On May 18th, at noon in midsummer, the sky was blue and cloudless, and the sun shone straight down without any obstruction. The distant mountains and nearby trees became clear and quiet under the power of the scorching sun.
The stream was sparkling and flowing, but it still couldn't take away a trace of the heat.
Cao'e Pavilion leans against the mountain and faces the river, occupying a shaded area. It is located at the foothills of Dongshan Mountain. The terrain is higher than the other side. You can see far away. The sun shines brightly, and you can clearly see the horned eaves of Cao'e Temple on the other side.
Chen Caozhi heard Xie Daoyun say that Wang Ningzhi and Wang Hui's brothers were not as good as him. His tone was just like when Zhu Yingting said that "Yong Xu and Xie Daoyun" were far better than "Yongxu Xie Daoyun", which was obviously biased. Chen Caozhi said modestly.
: "How can I compare to the fame of the Wang brothers?"
Xie Daoyun praised Chen Caozhi to his face like this. After he said the words, he realized that he was too emotional and felt slightly embarrassed. However, seeing Chen Caozhi's self-effacement, he defended Chen Caozhi: "What's the difference? It's just that the family background is inferior."
That’s all.”
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "It would be great if everyone in the world cherishes talents as much as Brother Yingtai."
Xie Daoyun heard that Chen Caozhi's tone was a bit rough, so he looked sideways at this sixteen-year-old beautiful boy. He remembered that they first met under the Lion Rock in February. Chen Caozhi was similar in height to her, and now he is slightly taller than her. Although she is
She is so strong to win, but this girl can't compare to Chen Caozhi. There is no way to do it. No matter how hard she tries, it's useless. Who told her to be a girl?
Xie Daoyun's delicate lips evoked a smile, and he thought again, this Chen Caozhi really doesn't look like a sixteen-year-old boy. The high bridge of his nose gives people a serious and deep feeling, and his thin lips are pursed.
He doesn't need a beard, but he still has the charm of a mature man. When he looks over, his eyes are deep, clear, and insightful, and he seems to be close, yet distant, and has a hint of sadness. It's really a very strange feeling——
When he saw Chen Caozhi turning his head away, and the blood on his handsome face was condensed and white, Xie Daoyun realized that he was a little rude. How could he gaze at a man so selflessly!
In order to cover up his embarrassment, Xie Daoyun turned around and looked around. He remembered something and waved to the healthy servant who was standing in the shade of the tree under the pavilion. The healthy servant walked up quickly.
, turned around and strode away towards Xie's villa.
There were three futons placed on the tiled floor of Cao'e Pavilion. Xie Daoyun knelt down on one of the futons and asked, "Did Zizhong meet my uncle just now?"
Xie Daoyun was sitting on his knees while he was standing. Chen Caozhi was not used to it, so he knelt down on the futon opposite Xie Daoyun upright and said, "Yes, because I was in a hurry to get back to Qiantang, so I couldn't help but be a little rude."
Xie Daoyun said: "Wu people say that northerners don't care about virtue or stupidity, but only value family status. My uncle is different. When he saw your cursive calligraphy, he admired it for a long time. After reading your "A Volume of Ice and Snow Essays", he twirled his beard all the time.
Smiling, he said, "This Chen Caozhi is such a wonderful person." He then listened to me and A'er, who was Yingting. Speaking of your recorder music, my uncle was even more eager to listen to it. This time you bowed at the door and left.
But my uncle's music addiction has aroused him. My uncle likes music the most. He has lived in Dongshan for more than ten years and plays and sings endlessly. The day before yesterday, he sent someone to Shan County to ask Dai An to come - "
Chen Caozhi asked: "Dai Andao?"
Xie Daoyun said: "There are two Andaos in Jiangdong, one is Zhang Mo Zhang Andao, and the other is Dai Kui Dai Andao. They are both masters of calligraphy and painting. Dai Andao is a rising star. In the future, his reputation will be higher than that of Wei Xie and Zhang Mo. He is also proficient in music and drums.
