Repay?

When I heard these two words, I was stunned for a moment.

Under the dim light, the expression on his face could not be seen clearly. I could only vaguely feel that he was smiling, but the half-icy mask made the smile become a bit chilly.

He asked me, do you want to repay me?

I was silent for a while, and said with a half-smile: "I thought you would be a person who shows kindness without expecting anything in return."

He laughed: "How can I be that first-class saint?"

"Who is that lord?"

"Laity."

He and I looked at each other and couldn't help but smile, so we asked, "But I wonder what you want in return?"

He said calmly: "Madam also knows that the imperial court had a bad relationship with Xichuan before. If you enter Sichuan as my own identity, not many people will welcome you, and it is more likely to be a disaster. So this time, I asked my lady to take the time to come and pick you up in person."

Li'er means being able to have a wife by your side."

"..."

He looked at me and said sternly: "This time I go to Sichuan, I hope my wife can protect me."

……

He wants me to protect him...?

In fact, I may not have had this shadow in my heart before, but when I heard him say it, it still felt a little heavy. The people in Xichuan were not very welcoming to Pei Yuanxiu, not to mention that he was an official of the imperial court. I was afraid that once he entered Xichuan

Within the territory, it has already aroused the murderous intention of some people.

I thought for a while and said, "Since you know that entering Sichuan this time may be a disaster, why do you still risk your life?"

He looked at me for a while and then smiled: "I am worried about the emperor because I eat the emperor's salary. I have to take care of the trends in Xichuan and Jiangnan."

I also smiled - he was quite honest.

If Pei Yuanxiu and I hadn't traveled all the way west, he wouldn't be here.

If Pei Yuanxiu and I don't stay in Xichuan, there is no need for him to risk his life and enter Sichuan.

After all, he is here to keep an eye on Pei Yuanxiu.

The temporary peace agreement they made at Wangjiang Pavilion was between Jiangnan and the imperial court. But there are not only these two families in the world, but also Xichuan, which is a tripartite with them. The situation is much more complicated. Any two of these three parties

Any approach could cause earth-shattering changes, so when Pei Yuanxiu entered Sichuan, the court would definitely not take it lightly.

No wonder Liu Qinghan and Wen Fengxi came together.

I looked at him: "Is it that simple?"

"It's that simple."

"However, if something is really going to happen between Xichuan and Jiangnan, my lord asked me to travel a long way here, and we will go to Sichuan together. During this period, I am afraid that everything that should happen will happen."

"Not so fast."

"Oh?"

I raised my eyebrows and looked at him, and when I saw his calm and focused eyes, I understood.

Indeed, the relationship between Xichuan and Jiangnan is already very sensitive. I also know very well what kind of people Pei Yuanxiu and Yan Qingchen are. This time is not enough for them to build trust; plus there is me between them...

…The dangers that Liu Qinghan would encounter when entering Sichuan also exist for Pei Yuanxiu.

I nodded, suddenly thought of something, and looked at him with a smile: "But Mr. Liu, if you go to Xichuan, you may ruin my husband's affairs. If you ask me to protect you, you are not making me your accomplice."

?"

"Because of this, I traveled all night and night to send Li'er to Xichuan."

"Oh?"

He looked at me with a smile: "Madam is a person who has a clear sense of grudges. I think from this point of view, I must have seen the right person."

"..."

Looking at his gentle smile but full of confidence, I felt as if my throat was blocked and I couldn't speak. I was silent for a long time and only smiled faintly.

In my heart, I feel so cold.

Sometimes, I feel that he has no memory loss at all.

Otherwise, how could you understand me so well?

However, if he had not lost his memory, who was this man in front of him with a gentle smile, but with obvious alienation in his eyes, and a cold smile?

The Liu San'er who used to be is long gone; but now Liu Qinghan, I still can't understand it at all.

As if sensing that I was a little absent-minded, he lowered his head slightly, looked at me, and whispered: "Madam?"

"Ah!"

I suddenly came back to my senses, looked up at him, hurriedly concealed a smile, and said: "Your Excellency is really thoughtful, but there is one thing. I don't know if you have considered it."

"What is it?"

"Do you know Li'er's identity?"

As soon as these words came out, there was no visible change in his face, but the intact eye seemed to flicker.

I don’t believe he doesn’t know.

Even if he lost his memory, even if the emperor didn't mention such a big thing as sending him south to take charge of Yangzhou, the people around him would have to analyze the interests of all parties clearly for him. Li'er's identity must be an unavoidable issue. Pei Yuanhao has been doing it all these years

It’s no secret that he sent so many people down to the south of the Yangtze River to look for this daughter. Now that Li’er is in his hands, he actually returns her back.

