On the fifth floor of Juxin Square.

"A Cui, hurry up and come out to eat.

Go call your Uncle Zhao Pei and Uncle Zhong Fan while you're at it. "

Looking over, a middle-aged man wearing a brown, wide-sleeved robe embroidered with fine silk, with a belt inlaid with gold and jade on his round belly, and a smile on his white, chubby face. His eyes creased into crescents, and one could still see the indifference and calmness that had settled down over the years between his brows. At this moment, he was holding a large ladle in his hand, standing in the main hall and shouting towards the inner room in the southeast.

"Got it, I'm coming now."

The reply was a melodious voice that sounded like the chirping of an oriole.

Then, the inner room's door opened, and a young girl with a graceful figure wearing a moon-white long dress with a delicate Hetian red jade bracelet around her wrist walked out. When she raised her hand, one could even hear the crisp sound of a small silver bell tied to the bracelet.

Her fine black hair was loosely tied into a cloud bun, with a simple and unadorned wooden hairpin inserted into it. However, her appearance was really a little dull, and besides a pair of clear, bright eyes like colored glass, there was nothing outstanding about her.

"A Cui, I already told you that this disguise technique is very easy to get pimples if you cover your face with human skin. I told you not to learn it from your Uncle Zhao Pei. What if your face is disfigured and you can't get married … Speaking of which, it's all my fault. I said something about gambling for a groom, but it backfired, and I really can't get married …"

Hua Zhiyi looked at Hua Cuicui, who had changed her appearance, and chattered endlessly. In the end, he almost raised the ladle in his hand and was about to hit her head.

"Abba, don't, I just bathed my hair last night!

The ladle you use to cook is covered in oil … "

Hua Cuicui nimbly tilted her body to avoid the ladle as she continued, "I'm really tired of wearing a veil when I go out. Now that I know this disguise technique, I have a different face every day. How fun is that?

Also, if her face was disfigured, she could get Uncle Zhong Fan to treat her. After all, Uncle Zhong Fan's medical skills were superb.

By the way, Abba, don't keep urging me to get married. If I really get married, won't I leave you to die alone? "

Hua Zhiyi was at a loss for words.

Hua Zhiyi, who couldn't outtalk his daughter, turned around and walked to the kitchen with a sad face. He kept muttering, "Alas, A Cui doesn't have the gentleness and thoughtfulness of her mother …"

"Dong dong dong!"

Hua Cuicui came to the inner room on the west side of the fourth floor and knocked on the door.

A voice came from inside. "Is that A Cui? Come in."

Hua Cuicui pushed the door open and entered. She saw Zhao Pei, who had just spoken, sitting at the desk and drawing. Zhong Fan was standing at the side grinding ink.

Speaking of which, before Hua Zhiyi came to Chang 'an, he was the head of Dongfeng Stockade on Dongxing Mountain.

Zhao Pei and Zhong Fan followed Hua Zhiyi in Dongfeng Stockade.

The two of them were loyal to Hua Zhiyi. Even after Hua Zhiyi left Dongfeng Stockade, they followed him to Chang 'an without saying a word. They helped Hua Zhiyi open Yunlai Inn and this Juxin Square.

Zhao Pei was originally the son of a rich family in Jiangnan, and Zhong Fan was a little errand boy who had served him since he was young.

But Zhao Pei fell in love with this little errand boy.

Although it was not unheard of for men to be gay, some rich children and officials were fond of it.

But Zhao Pei was different. He really liked Zhong Fan, unlike those people who just wanted to have fun and enjoy.

When the family found out, they were furious and almost beat Zhong Fan to death. Zhao Pei desperately stopped them and saved his life.

Later, they decided to turn a blind eye to it, as long as he was still willing to marry and have children.

Who knew that Young Master Zhao would swear in the ancestral hall of the Zhao family that he would never marry or have children. Otherwise, he would be struck by lightning and die a horrible death.

Master Zhao was so angry that he fainted. In the end, he removed Zhao Pei's name from the family tree and expelled the two of them.

The two of them were penniless and wandered around. Finally, they came to Dongxing Mountain.

