Zheng Haizhu wore no makeup, her black hair was tied up in an indigo scarf, and she wore plain clothes. Walking among the women in colorful makeup and costumes coming and going in the Moon River, she had no sense of presence compared to the extras in the background.
It was so good that she boarded the ship with Mr. Tao, just like an ordinary maid, not conspicuous at all.
The cruise ship Mr. Tao chartered today is a "fairy boat" in shape. It is much smaller than a painting boat or a light boat, but it also has carved pillars and windows, and is well decorated.
Zheng Haizhu chatted a few words with the boatman in the local Wu dialect, then turned to Master Tao and said: "There is indeed a Jiulian Temple in the north of the city. I know roughly how to get there. The voyage here takes less than an hour."
Mr. Tao thanked him with a smile, turned around and went into the cabin. He and his servant boy tinkered on the desk for a while, and then brought out a small copper stove.
Zheng Haizhu smelled a sweet fragrance, but saw reddish-brown powder gathered on the copper stove partition to form a zigzag of the word "Fu".
This is playing incense and seal, an elegant game loved by scholar-bureaucrats and rich ladies in the Song and Ming Dynasties.
"Could this fragrance be made from crushed lychee shells?" Zheng Haizhu asked curiously.
When she was in Korea, she often saw ladies and ladies playing with incense and seals, but they were all made of expensive raw materials. Zheng Haizhu laughed at herself like a cow chewing peonies. It really didn't smell good, and it was not as good as the lychee fruit in front of her.
Mr. Tao showed his face and said: "It is made by boiling lychee shells, drying and grinding them into powder. This is my mother's unique craft. When I travel, I always bring lychee incense, such as ashes, sandalwood, dragon, and luxury. None of them can compare to it.”
He sniffed quite relaxedly, then raised his eyes to look around at the streets and towns on both sides of the bank, and said sincerely: "The prefectures in southern Zhili are very prosperous, and I will definitely visit with my mother again next year. After a woman gets married, she is confined to the back house. If their husbands and sons had not gone to other places to serve as officials, they would never have been able to leave this county for the rest of their lives, which is really pitiful."
Zheng Haizhu was quite surprised when he heard this.
Mr. Tao showed generosity and protection to Ru Liier. Zheng Haizhu originally thought it was a cliché scenario of a passionate scribe pursuing a talented prostitute.
Looking at his words and expressions today, I found that his comfort to Ru Liier was simple and pure without any intention, and even his eyes when saying goodbye were clear and calm.
Listening to his natural expression of emotion at this moment, there was nothing pretentious about it, it was purely out of compassion for the woman's situation.
Zheng Haizhu glanced at the square scarf on Master Tao's head.
In the Ming Dynasty, only men who had obtained the qualification of being a student could wear a square scarf. Mr. Tao, who wore a square scarf, was at least a scholar. Judging from the quality and cost of the clothes, his family background should be extraordinary.
It is even more rare for someone with such a status to not be a dandy and still have sympathy.
"I would like to ask, where is the fairyland of the young master?"
"Oh, Shanyin, Zhejiang."
It turns out that he is from Shaoxing, his accent is not too strong, and he speaks southern Zhili Mandarin.
Zheng Haizhu showed a sincere look of admiration: "What a wonderful place, the preface to the Lanting collection, and Shen Garden."
Mr. Tao smiled gently: "Yes, we have many historical sites in Shanyin."
Mr. Tao did not find it strange that a little maid actually knew the story of the calligrapher Wang Xizhi, as well as Lu You and Tang Wan.
Although he is young, he has a lot of experience. After studying in various places in the south of the Yangtze River, he understands that many prostitute girls and maids from wealthy families are either influenced by the literary style of the house and the owner, or they are originally from a scholar's family. Their knowledge and education are not necessarily inferior to those
Male student.
The winter moon has not yet arrived, but the sunshine in front of Shenshi is still warm. There are several armchairs covered with brocade mattresses outside the cabin. The polite Mr. Tao tells Zheng Haizhu not to be restrained and sit down to drink tea and rest.
