Chapter 149 Flower God
Ming Huazhang hugged Ming Huashang tightly, and the demons in his mind gradually dissipated, leaving only determination. Time was running out, so he hugged Ming Huashang for the last time, stood up, and said, "The procession out of the palace has already left, I'm going to Furong Garden to stop Liao Yushan."
"I'll go with you." Ming Huashang also stood up hurriedly and was about to run out. Seeing this, Ming Huazhang hurriedly said, "Put on your clothes and be careful not to catch a cold. It will take time to prepare the horse. Go back and change your clothes first, and I'll see you in the stable later."
Ming Huashang glanced at her cloak and inner garment. Whether she could see people was secondary. This set was really inconvenient to move. She did not argue and hurried out. When she ran to the door, she paused and said, "Second brother, remember to prepare three horses."
Three horses? Ming Huazhang was wondering why three horses were needed, when he suddenly saw the people outside through the wide-open door.
In the early morning, the mist had not yet dissipated, and the rustling ancient trees were shrouded in the cold light. Su Yuji, dressed in a neat and energetic outfit, was leaning against the shadow of the wall, and his expression could not be seen for a moment.
Ming Huazhang was stunned for a moment, quite surprised: "Ruoshui? Why are you here?"
He thought of Ming Huashang's expression, paused slightly, and suddenly realized.
They had once trained in Zhongnan Mountain, and later all seven of them stayed in Chang'an, so they knew each other's true identities. Ruoshui's real name is Su Yuji, and she is Su Xingzhi's sister. The two of them are from Taiyuan Prefecture, the northern capital.
Su...
The nanny who took the other daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo away that year seemed to be surnamed Su. What's more, Ming Huashang's mother's ancestral home was Taiyuan.
It is obvious who Ruoshui is and why she appears here.
Ming Huachang had already run far away, leaving only Ming Huazhang and Su Yuji in the courtyard. There seemed to be a strange aura floating in the wind. Ming Huazhang took the initiative to break the silence and said, "Sorry."
Su Yuji held the knife and looked at him from a distance. She said slowly, "I don't know how to address you, Shao Yin, Nan Dou, or Your Highness the Prince?"
Ming Huazhang knew that he had let down the Ming sisters a lot, and it was normal for Su Yuji to be hostile to him. Ming Huazhang said, "Just call me by my name. Were you the one who persuaded Shangshang last night?"
"No." Su Yuji said coldly.
Ming Huazhang nodded and said sincerely, "Thank you. There are some things I don't know how to tell her. Fortunately, you came and she was able to cheer up so quickly."
Su Yuji snorted and turned to walk out without buying the bill. Ming Huazhang didn't mind, he took the initiative to lead the way and said, "The stable is here."
The horses were fed yesterday. Ming Huashang did not alarm the groom and quickly led out three horses. Su Yuji stood aside to take care of the horse's mane, while Ming Huazhang adjusted the riding gear for Ming Huashang. After a pause, he still said, "I know this is your own choice, but out of selfishness, I still want to say a few more words. I have been sorry for you these years. Don't blame the Duke of Zhenguo, he was helpless. Although he never said it, I know that he has always felt guilty for sending you away. If you are willing, I still want to invite you to meet him. He has not had an easy life these years."
When Su Yuji heard the name of the Duke of Zhenguo, his expression became even colder. Ming Huazhang stopped talking and said nothing more. After that, neither of them said anything. Ming Huachang ran over quickly and saw them standing on the left and right. Although the distance between them was not far, it seemed as if there was a galaxy between them.
It seems that they should have talked about it, but the result of the conversation does not seem to be optimistic. Ming Huashang seemed not to notice, and ran down vigorously, saying: "Let's go quickly, we have to hurry up and warn the saint before Jingzhao Yin!"
If one day you learn that someone wants to assassinate the emperor, what should you do? Ming Huashang never thought that one day she would actually think about this problem seriously.
Furong Garden is a popular tourist destination. The Flower Festival is approaching, and the Empress is leaving the palace to admire the lanterns. Today, the streets of Chang'an are deserted, and the people are swarming towards Furong Garden. The closer they get to Qujiang Road, the more congested it becomes. In the end, even the horses can't run and can only move among the crowd.
