A year ago, during the twilight hours, in the wilderness beyond the Great Wall, a procession of over ten carriages and horses was slowly advancing.
Seven soldiers on horseback, led by an officer named Zhao Lanzhi, intercepted the convoy from behind. Behind Zhao Lanzhi were several subordinates, including Xiaohu.
Xiaohu approached the front of the caravan and inquired with a carriage driver. He then turned and reported, "Sir, Ye Fucheng, the honorable Lord Ye, has set off to take up his new post at the Ministry of Personnel. These are his family members. The person behind is Young Master Ye."
Zhao Lanzhi rode his horse past several carriages, carefully inspecting each one. Madam Ye opened the curtain of her carriage. "Officer."
Zhao Lanzhi saluted, "Madam. We are pursuing a fugitive and have been ordered to conduct a search. Please cooperate."
Madam Ye responded, "Please proceed."
Yuan'an rode up from behind. She was dressed as a young man, wearing a black wide-brimmed hat and a green robe. Her attire was plain in color, but her face was vibrant and lively. She wore a cheerful expression as if she were celebrating something.
At that moment, the two of them didn't immediately exchange words, but they exchanged polite greetings.
This was the first time they had met.
Behind one of the carriages were four large jars.
Zhao Lanzhi rode over and pointed, asking, "What's this?"
Yuan'an rode up and answered, "Vinegar."
Zhao Lanzhi looked at him. "Four jars of vinegar?"
"Yes, I have a strong taste."
Zhao Lanzhi's large dog came over, sniffed, and then walked away.
Zhao Lanzhi opened the lids of the jars one by one, and they were all filled with vinegar. "Thank you. You may proceed."
Yuan'an didn't rush to leave. She circled around on her horse and asked, "What's the injury on your hand?"
Zhao Lanzhi replied, "It's nothing, just a scorpion from the desert."
Yuan'an tossed a small box to Zhao Lanzhi. "This medicine works."
"Thank you."
The Ye family's convoy set off.
As Zhao Lanzhi looked back at Yuan'an, he couldn't shake the feeling that something about Young Master Ye seemed off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
That night, Zhao Lanzhi applied the medicine Yuan'an gave him to his wound. It worked as promised, soothing the pain and reducing swelling. The large dog entered the tent from outside, sniffed at Zhao Lanzhi's ointment, and let out a snort. Xiaohu chuckled, "A dog's nose is incredibly sensitive. It can't stand strange odors."
Frowning slightly, Zhao Lanzhi remembered how the dog had approached the vinegar jars when they searched the Ye family convoy during the day, only to turn away.
Quickly, Zhao Lanzhi asked Xiaohu, "Is locally produced vinegar well-known?"
"Sir, I haven't heard of it."
Annoyed, Zhao Lanzhi rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Humph, they concealed it with vinegar. How could the dog smell anything? They had this planned from the start! Well, this escapade allowed Chen Tianshu to slip away right under my nose again!"
At this moment, as Zhao Lanzhi recounted the events of a year ago, he did so calmly, not in a hurry. He just watched Yuan'an's silhouette closely. "You used the same trick a year ago to sneak Chen Tianshu past me, and a few days ago you attempted to smuggle Shitou and Xiaoyu out of the city. I'm not wrong, am I, Yuan'an? It's just that I lost to you before, but this time you haven't fooled me."
Yuan'an had her back turned to Zhao Lanzhi. Her expression shifted from cloudy to clear, and she suddenly laughed. "Zhao Lanzhi, forgive my dullness, but I really don't understand what you're saying. I passed through that region a year ago, and if I met you, I have no recollection of it. As for Shitou and Xiaoyu, how are they related to any of this? You've confused me. I have other matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."
Zhao Lanzhi stood up suddenly.
"Yuan'an!"
Yuan'an stopped in her tracks, still not turning around. "Chen Tianshu was originally a disciple of Master Sanzang. Shortly after Master Sanzang passed away, he set fire to the monastery and slaughtered his fellow disciples. He is one of the most cunning and ruthless individuals. You're clever and quick-witted, full of energy, yet your heart remains untainted, innocent, and kind, don't let someone... someone corrupt you."
Yuan'an turned to look squarely at Zhao Lanzhi, her eyes cold. "And who do you think you are to say such things to me?"
Zhao Lanzhi suddenly paused, then after a while replied, "If I'm nobody, why did we meet today?"
Yuan'an rolled her eyes and put on a defiant expression. "Hmph, I've always hated people who try to restrain and lecture me. Today, I'm going to tell my family that the person I met with, I'm not interested!" Thank you, Official Zhao. From now on, let's go our separate ways!"
With that, Yuan'an finished speaking and walked away with determined steps. Zhao Lanzhi was left standing alone. Nearby, Xiao Lian was still busy beating up Young Master Sun.
~Thank You for Reading, Please Comment Below~
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment