Chapter two hundred and ninety-eight of life for a hundred years
Chapter 298: A hundred years of life to the ends of the earth
Yi Ting stood in the darkness of the two pots of wintersweet beside the patio, watching the young master and Mu Zhenzhen go up to the south building. The stairs creaked, and the young master was still whispering something to Mu Zhenzhen -
—
It was very cold by the patio, and the fragrance of wintersweet was refreshing. Yi Ting rubbed his hands and walked to the back garden. It had snowed heavily the past few days, and the snow in the back garden was almost two feet thick. Shi Shuang, Lai Wang and Fu Cheng,
It took Fu Dagong and his son a long time to clear out the gravel path. Now from the corridor to the wooden building in the back garden, there are solid snow ridges on both sides of the road——
On the 13th day of the twelfth lunar month, the moonlight fell like ice chips, making people feel chilled all over. Yiting walked to the two osmanthus trees by the back garden gate and stopped, looking up at the three-couplet, two-story wooden building. The upper floor was to the left.
Lights shine through the two rooms. The one on the left is probably where Zong Yishan lives. Three months ago, Zong Yishan and his family came to Shanyin with Zhang Ruiyang. At first, they couldn't find a suitable place to live for more than a month, so they stayed here.
In the wooden building in the back garden, Yi Ting saw Zong Yishan's parents getting old, so he often came to help with some things. The two elders of the Zong family liked Yi Ting very much, and Yi Ting also liked their son. Zong Yishan was here last year.
After living in Yuan Xiaolou for a few days, it was Yi Ting who helped make the bed, fold the quilts, and serve tea and water. At that time, Yi Ting felt that this young master was a little special, and he was very polite and polite to her maid. At that time, Yi Ting did not dare to
After much thought, Yi Ting later learned about Zong Yishan's experience from the young master Zhang Yuan. Yi Ting was immediately moved with pity and admiration. As God wished, Zong Yishan actually came to live in Dong Zhang.
Got——
It’s not that Yi Ting thought she was worthy of Zong Yishan because she learned that Zong Yishan was the son of a slave. Although Yi Ting was a maid, she had always had a high spirit and acted a little shrewdly. This may have been due to the kindness of Zhang’s mother, Lu Shi
After being spoiled by her, Yi Ting does not feel that she is inferior to anyone, but this feeling of self-esteem can only be kept in her heart. The gap between noble and inferior classes does not exist because of her self-esteem. She ignores it and does not exist. It still oppresses her heavily and makes her feel uncomfortable.
She sticks to her duty. Now that she knows Zong Yishan's identity, it is like removing an obstacle. Her affection for Zong Yishan has not changed at all. It is just that she can pursue it boldly and dare to reveal her true feelings.
As for whether Zong Yishan likes her, that's another matter. Anyway, she likes Zong Yishan. After Zong Yishan's family moved away, she couldn't find the energy to do anything——
Zhang's mother, Lu, had already seen what this big girl was thinking. Yi Ting was nineteen years old, and after the New Year she would be twenty. If she didn't get married, she would be an old girl. Zhang's mother, Lu, was waiting for Zhang Yuan to come back and discuss with Zhang Yuan -
—
…
In the large bedroom on the second floor of the south building, Zhang Ruiyang and Mrs. Lu were sitting side by side on armchairs. Zhang Yuan was sitting on a low stool in front of them. Mu Zhenzhen stood aside. When Zhang Yuan heard his mother say this, he smiled and said: "Yi
Is Sister Ting tempted? This is a good thing. I can test Zong Yishan's tone."
Zhang's mother, Lu, said: "Yiting is very willing to do it, but I'm afraid that Zong Yishan won't do it. People say that Zong Yishan is very talented, right?"
Zhang Ruiyang and Zong Yishan came to Shanyin from Jinling all the way. They had nothing to do on the boat. They had long conversations with Zong Yishan every day. They were greatly impressed by Zong Yishan's talent and learning. At this time, he said: "If Zong Yishan can participate in the imperial examination and the provincial examination, he will
I dare not say that this student is bound to win the examination, and his calligraphy is even better. Otherwise, how could he be a ghostwriter for Dong Hanlin?" Asked Zhang Yuan: "I heard that you want to change Zong Yishan's identity so that he can participate.