Qin, my lyre was taught by Mr. Dean Andao——"
Chen Caozhi asked tentatively: "Dai Andao, is it the same Dai Andao that Wang Zi Youxue visited Dai at night?"
Xie Daoyun showed a beautiful smile, with pear dimples appearing on his cheeks, and said: "It turns out that Zizhong also knew about Wang Huizhi's night visit to Dai!"
Chen Caozhi thought: "It turns out that this has already happened." He said, "I have heard a little bit about it, but I don't know the details."
Xie Daoyun said: "This happened in the winter of the year before last. Wang Huizhi was practicing calligraphy and playing the piano every day at the Wang's Manor in Shanyin. He was very drunk. One time he woke up and found that it had snowed heavily at night. When he opened the window and looked out, his silver makeup was shining brightly.
, while drinking and reciting two poems from Zuo Si's "Zhao Yin", he suddenly remembered Dai Andao who lived in seclusion in Shanxi River. He couldn't wait for dawn, so he ordered a boat to go. The next day, he came to Dai's thatched cottage, but did not go to see Dai Andao.
, Zi Gu returned, and people asked him why? The answer was, 'I was traveling in a hurry, but I came back after my excitement was over, why should I see Dai!'"
Chen Caozhi smiled and said: "Brother Yingtai listened to the flute six hundred miles last time. He was more refined than Wang Ziyou. It's a pity that my song is missing. It would be good if he came back to Wu County without seeing Chen Caozhi.
."
Xie Daoyun couldn't help but laugh so hard that he made pear-shaped eyes appear, and said: "I am not Wang Huizhi. I have come six hundred miles away, and I can only be satisfied if I hear your recorder music. Zizhong was about to leave for his hometown that day, right?
Even after chasing Qian Tang, I won’t stop until I listen to the music.”
In the past when he was a classmate in Wujun, Xie Daoyun rarely smiled, presumably to cover up these two charming pear dimples. Now he smiles freely, and the pear dimples flicker in and out, like ripples on the water. His smile is really beautiful, Chen
Cao Zhi lowered his gaze, looked at Xie Daoyun's knees, and said: "Prince You is a sincere and open-minded person. The clothes you think about may not be the ones you see. If you don't like each other, you will become troubled, so you will not be able to enter."
Xie Daoyun said: "This is certainly a way of saying it, but it can also be seen from it that Wang Huizhi is a person who has a beginning but no end, and cannot be entrusted with big things."
In fact, the words that have a beginning and an end were said by Xie An. This time, Wang Ningzhi and Wang Huizhi's brothers visited Xie's villa in Dongshan to propose to Xie Daoyun. Wang Xizhi had many sons. Wang Ningzhi and Wang Huizhi were both young and admired Xie Daoyun's talent and appearance, so Wang Xizhi asked him to marry him.
The two came to Dongshan together to let Xie An and Xie Daoyun choose one of them. The unsuccessful one would marry Xie An or Xie Wan's daughter. However, Xie Daoyun has not expressed his position for a long time. Xie An has always been tolerant and did not force her, but he used Xue
The night interview with Dai said that Wang Huizhi had a beginning but no end. It seems that Xie An wanted his niece to marry Wang Ningzhi——
Chen Caozhi raised his eyes and looked at Xie Daoyun and said: "Brother Ruoying traveled hundreds of miles, but he met a common man and listened to a common song. Wouldn't it be disappointing?"
Xie Daoyun stared into Chen Caozhi's eyes and said, "But I'm not disappointed, I'm pleasantly surprised."
On both sides of the Yan River, the scorching sun shines brightly. Cao'e Pavilion, with its unique hexagonal eaves, is quiet and cool, just like a deep well. People sitting in the well sit opposite each other, not sitting in the well and looking at the sky, but having a clear understanding of the sky -
Chen Caozhi was immediately alerted that the well was too deep and he was going to sink. He stood up from his knees and said, "Brother Yingtai, I have to go on my way. If it's too late, I won't be able to catch up with Duke Du and Brother Yingting before Qian Tang."
