The Law of the Silent Gentleman

Antoine explained without tears: "You misunderstood Miss Constanzia! It's not that I want to go! Yes, Enzo told me to go..."

"Stop doing this! Do you think I'm stupid? Get lost!"

"Listen to me, I really don't want to go..."

Ms. Theodora glared at the student: "Okay, don't shout loudly, what about your etiquette?"

"Teacher, tell me too! Antoine is actually going to a brothel! Why is he doing this!"

"Vanessa is an open city, and prostitution is not illegal. Besides, Antoine is an adult. Can you control what he wants to do?"

Antoine was dumbfounded. "No, no, Ms. Theodora! I'm glad you spoke for me, but it's not what you imagined! You'd better stop talking, the more you talk, the worse it will be!"

Constanzia moved to the teacher, folded her arms and stared out of the window, refusing to speak to Antoine any more. The young swordsman just wanted to jump off the carriage immediately, and fell to his death in the street.

"It's really not...I didn't know it was a brothel..." He wept bitterly, "Enzo asked me to meet him there, how could I have thought...Miss Constanzia, please believe me!"

"Humph!"

"So, Mr. Enzo and Giuliano have also come to Vanessa?" Ms. Theodora asked.

"That's right! I went first, and they arrived later, so Enzo told me to go to the 'Flower Spring' first, I...I didn't expect..."

Theodora twisted her fingers thoughtfully: "They're here, they've come to Vanessa..."

"What's wrong?" Antoine looked at the female scholar anxiously. Did she know Giuliano's identity? Judging from Antoine's understanding of Theodora's character when they got along in the past, the female scholar is very upright, and she is definitely not the kind of person who harbors criminals for the sake of friendship. If she knew that Giuliano was a wanted criminal, would she report directly to him? official?

"...It's nothing, I just feel incredible that there is such a coincidence in the world. How about it, Antoine, it's not convenient for us two girls to go to 'that kind of place', so let's go back to the hotel where we are staying, and then let the coachman take you How about going to the destination?"

"Of course, thank you!"

"You're welcome, you should help each other when you're away from home." After speaking, Theodora fell into deep thought again. Antoine is not a scholar, so of course he doesn't know what scholars are thinking about. It must be some profound and difficult academic problems. I heard that scholars often fall into a state of detachment when thinking, and if they interrupt rashly at this time, all their hard-won ideas will disappear. Antoine dared not risk disturbing Theodora, and Constantia refused to speak to him, so he hung his head and played with his fingers to pass the time. The atmosphere in the carriage was extremely awkward for a moment.

After several centuries, the carriage finally stopped. Antoine looked out the window gratefully, and saw that they were parked in front of an elegant hotel. The name of the hotel is "Bronze Carp", and there is a brass carp standing on the signboard.

Antoine opened the door and got out of the car, and extended his hand to the two ladies in the car in a gentlemanly manner. Theodora accepted his offer without changing his expression, but Constantia ignored him, shook off his hand, and jumped to the ground herself, as if there was something dirty in his hand.

The coachman asked Theodora courteously: "What else do you want? Shall I take this gentleman...to 'that place'?" He couldn't just say "to the brothel".

Theodora nodded: "Send him there. Tomorrow we are going to the observatory, so remember to come early."

"Yes, yes, my honorable lady." The coachman nodded and bowed.

Theodora turned around and wanted to leave, but suddenly remembered something, and turned to Antoine and said, "By the way, your poet friend also lives in this hotel, would you like to come in and sit down?"

"Poet friend? You mean Lexi?" Antoine was surprised. "He's here too? Isn't he in Zanodia?"

"We were going to come to Vanessa first, and he wanted to come after hearing about it, so we walked together. I guess you definitely want to see him. You shouldn't be in a hurry, right?"

"No rush, no hurry!"

Constantia stomped her feet angrily: "Teacher, why did you let him in! Tell him to get out!"

Theodora looked at her reproachfully. Constantia let out a "hum", turned her head and rushed into the hotel, and soon disappeared. Antoine wanted to catch up with her, but he couldn't leave Theodora alone, so he could only stay where he was, not knowing whether to go or stay.