Imperial examination?"
Zhang Yuandao: "My son has this intention, and Taishi Jiao also supports it."
Zhang Ruiyang nodded and said: "It is not uncommon for the son of a slave to take the imperial examination and go to high school. It is not difficult to have Jiao Zhuangyuan to help him."
Zhang's mother, Lu, said: "Then isn't my Yi Ting a bit unworthy of him?"
Zhang Yuan said to his two elders: "My son has an idea, I wonder if he agrees with it?" Seeing that his parents were listening attentively, he continued: "I respect Zong Yishan's intellectual character and discuss friendship with him. If he also
If you are interested in Yi Ting, why don't you ask the two elders to recognize Yi Ting as your adopted daughter? Wouldn't everyone be happy in this way? I wonder what the elders want?"
Zhang's mother, Lu, said happily: "This is a good idea. Yi Ting has always been considerate to me, and it is just right for me to consider her as my adopted daughter." Looking at Zhang Ruiyang, she listened to her husband's instructions -
Zhang Ruiyang said with a smile: "I knew Xiao Yuan would come up with this idea. It is indeed the best of both worlds. It is just a dowry. Now the family is rich -" Zhang Ruiyang stopped talking and waved his hand for Zhang Yuan to go to Zong immediately.
Yishan said go.
Zhang Yuan and Mu Zhenzhen went downstairs to the back garden. They met Yi Ting at the entrance of the hall. Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Sister Yi Ting, don't be anxious. Please wait for the good news. I will grow old in the same month."
Yi Ting suddenly blushed and hurried back to the inner courtyard. When she saw Tu Ting coming downstairs to look for her, she followed him upstairs. Zhang's mother, Lu, made it clear to her that she would marry her off like a daughter. Yi Ting cried with joy.
Prostrate to the ground——
About half an hour later, I heard the sound of the stairs and Zhang Yuan came back. As soon as he entered the door, he cupped his hands to Yi Ting and said, "Congratulations to Sister Yi Ting, may we wish you a good thing."
Zhang Ruiyang and Ms. Lu were both smiling. Ms. Lu looked at Yi Ting and said, "My Yi Ting is a kind-hearted, well-organized and capable person. Zong Yishan has no reason not to agree." She said to Zhang Ruiyang, "Invite the two elders of the Zong family tomorrow.
We have agreed on a wedding date and let Yi Ting get married after Xiao Yuan gets married." Then he thought again: "Yiting has been helping me take care of the housework in the past few years. If Yi Ting gets married, I will have to worry more."
Zhang Ruiyang said: "When Yi Ting marries, won't the Shang girl also marry into the family?"
Zhang's mother, Lu, said: "Dan Ran will go out with Xiao Yuan from now on."
Zhang Ruiyang smiled at his old wife and said: "You are still worried about having so little money to rent the grain and farmland and no one will take care of it. What do I do? I manage such a big Zhou Prince's Mansion in an orderly manner——"
Zhang Ruiyang is not bragging. Being the chief historian is to manage the daily affairs of the palace. Things are extremely complicated and it will not work without some practical work.
When Zhang Yuan was discussing the marriage between Zong Yishan and Yi Ting with his parents, Yi Ting stood aside with a blushing face and said nothing, a rare quietness——
…
On the morning of the 14th, Zhang Ruiyang, Zhang Yuan, Zhang Dai, and Zhang E sent Ni Yuanlu and Huang Zunsu aboard the ship. Ni Yuanlu's family was in Shangyu, and Huang Zunsu was in Yuyao. Both of them were eager to return home. When they said goodbye to the Zhang brothers at the bow of the ship, Huang Zunsu
Said: "The wedding date of the wise brother Zongzi is on the sixth day of February, the wedding date of the wise brother Yanke is February 16th, and the wedding date of the wise brother Jiezi is on April 12th. During the period, there will be a gathering of the Han Society. It seems that I will stay in Shanyin for three months next year.
