Chapter 105: Beauty is a disaster (please subscribe and vote monthly)
Huang Mansion, the courtyard of Huang Zicheng's house.
When you serve as an official in the capital of the Ming Dynasty, you don't have to worry about housing issues. Ordinary officials can live in official residences, and important ministers also have residences granted by the emperor.
Huang Zicheng had previously lived in a uniformly allocated room in the Hanlin Academy, but after becoming a companion of the East Palace, he was allocated a three-room house on the edge of the inner city.
Then Huang Zicheng took his wife and four sons from his hometown to live in the capital.
"Master, why are you so restless? What's going on?"
Huang Zicheng's wife, Mrs. Xu, made a cup of tea and brought it to Huang Zicheng. Looking at his frown, she couldn't help but asked worriedly.
As a daughter, her husband is of high rank, and she is able to live in such a three-pronged house in the capital. Mrs. Xu is most worried about her husband. The only thing she is thankful for is that her husband is studying in the East Palace, which is relatively safer.
Especially in recent days, I heard that the emperor's grandson Zhu Yunwen has been designated as the grandson. Every day, my husband's face is beaming with joy.
Today I suddenly became sad.
"Go, what do you, a woman, know? Help me get ready to change my clothes. I have to go to Ouchi."
Huang Zicheng took the tea cup and took a sip, then urged his wife Xu.
When Mrs. Xu heard this, she quickly went to help prepare her husband's official clothes.
Huang Zicheng was sitting in the main room, looking at the sunset in the distance, and suddenly felt like the sun was setting.
"Now only Your Highness the Grand Sun can save my life."
Looking at the servants and his son coming and going in the yard, Huang Zicheng thought to himself.
He didn't expect that he had just asked someone to inquire, and in the blink of an eye he would be caught and taken to the Jinyiwei Prison.
Although he was lucky, the two servants from the same country would never betray him.
But he had to find a way out first.
He knew that Jin Yiwei was very strong and strict, but he didn't expect to move so fast.
I feel regretful in my heart.
In fact, when Huang Zicheng sent someone out, he was just prepared to make some inquiries at first, and then told His Highness Taisun that he could not find it.
I think that even if His Highness Taisun is a little unhappy, it can at best be regarded as a failure in doing things and not a big sin.
I just didn't expect this meaning, which caused a big problem.
........
"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhu. This is the first time I've eaten such delicious cakes. I'm a little rude."
Xu Miaojin said with a slightly red face.
After the previous discussion, it didn’t take long for Zhu Ying to invite everyone to eat cakes.
Mung bean cakes and red bean cakes are not special in the Ming Dynasty, especially in noble families like the Xu family. They are very common.
Xu Miaojin didn't think much, picked up a piece and started eating.
Then just one sip, the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth feeling completely conquered her.
This was a taste she had never experienced before.
No matter what status you have, you are still a human being, and no one can resist the temptation of delicious food.
After a few mouthfuls, Xu Miaojin finished the mung bean cake in her hand.
Subconsciously, she was ready to reach out and get a new piece of mung bean cake.
At this moment, Xu Miaojin suddenly discovered that Zhu Ying and Zhu Gaochi were not eating, but looking at her at the same time.
"Haha, Brother Ying, let me tell you, my aunt will definitely be fascinated by the taste of your pastries." Zhu Gaochi said with a smile.
Just when the pastries were delivered, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Ying had already completed the communication between their eyes.
Xu Miaojin, who was a little shy in front of Zhu Ying, said those words.
"Why are you treating it like a big girl's house? You are just a child. You can eat whatever you want. There are no outsiders here, so you don't have to worry too much." Zhu Ying said to Xu Miaojin with a smile.
At the same time, I have some sighs for the women of Ming Dynasty.
A child who is no more than ten years old already has everyone's demeanor in every gesture. What kind of environment does he live in to make him like this?
When Zhu Gaochi heard this, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
He looked at Zhu Ying's slightly pitiful eyes and felt embarrassed.
His aunt Xu Miaojin usually looks like this. She hasn't let go yet. If she really lets go, Brother Ying won't be able to hold her back.
Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but look at his aunt.
Xu Miaojin felt the gaze, with a warning tone, and secretly glanced at Zhu Gaochi, without any shy look.
But when she turned to Zhu Ying's side, her cheeks turned red again.
