Pihanjin

Mother Xie looked at her son with a grim expression, and was stunned for a moment. The face of the child she had seen at the racecourse during the day appeared in front of her eyes. Suddenly, the doubts at that time seemed to be confirmed, and the more she thought about it, the more right she was.

She suddenly realized, and slammed down the edge of the bed.

"It's no wonder that when I saw that child today, I felt familiar, and it looked a little like you when I was young! I said it was a coincidence! That's it! Why didn't you tell your mother earlier!"

She was so excited that she crawled off the bed.

"I'll just say, that child is not only handsome, but also well-behaved and sensible! It turns out to be my grandson! You go! I'll take my grandson here! I can go back with my grandson, Take care of yourself and save you trouble!"

The old mother believed his words, which was expected by him, but it was a little surprising to say that she reacted like this and said that she was similar to her when she was young.

It should be because of her misunderstanding, or because of her own words at this moment, she took it for granted that she had such an impression.

Xie Changgeng didn't think much of it, seeing the change in his mother's attitude, he softened his tone and said, "Mother, I explained it just now, the circumstances were special back then, and the child was raised there after he was born. After being a Jiedushi envoy, it looks pretty good on the surface, but inside and outside the courtroom, up and down, I don’t know how many pairs of eyes are staring at it, and I can’t make any mistakes. It’s still inconvenient for my son to recognize the child. In the name of the adopted son, it is better for the son to be raised by the Mu family temporarily."

As soon as Mother Xie gave birth to the idea of ​​taking her grandson back to raise her, she was dismissed.

She was extremely disappointed, but when her son said so, she didn't dare to ignore her son's future. She was stunned for a moment, and said, "If Mrs. Mu resents me for being biased in the past and refuses to return my grandson in the future, what should I do?"

She grabbed her son's sleeve.

"Geng'er, when she comes back, tell her to go and tell her not to remember the blame..."

She paused for a while, then murmured: "That's all, you're a man's family, mother can't tell you to be rude in front of women. I'll tell her myself! As long as she can take care of my grandson, she will recognize her in the future. The ancestors return to the ancestors, mother, this old face, don't give it up!"

Xie Changgeng's previous anger gradually dissipated. Seeing her mother like this, knowing that she was stunned by her previous actions, she sighed secretly, supported the person, and sat back by the bed.

"Mother, it's fine for you to know about Mrs. Mu and that child. You don't have to worry about it. Your son knows what to do."

He pondered for a while, then changed his words.

"My son was a thief in his early years, and his hands were stained with a lot of blood. Although he is an official now, he still has to fight and kill. He is always worried that the killing will be too heavy and it will damage the blessings. Listen to your son's words, go back this time, son. I will send someone to follow you to donate a temple for you, you have nothing to do at home, do more good deeds, worship Buddha and recite sutras, and accumulate blessings for your son.”

"A cat was brought up by you. You thought she was clumsy, so you yelled at her to be a rough maid. I asked her if she wanted to stay with Weng Zhu, and she said she wanted to, but she didn't repay your mother for your treatment of her. In the future, mother, treat her better, treat her as a daughter, and she will serve you wholeheartedly. Don’t be like before, be confused and be blinded by others without knowing it!”

Mother Xie's eyes slowly turned red. The son said something, and she nodded.

"Mother remembered. It's all my mother's fault. I was confused before. It's not easy for you, don't worry, mother will do more good deeds when she goes back, and recite sutras for you to eliminate disasters!"

After taking this path, why would he care about the so-called murderer? The weak eat the strong, this is the way of heaven.

The reason why Xie Changgeng said this was that he wanted his mother to find something to do after she went back, so as to avoid doing nothing all day and causing trouble like before.

Seeing his mother so moved, he knelt down straightly and kowtowed: "My son is really unfilial. Thank you for your understanding. When my son is free, he will go to see his mother."

Xie mother hurriedly helped him up and whispered, "If you can bring your grandson back to see me together, my mother will be even happier."

Xie Changgeng paused.

"My son knows. Mother, rest."

