Ma Xianglin and Zheng Haizhu had only been in Wudi for less than a year, and they had many fresh resonances with the Susong and Songfus in the south of the Yangtze River.
Their hometowns, Shu and Zhangzhou, are also prosperous places, and their respective customs and customs are very telling.
In this way, the two talked happily.
As the cloths on several bullock carts were being taken away by the sergeants one after another, Ma Xianglin glanced at the word "Han" on the wheel. He suddenly remembered something, his smile faded, and he said sternly to Zheng Haizhu: "Miss Zheng, after you leave that day,
I interrogated several surviving bandits, and they all said they didn't know who paid Qiu Wanliang to attack the eldest lady of the Han family. They were all young Luoluo, and they usually robbed silk ships, so they really didn't know. It's a pity that Qiu Wanliang
Wan Liang and Xu Ahliu are all dead."
Zheng Haizhu nodded and said: "When Xu Aliu robbed the ship, he could call out the lady's maiden name with just his mouth. It's so strange that there must be something behind it. Although the lady and I have returned home now, we can't just sit back and relax. We must try to find out the clues.
, otherwise there will be a next time.”
Ma Xianglin said in a serious tone: "Fortunately, Brother Huang is a Songjiang official. He has personally experienced the Shen family who cheated on scientific examinations, and he has seen with his own eyes how the young people framed the Dong family. He should know best that your worries are not groundless. Your worries are not groundless."
The family business is not under the Dong's control, and Mr. Han is not an ordinary scholar. The cotton business is so big... If Miss Zheng has a chance, she might as well ask Mr. Huang more, maybe she can find clues."
"What General Ma said is that Mr. Huang is upright and upright, and we believe him."
"Well, I wish my Ming Dynasty could have more good officials like this."
"I heard that Mr. Huang's family is still in Yuyao. I don't know when they will come."
"Oh, I asked about it at the banquet yesterday. The family members should have already started their journey. His eldest son is called Huang Zongxi, and he is five or six years old. His second son was also born three months ago, so he happened to come to Songjiang to make a hundred-day wine."
"That's great. I'll report to Miss when I get back today and see what kind of gifts I can prepare. By the way, I'd like to ask, has General Ma gotten married?"
"Uh, well, we haven't said kiss yet..."
In the deep shade, cicadas chirp. In the shallow pond, water lilies bloom.
Ma Xianglin wished that this conversation in the peaceful scenery could last longer.
Whether it's indifferent or eager, even if it's a little bit embarrassing sometimes, it's better than those negotiations that are full of temptations and threats.
However, the sun always sets.
Songjiang cotton is always running out.
The horse of the old lady of the Gu family always needs to be painted.
At the entrance of Wenzhe Academy, Ma Xianglin watched the Gu family's carriage and the Han family's ox cart go away, and sighed with a hint of sadness.
Just as he was about to turn around and go in, a little baby with a lotus pod in his hand and peeling lotus seeds jumped over. He raised his face and said to Ma Xianglin: "General, the tits have flown down from the willow branches."
Ma Xianglin was stunned and asked, "What did you say?"
The baby pointed at the big willow tree by the river pond not far away: "Over there, General, go take a look."
After saying that, he still lowered his head and concentrated on peeling the lotus seeds. He ate them loudly, and it was obvious that he was an ignorant child who came to deliver a message.
Ma Xianglin touched the child's head, knelt down and helped him peel a few lotus seeds, then straightened up and walked towards the river bank like a leisurely stroll.
Under the setting sun, an old man wearing a bamboo hat was fishing.
Ma Xianglin stopped beside him, looking at the thin fishing line, as if in trance.
A soft and gentle voice came from under the straw hat: "General Ma, why don't you wear a flying fish suit today? That outfit is so majestic."
Ma Xianglin said calmly: "Mr. Ma will cherish the items given by the emperor. In order to save others, he had to take them out and show them."
The fisherman smiled softly: "General Ma is really addicted to rescuing people. He also saves humble civil servants and weak women. When he meets an old man like Dong Qichang who is involved with the country, he doesn't care whether he is a good person or not.
Without even asking a few questions, I put on my Feiyu suit and went to save him."
Ma Xianglin's face darkened when he heard the word "national".
On the river, the last shimmering and psychedelic scene before daylight reminded him of the treacherous clouds in the capital.
It also made him suddenly wake up.
After his father's accident, he, who was already young and mature, paid more attention to the stories of intrigues inside and outside the courts of the past dynasties, which were like mud at the bottom of the river.
That day in front of Dong's house, he felt something strange. Those old men from the government to the prefect and fellow magistrates, none of them were human beings. How could they incite a group of local ruffians to besiege the local government with an official who didn't even have an official status?
Dong Qichang, who once gave lectures to the prince, also had a high official status?
Ma Xianglin then turned his head slightly and asked: "Mr. Cui, is this unreasonable disaster in the Dong Mansion something that the imperial concubine was happy to see happen?"
The fisherman in front of me is none other than Concubine Zheng's trusted servant Cui Wenxin.
