Chapter 3 Group Portraits: The Old Man, the Young Maid and the Second Ancestor
The days were boring, to put it mildly, of course, leisurely. During the continuous rain, I played backgammon with the little girl, occasionally practiced calligraphy, and read ancient Chinese books. Although it is not as entertaining as modern novels.
, but he has always been a person who can endure this kind of monotony. Now that he has come to ancient times, reading a book without punctuation for a long time and figuring out the meaning word for word is not a big deal for him.
pain.
Of course, other messy things will naturally happen in a few months.
A new brother-in-law comes into the family, and he is a wife. In this era, he has always had little status. The situation of the Su family is actually more complicated. The real person in charge of the Su family now is Su Tan'er's grandfather who is still alive. Most people call him the old lady.
, the old lady had three biological sons, who were divided into the eldest house, second house and third house. The one in charge externally was the eldest house, Su Tan'er's father, Su Boyong, and Su Boyong only had one daughter, Su Tan'er. However, Su Tan'er was in business.
He is quite capable and directly overwhelms the other two men in the house, becoming the main reason for this complicated relationship. The other two men in the house have always hoped that Su Tan'er will get married in the future, which has become a throw away, and they will have a chance in the future.
The Su family's successors have had their hopes dashed by the arrival of a new bride. When they see him on weekdays, even if they restrain themselves from making sarcastic comments, they will always get a roll of their eyes.
In addition to the three members of the main family, Grandpa Su also has brothers and sisters. The Su family is now spreading to a large scale. There are no less than thirty or forty people who are cousins with Su Tan'er, no matter how close the relationship is.
Damn, for his wife-in-law, most of them can't be called warm - of course, it would be very troublesome for him if he were warm. Just because we are from a big family, eating together every night would make the situation more embarrassing, and he could only sit down
Counting sheep on one side, except for his father-in-law, mother-in-law, two aunts and Su Tan'er, there was probably no one to talk to him, which was quite boring. The words of these people were not nutritious, which made him even more bored. He wanted to eat.
Well...it would be great to take it back to your room and eat it...
Naturally, he is not afraid of this kind of boredom of being isolated. His past experience is enough for him to face all situations easily now, but to say the least, of course no one likes or pursues this feeling. Now he can watch Go
It's fun, and if you have a choice, it would be more fun to play mahjong together.
The entanglement of interests and intrigues have not affected him at least for the time being. Of course, if he stays here, there will always be some troubles sooner or later, but the problem is not big. Su Taigong and Su Boyong are both alive, and no matter how small a family quarrel is, it will not matter.
It is limited. Of course, now that he is living in the Su family, the first problem before him is actually work.
When he woke up, it was because he had been hit by a brick on his head, and he seemed to have some memory loss. Many things were temporarily put on hold. Later, he gradually recovered. The Su family did not have any expectations for him, but if he was really too idle,
, of course it’s not good either. Only recently did someone bring up the question of what he wants to do. He doesn’t know much about this issue. Doing business, working as a shopkeeper or accountant in a certain branch—of course, it’s more likely to be a supervisor or something like that—
-These are actually unnecessary, and he doesn't bother to contact him anymore. Judging from his father-in-law's attitude, it seems that he intends to let him go to the private school run by the Su family to become a teacher, and he can also do some learning. After all, he used to give people
His image is that of a poor scholar who studies stupidly.
After this matter was brought up, Mr. Su temporarily vetoed it, saying that he would let him see what he wanted to do after a while. However, in Ning Yi's opinion, the matter of becoming a teacher in the future would probably be over.
It's certain. He also had several conversations with Old Madam Su. The old lady probably talked about the friendship between his ancestors and recounted family affairs. But the old man can support such a big family, and he is naturally a shrewd person. He probably saw that he
My temperament lately is a little different from that of the nerdy boy I used to be, so I took it a little longer.
