The river is long, and when the waves on the canal ripple, the summer insects chirp on both sides of the river. The yellow-green fireflies are like mist floating on both sides of the river. When ships pass by, the green mist is washed away and swirls again.
Gather together.
The painting boat stopped at the river bank. The lights were on at the bow of the boat. It was not bright, but it also surrounded a small world in the river. This was the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er took all the way south.
There were not many people left on the boat at this time, because everyone including Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a bunch of maids, and the stewards had been invited to eat on another boat.
The two boats met in the evening, and the talented people on the other side spoke enthusiastically. The protagonist in everyone's eyes was Lin Tingzhi, who had not attracted much attention since boarding the boat. After greeting, the other side invited everyone on the boat to spend a few days in Jiaxing.
The goods at Lou Shuwan's side were waiting for delivery, so it was impossible to linger there. However, for some reason, Lou Shuwan suggested that he could stay here for one night. The reason was that the invitation there was not
It’s not that it’s unreliable. Today they are taking a boat ride in Fangqingyuan. Although Fangqingyuan is a brothel, the dishes prepared by the chefs there, especially the whole fish banquet, are considered to be the best in Jiaxing, so they invited everyone there.
Eating fish on the boat.
Ning Yi and Su Tan'er came here for fun. Jiaxing is not far from Hangzhou, and the two places are closely connected. Lou Shuwan can be regarded as a half-landowner here. Since she said it, she naturally agreed happily.
We called Wen Ding Wenfang, the accountant and others went to eat together. There were not many people left on the boat. The boss of the boat, family members of each family, and a few servants naturally couldn't attend this gathering, so they stayed.
Stay here to eat something casual, chat and cool down in various places on the boat.
The adults went to have a banquet, and a few children were naturally left behind. They couldn't help but ask about the whereabouts of the adults, especially the boss's uncle who liked to tell stories. The woman in the accounting office and the housekeeper had nothing to do, so she probably explained that she was being taken care of.
Some very powerful people were invited over.
Recalling the battle just now, there were many talented people and scholars on the boat over there. All of them had great backgrounds in the introductions, and maybe there was also a scholar and a scholar. In the eyes of these merchant women, they were naturally very powerful.
, and they couldn't help but use it to teach their children to make progress if they had the chance. In the past, in the Su family, although they knew that their boss's uncle was also a powerful person, they naturally couldn't compare with these orthodox scholars.
The people from Jiangning had no idea what was going on in Jiaxing, and they didn’t know the status of those scholars. It was just that the waiting formation looked good. There were a few guys on the boat who had followed Lou Shuwan all the way.
I talked about it at the stern of the boat, and asked about Wen Duqing's poems and what kind of reputation Du Ruohan was in Jiaxing and Hangzhou. They couldn't help but talk about their own lady and Lin Tingzhi. They used to know something about Lin Tingzhi.
They were a little dissatisfied, but when they talked about it, everyone realized that this man was also a great talent. On the contrary, a clerk from the Su family named Dongzhu was listening and disapproved.
"So what? Our boss's uncle is not comparable to these people. His talent and reputation are unknown to everyone in Jiangning. Even if a grand and powerful official like the prime minister recently invited him to Beijing, he didn't even go."
Batman."
"Master Prime Minister?"
"Well, anyway, he is a high official about the same age as the prime minister."
Dongzhu was actually a little unsure when talking about these things. A few days earlier, he had listened to maids such as Chan'er and Juan'er muttering a few words, saying that the prime minister or some other high official invited my uncle to come to the capital but he didn't go. It was difficult for him himself.
Imagining a high-ranking official like the prime minister, when others ask him carefully, he loses much confidence, but he insists on his words.
In fact, Chan'er Juan'er is not very clear about these things. How can she make it clear during the discussion? Qin Siyuan is going to Beijing at this time, and his official position has not been determined. Ning Yi just mentioned it and only gave a rough outline. Six ministers, left and right.
Although Chan'er Juan'er was clear about most things such as the position of phase, it was still difficult for a merchant's girl to understand these things.
Lou Shuwan's husband is also his uncle-in-law, and several of the guys can see it clearly on weekdays. After boarding the ship, they saw that both sides were in similar situations, so they naturally had some concerns about Ning Yi's position. At this time, Dong Zhu said "Words"
〗I was shocked for a while, but I couldn't believe it in my heart. I kept talking for a while, and Dongzhu, who only knew that his uncle was very powerful, gave a few specific examples, but he was always not convincing enough. Others were inspired and also
Let’s talk about what we heard about Uncle Su’s family in the past.
Although the words mixed in the mouths of women, children and waiters could not describe Ning Yi as majestic as "being a high official", they finally outlined a simple and powerful outline.
On a summer night, lights in the distance form the outline of Jiaxing City. Pedestrians and carriages occasionally pass by on the post road in the forest. The lights weave a simple path. Everyone on the boat is also killing time in this chat.
, when the children asked how long it would take for the adults who had left to return, the women and children were certain that this gathering would probably break up late at night. However, not long after these words were said, several lanterns came from a distance.
