hell in disguise

In the summer, Bianliang Street is crowded with horses and horses, and the roads on both sides are crowded with stalls, and there is no place to stop.A carriage full of green vegetables passed by, splashing the mud accumulated by the rain not long ago, and it happened to splash on the Taoist robe that Tan Yangzi had just put on in Liuzhou thatched cottage.Tan Yangzi's eyes were full of anger, he stared at the car going away, and looked down at the hem of his clothes with some helplessness.Yan Fei knew that Master loved cleanliness the most, so he happened to see a cloakroom shop nearby, so he pulled Tan Yangzi and said, "Master! It just so happens that you haven't bought new clothes for a while, and summer clothes are too old. Go buy a new one!"

Tan Yangzi immediately shook his head and refused, "Why waste money, it's just dirty."

"Master, when I went back, I saw that there was a little more money in the cabinet where we put the money. After counting the days, it is probably time to pay wages, and it is half more than before. That half must be my wages! I The first salary you earn, of course, is to spend it for Master!"

Qinghong Wuchang's wages can be settled with Fengdu money, or with human money.At the beginning, Tan Yangzi chose to exchange most of his wages for human money, so that it could be used by Yan Fei.There is a cabinet in their hut with a magic circle connected to Fengdu. At the beginning of each month, the punishment department will distribute wages to the magic circle uniformly for Wuchang to collect.

Yan Fei couldn't help saying that he must drag Tan Yangzi into the store, but Tan Yangzi was half pushed and half pulled in.As soon as he entered the door, a shopkeeper in a long gown greeted him, "What do you two want to see?"

Tan Yangzi looked around uncomfortably, he had never gone shopping, even for clothes, he used old clothes to change casually, or went to some gymnasiums to get them with the documents he had in Zishang Mountain. Some robes.This kind of worldly cloakroom is as strange to him as the way of heaven.Maybe Yan Fei came here before, and he once gave him some money to buy what he needed.But Yan Fei has always been very frugal, if it wasn't for the old clothes that couldn't be passed on, he wouldn't use the money Tan Yangzi gave him.

But this time, Yan Fei looked around like an old man, with his index finger curled up on his chin, walking back and forth in front of the most conspicuous long gowns hanging in the shop.Seeing the two of them wearing shabby clothes but walking in front of the most expensive clothes, the shopkeeper couldn't help looking down upon them, but still with a smile on his face, he picked up a much cheaper coarse cloth gown and said, "If it's you wearing it, This one is also good, the size is just right, and the material is comfortable."

Yan Fei glanced at it, waved his hands and said, "I bought it for my master, and it's too shabby. I think this one is okay." He said, pointing to the green one on the shelf in front of him. Blue caged silk silk baoxiang flower dark pattern robe.

The shopkeeper immediately said with a dry smile, "This one is good, but the price is a bit..."

Yan Fei said, "How much?"

"Two taels of silver."

Tan Yangzi's expression changed upon hearing this, and he said, "Yan Fei, let's go."

Unexpectedly, Yan Fei took out two pieces of broken silver from his sleeve without changing his face and heartbeat, "Go and weigh it to see if it is two taels."

"Yan Fei! What are you doing!" Tan Yangzi came up to take the money away, but Yan Fei deftly dodged and put the money directly into the hands of the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper was surprised when he saw it.Unexpectedly, although the red dress on this young man looked ordinary, he was quite wealthy.He was a little embarrassed, so he had to weigh the money with a smile, and said, "No need to weigh it, it's two taels, maybe a little more." He hurriedly shouted for work, telling them to wrap up the clothes quickly.Unexpectedly, Yan Fei said instead, "What's the hurry? My master hasn't tried it yet. Besides, I can't just wear the outer robe, I have to buy a long gown. There is also a belt."

"Yan Fei, are you crazy?" Tan Yangzi widened his eyes.

Yan Fei smiled and looked at him, "Master, I don't feel sorry for spending the money I earn. Why do you feel bad? Listen to me today, don't worry, I have money~"

"You haven't eaten this month?"

"I have saved a lot of money~ The pocket money you gave me before is enough for me~" Yan Fei walked back and forth between the clothes while talking, ordering several pieces with his hands, "This This one, this one, and this one, take them to my master to try. This belt looks good, um... this one is also good, try them all."

In the end, Tan Yangzi was pushed behind the screen where Yan Fei tried on clothes, and he had to reluctantly change into them.He doesn't wear secular clothes very much, and most of the Taoist robes don't fit well and are too loose.But this time, when wearing this moon white gown, the shoulders are right and not too wide, the belt is also very flat and adjustable, and when you put on the outer robe, it will not feel bulky, but light and airy, very breathable .He walked out from behind the screen with a somewhat reserved face, letting Yan Fei see.