He served the old lady to sleep, and Mother Xie sat on the bed, hesitating to say anything, Xie Changgeng asked her what was going on.

Mother Xie hesitated and said, "Feng'er..."

She glanced at her son quickly and quickly changed her mind.

"That Qi's, although he did something wrong, he saved his mother in the past. After you left home, the Qi family also took care of her, she will definitely change, Geng'er, in your mother's favor, Forgive people and forgive them, don't make it too hard for her..."

Xie Changgeng said, "Don't worry, mother. My son still treats her as his mother's savior and won't treat her badly."

The next day, the steward of Jiedu's envoy arranged the family affairs, and escorted the old lady and his party back according to Xie Changgeng's arrangement.

Xie Changgeng went with him personally. After a few days, until he was sent to Hexi and turned around, he instructed the steward. When he arrived, he would preside over Qi's marriage. Before he returned, he should arrange for trusted people to stay. People come and go again and again, and inform themselves in time.

The steward took note of them one by one, and after saying goodbye, set out on the road.

Xie Changgeng watched the carriage and horse go away, and immediately turned the horse's head and rushed back to Guzang.

A few days ago, Eunuch Yang, who was ordered by Empress Liu to give gifts, said that he had heard about the magnificent scenery of Hexi for a long time, and wanted to take this opportunity to enjoy it. Jiedushi was busy with affairs and had a heavy responsibility, so he didn't need to accompany him.

Xie Changgeng naturally knew that.

Empress Liu, who was far away in Shangjing, just sent his confidants to inspect here in the name of giving tribute.

Originally, the imperial court would regularly send officials to conduct local inspections, inquire about the conditions of the people, and inspect the administration of officials. After Xie Changgeng came here to serve as Jiedu envoy, in the past few years, the imperial court has never sent a special person here.

This time, someone has been sent, and all he needs to do is to act according to Eunuch Yang's words. Therefore, these few days, he did not accompany him, and only ordered to open up various places, including the garrison city and the barracks, and let the eunuchs move around.

He rushed back to Guzang and was told that Eunuch Yang had returned and was resting in the inn.

Xie Changgeng hurried back to the mansion, changed his official uniform, and went to the post house to meet people non-stop. After the meeting, the **** Dao went back to Beijing tomorrow.

That night, the Jiedu envoy held a banquet to practice for Eunuch Yang and his party.

After the banquet, Xie Changgeng personally sent Eunuch Yang back to the post house to rest.

"Thanks to the empress dowager's concern and sent the reward, Xie is very grateful. It is even more exhausted that Yang Shi personally went out of Beijing. He came here all the way, and he has not received any hospitality, so he has to go back to Beijing. Xie is really sorry. Xie is ready. The tribute was sent to the Empress Dowager by Lao Shi. Xie also prepared a small gift, please accept Yang Shi with a smile."

Eunuch Yang smiled and said: "Why should Jiedushi be polite to me. I have served the queen mother in the palace for many years, and it is rare to come out. I don't hide the Jiedushi. I asked for this errand myself. Fake it."

He praised the customs of Hexi and looked at Xie Changgeng with a meaningful look.

"When I was walking around the day before yesterday, I heard that Lord Weng came to Hexi not long ago. Tonight's banquet, I have never seen my wife show up. Could it be that she is not in the mansion?"

He lowered his voice and said in his ear: "Jiedu Shi, I only said this because I took you as my own person. You also know that if the Queen Mother knows, it will inevitably be a few questions."

Xie Changgeng explained the matter of the natives. Said: "Thank you for the kindness of Ambassador Yang. Mrs. Mu is now going to Tianshan to get medicine. To be honest with Ambassador Yang, she was sent back to Changsha by me at the beginning of the year, and I picked her up again this time, just to take advantage of her. Soon, I sent a memorial to the Queen Mother, explaining the matter in detail. The Queen Mother must have received the memorial at this moment. "

He looked at the two eyes that Eunuch Shang Yang cast towards him.

