The carriage soon arrived at Jiuyun Lane. From a distance, he could see that the alley was full of carriages. There was only room wide enough for one carriage for others to pass through. Xia Houshu was afraid that his carriage would not find a place to park, so he let it go.
The driver found a place on the street at the entrance of the alley and planned to take everyone in on foot.
Jiuyun Alley is very lively, and the acrobatic troupe is performing hard. Some are performing flying balls, some are performing rope walking, and some are performing chest-breaking boulders... Every acrobat is surrounded by people, men, women, old and young.
Yes, regardless of whether they were rich or poor, they sometimes stared with bated breath, sometimes exclaimed loudly, and all of them were attracted by the performance and their emotions were affected.
Although Xia Houshu and Yunxi are considered half-adults, they are women after all, and their stature is not outstanding among the men. Xia Houling is still a child, and his height has no advantage. The three masters and servants stand tightly surrounded
There was a real crowd outside, and even after changing places, I couldn't squeeze in, and I could hardly see the actual performance inside.
It was the first time in Xia Houling's life that he saw such a wonderful performance. He was curious and anxious at the same time. He circled around the crowd several times, jumping up and down, trying to find every opportunity. After a while, he was squeezed out by the crowd. He was unwilling to give in.
He gritted his teeth, became ruthless, and ignored his sister's worries. He dove into the crowd and took advantage of his thin body to push his way to the front of the crowd. When he turned around again, he saw that his sister was nowhere to be seen, and he was instantly panicked. But what happened in front of him
The performance was so novel and exciting that he simply lived up to this good opportunity and stared at the performance on the stage with great interest.
"Ling'er, let's not crowd around. Let's go to the nearby teahouse and ask for a private room." Xia Houshu's eyes wandered among several nearby teahouses with wide views, trying to choose one with a small family to sit down and drink tea.
Watch. When she turned around, she happened to see Xia Houling's back disappearing into the crowd. However, she shouted several times and got no response, so she had to give up and pulled Yunxi to stand beside her, nervously paying attention to what was going on inside.
"This Sixth Young Master usually looks timid and silent, but at this time he is very alert. He rushes in without saying hello, and is not afraid of being pushed or stepped on. If you are hurt, go back
But how should I explain it to the third lady?" Yunxi was even more anxious than Xia Houshu, wishing he could stand on stilts to see what was going on inside, and then catch Xia Houling and give her a beating.
Xia Houling was young and thin, so it was not impossible for this kind of thing to happen.
After hearing what Yun Xi said, Xia Houshu became even more worried.
The acrobatic performances were performed one after another, and the cheers were continuous and deafening. A shirtless man had just finished his fire-breathing performance, which set the stage on fire and won cheers from the crowd. He was immediately replaced by another man who performed sword dancing.
I saw a tall man in brown clothes walking onto the stage carrying three or four daggers. Before anyone could see his face, he couldn't help but throw all the daggers in his hand high into the sky, like a flying eagle.
Go and hit the sky.
While everyone was marveling, the dagger had already reached the top of the peak, and immediately turned around and fell straight down. If the electric light was shot down, the sword's blade would flash silver under the reflection of the sun, which was very dazzling, and it was about to fall on the head...
Someone in the crowd shouted in surprise first, and the others immediately started screaming as if they were infected, and dispersed like birds and beasts in an instant.
For a while, screams and running sounds were heard.
Before everyone calmed down, the man in brown clothes had easily grabbed the scabbard next to him and caught the four or five daggers one by one. The whole process went smoothly without hesitation.
Everyone stopped and looked at the stage intently. Their hearts in their throats finally returned to their original position, and they immediately burst into thunderous applause. However, the man in brown clothes just bowed lightly and slowly left the stage.
, hiding deep merit and fame.
Xia Houshu had already rushed in when everyone was retreating in panic and pulled the dumbfounded Xia Houling aside. It was not until the performer left that she breathed a sigh of relief.
She has experienced assassination and is very sensitive to potential risks. If she had known that Xia Houling was so obsessed, she would not have brought him to watch such a dangerous performance.