"
Xie Daoyun sat still and said, "I won't delay your business. Please sit for a while."
Chen Caozhi knelt on the futon again, this time looking only at Xie Daoyun's knees and the long, white fingers resting on his knees.
Xie Daoyun said: "Zizhong, the last time we were by Xiaojing Lake, that moonlit night, I asked you about your ambitions. You said, 'My ambitions are indescribable. Small ones are only in front of my eyes; big ones are in the world.'"
Chen Caozhi thought to himself: "You really remember it, word for word." He nodded and said: "Yes."
Xie Daoyun said: "Zizhong is not willing to be a poor Confucian master with a bright head and poor scriptures. I don't care about your great ambitions. I want to ask you, what are your plans right now? Maybe I can help you give advice."
Xie Daoyun's eyes are sincere. She is a determined and independent woman, and she should be an intimate person.
Chen Caozhi was silent for a moment and then said: "The Chen family of Qiantang originated from Yingchuan and should not be relegated to a poor family. Now I want to let the Chen family of Qiantang return to the status of scholar."
Chen Caozhi only told his sister-in-law Ding Youwei, Xi Chao and fourth uncle Chen Xian about this matter. Xie Daoyun was the fourth person. Even Lu Weirui never mentioned it. It was not that he was estranged from Lu Weirui, but that he never mentioned it to Lu Weirui.
Thinking of this, Lu Weirui just believed that he could marry her, but as for him, he only had two words - work hard.
Xie Daoyun nodded and said: "Yes, only by returning to the status of a scholar can you show off your talents. Guest Xi appreciates you so much, so he must also have expectations for you?"
Xi Chao hoped that he would join Huan Wen's army in the future. This involved Huan Wen and Xi Chao. It is inconvenient to say more. Chen Caozhi responded: "Yes, Xi Chao also believes that I must be registered as a nobleman first."
Xie Daoyun said happily: "With the help of Mr. Xi, this can be done. However, if you gain the power of Huan Da Sima and join the gentry, it will definitely arouse the suspicion of Beidi and Sanwu gentry towards you. You must know that although Huan Da Sima is powerful,
But not all major noble clans obey him, and there are many constraints. You have to be careful about this, don't get promoted to the noble clan, but still encounter obstacles everywhere."
Chen Caozhi was wary of Xie Daoyun's talent. He really had not considered this. If he thought that he would be able to rise to prominence after joining Huan Wen's military mansion, his idea would inevitably be a bit naive. The relationship between the Northern clans, the Jiangzuo gentry, as well as the Xifu and the imperial court was complicated.
He really didn't know much about the relationship, so he nodded and said: "Brother Yingtai reminds me, I will definitely be careful."
At this time, Xie Daoyun suddenly asked: "If Zi Zhong joins the gentry, he can marry Lu Weirui, right?"
Chen Cao was astonished. This was Xie Daoyun's style when he was arguing. He had outstanding surprises and was hard to guard against——
Xie Daoyun turned his head and looked at the way he came, then stood up slowly and said, "It's difficult to join the gentry, Zi Zhong."
Chen Caozhi felt that it was necessary to express his position. Being vague and ambiguous would harm others, so he responded: "It is very difficult."
Xie Daoyun glanced at Chen Cao, forced a smile, and said: "The food box has been delivered. Zizhong can go on his way after eating his lunch."
Chen Caozhi got up and saw a healthy servant walking and a village guest carrying a load of food boxes walking towards Cao Eting. It turned out that Xie Daoyun just ordered the healthy servant back to the villa to prepare lunch for Chen Caozhi and the four of them.
Still fasting.
Xie Daoyun said: "Zizhong, I'm going back then. Say hello to Aunt Chen on your behalf."
Chen Cao Zhi Xiang Ji Bian didn't know what to say at this time. He just bowed deeply and accompanied Xie Daoyun down Cao'e Pavilion. The strong sunlight suddenly poured down, making people feel briefly dizzy. Although the tall figure beside him
It is a turban, but when walking, the outline of long legs and thin waist is revealed, giving it a graceful appearance——
Xie Daoyun walked to the oil-walled car, looked back at Chen Caozhi, and asked, "Does Zizhong have anything to say?"
