"Mr. Duke? Why are you here?" Catherine quickly put down the wine cup and stood up.
Zhang Yanling bowed and said: "Miss Catherine, please forgive me for being abrupt. I was walking in the garden and saw the lights on here. I guess you haven't had a rest yet, so I came to see you."
Catherine snorted and said, "That's it. Your Excellency, please take a seat."
Zhang Yanling thanked her and walked to the table to sit down. Catherine looked at Zhang Yanling and saw that he was staring at her. When she lowered her head, she saw that her thin skirt had a large patch of light red after it had been wet by wine.
stained by wine. So he blushed.
"Your Majesty, please sit down for a moment. I'll excuse you for a moment."
Zhang Yanling smiled and nodded, and Catherine quickly entered the inner room and closed the door.
Zhang Yanling looked around. There were books and papers everywhere in the room, which seemed a bit messy. There was a strange piece of furniture in the corner of the room, which seemed to be a table or a coffee table, neither fish nor fowl.
Zhang Yanling turned her gaze to the desk, where lines of writing were written on the messy pile of paper. Some were Chinese characters, and some were letters, which should be the language of the Franconian country.
He was drawing and making circles, and it seemed that he had spent a lot of effort and racked his brains to write something.
Zhang Yanling's eyes fell on a piece of paper, which was the piece of paper that Catherine was holding just now. Zhang Yanling picked up the piece of paper, and what was written on it was the poem that Catherine had recited just now.
Zhang Yanling read carefully. Although Catherine's Chinese characters were not pretty, and were crooked like a child learning to write. But she was able to write poems in Chinese characters and write them down, which surprised Zhang Yanling. She didn't expect Catherine to be so good at writing.
The palm of the Ming Dynasty
To be able to master and use it to such a level. Being able to speak is one thing, being able to write is another level. Being able to use words to write articles and poems means that you have reached a very high level. That is, many people in the Ming Dynasty,
I have never seen anyone who can read, hyphenate, and write.
"Your Majesty Duke... don't look at it... I wrote it randomly. Don't look at it, you will laugh at me."
Catherine's voice came, and the scent of rosemary hit her, and the paper in Zhang Yanling's hand was taken away. Catherine put the paper away shyly, and at the same time quickly packed away the papers on the table.
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "Don't hide it. I heard you reading this poem just now. It was very well written. How could I laugh at you? I can't write such a poem. I didn't expect that you are still a
A woman of great talent and talent. I admire her, I admire her so much."
Catherine became even more shy and said softly: "I was just bored and writing blindly. Your Excellency, please don't laugh at me."
Zhang Yanling shook his head and said seriously: "I am telling the truth. What you wrote is called "Sonnet", right? Isn't it a popular poetry format in your country of France and even Europe?"
Catherine's eyes widened in surprise and she said: "Your Majesty the Duke...how do you know?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "This Duke knows everything and knows everything."
Catherine was stunned, then laughed. She nodded and said, "Your Majesty, the Duke, is naturally well-informed, so it's not surprising that he knows this. Your Majesty, Duke, would you like some wine?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Okay, let's have a drink."
Catherine turned around and walked away to pour wine for Zhang Yanling. Zhang Yanling noticed that she had changed her clothes, combed her hair, and was wearing a pair of velvet slippers. The wrinkled nightgown she was wearing had been replaced by a light-colored long skirt.
The blond hair was also combed behind her head and tied up with a cloth belt. Her neck was exposed, slender and white. Catherine is indeed a great beauty. Compared with Helena, she is plumper, mature and more charming.
Catherine brought the wine glass over and handed it to Zhang Yanling. Zhang Yanling saw that the wine was cherry red in color and was very pleased. So he took a big sip. He felt that it was clear, sweet and tasted very delicious.
“Good wine!”
Zhang Yanling praised, opened his mouth and drank the wine.
Catherine walked over with a smile, brought the whole bottle of wine, and filled another glass for Zhang Yanling. Zhang Yanling drained it in one gulp, like a cow drinking. After drinking, she let out a long sigh.
Catherine silently filled up the wine again, but Zhang Yanling did not drink any more.
"The Duke seems to have something on his mind." Catherine sat down slowly and said softly.
