On the day Chunwei came on stage, Shengfu sent a steward from Laifu to wait outside the venue. After craning their necks and waiting for a long time, Chang Feng and Wen Yanjing stumbled out, one with a blue complexion, as if he had overextended himself; the other with a pale complexion.
It turned yellow, as if he had been hungry for several days. ~Compared with Chang Feng's emphasis on gains and losses, Wen Yanjing was much more at ease. Anyway, no matter whether he could pass the exam or not, his wife and his in-laws could not escape.
Different mentalities lead to different results. Half a month later, the results were announced. Brother Wen won the Jinshi, and got the top 32 in the imperial examination. After passing the examination, he would either enter the Hanlin Academy or be awarded an official position; and brother Changfeng... ahem,
Just take the exam again.
Ru Lan's wedding day was approaching, but something was wrong with her. She was laughing and joking for a while, and losing her temper for no reason at other times. Mrs. Wang came to look for her daughter to say a few words of kindness to her, but Ru Lan said something back. Xijuan looked at this.
If that didn't work, I had to go find Minglan to put out the fire.
"Sixth Miss, look..." Xijuan asked.
"Needless to say, I'll just go and take a look." Minglan knew what she meant, because she was good at pretending to be stupid and coaxing little girls. I don't know when she started, she almost became Rulan's fire extinguisher, the little magpie.
I often come to her for help.
As soon as they entered Taoran Hall, the dowry had been taken away, so the boudoir that was originally decorated with gold and silver seemed a bit empty. Ru Lan sat blankly in front of the window, with a brocade and splendid dress propped up on a dark red lacquered wood hanger.
The bright red wedding dress made the whole room shine a lot.
"Hey! My sister is a noble person now, why do you have the time to come to my place now?" Rulan cheered up immediately when she saw Minglan, with a bitter tone.
Minglan sat silently next to Rulan and said with a smile: "Sister, what's wrong with you? Tell me."
Rulan glanced sideways at Minglan and sneered: "I am a loser, how can I be so lucky?!" After saying this, she turned her head away angrily, turned her back to Minglan, and leaned heavily on the table with both arms.
.
Minglan thought for a moment and asked tentatively: "What did your wife say to you?"
Rulan didn't look back, she just snorted loudly through her nose. Minglan understood immediately, and then felt helpless and secretly cursed - it was all Gu Tingye who was out of tune!
A few days ago, the Wen family chose an auspicious day to send the betrothal gift. After looking through the almanac, Gu Tingye found that that day was the best day in this period, so he sent someone to ask if it was possible to give out the betrothal gift on that day. Wang did not expect it at the time.
, Sheng Hong agreed immediately.
On that day, the Wen family just followed the etiquette and prepared enough scented tea, reunion fruits, sheep and geese, wine jars, wooden geese, and a few pieces of good cloth, and that was it. Gu Tingye was like a man who had just returned from South America after digging for gold.
The nouveau riche brought a lot of betrothal gifts to a courtyard. First, there were 128 pairs of pure gold fat pigs (Minglan was a pig), totaling a thousand taels; and the fabrics included 88 pieces of Jiangnan silk yarn.
Eighty-eight pieces of feather yarn from Jiangbei, one hundred and eight pieces of cloud brocade Sichuan satin embroidered in various colors, eighteen pairs of red gold bracelets with dragons and phoenixes in three or four layers, eighteen pairs of red gold hairpins with dragons and phoenixes inlaid with beads, as well as abalone, oyster, yuan
Shells, mushrooms, dried shrimps, squid, sea cucumbers, shark's fins and fish maws plus nostrils and other top-quality seafood. After Haishi and the old lady looked at them, they seriously suspected that these were tributes to the emperor. As for other kinds of fish, wine, four seasons, tea, candies, etc.
There are countless objects; the last one is a pair of fat geese that are croaking wildly.
In fact, Gu Tingye just acted according to the etiquette of those powerful and noble families. It was not too over the top, but it deeply pierced Wang's eyes. The anxiety that had been suppressed in her heart for a long time finally broke out. She had known it earlier.
