Fifty-eight, once you meet someone, you will be determined for life
Mrs. Lu Zhang Wenwan said: "It was that time when I went to Huqiu to appreciate peonies, right? Because of the arrival of the prefect He, I went back halfway, and you went to visit the mountains with Chen Caozhi - well, it's my fault too, I shouldn't have left you alone.
The opportunity to get along, look at it, all the moles on the girl’s ankles have been noticed, isn’t that embarrassing?”
Lu Weirui blushed to her neck and did not dare to express her anger. She thought to herself: "Fortunately, Aunt Zhang only thought that Mr. Chen saw my mole when I took off my socks and shoes to swim across the stream. If she knew that I took off my shoes and socks specifically to show Mr. Chen
You see, I’m going to be so embarrassed.”
Zhang Wenwan said: "Put away the painting and cover your face. How long can you cover it?"
Lu Weirui slowly put away the painting, lowering her head and not daring to look at Aunt Zhang. Her sweetness and shyness could not stop the heavy worry in her heart.
Zhang Wenwan asked: "That Chen Caozhi knew it was your birthday today, did you tell him?"
Lu Weirui couldn't hide it, so she bit her lip and responded.
Zhang Wenwan said quietly: "He is a thoughtful person. In terms of character and talent alone, Sanwu's younger generation really can't choose anyone better than Chen Caozhi. This painting is no less than the idiot of the Gu family."
It’s really a pity for someone’s talent, but you absolutely can’t marry him—”
Lu Weirui mustered up her courage and said, "Aunt Zhang, but I - I really like Chen Langjun -" her face was so red that she was bleeding, but this time she did not lower her head to avoid Aunt Zhang's gaze.
Mrs. Lu Zhang Wenwan stared at Lu Weirui for a while, then looked away, looking at the lotus leaves in the middle of the lake, and said: "The Chen family in Qiantang is too low-ranking. It is impossible for our Lu family to marry with them. You haven't considered this."
?"
Lu Weirui chuckled and said, "Aunt Zhang, I heard that the Chen family of Qiantang has been registered as a scholar."
Zhang Wenwan smiled and said: "You are a young lady who never leaves home, and you know a lot of things. Could it be that Chen Caozhi sent someone to tell you?"
Lu Weirui quickly shook her head and said, "No, no, I just listened to what the stewards said."
Zhang Wenwan said: "Speaking of which, Chen Caozhi is really powerful. Didn't Chu Jian, the former Prime Minister of Wu County, always want to suppress this fellow countryman? The rumors were also spread by the Chu family. Well, are they rumors?" He glanced at Lu Weirui, and then
Said: "Now the Chu family in Qiantang has been completely defeated, and even his scholar status has been deprived. Last time when Wang Shao, the son of Prime Minister Wang, came to visit your father, he specifically asked to see the "Picture of Huan Yi Presenting a Flute". Wang Shao said to Chen Cao
They praised Chen Caozhi very much, saying that Chen Caozhi had the demeanor of Xia Houxuan and Liu Kun, and his future would be limitless. The descendants of the Langya Wang family were all arrogant, and it was really rare to be willing to praise someone like this. Moreover, he was from a humble family, no, a second-class one.
Children of the noble clan!"
Lu Weirui didn't know that Wang Shao, the internal historian of Yangzhou, came to Huating. When Aunt Zhang said that Wang Dao's son also praised Chen Caozhi, Lu Weirui's heart was sweeter than drinking honey——
But I heard Aunt Zhang continue to say: "But no matter how handsome and outstanding Chen Caozhi is, his family background cannot be changed. It is his success to become a scholar from a poor family, but the gap between the inferior nobles and our three high-ranking families is very big."
Obviously, this cannot be changed by Chen Cao alone. It is the accumulation of family generations. As far as the Lu family is concerned, the ancestors Boyangong and Youjie are from the previous dynasty. Let’s not mention it. Let’s just talk about Yongjia.
In the more than 40 years since we traveled south, our Lu family in Wu County has produced two high-ranking officials in the third division of Kaifu Yitong. They are Ru Bozu and Ru Zu. These illustrious families are comparable to those of the Langya Wang family and the Yingchuan Yu family.
