The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

The children were finally found in the warehouse of Man Yuanyuan. Xin Suzhao personally led ten officers and soldiers, and no one dared to stop them coming and going.

When Chen Heng split the copper lock on the woodshed, he saw several children lying on the woodpile at a glance, including Niuniu and Xiaohu. The two children were very excited when they saw their elder brother setting off fireworks for them.

Brother, I knew you would come to save us. Niu Niu was obviously frightened, and she suddenly started sobbing when she saw an acquaintance.

Chen Heng was a little embarrassed. He really didn't know how to coax the children, so he had to pick up Niuniu and Xiaohu with his hands and ask the latter to confirm whether the children nearby were all from the camp.

It's all, it's all. Wang Xiaohu nodded seriously, and asked Chen Heng for credit: I have always told Niu Niu, big brother, you will definitely come to save us.

It's also the mark you left. Chen Heng patted the child's head encouragingly, and then advised: But if you encounter this kind of thing again in the future, you still have to come back to us, you know? Don't do such dangerous things alone again. ”

That is to say, what I encountered this time was a trafficker. If I encountered a bandit, how much strength can a child have to fight with them?

Wang Xiaohu didn't know whether he understood or not. He just smiled, turned around and started telling Niu Niu a joke.

Now that all the lost children have been found, Chen Heng can finally let go of the worry he had been worrying about for half the night. He and Xin Suzhao looked at each other, and walked out of Manchun Courtyard with the accompanying officers and soldiers protecting the children.

The guests I met on the road had strange expressions when they saw their neat appearance. Maybe you didn’t expect that such a combination of scholars, officers, soldiers, and children could come to a brothel?

When leaving, Xin Suzhao originally wanted to make a scene and took the opportunity to arrest several principals of Manchun Yuan and imprison them together. Chen Heng persuaded him to stop. The case in front of him was obviously very involved. How to investigate? How many places should I check? After all, it is the government office that has the final say.

As long as the traffickers are in hand, in a place like Manchunyuan, the monks will eventually escape but not the temple.

At the moment, there is no need for the two of them to overstep their bounds. What matters most is to send the children home first and put the traffickers in jail.

Xin Suzhao thought for a moment and agreed with Chen Heng's idea. The two separated directly at the archway at the entrance of the alley. Xin Suzhao led the prisoners straight to the prison, while Chen Heng sent the children back to their families first.

Outside the camp, the family members who had been waiting anxiously for a long time could not control their emotions as soon as they saw their child. They rushed out of the porridge shop, hugged the child, and started crying on the spot.

Anyone who sees this happy scene of family reunion will feel happy.

However, as Chen Heng was the planner of the fireworks tonight, it was appropriate for him to apologize when something like this happened. Fortunately, the refugees didn't make things difficult for him. He only blamed himself for not taking good care of his children.

After the refugees were sent back to their tents one by one, only the students who had rushed over were left outside the porridge shop. Everyone had been worried all night. They were afraid that their efforts during this period would be in vain. Now that they saw Chen Heng safely finding the children, they couldn't help but come up to congratulate them one by one.

You should be more careful these days. Chen Heng warned the leading classmates, If you can go out for a walk at night, do so. If you encounter a bad person, don't act rashly. Just come back and call for help.

I have to buy some gongs. Du Yunjing thought for a while and added on Chen Heng's behalf, Whenever something happens, just hit the gongs and people nearby will rush over immediately. It's faster this way.

This method is good.

I'll go buy it tomorrow. Don't worry, senior fellow students. Leave this matter to me.

Okay, okay, everyone has worked hard. That's it for tonight. Let's go to bed first. There are still a lot of things waiting for us tomorrow.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, only Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai were left around Chen Heng.

The two people came closer and mouthed in the distance, What about that girl? Was she also abducted?

Chen Heng took advantage of the situation and looked into the distance, and saw a figure sitting alone under the shed, with a lit brazier in front of her. The girl lowered her head, still wearing her own cloak, and looked a little forlorn.

How could she be forgotten.

Chen Heng slapped his forehead and nodded: Yes, she was also abducted. I'll go and ask, but I don't know if she is from Yangzhou. By the way, is there anything to eat? Find me some and keep going back and forth at night. Tossing around, I’m so hungry.”