"Mushi Mu's medical skills, it was a coincidence before that, because the doctor showed his favor to the local natives. The purpose of Xie's picking her up was to use the Mu's to help me solve the problems of the natives, so as to help the court to smooth the border. Now, I'm sorry to bother Yang Shi, and after I go back, I will speak to the Queen Mother on behalf of Xie Mou. Regarding the Mu family, Xie Mou always remembers the Queen Mother's advice and does not dare to be half-disobedient."

Eunuch Yang's doubts were relieved, he nodded and smiled: "I also wondered why this Mu Clan is back here again, it turns out that there is such an inside story. Make the best use of people, and the discipline is brilliant! It's better to go up. Don't worry, I'll go back. Later, I will explain it in front of the Queen Mother for Jiedushi."

The next day, Xie Changgeng sent Eunuch Yang and his party away again. On the way back, the sky started to snow again.

He went straight to the horse farm, took Xi'er back to the city, and returned to the Jiedu envoy's mansion. Before he could catch his breath, he rode a fast horse and sent another message.

The old leader's injury relapsed and he fell into a coma again, in a critical condition.

Xie Changgeng immediately braved the heavy snow and rushed to the Mahe Valley. After visiting, he returned with a heavy heart. That night, he came back from the study, tossing and turning, unable to sleep for a long time. .

Outside the city, at the end of the galloping road as far as the eye can see is a vast, pitch-dark field. The north wind howls, and the snow flakes.

This winter, the snow came earlier and heavier than usual. According to the experience of the past few years, it is common for heavy snow to block mountains and congested roads.

It was such a snowy night, and there was no military intelligence. The guard did not know why Jiedushi came here late at night. Seeing that he was looking at the dark road going west, his figure was frozen, and he did not dare to ask any questions. He just stood behind and waited with breathlessness. .

Xie Changgeng returned to Jiedu's envoy's mansion, and when he passed the door of Xi'er's room, he hesitated for a while, clinging to a candle, gently pushed the door open.

The child was on the bed, soundly asleep.

His little face tilted over, pressing a piece of paper next to the pillow on which vertical bars were drawn.

Xie Changgeng looked at it for a moment, then stretched out his hand. When his hand touched the piece of paper, the child woke up, saw him, and called him "Sir Xie".

Xie Changgeng picked up the paper.

On the paper, twenty-two vertical bars have been drawn.

"Sir, I'll be able to draw one more tomorrow!" Xi'er said vaguely, rubbing her eyes.

Xie Changgeng slowly put down the paper and said, "Xi'er, I'll pick up your mother so that she can come back earlier, okay?"

Xi'er opened her eyes wide and crawled out of the quilt: "Okay! Sir Xie, go quickly!"

Xie Changgeng smiled slightly and touched his little head.

…

The long winter night was finally pushed to the fifth watch. The sky above was still pitch black, and the snow kept falling.

When the whole city was still immersed in the last sleep of this winter night, Xie Changgeng stepped out of the gate of Jiedu Shifu while stepping on the creaking snow under his feet.

Outside the door, a fire wand illuminated the snow. A group of men and horses are ready to go, ready to follow him on the road to the west.

Xie Changgeng explained the matter to Liu Guan and others who came to see him off. After the instructions were completed, everyone said, "Be careful on the road, sir. Go early and return early!"

Xie Changgeng put on his snow cloak, put on his snow cap, got on his horse, and was about to lead him on the road, when suddenly he heard a child's voice behind him: "Thank you sir!"

He turned his head.

Behind the door, a small figure stood.

The child was very thickly dressed, and he was round and round, and he chased after him. Standing behind the threshold, he opened his eyes wide and looked at himself without blinking.

The light of the fire stick was reflected in his eyes, beating slightly.

His eyes were full of eagerness, and he said loudly, "Thank you, sir, I drove away the wolf with the pony!"

Xie Changgeng and the child looked at each other for a moment, dismounted and walked towards him.

The child rushed out immediately, ran in front of him, raised a small face and looked at him.

Xie Changgeng picked up his snow hat, buckled it on the little head, covered his whole little face tightly, then picked him up with one arm, put him on the back of the horse, and shouted, "Let's go!"