Chapter 220 Apricot Blossom Morning

The incident of Xie Wei's injury has indeed caused a stir in the city of Xinzhou.

Fortunately, when the incident occurred, there were not many people who witnessed it firsthand on the city gate tower. A few who saw the beginning and end were all given secret orders, but dared not spread them outside. It is a rumor related to that "Miss Ning Er", which is known to a very small group of people.

Most of them are considered assassins.

And within two days, it spread to have a nose and eyes. Apart from committing atrocities in broad daylight, words such as flying eaves and walls, picking leaves and injuring people have all been spoken, and some people have confidently stated that this must be the defeat of the Tatars, and it is difficult to vent their anger. Therefore, someone has been specially sent to assassinate Master Xie to vent their anger.

"How about being a Tatar? Although he knelt down and begged us for peace, he still didn't want to be content. General Yan has excellent martial arts skills and often works in the military, making him a tough guy. They can't afford to stir things up, so it's better for Young Master to take action. He came from the imperial examination and was a weak scholar. How can he resist the assassins? But with the blessing of heaven, he has long eyes and won't let anything happen to him. It will be difficult for him to succeed in the future!"

In the tea shed downstairs at the city gate, several chatting tea guests were spitting uncontrollably as they spoke. Those who spoke danced and listened attentively.

A weak scholar?

Jiang Xuening, sitting in the corner of the tea house, listened and only smiled silently.

The scene of Xie Ju'an shooting an arrow through Xiao Dingfei's shoulder from a distance during the siege of Tianjiao in Tongzhou is still vividly remembered. If we were to say what kind of "weak scholar" he was, Xiao Dingfei, who had suffered a lot, would be the first to jump up and break this person's dog head.

But ultimately, the so-called "assassination" of Xie Wei was done by herself, and she wouldn't go out to explain anything. She just picked up the nearby teapot, added half a cup of tea to herself, and then looked diagonally across from her.

She has been in the market these days.

I used to just wander around, but Xinzhou City is just such a big place. I always walk to the downstairs of the city gate. The blacksmith shop that Xie Wei forcefully pulled her down from above the city gate tower that day was right next to it.

Around the beginning of spring, things in the fields will soon become busy, so there seems to be a lot of business in making agricultural tools, and the shops are quite busy.

Master Fu, with a gray beard, frowned and said something to the little disciple below.

One moment pointing at the stove, another pointing at the stove.

Blacksmith Zhou is one of the few old blacksmiths in Xinzhou. After all, the town is not big. People come to him when they need something, but people from far and near know him.

Just a specific name, everyone can't even name it.

The only thing that is easy to remember is that this person is of a certain age and surnamed Zhou, so in order to save time, they are all called "Blacksmith Zhou" or respectfully referred to as "Master Zhou".

The blacksmith shop is engaged in forging iron, which is also a business, but it relies on the word "faithfulness".

Any plow that has been made with him, if it cannot be turned over or if it is cut corners or insufficient, can be brought to find him. Over the years, there have been almost no mistakes, making it one of the top performers in the industry of Xinzhou City.

So blacksmith Zhou has a good reputation nearby.

Like the waiter from the neighboring tea shop, occasionally serving them tea.

After all, the blacksmith shop is hot and sweats in the winter. It's really unbearable not to drink too much and go in.

However, when today's staff went to brew a few pots of tea for them and carried them over, blacksmith Zhou's gaze couldn't help but fall on the girl sitting in the corner of the tea shop.

The collar and cuffs of the snow-white Lingxian skirt were rolled with a deep blue cloud pattern, and a thin layer of cherry blossom colored crepe was draped over the outside. Without much eyebrow or eye contact, she felt like a lotus with clear waves, much more beautiful than the gilded bodhisattva in the temple.

If he remembers correctly, this girl has been sitting there for two days, hasn't she?

If you have to say something, I won't even see you entering the blacksmith's shop while sitting over there; If it were nothing, these afternoons, as soon as he came out, he could always see her looking towards the burning red stove.

But usually at dusk, she leaves.

The afternoon of the second day still comes, sometimes earlier and sometimes later.

Not only blacksmith Zhou, but also several young and strong assistants and apprentices in the shop have seen it. However, the girl is too good-looking, and they only dare to sneak a glance occasionally. They discuss privately, but no one dares to come up and chat up.

Today's sun seems to be gradually slanting.

The several apricot trees planted next to the blacksmith's shop have already borne flower buds, and even a few scattered ones have bloomed on the branches. On the pink petals, there is a layer of dusk cast from the sky, which is really beautiful.

There are fewer pedestrians in the market.

The joking tea customer in the tea shop quickly left.

That girl should also be leaving.

Blacksmith Zhou thought aimlessly for a moment, then after drinking tea, he rolled up his sleeve and tied it tightly on his arm. He took out the sword embryo that had been burned red in the charcoal and swung his hammer, hitting it hard and hard.

He didn't stop to wipe his sweat and take a break until every place was pounded and weighed evenly.