Chen Heng didn't even bother to eat dinner tonight. He originally wanted to wait for Xin Suzhao to take a rest, so he could eat and chat with his friends, but when this happened, he was busy until now.

It's true. I'll go find your second uncle.

My second uncle hasn't left yet? Chen Heng was a little surprised. He didn't expect Chen Huaijin to still stay here.

He said he couldn't worry about you. Jiang Yuanbai said this, and Chen Heng couldn't help but feel a little moved. Qian Dayou added: Tell us specifically to wake him up when you come back.

Chen Heng was stunned for a moment, suddenly feeling that there was not much left of the emotion. He waved his hand and said simply: No need to wake him up, just grab some food.

Seeing his friend turn around and leave, Chen Heng also straightened his clothes and walked towards the figure outside the distant firelight. The ground in winter is dry and hard, and it is easy to make rustling sounds. Chen Heng's deliberate steps were naturally heard by the other party.

This girl is really interesting, her eyes are not shy and she stares straight at Chen Heng.

The look he gave me was more curious than sizing up.

It's like a villain who suddenly breaks into a new world, both cautiously and enthusiastically.

Chen Heng found a distance that was not too far away, pulled up a wooden stool, and sat beside the fire.

Have you eaten? Chen Heng asked.

He is the host and guest, so he has to speak first.

It's just that he was a little tired today, and he didn't really want to pay attention to any red tape, so he sat straight on the stool and nodded as a greeting.

The girl also followed Chen Heng's example and began to nod her head and replied: I haven't eaten.

No, you didn’t eat, why are you nodding your head? Chen Heng was confused when he heard this. He wanted to laugh a little, but he didn't pay much attention. Do you want to eat something together?

Okay. The girl answered calmly.

Chen Heng probably didn't expect that the other party, with such a cheerful temperament, would agree so simply.

But this was an invitation from him, so he wouldn't say anything more.

After a few reserved words, he turned the topic to the girl's life.

Girl, what's your name?

My surname is Zhen.

Where's the name?

I...I seem to...have no name... The girl's voice was soft when she spoke. It was not that she was secretly sad, but more like she was trying to remember, as if she was trying to fish out a bright moon from a small pool of water.

Chen Heng was speechless for a moment and decided to change his approach, It's okay, the name is not important.

Miss Zhen continued to nod, but the amplitude was a little large.

Then do you know where your home is?

have no idea.

Do you know the names of your family members?

This time it was better, the girl started to shake her head.

Chen Heng asked a few more questions, but Miss Zhen still didn't know anything.

It was really difficult, and Chen Heng was also a little distressed. He is thoughtful and has gradually figured out the other person's life through questions.

He was abducted as a child and has been imprisoned and raised. In the past ten years, the most common people I have seen besides kidnappers are children.

Chen Heng was very angry when he heard this, and felt that those traffickers deserved death.

He could sort of see the clues. The girl in front of him had always been confused in her words and deeds. Rather than being stupid, it would be better to describe him as innocent. What happened is inseparable from more than ten years of isolation from the world.

At this time, Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai came over with dishes. As soon as Miss Zhen saw this thing, she subconsciously stood up and squatted aside while Chen Heng was stunned.

Girl, what are you doing? Jiang Yuanbai was so frightened that he could hardly hold the dishes in his hands.

Miss Zhen blinked, the firelight illuminated her ignorant eyes, and her still-dry black hair floated beside her cheeks. She whispered: The position is for you.

There is no such truth. Qian Dayou frowned when he heard this. Although in ancient times, women were not given priority. But men must also have the virtue of humility. When word of this spreads, three grown men make a girl squat aside, and the scholar will lose all face.

Chen Heng knew that this problem must fall on those traffickers. He was afraid that it would be difficult to explain, so he quickly changed the subject and said, Miss Zhen, just sit down. They have eaten and are not hungry.

Oh. After hearing Chen Heng say this, she sat back down where she was.

Qian Dayou and Jiang Yuanbai breathed a sigh of relief. They were also a little frightened. After putting down the dishes, they quickly turned around and went out to find a table.

