The three left the north house. Xiao Qiao was a little behind, with Wei Shao walking alongside his mother Zhu Shi. At the fork in the road, Wei Shao stopped, and Xiao Qiao walked up.

"Go back to your room. I can take my mother back to the room."

He didn't look at Xiao Qiao, and after saying a word, he walked towards the road in the east house.

Xiao Qiao stood at the fork in the road, watched him go with his mother's back, silently turned around, and returned to the Westinghouse by himself.

"How could his house burn down so well?"

On the way, Mrs. Zhu began to complain, "You cousin, I feel bad when I see him! I don't know how long I'll be here now!"

Wei Shao looked straight ahead with his eyes indifferent and did not respond.

Seeing that his son seemed to be absent-minded, Mrs. Zhu turned around and saw that the servants and maids who followed behind were separated by some distance, and gritted her teeth and said, "It's not me who won't let him. It's just that since he was a child, when I saw his eyes, I felt in my heart. Fayu. He is going to fight with you for this Wei family thing! I saw that you have a good relationship with him, but I was only worried in the past. If something really happened, it would be too late to regret it!"

Wei Shao glanced at Zhu Shi, but still didn't say a word. He quickly escorted Mrs. Zhu to the door of the East House, stopped and said, "My son has sent his mother here. There is still business outside, so let's go first."

"Wait!" Seeing that his son didn't seem to listen, Zhu Shi was unwilling and really anxious.

She hides a secret from nearly thirty years ago in her heart. She had just married into the Wei family at that time. Perhaps only she and Mrs. Xu knew this secret now. This unspeakable secret, she has been hiding it for decades.

With her character, hiding is really hard. Whenever she wanted to say it to her son, as long as she thought of Madam Xu's single eye that looked at her coldly, she would unconsciously get cold from the bottom of her heart, and then swallow the words that came to her mouth. go back.

Wei Shao stopped and looked back at Zhu Shi.

Zhu shi opened his mouth, but finally swallowed it back, and forced a smile: "It's okay. You go. It's better to be tired, come back early. If you want to eat the food I made, it's okay if you don't want to come to me, send someone Come on, I'm ready for someone to send you to the Westinghouse."

Wei Shao paused for a while, then nodded and said, "Trouble my mother. Come in, mother."

Zhu Shi responded, and was surrounded by the servants who came up behind him and went inside.

…

Wei Shao left the Wei family and went straight to the government office. Gongsun Yang, Li Dian, Wei Liang and others were already waiting for him.

A few days ago, I got news that Yuan Zhe from Qingzhou sent an envoy, who arrived today. Although they haven't met yet, it is inferred that it has something to do with Xing Xun's battle in Sishui at this time. After the negotiation, Wei Liang went out of the city to meet him. At noon, Yuan Zhe's younger brother, Yuan Dai, entered the city.

Wei Shao held a banquet at the government office to welcome the wind.

If the feudal lords in the world today are divided into regions, there are only three lords with strong military and strong reputations: the Northern Wei Shao, the Hanzhong Yuezhenggong, and the central region, there is Shandong Yuanzhe.

To put it bluntly, if there is no accident in today's big game of competing in the world, those who have the strength to kill the lords and seize the jade seal of the country will be among these few people.

The rest of the people waited, just sing along.

Yuan Zhe has been operating for several generations, and he has long been willing to look at the world. Xing Xun changed his position as the Young Emperor a few months ago. He felt that the time had come, and he couldn't hold back. He teamed up with Guangping, Liu Kai and others to send troops to Luoyang.

But since Xing Xun can get to the point of today's "Father of the Nation", he is naturally not a vegetarian. Originally strong, the two sides fought in the Sishui area, and each other was victorious. Now they are facing each other across the water.

Xing Xun, in the name of Emperor Han, scolded Yuan Zhe for blatantly inciting troops and rebelling, and called on the world to attack him. Yuan Zhe scolded Xing Xun for coercing the emperor to make the princes, intending to usurp the throne, and called on the princes to join him as a diligent king. The two scolded each other happily. Cursing and cursing, Yuan Zhe thought of Wei Shao, so he sent his younger brother Yuan Dai to Yuyang, and said in the tone of an elder, "Uncle, I was kind to your father Wei Jing back then, but now that his father is gone, this favor is yours. Son wants it. Uncle, I'm fighting with Xing Xun, you have to come and fight with me.

When Yuan Zhe and Wei Jing were both in Luoyang as the generals of Zhonglang, one time Wei Jing took several people out of Beijing. When passing by Zhongmu, he encountered a group of thieves of dozens of people. It happened that Yuan Zhe passed by, and the two killed them together. A thief.