Come from the post road, the lights are on among the willows by the river embankment. The people coming here are vaguely Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and so on. In front of you is Xing'er carrying a cage, and Chan'er holding a round fan.
Occasionally, I jog a few steps along the river embankment to chase away the dancing fireflies, and then there is the faint sound of laughter.
Ning Yi and others took a walk all the way back after eating. There was a lot of excitement after boarding the ship. Juan'er and others even brought some packaged dishes and brought them on board for everyone to try.
"The fish tastes really good. It's different from Jiangning's. I'll prepare some food later so you can have a taste."
The only people who came back were Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, three maids, the accountant, and the shopkeeper. Su Wending and Su Wenfang stayed on the painting boat over there. They always liked these cultural meetings, and Ning Yi and Su Tan'er also let them
Sit there for a while, because Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi are also staying there at this time. To be honest, when Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others packed up and left after eating, Lou Shuwan's expression was really quite good.
Unexpected.
In fact, when he was invited over this time, although it was said that he was entertaining his former friends for a meal, everyone present was actually a bit drunk and did not care about the wine. In the eyes of those Jiangnan talents, Lin Tingzhi became famous.
Although romantic people are also good at poetry, their romantic talents are even better. After all, they didn't know much about Yu Lou Shuwan. However, Lin Tingzhi introduced her and the insider's hesitation helped everyone understand this woman's background to a certain extent.
Her husband-in-law has a strong personality, a wealth of wealth, and is so beautiful. Maybe Lin Tingzhi has become her guest, and the Su Tan'er from out of town also has the same background. In short, her husband should be treated as such.
You don't need to mind it too much.
The area around Suzhou and Hangzhou is also a place of romance. These people do not have any deliberately dirty thoughts in their hearts. It is just that it is romantic to communicate about men and women within the framework of Eight-legged Confucianism. On the boats and boats, among the lights and candlelight, the poems and lyrics are provocative, and the eyebrows are raised.
Conveying love is part of romance. Since the other party is a business woman, she doesn't need to care too much, so she uses the excuse of inviting Lin Tingzhi to gather everyone together. The rules are actually ordinary and polite banquets for guests and friends.
Of course, if the invitee really has some thoughts, and then you and I agree, then you will naturally have to admire this person's method, and in the eyes of everyone, there will be one more romantic anecdote for writing and talking about.
They invited guests to have a banquet in the brothel's painting boat, which was a bit arrogant, but the main person they invited was Lin Tingzhi, and the banquet here was really good. Su Tan'er was already a married woman, so she could have simply refused to go, but Lou Shu
Now that Wan is open, Ning Yi doesn't want to worry too much and spoil the fun. He goes to the boat and chats with everyone for a few words, then he can roughly see the situation, so he happily eats a banquet and finishes the meal.
Afterwards, before these talented people became popular in poetry, they got up to leave and packed a bag.
Lou Shuwan was a little surprised. She invited Ning Yi and Su Tan'er this time. Her thoughts were actually quite complicated. Firstly, she wanted to show off the Lou family's wide circle of friends. Secondly, she felt that she had the same experience as Su Tan'er, but she
But it was impossible to tell directly what happened with Lin Tingzhi. This time Lin Tingzhi was in the limelight, so she also wanted Su Tan'er to see Lin Tingzhi's literary romance with these scholars. In her opinion, Su Tan'er married an unreliable man.
Scholars, even if they don't say anything about these literary and elegant people who are praised by others, will definitely be yearning for them. As long as she has some yearning for them, if they know about her in the future, they will first be envious and eager to move, and they will never look down on her.
She tried to persuade her a little, but Su Tan'er also adopted a simple negotiation attitude and refused softly in a few words. Lou Shuwan originally wanted to go back, but seeing how carefree Ning Yi and Su Tan'er were.
If he walked away, if she followed him, she would look a bit lonely.
She also thought that maybe Tan'er also wanted to stay, but now that her husband-in-law was here, she was used to being careful. In fact, she had the same idea in the early years. She wanted to maintain a decent situation with her husband-in-law.
He was simple, he was simple, and he lived like this all his life. Later, he became more and more contemptuous of his husband's various wasteful behaviors, and his heart gradually grew tired. At this time, he said that some of those people had an old relationship with the Lou family, and they stayed behind under the pretext of
Su Wending and Su Wenfang also stayed, which made her feel a little more face-saving.
Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others returned to the boat. They turned on the lights on the bow and put up tables and chairs to chat and enjoy the cool air. It was still a long way from Jiaxing, but Ning Yi didn't plan to go to the busy city of Jiaxing.
, I told the accountant, steward, and others to leave it to themselves. If you want to take your family to play, you can go.
Sitting on the bow of the boat with Su Tan'er, waiting for Xiaochan and others to bring melons and fruits, and watching the flying fireflies, it felt quite interesting.
At that time, the smell of the countryside in my hometown was just that there were a lot of mosquitoes. After a while, I burned mugwort and other things in a basin to repel mosquitoes. Several people took fans and sat there to fan themselves.
"Isn't it boring? Do you want to go to the market?"
Ning Yi turned his head to ask, and Su Tan'er also smiled and shook her head: "No." The three maids sat side by side on the bow of the boat watching the fireflies fly. Juan'er turned back and said, "The scenery here is very good."