Because Zhao Pei had to eat and sleep in the open for a long time, he was so tired that he almost died from his illness. Unexpectedly, he was saved by Hua Zhiyi's wife. From then on, the two of them stayed in Dongfeng Stockade and vowed to follow Hua Zhiyi to death.

"A Cui, why did you change your appearance today?"

Zhong Fan stopped grinding and looked up at Hua Cuicui.

"A few days ago, Uncle Zhao Pei taught me the art of disguise. I finally succeeded.

Take a look, isn't it flawless? "

Hua Cuicui touched her face with her hand and said proudly.

"There are some marks on the sideburns, and the tip of the nose needs to be fixed properly."

Zhao Pei also stopped painting and looked at Hua Cuicui's face seriously. Then he said, "But you've made progress. You haven't been practicing for long. In a few years, even I won't be able to recognize you."

"If the disciple learns well, it's because the master taught me well. I'll practice diligently. When I'm more familiar with it, I'll take you out on the street. I can't let people recognize you and shame Uncle Zhao Pei's name.

Oh right, Abba told me to tell you that it's time to eat. "Hua Cuicui said with smiling eyes.

"You, you're so smart. Okay, let's go eat." Zhao Pei smiled as he pointed at Hua Cuicui with the brush in his hand.

Hua Cuicui quickly said, "Then Uncle Zhao Pei, you guys go up first. I'll go remove this poison first."

… …

"Sit, sit.

I tried a new dish today. You guys try it. "

Hua Zhiyi called out.

The three people sitting looked at each other. No one moved their chopsticks.

After a long time, Zhong Fan broke the silence. He picked up his chopsticks and picked up a plate of stir-fried pork with mushrooms … …

He chewed a few times with a serious expression before slowly saying, "This is a lot better than before. It's edible."

"Really?

Looks like my cooking is pretty good! "Hua Zhiyi excitedly rubbed his hands. The meat on his face also shook.

Hua Cuicui, who had been watching Zhong Fan, also picked up a piece of mushroom with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. She chewed … … and then spat it out … …

She said with a serious expression, "Abba, how do you make the dishes so disgusting every time?

I feel like it's not easy to do this.

Give more money to Uncle Zhong Fan this month. Only Uncle Zhong Fan would support you.

Abba, daughter is unfilial. Daughter should go to Lingering Fragrance House on East Street to eat. "

As she spoke, she quickly walked out of the room. Zhao Pei and Zhong Fan, who were sitting at the side, saw this scene. They hurriedly stood up and said, "A Cui, slow down. Wait for me." They chased after her … …

Hua Zhiyi helplessly looked at the backs of the three people who quickly ran away. He tasted the dishes he cooked and murmured in confusion, "Isn't this delicious … …"

… …

In a private room on the second floor of Lingering Fragrance House.

Hua Cuicui, Zhao Pei, and Zhong Fan were eating with relish. Suddenly, Zhao Pei put down the bowl and chopsticks in his hand. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "A Cui, have you discussed this with your father?"

Hua Cuicui was trying hard to swallow a piece of sweet and sour pork. When she heard this, she was startled and almost choked. She quickly picked up the teacup and drank a big mouthful of tea. Zhong Fan, who was sitting next to her, patted her back. She finally caught her breath and murmured.

"… … I haven't thought of how to say it … …"

"Then are you going to leave without saying goodbye?

That won't do. You have to discuss it with your father first, "Zhao Pei said seriously.

"A Cui, why don't you not go? Isn't it good to stay here?" Zhong Fan also softly advised.

Hua Cuicui had a plan two months ago. She planned to leave home and go out to explore the world.

Although she grew up in Dongfeng Village, it was only at the age of fourteen that she stepped out of the village for the first time.

Ever since Hua Cuicui began to remember, every time she heard the uncles in the village talk about Jianghu, she felt an itch in her heart. She wanted to go out and experience it when she grew up.

It wasn't easy for her to grow up to five years old. She felt that she had reached the age where she could go out alone. She excitedly began to make plans.

She didn't know how, but Hua Zhiyi found out about this idea. After Hua Zhiyi beat her with a rattan, he lightly said, "Explore Jianghu?

