With some apologies to Dafang, Sheng Changbai walked up the Yellow River and spent seven days back to Bianliang.
The deadline of half a month has not been exceeded, but there are only three days left, so the time is not particularly generous.
If the ship faces headwind for two more days, Sheng Changbai will have no choice but to get off the ship and ride on horseback to rush for time.
He first went to the Zhongshu Province in the imperial city to report that he had returned to Beijing, and then returned to Bianliang Shengzhai.
After returning home, according to the rules, I went to see the old lady first.
"My grandson paid his respects to my grandmother. I haven't seen him for more than a year, and my grandmother seems to be in much better spirits."
For more than a year, Sheng Changbai had not seen the old lady.
Looking at it now, the old lady's physical and mental state seem to be much better than when Sheng Changbai left Bianjing last year.
The old lady has become more ambitious in the past two years and has been thinking about choosing a son-in-law for Minglan.
With the help of mailing, the old lady's spirits improved a lot.
After you feel better mentally, the impact on your body is still very obvious.
Even though the old lady traveled to Youyang for a while and was supposed to be more tired, after recuperating, the old lady looked obviously much better than before.
"It's a little better. Brother Pao, how are you doing in Xuzhou for such a long time? I am a useless old lady, and I am still working hard. Brother Pao, you are away from home, and you are still thinking about me."
After all, Sheng Changbai is also the old lady's nominal grandson. The old lady is quite happy when Sheng Changbai comes back.
"Old lady, how can you be useless? You are the white jade pillar that supports the sky and the purple golden beam of the sea. Only when you are in charge and the grandchildren are away can we feel at ease in the family..."
It would definitely not be good to leave after saying hello, so Sheng Changbai continued chatting with the old lady, telling her some about the customs and customs of Xuzhou.
Although Sheng Changbai also said some things when writing letters to Bianjing in normal times.
However, the length of the communication is limited, so many things cannot be explained in too much detail.
The reason why it is not easy to go out is that people are curious about foreign places.
The old lady was quite interested in the customs of Xuzhou, and the grandfather and grandson chatted happily.
"Old lady, the eldest lady has sent someone to Shou'antang again."
After chatting for a quarter of an hour, Fang’s mother beside the old lady whispered to the old lady.
"That's all, let's talk about it some other time. You just came back, and your mother is also thinking about you. You should go to Wei Ruixuan to visit your mother."
The old lady was a reasonable person. Knowing that Sheng Changbai had just come back and Wang Ruofu was worried about her, she urged Sheng Changbai to go there as soon as possible.
"Yes, when we have dinner in the evening, my grandson will come to say hello to his grandmother."
After bidding farewell to the old lady, Sheng Changbai came to Wei Ruixuan.
"Bai'er, you have finally returned to Beijing. Come quickly and let my mother take a good look at you."
Sheng Changbai had just entered the Wei Ruixuan Hall. Before he could greet Wang Ruofu, Wang Ruofu had already walked to Sheng Changbai, pulled Sheng Changbai up, touched his arms, patted his legs, and checked Sheng Changbai's physical condition.
Compared with the old lady's rules, Wang Ruofu's way of expressing his feelings is stronger.
At this time, Wang Ruofu still feels more humane than the old lady.
Sometimes the children and grandchildren of the Sheng family are not so close to Mrs. Sheng, and it is not all their fault.
In addition to being close to Minglan, the old lady was quite indifferent to other children and actively refused to stay thousands of miles away.
There is no blood relationship, and there has not been so much interaction, so the relationship is naturally not that deep.
"Mother, everything is fine with me. My son is unfilial and has not been filial to his mother for so long. Is my mother still okay?" Sheng Changbai took two steps back, avoided Wang Ruofu's slap, and replied with a salute.
"Everything is fine with me. Now that you have returned to Beijing, everything will be fine for your mother." Wang Ruofu replied excitedly.
"Madam, here comes the tea." At this time, Liu's mother came in with two bowls of tea, but Wang Ruofu didn't get excited anymore.
"Bai'er, you sit down and drink tea. We, mother and son, can talk slowly. You and your mother can talk slowly about the time you have been away for more than a year."
"When I first arrived in Xuzhou last year..."
Sheng Changbai gave Wang Ruofu a summary of what happened in Xuzhou.
Apart from official business, Sheng Changbai was a single man outside and had nothing to do at home.
After talking about it for a while, Sheng Changbai still couldn't help asking about the doubts in his heart.
"Mother, why did the imperial court suddenly recruit me back to the capital? Didn't you get any news in the capital?"
Some people want to take a stand in advance during the transition of imperial power and try to take advantage of the dragon.
Some people remained neutral, but at this sensitive moment of transition of imperial power, they were welded to death in Bianjing.