Unexpectedly, when I looked up, I saw the girl walking to the edge of the early blooming apricot tree.

Blacksmith Zhou couldn't help but be surprised. He clearly didn't recognize her, but at this moment, he subconsciously said, "Spring is late in the north, but the blacksmith's shop always emits heat from outside. These flowers and trees often bloom earlier than other places, year after year."

Jiang Xuening was slightly taken aback and said, "Is that so?"

Blacksmith Zhou said, "I think the girl has been sitting outside for a few days, only watching the shop forge iron and not coming in. But what difficulties did she encounter?"

Difficulties?

It doesn't count either.

She just calmed down and wanted to sort out her thoughts. Whenever she walked here, she would sit there for an afternoon without realizing it.

Jiang Xuening gently shook her head and said, "Thank you for worrying. It's not that difficult. I just walked out and saw that the blacksmith shop is always bustling with heat, and the hammering is clanging. It seems that your sword has been hammered for several days, but it hasn't been successful. I didn't pay attention to it for too long."

The blacksmith Zhou Dynasty glanced at the sword embryo and laughed.

He touched the beard on his chin and said, "As for his old profession, he had a hint of vigor and said," A hundred rounds of steel refining. Originally, when the ore comes out of the mountains and is burned once, it is pig iron. It is necessary to burn it red and refine it thoroughly, remove its impurities, in order to obtain its purity, firmness, and toughness. Blowing hair, breaking hair, and chopping gold and jade. Moreover, hundred rounds of steel refining were all done in the early years. Nowadays, all iron slurry is smelted, and any top-notch tool needs to be 'forged ten thousand times'. If it can be completed in ten days and a half months, it is rare. "

A hundred steels, ten thousand swords forged.

Jiang Xuening's gaze turned to the high furnace behind the blacksmith's body for smelting iron slurry, and her gaze flickered as she said, "It's really not easy."

Blacksmith Zhou Xiao said, "Where can this be easy?"

As he spoke, he bent down and forcefully pulled the bellows that had lowered his head, causing the fire in the stove to suddenly become much stronger.

He said without lifting his head, "There are still three disasters and five difficulties in human life. How can swords be avoided?"

Jiang Xuening listened, gently lifting her eyelids and looking only at the branch that was blooming with pink petals.

Blacksmith Zhou finished his work and got up to see it. He couldn't help but say, "Miss, if you like it, pick a branch."

Jiang Xuening stood still.

Blacksmith Zhou Mei's eyes were mixed with a hint of peace that only older people have, and he said, "My little granddaughter sees this apricot blossom early every year and will fold two branches back to play. It's not a big deal."

Jiang Xuening did have some love for the early blooming apricot blossoms. Upon hearing blacksmith Zhou's words, she smiled and tiptoed slightly, picking only a small branch on the side that was only slightly longer than a palm. Then, she bent down and said, "Thank you, Master."

About ten apricot blossoms were piled up in three clusters on the branches.

Many have already bloomed, and some are still shyly holding flower buds, held by her slender and fair fingers, which are really beautiful.

Blacksmith Zhou frowned and waved his hand repeatedly, "It's not worth it, it's just a flower."

As soon as he saw the sun setting outside, he pointed to the sky and said, "It's already late. Aren't you going home yet? No matter how big the matter is, how big it can be. Just go home and take a nap the next day."

Jiang Xuening frowned and smiled, without saying much.

It was indeed not early, and she thought it was time to go back, so she bid farewell to blacksmith Zhou.

The setting sun is setting in the west, and the street market is empty and silent.

Jiang Xuening went far away.

Blacksmith Zhou looked under the tiled shed for a while, and saw the girl casually walk away with her hand on her back. Apricot blossoms hung loosely between her fingers, seemingly calm and transparent, as if she were going with the flow.

*

When Jiang Xuening returned to the General's Mansion, she happened to encounter several horses running towards her from the side door, splashing some smoke and dust. However, the first rider seemed to have seen her and was actually stalling at the entrance of the mansion.

Yan Lingao sat on a horse.

He was dressed in a dark and vigorous outfit, but he was quite sparse and neat. However, when he looked at Jiang Xuening, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if he had a lot to say. But he was no longer the old casual young man, so he fell silent for a moment.

These days, she has been wandering outside all day and doesn't meet much with the people living in the mansion. Not to mention that Yan Lin often goes out early and returns late in the camp, so she naturally doesn't even have a chance to meet up.

I'm afraid Yan Lin is also pondering Xie Wei's injury.

Jiang Xuening seemed to notice his silence and smiled first, saying, "Are you going to camp again?"

Yan Lin is not an outsider.

What happened on the gate tower that day, although he did not witness it with his own eyes, he still knew a rough idea. At this moment, she seemed like a person with nothing to say, but it was difficult for her to speak.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

He felt that nothing else was useful and only said to her, "Ning Ning, I'm on your side."

