When Caiwei saw my expression, she was frightened first. She looked up at the spacious mansion, then looked back at me, and said in confusion: "Madam, what's wrong? Is there anything wrong?"

“…”

I still stared at the vermilion gate with wide eyes and couldn't speak.

The house in front of me is like the mansions of the nobles around me, with red painted doors, red bricks and green tiles, and the stone lions on both sides are majestic and gray walls lined up, making them look extraordinary.

But, I still remember that this was not the case here many years ago.

At that time, the red walls were towering, and behind the high walls were large red clouds, which were blooming red plums. I even remember the heavy snowfall at that time, and the cold and ice-soaked feeling of snowflakes falling on my face. Against the background of the white snow, the red plums were more beautiful and more crystal clear. Against the background of the plum blossoms, the snow was more crystal clear.

But in the end, all the red plums turned into flames, burning half of the sky red, and a "prince" at that time fell here, which also made Huang Tianba feel guilt that he could not get rid of for his whole life.

That is Qingmei Villa.

And the house in front of you-

Although when Liu Qinghan said he wanted to send me this house, when he was near Tongquetai, I had a little palpitation, but I didn't really think about Qingmei Villa. After many years of separation from the capital, the scenery around me has changed a little along the way, so I didn't pay attention. I was following the footsteps of the past and slowly walked back to the deepest part of my memory, the painful place.

This house was actually built on the Qingmei Garden!

In an instant, I felt like I was in a nightmare. The things that happened that night were like a black hand suddenly stretching out from my memory, choking my throat, almost suffocating me.

I don’t know how long it took to recover a little of my consciousness. I felt Caiwei grab my arm and look at me worriedly: “Madam, what’s wrong with you? Your face suddenly became so ugly.”

“…”

I didn't say anything, but just glanced at the house again, then shook my head.

At this time, I woke up a little more clearly - everything from that year has passed. No matter how deep or terrible the nightmare is, there will be a day when I wake up. Even now, I am standing in this place, everything is different, and I am different.

only……

I looked at the grand red lacquer door in front of me and frowned slightly.

When several princes fought for the throne and fought in the imperial city, Pei Yuanchen died. Qingmei Villa was burned. The power of Changmingzong in the capital was completely known to Pei Yuanhao, including this house. So later, Huang Tianba and all the people of the sect retreated from the capital, and even Yao Lao left. This place obviously became a homeless land. More than ten years have passed since then. Although it will not change in the world, the world will change. This place is probably going through many storms.

I never thought that this Qingmei Villa, or this house, would eventually become Liu Qinghan's private house.

It can be seen that this world is unpredictable.

I stood quietly at the door, looking at the plaque above, with the big word "Liu Mansion", but for some reason, I saw a little bit of loneliness.

I don’t know if it’s my illusion, but this house seems to be too quiet. Although there is no other place on this street, it is particularly quiet. There is almost no sound in the house, only the cold wind blows by, rolling the fallen leaves on the ground, making rustling sounds.

It's so quiet.

The coachman parked the car and pinned the whip behind his waist, then walked over: "Madam, is this place?"

“It’s here.”

"That little one went up and called the door."

"Yeah, you go."

Caiwei helped me up the steps and stood aside. The coachman walked over and slapped the door a few times: "Open the door!"

The copper ring on the door was wiped very brightly. As the driver slapped the door vigorously, the door panels on both sides trembled slightly, and the copper rings also swayed, hitting the door panels together, making a dinging sound, and it was heard far away in such a quiet wind.

A sound of footsteps followed.

When we heard the sound of removing the door bolt from inside, we were all cheering up our spirits, and then we heard a long and dumb creaking sound, and the tall and heavy red painted door slowly opened.

A head poked out from inside.

"Who are you looking for?"

I looked closely and saw that this was an old man with wrinkles on his face, looking thin and capable, but a white and matte head. When he poked his head out, he looked like a dandelion. When Caiwei next to him saw him, she couldn't help laughing in a low voice. Obviously, she felt that way.

The coachman was honest. When he saw that an old man came out, he hurriedly said respectfully: "Brother-in-law, I'm upset. This is Miss Yan, she is here to take over this house."

"Miss Yan?"

When the old man heard this, he hurriedly cheered up and turned his head to look at me: "You are—"

I smiled and nodded, Caiwei hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, old man."

The old man hurriedly stepped out of the high threshold, bowed to me, and said, "Ms. Yan, the head of the family has sent a letter, saying that a Miss Yan is coming here and let the old slave serve him well. I just neglected."

