When he returned to the capital to reunite with Sheng Hong's family a few months later, someone once asked Minglan what kind of person He Hongwen was.
Minglan thought for a long time and answered: Good person.
The He family belongs to a famous family. The old man of the He family founded Baishitan Academy and became the first scholar in the world. He has been a leader for decades. Although his descendants are not as prosperous as their ancestors, they are still rich and powerful. Mrs. He married into a branch of the He family. Her third son died young, leaving only one son, He Hongwen, who was favored by his grandparents.
He Hongwen has been studying medicine since he was a child. Soon after the ship sailed, he brewed herbal tea for Minglan to soothe the spleen and stomach. Although the taste was bitter, the effect was good. Minglan felt great after just one dose, but she firmly believed that cultivating her own resistance was the key. Wang Dao, he refused to drink any more, and was embarrassed to refute the other party's kindness, so he secretly poured it out.
One day, He Hongwen came to visit Minglan and asked casually: "Have you taken the herbal tea I just sent?"
Minglan looked serious: "I just finished drinking." Unexpectedly, at this moment, Xiao Tao came in from the outside with a cup in hand, saying, "Don't worry, girl, no one will see..." Xiao Tao stopped abruptly when she saw He Hongwen. .
Minglan followed He Hongwen's gaze and saw that there was still a few traces of the familiar green concoction on the white porcelain lotus embossed bowl. He Hongwen quietly turned back to look at Minglan. Minglan suppressed her guilt and was very calm. "Xiao Tao, why does it take you so long to wash a cup?" Xiao Tao was dumbfounded and could only say: "The cup... is difficult to wash."
Minglan laughed a few times with her scalp hair dry, and avoided looking at He Hongwen, saying: "Haha, it's hard to wash, it's hard to wash."
He Hongwen seemed to be fine and said with a smile: "Everything on the ship is not as convenient as on land."
Minglan... =_=, Dan Ju, the escort at the side, was not so thick-skinned and turned her head away.
The next day, He Hongwen brought two large bowls of herbal tea. Minglan bravely raised the bowl in front of He Hongwen, took a sip of the herbal tea, and then highlighted the bottom of the empty bowl for He Hongwen to check. goods.
He Hongwen smiled and nodded, as if the head teacher was commending a primary school student who had just punished him for copying.
Strictly speaking, He Hongwen was Minglan's first real contact with her husband. Their grandmothers had known each other for a long time, and they hid in the cabin to make up for the decades of conversation. Under the supervision of a group of old ladies and little maids, Minglan and He Hongwen really saw each other. Been there several times.
When young boys and girls met for the first time in ancient times, the topic would always start like this: "What books has Xiao Ming sister read?"
Minglan sounded familiar. The teacher asked her to memorize the passage "Lin Daiyu Enters Jia's Mansion" in the high school textbook, so she answered according to Jia Mu's classic standard, covering her sleeves and saying implicitly: "I can only recognize a few words, but don't open my eyes." Just blind."
After answering, I feel that I am very ladylike to everyone.
He Hongwen raised his eyebrows and couldn't comment. He just turned his eyes to the right and looked at the pile of rice paper used for calligraphy practice on the desk. It was stained with ink. It was obvious that he had written a lot of words. Minglan was embarrassed and added: " I just read "Nu Ze" and "The Classic of Filial Piety."
He Hongwen remained silent and turned his eyes to the left. He saw a few well-thumbed books stacked up and down on the bookshelf. The covers were wide open. They were about medicine, divination, astrology, astronomy and geography. Minglan begged Changbai and Changdong for help. Come and read.
Minglan was caught again, so she forced herself to laugh a few times: "...my brother at home asked me to take it to my cousin."
He Hongwen understood the expression very well and said with a smile: "Brother you are really knowledgeable. //"
The corner of Minglan's mouth twitched, and she laughed a few times - Oh my God, I only read the official book, Brother Changbai, only the account book, Brother Changsong, and Brother Changwu, who gets dizzy when he sees the words, please forgive her!