This really seemed like a farewell that we would never see each other again. Chen Caozhi felt his eyes were sore and asked, "Can I see Brother Yingtai again?"
Xie Daoyun's slender eyes showed a smile and asked: "What do you think Zizhong?"
Chen Cao said: "We should see you again."
Xie Daoyun said: "That's it. I said that I will be friends with Zi Zhong forever." After that, he got into the car behind the curtain.
The little maid named Liu Xu looked deeply at Chen Cao, waved her hand and said: "Chen Langjun, have a safe trip. If the old lady is feeling better, please send someone to inform my wife."
Chen Cao said: "I will come to express my gratitude in person." Looking at the light carriage driving slowly, he suddenly remembered something and called out: "Brother Yingtai, wait a minute -"
The light car stopped, and half of Xie Daoyun's face was exposed from the car window, but she had already removed her scarf, untied her bun, and her long hair was hanging down. Liu Xu, the maid, knelt behind her and was about to dress her up.
You always have to change into a woman's dress in the villa. Seeing Chen Caozhi this time, you can see how much effort it takes.
The sun was shining brightly outside the car window. Xie Daoyun covered his forehead with one hand like an awning, and with his heart pounding, he asked, "What's the matter with Zizhong?"
Chen Caozhi approached and asked: "I asked my uncle to thank Yuzhou for the northern expedition soon?"
Xie Daoyun was surprised why Chen Caozhi asked this, and nodded: "Yes, my fourth uncle stationed troops in Cai, waiting for orders from the court."
Chen Cao had never read "Book of Jin" in his previous life, and his understanding of Xie Wan's Northern Expedition was limited to "Shishuo Xinyu" and its related annotations. He only knew that after Xie Wan's defeat, he was stripped of his official position and exempted from being a commoner.
, died of depression the next year. Yuzhou, the foundation of Chenjun Xie's business for many years, was classified by Huan Wen into his sphere of influence. Chenjun Xie faced an unprecedented crisis, so Xie An had to leave.
At this time, Chen Caozhi faced the first major historical event. He felt that he was humble. Even if he knew that some things would happen in advance, he was powerless in his current status. The fate of prophets is often sad, but Xie Daoyun was his
My confidant, if I don't remind you, I will feel uneasy and say: "I am afraid that this northern expedition will not be successful, so Xie Yuzhou has to be careful."
Xie Daoyun stared at Chen Caozhi. If someone else had said this, she would have refuted it long ago. But now she smiled and said: "Zizhong, when did you know how to use soldiers again? This is what Xi Chao said to you, right?
, Well, my third uncle also has this worry. My third uncle will write a letter to remind my fourth uncle. Thank you Zi Zhong."
Chen Caozhi watched Youbi Qingqi drive away and thought: "I can only do this one step. I don't know what effect it will have."
The Xie family's villager also went back with the load of food boxes he left behind.
Chen Caozhi, Laizhen, Jing Nu, and Lingyou, a traveler from Qiguang Temple, had lunch under Cao'e Pavilion and then set off. When Chen Caozhi boarded the car, he saw a boat floating upstream of the Shan River, and there was a faint sound.
The sound of the lyre is like a summer breeze, refreshing -
Chen Caozhi sat in the carriage and thought to himself: "The drummer must be Dai Kui and Dai Andao. He was invited to attend Xie An's Dongshan gathering. I didn't see Dai when I visited him on a snowy night, but I will definitely meet him this time."
Then I thought: "Can Xie Daoyun still be friends with me after marrying Wang Ningzhi? Well, it should be possible. According to historical records, Wang Xianzhi argued with the guests, and his reasoning was poor. Xie Daoyun sat behind the screen with a curtain to replace Xiaolang Wang Xianzhi and argued with the guests.
The guest is resigned to the defeat - when I see Xie Daoyun in the future, I will have to be separated by curtains and screens, right?"