"
Ni Yuanlu smiled and said: "My eldest son, Xian Kunzhong is rushing to get married first. Are you planning to go to Beijing to take the exam after getting married?"
Zhang Dai said: "I will be nineteen years old after the Chinese New Year. Getting married early will make the elderly people in the hall feel at ease."
Zhang E rolled his eyes and said, "If I don't get married, I will become a father."
Lu Mei has been pregnant for more than four months and will give birth in April or May next year. Zhang E is not very happy, but his mother Wang is very happy. Lu Mei's status has risen rapidly, and she no longer has to serve as a waiter, and she is dedicated to raising babies.
Got——
After seeing off Ni, Huang, Zhang Dai, and Zhang E back to Xizhang, Zhang Yuan took Wu Ling and Laifu on a small awning boat to visit teacher Wang Siren's house in Kuaiji. When they arrived at the small dock of Dongdachi, Laifu carried a load
The gift box followed the young master and Xiao Wu ashore. The weather was fine that day. The snow on the street was swept away on both sides, and coarse sand was sprinkled to prevent slipping. The three masters and servants came to Wang Siren's house. The old man was wearing a thick coat.
Wearing a beard hat, when he saw Zhang Yuan, he was surprised at first and said: "Ah, Mr. Zhang is back!" Then his face darkened and he looked a little embarrassed and said: "Mr. Zhang, please wait a moment, I will go and report it."
When the old disciple went in to report, Zhang Yuan stood in front of the palace and looked at the apricot forest on the other side of the Xinghua Temple. The apricot trees were covered with ice and snow. Zhang Yuan, who had poor eyesight, looked from a distance and saw that a tree of pear blossoms was in full bloom. Cen Shen wrote in a poem:
"Suddenly a spring breeze came overnight, and thousands of pear trees bloomed." This is the scene. I couldn't help but remember the scene in April when he came here to thank his teacher after passing the exam. At that time, Teacher Wang had already arrived in Beijing, and he paid homage to Wang.
After his wife resigned, Junior Sister Yingzi chased him against the door wall and listened to the sound of falling apricot blossoms in the shadow of the door wall. After more than half a year, it felt like it was already far away. It was he and Junior Sister Yingzi who got closer and closer.
Is it far?
"Jie Zidi——"
Wang Siren's eldest son, Wang Binglin, walked out quickly, offered Zhang Yuan's hand, and invited Zhang Yuan to sit down in the hall. He looked a little embarrassed. After listening to Zhang Yuan talk about interesting things about the Imperial College for a while, his expression became relaxed, and he smiled and said: "Southern Supervisor, Academic Officer
Is it so strict now? I was not very restrained in South Prison at that time——"
Zhang Yuan asked: "How is the teacher doing in Beijing? Can he be replaced?"
Wang Binglin said: "My father received a letter in October, saying that he will be appointed as an official in Yuanzhou Prefecture. He will return to Kuaiji in the next few days and go to Yuanzhou next year."
Tuiguan is in charge of the punishment name of a prefecture. He is the seventh rank and is at the same level as the magistrate. Yuanzhou Prefecture belongs to Jiangxi——
Zhang Yuan said happily: "That's great. As soon as the teacher comes back, please send someone to inform me."
Wang Binglin nodded and said, "Okay, my father appreciates you very much. He also mentioned you in his last letter."
Zhang Yuandao: "Teacher's kindness is deeply felt."
Wang Binglin sighed, frowned, and was speechless for a moment.
Zhang Yuan said bluntly: "Why is Senior Brother Wang sighing? Please tell me clearly."
Wang Binglin looked at Zhang Yuan, hesitated for a moment, and said: "To be honest, it's about my little sister Yingzi. Mr. Ding, a Gongsheng student from Qiantang, is my classmate and friend. He knows that I have a young sister who is not married. He came from Qiantang a few months ago."
With this proposal, Jia Ci is quite satisfied with Ding Sheng’s character and family background, but Ying Zi—”
At this point, Wang Binglin shook his head and quickly added: "I know your good brother's character, so I will tell you frankly that Yingzi is unwilling to discuss marriage with others because of you."
Zhang Yuan took a deep breath and said, "I want to talk to Junior Sister Yingzi, is it okay?"