, How can the Xie family of Chen County be inferior to other northern families! And if the Chen family of Qiantang wants to reach the status of the Lu family of Wu County, even if there are many outstanding children, it will not take a hundred years to accumulate, is that okay? "
Lu Weirui followed Zhang Wenwan silently for a while, raised her head and said with tears: "But Aunt Zhang, I like Chen Langjun very much, what should I do?"
Mrs. Lu Zhang Wenwan looked at Lu Weirui's pitiful appearance, feeling angry and distressed at the same time, and said: "Weirui, how can you make your own decision on this matter of marriage? Don't talk about women, men can't make their own decisions either. Listen to Zhang
As for my aunt, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a suitable husband among the high-ranking families in Wu County and Kuaiji. Isn’t marriage like this in this world? Many women may have had a man they fell in love with when they were young, but they married another man. No.
Do you want to have children for the rest of your life? What’s past is past—”
Lu Weirui said: "Aunt Zhang, if I hadn't met Chen Langjun, then it wouldn't matter who I married according to my parents, but now I have met Chen Langjun, I have Chen Langjun in my heart, and I also think of Chen Langjun in my dreams.
Mr. Lang, if you ask me to marry someone else again, I can’t do it. I might die——”
Zhang Wenwan was shocked when he heard this. He looked at Lu Weirui. Lu Weirui didn't have that resolute expression, but was still calm and gentle. But Zhang Wenwan knew that Lu Weirui's temperament seemed gentle, but was actually stubborn. Unlike her father,
Lu Na has a temper. If he says so, then he will really do this——
Zhang Wenwan was angry and anxious. She originally thought that Lu Weirui just liked Chen Caozhi. Any young woman who saw a handsome young man like Chen Caozhi would be a little bit fond of him. She never expected that Lu Weirui fell into such a deep trap.
He actually said something so damning that he said angrily: "What did Chen Caozhi say to you, so that you are so determined?"
Lu Weirui said: "Chen Langjun asked me to wait for him, and he will definitely come and marry me."
Zhang Wenwan said angrily: "Chen Caozhi, a deceitful disciple, uses such sweet words to deceive you. How can he marry you?"
Lu Weirui said: "Aunt Zhang, I will not marry anyone but Mr. Chen."
Zhang Wenwan was so angry that he burst into tears and said, "Okay, okay, I'm not your biological mother. If you don't listen to me, my love for you will be in vain -"
Lu Weirui took Zhang Wenwan's hand and knelt down on the gravel ground on the lakeshore. She raised her face and sobbed: "Aunt Zhang, you are Weirui's mother. It's not that Weirui doesn't listen to her mother, it's because Weirui really likes Chen."
Langjun, let alone being with Langjun Chen, just thinking about it makes me feel happy. If you force me to marry someone else, I will be sad for the rest of my life. Mother, please help Wei Rui——"
Zhang Wenwan was childless and regarded Wei Rui as his own child. Now when he heard Wei Rui call her mother, he couldn't help but feel soft. He also saw her crying sadly. He felt very distressed. He helped Lu Wei Rui up and sighed: "Wei Rui, it's not that I don't help.
You, how can I help you with this kind of thing? Your father loves you so much that he might be moved by you and allow you to marry Chen Caozhi, but your second uncle Lu Shi and fifth uncle Lu Chen can't say anything.
Promise, this is a matter for the whole family and you can't afford it."
Lu Weirui cried: "Chen Langjun is not a bad person with no character, no talent, no morals and no conduct. Uncle, uncle, why are they so opposed to it!"
Zhang Wenwan gently hugged the heartbroken Lu Weirui and comforted him: "Chen Langjun is very good, and my Weirui is very discerning, but this is not a person's problem, but a family problem. No one can do anything about it.
For example, if your brother Lu Qin wants to marry a poor man, no, a girl from a lower-class noble family, your second uncle will have to break his legs -" He stroked Lu Weirui's soft back and said softly: "Okay.