If the emperor found out about it, someone would naturally cut him into pieces without anyone from Xichuan taking action.

I asked again: "Does the adult know?"

He was silent for a while and smiled at me.

"How dare you, sir?"

"It's not whether you dare or not, but you must do it."

"Oh?"

He looked at me calmly and said: "If I don't send Li'er back, what excuse will I have to go to Sichuan? His Majesty the Emperor wants to find someone, but I didn't go south to find someone."

"..."

I didn't expect him to speak so directly. I was stunned for a moment and didn't know what to say. I looked at him blankly for a while and finally smiled at him in relief.

Now, I kind of understand why Pei Yuanhao must use him to run Yangzhou.

In fact, in terms of qualifications, experience, and connections, neither he nor Wen Fengxi were the best candidates. After all, one was from a humble background, the other was a fledgling, and both were suspected of being like a dragon and a phoenix; but, there are only such young people.

People will have the courage to act boldly and resolutely. Imagine that if an old minister really goes south and intercepts Li'er, he must consider the face of the royal family. It is the important matter of Princess Li's recognition of her ancestors and her return to the clan. She must be sent to

The emperor went to please the emperor, and in this way, whatever Pei Yuanxiu did when he went to Xichuan was no longer under the control of the imperial court.

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But he won’t.

What he has to do is not to please the emperor, but to stand on the same ground as him and the emperor and do a big thing that they both want to do.

He is not a jester.

Pei Yuanhao used him dangerously, but he really used it correctly.

For the next time, he and I didn't talk anymore, we just sat quietly. The sky gradually became brighter, and the dark mountain shadows around us also showed their original majestic appearance. When I turned my head,

I saw the first ray of sunlight shining on that calm, only half-complete face.

Although I knew that he had a half-ghost-like face, looking at it from this angle, I felt that his cheeks were exceptionally clean, and the lines from his forehead to his chin were clear and clear. There was a feeling that had been washed away countless times by running water, and it had become round but still the same.

The feeling of solid rock.

In the past, he was my support.

Now, he is relied upon by many people.

As if sensing my gaze, he raised his head and looked at me: "What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing."

I concealed a smile, but before I could say anything, I suddenly heard a loud noise in the distance.

Boom——!

It was as if the whole world was shaken. Liu Qinghan and I were stunned and looked at each other. Before we could realize what had happened, we felt the hull of the ship shaking slightly.

It’s the rapids of the river!

I was just leaning on the guardrail, but I was shaken so much that I was a little unsteady, and I was about to fall down!

At this moment, a hand suddenly came over and protected me!

"Be careful!"

I was still a little unsteady on my feet, so I stumbled over and bumped into a familiar but cool chest. I suddenly heard a startled gasp coming from above my head!

"Ah..."

My cheek brushed against his chest. It was obviously a smooth satin robe, but the moment my skin touched it, it seemed to have a strange, rough texture from the smoothness of running water, which made my cheeks feel hot.

My whole body felt numb and froze.

I raised my head and met his eyes.

At this moment, he seemed a little stunned. One hand was holding the railing, and the other was wrapped around me, as if to protect me, but he didn't touch any part of my body, but - the smell and breath that belonged to him

, but at that moment it enveloped my whole being.

"Are you - okay?"

I'm still looking at him.

From such a close distance, not only can he see his face clearly, but even the light reflected in his pupils can be clearly seen every bit.

Therefore, the embarrassment and panic in his eyes were so clear, but they only disappeared in a flash.

It was like a needle pricked me.

"...!"

My breathing shortened, but it was not too drastic. I just stood firm and slowly stood up from his arms.

The next moment, he calmly took a step back. The hand that was about to protect me but never touched me took it back and put it properly behind his back.

"I'm sorry." He said.

I stretched out my hand to hold the fence, looked at him a little pale, and smiled: "I lost my composure."

……

After saying these words, the two of them seemed to have nothing to say.

He bent down and picked up the fishing rod and fishing basket that he had just thrown on the ground in a hurry. When he stood up again, he took a step back, further away from me.

And the familiar aura on his body that had completely surrounded me completely disappeared at this moment. My hand holding the fence became cold, and looking at his reserved and distant look, I suddenly smiled.

.

A light smile that is not too embarrassing.

He also smiled.

But he didn't know that I pinched the wooden railing hard with my nails, and I used all my strength to calm down the heartbeat that was almost bursting out of my chest just now.