Jiang Xuening was slightly stunned and only smiled a moment later, but did not take his words as a joke. Instead, she replied seriously, "Okay."

Yan Lin then rode away again.

The others quickly followed suit.

Those horses quickly disappeared at the end of the street.

Jiang Xuening had only just entered the mansion, but halfway through, she saw a deserted corridor and stopped for a while. After all, she continued along this corridor.

The secluded courtyard is not attended to by many people.

She entered the courtyard and stopped under the eaves. Jian Shu, who had just come out of the house with an empty medicine bowl, was stunned when he saw her.

At this point, the door still had time to close.

You can see outside the door from inside.

Perhaps some clues could be seen from the stagnant figure and expression of Sword Book. After a pause, the people inside turned to the window and said, "Don't you come in?"

Jiang Xuening heard his voice and knew that these words were meant for herself, but she said, "No, I'm just here today to ask about Zhou Yinzhi's situation. How did we find out?"

Xie Wei said through the window, "There is currently no news."

Jiang Xuening lightly lifted her eyes and suppressed the hint of annoyance that had appeared in her heart, saying, "I always feel uneasy about this person. After thinking about it, leaving him to walk around in Xinzhou would be a disaster. It's better not to stop and arrest him first, so as not to harm him. When we find out in the future, if he is innocent, we can release him."

Xie Wei coughed lightly and said, "Aren't you afraid he'll get angry?"

Jiang Xuening said, "What kind of resentment can the wall grass have? He knows the current situation very well, not so much."

Xie Wei then said, "Then hand over the sword and qin to handle it."

===Kunning Section 272===

Jiang Xuening nodded and stood for a moment. Without any other thought, she turned around and wanted to go.

Xie Wei suddenly asked, "Are you coming tomorrow too?"

Jiang Xuening stopped again, lowered her eyes, and glanced at the small apricot blossom between her fingers. She said, "Tomorrow we will send Fang Yin and Ren Weizhi away from Xinzhou. We have some busy schedules, let's reschedule."

Xie Wei said, "Then let's reschedule."

Jiang Xuening's voice was no different from usual, but there was a hint of herbal bitterness floating in the courtyard, which made people's noses and tongues slightly astringent.

So my thoughts flowed and I remembered that day again.

She slowly turned the apricot blossom around and said, "Perhaps you're right. I'm no different from ordinary people in the world. It's just that there are all kinds of people in the world. Some people like someone and need to do everything they can to be with them. But there are also people who like someone, or they just want to be with Fang Anping and not necessarily demand a result. There is no difference between these two types of people. Zhang Zhe is like charcoal in the snow, a dark room lamp, and a boat that never crosses. Even if it turns into 'once favored', I don't want anyone to damage his words. Xie Ju'an, I won't mention him again in the future." Is that okay? "

Jianshu stood still at the door, afraid to move without permission.

The room is quiet.

Jiang Xuening couldn't see what the people inside would look like. After a long silence, she heard a deep and calm voice inside: "Okay."

She couldn't distinguish what kind of emotions she was in at that moment.

The passing wind blows, and the pink petals tremble lightly.

Jiang Xuening gently raised her hand and silently placed this small apricot blossom on the windowsill before stepping away.

Jianshu couldn't help but be stunned.

After Jiang Xuening left, he first placed the lacquer tray holding the medicine bowl aside, took the apricot blossom from the window sill, returned to the house, and presented it to Xie Wei.

He leaned against the soft couch under the window.

Zhou Qihuang's medical skills are undoubtedly superb. With his recent cultivation, the wound has gradually healed. Apart from his pale complexion and a slight reduction, he looks no different from before.

Jianshu whispered, "Just now, Miss Ning Er was left by the window sill."

Xie Wei reached out to take it.

The broken stem of the small branch apricot flower still leaves fresh creases, and the newly bloomed pink and white petals, in this late winter and early spring northern region, have an exceptionally delicate and tender, even unbelievable.

Where do apricot blossoms bloom so early?

At that moment, he gazed at the pink flowers on this branch, feeling as if his heart had melted with it. There was a dreamy trance of having fulfilled his wish, but the smile on his lips added a touch of deep and peaceful warmth.

With his gaze wandering, Xie Ju'an looked outside the door.

The setting sun sets in the west, and the surroundings are quiet.

Jianshu dared not disturb him for a long time. After he withdrew his gaze, he asked softly, "What Miss Cai said earlier, will I let Daoqin handle it?"

Xie Wei nodded.

Jianshu bent down and wanted to retreat, but only retreated halfway before thinking about starting something. He stopped, seeming hesitant.

Xie Wei looked at him.

Jianshu hesitated for a moment and asked, "Miss Ning Er's intention is to catch someone alive and lock them up to prevent him from causing trouble. But if..."

Xie Wei raised his eyebrows slightly, and the gaze that fell on the small branch of apricot blossom did not lift at all. He didn't care about Zhou Yinzhihun, only said lightly, "Then we'll catch him to death."