Of course, he has not deliberately concealed too much recently. He has to make himself look like a stupid nerd. The days are still long, and concealing is not an option. He has been looking at it all with a tourist mentality. Of course, in terms of temperament and behavior,
You can probably see part of the personality, but to determine just how someone is, whether they are suitable for business or teaching, or whether this person is a good person or a bad person, is like playing Go to judge character. It is simply impossible.
As long as he doesn't do anything messy and this continues for a while, the old lady will get bored of observing and will probably arrange for him to teach.
fine.
Although he was not a good student in his previous life, he can always understand ancient Chinese when he comes here. He was not a great scholar in his previous life. No one should have high expectations for him. If he wants to teach, he should be conservative.
Even if the students shake their heads and memorize articles every day, they will barely pass. When they are in a good mood, it is no problem to use some modern knowledge to fool people. Living in the Su family like this is justifiable. If you want to leave, you will be alone.
Now, if you don’t know each other, there is no need to think about it. Even in modern times, if you want to live a better life, you must have considerable connections. This was especially true in ancient times. Even if he had established such a huge business empire, he would not think so.
In ancient times, I could "take the world as I wish" with just a few taels of silver. In any case, the Su family is still the best safe haven.
It rained continuously for several days, and I stayed at home for only a few days. Occasionally I saw three masters and servants in the small building opposite holding oil-paper umbrellas and hurried out. I could also see their figures coming back in the rain. In the corridor courtyard
The drizzle in the attic and the garden pavilion washed the white stone and green tiles extremely clear. They came from there, wearing lake green, white or light red dresses. The ladies of this year are the ones who are truly ladylike.
Modern packaged women are different. No matter how they perform, those women have the smell of fireworks or copper. Only when you look at it, you will feel that everything is just like in an ink painting. They rushed back from outside, avoided the dripping eaves, and walked on the stairs.
While patting the wet clothes, he went upstairs... It was already dusk, and there were also firelights lighting up from the stretching courtyard, deep red, dark red halos, some fixed, some
Swimming around, the dark night has the atmosphere of an ancient deep mansion.
Of course, this is an ancient deep mansion.
Backgammon is easy to learn and not difficult to master. Xiaochan quickly learned it and became a master. In the next few days, when Ning Yi played with her, he always lost more and won less.
The extremely fast "infection" spread to the small building opposite. Three days later in the evening, Ning Yi lit an oil lamp and read a book. Xiao Chan came to see him several times to make sure that he did not give orders before leaving. Ning Yi and Shang Shujuan walked around in the corridor
When I was walking, I saw the scene of a girl holding a Go chess board in the corridor below and walking towards the small building opposite. Then she and Xing'er Juan'er entered the room on the first floor opposite. When the lights turned on, I could see the three of them playing games inside.
During the chess scene, there would occasionally be silhouettes gesticulating and jumping for joy, and that girl Xiaochan was probably chattering and teaching the two sisters how to do it. It couldn't help but be funny.
The heavy rain lasted for several days before it stopped. Although I told Xiaochan that I couldn't go to the Qinhuai River to watch Go again, it was just a joke. Sure enough, the old man named Qin who went to play Go noticed this time.
Say hello to him.
Soon after, the old man finished playing a game with his friend. He smiled and waved to Ning Yi who was watching the game. First, he introduced him and the friend who was playing against him, and then naturally Ning Yi and the man greeted each other. The basics
After the etiquette was met, I asked him to briefly talk about his opinions on the game. Although he didn't take it too seriously, after each game, if there is a good move, it is necessary for the chess players to review or show off, and the nature is also
It was equivalent to saying something like "If I didn't do this, I wouldn't lose..." after finishing the game. Since the old man invited him to participate, he naturally recognized his Go level, and then he also made an invitation.
"Master Ning, are you interested in playing another round of chess?"
Ning Yi smiled and nodded in agreement. While collecting the chess pieces, the old man smiled and spoke.