Emperor Wanli had favored Concubine Zheng exclusively for decades, and made several attempts to confer the title of crown prince to the third prince Zhu Changxun, who was born to Concubine Zheng. Ministers from the Zhonglin Party in the DPRK strongly opposed it and exhausted all means to put pressure on Emperor Wanli.
He supported Zhu Changluo, the eldest prince born to the emperor and his maid, as the crown prince.
The princes and princes in the past dynasties have become the "national foundation", so the dispute that lasted for more than ten years in Wanli Dynasty was called "the struggle for the national foundation". The word "national foundation" mentioned by Cui Wenxin just now also refers to this matter.
Cui Wenxin adjusted the fishing rod and stopped talking: "General Ma, Dong Qichang is a smooth man and a profound official. He is neither the Donglin sect nor the Zhejiang sect and the Chu sect, but he has many friends, many disciples and former officials, and he is in a high position in the capital.
Many people are selling him face. Don't forget that he has returned to his hometown and lived in seclusion for ten years. After all, he was once a member of the East Palace. Like his fellow countryman Xu Guangqi, he is very prestigious in the sacred land of Jiangnan. The old guys from the prince's faction think highly of him.
"
Cui Wenxin paused when she said this, and her tone became colder and colder: "But General Ma, this time, Huang Zunsu, the rising star of Donglin School, could have died in the bandits' den, but you saved him. You could have saved him."
Teach the East Palace a lesson, you inexplicably stood up to Dong Qichang again. You really hurt the hearts of the imperial concubine and Prince Fu."
When Ma Xianglin heard this, he was silent for a moment, and then spoke again, with a frosty air in his voice.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Then I'll trouble you, imperial concubine, to ask Eunuch Hu Fang to inform Ma first, so that Ma can know which scenes belong to her and Prince Fu. However, even if
If you tell me clearly, Ma may not mind your own business."
"General Ma! As a human being, you must repay kindness!"
Cui Wenxin's anger was obvious in her tone. She shook the fishing rod in her hand and swung up a small fish.
Ma Xianglin leaned over, took off the fish from the hook, threw it in front of Cui Wenxin, and said sarcastically: "Songjiang's four-gill bass is famous all over the world, husband Cui, don't miss it. Ma will go back and rest first."
…
"Miss Zheng, the four-gill bass after the beginning of autumn are heading to the mouth of the Yangtze River. They are the most plump. Zhuxiang, please give Miss Zheng a piece of meat from the back of the fish."
In the private room of Zuibai Building in the north of the city, Mrs. Miao sat at the top and ordered her maid Zhuxiang to prepare dishes for Zheng Haizhu.
At dusk, the Han family's ox cart convoy left Wenzhe Academy and walked slowly for half a mile when they saw the Gu family's sedan waiting in front. Zhuxiang came to invite him personally and said that Mrs. Miao was from Fujian.
I learned that Zheng Haizhu's hometown is in Zhangzhou. Today, I saw that her speech and behavior were very neat and refreshing, so I wanted to invite her to a dinner to talk about her hometown in Fujian.
After this explanation, it was difficult for Lao Peng, a housekeeper, to say anything. Although Han Xiying was the head of the family, her seniority was low, so she had no choice but to angrily leave Zheng Haizhu and Zhu Xiang beside the sedan.
At this moment, Zheng Haizhu took a closer look at Zhuxiang. Although she was about the same age as herself, her movements were elegant and sophisticated. She was obviously not an ordinary maid of the Gu family, just like the mandarin duck of Mrs. Jia in "A Dream of Red Mansions".
My identity is that I am also a servant of the Han family. How can I sit there and be served by the "mandarin duck" of the Gu family?
Zheng Haizhu stood up hurriedly, dragged Zhuxiang's sleeves, and told Miao that she couldn't afford it.
Miao didn't insist and said with a smile: "It's a good thing that you take the rules seriously. Let's do this. Zhuxiang waits outside, and we can just eat fish and talk. You'll be more comfortable."
Zhuxiang bowed and exited the private room, only a shadow faintly imprinted on the door, motionless.
Zheng Haizhu moved his body, held the lotus petal bowl in front of the old lady with both hands, used chopsticks to gently pick out two pieces of gill meat of the sea bass, put it in the bowl, picked up the spoon, and poured half a spoon of soup on the meat.
.
The soup is filled with the freshness of ham, the warmth of ginger slices, and the aroma of shredded green onions. When mixed with the gill meat of sea bass, the flavors will complement each other.
Ordinary sea bass has only two gills, but Songjiang sea bass looks like a pond snakehead. There are two flame patterns on the main gills, so people call it four-gill sea bass. This kind of sea bass has a wide, flat and large head, and the gill meat is very delicious and tender.
, melts in your mouth, perfect for the elderly with poor teeth.
Miao looked at Zheng Haizhu with a calm expression. The habits and propriety in her behavior conveyed the same message as she had heard, that she was a child from a respectable family.
Miao took a mouthful of fish meat and tasted it gracefully. After swallowing it, she smiled at Zheng Haizhu and said, "I have taught my old lady to enjoy the best two pieces of meat on the fish. Don't stand still here."
