Inside the courtyard wall is the back garden of Shi Chong's house. At this moment, in the peony garden, there are indeed wealthy female relatives admiring flowers. There is a graceful and luxurious lady about forty years old, who is Shi Chong's wife, and a twenty-year-old lady.

There was a young woman about 10 years old who had not yet turned her head, and there were many maids. Xiao Mo's shouts alerted the flower appreciators in the peony garden.

"Shaoyao, go see who is making noise outside." Mrs. Shi ordered one of the maids.

"Yes, Mistress." Shaoyao gently opened the garden door a crack and looked out. At this time, Shu Yan and Xiao Mo just turned around and left, and only saw their backs.

Shaoyao closed the door and reported, "Girl, what a coincidence, we are the same two people we met outside the city a few days ago."

"How do you know, are you serious?"

"I didn't see the real face, but one of them was wearing a white robe with a butterfly pattern. That robe was very special, but I remember it."

"Who did you meet outside the city? Zhixin, how could you know any man outside?" Mrs. Shi asked in surprise.

"Bah, this girl Shaoyao!" Zhixin chuckled and said, "Mom, how could we know such a wild man?"

The maid Chunlan also hurriedly came over and explained: "Mother, it's like this: A few days ago, we went for an outing outside the city with the car. When we came back, we heard someone blowing a whistle outside the barrier. I opened the curtain and looked outside.

, I saw the backs of these two people, and because of their special attire, I recognized them, but I didn’t recognize them.”

"So that's it." Mrs. Shi understood, "I'm just telling you, how can you young ladies from aristocratic families know the men outside."

"How is it possible that a girl is so beautiful and dignified?" said Shaoyao, picking a delicate red peony and inserting it into Zhixin's exquisite emerald hairpin. "Wow! It's true that flowers match beauty. Look, mistress, girl

Wearing this peony makes it even more beautiful.”

"Girls have changed since their 18th birthday, and my son is indeed getting more and more beautiful." Mrs. Shi smiled, "By the way, Zhixin, the sixth day of May is your twentieth birthday. I told your father to have a good time.

I’m holding a coming-of-age ceremony for you.”

Zhixin blushed after hearing this, "Mom, let's forget it. I'm not a boy, and..."

"What's wrong with not being a boy? Girls still have to have coming-of-age ceremonies. Boys have to have a crown ceremony, and girls have to have hair extensions. It's just that girls' hair extensions ceremony should be held around the age of fifteen. It's all because you have been unwilling to get married.

I am twenty years old now and have not completed the haircut ceremony. It really makes others laugh. Also, don’t think too much. I treat you as my own daughter. After holding the coming-of-age ceremony for you, I must give you

Find a good husband."

"Mom, I don't want it." Zhixin gently shook Mrs. Shi's shoulder, her face turned red.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of. No matter who you are, even if you are the emperor's daughter, you will always find someone else when you get older."

"Mom, I, I am determined not to marry."

"Nonsense, how can a girl remain unmarried for her whole life? You just have to take your time. Don't look at your shyness now. When I choose someone you are satisfied with, you will be willing to marry yourself."

It was difficult for Zhixin to explain, so she could only listen silently. After seeing off the old lady, Zhixin returned to the boudoir, lying on the brocade couch with a fragrant pillow, and Chunlan put down the green gauze curtain. She had a lot of thoughts: In the blink of an eye, here we are.

It has been four years here. The past events appear in my mind one after another. Time flies so fast. I was originally living like a year, and I even wanted to die, but I didn't die, and I became the daughter of a wealthy family in a daze.

Show. Haha, fate is funny. My poor and hateful mother not only caused me and my sweetheart to be separated from each other, but also caused my brother to drown in the water. Compared with the mother whose life or death is uncertain and the dead brother, I think of that

People's hearts are always full of hope. Fortunately, I am not dead. As long as I don't die, there will always be hope to see him. I don't know how he is doing now.

It’s also the year of crowning, and it’s time to hold the adult ceremony. But he has no father or mother, only his grandfather, but he is paralyzed in bed, and I don’t know if he is still there now. For four years, has he thought about me every day? Yes

You are not worried about me, but you are looking around for news about me... The Hou Men is as deep as the sea, and no news can be revealed. It is a pity that I, a weak woman, can escape from this deep house!

Shu Yan and Xiao Mo came back from the Peony Garden and went to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to inquire about the news. Sure enough, as Shi De and others said, he was awarded the position of Minister. Xiao Mo seemed to be happy and asked with a hint of helplessness.

Minister of the Ministry of Personnel: "I heard people say that you have to wait for a long time before you can be awarded an official. Brother Shu, why, how come you are awarded an official so quickly?"

Wang Rong felt puzzled after hearing Xiao Mo's words: "Officials all complain that the appointment of officials is slow, but no one has ever complained about the appointment of officials quickly. If you are unwilling to do it, there will be a large number of people waiting behind you!"

Xiao Mo stuck out his tongue in fright: "No, no, no, Wang Shangshu misunderstood, we never meant that. We just think..."

"What do you think? Incredibly fast? Let me tell you, there are thirty-five ministers in our Shangshutai, and there are twenty-three ministers in total, and even more ministers. Just because there are two missing, our ministers, ministers, and servants on the left and right

They all took a fancy to his talent, so they made an exception and awarded him an official position in advance. Otherwise, how could it be his turn? The rest of the ordinary common people, I don't know how long they will have to wait!"