"It's raining at home these days. I recalled the game of chess with some friends that day. Mr. Ning has many wonderful skills, which is thought-provoking. I have been itching for this for many days. Today, the rain stopped and I went out. As expected, Mr. Ning came, haha...
…”
Although that day he somewhat thought that Ning Yi's chess playing method was not "gentlemanly" enough, he did not take it too seriously after all. On the contrary, as a chess player, he suddenly saw such a novel chess playing technique. The longer time passed, the more he felt.
Recalling and deducing in my heart, I became more and more "unhinged". Just chatting and playing a game, but the old man lost again. Ning Yi did some deduction with him, and then played another game. See
I didn’t go home until it was getting late.
He continued to come over the next day, and not long after, his future "job" issue was finally decided.
On the first day of July, the whole family had a meal together. Grandpa Su asked Ning Yi about recuperation. Then he mentioned that a teacher in the academy was about to leave and asked Ning Yi if he would like to teach in the academy. The old man was kind, but because he was in
The status of the family was basically determined as soon as the words were spoken. Ning Yi had been mentally prepared before, so he naturally nodded and agreed. Then the old man called Su Zhongkan, the second in charge of the family academy, and asked him to be his former teacher.
I will make arrangements for you after you leave.
There is still some time before the teacher leaves. The main way to kill time is to play Go. The rest is to read books, practice calligraphy, and play backgammon with Xiaochan. After more than a month, I have spent time with the Su family.
Our relationship has not developed much, but we have become familiar with some people on the street by the Qinhuai River.
The street scenery here is pretty good, with green trees, but the location is a little remote, and there are no big shops. Except for the tea shop next to it, there are a few vendors selling breakfast or buying vegetables in the morning. The surrounding houses
There are sparse houses built along the river with one end sticking out of the water, like stilted buildings by the river. Occasionally, I see people going down to the river to wash clothes and collect water.
The old man surnamed Qin should have a good family background. He is a very knowledgeable and knowledgeable person. He is well-informed. It is said that ancient scholars were pedantic, but this is not the case for this old man. He will never talk too much, nor will he always talk about saints.
, speaking and seeing things very flexibly, but if you chew carefully, the core is still the Tao of Confucius and Mencius. This is the person who truly understands Confucius and Mencius.
If the study of Confucius and Mencius takes off the outer layer of change for dominance, the core part is actually the life principles summarized and summarized by the ancients. On the philosophical level, many things are universally applicable. Ning Yi and this old man can say that
You don’t have to worry too much about chatting occasionally. This old man may have been an official before. Now that he is old, he goes out to set up a chess stall every day when he is bored. His family lives nearby, and there is a man in his fifties.
The wife also had a beautiful concubine who was probably in her thirties. Occasionally she would come out to deliver lunch, so Ning Yi also met her twice.
The old man also has some regular chess friends, most of whom are knowledgeable old men, some from well-off families, and some who seem to have a clean life. At first, Ning Yi mostly sat on the sidelines and watched, but then he gradually became able to participate and said during the review.
A few sentences above. Naturally, there will be people who maintain their identity and criticize what he said as a junior. For example, an old man named Dong criticized his unscrupulous little tricks. His attitude was arrogant, and Ning Yi also
I'm too lazy to pay attention to him. It's the most boring thing to argue with an old man like this over something in principle.
Sitting by the tea stall every day, it was natural to eat something and drink some tea, and she became familiar with the tea stall owner's family. Xiaochan was bored, and occasionally she would sit and chatter with the tea stall owner's daughter.
At first, the daughter of the tea stall owner was said to be a little shy about asking about Ning Yi's background. When she found out that Ning Yi was the Su family's son-in-law, she showed a disappointed look. Because it seemed that Ning Yi came from a good family.
He is a noble young master. The fact that he can take a maid everywhere with him every day is proof of this. And the fact that he can talk to Mr. Qin and chat all day long, and occasionally say something that others cannot understand, proves that he is very knowledgeable. If he can marry
To him...it's a pity that he is a bride-in-law.
