One City Spring Lane

Chapter 6
There are 36 countries in the Western Regions, large and small, but the border between Ruoqiang and Mocheng is the longest.The surrounding Qiemo, Wusun, Qiuci, Yanqi, Loulan and other countries are also close, but not so close.

Jimo Wubai is going to visit the ten countries around Mocheng and Ruoqiang. Although there are many of them, the territory is small and the roads are short.

The last stop was the country of Yinai, the monarch sent troops to escort him all the way to the territory of the country of Yu, which was less than a hundred miles away from Mocheng.He didn't want to be too ostentatious, so he asked his entourage to report back first, and took Du Quan himself a step behind.

The weather was good at first, but after two days it was windy and sandy.He wrapped himself in a blanket from head to tail, and rode a camel from the sandy sea to the oasis.In the distance, through the gauze-like yellow sand, the outline of Mo City could already be seen, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

Du Quan was wrapped more tightly than him, only his mouth was exposed to speak, and every time he said a word, he would spit out a mouthful of sand: "Master... Bah! You said you worked so hard... Bah! Is it worth it? Bah!"

Jimo Wubai knew that he was talking nonsense, so he deliberately ignored him.

"Huh?" Du Quan suddenly noticed something, pointed to the front and said, "It seems that someone has come to pick us up... Cough cough, bah!"

Jimo Wubai had seen it a long time ago, but the yellow sand covered his eyes and he couldn't see clearly.When he got closer, he realized that it was a person straddling a horse. His face was covered, so he couldn't see his face clearly, but his figure could tell that it was a woman.

It can't be that Shi Yu came to pick him up in person, right?

He groaned, and while speeding up his approach, he saw the long sword in the opponent's hand at a glance, and it was too late to turn around.

"Master Shaoqing, long time no see."

Jimo Wubai could only bite the bullet and stepped forward, humming: "Miss Qiao is polite."

It was really inconvenient to speak, so Qiao Yueling raised her hand, signaling him to go ahead to avoid the wind and sand.

The yellow sand twisted in the wind, like the sleeves thrown by a dancer. Occasionally, it swept across the corners of the eyebrows and eyes, but it would make people feel a slight pain clearly.The three of them walked forward vertically, walked for a mile, and set foot on the oasis, gradually covered by trees, the sand and dust improved a lot, and things became clearer.

There is a dilapidated house in front of it, standing alone on the side of the road, most of which has been eroded by wind and sand, and only a wall can block it.

Qiao Yueling got off the horse, took off her face mask, patted the dust off her head, and turned to look at Jimo Wubai: "I've prepared the horses for you, once you get out of the sea of ​​sand, the speed of riding a camel will be slower."

Jimo Wubai was quite surprised, this was the first time that the two of them were so polite when they met without making a move.He got off the camel and cupped his hands: "Then thank Miss Qiao."

Qiao Yueling was still cold, glanced at Du Quan, and said to him: "Let your attendant stay away, I have something to say to you."

Jimo Wubai turned his head and gave Du Quan a wink, the latter looked left and right, there was really nowhere to hide, so he could only stand silently in the wind and sand.

"Miss Qiao has come from a long way. It seems that she has something important to say."

Qiao Yueling, dressed in black, snorted coldly, "You think I'm willing to come? It's just that my brother has to come because of his fate."

"Oh?" Jimo Wubai became interested: "I don't know what advice Qiao Dahu has for you?"

"I don't have any advice, just Gu Nian, who has known each other for many years, and cares about your recent situation."

Jimo Wubai laughed and said, "What is my recent situation that I should care about?"

Qiao Yueling's expression was a little unnatural, she turned her head slightly, and stared at the dancing yellow sand in the distance: "You... After so many years, aren't you going to find a girl to settle your life's affairs?"

"Get ready, I'm ready all the time." Jimo Wubai replied walking and smooth.

Qiao Yueling's face was reddish, and she looked down at the upper of the shoe: "Then what kind of woman do you like?"

"Hmm..." Jimo Wubai was playing with a corner of the blanket, thinking seriously, the first thing that came to mind was the half-smiling eyes behind the veil, he smiled wryly and shook his head: "I don't know."

Qiao Yueling pursed her lips slightly, hid the smile at the corner of her mouth, and said solemnly: "In this case, my brother can be a matchmaker for you. You live in the city lord's mansion now, and get along with an unmarried woman of the city lord day and night. After a long time, it is inevitable that there will be gossip. Good thing."

Qiao Dingye is so old-fashioned even in courting people.Jimo Wubai laughed dryly: "What's wrong with me living in the City Lord's Mansion? Why are there gossip?"

Qiao Yueling heard that his tone was not kind, and due to inertia, his temper also faintly flared up. Thinking back to his intimacy when he escaped from the dangerous situation with Shi Yu on his back, his tone was not very good: "Why didn't you gossip? You are Taichang Shaoqing, Those in charge of rites and music should be the most knowledgeable in teaching and morality, so don’t think about anything that shouldn’t be done, causing people to criticize you and say you’re incest!”

Jimo's white fingers stretched tightly.

Seeing that he was silent, Qiao Yueling became more and more angry, and wished she could do it as usual, thinking of her brother's words, she endured it again.

It is said that an elder brother is like a father, how can she hide her thoughts from her own brother?That day he suddenly said that he wanted to fulfill her, but she refused to admit it for a long time.But brother is right, if a person like Jimo Wubai doesn't say anything, he might not know it all his life!
But after all, she was embarrassed to speak out, put on her face mask, and got on the horse: "Think about it, I'm... We're waiting for your news in Ningshuo, if you want, my brother will definitely do his best to help you."