What will you use to explore Jianghu?

The two pieces of candy in your pocket?

Learn martial arts first, then come back and tell me. "

Hua Cuicui covered her butt in pain. She secretly made up her mind. If she wanted to explore Jianghu, it seemed that she had to first become a peerless expert.

After a few days, her injuries were better. She went to find Uncle Jing Qiang, the strongest martial artist in the village, to practice martial arts.

The people in the village had watched Hua Cuicui grow up. Moreover, Hua Cuicui was cute and had a sweet mouth. She often made everyone happy.

Therefore, they all doted on her as if she were their own daughter.

Jing Qiang had been frowning for a few days. He felt that he was getting older and that he couldn't find a disciple to inherit his martial arts.

He didn't have any children, and there weren't any boys in the village who were of the right age to learn martial arts. They were either too young and still drinking milk, or too old and had missed the best time to build their foundation.

At this time, Hua Cuicui delivered herself to his doorstep. Jing Qiang was so moved that he almost burst into tears. He swore that he would teach Hua Cuicui everything he had learned.

Speaking of which, it made people sigh. A five year old girl who looked like a flower bud actually clenched her teeth and persevered. She practiced martial arts until her body was covered in scars. Even Jing Qiang couldn't bear to see her, but she never once complained.

When she was ten years old, she was already naturally intelligent. After five years of hard work, she already had good martial arts.

When Jing Qiang grew old, he passed all of his internal energy to Hua Cuicui before closing his eyes.

After three months, Hua Cuicui ran to Hua Zhiyi and said, "Abba, I'm already the best fighter in this village."

Hua Zhiyi was silent for a long time, then slowly said, "Good martial arts won't let you run amok in Jianghu. You grew up in this village. You can't imagine how many cunning people there are in this world. You still can't leave the village with your current state of mind."

After he finished speaking, he left the room and went to find Zhao Pei to play chess.

Hua Cuicui locked herself in her room for two days.

During these two days, she had been pondering over Hua Zhiyi's words. Finally, she came to a conclusion.

Since there are so many cunning people in this world, then I just have to learn to be cunning.

But the people in the village weren't cunning people. Where should I learn to be cunning?

In the end, she made a compromise and came up with a solution.

There was a capable person living in the village.

She heard that this person's most powerful skill was his superb Thousand Arts. As for why he lived in the village, even Hua Cuicui didn't know.

This person's name was Yu Wei.

Hua Cuicui thought this way. To put it bluntly, the Thousand Arts was deceiving people. Weren't deceivers all cunning?

Learning the Thousand Arts was the same as learning how to be cunning.

But this time, it didn't go as smoothly as learning martial arts.

Yu Wei only said two words.

"I won't teach you."

Hua Cuicui didn't believe him. Moreover, with her stubborn personality, she wouldn't give up so easily.

Finally, after more than a month, Yu Wei couldn't take it anymore and roared, "A Cuicui, you're a girl. Why are you learning this?!"

"I want to wander the Jianghu. Abba said I wasn't cunning enough."

The ten-year-old Hua Cuicui looked at Yu Wei with bright and determined eyes.

Yu Wei looked at the flower-like girl standing in front of him. Although she was still young, her exquisite and beautiful facial features were gradually maturing. He wondered what kind of disaster would happen if her appearance was seen by the world outside of the village.

It would be a lie to say that he did not dote on a child that he had watched grow up. He would just treat it as teaching her another skill so that she could live a more carefree life in this dangerous world.

Yu Wei sighed slightly.

He said, "In the future, come here every day when the sun rises."

"Thank you, Master!" Hua Cuicui was so excited that she was about to kneel down and kowtow. Yu Wei helped her up. Hua Cuicui didn't understand why.

She only heard Yu Wei say something while gnashing his teeth.

"Little girl, you've annoyed me for a month. Why don't you disappear now? You don't plan on leaving me with this last half day of peace, do you?!"

Hua Cuicui heard this and laughed out loud. She happily said, "Master, rest well. I'll come again tomorrow." After speaking, she turned and walked out of the room.

Yu Wei looked at the cheerful little figure and sighed helplessly.