Ming Huashang's riding skills were not very good, so she had to work hard to control the reins to ensure that the horse would not be startled by passers-by. When she was considering whether to get off the horse and walk, her eyes suddenly lit up and she saw a familiar person.
Ming Huashang ignored the crowd around her and immediately yelled at the top of her lungs, "Sister Ren!"
The Yulin Army is the emperor's personal army. Today, they are responsible for clearing the way, protecting, and isolating the people. Ren Yao was arranging the personnel when she vaguely heard someone calling her. She turned around in surprise and saw a young lady waving at her crazily from a distance.
Ming Huashang? Isn't she still recovering from her illness? Why is she here?
Although Ren Yao was surprised, he still let them pass and brought Ming Huashang in. When he got closer, Ren Yao found that not only Ming Huashang, but also Ming Huazhang and even Su Yuji were there.
Ren Yao looked at the three of them and felt that they were strange. Ming Huashang didn't have time to exchange pleasantries. As soon as she came in, she ran to Ren Yao's side and whispered something in his ear.
Ren Yao listened, her eyes gradually widened, and finally her face changed. She glanced at Ming Huazhang and Su Yuji, her expression was uncertain. Ming Huashang nodded at her and said, "Don't be shy, they know about this matter and can be trusted. Sister Ren, today's situation is special, you must not let the news leak out, do you know where the saint is now?"
Ren Yao scanned the crowd outside and his face became serious. It was scary enough that someone was trying to assassinate the Holy Chariot, but what was even more terrifying was that this was not a regular assassination, but an explosion. If it was not handled properly, it would cause panic among the people, or alarm Liao Yushan, forcing him to detonate the gunpowder in advance and die with everyone else. It would likely lead to pushing, trampling, and falling into the water, and the consequences would be disastrous.
Ren Yao immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. She gave up her original task without hesitation and said, "I don't know, but he should know. You guys follow me."
Jiang Ling is known as "Young Master Jiang" by everyone in the Northern Court. Today, he is on duty in the Yulin Army, and he is assigned the most relaxed and respectable position, which is the best place to show off in front of nobles. Jiang Ling looked at the noble ladies and young ladies talking and laughing politely not far away, and felt quite bored.
Ren Yao was maintaining law and order outside Furong Garden, catching people and thieves, how impressive, but he was standing guard here, which was really boring. He was counting the clouds in a daze, when suddenly a familiar voice sounded behind him: "Jiang Ling!"
Jiang Ling was stunned for a moment, thinking that he was hallucinating, and he actually heard the person in his mind talking to him. Ren Yao called him several times but there was no response, so he punched him in the head. Jiang Ling covered the back of his head in pain, good, now he was sure, it was not an illusion.
Jiang Ling turned around and was about to complain, and at this time Ren Yao also came over to talk to him. Inadvertently, Ren Yao's lips brushed the corner of Jiang Ling's mouth, and both of them were stunned.
Jiang Ling's ears suddenly turned red. Ren Yao was a little embarrassed at first, but then she thought that an explosion was about to happen here, so what did it matter whether they were close or not? She immediately threw those thoughts out of her mind, grabbed Jiang Ling's ear and said, "The murderer yesterday was the wrong person. The real perpetrator of the explosion was Jingzhao Yin, and now he wants to assassinate the saint. Control your expression and don't show any abnormality."
Jiang Ling blinked rapidly, then belatedly exclaimed "Ah".
There were so many events that his brain was burned out.
Ren Yao was originally worried that Jiang Ling's reaction would be too big and attract attention, but now it seems that she really overestimated this fool. Ren Yao said unhappily: "Don't just stand there, where is the saint, lead the way!"
Jiang Ling finally came to his senses and knew that this matter could not be taken lightly. He gathered his useless thoughts and said solemnly, "The Saint has taken Duke Heng, Duke Ye, Princess Taiping and others to the Lantern Festival. The King of Wei has prepared a float for the Saint, and the ceremony will begin at 9:00 p.m."
Ren Yao glanced at the sun and said hurriedly, "It's almost time for si, let's go!"
Jiang Ling relied on his reputation to get special privileges and passed through unimpeded. But when they reached the lantern tower, they were stopped by the eunuch. The eunuch scanned them and asked with a vigilant look, "Who are you and which master are you following?"