Jimo had no accident, he couldn't get rid of her before, but today he ran away by himself.Although he didn't have a good impression of Qiao Dingye, he didn't want to involve her. He bowed his hands politely: "Thank you Miss Qiao for your kindness."

Qiao Yueling looked better, and rode away.

The sandstorm subsided a bit, Jimo Wubai wrapped up the blanket, called Du Quan, and continued on his way by changing horses.

Du Quan ate the sand for a long time and couldn't help complaining all the way, but Jimo Wubai didn't respond at all, he was silent all the way, and almost went the wrong way halfway.He thought that he was upset by nagging too much, so he swallowed the words silently.

When it was getting late, it finally entered the border of Mocheng, and the wind and sand had subsided.The sky seemed to have been washed by sewage, and it was cloudy, and the barracks of the Mocheng army were like small white flowers blooming in the distance.Sergeants in black armor look like nothing more than a bunch of black dots.

Jimo Wubai threw off the blanket, took a deep breath, and ran all the way.As he approached the gate of the barracks, he saw Huo Qing in military uniform straddling his horse, his gray beard trembling in the wind, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

He reined in his horse, straightened his clothes, and bowed to him: "Old General Huo."

Huo Qing replied: "Taichang Shaoqing has done a lot for Mocheng recently, and the old man is here to welcome you."

Jimo Wubai smiled slightly: "This junior is flattered."

Huo Qing raised his hand to invite: "The city lord is already waiting for good news from Taichang Shaoqing in the mansion, please!"

Jimo Wubai rode forward, turned his head to stop him: "The old general should not go with us."

Huo Qing was taken aback: "Why?"

"I'm afraid you won't be able to stand it later."

Shi Yu has already prepared a reception banquet at the City Lord's Mansion, and is standing by the door to wait for Jimo Wubai.

When it was time to light the lamp, he finally rode his horse to arrive. Before he arrived, a figure had already lost a lot of weight.

"My nephew has worked hard."

Jimo Wubai raised his eyes and saw her standing quietly under the eaves, his eyes softly reflected the lights, he bowed his head in response, and said nothing else.

Shi Yu only said that he was tired and didn't care. He originally wanted to ask about the situation of the countries he traveled, but he could only temporarily suppress it.

The two walked towards the mansion side by side, Jimo Wubai suddenly said: "I have something to discuss with my aunt."

Shi Yu waved his hand behind him, and all the servants retreated, "Nephew, feel free to speak up if you have something to say."

Jimo Wubai looked ahead and kept walking: "I want you to hand over half of the military power and let me take charge."

Shi Yu's footsteps stopped: "What did you say?"

Jimo Wubai turned his head and stood with his hands behind his back: "Since forming an alliance with my aunt, I have gathered power as one and consolidated it as two. Now that these two steps have been completed very well, now I have to take another step to let everyone Believe that you and I are real aunts and nephews, not just acting, this is another step."

What he said was reasonable, but Shi Yu hesitated.The purpose of Jimo Wubai is well known in the world, and the current alliance is only temporary, so there is no guarantee that he is not taking this opportunity to pave the way for future power seizures.

Jimo Wubai didn't know what she was thinking, looked at the sky and continued: "More than that, this matter must be announced in public, so as to tell the world."

Just as Shi Yu was about to speak, he raised a few fingers and said loudly: "Everything I do is for Mo City, but I swear to God."

She pursed her lips: "I'm not the only one who can decide this matter. Uncle Huo is still in the military and political affairs. He can't get through it."

Jimo Wubai sighed: "I also said that my aunt is very intelligent, so it's nothing more than that. You asked General Huo to make two fake tiger charms for me to pretend to be finished?"

Shi Yu raised her eyebrows: "Are you willing?"

"If you don't believe me, that's all you can do." Jimo Wubai smiled, turned around and continued walking forward.

He was so reasonable that Shi Yu felt that he was wrong.

On the second day, Shi Yu approached Huo Qing to discuss the matter, and three days later held a grand banquet in the City Lord's Mansion for all city officials, including Ge Ben who was under house arrest, as well as officials of all sizes in the surrounding towns.

The City Lord's Mansion hadn't been this lively for a long time. The last time the hall was filled with desks, it was Jimo Yan's [-]th birthday.Back then Jimo Yan was the only one sitting high above, but now besides Shi Yu in full attire, there is also Jimo Wubai in scarlet official robes.This is the first time I have seen such a situation, and the officials all found it very novel and whispered in twos and threes.

At the beginning of the banquet, all the officials went together to report to Shi Yu, and reported the general situation in the area under their jurisdiction.

Shi Yu listened very carefully, but whenever he was in doubt about something, he had to discuss it with Jimo Wubai next to him in a low voice before making a decision.

The officials all thought that the edict was just a pretense required by the situation, but now that they saw the situation, they were not sure. It seemed that the city lord really relied heavily on Taichang Shaoqing.

After drinking for three rounds, Shi Yu ordered the music to be suspended, the officials were silent, stood up and said loudly: "Today, in front of all of you, I have something to announce. Taichang Shaoqing Jimo Wubai is the old nephew of the old city lord, and he is also in Mocheng. You have made a lot of achievements, and now I am discussing with General Huo to allow him to control half of the military power in Mexico City, effective immediately."

As soon as the words fell, Huo Qing stood up, took out the military amulet from his sleeve and put it into the brocade box held by the maid.Everyone watched the brocade box being handed over to Jimo Wubai, and there was an uproar.

Shi Yu substituted tea for wine, turned to Jimo Wubai and said, "Nephew, you and I are one family, and we must support each other from now on."