"How do you know?" Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
"It's already very late, but the Duke is walking in the garden without sleeping. He must have something on his mind," Catherine said.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Then tell me, what's on my mind?"
Catherine said: "How do I know the Duke's thoughts? But I guess it's either a major event in the army, or... you are worried about Helena and the others' safety. By the way, maybe you are homesick. Your wife
We are both in the Ming Empire. We have been apart for so long, so we must be missing each other very much."
Zhang Yanling laughed: "I really have a lot of troubles. But you are right. I do miss my family and I am worried about Helena and her daughter. Aren't you worried about Helena?"
Catherine said solemnly: "Of course I'm worried too, but it's useless for me to worry. We can only be anxious, but we can't help. All I can do is pray for them every day and hope that everything goes well for them.
.”
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "That's right, worrying is useless. What we can do is limited, we can only depend on their luck. If the result is not good, there is nothing we can do about it. She has made a choice, and she will naturally have to bear the consequences. Success or failure,
Life or death is your choice."
Catherine was silent.
Zhang Yanling said: "Do you think what I said is heartless?"
Catherine shook her head and said: "No. What the Duke said is actually right. Everyone must pay the price for their own choices. Others can't help. I also advised her at the beginning, and I believe the Duke also advised her.
Hers, but Helena chose to go back with Mr. Almeida without any regrets. Then, she herself must be well prepared."
Zhang Yanling nodded, picked up the wine glass and took a sip.
"Just like my father...he made his choice, and he can't blame others for the final result. As his daughter, no matter how much I want to help him, I can't. In fact, at the moment of choice, maybe
The outcome is destined. No matter whether others worry, persuade, or try their best to help, it seems that it is difficult to change the outcome. This may be fate." Catherine said softly.
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Miss Catherine, I didn't expect you to be such a wise person."
Catherine smiled, shook her head and said: "I can't be called wise. On the contrary, I am a pessimistic person. I am a person who has been teased by the master of fate."
Zhang Yanling knew what she meant. Catherine was pessimistic. Her experience was so bumpy, and she was indeed a miserable person with a bad fate.
"There is a saying in the Ming Dynasty called 'My destiny is determined by me and not by God', which means that people's destiny can be changed and is not dominated by fate. You people in Franji believe in God and feel that everything is dominated by God. But we
I don’t think so. Everything depends on people. As long as you do everything you should do, I believe there will be good results." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Of course, these words are naturally meant to comfort Catherine. In fact, there are many contradictions in Chinese culture, and the views are complex and sometimes even contradictory. My destiny is determined by me and cannot be controlled by heaven, but there are also plans for man and God for success.
It makes people feel helpless.
"Thank you, Lord Duke. I understand." Catherine smiled.
Zhang Yanling nodded, turned to look at the room, and said with a smile: "Miss Catherine seems to be locked in the room every day during this period, right?"
Catherine said: "I have nothing to do, and I am from the Franco Kingdom. It is not good to walk around casually. The Duke didn't tell me anything, so I can only stay in the house."
Zhang Yanling said: "Are you reading a book? These are the books left by your father?"
Catherine nodded and said: "Yes. During this period of time, I have read a lot of books and gained a lot of insights. Some of my father's books are not interesting to me, but some are quite interesting. Anyway, it's okay. I might as well read and learn a lot.
Long experience.”
Zhang Yanling said: "I have read more than ten thousand volumes, and my writing is full of energy. It seems that Miss Catherine has become a poet. The sonnet just now was very well written, with great literary talent. Miss Catherine can write more. Maybe
I can become a great poet in the future."
Catherine's face turned red and she said, "It's just random writing. I feel something in my heart, so I just write random verses for my own entertainment. I don't want to become a great poet. The Duke must be laughing at me in his heart."
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said: "No, I'm just curious, why do you use my Ming Dynasty words to write poems?"
Catherine said: "I wrote it in the language of my country of Franco, but it was just translated into the language of the Ming Dynasty. I think that our country of France and your Ming Empire are far away from each other, and the languages are quite different.
