Ding Youwei's aunt Wu personally came to the small courtyard where Ding Youwei lived. She looked particularly kind and brought gifts to Chen Caozhi's uncle and nephew. Chen Caozhi and Chen Zongzhi were two pieces of Lantian jade pei respectively, and one of the four exquisite study treasures.
Run'er got a pair of white jade bead bracelets and a child's ivory Ruyi.
Chen Zongzhi seemed to realize that the purpose of this old woman's coming here was to take away his mother, with angry eyes. If Chen Caozhi had not restrained her, the eight-year-old boy would not have accepted those gifts.
Wu praised Chen's uncle and nephew in an exaggerated tone, and then went into the small hall to talk to Ding Youwei alone. As expected, they were talking about Qian Tang's marriage proposal. She said that the widower named Chu Wenqian was more handsome than Pan An.
Sheng Zijian, the implication seems to be that Ding Youwei is lucky to marry such a good man, so she must not shirk this good match.
Ding Youwei remained silent. Later, when he heard his aunt talking more and more outrageously, and slandering Chen Qingzhi in order to promote Chu Wenqian, he finally couldn't help it and said lightly: "Aunt, the late king betrothed Youwei to Qingzhi when he was still alive.
, it depends on the talents of Chongqing, so even if Xiaowei wants to marry again, regardless of his family background, he must have talents that are not inferior to Qingzhi."
Mrs. Wu wished that Ding Youwei would get married immediately, and said hurriedly: "The Chu family and I, the Ding family, both belong to a wealthy Qiantang family, with a family tradition of poetry and etiquette, and a strict family tradition. This Chu Wenqian has been known as a child prodigy since he was a child, and his talent is so high that it is difficult for Chen Qing to compare with him.
"
Ding Youwei asked: "I wonder if Chu Wenqian is more valuable than Geng?"
Wu hesitated for a moment and then said, "I'm told that he is probably forty, but he is fair and handsome, and looks like someone in his thirties."
Chu Wenqian is forty-four years old and Ding Youwei is twenty-six years old. There is an age difference of eighteen years. However, Ding Youwei does not seem to care about this age gap. He just asked: "I have the reputation of a child prodigy and I am over forty. I wonder where I live now."
Is there an important position, or is there any famous poetry or prose?"
Wu hesitated and said: "This old woman doesn't know. Your uncle naturally knows."
Ding Youwei said: "Youwei wants to see my uncle."
Wu saw that although Ding Youwei didn't agree with her, but her attitude seemed to be moved, she said happily: "Well, you can go with the old woman and ask some questions. The old woman is wondering if the children of the Chu family are...
You will wrong me, Miss Ding."
Ding Youwei took Yuyan and Axiu to the main hall of the villa with her aunt. When she was leaving the courtyard, she glanced back at Chen Caozhi. Chen Caozhi was also looking at her and nodded and smiled at her. Ding Youwei's originally uneasy heart calmed down a little.
, also smiled, waved to Zongzhi and Run'er, took the curtain hat from Xiaochan's hand and put it on, put down the white veil that covered her face, and followed her aunt in a zigzag manner through five courtyards, arriving at
In the main hall of the villa, enter through the side door and come to a small room behind the hall. There is an exquisite bamboo curtain separating the small room from the main hall.
Wu asked the steward to ask the clan leader to come out first. Ding Youwei knelt down and sat on the reed mat next to the bamboo curtain to wait. The bamboo curtain was sparsely carved, and you could vaguely hear her uncle talking to two men with unfamiliar accents, because the living room was dark.
, if you get closer to the bamboo curtain, you can see the figures in the hall, but Ding Youwei didn't even want to see if that Chu Wenqian was more beautiful than Pan An. She just straightened her waist and knelt down silently, her heart "pounding"
Ground jump.
Ding Yi, the head of the Ding clan, was once the keeper of the Seventh Grade Middle School and was now at home. When he heard that his niece Ding Youwei had arrived, he frowned slightly and apologized to the two distinguished guests. Instead of coming in through the bamboo curtain, he took a detour through the side door.
Go to the small room.
After Ding Youwei saluted his uncle, Ding Yi, with his black gauze hat and white beard, was not in a hurry to speak. He just looked at Ding Youwei and said after a while: "Youwei, your aunt has already told you, what do you think?
?”
Ding Youwei repeated what he had said to his aunt before. Ding Yisu looked down on Chen Qingzhi. Of course, he would not show it so obviously in front of his niece. He twitched the corner of his mouth with a mocking smile: "Qingzhi's "The Analects of Confucius"
He is quite proficient in "Mao Shi", and both Wujun and Lu Shijun appreciate him. However, Qingzhi has nothing outstanding in the six arts of a gentleman - etiquette, music, archery, imperialism, calligraphy, and mathematics. Besides, Qingzhi has already mastered it.