Jimo Wubai stood up and toasted her, and drank it down with his neck raised.

When the officials saw him, they all began to toast Jimo Wubai.At this time, any surprise or dissatisfaction is more important than building a relationship.Jimo Wubai never refuses anyone who comes, tonight he has always looked solemn, as if he was only happy until now.

Only Ge Ben sat still, heartbroken by the behavior of these scumbags.

Taking advantage of everyone's excitement, Su Yuan quietly whispered something in Shi Yu's ear, after she listened, she put down her wine cup and walked out.

In the corner outside the hall stood the person who was sent to watch Ah Zhan. He came here to report to Shi Yu. Ah Zhan learned about Shi Yu's division of troops to Jimo Wubai, and smashed everything in the room.

Shi Yu explained it carefully, and finally said: "Let him smash, add things after smashing, until he calms down."

This delay was only for a moment, she was about to return to the hall when she saw Du Quan coming out with Jimo Wubai on his back.

"What's the matter?" She looked at Jimo Wubai who was almost hanging on Du Quan's body, a little surprised.

Du Quan said: "City Master Master doesn't know, my young master doesn't drink very much, he doesn't usually drink much, but today I don't know what happened, he drank one cup after another."

Shi Yu walked over with a smile: "Unexpectedly, nephew, you are still an alcoholic."

Jimo Wubai raised his eyes to look at her, his eyes seemed to be covered with mist: "Don't call me nephew."

Shi Yu was stunned, and said with a smile: "If you don't call your nephew, what's your name?"

"Hey... In terms of age, you should still call me brother."

Shi Yu deliberately took advantage of his unconsciousness to tease him: "Calling you brother? Your brother is here, so I have to call him nephew."

Jimo Wubai suddenly grabbed her wrist, his hand was surprisingly strong: "I said don't call me nephew! I am not related to you, so I am your nephew!"

"..." Shi Yu was slightly sullen, but froze when she saw his expression.

His eyes were burning, as if he wanted to burn a hole in her body before he was willing.Shi Yu lowered her brows and narrowed her eyes, many thoughts flashed in her heart, but her face was as still as water.

Both Du Quan and Su Yuan were too frightened to make a sound. As the saying goes, after drinking, they tell the truth. The relationship between the two people who are originally aunts and nephews is getting better and better. Everyone can see it, but today Taichang Shaoqing denied this relationship when he was drinking. , it seems that she doesn't regard the city lord as her own in her heart at all, so it's hard to guarantee that she won't be angry.

"Alcohol is really not a good thing." Shi Yu suddenly smiled lightly, and asked Du Quan to help him back to rest.

Du Quan, as if he had been pardoned, hurried away with Jimo Wubai.

Shi Yu glanced at the background of the two leaving, then turned his head and hooked his fingers at Su Yuan: "Tell me, if a man likes me, then why does he like me?"

Su Yuan blurted out: "Naturally, it's the appearance of the city lord, the beauty of the city lord is unmatched in the world."

Shi Yu poked her forehead with a smile: "When did you become so talkative?"

Su Yuan smiled foolishly, but the smile on Shi Yu's mouth disappeared.

Jimo Wubai got up the next day with a splitting headache and squinted his eyes for a while before adapting to the sunlight pouring in from the window.

Du Quan was guarding in the room, seeing him awake, he hastily picked up the soup bowl on the table and said, "My lord is definitely awake, the city lord called someone to bring over the hangover soup early in the morning, it has been heated several times."

Jimo Wubai was stunned: "Who sent it?"

"Sent by the master of the city."

With a slightly embarrassed expression, he took a few sips and drank it without saying anything.

After washing and tidying up, it was already noon when he went out, and four guards stood neatly at the door with serious faces.

Jimo Wubai glanced left and right: "Are you staring at me now?"

One of the guards cupped his hands: "Reporting to Lord Shaoqing, by the order of the city lord, we will be responsible for your safety in the future."

He couldn't help laughing: "When did I become so important?"

The four guards looked at each other and shook their heads, looking more puzzled than he was.

The results of the visits to various countries have not been discussed in detail with Shi Yu, and Jimo Wubai ignored them, hurriedly walked towards the study, and when he stepped on the corridor, he suddenly noticed some changes on both sides.

Mocheng is not as verdant as the Central Plains, and now that it is autumn again, it feels more and more bleak, but there are many colorful flowers here overnight, and they are placed in pots one by one.He almost thought that he was still in the south of the Yangtze River in Runzhou.

Du Quan was also surprised, rubbed his eyes, and couldn't believe it: "What's going on?"

The guards following behind all showed color on their faces, and they pushed out their mouths neatly, asking him to explain.

It turns out that every year in this season, people in the city like to sell some fake flowers and plants, one is for decoration, and the other is for livelihood.Grass stalks and tough poplar branches are all good materials, which can be used as branches, and the fabric can be used to make petals. After molding, they are painted with colors. They are colorful and beautiful.

The decorations on the houses of high-ranking officials and nobles are much more expensive. The flowerpots painted with gold lacquer are covered with yellow sand and embedded with tin and copper branches. The fruits on them are probably precious pearls or jade. agate.

Girls in the Central Plains regard female red as a compulsory way of boudoir, but girls in Mocheng must know how to make this kind of flowers, and there will be a festival over time.At the beginning, Mocheng was called Harlan City, and the artificial flowers made out of this kind were called Harlan Flowers. In the late autumn of Jiayue, there is also a Harlan Festival.

Jimo Wubai walked forward and listened to him, nodding repeatedly, the people of Mocheng were indeed wise.

