Brocade tears

As Meng Yi expected, on the afternoon of the fourth day, Jin Yiwei brought people to search Meng's house.The leader of the team was Wang Daoming, a thousand-household member of the Fusi Inspection Office in Nanzhen. He was also one of the Thirteen Taibaos and had some friendship with Meng Yi. This time he also gave Meng Yi some face.Although the home was turned upside down, the officers and soldiers were polite, and the items they found were not thrown away.Even so, the brothers Zhao, Meng Xu and Meng Kuang still managed to clean up. It was the first time Xiao Meng Ai saw this kind of battle, and she couldn't help being frightened, and followed her mother step by step, hiding behind her and not daring to come out.When asked where the third sister, Meng Qing, had gone, the whole family spoke in unison, only saying that she had a fever and was sent to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment.Wang Daoming didn't continue to ask any more questions, probably he had already grasped the situation.

Searching the house was fruitless, so Meng Yi was taken away by Nanya people for questioning, and he didn't come back alone until the next day, with a tired look on his face.But fortunately, this hurdle has passed, and the search direction of Nanya is no longer Meng Yi's place, and the eyeliner guarding around Meng's house was also withdrawn that day.

The cautious Meng Yi waited for another two days before repeating the old trick and taking Meng Qing and Sui'er back home from Lingji Palace.

In the past few days, Meng Qing and Sui'er, who were hidden in the Lingji Palace Medical Hall, were in a different situation.

I don't know whether it was because of the cold or because she was too haggard from being tortured in prison, but as soon as she arrived at the Lingji Palace Medical Center, Sui'er developed a high fever.This is really a wheat awn falling into the eye of a needle—a coincidence.Daoist Luo immediately checked her pulse—weak spleen and stomach, loss of qi and blood, malnutrition, coupled with being frightened by the cold, and overthinking, which caused fever, and urgently needed to regulate and replenish qi.

Daoist Luo is an old Taoist priest over fifty years old, his hair and beard are already grey, and his face is covered with weathered wrinkles.His hands and feet are sharp, his words and deeds are simple, and there is no trace of a quack Taoist showing off mysteries.He first prescribed a mild fever-reducing medicine for Sui'er, and after taking it, she was wrapped in a thick quilt and sweated all night, and the fever subsided the next day.But after this ordeal, Sui'er became weak, her cheeks were pale, her hands and feet were weak, and she couldn't even hold the soup bowl steadily. Meng Qing had to stay by her side to take care of her.

The medical center is not big, just three bays and one room.There are three rooms in the southeast and west. Luo Daochang sits in the south room with the door open along the street. The front hall is a consultation room, and the back hall is a consultation room. The medicines are all here; the west house is the kitchen and firewood room, and the north side is just the courtyard wall.Meng Qing and Sui'er really couldn't live in the front clinic and pharmacy because people came and went, so they just slept in the clinic room on the first night. After Sui'er's fever subsided, the two moved into the firewood room. Two beds were made with straw piles and mattresses, and the two of them lay in them.Meng Qing also had nothing to do, so she just took care of Sui'er.This little girl is also poor, she is confused from burning, muttering something in her mouth, but Meng Qing can't hear clearly.

Meng Qing was very worried about the situation at home. Fortunately, Daoist Luo also knew what she was thinking, so he deliberately sent a little Taoist priest to go to the vicinity of Meng's house to find out the news, and report it every half a day, so that Meng Qing could rest assured.

It wasn't until the second day that Sui'er became more conscious, her voice was still a little hoarse, and she was able to eat some porridge.She spoke very little and always looked sad. Meng Qing fed her more than half a bowl of porridge one spoon at a time, and she couldn't eat anymore.Meng Qing looked at the half bowl of porridge left in the bowl, she simply raised her neck and ate it all.

Sui'er looked at her in surprise, Meng Qing smiled and said: "Don't waste it, no one will eat it when you take it out, I'll forget it after eating." Sui'er saw that she licked up all the spoons she had swallowed I couldn't help but blushed, thinking that this person is really... not particular.

Pay attention... She suddenly smiled sadly, she also became a fastidious person at some point.During the years in Zhang's house, she was pampered. Once upon a time, she was like this Meng Sanniang, who cherished food so much, and was busy all day long to fill her stomach.