Okay, don’t cry anymore, Aunt Zhang promised to help you, isn’t it? Let’s slowly think of a way, okay?”
This is Zhang Wenwan's tactic to delay the war. It is not possible to be tough like Wei Rui. Anyway, Chen Caozhi has to observe filial piety for more than a year. It is impossible for him to run out to see Wei Rui during the period of filial piety. After more than a year, he should be able to let everyone know.
Wei Rui gradually forgot about Chen Caozhi.
Lu Weirui slowly stopped crying. She was very smart and knew that Aunt Zhang was perfunctory, but she finally let Aunt Zhang understand her thoughts, so that she would not have to keep some things in her heart. She thought: "Dad, uncle, uncle can stop it."
I will marry Chen Caozhi, but if I want to marry someone else, I have to be willing to do so, and it is impossible to tie me away."
Thinking about this, Lu Weirui felt a little more confident. She lowered her head and saw that the scroll in her hand was wet with tears. She exclaimed "Ah", worried that her tears would stain the ink. She quickly unfolded the scroll and looked at it. Fortunately, this
Then he breathed a sigh of relief and thought to himself: "Although there is no Chen Langjun in this painting, Chen Langjun is everywhere. He is looking at me and painting me——"
Mrs. Lu Zhang Wenwan looked at Lu Weirui's foolish look and shook her head secretly.
…
On August 13, Lai De returned to Chenjiawu and reported to Chen Caozhi how he had sent the paintings to Mrs. Lu. Ding Youwei was also there with his two children. The two children came to ask Uncle Chou for advice.
Always keep your ears open.
Ding Youwei saw Chen Caozhi frowning, knowing that Xiao Lang was worried about Lu Weirui, so he comforted him: "Xiao Lang, Miss Lu is going to marry into my Chen family. She will definitely have to suffer some grievances. It will not go smoothly.
But don’t worry, in June last year, my sister-in-law had a long talk with Wei Rui. This Lu girl is soft on the outside but strong on the inside. She is very independent and is infatuated with the young man——"
At this point, Ding Youwei turned to Zongzhi and Run'er said: "What are you two little guys talking about? Let's go outside and play for a while. Xiao Sheng will take them out."
Zongzhi and Run'er followed Ran Sheng out, and Ding Youwei said: "Lu Shijun loves his daughter very much. Even if he doesn't agree with Wei Rui to marry you, he won't punish her too much. Wei Rui has a deep affection for Xiao Lang, and she can persist.
My sister-in-law went to Huating to visit her in mid-October——"
Chen Cao said: "I am afraid that the people of the Lu family will express their anger towards my sister-in-law and make her feel wronged."
Ding Youwei said: "I'm not afraid, as long as I can see Wei Rui."
Chen Caozhi said gratefully: "Thank you very much, sister-in-law."
Ding Youwei said: "Thank you. Auntie is not here. It's right for my sister-in-law to worry about you. My sister-in-law believes that Xiao Lang can marry Miss Lu into our Chen family. Think about it two years ago, who would believe that Qian Tang and Chen family can
By becoming a scholar, I can defeat the Lu family and the Chu family. It took Xiaolang two years to accomplish this. My sister-in-law thinks that in another two years, Xiaolang will be able to marry a girl from the Lu family."
Run'er poked her head in from the door and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, uncle Chou is going to marry aunt Chou. The first lady in Wu County is my aunt Chou. It sounds so loud." After that, there was a sound like a silver bell.
Laughter burst out and people ran away.
Ding You stood up with a smile and walked out of the hut. He saw Run'er running quickly to the other side of the hillside. The tall and strong Ran Sheng was holding a big mulberry bow, preparing to shoot an arrow for Zongzhi and Run'er to see.