When we arrived at the study room, only Su Yuan was there. Seeing him coming, he greeted him and said, "I knew Master Shaoqing was coming, and the owner of the city is at Chuixue Pavilion."

Jimo Wubai looked at the balcony in the northwest corner: "What is she doing there?"

Suyuan is now leading the way: "The city lord asked the servants to wait here, just to invite Mr. Shaoqing to go with him, sir."

The Chuuxue Pavilion is said to be the place where the city lord's wife lived before. Jimo Wubai only took a look at it from a distance, and it was the first time he came here.

Climbing up the steps and reaching the door of the attic, I turned around and glanced at it from a distance. There were boundless mountains on one side and yellow sand on the other. To the sound of camel bells in the wind.

The bleak to the extreme becomes magnificent.This is already the case at this time, and it will be even more breathtaking when the heavy snow falls in the deep winter. No wonder this attic is called Chuuxue Pavilion.

He took a deep breath, and the hangover headache was much better, he turned his head into the room, and stood by the door.

The sun was shining brightly, the windows around the attic were opened, and the wind wrapped the sunlight in, blowing the veil. Shi Yu was sitting by the window, accompanied by an old woman, his back was faintly visible.

"City Lord, Lord Shaoqing has arrived." Su Yuan whispered.

Shi Yu signaled the old lady to step back, and said loudly, "Please come in."

Jimo Wubai walked over and took a look at the bits and pieces under her hand: "What is Auntie doing?"

Shi Yu raised her hand to ask him to sit down, and looked at him with a smile: "Why, are you willing to recognize me as your aunt again today?"

The table was not big, and Jimo Wubai sat down beside her, his expression froze slightly when he heard this.

Shi Yu came over to look at his expression carefully, and laughed softly: "Didn't you say that you don't remember what happened when you are drunk? Why do I think you seem to remember it clearly?"

Jimo Wubai lowered his eyes: "I do remember more clearly when I was drunk than when I was sober."

"So that's how it is." She sat up straight, her voice soft and soft: "There's no need to force it, you can call me whatever you want in the future."

Jimo Wubai looked at her profile, and said tentatively: "What if I call you by your name?"

"Then call it." Shi Yu was busy with his hands and didn't look at him, but a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "I haven't heard you call my name yet."

Jimo Wubai only felt his heart being scratched by something, a little numb and itchy.

Fortunately, Shi Yu didn't continue talking about this matter, and showed him the things on the table: "These are all used to make halan flowers."

Jimo Wubai only saw those things clearly at this time - the formed branches, fragmented leaves, and petals in twos and threes, but the materials were made of high-quality gold, silver and jade: "You want to make it yourself?"

Shi Yu nodded: "I heard that every year at the beginning of spring in the Central Plains, the emperor would go to the fields to cultivate in person to show his importance to agriculture and encourage crops. During the Harlan Festival here, the city lord will also personally make Harlan flowers. Now you and I are joining forces. As we all know, this year we will To make halan flowers, you naturally have to participate."

Jimo Wubai was funny: "This rule must have been passed down by my uncle." So far, there are only two city lords in Mocheng, and this one is not official, so who else could it be except him?
"You are right. It is indeed a rule passed down from my father. There is still a story about this matter."

It is said that after the wife of the city lord married from Chang'an to Mocheng, she was not used to the desolation here, and she always wanted to see Peony in Chang'an again.Jimoyan knew that Mocheng had the craft of halan flowers, so he ordered someone to make a fake peony, with petals melted from gold and stamens made of jade, painted with colors on the outside, which looked like a real peony.

The lady of the city lord received this flower on her birthday, she saw water droplets on the petals, and wondered why there was dew in the dry place, she brushed it with her hands to notice the strangeness, and was very moved.Jimo Yan said: "When the flowers and leaves eventually wither, only those who hold it in your hand can last for a long time."

This matter spread to the public, and since then there has been a trend of men and women giving each other halan flowers to express their love.

Jimo Wubai heard goose bumps on his arms: "Tsk, it's the first time I heard that uncle is still a lover."

Shi Yu's eyes widened: "You have never seen him, so naturally you don't know him."

Jimo Wubai smiled inexplicably, but didn't answer.

The peonies that Shi Yu will make today are also peonies, but they will be bigger so that they can be displayed during festivals.Just now the old woman taught a lot, she already knows some tricks, after working hard for a while, she managed to show herself.

She took a pen and stuffed it into Jimo Wubai's hand: "Stop talking nonsense, aren't you good at painting, then you are responsible for coloring."

Jimo Wubai took the brush and watched her smear on the shaped petals and then let them dry in the sun. He was very busy, his heart could not help calming down slowly, and he started to move his hands.

It's not like plowing, it's a meticulous job. The flowers they made for the first time can only be said to be eye-catching. Fortunately, Jimo Wubai's drawings are good, and they can be seen from a distance.

"It's really not easy." Shi Yu rubbed her numb legs, saw Jimo Wubai looking at the finished product in hand, stretched out her hand to take it, lowered her head for a sniff, then raised her head, she was more charming than Hua: "Wubai, this flower Give it to me."

Jimo Wubai was startled.

"Why, don't you want to?"

"No..." It's just Yi substituting the local conditions and customs she just said.

"That's a promise." Shi Yu carefully placed the flower on the corner of the table, treating it like a treasure.

Jimo Wubai's mood moved slightly, with hints of sweetness, just popped his head, and was strangled by him again, wringing out the sour juice, which flowed to every corner.I used to recite poems on Kyushu on the top of Beigu Mountain, and looked down on Qinghou in the Tangtang River. How frivolous and willful, now there are times when I feel uneasy because of every frown, smile, and word.He smiled wryly in his heart.

