national surname chiming

Chapter 28 Fang Li, Chen Yuanyuan, and Wu Sangui

Dongjiaxiu Zhuang is located in the north of Kunshan City, beside Yangcheng Lake.

From the wharf by the Liu River, it would take an hour for the carriage, and it was already late at night when we arrived.

Dong Xiaowan didn't know what was going on outside. At this moment, she was still wearing a plain satin skirt, reading at night with a lamp in the room, studying "Mengxi Bi Tan" and "Tiangong Kaiwu", and pondering how to further improve the loom and spinning wheel .

Recently she lived here alone, the Shen family also allocated some maids to serve her, and specially dispatched a cook who was good at cooking vegetarian dishes and fish and shrimp to ensure that her basic necessities of life were complete.

Dong Xiaowan felt a lot of respect from it, and her heart was very warm.

Her 27-month maternal filial piety has not yet expired, so she should not eat poultry and livestock meat.But it’s okay to eat whitebait from Taihu Lake and hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake.

The ancients believed that things without red blood and without slaughter were not considered meat.

Since Shen Shuren bought her, he has never done anything out of courtesy, and he has not even flouted his sibling desires. He respects her filial piety, which makes her feel more responsible to work hard.

After calming down, she also figured it out: a few years ago, she failed to run the Dongjia Embroidery Village, but because she was a girl, she couldn't get involved in outside affairs, so she was bullied and scammed by the shopkeeper.

But my own craftsmanship and understanding of textile embroidery are still very good.Now the son is in charge of the outside, and he is in charge of the inside, making up for the shortcomings that have been leaking, and there is a lot to do in the future.

It is not for money to revitalize the embroidery village.It is also to comfort the parents in the spirit of the sky, let them know that the hard work of life has not been wasted in the hands of the daughter.

"Father, it's almost Chinese New Year, and my daughter can't give New Year's greetings to others. But now, the three or four largest weaving workshops in Suzhou have started to weave silk and satin with flying shuttles made by my daughter. You will be happy when you see it."

Dong Xiaowan was a little distracted while reading and watching, and muttered silently in her heart, as if recalling the deceased relatives could make life more interesting.

At this moment, the sound of carriages and horses came from outside Zhuangzi, which startled her slightly, thinking that she was hallucinating when she missed her relatives.

"Dailan, Wenzhu, put on the lanterns, and follow me to the yard." Dong Xiaowan was afraid, and quickly called to the personal servant girl Shen Shuren gave her for courage.

As soon as they walked into the yard, the guard at the gate had already let the visitor in, it was Shen Shuren and his party.

Dong Xiaowan was apprehensive and a little bit at a loss.Dailan and Wenzhu next to him rushed forward first: "Young master, why are you here? Can you take us back for the Chinese New Year? It's strangely deserted here."

"What's so deserted? Is it possible to save your food and clothing here? You can just talk more with Miss Dong. It's not convenient for her to give New Year's greetings. Please be considerate." Shen Shuren's personal servant girl is still very easy-going. , do not give face.

Dong Xiaowan was about to thank him, when Shen Shuren turned behind a delicate figure in a pink silk skirt and a cloak.

Dong Xiaowan couldn't see the face of the other party clearly at first, the other party walked up to her lightly, put down the hood and shook the snow, and greeted with a charming smile: "Xiaobai, do you still recognize me?"

Dong Xiaowan subconsciously covered her mouth, surprised and happy, and rushed forward to hug her:

"Miss Yuanyuan? Young Master finally rescued you? Great, I am finally at ease. If you hadn't told Young Master about it, I would have fallen into the hands of those bullying masters and slaves. I can have today, the first The first is to thank you son, and the second is to thank you."

"It's all over, it's all over. You don't have to thank me. Although I didn't know what Shen Lang wanted to do at the beginning, I knew he must have his reasons. He asked me to introduce a qualified sister, so I introduced it."

Chen Yuanyuan didn't take credit for it, she patted Dong Xiaowan's back to comfort her.

Because when Shen Shuren found her, it was a different story. Chen Yuanyuan had no idea that Dong Xiaowan would be so grateful to her.

After Dong Xiaowan heard this, her body shook slightly, but she didn't show it because of her spirituality.At the moment, she just said a few words of courtesy to Shen Shuren next to her, saying that she and Sister Yuanyuan had a lot to talk about, and Shen Shuren didn't stop her.