The female scholar sighed: "Don't blame her, she always behaves like a child, which is a headache."

Antoine scratched his head: "I made her misunderstand, I... I will definitely find a chance to clarify."

"Oh, don't talk about it, it's windy outside, come in."

She led Antoine into the Copper Carp Inn. As soon as you enter the door, the crisp harp comes to your ears. There were a few tables of guests scattered in the hotel lobby. Well-dressed waiters walked among the tables carrying glasses and trays. It seems that the grade of this hotel is not low, and it is suitable for the status of scholars. In the corner of the hall, a man in white clothes and white hair was playing the piano.

Antoine's eyes lit up, and he grinned involuntarily. It was indeed Leixi. He was exactly the same as when we parted, still floating like that. The only difference is that the instrument in his hand has been replaced by a harp. His lute had been broken at the masquerade.

The young swordsman took a few steps towards Lei Xi's direction, but Theodora grabbed his arm from behind and made a silent gesture. Antoine looked around and found that the guests were all silent, intoxicated by the beautiful music. He almost interrupted the poet's performance rudely, disturbing the beautiful atmosphere. He scratched his head in embarrassment, and sat down at a table with Theodora. The waiter came over and asked them what they wanted to order, and Theodora shook her hand, saying, "I'll talk about it later."

When the poet's song was over, there was warm applause in the hall. Lei Xi got up and bowed to everyone, handed the harp to a waiter next to him, and then walked into a small door behind him. Antoine has been with the bard for a long time, and he has heard about many industry customs and regulations of the Yord city-states. In Vanessa, artists cannot speak privately to the audience immediately after the performance, otherwise it will be regarded as vulgar and rude. They must "exit" first, that is, leave the performance room, or enter the pre-set up curtain, and then come out, indicating that they have removed their identity as performers and become ordinary people, so that they can communicate with their relatives and friends in the audience. A narrative.

After a while, Leixi came out from the door and walked straight to Antoine. Antoine jumped up, grabbed Lexi's shoulders excitedly, and gave him a big hug. The bard seemed unaccustomed to such enthusiasm, he hesitated before patting Antoine on the back.

"I didn't expect that we would meet again here!" Antoine was ecstatic.

"I can't think of it either. I thought we would never see each other once Xanodia left."

"Why did you go with Lady Theodora?"

Rexi brushed his white hair and sat down at the table: "Zanodia really has nothing to treat. After Fernando Infonçon was exiled, the political circles of Zenodia were in turmoil, and Hean Suweita was busy taking office. , nobles big and small are fighting each other, and various factions are fighting each other. I originally planned to find a benefactor to spend the winter, but I was afraid of being involved in a political storm. It happened that Ms. Theodora and Ms. Constantia were coming to Vatican for their academic relationship Nessa, I think it's safer for everyone to go together, and we can rely on each other, so I came with them."

He stared at Antoine: "What about you? What adventures did you have at sea?"

"Uh... this... it's a long story..."

They had many adventures at sea, and Antoine was not as eloquent as a bard. It would take a long time to explain the ins and outs of things clearly. What's more, their "adventure at sea" also involves Amandina, the witch of the lake, and Darion, the ancient emperor. They promised not to tell the story of Darien's tomb, but Antoine was not good at lying and making up stories, so he could only vaguely say: "After we left Xenodia...we met pirates, they came to Robbers."

"Fernando Infançon was kidnapped?" Theodora asked in surprise.

"Yeah. He was in collusion with the pirates. Almost all the people on the **** ship were dead, only me, Enzo and Giuliano were captured. I offered to fight the pirate leader and let us go if I won. Pirates The boss is a man of loyalty, he didn't regret it after losing, and let us go without hesitation."

"That's why you came to Vanessa? That pirate is also bold, isn't he afraid of you reporting to the authorities?"

"There's been a lot of things about this... that... pirates, so I probably won't be afraid of another crime..."