It was already sunset when we left the Chuuxue Pavilion, Jimo Wubai remembered his original intention to find her, and walked down while saying: "You haven't asked me about the result of my visit yet."

Shi Yu walked in front, walking slowly: "Looking at your appearance after returning, I know that everything is safe. But I heard from the person who came back first that I saw Miss Qiao on the way back. I wonder if you saw her?"

"seen."

After Jimo Wubai said this, he just walked up the steps, Du Quan hurried up to meet him, and handed a letter in front of his eyes: "My lord, there is a letter from Ningshuo."

Shi Yu glanced at it, with a half-smile: "Isn't the Duhu Mansion in Ningshuo?"

Jimo Wubai handed the letter to her: "If my aunt suspects that Qiao Dingye and I have secretly communicated the song, you can open it and read it yourself."

Shi Yu snorted softly and walked away: "I'm afraid it's Miss Qiao's letter."

Jimo Wubai opened it and saw that it was really Qiao Yueling's letter.He raised his head and looked at Shi Yu's back, thinking about her soft snort just now, and wondered if it was superfluous, could it be that she was jealous of Qiao Yueling?

Qiao Yueling's letter was naturally a reply to the last conversation. Although it had only been a few days, it had been long enough for her.

Jimo Wubai was really disgusted with Qiao Dingye's way of soliciting, so he wrote a reply letter after dinner, using the same excuse as those high-ranking officials and nobles back then - the matter of marriage needs to be considered with the nod of the elders.

The guard quickly sent the news of his reply to Shi Yu's ears.She leaned by the window and stared at the sky for a while, and suddenly remembered that tomorrow is the Harlan Festival, and the city will be very lively at night, so she called Suyuan to change her clothes and prepare to go out.

Suyuan knew that she would be mourning for the old city lord for three years, and usually wore plain or dark colors, so she picked out a moon-white dress for her.Shi Yu shook her head, and personally chose a water-red silk skirt with a high waist and a layer of plain gauze. At night, when the lights shine, it will shine like water.The cloak is as soft as cotton and white as snow, and even the veil is embroidered.

Then she faced the mirror, applied some rouge and powder, combed a double bun and leaned back in a bun, and took a selfie in the mirror after makeup was completed, Su Yuan was already watching in a daze.

Shi Yu turned her head and scolded with a smile: "Why are you in a daze? Go invite Jimo Wubai and let him follow me to see the grand events in Mocheng."

Su Yuan hastily sent a message, and Jimo Wubai readily accepted the invitation.

Shi Yu walked out of the mansion, saw him standing beside the carriage, shook his head and said: "I don't want to take the carriage, it's interesting for you and me to walk there."

Jimo Wubai saw that the guards following her had all changed into civilian attire, and took the lantern from Du Quan's hand: "Well, this is the first time I've seen this festival, so I can only listen to you."

Shi Yu turned her head and waved her hands, and the guards immediately retreated a lot.

Jimo Wubai approached, and only then did he see her appearance clearly, his eyes lingered several times before he retracted, and raised his hand: "Let's go."

The official residence is very quiet, but the brightly lit streets in the distance can already be seen.Jimo Wubai heard from the guards that from tonight, there will be no curfew in Mocheng for a month, and it seems that it is true.

The terrain meanders all the way down, Shi Yu walks at a leisurely pace, but Jimo Wubai is not used to walking this kind of road, his footsteps are a little fast unconsciously, so he has to stop and wait for her every time he walks a certain distance.

Every time Shi Yu raised his head, he always saw him standing in front of him with a lantern in his hand. His white clothes with wide sleeves were gently raised in the wind, and the light behind him cast a soft silhouette.

When approaching the market, the sound of laughter, the sound of children chasing and fighting, and the smell of cooked food rushed over.

Jimo Wubai said to Shi Yu: "It seems that there are a lot of people, you have to follow me closely, don't get lost."

Shi Yu's eyes sparkled like waves, and his smile was like a coquettish voice: "I'm not a child."

Jimo Wubai smiled and walked into the street.

Sure enough, the streets were full of people.Almost all the way is full of halan flower sellers, and there are jugglers and eaters walking forward. The originally wide road seems crowded.In the late autumn night, the coolness is deep, but I can't feel it at all here.

Jimo Wubai has visited such markets in Chang'an and Runzhou, but it is very different from here, so it is naturally novel.Seeing a few shamans in front of him muttering and doing things around him, he squeezed over to take a look, but in an instant, he suddenly remembered Shi Yu, and turned his head to see that she was nowhere to be seen.

He hurriedly turned back and searched along the road, but most of the women here were masked, looking for someone only by their clothes, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack, if he called her directly, he might alarm the people in the city.

After searching for a long time, not to mention Shi Yu, I didn't even see a guard.He regretted a little, he should have advised her to take Suyuan with her when she left.

Some people on the road recognized him and called him, but he had no intention of responding. He strode away immediately and stood in a corner, counting the people who passed by with his eyes.

"Yo, isn't this..." A person jumped out of his eyes, only half-spoken, and then stopped abruptly looking at his face.

Jimo Wubai looked him up and down, a fair and handsome young man, a little familiar, after recollecting his voice, he realized: "Mr. Xing, are you still in Mocheng? I'm used to seeing you in all kinds of ways, facing you I don’t recognize my own face anymore.”

Xing Yue snorted, his face brightened: "I have returned from Chang'an."