This difference in wealth will gradually be revealed in the future, and this bloody contrast is undoubtedly the opening gong.
From that day on, she was not very happy to see Minglan, but after all, Minglan was the one to be married, and it was too late to stay in Shou'an Hall every day, so Wang had to go to Rulan to lecture her, and her words were full of unpleasant and bitter words.
, Minglan knew what it was like without even thinking about it. It was nothing more than "if nothing happens to you, these benefits will all be yours" and so on. ~
What made Wang the most resentful was that these betrothal gifts were sent directly to the Shou'an Hall without her even having a hand. According to the old lady's thoughts, most of these betrothal gifts would go to the Gu Mansion with Minglan as her dowry.
Even if Ru Lan is deeply in love with brother-in-law Wen, she is an ordinary woman after all, with a good face and vanity. Who is not greedy for such wealth and wealth? Now everyone in the Sheng Mansion, from the steward to the maids, are very fond of Ming Lan.
It's flattery.
Minglan is also an ordinary person, and she is also very tempted when she sees gold, silver and jewelry. When she saw the pile of betrothal gifts, her heart fluttered for a while. Just the gold beads and jewelry, Danju and Xiaotao were enough.
After half an hour of ordering, the nine-layered and eighty-one set of ebony, pear and carved lacquer dossier boxes that the old lady had sent finally came into use and were stuffed to the brim.
For the first time in her life, she felt that it would be good to get married like this. If alimony could be guaranteed, she would not be in a hurry if the marriage failed.
"If Fifth Sister is unhappy with anything, you can talk to your sister." Minglan tried her best to soften her tone.
Unexpectedly, Rulan suddenly turned around, raised her eyebrows contemptuously, and snorted: "How dare I?! My wife has said that I might need my sister to help me in the future!"
Minglan counted the days, and they were going to get married in a few days. It was estimated that this was the last time she would coax Rulan like this, so she would jump off the building to pay a large sum of money, work hard, and send her out happily.
Then he smiled and said: "Fifth sister, I want to ask you something. If possible, would you like to switch with me? I will marry the Wen family and you will marry the Gu family."
Rulan's face was filled with surprise and uncertainty, and she asked back, "Are you willing?"
"Of course I do!" Minglan agreed and said with a smile, "I originally thought that the fifth brother-in-law was quite good. He would climb mountains in the middle of the night to meet beauties, and he could recite poems and make melancholy words. Now he was awarded the Jinshi.
Why don’t you want to?!”
"How dare you——!" Ru Lan slammed the table hard, stood up, and roared like thunder, which made Minglan's eardrums buzz.
Minglan rubbed her ears and leaned back on the chair, bending over with a smile: "What is sister so upset about?"
Rulan let out a heavy breath and stared at Minglan for a long time before sitting down angrily.
Minglan slowly leaned over, put her arm on Rulan's shoulder, and whispered in Rulan's ear: "That year we went to Zhongqin's house to visit relatives, and met my eldest sister's mother-in-law. After we came back, my sister said to me
After all these words, has your sister forgotten?"
Rulan was startled, and a red pomegranate gold tassel dangled uncontrollably in her ear. She said slowly: "I remember...I said that all the mothers-in-law in the world are hateful. If you want me to be too old,
When my sister feels so wronged, I might as well be an old lady."
Minglan sighed slightly in her heart and said softly: "You know it in your heart, so why be angry; sister... are you afraid?"
Ru Lan lowered her head, her eyes gleaming, and unknowingly grabbed Minglan's hand, held it tightly, and choked up: "I'm afraid, I'm afraid that Brother Jing will betray me in the future, I'm afraid of the bitter
My wife will bully me, because she is afraid that I will not be able to hold my head high among the sisters in the future! I also know that things are not easy in the Gu family, but I just..., I...I don't want to get married..."
Rulan Yingying started to cry. Wang's scolding and "fear before marriage" made her unable to bear the harsh words.