After hearing this, Shu Yan bowed deeply and said, "Thank you so much, Wang Shangshu, for your kindness."

Wang Rong made a gesture of courtesy: "You go back and clean up. Now that you have a position, don't live in the inn. Move to a hotel."

Shu Yan suddenly remembered that he was staying in the hotel, what should Xiao Mo do? Then he asked Wang Rong, "Can I still live in the inn instead of the hotel?"

"Won't you live in a guest house?" Wang Rong was very surprised. "Once you have been awarded an official position, it is a permanent thing. Your annual income is only four hundred shi. Housing prices in Luoyang are expensive. How can you afford to live in an inn for many years?"

"

"Well, then, can you...bring your friends over to stay?" Xiao Mo himself didn't feel confident asking this question.

"I see you two are not young anymore, why are you just asking these childish questions? Either you think you are being promoted to official position too quickly, or you don't have a hotel to live in, so you have to spend your own money to stay in a hotel. I really doubt your brains.

There’s no problem.”

After coming back, Xiao Mo felt depressed.

In the evening, in the Hanshu Inn, a flute sound came from the room next to Shu Yan's. The flute sound was low and low, and it obviously had a sad and sad meaning. It made everyone in the hotel sigh - what a sad flute sound.

, What an exquisite flute technique! Shu Yan knew that the flute sound came from Xiao Mo, because a few days ago, when he and Xiao Mo first met on the boat,

, I have heard his playing, but it is also a sad and sad sound, but this time it is obviously different from the last time: the last time the tune was just a simple longing, probably because people have been away from home for a long time and are homesick.

The feeling of homesickness is sad and sweet; but this time the tune is desolate and sad, and it is even more sad.

After listening to this song, Shu Yan couldn't help but think of Zhixin. He opened the package, took out Zhixin's tablet, and muttered silently: "Zhixin, are you okay? Now I have good news to tell you, I have been

I have been elected as the Minister. I don’t know if you like it or not. I remember that you have never asked me to study to gain fame and fortune. It seems that you don’t like it, or you don’t want it at all.

I was dismissive, and so was I. But time has passed, everything has changed... I originally wanted to wait until I settled down and formally tell you and my parents and grandparents. But after I listened to the music played by Brother Xiaomo,

I'm so sad that I couldn't help but tell you first. Xiao Mo is a good brother I met on the way to Luoyang. We get along very well, and he even saved my life..."

Shu Yan was just thinking deeply, and felt that the surroundings were silent. At some point, the sound of the flute quietly stopped.

One song ended, and then another one came, which was more sad than the last one. Shu Yan didn't know what happened to Xiao Mo today, and it was hard to ask. He packed the package and had a lot of thoughts.

Tossing and turning on the bed.

The next day, Shu Yan repeated his old trick and carefully dug out the orchid that had been transplanted in front of the window of his room on the first day he stayed in the inn, wrapped it in cloth, and prepared to transplant it to the hotel.

After a long journey, the orchids passed through two

After being transplanted for the first time, it has already wilted, but its vitality is very strong. After Shu Yan's careful care, it has slowly become energetic. It is the flowering period now, and several small light blue flowers stretch out from the green leaves.

Emits a faint fragrance.

"What does this bouquet of flowers mean to you? Why do you always carry it?"

Shu Yan had just finished wrapping the flowers, but at some point, Xiao Mo had already stood behind him.

"Oh, well, it's a long story. Today is my first day in office, and I'm very pressed for time. I'll tell you when I get the chance."

"Yes, your future is important."

When Shu Yan saw Xiao Mo talking listlessly, he patted him hard on the shoulder. Because Shu Yan wanted to encourage Xiao Mo, he obviously used more force this time. Xiao Mo felt pain, but he didn't take it into consideration.

"Good brother, don't worry. I have already thought about it. You can stay in this inn safely. I will pay for your stay. Although I have no money now, I can ask this innkeeper first.

I owe him a few months, and I will pay him back as soon as I receive my salary. What else do you have to worry about!"

Ah, in his mind, am I such a stingy person? He thinks that I am so sad and depressed just for the hotel money? It’s a pity that he can’t see my thoughts at all...?

"No need, we are not the same people at all. You are a person with a bright future, and you care about the people of the world, while I am determined to travel around the world. As the saying goes, 'If we have different paths, we will not work together'. Brother Shu, just be good

I'll be your official, I'm leaving."

"Ah? Let's go? Where are you going?"

"Be free and have no destination."

"But……"

"But what?" Xiao Mo's eyes looked expectant.

Although Shu Yan was a little reluctant to leave Xiao Mo, he knew that Xiao Mo was a person who advocated freedom. He had his own ambitions, so how could he stay here forever? Although these days were very happy, it was only a matter of time before they were separated. Thinking of this, he

Then he said happily: "Oh, it's okay. Everyone has their own ambitions, and we can't force it. I can only wish you a safe journey."

Xiao Mo took out the horse and the two of them said goodbye at the door of the inn.

"Brother Shu, will you miss me?"

"Of course I can, you are my good brother! Hurry up and get on the horse."

Shu Yan watched Xiao Mo get on the horse, and he turned back three times on the horse. Seeing that he was still unhappy, Shu Yan said: "Xiao Mo, since I have become an official here, I will not leave in a short time. You can come to Luoyang in the future."

, but you want to come see me."

"Brother Shu, I am very happy during this time with you, and I will cherish it."
Chapter completed!