Jimo Wubai's gaze was still lingering in the crowd, and he let out a "hmm" casually.

Xing Yue raised his hand and shook in front of his eyes: "You don't even ask me what I'm going to do in Chang'an?"

"Oh, what did you do?"

"Hahahahaha, I bear the name of your Taichang Shaoqing..." His voice suddenly dropped, and he leaned into his ear and continued: "I got into the palace and saw Your Majesty. The picture of Mr. Shaoqing The face is really easy to use, you don't even need a token to enter the palace, you are worthy of being a celebrity in front of your majesty!"

"En." Jimo Wubai still responded flatly.

Xing Yue was a little unhappy, and said with a cold face: "I wanted to tell you about Ruoqiang, but since you don't want to listen, I'm leaving."

Jimo Wubai came back to his senses, and quickly stopped him: "What news?"

Only then was Xing Yue satisfied, and he cleared his throat: "Rumors are spreading around Ruoqiang, saying that you have such a harmonious relationship with the acting city lord, but in fact..." He looked around, and then stuck it to his ear, "In fact, the relationship is so harmonious." Not clear, not clear, colluding and colluding."

Jimo Wubai frowned: "Is this true?"

Xing Yue nodded his head: "my wife just came back from there, and she knew that I knew you, so she told me the news. It said that Ruoqiang had spread the news all over the country, and other countries in the Western Regions also had this rumor. I guess it won't be long. Mocheng, then pass it to the Central Plains!"

After saying this, he took a long sigh, and patted Jimo Wubai's shoulder: "I'm done talking here, before the situation expands, let's find a way to contain it."

Jimo Wubai asked, "How to contain it?"

Xing Yue thought for a while: "It's easy, just get married quickly."

"..."

"You came with Jimo Wubai?" Ah Zhan's low voice came from the carriage surrounded by several strong men at the end of the street.

"Well," Shi Yu said, "I'll bring him to see him."

Ah Zhan's tone was tinged with unwillingness: "You see me well, but you face him day and night all day long."

Shi Yu laughed, "How old are you, you can eat all the vinegar." She lifted the curtain and got out of the car, and said: "It's getting late, go back quickly, Uncle Huo must be in a hurry when it's late."

Ah Zhan held the curtain with his hands, showing half of his face, looked at her reluctantly for a while, and finally sat back obediently.

Xing Yue came and went like the wind, he disappeared when Jimo Wubai lost his mind.He concentrated on looking for Shi Yu again, suddenly his sleeve was pulled lightly, and when he turned his head, he saw Shi Yu standing prettyly behind him.

"where did you go?"

Shi Yu lowered his eyes: "Nephew, you are walking so fast, how can you catch up?"

Jimo Wubai looked into her eyes, felt soft-hearted, looked down and saw that she was still pinching his sleeve, said softly: "Then I just walk slowly."

Shi Yu followed him forward, because of the crowd, she clung to him a little bit, and said with a smile: "Nephew will definitely spoil his wife very much in the future."

"That's natural. There are not many people in the world who love women as much as I do." The usual brazen words, but at this moment he was a little absent-minded.

"Then you should take good care of your aunt and stop fighting with me."

Jimo Wubai remained silent.

Walking to the front, there is a stall selling Harlan flowers.Shi Yu let go and walked over, Jimo Wubai was about to follow, seeing that she just bought a flower, he immediately walked back, still pinching his sleeve with one hand, and handing him the flower with the other.

Jimo Wubai was taken aback: "For me?"

"Yes, didn't you give me a peony today?" Shi Yu stuffed the flower into his palm and said with a smile, "If you have a chance to go to Chang'an again in the future, you can plant a real peony for me. I’ve never seen a real peony before.”

"Okay." Jimo Wubai put the flower into his sleeve carefully, his heart was surging, his expression was calm.

The Harlan Festival is grand, even better than the Spring Festival in Mexico City.Now that there is a ban on the border, there are many fewer foreign visitors from the Western Regions, but even so, it is still as lively as a pot of porridge.

When there are too many people, there are too many things to do, and now Shi Yu has to make decisions on everything by himself, and there are so many things in his hands.

Jimo Wubai can't help her, he is busy negotiating with Ruoqiang, it is not easy to collect money these days, even if it is compensation.In fact, he knew that Ruoqiang would not give money, and he had already started spreading rumors to divide him and Shi Yu, so it didn't look like he wanted to give money.

After several days of excitement in the city, distinguished guests came from the direction of Central Plains.

Shi Yu was dealing with affairs in the study, and when Su Yuan came to report that Qiao Dingye and his sister had come to Mo City, his first reaction was to frown.

Within half an hour, the two arrived at the mansion.Shi Yu ordered someone to tidy up and met them in the study.

Qiao Dingye was dressed in black, covered with a large cloak, strode into the study room, smiled and cupped his hands: "Master, City Master, don't come here without any harm."

Shi Yu sat on her knees without getting up, and bowed her hands: "Thank you for your concern, everything is fine."

Qiao Yueling came in after her elder brother, and today she was wearing a skirt with big sleeves, the fresh goose yellow color, which made her complexion look much better.She bowed to Shi Yu, bowed her head and said nothing, seemed a little shy.

"What's wrong with Ms. Qiao?" Shi Yu smiled and looked at Qiao Dingye: "This is the first time I've seen Ms. Qiao like this."

Qiao Dingye sat down with a laugh, and took the teacup handed by Su Yuan: "The girl is getting married, she is shy."

Shi Yu's thoughts moved slightly: "Oh? It turns out that there is good news. I don't know who Miss Qiao is going to marry?"