The most kind thing about He Hongwen is that even if Minglan is exposed on the spot, he can sincerely pretend to be stupid and nod his head, and show that he is very convinced of all the bad excuses of Minglan. With such a good person, Minglan can no longer pretend, so he just
Treat people with sincerity.
As we approach Jinling, the weather is getting warmer. Last time I went north to Dengzhou, Minglan came not long ago. I was weak and short of breath and at a low point in my life. I had no time to enjoy the scenery. But now I have a different mood. I can see that the scenery along the coast has become more refined and softer. Minglan
Sitting on the window edge, he watched the scenery along the coast and the busy cargo ships and sampans. He Hongwen had seen it many times going back and forth between the north and the south, so he smiled and gave instructions.
"Big white bird, toucan,...sack boat!" Minglan pointed blankly and said, her words were very poor.
He Hongwen explained with a smile: "That's a cormorant, the best at fishing;...that's a sand gull...no, that's a grain boat..."
Minglan is cheerful and playful, while He Hongwen is reserved and steady. The two get along very happily.
"...My mother wanted me to take the imperial examination and become an official, but I didn't live up to expectations. I just liked playing with medicinal herbs and acupuncture books." He Hongwen said with a shy expression.
"Brother He, you are belittling yourself. Reading the books of saints and sages is just to assist the wise kings and help the country, and to honor the ancestors and descendants. But thousands of people can return to the clan and practice medicine to benefit the world. It can also benefit the people and bring glory to the family. My brother, grandmother, and father, what medical skills and ethics they had back then.
When he was young, he went to the epidemic area to save lives. When he was older, he took charge of the Taiyuan Hospital and promulgated medical codes. How admired by the world!" Minglan is very sincere. Doctor is really a noble profession. If you do it well, you will be very high.
income theory.
He Hongwen's eyes lit up, and he looked at the girl opposite him with a smile.
"My father died young and my mother was sick. I cannot go to school according to my mother's wishes. It is really unfilial." He Hongwen's melancholy enveloped the autumn scenery like a gauze.
Minglan spread out a pair of small white hands, with needle holes visible on them: "I have never liked embroidery. My grandmother hired several masters to teach me. Even now, the butterflies I embroider still look like flies. It's unfilial to think about it."
He Hongwen smiled and said: "My sister is still young, it will always be better if you practice slowly. My cousin Jin'er is the best at embroidery, and she can only practice it every day." Minglan touched her fingers and asked casually: "Oh? She also
Live in Jinling?”
He Hongwen looked gloomy: "No..., her father was convicted of the 'Xiaoliangshan Need Case' a few years ago, and the whole family was exiled to Liangzhou."
Minglan stopped talking. A few years ago, a well in Xiaoliang Mountain collapsed and more than a hundred workers died. Unexpectedly, the owner colluded with local officials to withhold pensions, and instead held the dead men, orphans, and widows for questioning, which almost aroused
People's anger led to chaos.
The emperor was furious when he found out. He actually knew that this was just the aftermath of the fight for the throne, but he could only punish some of the culprits. The accomplices were all raised high and put down gently, so not many officials were involved.
, I didn’t expect that his cousin’s family would be one of the few cannon fodder.
"...Well, since it is an exile, the crime is probably not serious, and serious crimes will be beheaded; isn't there a general amnesty for the world, your cousin can always come back." Minglan can only comfort like this. When the new emperor ascends the throne, there will be an amnesty, as long as it is not the most heinous crime.
, generally speaking, exiled prisoners can be pardoned. Now everyone in the world knows that the old emperor’s days are numbered.
He Hongwen was very grateful for Minglan's kindness. After a while, he said: "My uncle also made mistakes back then, and he was punished for his mistakes. It is not unjust, but it would be a good thing if he could be pardoned." After a pause, he said again.