Antoine broke into a cold sweat in panic. If Theodora presses any further, he will have to give away. Why isn't Enzo here? He is good at eloquence, and he can definitely tell the story without leaking, not only does not reveal the secret, but also makes others believe it. Well, after all he shouldn't have been in this hotel! Anyway, since Leixi lives here, I will find a chance to come with Enzo and Giuliano in the future! It's good now, I'm in a cocoon, I'm in a dilemma!

"Several guests, would you like something to order?"

The hotel clerk came to ask just in time. Antoine, as if he had been pardoned, was moved and took the waiter's hand and shook it violently. The waiter didn't know what to do.

"Thank you! Thank you! It's such a coincidence that you came to... er, I mean, what a coincidence that we are all reunited today. It deserves a good celebration. Get us a nice bottle of wine and I'll pay the bill!"

"Yes, sir." The waiter bowed and stepped back.

Theodora looked at Antoine hesitantly. The young swordsman forced a smile and asked, "What's wrong?"

"...Aren't you still going to meet Enzo and the others? Although our reunion is indeed a happy event worth celebrating, will it delay your schedule?"

"It's okay! Just have a drink, it won't take much time! There's still time to go on the road after drinking!"

The waiter quickly brought out a bottle of amber wine and filled it up for the three of them. The smell of wine was so strong that Antoine became drunk just by smelling it. In fact, he is not very good at drinking, but in this situation, he can only bite the bullet and drink down.

"Isn't Miss Constanzia coming?" asked Reich.

Theodora smiled bitterly: "She is angry with Antoine."

"I'll go to Miss Constantia alone some other day and apologize to her. Let's have a drink first!"

Under Antoine's greeting, the three toasted together.

"I wish you all good health!" Antoine couldn't help shouting a few toasting formulas, "To the wise lady Theodora! To the bard Lei Xi!"

"To you too, brave Antoine." Theodora clinked glasses with him.

"Respect the fate that led us to meet again." Rexi said with a smile.

The three drank it all in one gulp.

The spirits poured into Antoine's throat, like a fire dragon jumping into his stomach, and then into his cranial cavity, spewing fire at his brain. Antoine put down the empty glass, with tears from the corners of his eyes, and asked the waiter, "What the **** kind of wine is this?"

"The cellar in 1951 is a local specialty wine called 'Dragon's Breath'. What do you think?" The waiter looked like he was waiting for Antoine to praise the wine.

Antoine gave a thumbs up: "The wine lives up to its name."

"Yes, guest, this wine is-ah! What's wrong with you?! Guest, are you okay?! Are you okay?!"

Antoine slid off the chair and fell to the ground with a "plop".

Theodora and Leixi were dumbfounded.

"Just one cup, it's too undrinkable...?" The female scholar couldn't believe it, "Is he like this before?"

"I remember he used to be able to drink some mead or beer..."

"First, take him away first!"

"Just carry it to my room." Leixi said to the waiter. The surrounding guests cast puzzled looks at them. In order not to cause a greater commotion, the waiters quickly lifted Antoine and transported him to the guest room.

"Would you like to call a doctor?" Theodora was quite uneasy. "By the way, Antoine still has to go to Enzo and the others. What should we do now?"

"Where are they going to meet? I can go first and tell them that Antoine is drunk and can't make it for a while."

"It would be great if you could take a trip! Their meeting place is 'Flower Spring', and you can go there in the carriage we hired."

Leixi nodded: "Then I will take a step first."

He meets Constantia at the door of the guest room. She happened to live next door and came out to have a look when she heard the commotion outside the door.

"what happens?"

"Antoine was drunk."

"What!" Constanzia rushed into Rexi's room and pushed Antoine, who was unconscious. The latter didn't respond at all, and she turned to Theodora angrily, "He's a poor drinker! Why don't you look at him and tell him to drink less!"

Theodora felt very wronged. "How did I know this kind of thing, I drank the same kind of wine, and Leixi and I were fine, but he just poured it in one glass."

Antoine, who was drowsy, suddenly mumbled a word indistinctly. Constanzia moved closer to him and listened attentively.

"what did he say?"

"He said..." Constanzia looked at the teacher with a complicated expression, "Pheasant chicken floss buns are delicious."