Chatting while playing chess was naturally carried out in a harmonious and friendly atmosphere at first. After two weeks, we became familiar with each other. The old man may find some of Ning Yi's casual words thought-provoking, but of course there are also times when he feels deviant. This
It was a difference in customs. Ning Yi was informal, and the two of them had a discussion while playing chess. A month later, they seriously talked about his identity again.
Ning Yi didn't hide much about his identity. He had mentioned it before, and the old man just nodded "Oh". At that time, he was just a new chess friend. At this time, everyone could chat with each other, and they could barely be regarded as old friends.
Later, the meaning of mentioning it will naturally be different.
"You are quite unlearned. It's such a pity that you are getting married..."
Ning Yi didn't dabble too much in the classics and history, and he didn't memorize the lessons well, so he didn't count as a major. Mr. Qin was a great scholar in this regard. After the two parties had been in contact for so long, he naturally saw this, so he gave him a
The evaluation of "not learned but skilled" is actually a high praise, but Ning Yi also smiled.
"There's nothing wrong with getting married. You see, I come out every day to drink tea and play chess. I have money from Xiao Chan, and the food and accommodation are pretty good. After a while, I can become a teacher and teach a bunch of students without any burden. I
This guy loves to eat and is lazy, so he’s pretty good.”
That's what they say, but these days, the status of a surrogate son-in-law is lower than that of an ordinary wife. When the wife comes in, her body can be placed in the ancestral hall after her death, but the surrogate son-in-law is not even qualified to enter the ancestral hall. He is no different from a concubine. It's really
Being looked down upon by others no matter what he does, he has basically cut off all pursuit of fame and fortune, and can only work hard as an accessory of the Su family. Ning Yi has read a lot in his previous life, but how can ordinary young people have such a state of mind?
, Mr. Qin probably saw that he had some talent and could not help but feel sorry for him.
"...What's more, the Su family is a family of merchants. Businessmen pursue profit, and although they also have a good reputation, even if you are talented and knowledgeable, I am afraid that fame and fortune will not fall on you after all."
The old man said this because he had seen deeply. Regardless of the outside world's attitude towards a son-in-law, even if Ning Yi was really talented and learned, the Su family would not want him to take the exam and win the honor. When they asked him to come as a son-in-law,
I just saw that he was a nerd, but Grandpa Su was a man of great integrity and remembered the agreement with his elder Ning Yi. Ning Yi was somewhat literary, but not really knowledgeable. Even Su Tan'er could suppress him when he got married.
It’s worth remembering, even from Ning Yi’s point of view, the nerd in the past was actually lucky. He had no intention of slandering the Su family and just laughed it off. However, when he heard the old man discussing the rights and wrongs of the Su family, he sat aside and unintentionally
Xiaochan blushed when she heard this and couldn't help but come closer.
"Old...Grandpa, after my uncle came to Su's house, the young lady has never treated him badly. The young lady is a very good person and will not treat him badly in the future!"
The little girl looked nervous and serious. She had grown up next to Su Tan'er and loved her sisters. At this time, she might not be able to hear the deep meaning behind the old man's words, but she could probably tell that the old man was talking about the Su family. Generally speaking, she was talking about the Su family.
When the master of the family talks to outsiders, the little maid usually has no room to interrupt. However, the son-in-law has a special status. Some of them are very respectable, and some of them are even looked down upon by the maids. But Xiao Chan follows Su Tan'er and is well-educated. Naturally,
It couldn't be the latter. I was just nervous about the reputation of the young lady and even the Su family. I didn't know how much courage it took to say these words that were meant to refute. I clenched my fists in front of my body nervously.
In the past, Xiao Chan always stayed beside her quietly, well-behaved and sensible. Mr. Qin was already used to the existence of this little maid. At this time, he was slightly stunned. Ning Yi glanced at Xiao Chan, but he already smiled.
Come out, raise your hand and drop one piece.