: "I have a self-prepared snow mussel ointment over there. Use it on sister Xiao Ming's hands. Her fingers are not flexible when doing needlework in winter. Apply it to activate blood circulation and relax menstruation."
The young man's words were gentle and his eyes were warm, just like the coolness in late autumn. The last touch of pale golden sunlight slowly climbed onto Minglan's face, which made Minglan feel a little hot.
After another five or six days of sailing, the boat finally docked. There were many servants and stewards standing on the pier. They all stretched their necks to look here. Half of them were Sheng Wei who came to pick up Minglan and his party to Youyang.
The other half looked sad and came to pick up Mrs. He and go straight to her parents' home in Jinling to see her seriously ill father.
Mrs. He held Mrs. Sheng's hand and talked for a long time before letting go. He Hongwen earnestly told Minglan: "Sister Ming, please take care of your health. You are most likely to get sick after traveling long distances and being tired from traveling and boating. Take good care of yourself when you get back."
Let’s rest for a few days and then go play.”
Minglan nodded vigorously.
Sheng Wei and his eldest son Changsong came to pick up the ship in person. Minglan saw this cousin for the first time. He had a dark complexion, thick eyebrows and big eyes, a loud voice, and a strong spirit. He was very similar to Chang Wusheng.
When he arrived at Minglan, he said with a smile: "This is my sixth cousin Minglan. My father has been talking about you in front of my sister Pinlan. In the past few years, she has been clamoring to see you!"
"Sister Ming has never been to Youyang, right? It's a good place. Our Sheng family's old house and ancestral hall are there. You can reach Jinling by carriage in an hour. I'll take you and Pinlan out for a walk later."
"There are too many dignitaries in Jinling. We businessmen should not join in the fun. It is better to stay in our hometown. The place is beautiful and beautiful. Doesn't sister Ming like fishing? I will prepare fishing gear for you later. You will just scoop fish from dozens of fish ponds.
You can even hit it with a poke!"
"The mountains and forests are the most beautiful in autumn. Before winter comes, my sister must go and see the maple trees in the mountains. They are different from those in the capital. They are not so noble and have a lot of bad things."...
The weather was sunny and warm that day, and the autumn breeze was refreshing. Even sitting in the sedan, I didn't feel stuffy. Sheng Wei and Mrs. Sheng were talking, while Brother Changsong was riding outside Minglan's sedan, talking and talking to relieve his boredom. Minglan had
It brings joy to children to go on an outing.
Although the Sheng family's surname was Sheng, it was not prosperous at all, but had some leftovers. It was not until Mrs. Sheng seized the opportunity of the change of dynasties to make a fortune, became a few high officials, and followed the path of collusion between officials and businessmen that the Sheng family gradually prospered and built the ancestral temple.
, built an ancestral hall, and also built a huge mansion in his hometown of Youyang. Anyone with a business background likes to take the cultural route. The first thing the old lady did after getting rich was to spend a lot of money to hire a lady from the declining scholarly official family as his wife.
There are three sons.
The eldest son inherited the family business but was lustful and obsessed with a singer who was a concubine. He made a farce of spoiling his concubine and destroying his wife. It is said that the family property was almost wiped out when he died. The second eldest son was Minglan's grandfather, a handsome and elegant man who was a prostitute.
When he met the fierce daughter of a marquis, the couple almost became enemies, and he died of a cold when he was less than thirty years old. The third child was the best, eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, but he still lives to this day.
Minglan sighed deeply: The introduction of genetic improvement failed and the entire army was wiped out.
A young man had gone to the old house to report the news. When Minglan and his party arrived, the main door of Sheng's house was wide open, and a row of well-dressed female relatives stood at the door. When they saw old lady Sheng and Minglan getting off the sedan, a middle-aged round-faced woman stood in front of them.
The man came forward, bowed his head to the old lady Sheng, and said with a smile: "Auntie is finally here. My old lady's neck has grown long. I haven't seen her in these years. I see that my aunt is in good spirits. How can I compare to my nephew and daughter-in-law?"
