Chapter 123 Chapter 123
That day, when Xu Duanyi got up, Xu Pingyi had already gone out.
He sent someone to give Xu Duanyi a message, saying that he had something to deal with and would be back after it was done.
Xu Duanyi just thought that something happened in the military camp and didn't say anything.
She is no longer at the age where she needs her father's company.
However, since his father was not at home, Xu Duanyi thought of what Qingya said on the way here yesterday, and thought about going out for a walk with Qingya.
After breakfast.
She and Qingya each wrote a letter to express their safety and asked someone to deliver it to the capital. Afterwards, she did not ask Uncle Tan to arrange anyone for them, nor did she take a carriage. She took Bixi and the others out for a stroll.
Liaodong was very lively under my father's jurisdiction.
Although it is not as prosperous as the capital, the people there are simple and cheerful, and the prices are exceptionally low.
The passers-by and vendors along the street all had bright smiles on their faces.
Bixi and Shiyu were also born in Liaoning, so they were naturally very happy to return to their hometown. Xu Duanyi was afraid that they would not have fun following him, so he simply gave them a day off and let them play on their own.
Lingji has always loved being lively, so naturally he didn't want to follow them, so he chased after Shi Yu and the others.
Watch them leave.
Xu Duanyi smiled and looked away.
No one here knew them, and she didn't feel uncomfortable when Qingya held her hand.
"Let's continue walking forward." She said to Xie Qingya.
Xie Qingya naturally had no objection, so the couple walked forward hand in hand.
The people in the north are simple and honest. When they see the couple holding hands like this, they won't say anything. They will just give them a kind smile when their eyes meet.
"Liaodong is well managed by my father-in-law." After walking for a while, Xie Qingya expressed such emotion.
Xu Duanyi has always been very proud of his father.
As she walked slowly forward with Xie Qingya, she said to him, "My father was very kind to the common people. He always said that he was raised by the common people. Without the common people, there would be no him. So after he became capable, he always hoped that he could do more useful things and hope to live up to the people."
"As far as I can remember, people often came to our house and gave us home-cooked dishes and eggs from their own farms... My father would be very happy every time he received them, and so would my mother."
"But if an official came to give money or gifts, my father would definitely frown, chase them away, and even record a note about them in private."
When talking about these past events, Xu Duanyi is always in a good mood.
I couldn't help but feel relaxed.
Xie Qingya could naturally feel it as well.
He gently held Xu Duanyi's hand, with a soft expression, and looked down at her.
Both of them had extremely outstanding looks, and along the way, countless astonished glances fell on them.
But in their eyes, there is only each other.
"If the people did not trust my father-in-law, Liaodong would not have been so peaceful before, and it would not have recovered so quickly to its current state."
"My father-in-law is very good."
Xu Duanyi did not hesitate and continued his words with a smile, "Yes, father is fine." But when she thought of what happened last night, the smile on her face froze.
But she soon felt relieved.
No matter what happened last night, she decided to have a good chat with her father when she saw him today.
However, Xu Duanyi did not expect that before she took the initiative to look for her father, she saw her father's figure entering an alley.
At that time.
She and Xie Qingya were buying a lot of things.
When Xie Qingya paid the money, Xu Duanyi saw Xu Pingyi.
After this quick glance, Xu Duanyi thought he was seeing things, but he subconsciously uttered "Father" and unconsciously followed the direction the man left.
So after Xie Qingya paid the money, he turned around and saw Xu Duanyi walking forward.
"Zhao Zhao?"
Not knowing what happened to her, Xie Qingya immediately wanted to chase after her.
Upon seeing this, the seller hurriedly called out to him, "Sir, this is your thing." Xie Qingya thanked the seller, took it, and then strode after Xu Duanyi.
"What's going on?"
Walk to Xu Duanyi's side.
Xie Qingya reached out and held her arm first, stopping her from wandering around.
Xu Duanyi was forced to stop and told him the truth without hiding anything: "I just saw my father."
"Father-in-law? This?"
Xie Qingya's eyes were filled with surprise.
He first glanced at Xu Duanyi, and then looked towards the alley ahead.
Knowing that if she wasn't allowed to see clearly, she wouldn't be able to stroll around properly, he simply took the initiative to pull her into the alley.