Qiao Dingye took a sip of tea and stared at her: "To be honest, Qiao is interested in Zixuan, and sister She is also attached to him. It's just that he said that the marriage has to go through the elders, so I had to be cheeky to see the master of the city." gone."

"So that's how it is." Shi Yu pinched the corner of her clothes with one hand, wishing she was pinching Jimo Wubai, she would be ashamed to push this kind of thing to her!

Sensible people know that this kind of thing can't be managed, and neither side is good, so no matter how you manage it, it won't work well.

With a gentle smile on Shi Yu's face, she looked at Qiao Yueling who was standing motionless: "Miss Qiao, with all due respect, you didn't keep saying that Jimo Wubai's moral character is not good, so why are you willing to marry him now? "

Qiao Yueling opened her mouth, but couldn't find an excuse, so she could only shirk it to Qiao Dingye: "This is what my brother meant."

"Didn't Brother Ling just say that your heart is attached to him?"

Qiao Yueling's eyes flickered, and she muttered, "Who cares about him..."

Shi Yu turned to Qiao Dingye and said, "Chief Executive Qiao, do you think there is some misunderstanding? Although the elder brother is like a father, the younger sister is not an ordinary woman. How can marriage be forced?"

Qiao Dingye didn't know that his younger sister had said such a thing before, so he smiled a bit far-fetchedly: "Sister She is young, and she speaks without words. Please don't get me wrong, the girl's family is always duplicity. Zixuan is a trustworthy person, Qiao, and I can rest assured that I will Let my sister leave it to him, now it depends on what you want."

Shi Yu sighed heavily: "It's ashamed to say that I have no blood relationship with Wubai after all, and I haven't been included in the Jimo genealogy so far. This elder's name is unfair, how can he manage his marriage? The elder he talks about is probably It refers to the old patriarch of Runzhou."

Qiao Dingye frowned, not to mention that Runzhou is far away from here, and the old chief of the Jimo tribe is well known for his eccentric temper, so how can he make sense?
Shi Yu saw his expression, got up and walked to Qiao Yueling, took her hand and said softly: "For a good girl like Miss Qiao, it is her blessing to marry whoever she wants. Although I do I don't know, but if Miss Qiao is really infatuated, I will definitely explain it to Wu Bai for you."

Qiao Dingye immediately got up and cupped his hands to thank him, but Qiao Yueling was still a little unconvinced: "I'm not infatuated with him."

Shi Yu smiled and said nothing.

Jimo Wubai came back late, as soon as he entered the mansion, he heard about the visit of the Qiao brothers and sisters, he felt something bad in his heart, and immediately rushed to the study to meet Shi Yu.

Not long after walking along the corridor, I suddenly heard the pipa clanging and mourning in the back garden. When I got closer, I saw that the graceful back sitting in the pavilion was not Shi Yu.

He didn't want to disturb her, so he stood outside the booth for a long time, and only walked into the booth after she finished playing the song: "Auntie is very interested."

Shi Yu turned her head, the emotion deep in the music hadn't recovered yet, her expression was gloomy: "It's my nephew, don't get me wrong, just now Miss Qiao said she wanted to learn to play the pipa, I taught her some, she just Walk."

Jimo Wubai thought that their brothers and sisters had offended her, and asked, "I don't know why their brothers and sisters came here?"

Shi Yu got up and looked at him: "For your marriage with Miss Qiao."

"Me and Qiao Yueling?" Jimo Wubai thought he had heard it wrong, and suddenly laughed: "Qiao Yueling marrying me? The house must be demolished!"

Shi Yu looked serious: "But people are really infatuated with you, and even learned the pipa for you."

"Hahahahahaha... learn the pipa for me?" Jimo Wubai supported the pillar with one hand, and covered his stomach with the other: "I, I have never seen anyone so infatuated that he took a sword and slashed at his sweetheart. Besides, if she If you are so infatuated with me, you will go around saying that I have bad conduct?"

"This..." Shi Yu was speechless.

A servant passed by in the distance, Jimo Wubai quickly stopped laughing, straightened his posture, and suddenly thought of something: "Why do I feel that you seem to be a lobbyist today?"

Shi Yu snorted coldly: "You told Qiao Dahu that this matter must be decided by the elders. Besides me, who is your elder here?"

What she said really looked like an elder, Jimo Wubai looked away: "I never treat you as an elder in my heart."

Shi Yu's face was sullen: "Miss Qiao's family background and appearance, which one is not worthy of you?"

"I'm not worthy of her." Seeing her working so hard, Jimo Wubai's tone became cold, and he left without saying a word.

Shi Yu watched him walk away all the way, very angry, her chest heaved violently, until someone behind her gently supported her arm: "City Lord calm down."

She turned her head, and Qiao Yueling was standing beside her with her head down.

"Miss Qiao, don't be discouraged. Wubai just doesn't believe that you really love him. Alas, it's a pity that I have no place in his heart. You heard it too. He doesn't treat me as an elder at all, and what I say has no weight. "

Qiao Yueling's face was cold: "If he doesn't believe it, he doesn't believe it, and I don't care too much!"

Shi Yu patiently comforted him: "How can you be angry? You might as well tell him that you have made up your mind."

Qiao Yueling hesitated: "I... don't know how to speak."

"If you don't know how to speak, you have to speak. If you miss the opportunity, you will regret it." She held Qiao Yueling's hand: "That's all I can help you with."

Qiao Yueling was full of gratitude, and finally made up her mind: "Yes."

When Shaoqing returned home, Qiao Dingye had already received the news that Xi Yan invited Shi Yu to hold a banquet tonight, and the four of them gathered together, creating some opportunities for Jimo Wubai and Qiao Yueling.

