When Xiao Yan was fifteen years old, he fell in love for the first time and fell in love with a woman.
The woman looked very ordinary, and her family sold noodle soup in a small alley on Xifeng Street in Yunyang City. It was impossible for Xiao Yan, with his status, to have any contact with a commoner woman of this status.
However, the teacher who taught Xiao Yan that day complained to his grandfather, saying that he had inserted a picture of "Eagle Playing with Turtle" in the five articles he submitted. It would have been nothing for Xiao Yan to paint in his spare time, but he was so careless that he drew the word "Zhao" on the turtle's forehead. And the teacher's surname was Zhao.
So the old man ran to the old prince in a desperate mood to complain and ask the old prince to help him. Poor Mr. Zhao was almost seventy years old. He cried so hard that he almost died on the spot several times because he couldn't breathe.
Xiao Yan's grandfather, Xiao Qishan, was also a great hero when he was young. He had a hot temper and hated the whining and crying and making a fuss of scholars. However, as he got older, he became more amiable. He comforted Mr. Zhao and said that he would definitely discipline Xiao Yan, the little bastard.
After the old prince coaxed Mr. Zhao away, he did not ask anyone to call his grandson. Instead, he called his son, Xiao Xingjian, Xiao Yan's father, over and beat him severely, and then gave him the task of disciplining Xiao Yan.
At that time, Xiao Xingjian had already started to be the head of the Yanbei Palace. He was busy like a dog every day. He felt wronged and angry when he was scolded by his father for no reason. He immediately ordered someone to tie Xiao Yan up and beat him with a stick.
The Xiao family's beatings were different from those used by ordinary families. They were military clubs, and one blow would leave a bloody mess. If not dead, then half-crippled. When Xiao Yan learned that his father was going to beat him, he fled.
Xiao Yan felt very aggrieved, as he had drawn the turtle, but the character "Zhao" was not a reference to Mr. Zhao. Somehow it ended up in Mr. Zhao's hands.
It was already late November, and the water outside was freezing. After Xiao Yan ran away from home, he was afraid his father would send someone to catch him, so he dared only wander around the alleys of Yunyang City. It wasn't until dusk, cold and hungry, that he stopped in front of a shabby noodle restaurant.
The people who ate in such a simple restaurant were usually peddlers and hawkers, and the tables, chairs, bowls and chopsticks were all missing parts. Xiao Yan hesitated for a long time but still did not go in. It was not because he disliked the shabby place, but because he had no money with him.
Just as Xiao Yan was thinking about whether to sneak back to the palace, a crisp female voice said beside him, "Guest, would you like a bowl of noodle soup? Our soup base is made with pork and chicken bones, it's delicious."
Xiao Yan turned around and saw a girl of about fifteen or sixteen standing in front of the noodle soup shop, looking at her. The restaurant was lit by a single kerosene lamp, and the flickering flame dimmed the girl's features, but one could still make out her thick eyebrows, large eyes, and bright smile.
If it were any other young master, even if he went out without money, he would have to pretend to be cool, and he certainly wouldn't want to embarrass himself in front of ordinary people. But Xiao Yan was not any other young master. He smiled at the girl nonchalantly and said confidently, "I don't have any money, so I'll have a bowl to try if you treat me."
The girl had obviously never encountered such a situation before. She was stunned for a moment, then rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan and turned to go in.
Xiao Yan didn't know what was going on. He just thought that the girl was plain-looking, but that roll of the eyes seemed to have suddenly opened up his Ren and Du meridians. He felt that this girl was quite lively and energetic.
So the girl worked in the restaurant. He stood outside, staring at people, feeling happy. He no longer felt cold.
I don't know how long I watched, but there were fewer and fewer customers in the restaurant. When Xiao Yan's hands and feet were cold, the girl came out again.
"Hey! There's a bowl of noodle soup left. Do you want some?"
Xiao Yan didn't feel neglected. He looked at the girl with a bright smile and said, "You'll treat me to a meal?"
The girl rolled her eyes at him again. She turned and went inside. A moment later, she came out from the kitchen with a large bowl of noodle soup. Seeing Xiao Yan still standing outside, she said impatiently, "Hey! Come in! We're done eating and closing the stall!"
Xiao Yan went in happily.
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