Wang Siren's son is not a rigid person. Wang Binglin nodded and said: "It's okay, you have to tie the bell to untie it, and you have to untie Yingzi's heart knot. You can persuade her well. You will get married in April next year, right?"
Let's go." After that, he stood up, walked a few steps and then turned back and said: "My dear brother, please go to the study and wait while I go to report my kindness."
When Zhang Yuan and Wang Yingzi met, it was certainly not easy for them to fight each other in the hall——
The study in the front yard of Wang Siren's house was the place Zhang Yuan was most familiar with. The furnishings in the study were the same as before. There was no brazier in the study and it was very cold. After waiting for a while, Zhang Yuan walked to the north window of the study and saw the window outside the window.
There is a big snowman piled up next to a clump of thin bamboos. The snowman has black charcoal eyes, a carrot mouth, and no nose. It has black eyes and bright red lips, sitting under the thin bamboos, facing the north window of the study -
Suddenly I heard someone whisper behind me: "This snowman is an academic officer and supervises the scholars in the study room."
Zhang Yuan turned around and saw Wang Yingzi wearing a cold fur coat standing by the door of the study, looking at him with wide eyes. Junior Sister Yingzi was smiling, and there was a little girl holding a hand-warming copper stove outside the door.
——
"Junior Sister Yingzi is always well." Zhang Yuanzuo said with a bow.
The delicate and thin Wang Yingzi gave Zhang Yuan a blessing and said with a smile: "Brother Jiezi always has to say some polite words, right?" After saying that, he waved to the little girl outside the door, and the little girl walked in timidly.
The hand-warming copper stove was handed to Zhang Yuan. Zhang Yuan took it, then handed it to Wang Yingzi and said, "Junior sister, please warm your hands. I'm not cold."
Wang Yingzi asked the little girl to go out, and she and Zhang Yuan were left alone in the study. The dark yellow oblate copper stove was placed on the desk, trying to emit heat in the cold room——
Zhang Yuan and Wang Yingzi sat down across the desk. Wang Yingzi looked at Zhang Yuan with her big eyes and said, "What does Brother Jiezi want to tell me?"
Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment. When facing Wang Yingzi, the words he had originally planned suddenly felt inappropriate, and he hesitated for a moment——
Wang Yingzi put her palms against the wall of the copper furnace, stared at Zhang Yuan, and said softly: "Senior Brother Jiezi, have I made things difficult for you?"
Zhang Yuan raised his eyebrows: "Why do you say that?"
Wang Yingzi asked, "Did Senior Brother hear some rumors and feel unhappy?" He then said, "I know Senior Brother is about to marry Miss Shang."
Zhang Yuan understood what Wang Yingzi meant, and couldn't help but feel moved in his heart, and said: "I'm not unhappy, I'm just a little worried about Junior Sister-" The wording was a little difficult again.
Wang Yingzi looked at Zhang Yuan, and slowly retracted her hands. The copper stove was also moved to the table. Wang Yingzi's big eyes slowly filled with tears. She lowered her head slightly, and her eyes couldn't hold the tears.
Then it dripped on the copper stove, dripped from the hollow into the charcoal fire, and made a "chi" sound. The cold air in the room suddenly had the warmth of tears——
Wang Yingzi's voice was still calm, and she said: "Senior Brother Jiezi, being a woman is really helpless. I have a lot of poems and books, but I can only do eight-legged poetry. I want to travel around the world, but I can only stay in my boudoir. I don't want to get married.
, but was persecuted everywhere - well, how can I put it, I really like Brother Jiezi, and it is extremely pleasant to interact with Brother Jiezi, which makes me feel happy even just thinking about it quietly in my heart, Brother Jiezi, in this world
Is there a man like you?"
Wang Yingzi asked Zhang Yuan this question. Before Zhang Yuan could speak, she answered to herself: "Even if there is someone, I can't possibly know him. My father will never accept such a student who comes to learn stereotypes, and neither will that student."
