Mid-August is the most pleasant time of the year in Chang'an. The heat of the dog days has completely dissipated, and the autumn wind gently touches every scar on the earth, as if there is magic given by the gods, making the leaves fall willingly.
, a layer of golden silk is spread on the fertile fields of Sanfu land, and the deer gallop on it, making a crisp sound of "呲呲".
Seeing this, the farmers also felt peaceful. Their wish was nothing more than this. When the weather was good, they would work at sunrise and rest at sunset until the autumn of their lives came, with their children and grandchildren in their houses and their wheat barns full. Then they would sit quietly on their couches.
Lying down, waiting for the moment when the fallen leaves return to their roots.
It’s just that wars and disasters often disturb people’s dreams and make people panic. In life, there are always things that are not what you want, and there is no way around it.
But fortunately it’s finally over.
The news of Yuan Shao's enthronement has spread throughout Guanzhong, and his head will also be spread among the counties. Even if there is news of the Yanzhou Mu rebellion, people are not worried about going north to Hebei. First, there are too many such things.
, everyone has long been numb. Secondly, it is thousands of miles away, and it is difficult to affect the pass. What people can see is the mighty army recruited from the east and west rivers and other places. This makes the people excited. They look at this endless
The team all sighed: "I'm afraid this is the last battle to pacify the world." Thinking like this, many people felt regretful and regretful that they could not witness it with their own eyes.
But these have nothing to do with Dong Bai, she doesn't care about them at all.
Unknowingly, she had lived with Cai Yong for six years and was already a twenty-three-year-old woman. As spring passed and autumn came, her figure became graceful, her face became more beautiful, and her temperament became more deserted.
I don’t know if it was because she often studied with Cai Yong, but the nobility in her body gradually faded away, and instead she gained a more refreshing air that does not eat fireworks. As a result, her eyes became hazy, as if they were filled with clouds. Even though she was wearing them all day long,
She lived a veiled life, but when passers-by glanced at her, she felt as if she had been soaked in clear water. Therefore, it was not difficult to guess that she was an extremely outstanding beauty. So rumors gradually spread in the south of Chang'an City that there was a stunning beauty in Cai Gong's Pavilion. <
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This brought some popularity to Cai Yong's family. Ministers such as Yang Zhen and Shen Tupan came to visit Cai's mansion and said that they wanted to arrange marriages for the descendants of the family and form an in-law with the Cai family. Cai Yong was very embarrassed. He had already
Dong Bai regarded her as his own daughter, but knew that her identity was sensitive, so he asked Dong Bai about his attitude. Dong Bai replied: "I am the daughter of the Dong family. Many people in the court see me. If I get married, I am afraid that I will be a troublesome person."
If you see through it, it will bring disaster to you for nothing."
When Cai Yong heard this, he rejected all the engagements. However, he knew in his heart that the reason for his adopted daughter was just to stay in Chang'an. Even if she returned to her real name, no one would dare to say anything. After all, she has the protection of her son-in-law, and others can say nothing.
What do you get? I’m afraid only she knows what the girl is thinking.
Of course Dong Bai knew. From then on, she went out less and less. She stayed in the courtyard all day, either studying, working as a hostess, or planting flowers in the courtyard. Especially flower gardening, Cai's house was full of flowers.
In the yard, she planted plum trees in the corners, osmanthus trees in front of the yard, peonies between the fences, and even the walls of the yard were covered with morning glories. In this way, Cai Mansion was always happy no matter the spring.
In summer, autumn and winter, there are flowers blooming in every season, so people around also call Cai Mansion "Liu Fang Garden".
Recently, the hibiscus she planted in the backyard has bloomed. The flower seeds were planted last year, and seven of them are alive this year. She thought that the cultivation was still short, and there would be no flowers this year. Unexpectedly, in August,
Several white or red flower buds sprouted from the branches, which made her very happy, so she called Cai Yong to watch them together. Cai Yong looked at the hibiscus flowers for a while, then looked at Dong Bai for a while, stroking his beard
He smiled and said: "Ting Jian should come and enjoy such beautiful flowers together." Dong Bai lowered his head and said hello. When he returned to the room and looked at himself in the mirror, he realized that the roots of his ears were red. p>
But she was soon disappointed. This was not because Chen Chong did not come. Chen Chong was always punctual. After sending Cang Tou to deliver the message, Chen Chong arrived at two quarters the next day. But he did not come alone. He accompanied him.
Also included is his eldest son Chen Shi.
When Chen rushed in, he caught Dong Bai's eyes. He smiled apologetically for intruding, then took Chen Shizhuan on his back into his arms and said to her: "The boy was clamoring to come, but when he got halfway, he unexpectedly
He's sleepy again, I'll find a place for him to sleep for a while."
At the moment she saw him, Dong Bai felt as if something was broken, so that she didn't know what to say and her whole body was shaking. After a while, she calmed down, and Chen Chong was already with Cai Yong.
The conversation started over the meal. She couldn't get a word in, and because she felt depressed, she quickly returned to the room and stared in the mirror in a daze.
Being in a daze is like drifting on a calm lake. Her thoughts fluctuate with the ripples for a long time, but they never waver. The undercurrent under the lake is even more obscure. She said to herself: What am I expecting? This is how it is.
But when she said this, she heard the sound of two people talking outside the house, and she couldn't help but stand up and follow them quietly.
Chen Chong and Cai Yong entered the backyard and stopped in front of the hibiscus bushes in the courtyard, while Dong Bai stopped in the corridor, where they could just hear the conversation between Weng and his son-in-law.