Jiang Ling was about to bring up his father's name, but Ming Huazhang really didn't have the patience to waste time in such a place, so he said coldly: "I am the Shao Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture, and I am here to look for Jingzhao Yin."
The Jingzhao Yin was indeed on top of the lantern tower, but the eunuch still looked critical and looked them up and down.
He had seen many people like this. In order to show off in front of the noble, they would dare to establish any relationship. Since Jingzhao Yin did not bring Shao Yin upstairs, it meant that he was not qualified to accompany him. If he let anyone up, what would the noble need them for?
The eunuch said in an ambiguous tone, "Maybe Shao Yin remembered it wrongly. Jing Zhao Yin had already gone upstairs. I don't remember him mentioning that he had a companion."
Ming Huazhang was really angry when talking to the eunuch. Seeing that his face darkened, Ming Huashang quickly grabbed his hand and said with a smile: "You have worked hard, eunuch, but we do have an appointment. We came with the East Palace. If you don't believe me, go ask Xie Sheren who is beside the prince. He knows us."
Ming Huashang smiled and spoke softly, but her expression was calm and she looked very confident. The eunuch glanced at her, and fearing that she had really offended someone, he turned around and went upstairs to ask.
After a while, a young man in blue came down from the building. The eunuch followed him flatteringly and asked, "Master Xie, these are the people. They said they followed you, but somehow got left outside. See..."
Xie Jichuan looked at Ming Huazhang, Ming Huashang and others, his face was flawless, and he smiled gently and said, "Indeed. Your Highness asked them to go get something, but I didn't expect them to be delayed for so long. Thank you, eunuch, for passing on the message."
When the eunuch heard that they were indeed the prince's men, his attitude immediately changed, and he bowed and sent them in. When they reached the corner, Xie Jichuan stopped smiling, raised his eyebrows and asked, "What are you doing?"
明華章根本沒時間和他廢話，他掀起衣擺，一步連跨好幾節臺階，健步如飛朝樓上奔去。任遙也二話不說跟上，明華裳落在最後面，好心和謝濟川解釋：“我們都中計了，你還記得嚴精誠送去義莊後，屍體上好像丢了什麽東西嗎？昨夜我在招財身上找到了，是一塊巴掌大的金牌，上面刻着‘空’。”