It took Xia Houling a long time to react, and his face turned pale with fright. After a long time, he looked up at Xia Houshu and said with lingering fear: "It was too dangerous. Fortunately, the third sister rescued me!"
"I think you are just stupid in reading. When you see so many swords falling, you don't even know how to move away. Didn't you see that everyone else has dispersed?" Xia Houshu was anxious, and his words were not measured.
It's not that she's making a fuss, but that the safety of Xia Houling's child is deeply involved. If something goes wrong today, not to mention whether Mrs. Guo, who usually has a cold face, will tear her apart, even her own father and mother will be worried.
If it's not easy to explain, then she will really be blamed for her death.
Xia Houling didn't expect her sister to be really angry. She blamed herself. She lowered her head and said softly, "I'm sorry, it's all because I was too playful."
When Xia Houshu heard this apology, she immediately realized that she was too anxious. Seeing Xia Houling's sad look, she couldn't bear it after all. She reached out and patted his shoulder, half explaining and half comforting: "This is the matter.
I shouldn’t blame you, but I blame me for not making it clear to you in advance. It’s a mixed bag here, and there’s no guarantee that you won’t encounter danger. Of course, it’s not that I don’t have confidence in their performance, but it’s just that people make mistakes and horses make mistakes.
If he accidentally hurts you, how can I explain to your mother?"
"Third sister, don't worry. I'm very grateful for your kindness in taking me out to play. It was my recklessness that made my sister worry. If something happens accidentally, I will definitely not blame you." Xia Houling
He said quickly. He was afraid that Xia Houshu wouldn't believe it, so he patted his chest and said seriously: "As for my mother, I will explain it to her myself."
Boys, no matter how old or young they are, must look like a man.
It was rare for Xia Houling to have such a responsibility, and Xia Houshu was very pleased.
Xia Houshu knew that Xia Houling was not a heartless and stupid child. He just lost his father when he was young, lacked his father's support and encouragement, and was too tightly controlled by his mother, so he was afraid of disappointing others.
I remember that when my third uncle Xia Houze was alive, Xia Houling was innocent, lively and cheerful. He often asked his mother-in-law to take him to play with his brothers and sisters, and even volunteered to learn archery from Xia Houyi. Even though he was young at that time
He was weak, his body was only as tall as a bow, and he couldn't even draw the bow even with all his strength. Later, his father died, and Mrs. Guo focused all her attention on him, forcing him to study and practice calligraphy.
He was forced to give up his original hobbies and playmates. Excessive care and expectations were like a mountain on his shoulders, making him bear a huge weight at a young age. He did not dare to be playful, have independent opinions, or
He disobeys his mother's wishes and is afraid of being scolded for being unfilial if he is not careful.
Xia Houshu gradually understood that everyone had their own reasons for not speaking sincerely and had no choice but to do so. The more he understood, the more compassionate he became.
She took out her handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat on Xia Houling's forehead due to excessive fright. She smiled and said softly: "With your words, I feel relieved." Then she pointed to Lao Huai beside her.
A tea shop under the tree, "Let's go, have a cup of tea to calm down, and take a rest."
The two siblings found an empty table in the tea shop and sat down. Yunxi went to the shopkeeper and asked for a pot of tea and two plates of snacks.
The furnishings of the tea shop were old, and the tea sets and dishes used to take care of customers were also made of clay. They looked rough, but they had a unique charm. Xia Houling had never seen such tea sets before, so he hesitantly picked up the tea cup and took a closer look.
After confirming that the teacup was only of poor texture and not stained, he took a sip with relief, then looked at the snacks on the table without daring to take action.
Xia Houshu saw it and immediately guessed that Xia Houling had remembered Mrs. Guo's teachings and did not dare to eat outside at will. She smiled nonchalantly, grabbed a piece of Sophora japonica cake and took a bite, and said seductively: "This is Sophora japonica cake."
, despite its simple style, you can smell the fragrance of Sophora japonica at the entrance." Then he pointed to the leafy old Sophora japonica tree in front of the tea shop, "Look, that is the Sophora japonica tree. This Sophora japonica flower.