Meng Qing saw that there was an unresolved sadness in her brows, and she couldn't hold it back after all, and asked: "You are so young, why are you always frowning like a little old man, why are you so worried?" Thoughtful?"

Sui'er glanced at her, seemed a little unconvinced and said, "What a young age, I'm not much younger than you."

"Huh? When were you born?" Meng Qing asked her.

"In the first month of the sixth year of Longqing, I don't know the exact date. When my mother picked me up, I was still a baby who hadn't confinement." Sui'er said.

"Then you are more than three years younger than me. I was born on April [-], the second year of Longqing." Meng Qing smiled.

Sui'er bit her lip, a little unwilling.

"I see that you are so thin and small. It seems that you are about the same age as my little sister. It's only because you speak so maturely that I think you are older than her." Meng Qing said.

"It's not that I'm thin, it's that you are too tall. I haven't seen any woman who is as tall and strong as you." Sui'er said.

"Hey, people who practice martial arts, how can they do without a good physique, my body follows my father." Meng Qing said proudly.

Is this something to be proud of?Sui'er was speechless for a moment.The beauty of women that Daming advocates is delicate and delicate. Meng Qing is doing the opposite. Although the face is indeed very beautiful... But the physique is stronger than many men. It is estimated that no man would dare to marry such a strong man. Unless it is the Mongolian and Jurchens outside the Great Wall.

"My second brother and I are twins. When we came out of the mother's womb, my second brother was thinner and I was much stronger. My mother said that I robbed my second brother's food. He has never been in good health. Until now, he is not as big as he is. I haven't run past me, and I don't eat as much. In fact, my second brother gave me my height." Meng Qing bowed her head and said.

These words are simple and true, and Sui'er can't help but feel a little moved.

"What's your second brother's name?" she asked.

"Single name is a blank word."

"Kuang, Ming Ye. Kuang is like a valley, and it also has the meaning of being open-minded and open-minded. It's a good name." Sui'er said seriously.

Hearing what she said, Meng Qing didn't know what to answer for a moment.Sui'er speaks very elegantly, and her voice is as sweet and melodious as a spring of oasis.And Meng Qing grew up in the market, although she has read books, but she is not so particular about her speech on weekdays, and her words are full of classics.But she understands that Sui Er is comforting her, saying that the second brother is an open-minded person and won't care about these things with his sister.There was some warmth in her heart, she turned her head and smiled at Sui'er.

Meng Qing wanted to ask Sui'er exactly what she embroidered in Zhang's mansion, but thinking about it, Sui'er would definitely not tell, and it would be bad to ask, so she could only hold back.Thinking of Sui'er being homeless now, she couldn't help feeling pity.But Sui'er couldn't stay in Meng's house forever after all, and when the limelight passed, her father would still arrange to send her away.What should she do then?

"Do you have... any relatives or elders alive? Can they still take care of you?" She asked cautiously.

Sui'er was silent for a while, then shook her head, and said, "If there was, then I wouldn't be living on the streets of the county town, and later entered Zhang's residence."

Hearing her miserable words, Meng Qing felt extremely sympathetic in her heart.She looked at Sui Er and said:

"I said before that if you have nowhere to go, you will stay at my house. I... I mean it, but it doesn't count if I say it. I will try to talk to my father. If you really have nowhere to go, I will Father will properly arrange your future affairs."

Sui'er bit her lip, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't say it in the end.

"If you don't dislike me, I can be considered your elder sister. I am diligent and can take care of you." Meng Qing blushed as she spoke. She seldom said such nasty words and felt very ashamed. She lowered her head a little I don't dare to look at Sui'er.

Sui'er didn't respond, Meng Qing was in a panic, wondering if she would be abrupt, and seemed too frivolous and familiar.Unexpectedly, the corner of the clothes was pulled suddenly, and when she turned her head to look, Sui'er had already shed tears silently at some point.Meng Qing froze in place, not knowing how to respond.

"You... you can't... you shouldn't be so kind to me, I... am a disaster..." she said sobbing.

"Why... why do you say that about yourself?" Meng Qing's heart tugged, seeing her crying so sadly, a bitter taste spread in her heart.

