Chapter 38 Hostages
It's all their fault.
This understanding was learned by Qiu Heng in those ten years.
Save those who can be saved, and give up those who cannot be saved. If she had been blaming herself for not saving the poor man who appeared in front of her, she would have collapsed long ago.
What was wrong was the world, the alien race that treated Xia people like pigs and dogs, not her.
It's pain, but it's also growth. Now it has become the nourishment that supports her to walk alone in this world without fear or retreat.
Qiu Heng received another invitation from the head of Jiayi County and took Fangzhou to the Kangjun Prince's Mansion.
The Lord of Jiayi County was waiting in the pavilion in the garden. The stone table in the pavilion was filled with fresh fruit refreshments.
"Miss Qiu Liu." Seeing Qiu Heng, the head of Jiayi County showed her the newly made fragrant pendant as if it were a treasure, "Isn't it much better?"
Qiu Heng looked at it carefully: "The thickness is moderate and the color is good, but the smell is not coordinated enough. This has something to do with the ratio of spices and the beating of the fragrant mud..."
The Lord of Jiayi County listened carefully and admired the girl in front of him even more.
She likes Miss Qiuliu who won't just say nice things because of her status, but what she says will be useful.
"Miss Qiuliu, can I call you Aheng?"
The Lord of Jiayi County asked this question suddenly. Qiu Heng was startled for a moment before nodding with a smile: "Okay."
"Ah Heng, do you know that your Xiangpei has become popular in Beijing, and many people are studying how to make it."
"Really? I'm happy that everyone likes Xiangpei."
Qiu Heng was well aware of the spread of Xiangpei. This was both her plan and it was confirmed by Qiu Yang.
On the day of the Imperial College holiday, Qiu Yang came to her specifically and asked her what happened to Xiangpei. He said that several classmates asked him if he had a sister who knew how to make Xiangpei. When he asked, it was the sisters who were his classmates who asked him to ask.
Qiu Heng simply gave Qiu Yang a fragrant pendant. When Qiu Yang left, his footsteps were windy, and he completely lost the self-control of an elder brother.
"Ah Heng, it would be great if everyone was as generous as you." The head of Jiayi County took Qiu Heng's hand and told her another reason for inviting her here, "Elder brother said he wants to see you if he has something to do."
Afraid of Qiu Heng's embarrassment, the head of Jiayi County hurriedly explained: "Eldest brother told me that you have known each other for a long time. Thanks to your help, eldest brother did not get lost in the mountains..."
Qiu Heng was not embarrassed.
If she feels awkward meeting young men, she doesn't have to do anything.
"Then I'll ask someone to call brother over."
Not long after, Ling Yun came over.
He wore a moon-white robe with wide sleeves and a jade crown on his head. Because he was on the thin side, he always gave people a feeling of being free and easy as he walked, as if he was about to ride the wind, which made the maids waiting outside the pavilion unable to take their eyes away.
If it were any other man, the maids would have been scolded for not knowing the rules, but with Ling Yun, it would only make them understand.
At least the head of Jiayi County understands these maids.
When the eldest brother was young and had no hair, his charm was not so exaggerated. He really changed into a man.
Fortunately, the Lord of Jiayi County is focused on the incense road and has no obsession with beauty. Otherwise, facing his brother, who is both a father and a mother, all day long, his mentality would have collapsed.
"Brother."
Ling Yun smiled and nodded at his sister, then looked at Qiu Heng: "A Heng is here."
"Prince Ling." Qiu Heng saluted, "I heard from the county master that you are looking for me."
"Didn't you ask me earlier to find out if there are Taoist priests of the appropriate age in the Taoist temples in and around the capital? During this period, I visited all the Taoist temples in the middle of the capital, and I also arranged for people to check out the Taoist temples in the surrounding areas. I recorded a total of about thirty Taoist priests. The situation..." Ling Yun said, handing over a pamphlet.
Seventy years of life are rare in ancient times. There are dozens of large and small Taoist temples in and around the capital, and these are the only experienced Taoists who are over seventy years old.
The Lord of Jiayi County was astonished.
It turned out that the reason why her eldest brother went to the Taoist temple every day was because of Ah Heng, and she thought that he wanted to cultivate immortality.
"Thank you, Prince Ling." Qiu Heng took the booklet and flipped through it.
"A Heng, are you looking for someone?" Jiayi County Lord asked curiously.
"Yes, I'm looking for the Taoist priest who taught me Xiangpei. He once traveled to the south and is probably in the capital now."
The Jiayi County Lord's eyes suddenly lit up: "It's actually the Taoist priest who taught you how to make Xiangpei? Ah Heng, can I look for it with you?"
Qiu Heng thought of Master Changqing's casual words and said with a smile: "I have no intention of finding someone. I just want to try my luck and go to the Taoist temple in my spare time. Maybe I meet him by chance. If I don't meet him, it doesn't matter..."
"Got some time? We need some time now." The head of Jiayi County looked excited, pointing to a record on the booklet, "The Qingfeng Temple is not far away, let's go to the Qingfeng Temple. It's still early anyway."
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If she could meet the Taoist priest who taught Aheng, she would kneel down and beg him to accept her as his disciple.
Hey, this way Ah Heng is her senior sister!
The head of Jiayi County had no intention of making her senior sister uncomfortable because Qiu Heng was one year younger than her. He was only excited.
Seeing the Lord of Jiayi County praying, Qiu Heng was also moved.
Instead of chatting at the Prince's Mansion, it would be better to go to a nearby Taoist temple.
"Brother, Aheng and I are going out."
Ling Yun pondered for a moment: "I'll accompany you. I happen to be familiar with the Taoist priest of Qingfeng Temple."
The Lord of Jiayi County was naturally happy and looked at Qiu Heng.