While eating, Chen Heng noticed a detail. Miss Zhen's eating posture is very graceful. Although she knows little about worldly things, there is no trace of naturalness in her every move, which is really puzzling.

One can't help but wonder what kind of family the other person comes from.

The evening breeze was quiet, and although there was a brazier nearby, Miss Zhen's clothes were not completely dry after all. Chen Heng noticed that the other party was shivering, so he brought Xue Biao's blanket and motioned for Miss Zhen to cover her legs.

Miss Zhen doesn't talk much. When she eats something delicious, her eyes can't help but squint, like a cat that only eats fish.

Brother Heng, what's going on with her? Jiang Yuanbai couldn't suppress his curiosity, so he leaned into Chen Heng's ear and asked softly.

Chen Heng's eyes moved slightly, indicating that it was not appropriate to discuss the matter at the moment.

Qian Dayou was frightened by what had just happened. Without any explanation, he pulled Jiang Yuanbai and hid far away, only daring to stop and watch.

Hengdi is young, so it would be okay to have a meal together, but they are both young, so they need to avoid suspicion. If something goes wrong again, how can a clean man go out to meet people in the future?

Eat more if you like it. Chen Heng saw Miss Zhen holding a dish and pushed it over.

There weren't many dishes at night, and Gu's cooking skills were just the same, but they were fresh and delicious.

The rising firelight illuminated half of their bodies. Under the vast starry moon, the two sat face to face, surrounded by everything in silence. Only the crackling of firewood could be heard occasionally.

It's delicious. Miss Zhen began to nod again, with a happy expression on her face.

I don’t know if it’s because of the delicious food in front of me or the bright moon in the sky.

Chen Heng smiled softly. He had already begun to figure out the girl's way of speaking.

After more than ten years of claustrophobic life, she was not bound by the current etiquette and customs. Although she was a little ignorant in worldly affairs, she felt relaxed and comfortable in getting along with her.

It's much like going out to eat with friends in a previous life. You don't have to pay attention to the rules of eating, and you can completely forget about red tape.

Is it tasty?

tasty.

These few words are enough.

Why are you laughing? Miss Zhen asked suddenly.

This was the first question she asked tonight.

Chen Heng thought for a while and replied: Because it's delicious.

Xiaohu said, were you the one who set off the fireworks for everyone?

This Miss Zhen seems to have more and more problems.

Chen Heng originally wanted to explain the twists and turns, for example, he just came up with an idea, and it was the government office that really made the decision, etc. But I also feel that such effort is somewhat unnecessary.

Once in a while, just let go and think deeply. He thought so in his mind.

After coming to this world, Chen Heng didn't know if he had changed the world yet, but the world must have changed him silently.

That's right. Chen Heng replied and then asked, Do you like fireworks very much?

This was the second time Chen Heng heard the other party mention this matter tonight, and he was also a little curious about the reason.

Miss Zhen turned her head, she was really thinking seriously.

Finally, a rare trace of panic appeared on her face, Looking at the fireworks, I feel very familiar.

What kind of experience can make a person familiar with fireworks?

Chen Heng didn't know. He lowered his head to pick up the vegetables and just gave an example softly, There will be one tomorrow, there will be one on New Year's Eve, and there will be one on New Year's Eve. When the Lantern Festival comes, the fireworks in Yangzhou will be even more...

Chen Heng suddenly stopped talking. He didn't know what he said wrong.

Miss Zhen in front of her, holding a bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other, was stunned.

Tears fell naturally from her cheeks, and she seemed surprised by this.

The little mouth was slightly open, and the eyes were full of panic and confusion.

It's not so much that she's crying, it's that her body is sad.

Let's eat. Chen Heng thought for a moment and skipped the topic.

Okay. Miss Zhen nodded.

Tonight, she slept alone in the shed.

Chen Heng only came a few times in the middle of the night to bring her some dry firewood.

At dawn the next day, government officials came to the camp to investigate what happened yesterday.

Some students gathered around and asked indignantly about the punishment for this matter. When there were more people, the attitude of the officials couldn't help but soften, and Du Yunjing was the leader.

