The ancient city of Suzhou, also known as Gusu, is very prominent in terms of location. It is a commercial and administrative town where merchants naturally gather and it is very lively. At the same time, Suzhou is also a famous water town in the south of the Yangtze River. The city is crisscrossed with water ports and crisscrossed streets. The poet Du Xunhe of the late Tang Dynasty
There is a poem that goes: "When I see you in Gusu, all the houses are nestled against the river. There is little free space in the ancient palace, and there are many small bridges in the water harbor."
Among the many streets and alleys in Suzhou, Shantang Street is known as "the most famous street in Suzhou".
Suzhou is a water town with many rivers and bridges, and Shantang Street is the most typical example of Suzhou's streets and alleys. Shantang Street connects Changmen, Suzhou's bustling commercial district, and Huqiu Town, where flower farmers gather, and the scenic Huqiu Mountain.
, with Shantang River in the middle, Shantang Street is close to the north side of the river, connected to the streets on the other side through stone bridges. Shops and houses are lined up on Shantang Street. Most of the houses here have front doors along the street and back doors facing the river.
, some even built special cross-street buildings, which are really Zhulan floors, and willow catkins play songs. Shantang Street is also a typical water alley. Boats carrying jasmine, white orchids and other goods come and go on the river, and cruise boats are painted.
Pass. The houses here have stone steps along the river, and women wash clothes and vegetables by the river. At that time, some vendors still used boats to do business in the river, selling rice and firewood, not to mention snacks, snacks, oil and salt.
Soy and vinegar. If you live upstairs, you don’t need to go downstairs. You can just hang the basket with a rope and buy what you need.
At this moment, in the Shantang River, various boats and yachts were shuttled back and forth. On the stern of one of the boats, two people were sitting, an old man, a young man, a man and a woman. The man was slightly fat, with gray beard and hair, and was wearing a bright red brocade robe.
, very noble, with a graceful figure, but she is a young girl wearing a blue gauze skirt. Her hair is black and shiny, hanging naturally from her shoulders. She has no jewelry decoration and is only tied up with three white gauze belts.
This is Lei Lie and Ding Xilan who have just arrived in Suzhou.
"How's it going, Xilan, Suzhou is very beautiful, isn't it?" Lei Lie looked at Ding Xilan's face that was flushed with excitement, "Hey, this street is the famous Shantang Street in Suzhou."
Ding Xilan smiled and nodded. Along the way, she listened to Lei Lie talk about a lot of things about Suzhou. Although she believed that Lei Lie would not lie to her, it was still hard for her to believe that there was such a beautiful place in the world.
Is there really such a place as the street in front of the house and the water in the back? Now that she has seen it with her own eyes, it is really as Lei Lie said, can she not be excited?
Lei Lie looked at Ding Xilan's smiling face, and the worries in his heart finally disappeared. Since Ding Guxu's death, Ding Xilan has become much quieter and not as lively as before. He was very worried, but Ding Xilan told him that she was fine.
It's just that she has grown up now and can no longer be as childish as before.
The sunshine in late autumn is much milder. Even though it is noon, the sunshine is not so hot. It shines on the rippling river water, making it bright and dazzling, like stirring up the stars in the sky.
"In another quarter of an hour, we will be home. After more than ten days of traveling, my old bones are almost broken." Lei Lie twisted his body exaggeratedly.
"Master Lei, let me rub your shoulders. That way, you will feel better."
"Uh, okay, okay, it just so happens that my shoulder is a little sore. Please rub it." Lei Lie wished for it.
Ding Xilan squatted down behind Lei Lie and held it for him. At first, she didn't know why Lei Lie kept saying things like "I'm old" and "I'm not feeling well", but along the way, she also understood. Lei Lie was so
He did it just to attract his sympathy and attention and let him follow him. In fact, these days, they were not in a hurry. Instead, they traveled all the way and took good care of her. Occasionally, Lei Lie would
Do something good in her name. What a lovely old man! Ding Xilan smiled in her heart. Unconsciously, she really respected and loved Lei Lie as her own grandfather.
Grandpa Lei, thank you for being so kind to me! She said in her heart.
At this time, the Lei Mansion, known as the "No. 1 Family in Suzhou", had already been in turmoil, because Mr. Lei had been missing for almost a month. According to his planned itinerary, Lei Lie should have arrived home long ago. The Lei Family
Young Master Lei Ao sent out people from all walks of life to inquire around, but there was still no news at all. He was already as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, walking up and down the hall. He was already over 40 years old, and he originally looked like he was in his thirties.
Although he is over 20 years old, over the past twenty days, a few wrinkles have appeared on his forehead and a lot of gray hair has appeared.
"Uncle Fu, is there still no news about the master?"
Lei Lie quickly walked towards the butler Lei Fu who had just come in. He looked as eager as a thirsty horse that had not drunk water for three days.
"Still not, Master." Lei Fu is almost sixty this year. He has followed Lei Lie for decades and watched Lei Ao grow up. "Master, don't worry. I have my own destiny, and everything will be fine."
"I hope so." Lei Ao felt disappointed, "By the way, where is the young master? Why is he not seen today?"
"Young Master..." Lei Fu didn't know how to answer. This naughty young master was really ignorant and didn't know where he had gone to play.
Lei Ao knew the answer just by looking at his look. "This traitor still has the heart to go out and play. I will definitely teach him a lesson when I come back."
"Master, Master," a servant stumbled into the hall, "Master, there is... there is..." He ran out of breath and couldn't speak.
At this moment, Lei Ao was extremely bored, "If you have anything to say, please tell me quickly. Did that kid get into some trouble again?"
"No...no...no...yes..." The servant became anxious and stuttered even more.
"Forget it, take a breath first and then tell me properly." Seeing him like this, Lei Ao became even more impatient. He sat down on a chair, picked up a cup of tea and drank it to get rid of his worries.
of irritability.
"Master, there is good news." The servant finally regained his breath, "The old...master is back."
"Oh? Really, where is it?" Lei Ao put the tea cup on the table and stood up.
"I guess we're already outside the door by now."
"Okay, okay, hurry up and get the young master back to me, and tell him that if he doesn't come home, he won't come back again." Lei Ao said to the servant, "Uncle Fu, let's go take a look together."
"Yes." The servant hurriedly ran out again. It's really hard to be a slave these days, he said in his heart.
Lei Ao and Lei Fu strode out of the hall to greet Lei Lie, the old master of Lei Mansion.