He himself leaned back in the chair, picked up a thin book, and read quietly.
Zheng Haizhu saw the word "Folk Song" printed on the cover of the book and couldn't help but said: "What you are reading is the collection of Mr. Feng Menglong of Gusu?"
Feng Menglong's achievements that are familiar to future generations are the compilation of the Ming Dynasty dialect collection "Warning Words" and so on. However, at this time, it was still early for "Three Words" to be published. What was published was his collection of Wu Dishan songs.
Mr. Tao raised his head.
This time, he looked at Zheng Haizhu with obvious surprise.
In addition, it is extremely rare to be able to read and understand Chinese characters, and to know such an unpopular book as Feng Menglong's "Collection of Folk Songs".
Zheng Haizhu showed no sign of showing off, and said politely: "My brother studied extensively during his lifetime, and was even more impressed by Mr. Feng's efforts to collect music and lyrics. My brother once told me that there are so many false feelings in the vast poetry and prose.
It is a work of hypocrisy, but the vast number of folk songs are all expressions of true feelings. Because folk songs do not have to compete for glory, flattery, or seek fame like poetry."
"Well said!" Mr. Tao praised.
After cheering, Mr. Tao felt a little confused again.
He loved reading miscellaneous books since he was a child, but he soon had to learn the art of eight-legged making like many men of this era.
This kind of exam-taking tactic, mixed with the sophistication of people in the examination room, really hollows out the heart of scholars and kills the ambition of heroes. It is not as refreshing as reading historical records, reading scripts, and reading folk song lyrics.
Mr. Tao did not expect that the slander he often expressed in his belly would be uttered by a woman of the same age whom he met by chance today.
He then covered his book and looked at Zheng Haizhu. His tone was unknowingly filled with understanding, and he sighed softly: "Women are controlled by etiquette and customs, men are controlled by articles. Many innocent and good people in the world are all wearing shackles."
.”
Before the voice of sadness fell, I suddenly heard loud shouts from the left bank.
"Brother, it's me, come over quickly!"
The fairy boat docked, and a young man with a long body, a handsome face, and gorgeous robes jumped onto the deck with a bang, followed by a boy who was wearing thick and clean cloth.
The young man smiled at Mr. Tao, turned to stare at Zheng Haizhu, and said carelessly: "Hey, this girl from which building and courtyard is she? Why is she dressed so shabbily?"
Mr. Tao frowned and shouted in a deep voice: "Nonsense! Miss Zheng is the daughter of a gentry in this mansion. We met by chance and eagerly helped a stranger like me to lead the way to the nunnery to find Sister He. Please apologize to the girl quickly."
The young man said "Oh", put away his sly look, and said to Zheng Haizhu: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's understandable that I misunderstood you. I know that my brother has been enjoying himself in the brothel these two days.
I thought the girl was the same..."
"Third brother, you are so old and you still can't speak, so just shut up." Mr. Tao became even more sullen.
The young man was not afraid, and said with a playful smile: "Oh, I have embarrassed my eldest brother again, I will change it now, I will change it now."
After saying that, he cleared his throat in a tone of voice and bowed to Zheng Haizhu: "I am from Zhanggu, Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture. The top of the steep mountains is like walking on the ground. The name is Yanke. Since Miss Zheng is a friend of my eldest son's cousin,
The friendship with me, Zhang Sanlang, has also begun today. I am honored to meet you! If I have the opportunity to go to Shaoxing Prefecture, I will do my best to serve as a host."
After the young man finished speaking, he glanced at his brother with a pair of flexible eyes and saw that his brother looked embarrassed.
He looked at the pretty Miss Zheng again.
Hey, why did Miss Zheng's expression suddenly become weird?
A moment ago, she was recognized by him as a woman with fireworks, and her appearance was calm, but now her eyes suddenly flashed, as if she was touched by something.