明華裳一說，謝濟川就想起來嚴精誠驗屍時，他确實掃到過這樣一個金牌，只是後來莫名消失了，他也就沒再注意，沒想到去了招財身上。
這必然是兇手做的，而能在驗屍後接觸到嚴精誠的屍體，不驚動義莊看守就拿走東西的……
謝濟川的腦子轉得極快，電光火石間就串聯起來。這個人只能是京兆尹，日月有許多種組合，但若加上空字，那天底下唯有一人。
天授元年，女皇登基，诏行所造新字，日月淩空，普照天下，故以曌為名。
謝濟川和明華裳對視一眼，無需語言他就明白了明華裳未盡的話，明華裳也知道他理解了。謝濟川瞥了眼沖在最前方的明華章，壓低聲音問：“所以現在怎麽辦，你們這是在做什麽？”
“救人。”明華裳言簡意赅，她甚至沒有用救駕，仿佛在她眼裏，女皇也只是一個具體的人。她提着裙擺往樓梯上跑去，說：“謝兄，麻煩你留在這裏守着出口，決不能讓人将撤退通道毀了。”
謝濟川微微仰頭，亮光從樓層上漏進來，像時光隧道的出口，他們義無反顧投入光亮中，而他，獨自留在黑暗。
謝濟川想，又一件他不能理解的事情出現了。為什麽要救她呢？她死了，對鎮國公府，對江安侯府，尤其是對明華章，不是天大的好事嗎？
為什麽會有人，奮不顧身救敵人的命？
明華章率先跑到樓梯上，這座樓是魏王為了讨女皇歡心新建的，二樓搭了寬闊的觀景平臺，極盡奢華精巧之能事。此刻，觀景臺前，一座華麗的花燈徐徐推近。
那座燈做成花神模樣，足有三層樓高，花神眉目慈悲，彩衣環佩，迎風欲起。她手中拈着一朵鳳凰花，正含羞待放，在她腳下，萬物複蘇，百花盛開。
花神的手下方搭出一圈細窄的平臺，一群身着璎珞飄帶的舞姬正在上面翩翩起舞。她們時而分，時而合，在窄窄的木板上如履平地，舞姿輕盈華美，宛如花間精靈。
女皇領着衆多皇親國戚站在欄杆前，正撫手稱好。明華章掃了一圈，立刻就注意到花神手裏那朵鳳凰花。
女皇幸臨的地方要經過好幾道手續，反複檢查，樓裏連只蒼蠅都沒法藏，更不用說炸藥。可是從外面運來的花車就不一樣了，禁軍只會搜查舞姬身上有沒有武器，卻不會檢查燈裏有沒有手腳。
尤其這個手腳是主辦方動的，那就更是神不知鬼不覺。
花神燈和燈樓都由魏王一手承辦，是仔細算過距離的。舞姬起舞的地方比二樓觀景臺略低，女皇毫不費力就能看到獻舞，而花神拈花的手，只稍比觀景臺高一點。
也就是說，如果這個地方爆炸，餘波會毫無懸念波及到觀景臺。
而現在，花神燈已經停到女皇面前，舞姬們纖細的手擺出花開模樣，正欲點燈。
明華章指尖夾着暗器，毫不猶豫朝花神燈擲去：“快讓開，燈裏有炸藥！”
領舞精心設計了舞蹈，在燈車走到女皇面前時，她帶領舞姬們集體拟花亮相，并且點燃上方的鳳凰花，到時候會有彩帶和花瓣飄落，又吉祥又美麗，貴人肯定喜歡。誰能想到，在她跳出最引以為傲的動作時，忽然一柄飛刀疾射而來，直奔她的手腕。
領舞吓了一跳，手本能松了，火折子朝下墜去，飛刀也貼着她的胳膊，深深刺入後方燈籠。
這一連串變故發生後，明華章的聲音才傳出來。舞姬們完全呆住，等看到女皇、太子等人被人保護着往下走才終于意識到發生了什麽，驚慌尖叫。
獻舞最要緊的是美觀，沒人考慮舞姬方不方便，所以跳舞的隔板是浮在空中的，并無上下通道。平時排練不覺得有什麽，如今要逃跑，她們才意識到絕望。
這可真是上天無路，入地無門，
明華章制止了舞姬點火後，就立即朝廖钰山奔去。然而廖钰山既是抱着赴死的心，怎麽會沒留後手？他完全不躲，而是從袖中拿出一支小巧的弩，毫不猶豫撥動機關。
特殊處理過的弩箭燃燒起來，如流星一般劃過半空，精準射中引線。滋啦一聲，引線飛快燃燒，轉瞬沒入鳳凰花苞中。
明華章想阻止時已經來不及了，他臉色冷沉，飛快對旁邊的蘇雨霁喊了句“他交給你”，就頭也不回朝花燈跑去。
引線已經點燃，幸而鳳凰花沒有立刻爆炸，明華章知道為了保證炸彈的威力，廖钰山肯定在裏面設計了其他開關，這些開關啓動還需要時間。
誰都不知道啓動時間長短，明華章來不及猶豫，立刻抽出軟鞭，躍上欄杆，一一将那些舞姬扔到地上。
她們有舞蹈功底，又有鞭子緩沖，應當不至于摔得太嚴重。即便摔斷了胳膊或腿，也好過被炸死。
廖钰山徹底不裝了，想用弩箭燒毀樓梯，卻被蘇雨霁一個飛镖射中肩膀。廖钰山不愧是玄枭衛老資歷，竟然連本能的生理反應都忍住了，手抖都不抖，還要繼續發射弩箭。
蘇行止今日也随行，他已經失去蘇雨霁的消息許久，實在心煩，就站在角落裏生悶氣。也正是因此，他和廖钰山所隔并不遠。
他看到蘇雨霁從樓梯沖上來時，還以為自己在做夢，随後明華章示警，蘇雨霁射飛镖，雖然蘇行止沒聽到明華章喊了什麽，但他本能配合蘇雨霁，一個手刀砍到廖钰山肩上，從背後将廖钰山的弩箭打掉。
有了這片刻緩沖，蘇雨霁也趕到了。她擡腿，膝蓋毫不客氣撞在廖钰山腹部，反剪雙手将他壓倒在地。
任遙跑上樓梯後，立刻去救女皇。她高聲喊着“護駕”，一邊護送女皇、太子、太平公主等人往後撤。很快江陵也趕過來幫忙，手忙腳亂間，任遙回頭，發現廖钰山已經被蘇行止、蘇雨霁兄妹控制住，明華章在救花燈上的舞姬，明華裳在樓梯口維持秩序，一切都亂中有序。
然而，這些皇親國戚養尊處優已久，下樓梯又慌又慢，前面的人走不快，後面的人就沒法離開。但火藥是不會和人講道理的，照這個速度，至少有一半的人走不了。
任遙匆匆一眼掃過這些皇親國戚，生死關頭，那些被稱為貴女的公主、王妃、郡主并不比她強，一個個驚慌失措，連路都走不利索。