Whether it is your intention or not, you should find out the truth first, so that she won’t have any more wild thoughts.
The alley is isolated from the hustle and bustle outside and is somewhat quiet.
From the buildings on the side, you can tell that there are residences here.
They chased forward a few steps, and just as they were about to turn, they saw a tall figure walking in front of them.
Xu Duanyi and Xie Qingya could naturally recognize this figure from behind.
I saw the figure walk to a place where there were pomegranate flowers growing out of the wall. He knocked on the door and walked in.
Xie Qingya noticed that the person next to him suddenly stopped.
Xie Qingya also stopped.
Looking at Xu Duanyi beside him, Xie Qingya's tone became a little hesitant: "...Do you want to go over?"
Xu Duanyi didn't speak immediately.
Just when Xie Qingya was ready to take the man home to calm down, he heard her say, "Go ahead."
I was indeed a little depressed. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. But she had already made up her mind before? No matter what, I have to have a good talk with my father.
Instead of going back with a lot of doubts in your mind and thinking wildly.
It would be better to go see my father directly.
She believed in her father.
Even if he really wanted someone to accompany him, he would never choose someone of questionable character, let alone someone who would disrespect his mother.
Besides, she also hopes that her father can live a better life.
If this person is really a good person and can take good care of her father, she... won't mind.
Thinking of this, Xu Duanyi heaved a long sigh of relief and stopped tensing himself.
"Let's go."
She spoke to Xie Qingya again.
Then he took the initiative to walk towards the house with the pomegranate flowers.
When I got to the door.
She glanced at Xie Qingya first.
Xie Qingya knew what she meant. She was afraid that he would come back here and both he and his father-in-law would be uncomfortable. So he touched her head considerately and said, "I'll wait for you in front."
Xu Duanyi agreed.
Xie Qingya picked up his things and left, standing a little forward.
Xu Duanyi took another deep breath before going forward and knocking on the door.
"who?"
It sounded like the voice of an old servant.
Xu Duanyi didn't know how to explain his identity for a moment, so he had to remain silent. Fortunately, the footsteps inside did not stop, and soon someone came to open the door.
The door was opened from the inside, and an old servant with gray hair appeared behind the door.
The old servant looked at the stranger outside and frowned, "You are——"
The old servant is getting quite old and his eyesight is a little blurry.
But he still squinted his eyes and looked carefully. As he looked carefully, his originally blurry eyes actually brightened a little.
"You, you are the daughter of Marquis Wu'an?" the old man asked in surprise.
Xu Duanyi was still surprised at first. This old man actually knew her. Could it be that her father had seen her portrait with them before? But as soon as the thought came to her mind, she looked at the old man in front of her and inexplicably felt that he was familiar.
This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team "You——"
Xu Duanyi looked at the man and frowned.
Before Xu Duanyi could figure out what was going on, his father's voice came from inside: "Uncle Wen, who's here?"
Xu Pingyi walked out while talking, and reminded him: "When you and Zhao'er are alone together, don't open the door casually. I'll ask someone to send a few guards over later. You have moved here from outside the city now, and there are too many people here, which is inconvenient."
As Xu Pingyi was talking, he saw Xu Duanyi's face.
He wanted to give a few more instructions, but when he suddenly saw his precious daughter's face, he was stunned.
"Zhao Zhao?"
It took a while for Xu Pingyi to come back to his senses.
Although he didn't know how Zhaozhao appeared here, Xu Pingyi immediately strode over.
"Why are you here?"
He could only think of one possibility, so he asked, "Did you see me just now?"
Xu Duanyi nodded blankly.
She always felt that things were not as she thought...
Then I thought of what my father had just said about Zhao'er.
Zhaoer...
A familiar figure suddenly appeared in her mind, and she looked at the old man again.
"Uncle Wen? You are..."
"Uncle Xu, Master Wen, who is here?" A clear voice was heard from the inner courtyard.
However, Xu Duanyi did not see him.
Although this voice has changed over the years, perhaps because Xu Duanyi had already formed a preconceived notion about it, the figure that had previously appeared in her mind has become increasingly clear.
"Sister Yi, can you teach me how to write?"
"Sister Yi, I like you. When I grow up, I will marry you!"