After a while, Su Tan'er said softly: "The autumn light of silver candles paints the screen coldly, and the small light fan flutters at the fireflies. The sky is as cold as water at night, and I lie down and watch the Altair and Vega. It is somewhat similar." In fact, this poem is about Chinese Valentine's Day,
It was only the beginning of summer at the end of April, so it couldn't be said that it was strictly appropriate to the occasion, but since one or two of the sentences were appropriate to the occasion, Ning Yi nodded happily. Su Tan'er used to like poetry, and she also liked to read it when she had nothing to do.
She read it a lot, but since she knew her husband was a "great talent", she didn't read it much anymore. Maybe the mystery and sublimity of the poems have faded a little in her heart.
In the distance, you can see the light of some painted boats. After a while, a cargo ship stirred up waves and headed north along the night. Su Taner probably thought of the painted boats that Lou Shuwan and others said they were there. After thinking about it, she laughed softly.
Said: "Actually, Lou Shuwan looks down on my husband a little."
Ning Yi smiled noncommittally: "Her husband is also a bride-in-law."
"I'm afraid we won't get along well."
"I'm afraid there won't be many of us who get along as well as we do."
Ning Yi's words were a bit boastful, but Su Tan'er only felt that this was the case and said with a smile: "Maybe it's because my husband is a weirdo. Even... ordinary couples would hardly be like this." She thought for a while.
, and added, "If you want to do business well in Hangzhou, the Lou family is always a helper, so"
"If you care about this, I'm afraid you won't be able to do good business in the future."
"I do care a bit, but...thinking about how they would feel if they really knew the identity of my husband, I would...hehe, I am a bit evil because of my inconvenience. And those people just now..." She
He waved the fan in his hand to blow away the smoke in front of him, and stretched out his hand to smooth his hair, "I find it strange that my husband's poems have obviously been transmitted to Suzhou and Hangzhou, so why can't those people react after the introduction?
"
Ning Yi laughed: "There are too few poems. Besides... being so far away, the spread of news is not developed after all. They may have heard the name Ning Liheng one day. As for his family background, how many wives, concubines, brothers and sisters he has?"
, what he looks like, whether he is a lame, and who knows, some people have talked about it, maybe some people have said that Ning Liheng is eight feet tall and eight feet tall, but at this point, it is hard to say what Ning Liheng is like in their hearts.
.
When the students from the capital went to Jiangning last time, some said that I wandered around brothels and picked up flowers everywhere, or that I was forty or fifty years old, steady and dignified. In their minds, this image seems to be more credible."
"Oh, it must be that childhood sweetheart, Miss Li." Su Tan'er joked, then covered her chin with a fan and corrected, "Oh, it's Miss Wang."
"You remember clearly."
"Since she and my husband are childhood sweethearts, if she really likes my husband as the outside world says, and has the opportunity to enter my house, as a sister, I naturally have to remember her last name."
"So virtuous..."
Ning Yi murmured, and then the two of them talked about the smell of the fish on the boat. Su Tan'er was actually a bit resentful in private about the fact that those people didn't know her husband's name and looked like a proud man.
Yu Huai, Lou Shuwan, and Lin Tingzhi didn't know either. Maybe it wasn't because they didn't know, but because they didn't expect it or didn't dare to think about it. While they were talking, someone else came on the boat talking and laughing, but it was Su Wending who had already returned with
Su Wenfang, who didn't know what good thing happened to them, laughed very happily, got on the boat, asked about the location of his sister and brother-in-law, and went straight to the bow.
"What makes you so happy?" Su Tan'er glanced at them and then behind her, "Where are Shu Wan and the others?"
Ning Yi smiled and said: "You must have written a good poem and killed everyone. This is not good. You are so popular with poetry as soon as you come to Jiaxing. This is ruining the place."
The two of them waved their hands and shook their heads, smiling happily: "No, I didn't write a poem. The woman from the Lou family and her mistress are still behind, but they will probably be back soon."
"Don't talk like that!" Su Tan'er glared at them. Su Wending stuck out his tongue and covered his mouth with his hand, but he was still laughing. Su Wenfang laughed and said: "We didn't compose a poem, we didn't have time, but they composed a few.
Later, we discussed things together and came over to ask us. Then they knew the true identity of our brother-in-law. Didn't you see their embarrassed look, that girl Qing'er... Haha, our poems are ours anyway.
No, I'm just here to explain my brother-in-law's identity. After the explanation, we said goodbye and left. Haha, I don't know if they will come after you to challenge you, brother-in-law. Anyway, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi should be close...
…”
Su Wending and Su Wenfang kept laughing. Ning Yi also laughed angrily after hearing this. Su Tan'er lost interest and blinked: "What's wrong? Come on, tell me..." On the other side, Chan'er Juan'er
Xing'er and the three maids were also listening attentively. At this time, they leaned over with interest and even brought chairs for Su Wen and Su Wenfang so that they could sit down and talk comfortably.
The shining light was dancing and the night was getting darker. Not long after, Lou Shuwan, Lin Tingzhi and others also rushed back.