Cake is made from its petals."
Xia Houling followed her sister's guidance and looked over, and saw that the tall old locust tree in front of the house was covered with pink and white flower strings. One after another, the flower strings were like curtains, decorating the old locust tree with a brand new look, and exuding a new look.
A tangy fragrance.
Xia Houling, who was accustomed to seeing exotic flowers and plants in her home garden, suddenly saw such ordinary but bustling locust trees and flowers, and felt very surprised. She thought that reading thousands of books would be better than traveling thousands of miles. The ancients said:
Don't lie to me. With this understanding, he enthusiastically grabbed a piece of Sophora japonica cake and put it into his mouth, savoring it carefully. His sense of smell and taste seemed to merge into one in an instant.
Xia Houshu watched Xia Houling finish a piece of Sophora japonica cake quietly, and then curiously asked: "How does it taste?"
"It tastes great!" Xia Houling nodded hurriedly, with a look of unfinished expression on his face, and added, "I didn't know there was such a good place in the capital. This Sophora Flower Cake looks rough, but it is better than what is made in the small kitchen in the house.
The pastries are much more delicious, this is probably the best pastry I have ever tasted.”
"No one is forcing you to say nice things, so you don't have to be so exaggerated." Xia Houshu interrupted him with a smile, "You are obviously used to eating delicacies from mountains and seas. By chance, you took a bite of simple food and felt that this was unique in the world.
, that’s why you feel this way. If you really eat these every day, I’m afraid you will miss the craftsmanship of your own small kitchen.”
What Xia Houshu said was the truth. As a child, you can't deceive him because he has never seen the world and just live a simple life, and don't give up on the glory and wealth in the Duke's palace.
"But this Sophora japonica cake is more delicious than the cakes made in the small kitchen." Xia Houling was still stubborn, "Why doesn't Third Sister want to admit it?"
Xia Houshu didn't expect Xia Houling to be serious, so she rubbed her forehead helplessly. Admittedly, she also knew why Xia Houling had this illusion. After all, everyone in the Yue Kingdom knew that Mrs. Guo attached great importance to Xia Houling's diet.
There are strict regulations on what you should eat, what you shouldn't eat, when you can eat it, and when you can't eat it. Not to mention the sophora flower cake in the tea shop outside, even a glass of water cannot be drunk casually. Nowadays,
Just a plate of pastries could make him so happy, creating a unique illusion, and even competing with her. Wouldn't it be even more amazing if it were replaced by the delicious wine and delicacies of Luoyuefang? Thinking of this, Xia Houshu had an idea,
Changing the topic, he said: "As for delicious food, I know a place where the dishes are truly delicious and better than those in the small kitchen in the house."
"Really?" Xia Houling looked excited. She immediately forgot about the Sophora japonica cake that she had been obsessed with just now, and asked eagerly, "Can Third Sister take me there?"
"Of course I can take you there." Xia Houshu said with a smile. After speaking, he looked at the sky and said, "But not today. We have to go back early today, otherwise your mother should be anxious."
When he heard that he couldn't go, Xia Houling felt disappointed for a moment, but after a while he smiled again and said, "Then we have made an appointment. Third sister must take me there next time."
"Put it on me." Xia Houshu said, pushing two plates of pastries in front of Xia Houling, "Try again."
Xia Houling nodded, grabbed another piece of sophora flower cake and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing it carefully.
Xia Houshu hurriedly picked up the teapot and filled Xia Houling's empty tea cup with tea. He said softly: "Eat slowly, the sophora flower cake is sweet and greasy. Drink some tea to relieve the greasy taste."
Xia Houling seemed to be inspired and continued to eat happily. Most of the two plates of pastries went into his stomach.
Xia Houshu was focused on Xia Houling and was completely unaware of the two strange glances coming from the other side.
Opposite the tea shop, two men were drinking tea by the window on the second floor.
After a while, the man in purple waved his hand and said to the person next to him: "Go check her identity."
The people next to him were stunned for a moment, looking at the smiling woman opposite him from a distance, and finally respectfully answered "yes". This chapter has been completed!