"Haha, you old man, you just take carrots and don't worry, now you have offended Xiaochan. If your words get out in the Su family, I will be the one who suffers."
The old man also laughed: "Haha, I made a mistake. I'd like to teach Miss Xiao Chan that I didn't mean to accuse the Su family when I said this. But talking about other people's family affairs is indeed a mistake. I'm sorry, sorry...
…”
He apologized openly to Xiao Chan. Xiao Chan was not necessarily angry, but serious. Her nervous and serious expression did not fade away until she left Ning Yi. It even seemed to be a little stronger. She lowered her head and followed Ning Yi all the way.
Behind Ning Yi, the already petite body seemed to become smaller because of the silence. Ning Yi curled his lips helplessly and turned around to comfort: "What's wrong? You're still angry."
Before she finished speaking, Xiaochan's shoulders shrank, her mouth flattened, and tears rolled out of her eyes like broken pearls.
The matter seemed to be quite serious... Ning Yi was stunned for a moment, then softened his voice: "What's going on?"
"Xiao Chan..." The little girl swallowed louder and raised her head to look at him, "Although Xiao Chan is a little maid who doesn't understand anything, she won't gossip about such things. Uncle, what if
If the word spreads, it means Xiaochan, Xiaochan... is not responsible..."
Xiaochan shrugged her shoulders and swallowed harder. Ning Yi looked at her for a long time. He originally thought that the little girl was depressed because of what the old man said all the way. Who knew that she felt aggrieved because of her joke, and then she couldn't help it.
Laughing out loud.
"Uncle...you still...gu——"
The little girl's last words were leaked before she finished speaking, but Ning Yi suddenly stretched out his hands, pinched her cheeks and pulled her face into a big pie. Now it was the little girl's turn to be stunned.
, both eyes were widened, like lanterns. After blinking twice, Ning Yi let go of her face, patted her shoulder gently: "Let's go." Turned and left.
After a while, the little girl followed up, with a frightened look on her face, and her face was red: "Uncle, uncle, you..." She wanted to denounce Ning Yi's behavior just now. In fact, it was a big deal.
Ke Xiao, in the past few months, the two of them had been getting along day and night. Occasionally, Xiao Chan helped him measure clothes, and more often she helped him put on clothes. There was actually some physical contact, but it was considered unintentional.
touch.
The history of Ning Yi has basically gone astray, but the Wu Dynasty and the Song Dynasty are actually very similar. Although Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism did not appear exactly, by this time, men and women had already paid a lot of attention to defense. Xiao
Chan is a maid, and she has to serve the people around her. She cannot have the same requirements as ordinary women. If Su Tan'er marries Ning Yi, as one of the three maids, she will be Ning Yi's concubine in the future.
If Ning Yi is married to the Su family, then there is no problem, but now that Ning Yi has married into the Su family, Su Tan'er has the final say in everything.
After all, the status of a son-in-law is low. As far as the people are concerned, it is generally believed that no man with a little bit of backbone or persistence will not marry a son-in-law. This is also because the status of a son-in-law in many families is actually the same as that of a slave. Most women’s families
The man who married into his wife should only be considered as a long-term worker. Of course, the situation of each household is different. If the relationship between the couple is good, or the son-in-law is actually somewhat capable, he will naturally have his own place in the family. This does not mean
Not surprisingly.
In the Su family, Mrs. Su was thinking about the friendship between previous generations, and actually took good care of Ning Yi, so the family would not openly despise him. Although Su Tan'er had expressed resistance to the marriage, she treated Ning Yi at this time.
Yi's attitude can be considered peaceful. But even if this is the case, or if the relationship between the two develops in the future and they become a real couple, the possibility that she will allow Ning Yi to have an intimate relationship with Chan'er in the future is not high. Although the three of them will
All the maids have followed Su Tan'er since they were young. Su Tan'er will probably never let go of these three domesticated little girls in her life in the future. However, what is more likely to happen may be to betroth them to someone who is loyal and more valuable.
