The river is long, and when the waves on the canal ripple, the summer insects chirp on both sides of the river. The yellow-green flowing fireflies are like mist floating on both sides of the river. When the ship passes by, the green mist is washed away and swirls again.
Gather together.
The painting boat stopped at the river bank. The lights were on at the bow of the boat. It was not bright, but it also surrounded a small world in the river. This was the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er took all the way south.
There were not many people left on the boat at this time, because everyone including Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a bunch of maids, and the stewards had been invited to eat on another boat.
The two boats met in the evening. A group of talented people on the other side spoke enthusiastically. The protagonist in everyone's eyes was Lin Tingzhi, who had not attracted much attention since boarding the boat. After greeting, the other side invited everyone on the boat to spend a few days in Jiaxing.
The goods at Lou Shuwan's side were waiting for delivery, so it was impossible to linger there. However, for some unknown reason, Lou Shuwan also suggested that he could stay here for one night. The reason was that the invitation there was not enough.
It’s not unreliable. Today they are taking a boat ride on the Fangqing Garden. Although Fangqing Garden is a brothel, the dishes prepared by the chefs there, especially the whole fish feast, are considered to be the best in Jiaxing, so they invited everyone there.
Eat fish on that boat.
Ning Yi and Su Tan'er came here for fun. Jiaxing is not far from Hangzhou and the two places are closely connected. Lou Shuwan can be regarded as a half-landowner here. Since she said it, the people here naturally agreed happily and called
After the wedding was finalized, the accountant and others went to eat together. There were not many people left on the boat. The boss of the boat, family members of each family, and a few servants naturally couldn't attend the party, so they stayed behind.
Here, we’ll have some quick bites to eat, chat and cool off in various places on the boat.
The adults went to have a banquet, and a few children were naturally left behind. They couldn't help but ask about the whereabouts of the adults, especially the boss's uncle who likes to tell stories. The woman in the accounting office and the housekeeper had nothing to do, so she probably explained that
I was invited there by some great people.
Recalling the battle just now, there were many talented people and scholars on the boat over there. All of them had great backgrounds in the introductions, and maybe there was also a scholar and a scholar. In the eyes of these merchant women, they were naturally very powerful.
, and they can't help but use it to teach their children to make progress if they have the chance. In the past, in the Su family, although they knew that their boss's uncle was also a powerful person, they naturally couldn't compare with these orthodox scholars.
The people from Jiangning had no idea what was going on in Jiaxing, and they didn’t know the status of those scholars. It was just that the formation looked good. There were a few guys on the boat who had followed Lou Shuwan all the way.
, learned a little about it, and talked about it at the stern of the boat, and asked about the Wenduqing poems and what kind of reputation Du Ruohan was in Jiaxing and Hangzhou. They couldn't help but talk about their own lady, and about Lin Tingzhi. They used to know about Lin Tingzhi.
He was somewhat disapproving, but when he talked about it, everyone realized that this man was also a great talent. However, a man from the Su family named Dongzhu was listening and disapproved.
"So what? Our boss's uncle is not comparable to these people. His talent and reputation are unknown to everyone in Jiangning. Even though an official as big as the prime minister recently invited him to Beijing, he didn't even go."
"Liar."
"Master Prime Minister?"
"Well, anyway, he is a high official about the same age as the prime minister."
Dongzhu was actually a little unsure when talking about these things. A few days ago, he had listened to maids like Chan'er and Juan'er muttering a few words, saying that the prime minister or some other high official invited my uncle to come to the capital but he didn't go. He himself was the same.
It is unimaginable that a high-ranking official like the Prime Minister would lose much confidence when others asked him carefully, but he insisted on his words.
In fact, Chan'er Juan'er was not very clear about these things. How could she make it clear during the discussion? Qin Siyuan was just going to Beijing at this time, and his official position was not yet determined. Ning Yi just mentioned it and only gave a rough outline. Six ministers, left and right.
Although Chan'er Juan'er was clear about most things such as the position of phase, it was still difficult for a merchant's girl to understand these things.
Lou Shuwan's husband is also his uncle-in-law, and several of the waiters can see it clearly on weekdays. After boarding the ship, they saw that the two sides were in similar situations, so they naturally had some concerns about Ning Yi's position. At this time, they were struck by Dong Zhu's remarks.
I was shocked, but after all I couldn't believe it. I kept talking for a while. Dongzhu, who only knew that his uncle was very powerful, gave a few specific examples, but he was not convincing enough. Others were inspired and talked about the past.
I heard about Uncle Su's uncle.
Although the words mixed in the mouths of the women, children and waiters could not describe Ning Yi as majestic as "being a high official", they finally outlined a simple and powerful outline.
On a summer night, lights in the distance form the outline of Jiaxing City. Pedestrians and carriages occasionally pass by on the post road in the forest. The lights weave a simple path. Everyone on the boat is also killing time in this chat.
, when the children asked how long it would take for the adults who had left to return, the women and children were certain that this gathering would probably break up late at night. However, not long after these words were said, several lanterns came from a distance.