可是，她卻必須救這群人，因為她需要立功，她需要足夠的功勞去搏女子繼承侯府的恩典。
任遙咬牙，忽然撥開人流逆行而上，攀着柱子跳了下去。江陵吓了一跳，本能伸手去拉她卻沒拉住，忙沖到欄杆上喊：“任遙，你做什麽？”
然而等他看到下面的場景，卻驚得目眦欲裂：“任遙，你瘋了，你快回來！”
經歷這一系列變故，樓下已亂成一團，駕駛花車的馬夫早不知跑哪兒了。拉車的馬兒感受到躁動，不安地打着響鼻。任遙跳下樓，飛身一躍騎到馬上，用力抽了下馬屁股。
看樣子，她竟然打算只身将花燈拉走。
是的，炸藥裝在花燈裏，一個思路是讓貴人們逃離燈，另一個思路，就是将燈拉離貴人們。
這般變故，連明華章都驚住了。然而任遙已毫不猶豫打馬離開，花燈上的舞姬已全部被明華章送，或者說扔了下去，車上只餘一個燈架，并沒有多重，華美非凡的花神燈搖搖晃晃，很快就飛馳起來。
明華章還沒反應過來，餘光裏又一道黑影跳下去了。江陵腿腳從沒有這麽利索過，他劈手奪過別人的馬，重重一鞭抽在馬屁股上，不管不顧朝任遙追去。
江安侯剛剛護着太平公主走到地面上，他瞧見江陵的背影，眼皮狠狠一跳，怒喝：“逆子，你發什麽瘋，快回來！”
明華章掃了眼身後，任遙将炸藥拉走，看起來樓上不再需要疏散了。他也幹淨利落地跳到樓下，遙遙對剩下的夥伴喊道：“保護好這裏的人，不要讓人鑽了空子。”
他也不管其他人聽到沒有，飛身跳到馬上，如一襲流光離弦而去。他追上任遙的車，說：“不遠處有湖，只要到湖邊後立刻砍斷馬車，駕着馬折返，就能避開爆炸。你能做到嗎，做不到你跳下來，換我。”
任遙不屑地笑了聲，她眉目英挺，眼裏閃爍着勢在必得的光，有種咄咄逼人的飛揚嚣張，一時奪目不可逼視。她朗聲道：“我騎術第一，誰說我不行？你閃開些，別擋我的路。”
Ming Huazhang also laughed. He felt happy at such a dangerous moment. Ming Huazhang pulled the reins away from the carriage and ran ahead to clear the way for Ren Yao: "Okay, then I will escort you."
Jiang Ling rode on the other side, constantly looking at Huadeng and Ren Yao. The flower god was high above, swaying as if he was about to fall, as if he was about to take off with the wind. His heart began to beat rapidly, and he had a premonition that the gunpowder was about to explode.
The rope that tied the cart was so thick that if she hadn't cut it in time, she would have been dragged into the lake or been affected by the gunpowder. Jiang Ling suddenly released the reins without warning and jumped onto the cart. Ren Yao felt a weight behind him, turned around and saw that it was him, and said angrily: "What are you doing? Get off!"
Jiang Ling cut the hemp rope vigorously, not caring about the blood on his hands. He lived a life of luxury in the mansion, and before he met Ren Yuan, the heaviest thing his hands had ever held was a teacup. He once thought that life should be enjoyed to the fullest, and nothing is more important than living happily, but after meeting her, he realized that there are such people in the world who can give up all happiness for their goals.
To this day, he still doesn't understand her actions. Why would she risk her life to achieve merit? Are the three words "Marquis of Pingnan" really that important?