I want to show off in front of the new emperor at the beginning of his succession and leave a good impression.
But Sheng Changbai was neither of these two. Knowing how chaotic the transition of imperial power was, he just wanted to stay outside and stay away from this dispute.
"Your father and your in-laws are discussing this about your career. Mother really doesn't understand this. It was only after hearing your father talk a few days ago that I learned that you were going back to Beijing."
Wang Ruofu couldn't answer and said a little awkwardly.
"It's okay if mother doesn't know. Then I'll just ask him when he comes back from the office."
Sheng Changbai asked tentatively because Wang Ruofu was not politically sensitive.
A few years ago, when the Sheng family needed help from the Wang family, Sheng Hong would talk to Wang Ruofu about official matters.
After the Wang family was unable to help the Sheng family, Sheng Hong stopped taking care of Wang Ruofu's inheritance in official matters.
"Then I will send someone to wait for your father outside the imperial city and inform him that you have returned to the capital and ask him to come back early if he has nothing to do today."
"fair enough."
Sheng Changbai agreed. There were many things that needed to be discussed with Sheng Hong.
It's okay to inform Sheng Hong that he is back, so that Sheng Hong doesn't know that Sheng Changbai is back, and after leaving the government office, he made an appointment with his colleagues to have a drink.
After Wang Ruofu sent someone out, the mother and son continued to chat.
Next, Sheng Changbai asked Wang Ruofu what he had done in the past year.
Although the letter always stated that nothing happened at home, it was impossible for Wang Ruofu and Lin Zhishuang to be so peaceful.
It's just that it's not as fierce as the house fights in the past. The two of them just got into a fight and got into a fight.
Regarding whether to take Mo Lan out and whom to show Mo Lan.
The little frictions and fights between the two people have never stopped.
For example, who is the distinguished official, what happened at home, and what banquet was held.
Wang Ruofu was unwilling to take Mo Lan to attend, so Lin Zhishuang insisted that Wang Ruofu take Mo Lan to attend.
Two people always have to go through a confrontation in front of Sheng Hong.
As a result, Wang Ruofu naturally won less and lost more.
Before Sheng Changbai left, he had warned her many times not to take Mo Lan to the banquets and various activities held by the Xungui family.
Wang Ruofu can no longer maintain this bottom line.
How can one handle Sheng Hong well? Lin Jiaoshuang is much better than Wang Ruofu.
It's not a rank at all, there's no comparison.
"Second brother, you came back from Xuzhou, did you bring me any gifts?"
While mother and son were chatting, Rulan's voice of surprise came from the yard.
Even though she is one year older, even though she is fourteen years old, Ru Lan is still a little girl without hair extensions.
He still has a carefree personality and cannot be steady.
"Of course I brought it to you all. I originally thought of sending it to you directly to the hospital. I heard from my mother that you were invited by a young lady from another family to enjoy the fragrance and flowers. Since you were not at home, I haven't sent it to you yet. "
The gift to Sheng Changbai does not require any special preparation when leaving Xuzhou.
I received a lot of silks, calligraphy and paintings, jewelry, and specialties. It is enough to sort them into categories and distribute them to the elders, younger brothers and sisters in the family.
It's not that Sheng Changbai still wants to commit corruption when he is not short of money. The things Sheng Changbai accepted are just a sign of worldliness.
After accepting these things, Sheng Changbai maintained a relationship with the officials, gentry, and wealthy businessmen in Xuzhou.
Sheng Changbai should have spoken out for Xuzhou's interests in the court.
When these people encounter any difficulties and can help, Sheng Changbai will naturally help them.
"Ru Lan, why are you so unruly? How could you not see your brother for so long, not say goodbye when you meet him, and ask for gifts?"
Wang Ruofu scolded Ru Lan. It can be seen that as Ru Lan gets older, Wang Ruofu's discipline to Ru Lan is still more severe than before.
"Mom, I haven't seen my second brother for a long time, so I was joking with him."
Rulan explained to Wang Ruofu that Rulan understood the truth, but she just didn't want to be bound by the rules.
It didn't matter when she was at home, her husband's family would definitely not spoil Ru Lan like this.
Rulan's situation is similar to that of Dafang's Pinlan.
She is lively, cheerful, active, and optimistic. My family seems to like her, and unrelated relatives and friends may also like Ru Lan's personality.
But no one would like Ru Lan as his daughter-in-law.
Although Minglan can play wildly with Dafang Pinlan, Minglan and Pinlan are not in the same school.
Minglan just went back to Youyang to relax for a while.
Normally, Minglan can still abide by various rules quite well.
It can be said that Rulan and Pinlan are basically two people who can't control themselves.
Unconsciously, you will do daring and outrageous things.