Yan Fei looked at it, but saw that the blue was like smoke, and the moon was as white as water, which set off Tan Yangzi's awe-inspiring sword eyebrows and starry eyes a little more coquettish and unrestrained, which perfectly set off the perfect figure of tall, straight, wide shoulders and narrow waist. The white hair doesn't look abrupt, but adds to the dusty air.

Seeing Yan Fei staring blankly at him without speaking, Tan Yangzi felt a little uncomfortable, cleared his throat, "I just said it's not good-looking, you just let me try it." Then he turned around and wanted to change it. .Unexpectedly, Yan Fei rushed forward with a stride, and grabbed Tan Yangzi with a single stroke.He stared at Tan Yangzi with a pair of eyes, and it was flickering inside, as if a star fell into it one day, "Why isn't it good-looking? It's so good-looking! It's so good-looking that I want to wear my clothes inside out!"

Tan Yangzi coaxed his face and said angrily, "Shut up! What nonsense!"

Of course, the shopkeeper didn't know what it meant to wear the clothes upside down, but he also admired sincerely, "This Taoist priest has first-class appearance and stature, a handsome talent, and a dignified appearance! This dress is perfect Already!"

Yan Fei nodded like pounding garlic, "I bought it, I bought it all! Master, don't take it off, just wear it like this and go!"

So Tan Yangzi was wearing new clothes, and when he was pulled out of the store by Yan Fei who was still carrying a bag of clothes, he was still in a daze.Yan Fei gave the money too fast, as fast as giving stones instead of money.As the saying goes, Buddha needs gold clothes, and people need clothes. As soon as he puts on the new clothes, Tan Yangzi suddenly becomes very conspicuous. On the road, there are many unrestrained little girls who can't help but look back. Men All pale in comparison.Seeing that Yan Fei's jealousy was getting stronger, he suddenly felt that it was a miscalculation for his master to dress up like this, and it was in vain for those who dared to covet his master.

Naturally, Tan Yangzi didn't notice this. Wearing such clothes, he somehow felt uncomfortable and felt a little stiff when walking.He always felt that he couldn't match this kind of clothes, so he wanted to divert his attention, and asked Yan Fei, "When you paid the money just now, did the shopkeeper talk about something happening on the east side of Ma Xing Street?"

"Well, he asked me if you are a Taoist priest. I said yes, and you are also a Taoist priest who can catch ghosts. The shopkeeper said that the Zhao Mansion on the east side of Maxing Street seemed to be haunted by ghosts, and people were killed."

"Zhao Mansion?"

"Well, I heard that he made his fortune in the spice business. The owner's name is Zhao Sheng. It seems that he died suddenly a few days ago."

"Then let's go and have a look."

White paper lanterns have been hung in front of the gate of the Zhao family's house, and white banners are tied on the lintels.Two servants in filial piety were sitting on the steps of the door basking in the sun and chatting.The Zhao family is keeping a vigil for the past few days, and anyone who wants to offer condolences can enter the house.Therefore, Yan Fei went up directly and said that Tan Yangzi was a wealthy businessman surnamed Yan from Xiangyang who had done business with Zhao Yuanwai. He heard that he had passed away, so he came to see him off.

A young servant ran in to report something. Mrs. Zhao had just rushed back from her natal home. He heard that the name in the newspaper was unfamiliar, but she couldn't be sure whether it was a friend her husband had never mentioned, so she asked someone to welcome them in. .Everyone saw Tan Yangzi's extraordinary momentum, his expression was stern, and he was well dressed, he really didn't look like an ordinary person.And Yan Fei next to him was dressed in simple clothes, but he had an astonishing appearance. Perhaps he was a servant or a book boy who accompanied him, so he believed their words more or less.

The coffin was parked in the main hall used to meet the guests, and the coffin had already been covered, so no one was allowed to pay their respects to the remains.In front of the coffin, there were a few maids and servants crying in an exaggerated and false way while burning paper money, while a woman in her fifties stood up expressionlessly, about It's Mr. Zhao's official wife, Mrs. Zhao.

Tan Yangzi and Yan Fei bowed and burnt incense together, then came to Mrs. Zhao, and said a few words of condolences with a heavy expression.Mrs. Zhao returned the courtesy comprehensively, and said apologetically, "I have lived in a deep house for a long time, and I don't know much about my husband's business affairs. I have never heard of Mr.'s name, and my hospitality is not good. I hope Mr. forgive me."

Her voice was soft and gentle, and her posture was dignified and elegant, but the sadness on her body was not very strong, but a trace of indifference could be faintly detected.