Of course Qiu Heng would not object: "Then I'll trouble Prince Ling."
Her politeness made Ling Yun sigh softly in his heart.
He still remembered that not long ago, the girl in front of him looked like Big Brother Bai, and she was as close to him as his younger sister Ling Bo.
The three of them went out. Because Qingfeng Temple is located in the inner city and often entertains wealthy people, it is not too worried about safety issues and does not bring many servants.
In Qingfeng Temple, the person who came out to greet him was a Taoist priest in his thirties, whose Taoist name was Xuanyang.
He is a close disciple of Taoist Master Jingxin, who is eighty years old and is on the list compiled by Ling Yun.
"Master, Prince Ling is here to visit."
Taoist Master Jingxin looked indeed very old, and his eyes revealed the peace that had accumulated over the years.
"Donor Ling is here again."
Ling Yun said politely: "Bring my sister to offer incense."
Taoist priest Jingxin set his sights on Qiu Heng and the head of Jiayi County. The Lord of Jiayi County was still calm in front of outsiders. He suppressed his excitement and glanced at the girl beside him out of the corner of his eye.
Not sir.
Qiu Heng was not disappointed.
It would be such a coincidence if you find someone right away.
Now that I'm here, I can't leave right away. The three of them were accompanied by Taoist priest Xuanyang to burn incense and walked around the temple before preparing to leave.
When heading to the gate, a group of people suddenly rushed in.
"Who are you? How could you break into the Taoist temple?" a Taoist boy asked angrily.
"The Imperial City Department is handling the case." The leading boy in scarlet clothes showed his badge, and his eyes suddenly fell on Qiu Heng and others.
And when he saw the Taoist priest Xuanyang walking beside Ling Yun, his eyes suddenly condensed.
Just from this subtle change, Qiu Heng immediately noticed that Xuanyang had moved.
His target is Brother Bai!
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
Almost without thinking, Qiu Heng pushed Ling Yun, and the next moment she was the one who had Taoist Xuanyang holding a dagger to her neck.
All this happened in a flash of lightning, followed by exclamations one after another.
"Girl!"
"Uncle Xuanyang, what are you doing?"
Ling Yun was pushed staggering away from Xuanyang. When he turned around and saw Qiu Heng being kidnapped, his face changed drastically: "Ah Heng!"
He wanted to step forward, but was blocked by the guards coming up.
Taoist Xuanyang held Qiu Heng in front of him and took a step forward.
He originally wanted to kidnap Prince Ling, but unexpectedly the plan changed. He doesn't know how much weight this little girl has, whether it is enough for him to escape.
The temple owner who came after hearing the news was shocked: "Xuan Yang, what are you doing?"
Only then did Xue Han speak out: "I just found out that Taoist Xuanyang is a master of the Northern Qi Dynasty!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was in an uproar.
Xuanyang sneered.
Sure enough, it was right to strike first. If he was lucky, he wouldn't even have a chance to take hostages.
This little girl reacted quickly.
If Qiu Heng knew what Xuanyang was thinking at this time, he would probably roll his eyes.
If she can reveal that she has a kung fu, it is still unclear who will kidnap whom. And all that can be done now is to prevent Prince Ling from falling into danger.
It's better for her to be this hostage than someone who is really powerless.
"Are you Xue Han, the envoy of the Imperial City?" Xuanyang asked.
"Not bad." Xue Han responded expressionlessly, showing no trace of his nervousness about Qiu Heng becoming a hostage.
He knew very well that once he showed concern for the hostages, it would only embolden the other party's arrogance.
"I want to leave the city!" Xuanyang pushed Qiu Heng forward.
Ling Yun saw Xue Han's indifference, fearing that he only cared about the credit for catching Xi Zuo, and said anxiously: "Master Xue, please put the safety of the hostages first. Ah Heng fell into the hands of Xi Zuo because he was trying to save me!"< br>
Aheng——
Xue Han looked at Ling Yun and then at Qiu Heng.
The girl who had Xuanyang holding the dagger against her neck looked at him quietly.
Xue Han's heart felt as if he had been stung by a bee, and it hurt very thinly.
That nightmarish scene seemed to reappear, torturing his heart.
Why is this happening again?
Xuanyang moved forward step by step, and Xue Han stepped back step by step. After leaving the Taoist temple gate, the soldiers who followed jumped forward, but Xue Han raised his hand to hold him down.
In and outside the Taoist temple, everyone who saw this scene was too nervous to speak out.
"You, hold the horse and go out of the city with me. No one else is allowed to follow!" Xuanyang shouted to Xue Han.
Xue Han ordered his men: "Bring the horses."
Going all the way north and leaving the city in front of everyone, Xuanyang's tense spirit relaxed a lot.
"Loosen the reins and let the horse come over." Xuanyang said sharply after making sure no one was following Xue Han.
Xue Han loosened his hand and the horse paced forward.
Xuanyang held Qiu Heng with one hand and stared at Xue Han. When the horse came close, he jumped up and landed on the horse's back together with Qiu Heng.
"Neigh -" the horse neighed.
Sitting on the horse, the Taoist priest Xuanyang, oh, should be called Xizuo, smiled condescendingly at the young man with a cold face: "See you soon, Mr. Xue."
As soon as he finished speaking, the girl in front of him was suddenly thrown up and fell in one direction like a meteor.
And he took the opportunity to pinch the horse's belly and gallop away.
Chasing Xi Zuo or rescuing the hostages, this is the problem Xuanyang creates for Xue Han, and it is his opportunity to escape.
And Xue Han had no other choice.
There is no way to catch all of them, but there is only one Ahen.
The young man flew over without hesitation and caught the falling girl before falling to the ground.
The two fell into the grass on the roadside together.
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(End of this chapter)