"Wherever I go, people will die and accidents will happen..." She wept intermittently.

"Don't talk nonsense, how is that your fault?" Meng Qing leaned over, tried to wrap her arms around her shoulders, and wiped her tears with her sleeves.

Meng Qing's sudden approach made Sui'er realize her gaffe. She tried her best to control her emotions, sniffed, wiped away her tears, and finally showed a sour smile to Meng Qing, saying:

"Qing... sister, thank you, you are all very good people."

But I'm not worth it... she said inwardly.

……

Since Meng Qing and Sui Er returned home from the hospital, time flies, and three months have passed in the blink of an eye.Autumn goes to winter, and it is almost the end of the year.During this period of time, Sui'er has been living in the Meng family and has become a new member of the Meng family that no one knows about.

During the day, she would help Zhao and Meng Qing choose vegetables for cooking, do laundry and clean up, and do various housework.When she was free, she sat in the yard basking in the sun, while watching Meng Qing practice, while reading the book Meng Kuang lent her.Or accompany Meng Yan to play with the flower rope.If Meng Kuang encountered obstacles in his studies, he would go to her to discuss them. She could always explain Meng Kuang's doubts, so much so that Meng Kuang admired her very much.These days, Mr. Liang, Meng Kuang's teacher, has traveled far away and didn't come home, which is exactly what the Meng family wanted.

At night, Sui'er would occasionally accompany Mrs. Zhao to do some needlework. With her ingenuity and handiness, the quality of her embroidery was much better than Mrs. Zhao's.Zhao Shi did not accept this girl very much at first, but after a long time, he really treated her as his own daughter.Her own biological daughter, one is thick-handed and clumsy, and is not good at women;Sui'er is simply her ideal daughter, she always wants such a daughter who is ingenious, caring and warm in her dreams.

It's just that this child doesn't talk much, and his good-looking eyes are always full of melancholy.Although Meng Qing and Yan'er are often made to laugh, the smiles are always faint, and there is seldom any joy from the heart.Fortunately, after three months in Meng's house, she finally became clearer day by day, and gradually took on the appearance of an ordinary girl's house, and she was able to see her if she was angry or awkward, but she only had these emotions when she was facing Meng Qing.To Meng Kuang or Zhao Shi, she is more reserved and respectful.Maybe Meng Qing is a bit annoying these days, she always likes to play tricks on her and annoy her.Mrs. Zhao felt that it was good for her daughter to tease her like this. When the child was alone, he looked really lonely and desolate, which made people feel distressed.The most pitiful thing is that she can't go out, and she is bored in the small courtyard of the two entrances all day long, and it is inevitable that she will be depressed.With Meng Qing playing tricks by her side, it can also relieve boredom.

She has been sleeping in the West Room with Meng Qing and Meng Ai, but the Ba Bu bed was too crowded for three people to sleep in. Later, Meng Qing made a small wooden bed by herself and added it beside Ba Bu's bed.Originally, Meng Qing planned to let Sui'er and her sister sleep on the Babu bed, and sleep in the small bed by herself.But Meng Yan is used to sleeping with her sister, and the little girl can't sleep well without her sister by her side.So this small wooden bed was given to Sui'er to sleep on.On nights when she wasn't doing needlework, Sui'er became a primary school teacher, teaching Meng Yan to read and write, and would sit with Meng Qing to discuss the contents of the book.Her understanding of books is much deeper than Meng Qing's, and her understanding of the current political situation is even more extraordinary, so that Meng Qing learned many things from her that she did not understand before, and solved many doubts, which she had memorized in her mind The knowledge is also gradually mastered.Meng Yan always calls "Sister Xiaosui" one by one, and Sui'er also calls Meng Qing "Sister Qing" and Meng Yan "Xiao Yan". The three girls are always together, and the relationship is getting better and better. Mrs. Zhao was both happy and worried when she saw it.

Meng Yi seldom went home during this time, he was busy all day long and stayed in Fusi of Beizhen.Firstly, after Nanya ruled out his suspicion, Beisi called him back to participate in the city-wide search.The second is that he is also investigating Li Laosan's suicide in private.Because something happened to such a heavily guarded imperial prison, the defense of Miyagi city suddenly became tense. The eldest brother Meng Xu, who had been taking a rest on duty, was temporarily called back. The defense of Miyagi city was doubled, and the whole city was in a state of tension. middle.