Come from the post road, the lights are on among the willows by the river embankment. The people coming here are vaguely Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and so on. In front of you is Xing'er carrying a lantern, and Chan'er holding a round fan. Occasionally,
After jogging a few steps along the river embankment to chase away the dancing fireflies, there was a faint sound of laughter.
Ning Yi and others took a walk all the way back after eating. There was a lot of excitement after boarding the ship. Juan'er and others even brought some packaged dishes and brought them on board for everyone to try.
"The fish tastes really good. It's different from Jiangning's. I'll prepare some food later so you can have a taste."
The only people who came back were Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, three maids, the accountant, and the shopkeeper. Su Wending, Su Wenfang, stayed on the painting boat over there. They always liked these cultural gatherings, and Ning Yi and Su Tan'er also let them
Sit there for a while, because Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi are also staying there at this time. To be honest, when Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others packed up and left after eating, Lou Shuwan's expression was really quite good.
Unexpected.
In fact, when he was invited this time, although it was said that he was entertaining his former friends for a meal, everyone in the room was actually a bit drunk and did not care about the wine. In the eyes of those Jiangnan talents, Lin Tingzhi was out of touch.
Although the famous romantic person was also quite good at poetry, her romance was even better. After all, they didn't know much about Yu Lou Shuwan, but after Lin Tingzhi's introduction and the hesitation of insiders, everyone got to know more or less about this woman's background.
Her husband-in-law has a strong personality, has a wealth of money, and is so beautiful. Maybe Lin Tingzhi has become her guest, and the Su Tan'er from out of town also has the same background. In short, for her husband,
You shouldn’t mind it too much. Suzhou and Hangzhou are also romantic places. These people don’t have any deliberately dirty thoughts in their hearts. It’s just that it’s romantic to communicate about men and women within the framework of Eight-part Confucianism.
, teasing poems and flirting between the lights and candlelight are part of romance. Since the other party is a business woman, there is no need to care too much, so they used the excuse of inviting Lin Tingzhi to gather everyone together. The rules are actually ordinary and polite guests.
Banquet.
Of course, if the invitee really has some thoughts, and then you and I agree, then you will naturally have to admire this person's method. In the eyes of everyone, there will be one more romantic anecdote for writing and talking about.
They invited guests to a banquet in the brothel, which was a bit rough to begin with, but the main person invited was Lin Tingzhi, and the banquet here was really good. Su Tan'er was already a married woman, so she could have refused directly, but
Now that Lou Shuwan had spoken, Ning Yi didn't want to worry too much and spoil the fun. He went to the boat and chatted with everyone for a few words, then he roughly understood the situation, so he happily ate a banquet.
After eating, they got up to leave before these talented people became very poetic, and packed a bag at the same time.
Lou Shuwan was a little surprised. She invited Ning Yi and Su Tan'er this time. Her thoughts were actually quite complicated. Firstly, she wanted to show off the Lou family's wide circle of friends. Secondly, she felt that she had the same experience as Su Tan'er, but she
But it was impossible to tell directly what happened with Lin Tingzhi. This time Lin Tingzhi was in the limelight, so she also wanted Su Tan'er to see Lin Tingzhi's literary romance with these scholars. In her opinion, Su Tan'er married an unreliable man.
Scholars, even if they don't say anything about these literary and elegant people who are praised by others, will definitely be yearning for them. As long as she has some yearning for them, if they know about her in the future, they will first be envious and eager to move, and it is impossible to look down on her.
She tried to persuade her a little, but Su Tan'er also adopted a simple negotiation attitude and refused softly in a few words. Lou Shuwan originally wanted to go back, but seeing how carefree Ning Yi and Su Tan'er were.
If he walked away, if she followed him, she would look a bit lonely.
In her heart, she thought that perhaps Tan'er also wanted to stay, but now that she was here, she was used to having a sense of proportion - in fact, she had the same mentality in the early years, wanting to maintain a decent situation with her husband-in-law.
He was simple, he was simple, and lived like this all his life. Later, he became more and more contemptuous of his husband's various wasteful behaviors, and his heart gradually grew tired. At this time, he said that several of those people had an old relationship with the Lou family.
She stayed, and Su Wending and Su Wenfang also stayed, which made her feel a little bit more proud.
Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others returned to the boat. They turned on the lights on the bow and put tables and chairs on to chat and enjoy the cool air. It was still a long way from Jiaxing, but Ning Yi didn't plan to go to the busy city of Jiaxing.
, he told the accountant, steward, and others to go to their own devices. If you want to take your family to play, you can go. Sitting on the bow of the boat with Su Tan'er, waiting for Xiaochan and others to bring melons and fruits, and watching the flying fireflies, it was quite enjoyable.
It was like the smell of the countryside in my hometown when I was a child, but there were a lot of mosquitoes. After a while, I took a pot and burned mugwort and other things to repel mosquitoes. Several people took fans and sat there to fan themselves.
"Isn't it boring? Do you want to go to the market?"
Ning Yi turned his head to ask, and Su Tan'er also smiled and shook her head: "No." The three maids sat side by side on the bow of the boat watching the fireflies fly. Juan'er turned back and said, "The scenery here is very good."
