In the center of Ye Mansion, there stands a tall building. The dark roof has no roof, but there is a two-hundred-year-old "Chonglou tree" planted there. It is a precious spiritual tree and is also the symbol of this building.
The entire high-rise building has a grand atmosphere. The pinnacle of wooden architecture is the Louwailou, also known as the Luoye Tower - it was named after the autumn when it was built.
Got its name.
In the dark corridor of the building, candlelight illuminated two figures walking.
"Xiao He, how is your father feeling today?"
"Second Master, the old lady is in a good mood!"
"That's good..."
Under the guidance of a maid in green, Ye Zifan passed by the sentry post and climbed to the top of the building. When he saw the white-haired old man under the ancient tree, he immediately saluted respectfully: "Father!"
The old man was wearing a white linen robe, sitting quietly under the red tree, pouring boiling water into the teapot, and said leisurely: "Oh, here you go, sit down!"
Ye Zifan glanced at the old man's expression, confirmed it, and then stepped forward to sit down.
This is his father, Ye Mengqiu.
He has been elected as a civil servant, served as a county magistrate, traveled around the country and returned with extraordinary knowledge. He has held the power of the clan for decades and has accumulated great prestige. Even though he is now gray-haired and half buried in the earth, many people in the clan dare not have any dissent.
!
"Father, let me do it!" Ye Zifan, who was sitting on his knees, took two steps and said.
He poured water into a jade cup and watched the tea leaves unfold quietly. He saw the color of tea amber, and the fragrance of tea filled the room, just like the orchid in the empty valley. I offered it respectfully.
While drinking the tea, the old man smiled and said: "This tea is good. It is even more refreshing when it is half warm. It can be said to be a hermit's fragrance."
"My father is well-known throughout the county, and he retires to his green house. The fragrance of this hermit is worthy of his name and complements each other."
After hearing this, Ye Mengqiu frowned slightly and said: "My family can only be regarded as a red house, not a green house. We must not make false statements to the outside world."
"Yes, yes!" Ye Zifan responded repeatedly.
The old man didn't take it seriously, and casually chatted with him about some ethnic issues, mostly about the plight of his descendants. A lifetime of ups and downs has passed, and at the age of the old man, the call of death is not far away, and the only thing he cares about most is
The descendants continued.
After drinking a cup of tea and finishing a conversation, the old man felt a little tired. The maid saw that and hurriedly stepped forward to support him.
"Father, take care of yourself!" Seeing this, Ye Zifan hurriedly came over to help him, helping Ye Mengqiu sit on a higher chair under the tree. He stepped aside and continued: "Father, the number of places for boys in our clan to take the exam is limited.
Today I went to Ye Qing to explain. I thought that this boy is still young and has not yet understood the scriptures. I wanted him to take the exam again after this year and give up his place to a younger member of the clan. However, I didn’t expect him to be so hesitant!"
These are all true, but some important details have been cleverly omitted.
As Ye Zifan said this, he looked at Ye Mengqiu. His face was as calm as water, showing no joy or anger. He couldn't help but feel tight in his heart, knowing that what he had done was not liked by the old man.
But as soon as the words came out, there was no way out, and he said the next words in one breath: "Ye Qing is originally a disciple of the branch lineage, and my main lineage has always taken care of him. I don't want him to be so ignorant today!"
As he spoke, he took out a ledger, which was densely packed with expenditures by the disciples of the clan: "The expenditures of disciples from many clans are here. Although Ye Qing is a branch, he is also a disciple of our clan, and the expenditures of money are included in the records.
Never short of anything."
Ye Mengqiu nodded slightly, and the maid took the account book and opened it page by page in front of the old man with bare hands to help him browse.
Ye Zifan waited respectfully, not daring to make any unnecessary expressions.
Ye Qing's parents died when he was young, so he was able to live on the financial support from his clan. Due to the consumption of studying, he spent no less than a hundred taels of money on his main body. Although it was not a big amount, it was not a small number.
Every big family that has been passed down for hundreds of years has its own rules and regulations. The Ye family has a big business and can afford to support a few idle people, but they just don't know how to promote and don't obey the rules of the family, which violates the fundamentals.
Of course, the one hundred acres of land under Ye Qing's name is not reflected in this account book.
Ye Mengqiu briefly flipped through the account book, but there was no sign of joy or anger, but knowing that a father is better than a son, Ye Mengqiu was already overjoyed.
This situation illustrates the attitude. The clan leader will not get angry over such trivial matters, but as long as the clan leader's nostalgia is removed, Ye Qing's qualifications for the boy examination will be in jeopardy.
Ye Mengqiu was silent for a long time and said: "This matter is related to the qualifications for the boy examination. It is normal for each house to have some disputes. You are the leader of the clan and you must act impartially. I will handle this matter myself. Please step aside!"
"
Ye Zifan was overjoyed after hearing this. He suppressed his joy and did not dare to show it. He knew that this left room for Ye Qing's son, but in fact it made his father unhappy and weakened his affection. He immediately said: "Yes, father,
Boy, please leave now!"
With that said, he put away the account book and slowly retreated.
When the maid closed the wooden door on the attic, Ye Zifan looked up and saw the old man's figure under the fiery red tree, revealing a hint of loneliness!
"Is it an illusion?" When he went downstairs and walked in the garden verandah, Zifan took a deep breath and slowly exhaled it, realizing that sweat had seeped out.