After several times of strict instructions from the prefect, the students were finally able to calm down.

Chen Heng hid aside and did not interfere with this matter. He was discussing the placement of Miss Zhen with Jiang Yuanbai, Xue Biao and others.

It's better to send her to a nursing home. Chen Heng shook his head, At her age, don't tell her whether it's suitable or not before she goes in. The people inside don't know what they will do to her!

He had half a sentence that he didn't say.

This Miss Zhen is really a bit too voluptuous and pretty. It was dark last night and he couldn't see clearly. Early in the morning today, when Miss Zhen was sitting in the greenhouse, Chen Heng realized the seriousness of the problem when the strange looks from passersby came to her.

That's true. Xue Biao nodded in agreement. He explained to Jiang Yuanbai and Qian Da, Don't think that it is a good place. There are many homeless people there, and the younger ones are easier to fool. I'm afraid that some middle-aged widowers will cause some shady things among them.

There is such a thing?! Jiang Yuanbai was very surprised when he heard this. He was still at an age when the world was beautiful, and he had not yet seen the evil in people's hearts.

What should we do? We can't just leave her here. Qian Dayou couldn't help shaking his head, How about one of you take her home first and take care of her temporarily?

are you crazy? Chen Heng and the other three couldn't help but shake their heads. Let's not talk about their reputation. Do they still want the reputation of this girl?

This won't work, and that won't work either.

What should Miss Zhen do?

The four of them faced each other with sad expressions on their faces.

Chen Heng looked around and suddenly saw someone packing a suitcase in the distance. He had an idea, How about sending her to the academy first? Let her be taken care of by the mountain chief's wives?

This method is good, this method is good. Qian Dayou immediately clapped his hands in agreement.

The old, weak, women and children who entered the city today are the third group. The first two groups have to settle in the city for a year. Only today's group of people will go to the counties below to live temporarily after the Chinese New Year. The government government cannot find so many empty houses, so they will be placed in major academies in Yangzhou.

At that time, the academy will be filled with women and children, and the mountain chief's wife will be in charge of the overall situation. No matter how you think about it, it's better than being in a camp outside the city.

We are also actively inquiring about the other party's family, trying to find the whereabouts of the girl's family before the New Year, and after the New Year, let the government send her back to reunite with her family.

Isn't Miss Zhen ignorant of all questions?

Aren't there still human traffickers here? Give them some punishment and interrogate them carefully.

Then who's going to tell her?

After everyone finished talking about things in a few words, they had trouble with the last thing. Several people looked at each other, and finally focused on Chen Heng.

Brother Heng, it's best for you to go.

You can save people, but you have to send Buddha to the West.

Okay, okay. Chen Heng waved his hand and left his companions.

He came directly to Miss Zhen, briefly explained his purpose of coming, and patiently explained the current situation outside the city.

Don't worry if you go to the academy. Our mountain chief's wife is a very talkative old lady. If you have any difficulties, just tell her. Chen Heng took out some broken silver from his body, If you are missing something If you need something, just go and tell Uncle Wang, the concierge, he is also a warm-hearted person and will definitely be willing to help you.

The only thing is, remember not to go out casually. There are a lot of things going on in the city now, and no one knows what monsters and monsters are hidden inside when people come and go.

Miss Zhen nodded in understanding, stood up and followed Chen Heng closely, remaining silent until she got on the carriage heading into the city.

Only when the carriage was driving away, she boldly opened the curtain and said to the people outside the carriage, Is this how scholars say thanks?

She saw too many people raising their hands in salute today, and she seemed to want to make a fist to salute, but she had to hold the curtain with one hand, which made her feel a little embarrassed.

Under the bright sun, the wind was blowing his robes. Chen Heng shook his head and laughed, We usually say: a chance encounter is worth cherishing.

After a night of encounters and separations, she poked her head out of the carriage and asked reluctantly, You haven't told me your name yet?

Chen Heng.

I’ve made up for the five thousand words yesterday. I finished it at two o'clock in the morning, but it still took an hour to revise it. I couldn't bear it anymore, so I went to bed. Now I'll secretly revise it for you at noon.

Not counting today’s update.

Let me keep my word!