All happy!"
Just as he was talking, he saw a pretty little girl standing behind Mrs. Sheng, and asked tentatively: "Is this my niece?" Mrs. Sheng said with a smile: "This is the little monkey, I have raised her since she was a child.
By my side, I happen to have Pinlan as my companion."
Then he glanced at Minglan with his eyes.
Minglan immediately moved her steps, stood in front of her honestly and respectfully, and bowed obediently: "Greetings to eldest aunt, please be well, eldest aunt."
Mrs. Li's eyes narrowed with a smile, and she couldn't help but say: "Okay, okay, good boy." He touched Minglan's face carefully, with admiration in his eyes: "This child is so well-born and well-behaved.
You can stay longer and teach your monkey-like cousin Pinlan. Without her, she is like a wild horse without a bridle." Then he pointed to a young woman next to him: "This is your lobby sister-in-law. What do you want to live here?
Talk to her."
Minglan saluted again: "Hello, sister-in-law."
Wen immediately helped Minglan up and said softly: "Sister, don't be too polite. After you meet the old lady, do you like the house prepared for you? If you don't like it, let's change it immediately. This is my sister's house."
Home, please don’t be constrained.”
Mrs. Li has a rich appearance, is kind and kind yet steady and majestic. As she speaks, she has led Mrs. Sheng and everyone inside, passing through the second door and the tea room concierge, walking along the corridor into the inner house, and bypassing the wall.
After entering the main hall where the old lady lived, Ming Lan went in and saw an old woman with silver-white hair sitting in the middle. She had a thin and dry face and only one pair of bright eyes. When she saw the old lady Sheng, she immediately stood up and opened her hands.
Open and help.
Mrs. Sheng hurriedly walked a few steps and called: "Sister-in-law."
The eldest lady returned the gift warmly: "Brother and sister, I haven't seen you for many years. You are in poor health, and you follow Brother Hong to various posts. I can't bear to tire you all the time. I only hope to see you again in my lifetime. Today I can
If your wish comes true, the Buddha will bless you."
As she spoke, her voice was a little choked. Mrs. Sheng was quite moved and said a few words of affection. Then she asked Minglan to kowtow to meet her. The eldest lady took Minglan and looked at her carefully, nodding her head repeatedly: "This child is born well."
, beautiful and blessed.”
This is the second time today that someone has complimented her on how beautiful she is. Minglan tried very hard not to touch her face. How beautiful can a twelve-year-old girl be? It's probably because relatives only see compliments and can't just say "you" when they meet.
Why do my children look like Japanese melons?
Chang Wu, who has always been straightforward, was a little nervous today. Ever since Ming Lan came in and said to him, "Congratulations, Brother Wu," he felt like he was cooked by Paul. After shyly replying to Old Mrs. Sheng a few words, he blushed and lowered his head.
Keep your head straight and upright to cultivate the groom's reserved temperament.
Seeing Mrs. Sheng talking to the eldest lady, Mrs. Li pulled Minglan over, pointed at a girl of the same age as Minglan standing next to her, and said, "This is your cousin Pinlan. You two are the same age."
Minglan squinted her eyes to look at the girl, and saw that she had a round face and big eyes. She looked very much like Mrs. Li. She had a pair of heroic and straight eyebrows, and her whole face looked full of life. She was also looking at Minglan, and Minglan looked at her the same way.
When they met, he smiled slightly to show his goodwill: "Hello, sister Pinlan."
The girl's eyes sparkled and she replied: "Sister Minglan is fine too."
As he said that, he glanced at his mother. When he saw Mr. Li going to serve the two old ladies, he winked at Minglan with his left eye. Minglan was startled and glanced around quickly. She became more playful and also looked at her.
The girl blinked in return, then quickly lowered the corners of her mouth, looking obedient and honest.