This matter went more smoothly than expected, firstly because of the distance between people, and secondly because he managed it carefully and concealed the fact that Ye Qing was very talented.
Of course, this kind of talent cannot be suppressed for long. Once Ye Mengqiu finds out, with his tough and severe style, he hates such concealment the most, the punishment will be turned to him.
"But at that time, the boy test has been passed and the deal is done. I will never deprive my grandson of his origin. Compared with this fate that will affect his whole life, what does the punishment I receive mean nothing?" Ye Zifan whispered, thinking of his youngest son at home.
, I have this mentality, and so does my father Ye Mengqiu. How much is the real punishment?
Ye Zifan has three sons. The eldest son has already won the Tongsheng Prize, but the second son and the third son need to be recommended for quota quotas from the clan. The two sons are almost over the age limit, and this time the competition for quota quotas in the clan is fierce, and Ye Qing can only be squeezed out.
, came to fulfill his little son.
In comparison, what can the other party do if he indulges his evil nephew?
In any case, I am the main branch of the family, and he is the side branch, and it is not that I will not give him a chance next time, but I will just give him support...
As long as you are wise, you still have to swallow this breath.
Now that the calculation has been settled, I can settle down.
I don’t know how many courtyards I walked around, and I heard a few birdsong. An egret fluttered its wings and led its young egret, quietly gliding across the sky.
Ye Zifan stopped and was stunned for a long time.
Somehow, I remembered Zi Zi Zhuyu's answer sheet that morning. My youngest son couldn't do it no matter what. I don't know if he can win if there are a few more talented people like him...
"Father, grandpa... what did he say?" An urgent voice came from far away, and he looked around, and his own yard was already in sight.
At the gate of the garden, surrounded by servants and maids, a tall young man came forward. He was somewhat similar to Ye Zifan's description. He was none other than the youngest son Ye Sheng.
Ye Zifan glanced at him and noticed the black circle hanging on his face, and his face sank: "What did you do last night?"
After hearing this, the maid in green clothes lowered her head in fear, but Ye Sheng said nonchalantly: "A friend invites us to have a poetry gathering, a little gathering!"
"Poetry gathering, huh, this time I will give you the chance to take part in the boy's test, and give it to me too!" Ye Zifan did not expose his excuse and walked into the yard with a puff of sleeves, but his nephew's calm face flashed before his eyes,
Wen Wencai is not the same age at all.
"Forget it, what's the use of thinking so much? The Taoist imperial examination not only pays attention to literary talent, but also pays attention to luck. A descendant of a branch has to rely on the support of his master's family. What can he do no matter how mature he is?"
Ye Zifan shook his head, looked back at his youngest son who was touching his chin, and sighed secretly, "Son, I have tried so hard to be a father, and I have also hated the talents in the clan, so I can only do this for you..."
In front of the door, under the gentle reminder of the maid in green, Ye Sheng finally understood what his father meant, and he immediately beamed with joy.
Ye Sheng turned around and said to a male servant: "Go and give a good news to my good brother... You stay over there and watch, and report back from time to time. Don't let him cause any trouble in the past few days!"
The man bowed and crossed his hands, and responded solemnly: "Yes, Mr. Sheng!"
Then he bowed and stepped back. The maid in green clothes covered her mouth and smiled: "Hey, the young master is so harsh!"
Ye Sheng snorted and looked up at the three words "Tiger Roaring Garden" on the door, with a slightly complacent look on his face: "You don't know this, everyone can make abacus, and there are always strategies, but no matter how you calculate,
How can we defeat the general trend..."
"Among the Ye Clan, my branch is the most powerful!"
After hearing this, the maid in green clothes suddenly flashed her beautiful eyes. She was really surprised, thinking that this young master was not all an embroidered pillow!
Ye Sheng said, glancing at the maid who was listening attentively, with bright eyes and white teeth. Thinking of last night's ecstasy, he felt itchy in his heart: "Ahem, you dare to turn your arms outward and laugh at me, let's see if I don't punish you severely tonight!"
"No, I'm still asking you to review your homework!"
"Reviewing is not a scholar test, it's just a boy's test. After getting a place in the clan, it's just a formality. Be good, give me a kiss first!
"Hey -" The maid in green clothes half pushed back, her beautiful eyes sank, looking at the laughing young master, she couldn't help but feel slightly startled, thinking of the young master she saw yesterday.
When it comes to talent and perseverance, there is a big difference between the two at first glance, but in this world, talent does not always make you successful.
…
The sound of light footsteps awoke Ye Qing from his deep thoughts. He looked up and saw a figure in front of the door.
With a "squeak", the door was pushed open, and the late autumn sunlight shone in, making him feel the slightest warmth. Along with it, there was the cold wind rushing in from outside.
With a chill on her face, Qianqian Qingli turned around and closed the door, looking at Ye Qing: "Young Master, the master of the clan is making things difficult for you, what should you do?"
She said with a bit of cry, this is the expectation of the young master's parents, and it is also the expectation of her heart, to pass the examination to become a boy, and to be a scholar all the way.
"Don't be afraid, this matter is not difficult for me!" Seeing her almost crying, Ye Qing hurriedly stood up to comfort her.
This body read scriptures and history books, and his parents were there. He was often bullied by his brothers in the clan. He saw it in his eyes as the maid who followed him tried her best to protect him.