Minglan sighed and said: "People say that there are three things in the world that are not trustworthy. One is that the old people say they don't want to live anymore, the other is that the young people say they don't want to grow up, and the third is..."
"What is it?" Ru Lan gradually put away her tears and asked. [Ye*][*]
"On the third day, the eldest girl said she didn't want to get married!"
Rulan became angry and picked up two fists to beat Minglan. Minglan screamed for mercy and took a long time to apologize. After such a fuss, Rulan was not sad anymore. The two sisters leaned against each other panting.
My son was paralyzed on the kang, chatting endlessly.
"It's not easy being a daughter-in-law, but it's much more comfortable being a mother-in-law!"
"Grandpa is the one who fights for his grandchildren, and the mother-in-law is the daughter-in-law. My sister will have her day."
"How wonderful it would be if I didn't have a mother-in-law!"
"How can a son come from without a mother? The fifth sister is more ruthless than asking for a monk after reciting sutras."
"I want...we have to live a good life!"
"That's natural. The living have to live, but the dead can't."
"You have to be careful! My sister-in-law in the Gu family will look down upon you when she sees that you are a concubine!"
"It doesn't matter, just don't look at their faces."...
Minglan actually doesn't like Rulan very much. She also has an outgoing personality. Compared to Pinlan, who is bold, cheerful, informal, cheerful and kind, Rulan is a bit more willful, domineering and overbearing. But - Minglan looked sideways.
, Rulan was no longer angry now, and excitedly pulled Minglan to talk about how her new home would be arranged in the future - this girl, who was full of emotions and anger, was the only vivid and real person in this obscure courtyard.
exist.
February 27th is auspicious and suitable for marriage.
Brother-in-law Wen was very proud of himself. He had a great reputation outside and a powerful family in-law. He had quite a few friends and classmates who helped him welcome his bride. He was dressed in red and colorful, playing and playing, and it was a lively scene.
This time Chang Feng finally found his opponent, and he had a verbal exchange with brother-in-law Wen at the gate of Sheng Mansion for half an hour. His poems spanned the Tang and Song dynasties, and his speech was rich and colorful, which attracted a lot of people to cheer loudly. The scene was very lively. Wang
Finally, he showed some happiness.
Old Mrs. Sheng liked to have a pure nature, so she finally gave Wang's noodles this time. After three rounds of wine, she went back to Shou'an Hall to rest. Minglan was also very happy, and she ate a few cups in a daze, and her cheeks were only burned red.
, my head felt dizzy and I couldn't lie down in the room, so I left the hospital and walked a few steps to relieve the smell of alcohol.
The night is as cool as water, but there are still loud chatter and laughter coming from the outer courtyard. There are also waves of wine, and people are drinking wine. It seems that the banquet is not over yet, and the inner courtyard is quiet, and the bright orchids are along the stone.
As I was walking slowly along the path, I suddenly became naughty and wanted to see if the ice on the pond had melted. I had to catch a few more fish before getting married.
After walking a few steps quickly, Kankan arrived at the pond. Under the off-white moonlight, I saw a slender figure bent over, holding on to the rocks beside the pond with his head lowered, as if he was vomiting. The man seemed to hear someone behind him.
The sound of footsteps slowly turned around, and the half-moon was shining on the night lake, reflecting the man's beauty and elegance, like jade.
Minglan's steps faltered, her heart tightened, and she immediately wanted to turn around and leave.
"...Sixth sister?" The faint fragrance of wine permeating Qi Heng's body made the water vapor surge in the early spring, making her feel elegant.
Minglan tried her best to stop, with a smile on her face: "Long time no see, I haven't congratulated you on your wedding yet, congratulations."
Qi Heng's eyes were extremely beautiful, and he could not help but express his deep affection in them. They were as clear and deep as water. He looked at Minglan quietly and said slowly: "Say
Congratulations, my sister’s wedding is coming soon, I’m here to congratulate her.” After saying that, he bowed and bowed his hands.