He didn't understand, but he wanted to make her happy. If she could only be happy if she got this title, then he was willing to help her achieve it.
Seeing that Qujiang Lake was just ahead, Jiang Ling cut one side of the rope, held the other side, and shouted without raising his head: "Ren Yao, didn't you eat? Don't slow down, run forward!"
Ren Yao gritted his teeth, shouted loudly, and drove his horse at full speed towards the lake. Ren Yao felt the side loosen up, and the horse realized that it had broken free and rushed forward excitedly. At this time, a pair of hands behind him firmly grabbed the broken rope and used his flesh and blood to forcibly hold the cart and horse.
Ming Huazhang was leading the way. He noticed the situation and said, "Ren Yao, pull Jiang Ling along when you turn back. Jiang Ling, when you see the opportunity, jump onto Ren Yao's horse."
Jiang Ling was like a savior being tortured, being firmly pinned between the cracks, unable to speak. Ren Yao's heartbeat was getting faster and faster, so fast that she could hardly hold the reins tightly.
She wasn't afraid when she jumped down just now, and she wasn't afraid when she drove the explosives towards the lake, but now she was afraid. She was afraid that she would be a step slower and couldn't hold Jiang Ling, that the explosives would explode prematurely and Jiang Ling would be the first person to be hit, and she was even more afraid that her ambition would kill him.
He has been rich and prosperous since he was a child. He doesn't need to do anything because he has a title waiting for him at home. He should be a happy playboy forever, so why does he have to do these things?
The bright sunlight reflected from Qujiang Lake made her want to cry. Ming Huazhang had slowed down and waited on the shore. The moment the horse's hooves stepped into the lake, Ming Huazhang suddenly said, "Retreat!"
Ren Yao immediately tightened the reins, the horse raised its front hooves and neighed, Ren Yao only relied on her legs to hold the horse's belly, turned around and pulled Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling also stood up at this time and held her hand tightly.
Jiang Ling used the momentum to jump onto Ren Yao's horse. Ren Yao rode his horse and jumped left and right in the chaos. Miraculously, he jumped over the float and rushed to the shore. The lantern carriage behind him rushed straight into the water. The flower god lantern was already shaking in the bumps and was about to fall. Now it was hit by the water. The lantern frame above finally couldn't bear it and swayed and fell to the center of the lake.
Ming Huazhang and Ren Yao were the two riders, and they did not dare to hold back any strength, and they ran forward with all their strength. A loud bang came from behind, and the wind and water rushed towards them with the force of thunder. Jiang Ling hugged Ren Yao tightly from behind, and Ren Yao did not dare to look back, and rushed forward desperately.
After an unknown amount of time, maybe a lifetime, or maybe just a moment, Ren Yao was finally able to hear the sound again. Ming Huazhang was half a horse's length ahead of Ren Yao and was the first to rein in his horse. He patted the water off his body and said, "Fortunately I made it in time. Are you all right?"
Ren Yao still had the buzzing sound in her ears. She shook her head blankly, then suddenly realized something and turned around quickly: "Jiang Ling, Jiang Ling?"
Jiang Ling leaned on her shoulder, completely unresponsive. Ren Yao called him several times, but he didn't move. Her face turned pale. At this time, the person on her shoulder suddenly opened one eye and said in a sly voice: "Hey, you're scared!"
Ren Yao felt her heart beating again, and she looked at Jiang Ling again, completely furious. Jiang Ling saw that the situation was not right, and quickly jumped off his horse, yelling: "Help! The imperial officials are being beaten!"
He yelled and rushed towards Ming Huazhang, who was wiping the water off his body with a handkerchief. Jiang Ling grabbed him and pushed him away with disgust, saying, "You are all wet, don't touch me."
When Ming Huachang ran to Qujiang Pond, panting, he saw Ren Yao chasing Jiang Ling and beating him. Jiang Ling screamed and circled around Ming Huachang. Ming Huachang was trapped between them, and every pore of his body revealed disgust.
Ming Huachang heaved a sigh of relief, and then squatted down, holding her abdomen in pain. Ming Huazhang saw this, and immediately left Jiang Ling and hurried towards her.
"Shang Shang, what's wrong with you?"
"It's okay." Ming Huashang waved his hands weakly and said, "I ran too fast just now and got a stitch in the side."