Prospective servants, and at the same time keep them in the Su family for the rest of their lives.
Of course, this was just a casual prank. Ning Yi might not have thought so much. The little girl naturally didn't expect it to be too complicated. But even if she wasn't angry, she was still a bit shy. At this time, she rushed up with red face and anger, trying to sum it up.
With enough words to describe Ning Yi's behavior as a disciple, he finally just said: "Uncle, you are bullying others!"
"Well." Ning Yi nodded and shrugged, "I just bullied you, what are you doing?"
"Beep..." Chan'er blinked, and then she got angry again, "And she said something that Chan'er couldn't understand..."
"Haha." Ning Yi laughed happily on the side of the street.
When I first arrived here, my mood was actually quite gloomy. However, after being bored for so long recently, my gloomy mood gradually dissipated. I felt that in ancient times, people were bullying people. They used Go to bully old scholars, and now they bully little girls.
, actually quite interesting.
Walking like this all the way home, Xiaochan jumped up and talked behind her. She was a little shy at first, and then talked about other trivial matters.
When they were walking down a relatively prosperous street not far away, a person suddenly walked over to say hello and stopped the two of them.
There are many members of the Su family. When I come back here every day, I often meet some Su family members. Some are willing to say hello to Ning Yi, while others disdain to talk to him. Occasionally, I will meet Su Tan'er coming back from here.
, because there is a Su family's cloth shop next to the street. At this time, the man came out of the Su family's cloth shop. He was also in his early twenties. He held a folding fan and looked like a romantic talent. He held his hand from a distance and laughed:
"Brother Ning, what a coincidence." Then he came over with two young men.
He was probably someone the previous owner of this body knew, but Ning Yi couldn't recognize him at this time. He glanced around in confusion and saw that Su Tan'er's carriage was also parked on the roadside not far away, and there was a small head among the cloth.
He shook his head, glanced this way, and then ran inside again. It was Xing'er who was following Su Tan'er. He saw Ning Yi and Chan'er, so he ran to ask Su Tan'er to come out.
The man gradually approached with a smile. Although Ning Yi didn't know his name, it was very easy to deal with this kind of thing. Just as he was about to say hello with a smile, Chan'er behind him pulled the corner of his clothes: "Uncle, that's Dachuan Bu
Mr. Xue will do it." As he spoke, he felt slightly uneasy.
Ning Yi realized that although he had never seen the person before, he had indeed heard of it.
After coming to this era, I pretended to have amnesia. I asked some questions about my previous identity. After all, it was a simple life. However, when the Su family, such as Chan'er Xing'er, talked about it, there were always some taboos, such as the night they got married.
Su Tan'er ran away, and he was beaten to pieces.
But even if he avoids taboos, after a few months, Ning Yi already knows what he should know. The person who secretly knocked it with a brick at the beginning must be Xue Jin from Dachuan Buhang in front of him. Xiao Chan was uneasy at this time.
He was probably also afraid that Ning Yi would be angry and suffer a loss if he did something.
But how could Ning Yi put any complicated expression on his face? At this time, Shi Shi smiled and nodded: "Oh, Mr. Xue, hello."
His smile was natural and his attitude was calm. Xue Jin, who was opposite him, was slightly stunned. He looked at the two followers beside him, and then laughed again: "I heard that Brother Ning was accidentally injured on the day of the wedding, and he actually had some amnesia. The younger brother had some amnesia that day.
I was there originally, but I left early because I had something to do, and then I couldn't spare the time, so I never went to visit. Why...is there really amnesia? Could it be that Brother Ning really can't remember my little brother?"
Opposite me, Ning Yi seemed a little embarrassed. With a sincere and deep apology, he showed an apologetic smile: "What happened in the past was really...ah, Brother Xue, forgive me, forgive me..."
Xue Jin stared at him suspiciously with complicated eyes. At this time, at the door of the store opposite, Su Tan'er had already rushed out with a frown on her face.