Minglan immediately returned the gift with her crotch folded, and was blessed with blessings.
The two of them were silent for a while, and the only sound of water moving by the pond was heard.
Minglan wanted to run away, but Qi Heng kept staring at her, as if he couldn't get enough. Minglan's nerves were not strong enough, so she could only find words to say: "Why...are you here?" This is the inner courtyard of the Sheng Mansion, and the outside man
How did you get in?
Qi Heng's beautiful eyes slightly curved, and he smiled slightly and said: "After a few drinks, Brother Cheng asked me to rest in his study." He knew the path to Sheng's mansion, and Changbai's study was at the junction of the inner and outer courtyards, so he could go all the way.
It's not unusual to touch the water's edge.
Minglan was speechless, and there was another strange silence. Qi Heng looked at Minglan, from the corners of his eyebrows, to his eyelashes, to his smile, to the pair of small dimples at the corners of his mouth. Thinking of the past, Qi Heng suddenly felt depressed.
Anger welled up in his heart and he sneered:
"Sixth sister, there is no need to worry. Marquis Weibei got married last month, and there were a lot of toasts during the banquet. Governor Gu rushed to hold back many of the drinks for Uncle Shen. Uncle Shen said that he would reciprocate the favor when the wedding ceremony was held in Gu's house.
...Oh, I forgot, I can no longer call you sixth sister, but in terms of seniority, I have to call you second aunt!"
Minglan listened without saying a word. After a while, she slowly said: "That's what you said."
Qi Heng was so angry that he couldn't stand for a moment. He swayed and leaned on the rocks to keep from falling. He wanted to say a few harsh words to hurt Minglan, but he couldn't bear to do it; the two of them had a fight again.
Speechless.
Qi Heng felt really depressed, and finally couldn't help but said: "I have something that I have kept in my heart for a long time. I ask you today, and I hope you will answer me truthfully."
Minglan said calmly: "Excuse me."
Qi Heng stood up straight, took a deep breath, his face as bright and beautiful as jade was serious, and said: "Over the years, it's not that you don't understand my feelings for you, but you always pretend to be stupid and cold to me; I am today
Say something to the sky, if you respond to my feelings even half way, I will fight to the death! But you looked down on me at first, thinking that I can't be trusted, thinking that I will hurt you and cause harm to you.
You avoid me like a poisonous snake and a ferocious beast, why on earth is this?!"
Minglan raised her head, revealing a tender neck like a pink lotus root, with extremely beautiful lines. Qi Heng was almost mesmerized by the sight. After a while, Minglan lightly lowered her eyelids and said: "We have known each other since childhood, I'm afraid
You don’t even know it, but you are actually very similar to the princess. You look calm and calm, but you are extremely strong on the inside. You obviously have a good family background, but you are still diligent in your studies and clean yourself. Among the Jinyi brothers in Beijing, you are second to none.
A good son."
Minglan's tone was sad, and she faced the lake, as if she was remembering something that happened a long time ago. She continued slowly: "You have to do your best in everything. You have just studied Han Fu for a few days, and you want to study the Book of Songs; practice Guan
Even though you have a pavilion style, you don’t want to give up your Yan style or Liu style. Just after Mr. Zhuang praised you for your slight success in writing, you go to mix colors and paint. You also know that you can’t bite off more than you can chew, so you get up early every day and practice a lot of knowledge and skills.
Make a name for yourself."
Qi Heng heard the faint sadness in Minglan's tone, and felt sad in his heart.
Minglan paused, calmed down, turned around, looked at Qi Heng quietly, and said word by word: "You are so kind, you want to be the best in everything, I can't afford it, you are too ambitious, and you can't afford it."
Can’t let it go.”
Qi Heng felt a twinge of heartache. He bit his lip until the tip of his tongue tasted a faint fishy taste, and then he said with difficulty: "You... have always seen things very clearly."
Minglan stared at her toes, feeling a dull pain in her heart, and said: "There is no one to rely on, so you should think more clearly."