Ding Youwei stood on the mountainside of Yuhuang Mountain, looking towards Jiuyao Mountain and Chenjiawu. The autumn air was crisp and the geese were flying high. The vast land from Yuhuang Mountain to Jiuyao Mountain was busy everywhere. Tenants were expanding their cultivated land, experienced farmers
We are trying to grow two-crop rice according to Chen Caozhi's suggestion, and we must make full use of the land to make profits; on the west side of Jiuyao Mountain, there is a large breeding farm where six livestock are grazed, including chickens, pigs, geese, and ducks; Mingsheng Lake is because of the previous
It is a saltwater lake that has never been paid attention to. The Chen family of Qiantang built the fishery on the east bank of the lake. In the spring of next year, a large number of mulberry saplings and fruit tree saplings will be planted at the southern foot of Jiuyao Mountain. Now some easy-to-plant fruit saplings have been planted in Jiuyao Mountain.
The southern foothills of the mountain are taking root, showing green vitality; the northern foothills of Yuhuang Mountain will be planted with tea trees, and other pottery fields, blacksmith shops, and papermaking fields are being constructed in an orderly manner. From May to now, for more than a hundred days, within a radius of more than ten miles,
The outline of a majestic farmhouse and manor begins to appear——
Chen Caozhi stepped out of the hut, stood next to his sister-in-law Ding Youwei, looked into the distance together, and said with a smile: "The stall is too big, Qiantang Chen is now heavily in debt, and owes two million yuan."
In addition to the money owed to the tenants for selling the land, the Qiantang Chen family also borrowed 500,000 yuan from Ding Youwei's mother's family and Liujiabao respectively. Chenjiawu expanded rapidly by operating with debt.
Ding Youwei said: "Xiao Lang's courage is astonishing. My uncle and Patriarch Liu estimated the day before yesterday that the debts owed to Tang and Chen can be paid off within three years. By then, Chen's villa will become Qian Tang's leading large estate. Think about it.
It makes people happy.”
…
Ding Youwei has been mourning for Qi Shui for a year. Chen's mother, Li, passed away on the eighth day of October last year. On the eighth day of October this year, she was discharged from mourning. Zongzhi and Run'er were also discharged. The two children have been unable to eat meat for a year.
Even fruits and melons cannot be eaten, which is really painful for the child.
On October 15th, Ding Youwei took Axiu and Yuyan, borrowed four sword-wielding tribesmen from his uncle Ding Yi, and led the way to Lu's Manor in Huating to visit Lu Weirui. On the twenty-first of the month, Ding Youwei and his entourage came to Huating and gave way first.
Lai De went to the Lu family's villa to inquire. Lai De came back and said that Miss Lu was not in Huating. She had been taken to Jiankang by her father last month, and Mrs. Lu Zhang also went with her.
Ding Youwei had no choice but to go back sadly. When he returned, he told Xiaolang that he couldn't help but feel worried about Lu Weirui, because he heard that Lu Shi, the leader of the Lu family, was stubborn and strict, and he was afraid that Lu Weirui would be harshly criticized by his uncle.
One day in early November, Xie Daoyun sent a servant from Jiankang to Chenjiawu, saying that she had received the music score that Chen Caozhi asked Chen Shang to bring to her at the beginning of the year, and she was very happy. She also said that she had heard that Lu Weirui had arrived in Jiankang.
Then Kong Wang, a descendant of the Kong family in Kuaiji, came to propose marriage. Lu Shi actually refused to discuss with his brother Lu Na and made the decision to marry him. Lu Na was helpless because Lu Weirui was determined not to marry, while Jiankang Shishu criticized Kong Wang greatly.
It is said that Kong Wang took advantage of Chen Caozhi's filial piety to his mother to win the love of others, and was not a gentleman. If he wanted to propose marriage to the Lu family, he should wait for Chen Caozhi to submit to Jiankang, and then compete with Chen Caozhi for his talents.
——Kong Wang was so embarrassed that he couldn't stay in Jiankang, so he hurriedly resigned from the marriage and returned to Kuaiji. He also said that Huan Wen was granted the title of Duke of Nanjun, his younger brother Huan Chong was made Duke of Fengcheng County, and his son Huanji was made Linhe County.
Gong, Long Kanghuan's family, is like the sun in the sky.
Xie Daoyun's letter was filled with thousands of words and mentioned everything that Chen Caozhi was concerned about, except for herself.