I smiled, thinking that this person was the janitor "Lao Zhu" that Liu Qinghan mentioned. He said he was a loyal elder. I said, "You are Lao Zhu, Mr. Liu has sent you a message?"

"Yes. A letter from the home owner came a few days ago, and he explained it." He hunched his waist and said respectfully: "However, please ask Miss Yan to show the letter from the home owner to the old slave again."

It seems that Lao Zhu is a cautious person, but after all, the matter of the house is not a trivial matter. Besides, Liu Qinghan sent him a letter, and I don’t know what was written in the letter, but judging from Liu Qinghan’s current state, it is difficult to have the opportunity to return to the capital. This house was almost given to me. As a gatekeeper, it is not an exaggeration to be cautious.

So, I took out the letter from my arms with a little body temperature and asked Caiwei to hand it to Lao Zhu.

Lao Zhu sued, opened the letter, read it roughly, and then saw Liu Qinghan's signature at the end of the letter. Once he confirmed that it was from his work, he immediately put away the letter: "Miss, you are rude."

After saying that, he turned around and pushed open the door, making a "please" gesture to us.

I took Caiwei in, and the coachman moved the things from the carriage down and sent them into the gate. Lao Zhu pointed out the way and drove the carriage to the side door.

As soon as we walked in, we felt a cool breeze first.

As Liu Qinghan said, the house is very spacious. As soon as you enter and exit, it is first a wide pool. There is a rockery with strange rocks in the middle of the pool. There is a gurgling spring flowing in it and it pours down to the bottom of the mountain. The water of the pool continues to ripple and spreads, which is a unique sound.

Under the walls on both sides, bamboos of various colors are planted, osmanthus, light and Xiangfei, and the green leaves are immortalized by winter, giving such a cold winter a little more vitality. Moreover, the bamboo leaves swaying in the wind form a bunch of thick green clouds, covering the distant scenery and appearing faintly with the wind.

In this way, a rockery at the door blocks the surrounding bamboo leaves, covering the scenery of the entire courtyard, so that it will not allow you to see all the scenery as soon as you enter the door. This arrangement is quite interesting, and it can be seen that there are hills and valleys in the heart of the owner in the garden.

only--

In the garden, except for the sound of the gurgling springs, there is the sound of the wind blowing through the bamboo leaves on both sides, and there is no other voice.

Here, it is quieter than outside.

Not only me, but even Caiwei felt it. She held my arm and shrank her shoulders, and said in a low voice: "How long hasn't you lived in this house? Why don't you feel like you're not popular at all?"

I glared at her and told her not to talk nonsense. At this time, Lao Zhu finished taking care of the outside and closed the door, and hurriedly followed him to serve. I saw that he was in good spirits, but his back was slightly hunched, so he smiled and said, "I've been guarding the house here for many years."

He smiled and said, "I can't even calculate it by myself."

"Then, Mr. Liu - after something happened to Mr. Liu, has someone come to take over this house?"

"No. This house is the private residence of the head of the family. In the past, when the head of the family was still in the capital, there were very few guests coming to visit. After the head of the family left, it became even more deserted."

No wonder, there is no popularity anymore.

I smiled and said, "I'm afraid I know that Mr. Liu has committed a crime and almost killed the emperor in Yangzhou. Why is the old man still staying here and not leaving?"

Lao Zhu shook his head: "The head of the family has not committed any business, that is the head of the family. Lao Zhu is a guardian, just do this business and do this business well."

I smiled slightly.

Regardless of the other, as Liu Qinghan said, he is really a loyal old man.

He accompanied us slowly in. I walked along the path in the bamboo forest, looking at the scenery on both sides as I walked. The scenery was indeed good, just like the owner's mood, but I felt the coldness and loneliness here more. I thought for a while and asked, "Old man, I heard from Mr. Liu that you are all here guarding the house, why do you only see you now?"

"They, they're all gone."

"Why?"

His face froze, as if there was something unspeakable. I subconsciously glanced at him, but Lao Zhu smiled embarrassedly and stumbled over.

I vaguely feel something is wrong.

However, although it was deserted and no one came to the house all year round, Lao Zhu did his duty and swept the floor cleanly and all the rooms were neatly placed. I lived in the master's room. Although it was a little deserted, the corners of the walls were clean, the bedding was soft and there was no trace of moldy smell.

At night, Caiwei came in with an incense burner and served me to bed.

While removing the bun for me, she looked outside thoughtfully and asked, "What's wrong?"

Caiwei paused for a moment and said softly: "Madam, do you think something is wrong with this house?"

"What's wrong? Why is it wrong?"
Chapter completed!