There are only about twenty hibiscus flowers in bloom in the courtyard, but they are very conspicuous among the rustling yellow leaves and emit a unique sweet and bitter fragrance. But Chen Chong did not look at the blooming flowers, but stroked a white one.
The flower bud said to Cai Yong: "I really didn't expect Meng De to go to Hebei. I sent the border to Guandong to decentralize power. I knew there would be some gaps, but unexpectedly it has reached the point of fighting."
It turned out that the news was about Cao Cao's betrayal. Dong Bai heard Cai Yong say: "Ting Jian does not need to blame himself. How many people can take it lightly before seeking profit? A wise man like the Duke of Zhou must also fear rumors, isn't it because
Does everyone envy power?"
Hearing this, Dong Bai saw Chen Chong showing a vaguely sad face, as if he had hit on the pain in his heart, and heard him sigh: "It is true, there are many things in the past and present that cannot be done without power. Zhuang Zhou's dissolute behavior, also
It’s nothing more than knowing that something cannot be done, so doing something that pleases oneself, taking it easy and singing.”
Cai Yong was surprised. After all, Chen Chong always treated people with a positive face, and it was rare for him to say such negative words. He had to continue to comfort him: "Cao Cao is cunning, but he can't achieve great things. He doesn't keep his plans secret, and there are many people in Yanzhou."
There were loyal ministers, but within a few days, the news reached the court. Yuan Chang also wrote a letter saying that he had captured Sheguo, which showed that people in Hebei were also uneasy. Xuande left the border this time, taking advantage of the court's righteousness, and had an army of 300,000.
, we will surely win, so what is there to worry about?"
Chen Chong forced a smile and replied: "Maybe."
At this time, Dong Bai heard that the two of them were silent for a while, and neither of them had anything to say. But she thought about Chen Chong's words just now, and compared the person in front of her with her memory for no reason. She thought: He is still the same as before.
.
Still thinking, she suddenly heard Cai Yong ask: "What do you think of Ah Bai?"
Dong Bai was stunned for a moment when he saw Chen Chong and didn't reply.
Cai Yong also reached out and held a pink hibiscus, and said leisurely:
"There is a girl riding in the same carriage, her face is as beautiful as Shun's. The general is soaring and flying, wearing jade and Qiongju. She is beautiful, Meng Jiang, Xunmei and both.
There is a woman traveling with me, her face is like that of Shunying. She is soaring and flying, wearing jade. She is beautiful and beautiful, and her virtues are unforgettable."
This is a poem in "The Book of Songs: Zheng Feng". The main idea is that a young man was able to ride with a girl by chance. He saw that the girl's face was as beautiful as the Shunhua flower, so he traveled with the girl again.
A fellow traveler felt that the girl's face was as charming as the Shunying flower, so she never forgot it. The Shunhua and Shunying in the poem are the aliases of hibiscus.
Cai Yong paused and said to Chen Chong: "Abai planted this hibiscus bush in the courtyard and hinted that I would invite you to come and enjoy the flowers. I already understand what he means."
Dong Bai's cheeks were already glowing. She didn't expect that her adoptive father could see her thoughts so clearly, and she felt anxious for a moment. But what she cared more about was how Chen Chong answered, so she suppressed her uneasiness and waited quietly in the corner.<
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Chen Chong was silent for a while and then said hesitantly: "Although hibiscus blooms for a long time, for a flower, it only blooms in the morning and fades in the evening, and it is only one day of youthfulness. I actually know that Miss Bai has delayed me so far, and my love is deep.
I feel so guilty about the heavy righteousness..." He hesitated a little and said: "It's just that Ayan and I are still in love as before, and I would be even more uneasy if I betrayed him. What's more..."
He finally said: "After all, I am still sixteen years older than her."
Speaking of this, Chen Chong heard a crisp sound, and turned around at the same time as Cai Yong, only to see the shadow in the corner flashing away. The two of them couldn't help but smile bitterly, and they both knew that she heard it.
Seeing each other speechless, Chen Chong had no choice but to talk to Cai Yong about the current situation. Liu Bei had decided to go on an expedition, and the day after tomorrow was the day of the expedition. As a veteran of the three dynasties, Chen Chong hoped that Cai Yong could write an essay for this trip. Cai Yong himself
Nothing is allowed.
When the two walked back to the front hall, they found Dong Bai sitting in the hall. The girl was holding a silver bell and teasing Chen Shi. Chen Shi was already seven years old, and he was at the age of curiosity when he saw the bell.
The workmanship is exquisite, but it is about the size of a thumb, but it has a pattern of floating clouds and dragons. He couldn't help but be very happy. He fiddled with it in his hand and refused to put it down, so Dong Bai gave the bell to him.
Chen Chong knew that this was a relic left by Dong Zhuo, and he didn't want to accept it. But when he saw Dong Bai's eyes engraved with swords, he didn't know how to refuse, so he had to thank his eldest son and said that he would give a return gift in the future, so he read it to Zheng Xi.
Please send some books to Dong Yao.
Soon it was time to say goodbye, and Chen Chong and Cai Yong said goodbye at the door of the house.
Cai Yong saw that he was a very popular minister, but he kept walking alone. He couldn't help but feel a little worried, and said to him: "There are many villains in the world, so you must be careful. You should have more guards around you."<
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Chen Chong wanted to refuse, but when he thought about Cao Cao and knew that Taishan was right, he nodded and said yes.
When he turned to leave, he caught another look, which quickly disappeared.