Although this is true, Yuan Zhe leaned on the old to sell the old, and Yuan Dai followed suit, seemingly wanting to establish a dignified posture in front of Wei Shao, the new northern hegemon. On the spot, Wei Liang, who was opposite him, glared angrily, raised his foot and kicked the wine case in front of him with a "crash", and the wine and meat overturned on the ground. Wei Liangji walked up to Yuan Dai, pointed his sword to his nose, and scolded: "The kindness of Zhongmu, the former lord has already repaid it! The lord saw you came from a long way, and did not forget the old relationship between the two families. Today, I was sick and personally set it up. The banquet is in the air. Where do you have the face, dare to speak nonsense in front of my lord!"

Behind Yuan Dai stood Yuan Zhegan'er Ding Qu, who was traveling with him. He was known for his fierceness. Seeing this, he hurriedly drew his sword and shouted, "Ding Qu is here, who dares to be rude?"

Wei Liang sneered, and with a whistling sound, dozens of warriors swarmed into the door, surrounded Yuan Dai and Ding Qu in an instant, with sharp swords and murderous aura.

After the Wei family's accident ten years ago, Yuan Zhe originally thought that the Wei family was in a state of collapse, but he didn't take it seriously. A few years later, Wei Shao was in charge of the army, and Yuan Zhe heard that he was only seventeen years old, and he laughed at that time. Unexpectedly, after only a few years of work, Wei Shao's power has soared. He first swallowed Jizhou, and not long ago he destroyed Chen Xiang and won Bingzhou. Not only did he actually unify the north, but his prestige also surpassed his own. Only then did Yuan Zhe panic, and he regretted that he had not been completely cut off when he was still young. This is also one of the reasons why he is so anxious to replace Xingxun with his demise this time. When the plan was blocked, he came up with this plan to hold Wei Shao with the kindness of his superiors.

If Wei Shao obeyed, he would all come to help the battle, and the rest of the princes would naturally follow suit, so he would be the leader of the alliance. If Wei Shao did not comply, the Wei family would be fortunate and ungrateful. That's why Yuan Dai was sent here.

Yuan Dai originally just wanted to rely on the old and sell the old, and he just wanted to get ahead of this young up-and-coming star. Before he arrived at the feast first, Wei Liang turned his face and refused to recognize him.

This is Wei Shao's territory. If he really wants to kill, even ten Ding Qu can't keep him. He can't help but tremble with fear and regret, and look at Wei Shao. Seeing him sitting in front of Nan Xun, he seemed to be out of the way, and hurriedly said: "Jun Hou Mingjian! I came here to have a friendship on my brother's order, and what I said was only my brother's words. If Yan Hou has any objection, I can go back on my behalf. Biography. The two countries are at war without hurting the envoy. What is the reason for the generals to fight with swords and anger?"

Wei Shao looked gloomy and remained motionless.

There were at least twenty or thirty people in the hall, but at the moment it was dead silent. Yuan Dai's forehead slowly rolled down with cold sweat, but he didn't even dare to lift his sleeves to wipe it, for fear that one movement would lead to death.

For a moment, Wei Shao flicked his hands. Only then did Wei Liang withdraw his sword. With the sound of armor rubbing against each other, the soldiers retreated one after another. Another person bent over and came in, and quickly replaced the disabled case in front of Wei Liang who had just been kicked over. The rest were chatting and laughing, as if nothing had happened.

Yuan Dai's heart was still pounding, and he glanced at Wei Shao, who was still in the middle with a calm expression, and slowly let out a sigh of relief.

Gongsun Yang then slowly said: "Yuan Shijun does not know something, my lord seems to have a large number of troops now, but in fact the barracks in Jizhou and Bingzhou are empty. It’s just that I can’t open my mouth. Now that Shijun has come from a long way to open his mouth, the two have old friends, and the lord can’t resign from the responsibility of helping. When the army is gathered, he will send troops to help as soon as possible.”

Yuan Dai no longer dared to show any hesitation, and kept nodding his head in thanks.

Gongsun Yang said with a smile: "It's a coincidence that you have come here. In two days, we will be the Luli Conference in Youzhou. If you have time, you can come and watch."

…

Yuan Dai and his party were sent to the post house without mentioning it. In the evening, Wei Shao returned to Wei Mansion, and when he entered the door, he learned that Wei Yan had returned from Dai County in the afternoon and had been called in by Mrs. Xu.

Wei Shao didn't say a word and went straight into the Westinghouse. There were only three or two maids in the courtyard, and when they saw him returning, they all bowed. Wei Shao went to the main room, walked up the steps to the door, hesitated for a while, pushed the door and entered, but Xiao Qiao was not seen in the room, so he turned his head and asked. A maid said, "The cat just disappeared, and the lady was afraid that it would be lost, so she went to look for it in person. Chun Er and the others also went, let us look at the house."

Wei Shao frowned. Standing at the foot of the steps, after hesitating for a moment, he lifted his feet and strode out. Going forward along the corridor, I walked to a corner leading to the gate of the North House. I saw from a distance the courtyard wall in front of me, and there was a faint crimson silhouette next to the Begonia branch. It was Xiao Qiao. A few servants and maids stood beside her, all of them looking up at the top of the flower wall.