Then he said in a clear voice: "Master Zhu, please don't say that. This little girl will be able to leave the cabinet in two years."
Zhu Ying paused slightly, and then remembered that women from the Ming Dynasty were usually at this age and almost ready to get engaged.
Many people wait to get married as soon as they reach the age.
Zhu Ying couldn't answer this, but fortunately, the food was delivered not long after.
The dishes served to entertain Zhu Gaochi and Xu Miaojin were obviously relatively rich.
Xu Miaojin, who had been mentally prepared for it, was no longer so surprised when she ate it.
But as her beautiful eyes wandered around, she seemed to fall on Zhu Ying inadvertently.
Zhu Yingze and Zhu Gaochi were talking about Daming firearms.
As they chatted, the two became more and more energetic.
Zhu Ying lacks a lot of basic knowledge about firearms. After all, he had little contact with firearms in his previous life and will not have any contact with them in this life.
Zhu Gaochi was moved by Zhu Ying's unconstrained ideas, especially the novel combat methods and combinations, which he had never thought of.
Xu Miaojin sounded interesting at first, but later on, she became a little bored.
She didn't know much about firearms, so she became bored.
"Ahem..."
Seeing that it was getting dark, the food had been finished, and the two of them were still talking loudly, Xu Miaojin couldn't help but cough twice to remind Zhu Gaochi.
Zhu Gaochi, who was having a heated conversation, of course ignored it.
Xu Miaojin had no choice but to cough twice more.
"Ms. Xu, what's wrong? I feel a little uncomfortable in my throat. Uncle Zhang, go get the mung bean juice and give Miss Xu a glass. Use a crystal cup."
Zhu Ying ordered.
At this moment, Xu Miaojin suddenly felt very warm in her heart.
He seems to care about me very much.
With her head lowered, Xu Miaojin didn't dare to look at Zhu Ying. The idea of going out to play just now disappeared.
Only Zhu Gaochi suddenly woke up.
After understanding what my aunt meant, listening to Zhu Ying's instructions and her look on my face, I couldn't help but cough lightly and said:
"Brother Ying, I think it's getting late now. Why don't we go to Qinhuai early to play? I'm afraid it's too late and there won't be any seats on the Qinhuai flower boat."
Zhu Ying smiled and said: "Don't worry, I have asked Uncle Zhang to book a flower boat. You can go there anytime."
Long before Zhu Gaochi proposed a night tour of Qinhuai, Zhu Ying had given Uncle Zhang a wink and arranged everything.
Hearing Zhu Ying's voice, Xu Miaojin raised her head, her eyes full of expectation.
.......
Ten miles away from Qinhuai, in today's Ming Dynasty, it is the most prosperous area because of the capital.
There are many merchants and geishas here, and it is the most famous place for fireworks and romance.
Before boarding the boat, you can hear bursts of singing. This is like a competition between geishas from all over the world, secretly competing for their skills.
If you are the loser, you will go to a remote place to avoid it.
After twenty-five years of recuperation, there were more and more wealthy households in the capital, and there were countless large and small painted boats on the Qinhuai River.
Uncle Zhang led everyone to an extremely luxurious building.
As night falls, lights are lit on all ships, and lights are hung on the roof in front of the cabin. The deck is very empty, with tables and chairs carved from mahogany.
There's still tea on it.
"Brother Ying, you are really spending too much money." Seeing this, Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but sigh.
Qinhuai is so famous. Zhu Gaochi, who grew up in the capital, is certainly not his first time here, so he naturally understands the value of contracting such a large painting ship.
There are many wealthy businessmen like Qin Huai who spend dozens of taels of silver in the gold-selling caves in one night.
"It's rare for me to treat you once, and it will make the eldest prince and Miss Xu lose face. If nothing happens, just worry about it and play."
Zhu Ying said with a smile, and then arranged for everyone to board the ship.
Just when Zhu Gaochi was about to go up, Xu Miaojin quietly pulled Zhu Gaochi's sleeve.
Zhu Gaochi looked back and saw Xu Miaojin signaling to the guards of Prince Yan's Mansion who were following behind.
Zhu Gaochi understood immediately and told the guards: "Just wait here on the shore. His fierce appearance may frighten other girls' families."
After saying that, Zhu Gaochi took out a bag of silver from his sleeve and threw it over, saying: "Find a place to have fun by yourself, don't run too far."
After taking the money bag, the guards looked at each other, clasped their fists and bowed, "Thank you, eldest prince."