"Ru Lan, it's okay for you to joke with your second brother, but in the blink of an eye, you have grown into a big girl, and it's time to learn to be more steady." Sheng Changbai persuaded.
Ru Lan's style and character are not disciplined at home.
That is to say, you will go to your mother-in-law's house and be disciplined. Not to mention meeting an evil mother-in-law, but meeting a normal and well-behaved mother-in-law.
Disciplining Ru Lan will not be as gentle as Ru Lan being disciplined at home.
Rather than letting your child be beaten severely by others, it is better to beat him severely first, which will always be more measured than others beating him.
"Madam, the sixth lady is here." The female envoy outside came in and reported to Wang Ruofuhui.
The three orchids all accepted the invitation of an old friend of the Sheng family to taste tea and enjoy the flowers.
Now that Ru Lan has returned home, the other two Lans have naturally come back as well.
Mo Lan may not come to see Sheng Changbai, but with the friendship between Minglan and Sheng Changbai, Minglan will definitely come to see her.
"Please come in, Miss Six."
"I've met my mother, my second brother, and my fifth sister." After giving the gift, Minglan looked at Sheng Changbai and continued.
"Second brother, I heard that you are back. I brought some fruits and came to see you."
In comparison, Minglan is much smarter and more well-behaved than Lan.
Even though Minglan also likes to play, Minglan never makes people feel disrespectful.
Clearly distinguish what should be played and what should not be played, what can be done and what cannot be done.
Children who grow up in the same family suffer differently.
Just by receiving the same education, I can raise a child like Minglan, who is smart and transparent.
You can also raise a silly sweet girl like Ru Lan.
If Mo Lan hadn't been tricked by Mo Lan since she was a child and had a little bit of a sly mind, Ru Lan would have been even dumber and whiter.
"I'm thinking of you, Sixth Sister. I brought a lot of things back from Xuzhou and prepared some for Sixth Sister, but I don't know if you like it. I'll wait until Sixth Sister can come to my yard and pick some myself.
"
The two Lans hadn't seen each other for more than a year. One just opened his mouth to ask for gifts when he first came in, and the other came as a gift. It goes without saying which one would be favored.
"Minglan naturally likes the gift that the second brother personally selected."
After Minglan also came over, the few of them talked about trivial matters in life.
After chatting for two cups of tea, Minglan first said goodbye and left, and then Wang Ruofu also let Sheng Changbai go back to his yard.
"Okay, Bai'er, please go back to the house and rest for a while. You can come back when your father goes to office."
"Okay, then I'll go back and put things away first."
After Sheng Changbai returned to the courtyard, he had a lot of things to do. The first thing he did was wash up.
Then it was time to sort out the things brought back and bring back various items from the two ships.
Although Sheng Changbai didn't have to do it himself, he still had to direct.
In addition to the boatload that can be pulled directly to the warehouse, the daily necessities that were emptied out must also be returned to their original places.
Sheng Changbai never thought that his time in office would be so short, otherwise there would be no need to go through so much trouble in the first place.
When you bring back all kinds of things to give away, of course you have to sort them into different categories.
"Second brother, you're back! How was your time in Xuzhou? I also wanted to go away and study abroad, but my father didn't agree."
Not long after returning to the yard, Sheng Laosheng, Sheng Changfeng, ran over excitedly.
"Xuzhou has beautiful mountains and green waters, and it's great to have outstanding people." I still felt a little happy when I saw Sheng Laosan flourishing in Changbai.
Even if they put aside their relationship as brothers, they are also old classmates who have studied together for many years. There is no reason to be unhappy when they meet again after a long separation.
Not to mention that because of the fight between Wang Ruofu and Lin Zhishuang, the grudges did not involve Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng, so the two people could be considered to have a normal brotherly relationship.
"You are in Bianliang. There are not enough Confucian scholars in Bianliang for you to learn. Why do you want to go out to study? I think you don't want to travel, but you want to leave Bianjing and have no one to control you. You can play freely outside.
Right? When I have some free time here, I will check your studies and see how much progress you have made in your studies over the past year."
Sheng Changbai is not in Bianjing, and I don't know if Sheng Hong has properly controlled Sheng Changfeng.
It was a joy to meet him. In order for Sheng Laosan to have a better future, Sheng Changbai still had to supervise the child's schoolwork.
"I've met my second brother."
Behind Chang Feng was Mo Lan. The two of them probably didn't want to go to Wei Ruixuan, so they waited until Sheng Changbai returned to his courtyard before coming over.
"Long time no see, my fourth sister is even more relaxed and refined."
Since Mo Lan also came to see him politely, Sheng Changbai also gave a compliment according to Mo Lan's preference.
As long as Mo Lan doesn't think about harming the interests of the Sheng family and helps herself to climb high, Mo Lan can be regarded as a good sister to Sheng Changbai.