The cat was squatting high on the wall, and he didn't know how it got up.

The maids were chattering, some said they would pick them up with bamboo poles, some said they would use a ladder to climb up and hold them.

Wei Shao was about to pass by when his footsteps suddenly stopped.

He saw Wei Yan was coming out of the north room and walking towards the wall.

A maid next to Xiao Qiao saw him first, ran up, and said a few words to the cat squatting on the top of the flower wall. Wei Yan glanced at Xiao Qiao, and immediately walked over quickly. After coming under the flower wall, he looked up at the top of the wall, took a few steps back, and then ran two steps forward. Like a gecko, it climbed up to the top of the zhang-high wall in one move, reached out to catch the cat, and then jumped down from the top of the wall and landed steadily.

Wei Yan had a slight smile on his face, glanced at Xiao Qiao, paused, and then walked towards her with the cat in his arms.

Xiao Qiao hurried up to meet him. When Wei Yan stretched out his hand to pass it to her, the cat was frightened just now, and suddenly a paw was scratched out. Wei Yan was caught off guard and scratched on the back of his hand, and immediately there were several long bloodstains. The cat also jumped out of Wei Yan's hands and jumped to the ground. The servants and maids nearby hurriedly chased after it for fear that it would run away again.

Although the cat is underage, the hooks that stick out are unusually sharp. I saw it very tame a few days ago, and Xiao Qiao didn't even think about cutting off its claws. Never thought that Wei Yan would be hurt at this moment. Seeing a few drops of blood oozing out from the wound on the back of his hand, he felt a little sorry, so he hurriedly thanked him and apologized.

"How? Can you call someone to bandage it?"

Wei Yan smiled and said: "It's okay, it's just a small wound, why bother with the teachers." He shook his hand.

Xiao Qiao apologized to him again.

At this moment, Wei Shao suddenly appeared from behind and strode over here.

Xiao Qiao also saw Wei Shao. Seeing that he finally stopped beside him, his eyes fell on Wei Yan's hand. He hurriedly recounted how Wei Yan climbed up to catch the cat for him, and said apologetically: "It's all my fault. I didn't take good care of cats, and I hurt my uncle and hurt his hand."

Wei Shao smiled slightly, looked at Wei Yan, looked at him for a moment, and then said warmly: "Elder brother Lao. I caught a cat and gave it to Manman to play with her. I'll cause your hand to be caught. I Also on behalf of Manman, make a good compensation to the eldest brother."

Wei Yan's mood suddenly became a little restless.

If it is said that just a moment ago, his heart was faintly happy because he got this accidental and precious opportunity to speak with Qiao Nv up close, and even got her gratitude. Seeing his younger brother's appearance, meeting his eyes and looking at him, listening to him apologize to him for his wife with a very affectionate address, the original secretly happy feelings quickly faded from his heart. In the end, it twisted into a messy mass with a little astringency and melancholy.

His mood also became restless.

It's a keen intuition. cannot be described in words. But at this moment, he really felt it.

His younger brother Wei Shao, he is a little different from usual.

In Wei Yan's mind, at this moment, suddenly and quickly flashed through the day when he came back and learned that the house was on fire.

At that time, when he came back and saw that the scorched eyes were all over the place, and the wall that had hidden the most unspeakable secret in his heart also fell to the ground with the fire, his first feeling was actually a sigh of relief.

It was as if he had a carbuncle that could kill him. He himself could not cut it. Now the ulcer has been cut off.

He even thanked the fire that came a little suddenly and left him unprepared before.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt that the fire was a little strange.

Wei Yan's heart beat faster. A layer of cold sweat quickly broke out from his palms.

He stared at Wei Shao, and after a while, he finally smiled and said, "It's a small matter. Second brother, don't be polite."

Wei Shao smiled, nodded slightly at him, then turned to look at Xiao Qiao, and said softly, "Let's go, it's time for us to go back to our room."

Xiao Qiao was stunned.

Wei Shao would call her by her nickname in the room, such as on the bed, when he was in love with her.

But when she got out of bed, she never heard him call herself by her nickname.

At this moment, it suddenly came out of his mouth inexplicably, and he said it to Wei Yan.

Forget it, the quick change in his attitude caught her off guard.

What happened to make him suddenly become a gentle lover again?

Such Wei Shao, not only did not move her, on the contrary, it made her feel strangely strange.

Even a little creepy.

Wei Shao shouldn't be like this, even when they were closest to each other before.

Xiao Qiao suppressed the uncomfortable feeling in her heart, met his gentle eyes watching her, smiled at him, and followed him away.

…

Wei Yan stood on the spot, watching Wei Shao and her pair of backs receding side by side until they disappeared from sight.

In front of me, the branches and leaves of the half-tree begonia swayed gently in the wind, making a slight rustling sound.

Wei Yan squeezed his fist slowly.

The wounds on the back of the hand that were scratched by the cat suddenly seemed to sting.