flap to let the two brothers in. Jiang Zhao then stood outside watching the guards eating naan bread while they surrounded the city not far away.
He opened his mouth wide and tore at it, then lifted the water pouch and poured water into his mouth, oblivious to the water overflowing from the corners of his mouth and wetting his clothes, occasionally bursting into laughter.
He was truly unrestrained and unconventional.
Inside the tent, Wang Er handed the large bundle in his hand to Granny Cheng, and Wang Da knelt down to report, "Miss, last night those guards led two of us back along the way we came."
Qingli's fingers twitched. She hadn't expected Meng Qingshan to send people to search for the assassins. She wanted to know their identities, but she was afraid of letting him know her purpose, so she quickly asked, "Have you found any clues?"
After two nights of continuous travel, Wang Daquan, despite his youth and strong physique, still looked exhausted. However, he remained focused on the matter and dared not relax for a moment. He let out a long sigh and said, "Yun Xiu tried to find out indirectly why we had offended them. Seeing that I was tight-lipped and couldn't give a definite answer, he just told me to lead the way."
My tense heart relaxed for a moment, but then it started to rise again as I listened to what Wang Da was about to say.
"Later they began to whisper among themselves, and according to their subordinates, they must know something that we don't."
Wang Da, however, dared not alert the enemy and pretended to be ignorant. At this moment, he tentatively asked, "Should I go and investigate?"
Qingli subconsciously shook her head. Her background must not be known to outsiders, and all the assassins who were chasing her had died. She was hiding among Meng Qingshan's family, which ensured her safety. Therefore, she could not take any risks.
After careful consideration, she instructed, "Let them go."
She looked at the two of them. They had been allies who had shared life and death with her all along. They had not abandoned her in times of crisis, but had fought to the death for her. Moreover, they were upright and honest. Although she had made arrangements for her trip to the capital, she did not dare to completely trust Meng Qingshan. She knew that no one else could have him as well as she did.
When the time came to part, there was indeed a sense of regret for his talent.
Unfortunately, I was short of money, and the payment had already been made; I couldn't just leave it hanging.
Wang Da and Wang Er exchanged a glance, then kowtowed and solemnly said, "Miss, although we are stupid, we are loyal and willing to follow you to the death."
Qingli's eyes welled up with tears; it was as if her wish had been fulfilled. She told the two to stand up and said with a touch of magnanimity, "Good! From now on, the five of us, master and servants, will share both good fortune and hardship."
Meanwhile, Yun Xiu glanced at the guarding tents, feeling indignant. "Miss is clearly wary of her subordinates. The two guards below are slippery, answering questions evasively, and hiding when there's trouble. They're utterly useless, good for nothing except pointing the way."
Meng Qingshan listened to the complaints, his brows furrowed and his expression displeased.
Yun Xiu immediately realized his slip of the tongue, straightened his mind, and bowed to report, "I sent people to track them halfway, but they found nothing unusual."
"Send a message to Yunxin by carrier pigeon, asking him to make a trip to Hezhong Prefecture."
Yun Xiu bowed in agreement and turned to make arrangements. The other guards were packing their bags, the horses were leisurely grazing, the sun was rising, the thin mist had dissipated, the tree canopy blocked out the sun, and the heat had not yet risen.
Under the dappled light and shadow, Qing Li wore a crimson embroidered lily dress, her hair styled in a woman's bun adorned with a pearl hairpin, a veiled hat, and a thin gauze covering her face. As the breeze swept by, her charming face appeared and disappeared, revealing glimpses of her slightly upturned lips.
A thought crossed his mind: in a town like this, no amount of money could buy clothes that suited his taste.
In the end, we treated her unfairly.
The further east you go, the hotter it gets, as if a blazing sun is hanging overhead, baking you until your mouth and throat are parched.
Meng Qingshan and his group spent the night at Xiaoxing. Qingli also gritted her teeth and persevered. When she couldn't bear it any longer, she opened the car window, but the wind seemed to carry fire. She was wrapped in layers of gauze, and the rolling beads of sweat stained her wounds, causing only a burning pain.
Meng Qingshan sat upright on his horse, his face resolute, without a trace of agitation, and his whole body exuded a coldness. Looking at him, she felt a little calmer, so she would occasionally push open the car window and look at him.
After a while, perhaps because her gaze was too intense, an ice chest was brought to the camp that night, and the cool breeze immediately soothed every pore on her body.
She couldn't understand where he got his extraordinary abilities from. Ice was always available along the way, and she stayed comfortably in the carriage, no longer having to look at him with longing.
Looking at the items that had been acquired along the way, Granny Cheng noticed the bronze animal-shaped ice chest in the corner, the white silk fan with colorful lotus leaf embroidery and black lacquer handle, and the chilled watermelon on the sandalwood table inlaid with marble. The bright red flesh was sandy and icy, and just looking at it made her mouth water and her whole body feel refreshed.