The large boat floats slowly with the current. In addition to the boat servants, there are also several maids serving on the boat.
It was the first time for Xu Miaojin to see such a night scene.
The sky is filled with stars, the water is filled with brilliant lights, the sound of singing is lingering in my ears, and before my eyes is my wishful husband.
Xu Miaojin, who had not yet drank alcohol, was already a little drunk and her eyes were a little blurry as she sat on the wicker chair on the deck.
"With such a beautiful time and beautiful scenery, why don't Brother Ying write a poem?" Zhu Gaochi said jokingly after a while.
"Forget it, I can't compose poetry." Zhu Ying refused with a smile.
In fact, he actually remembered two poems related to Qin Huai, but for him, there was no need to rely on poems to gain fame.
When Xu Miaojin heard this, she moved slightly and thought about composing a poem.
However, for some reason, Zhu Ying's figure was all in my mind. I seemed to have forgotten all the poems that I usually pick up at random.
In desperation, I had no choice but to step out of the window screen to hide my embarrassment, and watch the night view of Qinhuai from the edge of the deck.
Zhu Ying's tower boats are extremely eye-catching in the entire Qinhuai River.
After all, the price of contracting the painting boat on the second floor is extremely high.
It's not the only one. Most of the geishas were in large boats, surrounded by small boats of literati who followed them to cheer.
However, Zhu Ying's large-scale boat, with bright lights and less than ten people on it, looked a bit deserted and luxurious, and attracted the attention of a large number of literati and wealthy guests.
"Whose brand is that? It's actually more arrogant than this young master."
On a painting boat, a certain nobleman hugged the geisha from side to side and said to his friend next to him.
The three friends were drinking and having fun. When they heard this, they smiled and said, "I'm not sure which wealthy businessman doesn't understand the rules and came to Qinhuai to show off."
After saying that, he added: "Young master Zhou, it doesn't matter what he does, a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, so don't neglect the beauty around you."
"Come on, Mr. Zhou, how about a drink with the slave family."
"Mr. Zhou, the slave family also wants to drink."
The geishas on the left and right of Mr. Zhou were leaning against Mr. Zhou's body, rubbing and acting coquettishly.
Feeling the heat on the left and right, Mr. Zhou's heart moved slightly, and he wanted to withdraw his eyes and enjoy himself.
It was at this moment that a woman walked out of the window screen in the middle of the deck on the boat.
The extremely beautiful face immediately stunned Mr. Zhou.
"Mr. Zhou, what are you doing?"
The geisha on the right asked with some confusion when she saw Mr. Zhou suddenly stiffened.
Mr. Zhou in front of me is from a wealthy and noble family. A geisha like them, even if she can be a concubine, is like climbing a branch and becoming a phoenix.
It's just that the rule of not selling one's body is no longer useful, and I wish I could just go to the bridal chamber.
It's better to be pregnant with flesh and blood, and you can escape the misery and enter a wealthy family.
There are not too many such examples on the Qinhuai River, and besides, Mr. Zhou is quite handsome in appearance.
"Get out of my way, you bunch of vulgar fans, please don't dirty my eyes."
Mr. Zhou was disturbed and suddenly became furious. He pushed the two women away and scolded him.
Immediately, everyone present stopped, and one person on the opposite side even said: "Zhou Ji, what are you doing? Why did you suddenly get angry and ruin our interest for nothing?"
Zhou Ji glanced at his friend across from him, ignored him, and instead gave instructions to the ship's servant.
"Speed up, sir, and catch up with the flower boat in front of you. Hurry. If you're late, watch your head carefully."
Hearing this, several young masters couldn't help but look towards the flower boat from before.
I saw a woman on the deck, her clothes swaying in the wind, her face blending with the moonlight and the stars in the sky.
Everyone immediately understood the reason for Zhou Ji's sudden rage.
With such a charming woman in front of me, the vulgar beauty around me is naturally dull.
"Zhou Ji, don't be impulsive. This is the capital, not Jiangxia. Be careful to offend people you shouldn't offend." The young master from before warned.
Hearing this, Zhou Ji sneered and said, "Mr. Chang Sen, I am not like you. With my father's reputation, even though this capital is big, there is no one I can't afford to offend."
After saying that, he looked at Lou Chuan and said with a hint of covetousness: "Why should I get that young lady today?"