After a while, Su Tan'er said softly: "The autumn light of silver candles paints the screen coldly, and the small light fan flutters at the fireflies. The sky is as cold as water at night, and I lie down and watch the Altair and Vega. It is somewhat similar." In fact, this poem is about Chinese Valentine's Day,
It was only the beginning of summer at the end of April, so it couldn't be said to strictly match the occasion, but since one or two of the sentences matched the occasion, Ning Yi nodded happily. Su Tan'er used to like poetry, and she also liked to read it when she had nothing to do.
She read it a lot, but since she knew her husband was a "great talent", she didn't read it much anymore. Maybe the mystery and sublimity of the poems have faded a little in her heart.
In the distance, you can see the light of some painted boats. After a while, a cargo ship stirred up waves and headed north along the night. Su Taner probably thought of the painted boats that Lou Shuwan and others said they were there. After thinking about it, she chuckled.
: "Actually, Lou Shuwan looks down on my husband a little."
Ning Yi smiled noncommittally: "Her husband is also a bride-in-law."
"I'm afraid we won't get along well."
"I'm afraid there won't be many of us who get along as well as we do."
Ning Yi's words were a bit boastful, but Su Tan'er only felt that this was the case and said with a smile: "Maybe it's because my husband is a weirdo. Even... ordinary couples would hardly be like this." She thought for a while.
, and added, "If you want to do business well in Hangzhou, the Lou family is always a helper, so..."
"If you care about this, I'm afraid you won't be able to do good business in the future."
"I do care a bit, but...thinking about how they would feel if they really knew the identity of my husband, I would...hehe, I am a little bit evil because of my inconvenience. And those people just now...
"She waved the fan in her hand to blow away the smoke in front of her, and reached out to smooth her hair, "I find it strange that my husband's poems have obviously been passed on to Suzhou and Hangzhou, so why can't those people react after the introduction?
Woolen cloth?"
Ning Yi laughed: "There are too few poems. Besides... being so far apart, the spread of news is not developed after all. They may have heard the name Ning Liheng one day. As for his family background, how many wives, concubines, brothers and sisters he has?"
, what he looks like, whether he is a lame, and who knows, some people have talked about it, maybe some people have said that Ning Liheng is eight feet tall and has an eight-foot waist... In short, now that we are here, it is difficult to say who Ning Liheng is in their hearts.
What does it look like? Last time those students from the capital went to Jiangning, some said that I wandered around brothels, picked flowers everywhere and showed mercy, or that I was in my forties or fifty, steady and dignified. In their minds, this image seems to be more credible."
"Oh, it must be that childhood sweetheart, Miss Li." Su Tan'er joked, then covered her chin with a fan and corrected, "Oh, it's Miss Wang."
"You remember clearly."
"Since she and my husband are childhood sweethearts, if she really likes my husband as the outside world says, and has the opportunity to enter my house, as a sister, I naturally have to remember her last name."
"So virtuous..."
Ning Yi murmured, and then the two of them talked about the smell of the fish on the boat. Su Tan'er was actually a bit resentful in private about the fact that those people didn't know her husband's name and acted like a proud son of heaven.
Yu Huai, Lou Shuwan, and Lin Tingzhi didn’t know either—perhaps it wasn’t that they didn’t know, but that they didn’t expect it or didn’t dare to think about it. While they were talking, someone else came on the boat talking and laughing, but they had already returned.
Su Wending and Su Wenfang didn't know what good thing happened to them. They laughed very happily. They got on the boat and asked about the location of their sister and brother-in-law, and went straight to the bow.
"What makes you so happy?" Su Tan'er glanced at them and then behind her, "Where are Shu Wan and the others?"
Ning Yi said with a smile: "You must have composed a good poem and killed everyone. This is not good. You are so popular in poetry as soon as you come to Jiaxing. This is ruining the place."
The two of them waved their hands and shook their heads, laughing happily: "No, I didn't write a poem. The woman from the Lou family and her mistress are still behind, but they will probably be back soon."
"Don't talk like that!" Su Tan'er glared at them. Su Wending stuck out his tongue and covered his mouth with his hand, but he was still laughing. Su Wenfang laughed and said: "We didn't compose a poem, we didn't have time, but they composed a few.
Later, we discussed things together and came over to ask us, and then they knew the true identity of my brother-in-law. Didn't you see their embarrassed look, that girl Qing'er... Haha, our poetry is not good anyway,
Just to explain the identity of brother-in-law there, after the explanation, we said goodbye and left. Haha, I don’t know if they will come after you to challenge you, brother-in-law. Anyway, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi should be close..."
Su Wending and Su Wenfang kept laughing. Ning Yi also laughed angrily after hearing this. Su Tan'er lost interest and blinked: "What's wrong? Come on, tell me..." On the other side, Chan'er Juan'er
Xing'er and the three maids were also listening attentively. At this time, they leaned over with interest and even brought chairs for Su Wen and Su Wenfang so that they could sit down and talk comfortably.
The shining light was dancing, and the night was getting darker. Not long after, Lou Shuwan, Lin Tingzhi and others also rushed back...