"Sister Yi, are you going to marry the Crown Prince? So do you like the Crown Prince or Cousin Xie?"
"Sister Yi, Sister Yi..."
…
Old memories suddenly flooded her mind, along with a round-headed child.
Xu Duanyi looked stiffly at his father beside him: "Father, he..."
Seeing that she had discovered it, Xu Pingyi no longer tried to hide it. He nodded and said, "Let's go in first."
He then asked Wenbo to close the door and planned to take Zhaozhao in.
Xu Duanyi's mind was still in a daze. He took two steps and suddenly remembered that Xie Qingya was still outside.
It was originally to avoid suspicion.
But now——
"Master Wen, my husband is still outside." Xu Duanyi tried hard to find her voice, although it was still a little dry.
Wen Bo looked at Xu Pingyi.
徐平夷與他點了點頭，待文伯出去請人的時候，他又跟徐端宜說道：“我剛還奇怪，怎麽就你一個。”
父女倆說話間，謝清崖也過來了。
謝清崖比徐端宜還要熟悉文伯，畢竟裏面那位是他實打實的表弟，和宮裏如今龍椅上的那位一樣。
說一句他看着長大也不為過。
他也沒想到，竟然會在這看到文伯。
幾乎是看到文伯的第一眼，他就驚愣住了，直到文伯轉身請他進去。
他看着這間小院。
想到昨夜那個全身藏起來的黑衣人。
當時太過吃驚，也未敢深思，如今想起，卻覺得那個身影若說是女子，也太高了一些。
難道……
想到一個可能，謝清崖的心髒，也忽然不受控制的，怦怦跳動了起來。
當年信王叔在外出征。
先帝駕崩的消息傳出去後，他本想回來奔喪，卻于半路被賊寇殺死，而信王府也于一個黑夜，被人放了一把火。
有人說是廢二皇子為奪取皇位，動的手，也有人說是曹達和昭裕太後動的手……當年真相究竟如何，過去這麽多年，已經無從查證知曉。
但所有人都以為，當時年僅九歲的劉诏，信王唯一的孩子，已經死于那場大火之中。
畢竟當年大火撲滅之後，有人在他的寝殿找到了他的屍骨。
那具屍骨，甚至還是謝清崖去抱出來的。
誰也沒想到，時隔七年，竟然會在遙遠的遼東，再次看到他與身邊人的身影。
其實文伯與從前也不大像了。
早年的文伯雖然年紀大，但為人健朗，聲音嘹亮，一般人都不是他的對手。
可如今的文伯，白發蒼蒼，臉上也有被火撩燒的痕跡，聲音也變得嘶啞了不少，就連脊背也不再像從前那樣挺拔，而是佝偻了不少。
謝清崖進來後，一直一言不發，但眼睛卻始終看着文伯，和徐平夷。
好一會，他才找回自己的聲音：“岳父，這究竟是……”
徐平夷也知道他此時心緒，嘆了口氣，與他說道：“進去再說。”
他說完便率先進去了。
徐端宜則走過來，先握住了謝清崖的手。
發覺他此時的手，冰涼非常。
徐端宜也不意外。
當年信王府發生大火，她在宮中，無法出去，卻也知曉他當時有多着急，火還沒滅就不顧衆人阻止，直接闖進了大火之中。
他從小看着就像個刺頭一樣。
如二皇子一流，都覺得他猖狂嚣張，不喜歡他。
可像當時的六皇子，也就是如今的陛下，還有劉诏，都很喜歡他們這個表哥。
覺得他為人潇灑恣意，對他十分仰慕。
而徐端宜因為與謝清崖走得近，自然，也與這兩個孩子走得很近。
當初知道劉诏死于大火之中，她也很難過。
沒想到他竟然還活着……
徐端宜帶着謝清崖往裏走，才進去，就聽到他在問阿父：“徐叔，是誰來了？”
徐端宜此時，也終于看見了他的身影。
幼時有些微胖的小孩，長大後，竟也變得清朗挺拔了起來。
他和已故的信王，長得很像。
眉眼、鼻子……都像是一個模子刻出來的。
徐端宜注意到他的手裏，一直握着一個面具，想來他平日出門，都是戴着面具示人的。
要不然他這張臉，但凡認識信王的，都會起疑。
“是……”
徐平夷還來不及說話，忽覺身後腳步匆匆。
徐端宜也發現手裏落了空。
眼見清崖大步往前邁去，手裏的東西都掉了一地，徐端宜也未曾阻攔。
倒是劉诏——
他原本的目光，都落在徐平夷的身上，直到聽到這麽一陣動靜，不由驚看過去。
待看到謝清崖的身影時，劉诏也不由愣住了。
雖然過去好幾年了，但謝清崖和少時的變化，其實并不大。
他自然是第一眼就認出來了。
“表哥……”
稱呼才從嘴裏吐出，劉诏就被謝清崖一把抱住了。
謝清崖對劉诏而言，雖是表哥，卻也如親哥一般。
他家中就他一個，母親去得早，父親又經常出征在外，他小的時候，便經常睡在王府，跟着謝清崖混。
離開京城的這些年，他也時常想起他們。