Martial law was imposed throughout the city, and Dazhao failed for three months.Seeing that the new year was approaching, the superiors seemed to guess that the bandits who took the criminals might have left the capital long ago, so they finally lifted the ban on the whole city.The next day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Meng Yi and Meng Xu finally returned home for a family reunion.

It was freezing cold, and the clouds were overcast overhead, and it was going to snow.Mrs. Zhao and Sui'er rushed to make new clothes for the whole family. Meng Yi and Meng Xu came home and happened to try them on.Wen'er was very happy, her small mouth seemed to be smeared with honey, which made her parents, brothers and sisters very happy.Sui'er was wearing Meng Qing's old padded jacket, and quietly huddled in a corner, not wanting to disturb the reunion of the Meng family.But she never thought that Mrs. Zhao would drag her out, find out a bundle from somewhere, and take out a whole new set of jackets and skirts, rose red jackets, light green thick skirts, decorated with beautiful plum blossom patterns, and let her try them on.Sui'er's nose was sore, she laughed and cried.

The family had a happy reunion dinner. On the morning of the [-]th, Meng Yi and his eldest son Meng Xu called the whole family to announce a decision.

"Tomorrow is the [-]th, and the city gate will be changed. Xu'er and I will catch the earliest opportunity to open the city gate tomorrow and send Sui'er out of the city."

"How could it be so sudden?" Meng Qing was the first to panic, while Sui'er was stunned, her face pale.

"The opportunity to change defense is rare. Right now, the whole city has just lifted the ban. It coincides with the change of defense. It is the end of the new year, officials from all over the country come to Beijing to report on their duties, and foreign envoys come to Beijing to pay tribute. People's hearts are floating and the flow of people is complicated. Sending Sui'er out is the best time. If you delay For a period of time, she will not be able to leave." The elder brother Meng Xu explained.

"But...but where are you taking her?" Meng Qing asked.

"Go to Liaodong." Meng Yi only answered these three words, and then he was unwilling to say anything.No matter how Meng Qing asked, he didn't answer.In the end, it was Meng Xu who comforted Meng Qing and said:

"Qing'er, don't worry. Dad has an old comrade-in-arms who is now in Liaodong. His family is rich and he has no children. He is willing to adopt Sui'er. Sui'er will have a good life there."

If this is the reason, why didn't dad say it?Meng Qing didn't believe it.

This night was really difficult, Meng Qing didn't want to send Sui'er away, she had a conflict with her father for the first time, she was slapped across the face, Gu Zi huddled in the room alone, and shed tears of grievance and sadness.Seeing her sister crying, Wan'er started to cry too, the more she cried, the sadder she became, and she didn't want sister Xiaosui to leave.Poor Sui'er was helpless and didn't know how to comfort the two sisters. The three girls wept in the house.

Meng Yi locked himself in the front hall, facing a map of Ming Dynasty alone, without seeing anyone.Zhao and Meng Kuang wanted to find out where they were going to send them, but they were finally stopped by Meng Xu.Meng Xu only said that his father was also very bored, so please don't ask any more questions.Zhao and Meng Kuang tried hard to persuade them to stay for the New Year anyway.Once they leave, how will they live this year?But Meng Yi has made up his mind to go, and no one can change it.In order to appease his mother and younger brother, Meng Xu lost his lips, and only said that he would go and come back soon, and he would return after the new year.

On the second day, the snow fell.After packing up their simple bags, a group of three embarked on the journey amidst the numerous snowflakes.She couldn't wear the new clothes Mrs. Zhao made for Sui'er either. She just wrapped them in her bundle and carried them on her body. She wore Meng Kuang's jacket and disguised herself as a man.When parting at dawn, Meng Qing gave Sui'er the Jade Buddha that she had worn next to her body for many years, and Sui'er gave her a purse embroidered with wild geese.

Please don't worry about the road ahead, the geese have their own time to return.

In the following years, Meng Qing dreamed back at midnight, regretting countless times that she made a fuss in the morning and never went to see them off.

This farewell has become an eternal farewell.