Follow me to dig bamboo shoots in the bamboo forest of the garden, but you won't ask me to write eight-legged essays for you. Therefore, in a hundred years of life, all over the world, I only know one person, Brother Jiezi——"
Having said this, Wang Yingzi wiped her tears with the back of her hand and said with some embarrassment: "I don't know where all these tears came from. They almost extinguished the hand warmer. I'm not sad. Really, Brother Jiezi, I'm not
Don’t be sad, it’s a joy to meet Brother Jiezi. It’s like opening a window in a dark room, and a magical light comes in. This light is neither sunlight nor moonlight. I have never seen it before—” Eyes
Looking at Zhang Yuan, he reached out and took out a piece of silk handkerchief from the bottom of his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Yuan, saying: "Brother, please wipe your eyes -"
Wang Yingzi gently stroked the hand-warming copper stove, looked at Zhang Yuan and said: "Just like I didn't dare to dream about the female champion, I also didn't think about marrying senior brother Jie Zi. Senior brother already has Miss Shang. My family background
I am not allowed to serve as a concubine, but I still like Brother Jiezi, just like although I can't take the imperial examination, I like to write eight-legged essays in my spare time. Who does this hinder? It has nothing to do with Brother Jiezi if I don't want to get married. It's because I don't like it.
That person, senior brother, don't feel guilty. This is my own business. No one is to blame. Do women have to find someone to marry? I study, study poetry, and paint. Sometimes I think about senior brother Jie Zi, and I live a good life.
?”
What Zhang Yuan originally wanted to say could not be uttered at this time. He did not expect Junior Sister Yingzi to be so affectionate, help the troubled times, defend the enemy and save the country. He had the confidence to do it step by step, but facing Yingzi who was smiling with tears in his eyes.
Junior Sister Zi, but he feels that he is very powerless and cannot do his best. The word love is the most difficult to understand. This cannot be solved by breaking any rules——
Wang Yingzi said at this time: "My brother said that Senior Brother Jiezi had something to say to me. What did Senior Brother Jiezi want to say?"
Zhang Yuan stretched out his arm, touched the back of Wang Yingzi's hand covering the copper stove, and said, "Junior sister Bingxue is smart, I am far behind."
Wang Yingzi smiled brightly and said, "I'm looking forward to senior brother's provincial examination next year. If senior brother is Chinese, I can do Chinese, right?"
Zhang Yuan also smiled and said: "Junior sister is right."
Wang Yingzi said again: "My father will be back in a few days. I'm afraid he will force me to marry that Ding Sheng. Senior brother, please give me a good word."
Zhang Yuan said "uh" and said, "Beautiful words, this seems too strange."
Wang Yingzi giggled and said, "I'm just teasing senior brother. How dare you trouble senior brother to do such a dangerous thing——"
Junior Sister Yingzi always has the ability to make people feel happy, and she has no resentment towards a woman——
Wang Binglin was pacing in the courtyard outside the academy gate and heard whispers in the study. His hands and feet were so cold that he finally couldn't stand it anymore. He went into the study and asked, "Brother Jie, how is your persuasion going?"
Wang Yingzi replied: "Not good."
Wang Binglin was speechless. It was already noon. Wang Binglin invited Zhang Yuan to a banquet. During the dinner, he asked Zhang Yuan what his sister Yingzi was thinking. Zhang Yuan was very embarrassed to answer, so he had to say: "Junior sister Yingzi is very smart. She
She knew exactly what she was doing."
After coming out of Teacher Wang's house, Zhang Yuan did not take the boat back the same way, but walked back to Shanyin via Yuewang Bridge. He stood at the head of Yuewang Bridge and looked at the snow-capped Baima Mountain in the distance. He thought to himself: "If Dan Ran knows what Junior Sister Yingzi thinks,
I wonder what you would think?”
When Zhang Yuan returned to Dongzhang Mansion, Xiao Shitou came up to him and said nervously: "Master, there is a tall man with red hair and green eyes who wants to see the master. He is sitting in the hall waiting for him. He looks so scary!"
Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "The tall man with red hair and green eyes, who could this be?"
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So far, 5,000 words have been written. If book friends can see Xiaodao’s efforts, seriousness and struggle between the lines, please vote for encouragement.