Different. If we can communicate with each other, maybe there will be no conflicts. I want to try
Can you try to make the languages of the two countries more accessible? For example, I can translate the books of our country of Franco into your language, and I can also translate your books into the language of our country of Franco, so that both sides can
If we can understand each other, there will be fewer misunderstandings and perhaps fewer conflicts."
Zhang Yanling laughed and nodded: "Very good, this is a good idea. I support you in doing this. This is a meaningful thing."
Catherine looked at Zhang Yanling with wide eyes and said, "Your Majesty, the Duke, do you think it's feasible? Do you think it makes sense?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "Of course. Conflicts originate from misunderstandings. Improving understanding can help resolve conflicts. Naturally, it is a meaningful thing."
Catherine's face was filled with joy. Zhang Yanling looked at her happy look and thought to herself: Silly girl, you are too naive. Everything in the world is for profit, and everything in the world is for profit. Conflicts are because of interests. Where there are interests,
There are disputes wherever they are. Even if you translate ten thousand books, it will be useless. In this world, if you are backward, you will be enslaved, abused, occupied, plundered and slaughtered. It has little to do with understanding or ignorance.
But Zhang Yanling really didn't want to say these words, and didn't want to ruin the beautiful wishes of an innocent girl.
"That poem is well written, but a little sad. Our Ming Dynasty also has a kind of poetry called ci, and the length and short format are also fixed. It is for singing. I wonder if your sonnet can be sung?" Zhang Yanling
Change the topic and want to talk about something lighter.
Catherine said: "Of course. There is a kind of opera in our kingdom, and the lyrics are verses. Naturally, sonnets can be sung as lyrics."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "You sang hymns at the Cross Square that day, and you sang them beautifully. Why don't you sing them out and let me appreciate them?"
Catherine was in a daze, wondering why Zhang Yanling made such a request.
"Oh, if you don't want to, that's it. I just... want to relax my mood. As you know, I've been in a bad mood recently. This request is a bit abrupt, so forget it and leave." Zhang Yanling stood up and said.
Catherine hurriedly said: "No, no, no, it's not rude. Catherine is willing to sing for the Duke. As it happens, I have a piano here, so I will sing it for you."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "There are also musical instruments? That would be even better."
Catherine smiled, picked up the candlestick and walked to the piece of furniture that didn't look like a cabinet or a table. She placed the candlestick on it. She stretched out her hand and lifted up the long wooden board to reveal a row of piano keys.
Zhang Yanling was shocked, isn't this just a piano? There were already pianos at this time?
But when she saw Catherine reaching for two small pointed mallets and tapping the keys lightly, a sweet sound came from the piano. Only then did Zhang Yanling realize that this was not a piano. It was a percussion instrument. Maybe it was a piano.
The predecessor of the piano. Because the keys are very large and widely spaced, and there are not as many keys as there are on the piano. Therefore, the fingers cannot handle them and have to be struck with a mallet. But the sound is still beautiful.
Catherine whispered: "Your Majesty, I have made a fool of myself."
Zhang Yanling stood aside with a wine glass and said with a smile: "Please!"
Catherine's hands flew up and struck the keys, and a sweet voice came out. Soon after, Catherine's deep and melodious voice sounded, and she sang the poem. She used the language of her native country, which may make it easier to sing beautifully.
Her voice is very beautiful, with a touch of sadness. She sings a kind of aria, which is complex and long, and goes straight to the heart. Zhang Yanling didn't know how to appreciate Western music at first, but now she knows the meaning of the poem, and Catherine
His voice and expression are extremely contagious, and it is really mesmerizing to listen to it.
Suddenly, the light in the room dimmed. But the candle on the candlestick burned to the end and went out. Catherine kept singing, and Zhang Yanling did not move her body. Until Catherine's deep voice finished singing the last line, Zhang Yanling was also immersed in the atmosphere of the song.
In the midst of it, he didn't move at all. His thoughts were swirling in his heart, but there was no resonance.
After a long time, Zhang Yanling came back to her senses. But she saw Catherine sitting quietly, the moonlight outside the screen window quietly shining in, shining on her beautiful face, holy and beautiful.
Zhang Yanling looked at Catherine's face and saw that her eyes were shining and she was looking at him dreamily.