也聽說了不少關于他們的事。
要不是怕給徐叔帶來不便，他也想去京城找表哥，想給他寫信。
本以為他這一輩子，都不會再見到表哥了。
沒想到……
太久沒見到自己的親人了。
此時被表哥這樣抱着，劉诏也有些忍不住眼淚。
像是發洩委屈，又像是久別重逢的懷念，劉诏其實已經很久沒哭了，此時卻控制不住，抱着人大哭起來。
在場之人，看到這一幕，都忍不住紅了眼睛。
徐端宜擦了下眼淚，沒在這個時候過去，而是跟一旁的文伯說道：“文爺爺，我們去廚房吧。”
現在也快是飯點了。
清崖和诏兒久別重逢，肯定有許多話要說。
她沒有驚擾他們，扶着文伯撿起地上的東西之後，便先往廚房走去。
他們走後不久，劉诏才一點點平複了下來。
他覺得有些不好意思。
也十六的人了，竟然還這麽愛哭。
拿着袖子擦了下眼睛。
但在場之人，都不會笑他。
“剛剛是宜姐姐嗎？我好像看到她了。”劉诏哭完之後又問。
徐平夷點頭：“是她。”
剛想回頭喊昭昭，未想身後卻不見人。
“诶，昭昭呢？”
謝清崖倒是知道她，見文伯和那些東西都不在了，便道：“她應該去廚房了。”
徐平夷聽到這話，方才放心下來。
知道謝清崖此時肯定滿腹疑窦，徐平夷也沒這個時候去廚房，而是走進去說道：“坐下說吧。”
劉诏主動給他們倒茶。
徐平夷跟謝清崖說道：“當年信王府大火，文伯先帶着诏兒找到你父親。”
謝清崖沒想到這事。
他父親竟然也知道，不由驚訝地睜大眼睛。
徐平夷看着他點了點頭，然後繼續往下說：“你父親怕诏兒在京中，遲早會被人發現，便秘密托付人帶着文伯和劉诏，讓他們來了遼東，之後他們就一直在遼東待着。”
“瘟疫前，他跟文伯一直在城外住着，我怕人發覺便偶爾才去探望他們。”
“但上回瘟疫，我怕離得遠，照顧不好他們，前些日子才把他們安頓在這。”
沒想到就被他跟昭昭撞上了。
不過這樣也好，他們兄弟重逢，雖然也沒法相處太久，但彼此知道對方都好好活着，總是好的。
謝清崖顯然也這麽想。
看着身側這張熟悉的笑臉，謝清崖一時心緒十分複雜，既難過又高興，感慨萬分。
他擡手摸了摸劉诏的頭，然後忽然起身與徐平夷拱手。
“多謝岳父。”
徐平夷知道他謝什麽，但還是立刻起身擡手，扶住了謝清崖的胳膊。
“一家人不說兩家話。”
他讓謝清崖坐下。
謝清崖道了謝後，才入座。
茶水正好。
謝清崖端起茶盞喝了一口，忽然下定決心和徐平夷說道：“岳父，我有樁事，想問您。”
徐平夷卻像是知道他要問什麽。
他沒立刻說話，而是先看了眼劉诏。
劉诏很聰明，他從小就聰明。
當初家中發生大火，也是他先察覺，立刻去找到了文伯，躲過了別人的刺殺。
如今他看出兩人要說話，便主動起身說道：“我去找宜姐姐說話，好久沒見她，我也想她了。”
他說完便先往外走去。
謝清崖和徐平夷目送他離開，才收回視線。
“當初救陳興的，是我派去的人。”徐平夷看着謝清崖說道。
昨日覃訴與他說，帶清崖和昭昭回房的時候，路上看到裴騰了，擔心他會認出來。
當時他就猜到會有這麽一天了。
這會便主動與人承認了。
謝清崖不覺意外。
昨日他看到的那個人，太像當初送陳叔過來的那個黑衣人了。
他當時便已經有所猜測了。
他看着他，先沒說話，等着岳父繼續往下說。
說起這些往事，徐平夷臉色依然不好看。
“當初你父兄身亡的消息傳過來，我礙于身份不好離開遼東，卻總覺得這事不對，我跟你爹年少的時候就已經認識了，其他人不知道他的厲害，我是知道的。”
“那些鞑子怎麽可能殺死他？”
“我當時便派人去冀州打探情況，正好碰到陳興，陳興當時靠着一口氣，偷偷離開了戰場。”
“我跟你爹私交多，陳興當時便認出了我派去的裴騰。”
“後來裴騰帶着人到了我這，但那場大火燒了他的根本，他在半路就暈過去了，好幾次都要踏進鬼門關了，但還是靠着一口氣活了下來。”
“我當時是從他緊握的手心中，發現那片甲片的，看到那片甲片的第一眼，我就知道這東西不對，我也終于明白你父兄究竟是為什麽死的。”
“原本，我該親自為你父兄報仇的。”
“但是——”
徐平夷望着劉诏離開的方向，嘆了口氣。
“我若出面，肯定會引來別人的注視，關注到遼東，诏兒長大後，太像信王殿下了，我怕被人察覺他還活着。”
"So I asked Pei Teng to find you, hoping that this news would help you cheer up again."
Although he had never met Xie Qingya or Chen Xing in person over the years, he had actually been secretly paying attention to Xie Qingya.
At that time, word of his engagement with Zhao Zhao came through.
Everyone else was worried that he was now a playboy and not worthy of Zhao Zhao, but he was only worried that he didn't like Zhao Zhao and was afraid that Zhao Zhao had been wronged.
Fortunately, no.
They are doing fine now.