After that smile, I seemed to be a little exhausted. I didn't speak or move. He didn't pay attention. He turned his head and looked at the place where the sound came from: "What's going on?"

"It should be releasing floods."

"Flood release?"

"At this time of year, the Sanjiang Dam will open its gates to release excess water."

However, the opening time of the gate every day must be controlled, and the amount of water released is also limited. Once it is excessive, it may cause disasters along the river and ships on the river will also be harmed.

Over the years, the Shu people have still followed the rules set in the past, and they have maintained the richness and prosperity of Xichuan, which "follows people in floods and droughts, but does not know about famine".

I raised my head and looked towards the stern of the ship, but there were towering valleys all around. We had already turned into this channel, and it was impossible to see it even if we straightened our necks. Liu Qinghan turned around and saw me like this,

Said: "Do you want to see the Sanjiang Dam?"

"Hmm."

"It's a pity that our ship -" He smiled and said, "Otherwise, I can take my wife over to have a look."

Although I felt sorry in my heart, I couldn't say anything. I just smiled and said, "It's nothing. In fact, I've seen it before, but I've been away for too long. I want to take another look to see if there are any changes."

"Madam, have you been to Sanjiang Dam before?"

"I've been here before, with my mother, she -" At this point, he didn't say anything. I was stunned for a moment, but when I looked at him, he still looked very calm, as if he was chatting with me about everyday things.

Generally speaking, when he saw me paused, he asked: "What's wrong?"

I smiled again: "Nothing."

"..."

"The clouds and mist in the valleys in that area are like a painting painted by God, which is particularly beautiful; in spring, the green mountains and green waters, the grass growing and the flying birds, are impossible to describe with pen and ink. My mother likes the scenery of Sanjiang Dam very much. I remember when I was a child,

She takes me there every year to visit. She likes fishing very much, and a few earthworms can fill a basket."

"Really?"

"Of course, sir -" I looked at the empty fish basket in his hand: "But there is still something to learn."

"Haha."

"The fish at that time were so plump that they would be boiled in water as soon as they were caught. The aroma was so overwhelming that people couldn't help it..."

He listened to me with great interest and said with a smile: "I couldn't help it."

I glanced at him: "It's a pity that you are so busy with official duties, I'm afraid you won't have time to enjoy this kind of fisherman's happiness."

He looked at me, thought for a moment, and said with a smile: "In the future, I hope there will be a chance."

He and I looked at each other and both smiled.

By this time, the sky was already bright, and the pier was gradually becoming lively. There were even many boats on the river, and the horns were blaring, and the valley suddenly felt like a pot of boiling water.

Liu Qinghan said: "It's getting late. Madam, let's see if Li'er is up. We should——"

"Mother."

Before he finished speaking, he heard Li'er's sticky voice coming from beside him.

We turned around and saw that Li'er was still wearing a wrinkled nightgown with disheveled hair. She was standing barefoot at the door of the cabin, holding the door with one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other, looking unconsciously.

We.

"Li'er? You're awake."

"Hmm."

She said in a dull voice, and walked over as if she was sleepwalking. I was afraid that she would catch cold, so I hurriedly picked her up. The girl yawned, looked at me, and then looked back at Liu Qinghan: "Uncle...

”

"Did Li'er sleep well last night?"

"Okay." She nodded obediently: "With mother here, I slept well."

Liu Qinghan laughed: "Children with mothers are different."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to straighten the hair on the back of Li'er's head, and said with a smile: "Li'er, go wash your face obediently. After a while, we should get off the boat."

"Okay."

He said and looked at me again: "I will go with my wife."

I nodded: "Okay."

After saying that, he was about to go back with Li'er in his arms. As soon as he turned around, Li'er suddenly raised his hand and pointed in front: "Rainbow!"

Liu Qinghan and I both stopped and looked back.

Sure enough, above the valley, there is a huge rainbow of seven colors, which is eye-popping!

Li'er was so happy that she clapped her hands: "It's so beautiful!"

It is indeed very beautiful. Such a huge rainbow is like the seven-color brocade weaved by the goddess. It is decorated in the blue sky. It is colorful and dreamlike. It connects the vastness of the sky above and the majesty of the mountains and rivers below. It is like a heaven and earth.

bridge.

I looked at it and was moved by such beautiful scenery.

Turning to look at Liu Qinghan, he seemed to be stunned. After a while, he turned back and looked at me.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

There is more in the smile.

The rainbow has always been a symbol of sunshine after rain.

But this time, it's not that simple.
Chapter completed!