The young lady was dressed in a light blue floral gauze dress, the colors layered upon each other, like a misty rain, with lotus leaves stretching to the horizon. She leaned against a soft pillow, languid and carefree. On her head was a sapphire blue hairpin with kingfisher feathers and pearls, and on her wrist was a white jade bracelet as wide as a fingertip. Everything was exquisite and luxurious. After recovering from her injury, the young lady's skin became even more pale and cold. Now, seeing her lying there, her jade-like body made the young lady blush and feel hot.
According to her observation, the guards outside were exposed to the elements and still ate nothing but naan bread, as was General Meng. Yet, despite such conditions, they were able to provide for the young lady, with luxurious items being delivered to the small carriage like water. Even she was shocked.
Jiang Yue and Jiang Zhao also became very reserved, not daring to breathe too loudly in front of General Meng.
Miss Pian was completely oblivious and was in high spirits.
Granny Cheng glanced at her young mistress, who was staring at the carriage curtain, and said casually, "The fire outside is blazing high; General Meng and the others must be having a tough time."
Jiang Yue nodded repeatedly, agreeing, "Eating and sleeping poorly, plus this constant travel, even an iron body couldn't take it."
Qingli's clear eyes swept over the three of them, seeing their fear and trepidation. She couldn't help but sigh, her heart filled with mixed emotions, torn between her own feelings and her inner turmoil.
What exactly is he trying to do, or did he do nothing at all?
Her thoughts drifted far away, to Xifeng Lane in Taiyuan Prefecture, where a row of dilapidated mud-brick houses with wide-open windows stood out. A square courtyard with high walls and black tiles stood out. Her foster mother sat under an old tree in the courtyard, cursing sarcastically, "Go around asking around in the alley. Which poor family's daughter is pampered all day long, treated like a Bodhisattva in a temple, practically worshipped on their head?"
The foster mother's voice was strong and carried outside. People outside just smiled. They all knew that the Meng family boy loved his sister the most and had even bought a maid to serve her. The key was that the mother doted on her son and was always making a fuss. Outsiders also gossiped behind her back, saying that it was not worth spending money on their daughter. Anyone would feel sorry for her if it happened to them.
But who can blame them when Meng Qingshan is able to make money?
However, on the other hand, if there were such pretty girls, they wouldn't want to do any hard work.
Qingli lived in the west wing, furnished with brand-new pear wood furniture. The beaded curtain swayed gently, making a cheerful sound. She watched him enter, her small face beaming with a smile. She ran to him, her eyes shining as she gazed at him intently. Sure enough, he took out an oil-paper package from his pocket, its warm aroma filling the air. She exclaimed in delight, "Roasted pigeon!"
She casually mentioned it yesterday, and unexpectedly saw it today. The meat was indeed tender and soft, leaving a lingering fragrance in her mouth. After taking a couple of bites, she wiped her hands with a handkerchief. He asked, puzzled, "Why aren't you eating anymore?"
"I'm full, brother, you can eat now."
She held her face in her hands and watched him finish eating, feeling happier than if she were eating herself.
Her brother treated her very well, even better than her mother. She lived a more affluent life than the girls in her neighborhood and even the people on the street.
But her brother was too fierce, and no one wanted to play with her. However, she was fine being alone. Two days later, a girl of the same age came to play with her. She took out the pastries her brother had bought for her and gave them to the girl to eat. The girl ate them with a satisfied look on her face and played with her for half a day. Finally, she said mysteriously, "Your brother is always fighting and brawling. He looks unfriendly."
She suddenly stood up, causing the chair to tip over. The girl was startled by her cold, sharp gaze, but after recovering, she became angry and cursed, "What are you being so tough about? Who do you think you are?"
"Your brother is an accomplice to evil, cruel and heartless. Everyone in the alley and in our Taiyuan Prefecture knows that Meng Qingshan is a watchdog in the gambling den, making money by beating people. Otherwise, you wouldn't have the life of luxury you enjoy!"
"You used the money from selling your wife and daughters, otherwise, if there were a beauty like you in this poor alley, you would have been given away to someone else as a concubine long ago."
Her face flushed red, her chest heaving. So young and unable to contain her hurt, tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. With a sudden burst of strength, she shoved the girl into the yard, yelling, "Don't you dare talk about him! He bought you the food, and so did you!"
The girl was about to retort, but suddenly her face turned pale, and she ran out in a panic.
She then saw him standing at the door. The young man, barely an adult, had shed his childishness and was looking at her with a cold, stern gaze. She retreated back into the house, slammed the door shut, and began to sob, not even knowing why she was crying.
She might resent his improper character, which led to her being scorned by others; or she might resent herself for enjoying everything he had, even more than he and her mother.
He was extremely harsh and cold towards himself, but he gave her everything.
She might be crying because she actually harbored resentment towards him and felt sorry for him.
From that moment on, she began to distance herself from him.
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