So, how do you ask Mr. Chu to compete with him in talent? Isn’t this a joke!”
Ding Youwei endured the shame and anger and said: "The Chen family of Qiantang is also the heir of poetry and etiquette. Although Qingzhi passed away, his younger brother Cao Zhi was taught by Qingzhi, so he can compete with Chu Jun on behalf of his brother."
Ding Yi sneered: "It is a shame for a high-ranking scholar to associate with a low-ranking commoner and compete in arts? Huh, it's simply fantastic."
Ding Youwei's voice trembled slightly, but his attitude was resolute: "My uncle is not even willing to help Youwei with this little thing, so Youwei would rather die than get married."
Ding Yi knew that his niece had a strong temper and did not dare to push her too hard. If she was really forced to die, Ding's reputation would plummet. He also thought that this might be just Ding Youwei's excuse. Youwei was actually willing to marry.
Reputation deliberately threw out such a pretense of showing off his skills to show that she, Ding Youwei, was interested in Chu Wenqian's talent. Otherwise, Youwei was quite talented herself, so why would she let a minor like Chen Caozhi compete on behalf of her late brother?
?He had seen that Chen Caozhi two years earlier. He was fair and thin, with a dull speech. He was famous for being filial to his widowed mother, but he had never heard of him having any intellectual talents——
Ding Yi thought he had understood his niece's intentions, and smiled while holding his beard. He felt that this was not bad, it was just elegant and charming, and said: "Youwei, why do you have to say such strong words! Your father and mother have both passed away, so of course my uncle wants to
It's your decision. I can agree to your request, but you have to think clearly. In addition to Mr. Chu, the person who came to my Ding's villa today is also a nobleman who holds an important position in the court and has a prominent reputation - you, really want to
Let Chen Caozhi come out and compete with Chu Jun?"
Ding Youwei thought to himself: "There are other dignitaries present? That would be better. Xiaolang has surpassed that Chu Wenqian in his skills. Chu Wenqian will definitely retreat in shame because of his face." He nodded and said: "Yes."
Ding Yi smiled and asked again: "What kind of art is it?"
Ding Youwei said: "Calligraphy is one of the six arts, so let's win with calligraphy."
Ding Yi thought to himself: "Children of the gentry have been practicing calligraphy since they were young. Although Chu Wenqian is not famous for his talent, he is over forty years old and his calligraphy is not bad at all. He will not be inferior to a boy." He said: "Okay, I will."
Now go and tell Mr. Chu, treat it like a game - but my uncle has said it first, if you continue to shirk and refuse to get married afterwards, then my Tang Ding family will not have a girl like you!"
Ding Yi returned to the front hall with a bright smile, and said to the two distinguished guests in the hall: "Brother Zijing, Wen Qian, there is a funny thing happening. Chen Qingzhi's younger brother Chen Caozhi came here yesterday to visit Youwei. He learned that
Youwei wanted to propose marriage to Wen Qian, but she was very angry and said that she wanted to compete with Wen Qian in calligraphy. You two, tell me, is this ridiculous?"
Chu Wenqian smiled reservedly and said nothing.
The distinguished guest, who was called Brother Zijing, flicked his hair and said with a smile: "Is there such a thing? Interesting, interesting, how old is Chen Caozhi?"
Ding Yi replied: "About fifteen years old. How dare a young man from a humble family dare to compete with Wen Qian in calligraphy - why don't Wen Qian let that boy see the family background and profound accomplishments of a noble family member?"
The distinguished guest holding the tail in his hand was obviously very interested: "Very good. Brother Ding, please invite Chen Caozhi to come out. I would like to see what calligraphy the fifteen-year-old boy knows!"
Chu Wenqian was a little confused. What was Ding Yi doing? He came to propose marriage, but he was asked to compete in calligraphy with a poor boy. This was simply insulting and unreasonable! But Ding Yi said it in such a joking tone
, it’s not easy for him to show displeasure, as that wouldn’t make him seem stubborn and inelegant. Moreover, when it comes to calligraphy, he is very proficient in the Han Dynasty’s “Liu Utensil Stele” and has been immersed in it for more than thirty years. It is no wonder that he is better than a boy from a poor family.
The servant could only laugh and said: "Since Quan Changshi and Ding Sheren want to see Chen Caozhi's joke, I dare not accompany you."
Ding Yi laughed loudly and ordered the steward to summon Chen Caozhi.
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