It’s cooked, sit down and eat while it’s hot.”
It was disrespectful and disrespectful, so Zheng Haizhu followed the instructions and picked up a piece of fish back meat.
Miao took a sip of rice wine and said slowly: "Miss Azhu, I am from the palace. As for the importance of rules, I am afraid that no one in the Gu family or the Han family is as strict as me. But the original intention of establishing rules is
, it’s nothing more than teaching people to live comfortably within limits. Some children, who are obviously well versed in human affairs, turn a blind eye to such simple rules as melon fields and plum blossoms, regardless of whether they are unintentional or intentional. In short, they are too unmeasured. But I, the old lady, do
I’d like to treat you to a bite of fresh seasonal fish. You’re happy and it doesn’t disturb the people around you. This doesn’t break the rules or lose your sense of proportion. You really don’t have to be too restrained.”
Zheng Haizhu was suddenly invited to speak by Miao today. She was already very surprised.
At this time, Miao's words were clearly pointing out Han Xiying's misbehavior, and she was even more surprised that the old lady would say this to her.
Zheng Haizhu lowered his eyes for a moment, guessed a little bit of the reason, and decided to boldly explore a few steps.
Then he said to Mrs. Miao in a sincere tone: "What Madam has given to Ah Zhu today is not only the teachings of spring breeze and rain and the delicacies that make people's teeth and cheeks fragrant, but more importantly, Ah Zhu was lucky enough to walk beside Madam's sedan just now.
Sister Zhuxiang was looking after me with her smiling words, and the bustling city was passing by, and all the people in the city were watching. This is what really made Azhu feel great kindness."
Miao smiled and said: "You are a smart child. Yes, I am just showing it to outsiders. After all, Ximeng and you are women who have been to the bandit camp. Even if General Ma and Master Huang speak for you,
With A Qian returning to protect Ximeng, an elder of the Gu family should stand up and show his attitude. The marriage between A Qian and Ximeng is still certain. Others, whether they are traffickers and lackeys or officials and gentlemen, should not worry about it.
What a joke."
Zheng Haizhu understood it completely this time. She was filled with joy for a moment, got up quickly, knelt down without hesitation, and said gratefully: "Azhu is brave enough to thank Madam for your sympathy for my young lady."
Mrs. Miao helped her up and motioned her to sit back and continue listening to him.
"Miss Azhu, I am originally from Ningde, Fuzhou Prefecture. When I was a child, I went to Shangqing Temple with my parents to offer incense. By chance, I saw an extremely beautifully embroidered cassock. It is said that it was given to the previous abbot by the palace. Since then, I
Fascinated by embroidery skills, I begged my parents to send me to Suzhou to learn embroidery, and was sent to the capital by the Weaving Bureau. After entering the palace, I realized that this person's heart was by no means as pure and clean as embroidery. Fortunately, the Queen took great care of me.
, pointed me out to Shang Baocheng as his concubine, allowing me to walk out of the Forbidden City and return to the southeast at a young age. Of course I am grateful to the queen, and I am especially grateful to the Gu family. From the bottom of my heart, I hope that the Gu family will become more and more prosperous.
Xingwang. Miss Azhu, my view of people is correct. Ximeng and you are both good children. You have already groomed yourself and will not remarry. Your heart is determined, and it is all about Ximeng.
A house is blessed with a bright front door and a peaceful back house. The ones the Gu family welcomes in should be women like you."
In the shadow of the glazed lamp, Miao's face seemed to be cast in a soft halo, making her look approachable.
The old man was like this, chatting for a while, sipping a few sips of wine, and eating a few bites of food. He was so approachable and eloquent that Zheng Haizhu had the illusion several times that he was facing his grandmother in his previous life in the modern era.
.
After Youshi hour passed in this way, Mrs. Miao called Zhuxiang to settle the bill, and sent her and a servant to take Zheng Haizhu back to Han Mansion.
As soon as he reached the door of the mansion, Zheng Shoukuan, who was squatting under a lantern, shouted in joy and came forward to greet him.
"Auntie, the eldest lady is also waiting for you in the front hall. She said she won't be able to sleep if you don't come back."
Zheng Haizhu politely said goodbye to the Gu family's servants and walked into the house with his nephew.
In the night sky of early autumn, the stars are shining brightly. In the garden, the osmanthus trees are already hanging their stamens, and the air is soaked with sweet fragrance.
Zheng Haizhu looked up at the crescent moon, and pictures appeared in front of his eyes: the splendid clothes in Yan Siqi's house on Daishan Island, the sails of the bird boats and the backs of the Liaodong soldiers. Ma Xianglin said, "If one day our Sichuan army wants to march northward."
The look in his eyes at that time, the look on Huang Zunsu's face when he said "I only consider the merits of things", the look on Gu Shouqian and Han Ximeng standing side by side, and finally the smile on Mrs. Miao's face as she looked at him.
She said to herself in her heart that this era, in fact, is not that bad.