That's enough.
The truth of that year finally came to light.
Xie Qingya was naturally even more grateful to Xu Pingyi.
If it weren't for his father-in-law's actions, he might never have made it in his life.
He knew his father-in-law didn't need to be grateful, so he didn't treat him with any more formality. He just assured him in a deep voice, "I will treat Zhao Zhao well."
This is what Xu Pingyi cares about most.
Sure enough, after hearing him say this, Xu Pingyi's expression became much brighter.
Just thinking about what he was going to say, he calmed down a little bit and said in a low voice: "Don't tell anyone else about Zhao'er's affairs, especially His Majesty."
Xie Qingya naturally knew what he meant.
He was silent for a moment, and finally agreed in a low voice.
Xu Pingyi knew that they had a good relationship as brothers, but there were some things that he had to prepare for. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. He patted Xie Qingya on the shoulder and said, "I'm not saying that your majesty will definitely change."
"But Zhao'er's existence will cause trouble in the first place. Rather than making a big fuss about it later, it's better to let only a few of us know about it."
"I asked Zhao'er, and he doesn't want to return to the capital either. It's a pity... I can't let him show his true face openly." Xu Pingyi couldn't help but sigh again when he said this.
Upon hearing this, Xie Qingya hurriedly comforted him, "You have done a good job."
"Not only Zhao'er and I, but even Uncle Wang will definitely be grateful to you if he knows about this." After saying this, Xie Qingya promised, "Don't worry, I know the importance of this matter and will not tell anyone else about Zhao'er's existence."
Xu Pingyi naturally knew that he knew the importance of the matter.
After hearing his assurance, I naturally didn't say anything more.
Xie Qingya, on the other hand, had something else to ask: "By the way, father-in-law, I have something to ask you."
Xu Pingyi said, "You ask."
Xie Qingya looked at him and asked, "You and my father have known each other since childhood. Do you know who among my father's friends is good at using plum blossom darts?"