Qi Heng looked at Minglan's fragile and graceful body, as if a gust of wind could blow her away, and his heart became sour and soft, saying: "I know your difficulties, I, I have never blamed you, I only hate me
You are so useless! Gu...he is actually not a bad person, don't listen to the rumors, you...you have to live a good life!"
Minglan's chest was filled with excitement, she raised her head and said loudly: "I came to this world just to live a good life!"
After saying that, I saw that Qi Heng's eyes were red and tears seemed to be filling them. Minglan was still smiling like the sun. She smoothed her dress to cover the few drops of moisture coming out of the toes of her shoes.
Fu, turned around and left without looking back.
Above the head, the crescent moon was like a hook, flickering with a faint light, but it no longer had the luster it had just now.
Minglan walked quickly to Shou'an Hall and quickly entered the inner room. He saw that the old lady had just taken off her hairpin clothes and was leaning on the edge of the kang to stretch out and rest. After Minglan saluted and said hello, she stepped back and stepped forward and said: "
Grandma, please tell me about the He family. How are you doing now after you went back?"
The old lady was a little surprised by Minglan's behavior. She stared at Minglan for a while and showed a strange smile: "Since the marriage was decided, you have never asked me anything about the He family. Why?"
,Want to know today?"
Minglan looked as usual and simply said: "Some things can be ignored or ignored, but it is better to know them clearly."
The old lady slowly raised her body, her eyes filled with admiration and satisfaction, and said: "I went to He's Mansion to make things clear. You are engaged. There is no contract between the two families. There is no matchmaker and no tokens, so there is nothing."
Forget it!"
Minglan nodded, bowed to thank the old lady, and asked, "What do the He family say?"
The old lady smiled, her eyes flashed, and replied: "My old sister is the most open-minded. She has known it since she left the Cao family. She will not care about it. Brother Hong has always been ambitious.
Hearing that the Zhang family intended to go to Yunnan and Guizhou to collect medicinal materials and visit famous doctors for research, he had decided to go with them to see some of the world. He would be leaving in a few days, and he might not be able to come back for another three or two years; Mrs. He San
I have always been weak and have been in poor health recently, so I just need to take care of myself."
Minglan's face was as dark as water, without moving her expression at all, and she asked again: "Does anyone in the He family have anything to say or anything to give me?"
The old lady smiled, and the beads on her shaking wrist trembled, and then she said: "My old sister knows the inside story. She only said that you were wronged, and she also said that He Jiajue would not say anything out loud. Anyway, Mr. He is already in bed.
I am writing this memorial, asking for my bones to return home and retire, and I will leave Beijing after about a year and a half; as for the rest...only Brother Hong has left a message for you."
Minglan said firmly: "What did he say?"
The old lady said slowly: "He said that he can't forgive you because he has little virtue and no luck, and it has nothing to do with you."
After Minglan finished listening, she was speechless for a long time. The old lady stared at the change in Minglan's expression and said earnestly: "You don't have to take it to heart. It's better to untie some knots in your heart earlier. Anyway, we won't see each other anymore. Let's live our own lives."
important."
Ming Lan raised her head and smiled, gentle and playful, bright and clear, and said: "Grandma is right. However, it doesn't matter if we don't meet again in the future. Mrs. He is my grandmother's close friend, just an ordinary relative and friend."
When the old lady heard this, a big stone fell from her heart, and she praised: "It's best if you think about it."
Minglan smiled and said: "The eyes are in the front of the head, they are meant to look forward."
The author has something to say: Ru Lan is getting married, and Ming Lan is getting married in the next chapter. Regarding the bridal chamber, I will give it some thought and try my best to satisfy everyone.
Everyone loves this article and has written comments and made comics and videos. I am very touched. Don’t worry, I will write the next thing well so that the ending will be perfect and not unfinished.
However, farming literature is a matter of shortcomings, and there will be some ups and downs, but we can’t get excited and argue over every chapter. I think everyone’s love for me is huge.