According to Yan Fei's introduction just now, Tan Yangzi said, "My surname is Yan, and I do water transportation business in Xiangyang. Brother Zhao hasn't been to Xiangyang for many years, and it's normal to be a little strange. Don't worry about my sister-in-law. I just don't know how Brother Zhao passed away? "

Mrs. Zhao was silent for a moment, then said, "My husband died suddenly."

"Sudden death?" However, before Tan Yangzi could ask the next sentence, Mrs. Zhao suddenly said, "Since you came from a long way, if you don't mind, why don't you stay in a humble house for a day or two instead of staying in an inn? In two days, there will be a funeral."

Tan Yangzi and Yan Fei looked at each other and said, "Since that's the case, I'd rather be respectful than obedient."

Mrs. Zhao arranged for the young servant to take the two of them to the guest room to settle down.A set of flats, outside there is a couch for the servants to rest, and inside is the bedroom, which is very clean and comfortable.The furniture and bedding are also very particular.There is a faint fragrance in the incense cage, a light and slightly sweet smell, very refreshing.

As expected of a big family, even the guest rooms are well furnished.

As soon as the door was closed, Tan Yangzi glanced at Yan Fei, "The surname is 'Yan'? Do you think I don't know that you kid is taking advantage of me?"

Yan Fei chuckled, "I didn't think of anything else at the moment."

"Hmph, I don't care about you this time. However, judging by Mrs. Zhao's expression, the relationship between her husband and wife Zhao Yuanwai is not very harmonious. And the cause of Zhao Yuanwai's death may have some hidden secrets. You and I will be more servants today. Just do some research."

"Master, don't worry! Leave it to me!"

After dinner in the evening, Yan Fei wandered around the house according to Master's instructions.Although the house is not big, there is still a small garden in the middle, with a few rocks and a trail sandwiched between them.A lot of evening primroses were planted beside the road. At dusk, those small purple, pink and white flowers bloomed, and the sweet aroma became more intense and refreshing.Yan Fei climbed up a rock, picked a willow leaf from a nearby willow tree, and played a little tune to his lips.This song was still hummed by Tan Yangzi when he was very young when he was awakened by nightmares in the middle of the night.Tan Yangzi was not very good at singing at all, and he was at a loss for a child who had suffered a lot when he was young, so he could only imitate those women seen elsewhere, patting him on the shoulder and humming to lull him to sleep.Although the singing is not very pleasant, this ballad has become Yan Fei's favorite song.

While blowing, he felt his eyes fall on him, his beautiful phoenix eyes moved slightly, and he saw a young girl in a white plain skirt standing among the evening primrose bushes not far away.She was only about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a round face, rosy in the face, and a pair of almond eyes that were as charming as a deer.Her demeanor was different from that of ordinary maidservants, and Yan Fei immediately guessed that this was the only daughter of Yuanwai Zhao.

The moment Zhao Xijun saw the young man sitting on the rock blowing the leaves, he felt that he was captured by the bright red.The afterglow of the evening glow flows down the smooth forehead and delicate eyebrows, the breeze blows a thin and gentle hair on his temples, and the charming eyes are full of endless tenderness and affection, making her unable to help but imagine that if she could How happy it must be to be looked at by him with such eyes.

She never knew that a man could be so beautiful, let alone that she was also a lustful person.

Yan Fei guessed the possible influence of his appearance on her as soon as he saw her blushing but absent-minded eyes that had no time to dodge.This appearance still brings him a lot of convenience, and it can make it easier for others to have a good impression of him.So he smiled at her, jumped down lightly from the rock, and bowed to her from a distance, "My lord, Yan Fei, didn't mean to spy on Miss's face, and I hope Miss will forgive me."

This woman is also unusual Xiaojiabiyu, "Do you know who I am?"

"Ms. must be Zhao Yuanwai's daughter?"

She acquiesced, then took a few steps forward, and asked generously, "Your Excellency?"

"I came to offer my condolences with my master."

"Your master? Are you a servant?" She asked in surprise.How can a young man with such temperament be just a servant?

"My master is from Xiangyang. He is a water transport merchant. He had friendship with another Gaotang."

"It turned out to be a guest. The little girl, Zhao Xijun, is rude." She is full of happiness.At this time, a servant girl suddenly ran over and shouted, "Miss, why are you here? Tell me to give you a good look!" After she finished speaking, she saw Yan Fei again, and immediately raised her eyebrows, "Where are you from? How could you run to Inner courtyard?!"

Zhao Xijun quickly said, "Alright, Xiangwen, he is a guest, so don't make things difficult. I shouldn't have come out without authorization, let's go back."

Before leaving, she turned her head slightly and glanced at Yan Fei indistinctly.

Yan Fei thought, it seems that there is a way to find out from Ms. Zhao.