Shi Yu was helpless, very embarrassed, but still ordered Suyuan to do it immediately.

Qiao Dingye had already learned about the dispute between Jimo Wubai and her from his younger sister, seeing that she was still able to help in such a way, he was naturally very grateful.

At night, when the full moon is in the sky, the whole city is illuminated majestically. Such a night makes people feel a lot more peaceful.

The side hall is slightly smaller, with four seats side by side, not far apart, and the distance is just right. Qiao Dingye is quite satisfied with this arrangement.

Jimo Wubai arrived late, with a water-green Confucian shirt loosely draped over his body, and his long hair scattered behind him. He walked into the hall with the night breeze, and the cool breath carried the laziness and wantonness of just waking up.

He bowed his hands to the Qiao brothers and sisters and sat down, and said with a smile at the first sentence: "Brother Qiao is so touched by Wubai, I am not in a hurry to get married, but you are so caring, my father and mother are alive in heaven." You'll be grateful too."

Qiao Dingye smiled mischievously: "Qiao is more than his parents, and he should be ashamed. Zixuan doesn't care about it." He raised his wine cup and raised his hand at him.

Qiao Yueling, who was sitting by the side, was not very happy. Everyone could hear the ridicule in Jimo Wu's vernacular, saying that they were troublesome!She suddenly felt that she had come to the door and turned her back.

Shi Yu sat next to Jimo Wubai, facing Qiao Dingye, the three of them looked clearly, thought for a while, and said to Jimo Wubai: "My nephew is old enough to start a family, Qiao Dadu is also a Good intentions, if you have any ideas, you may as well speak up."

Qiao Dingye glanced at her gratefully.

Jimo Wubai held the wine cup and thought carefully: "Then I won't hold back anymore. To tell you the truth, I like a woman with ingenuity. In the future, I will sit with her and draw leaves and fold flowers. Quite amusing."

Shi Yu couldn't help but glance at his side face.

Qiao Dingye looked at his younger sister, with a sad face on his face, his younger sister was good at wielding knives and guns, but when it comes to ingenuity, she really has nothing to do with it.

As a result, he didn't know where to start what he wanted to say, not to mention judging from the situation during the day, Jimo Wubai didn't even think about Qiao Yueling.

At the end of the banquet, the atmosphere in the hall was stagnant, and the four of them waited for each other to say goodbye and left.Qiao Yueling saw Shi Yu's encouraging eyes to her, and then looked at Jimo Wubai. Although there was no expression on her face, she had been fighting with swords and swords for a long time in her heart.

I was suffering from not being able to find a reasonable reason to be alone with Jimo Wubai, but I heard him say: "Didn't Ms. Qiao want to compete with me as soon as we met before? The moon is bright tonight, why don't you and I have a try?"

She nodded immediately.

The two went out one after the other, and Shi Yu smiled slightly at Qiao Dingye who was opposite: "I can only do this, Qiao Dahu forgive me."

Qiao Dingye looked at her eyes full of affection: "The kindness of the city lord, Qiao will always remember it in his heart."

"Qiao Duhu, you don't have to be polite." Shi Yu got up and went out first, as if she didn't see his expression at all.

It is true that Jimo Wubai and Qiao Yueling had a martial arts competition, and the sound of swords could be heard from far away in the back garden.

Shi Yu was leaning on the porch looking at the bright moon above her head, she was in a trance, when the sound of footsteps came from far and near.The person who came stood behind her, leaned slightly to approach, and drew a long shadow on the ground, overlapping with hers.

"Auntie still wants to admire the moon?"

Shi Yu didn't look back: "How did you compete?"

Jimo Wubai laughed softly: "Very good. I told her that whoever wins can ask the other party a question. As a result, I won, so I asked her if she really likes me."

Shi Yu tilted her head slightly: "Oh? Then?"

"She didn't answer at first, but when I asked again and again, she suddenly said angrily that there was absolutely nothing wrong with it, and walked away." Jimo Wubai said "Tsk", "Is this the sincerity that Auntie said?"

The corners of Shi Yu's lips were slightly raised. With Qiao Yueling's stubborn temperament, it is not surprising that this result would happen.

She wanted to step back to the room, but when she turned around, she was facing Jimo Wubai's chest, she couldn't help taking half a step back, and put her back against the pillar.

Jimo Wubai looked down at her, the moonlight was like water, her eyes were bright and kind.

"Does my aunt really want me to marry Mrs. Qiao?"

"Nonsense!" Shi Yu's tone was as soft as sweet glutinous, thick as pure wine: "You and I both know Qiao Dingye's plot, Mocheng is rich and prosperous, and it is included in the Anxi Protectorate. It is more of a cream, and it is another thing in front of the emperor. He has done so well, since he has made up his mind, he will not give up easily. Naturally, I don't want you to marry the Qiao family, but I just feel sorry for Miss Qiao's sincerity."

"You pity her sincerity, so who will pity me?"

"Naturally Miss Qiao loves you the most." Shi Yu gave him a sideways glance, pushed him away and left.

Jimo Wubai watched her go away, although thinking of the gazes and the situation around him, he reminded himself that he should wake up as soon as possible, but at this moment, he felt that she seemed to be jealous, and his heart was extremely happy.

Originally, when she was an irrelevant ice spring, how could she have thought that it would turn into a bowl of wine, and she would become drunk after drinking, but she was fascinated by it.

Just thinking of Qiao Dingye, the wine turned into vinegar again.

He held his chin and thought: How can we get this guy away?

(End of this chapter)