Dailan and Wenzhu were also so happy, and quickly ordered to prepare wooden barrels of hot water to wait for the busy young master to take a bath first to relieve fatigue.

While Shen Shuren was taking a bath, Dong Xiaowan took Chen Yuanyuan back to the house, hid in the study and closed the door, and then asked carefully:
"Sister, tell me again, what did the young master tell you back then? Didn't you take the initiative to mention that you have a sister who is now in dire straits, forced by a slave, and still owes money to the Shen family?"

Chen Yuanyuan was taken aback, and recalled for a moment: "I didn't say it on my own initiative, but the son begged me to introduce a sister who was in distress. He also said that he would not be favored after buying it back. He has something else to hide."

Dong Xiaowan is also a smart person, the key point is that she was also one of the parties involved in the case of Shen Shuren going to Nanjing, and she is very clear about the cause and effect.Now after hearing what Chen Yuanyuan said, and thinking about it for a while, his face turned pale.

"It turns out...could it be... that the young master bought me to deliberately set up a trap for those bullying masters and slaves of my family? He killed the villainous slaves, not because of me?"

Dong Xiaowan couldn't help being a little sad, and it took a long time to calm down and accept this fact.

In any case, Shen Shuren objectively helped her get out of the sea of ​​suffering. Some things, regardless of their deeds, he has no position to question.

The two sisters chatted for a while, and the atmosphere gradually became quiet and awkward.Chen Yuanyuan is also a person with a clear mind, and she has already realized that she must have said something wrong.

After a long time, under the service of Dailan Wenzhu, Shen Shuren finished bathing and changing clothes, and came to the study to chat with the second daughter.

As soon as he entered the door, he also noticed that the atmosphere was a little weird, and Chen Yuanyuan quickly reminded him a few words, and Shen Shuren immediately guessed the reason.

It's not that he was careless, but that he knows that any secret has a confidentiality period.It's no big deal if it leaks now.

Anyway, Zheng Sen was quite used to living in Nanjing Guozijian, and the chain of suspicion between Zheng's family and Yang Sichang had been cut off.Even if Shen Shuren's plan is known to the two parties in the end, they will not make a fuss, and will only accept this "white lie".

Therefore, Shen Shuren also frankly admitted: "Xiao Wan, the words I told you at the beginning were indeed embellished. But what I said to Yuanyuan is a lesson from the sun, and not a single sentence is false.

I can also guarantee that I did that bureau not for my personal glory and wealth. At that time, I was indeed in a hurry to follow the power, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty——

You don’t understand the country’s major affairs. Let me just say it briefly. When Zhang Xianzhong first rebelled, Xiong Wencan was imprisoned.I did all this to get the Zheng family to go to Nanjing.

Now everything is in the past, and the mutual suspicion has been quickly untied.It doesn't matter if I tell you, try to keep your mouth shut as much as possible, I believe you don't like to talk about government and military affairs. "

Even the secret files of intelligence agencies will be lifted one day.The secret of Shen Shuren is no longer important.

"It turned out to be for the sake of the Ming Dynasty... Younger sister, He Dehe Neng, can do her best for this matter, what is there to do? Thank you son for not hiding it from my younger sister. I will swear to keep my mouth shut to the death. In the future, about your son's affairs, Never ask too much, do what you ask, there must be your reason.”

Dong Xiaowan said neither humble nor overbearing, her attitude was very sincere, but her tone was a little less admirable, as if she was still hesitantly looking for her own position.

Chen Yuanyuan was at the side, a little at a loss, thinking that what she said today would ruin the friendship between Shen Lang and Xiao Bai, so she quickly and quietly said peace to Dong Xiaowan:
"Sister, don't worry too much. Since ancient times, it doesn't matter what you think, no matter how Shen Lang found you in the first place. These days, he protects you and loves you, and doesn't bully the dark room. It's always true.

By the way, I heard that you have been guarding yourself like a jade and not allowing Shen Lang to favor you, it is because I have not yet escaped from the sea of ​​suffering, and you cannot bear to be the first.Now that I'm out too, you can't be good, why are you more concerned. "

Dong Xiaowan broke Chen Yuanyuan's hand away in a principled way: "Sister, there is no need to be like this, my mother's filial piety is not yet complete, and there is still a month or two left, so I can't live with it, not waiting for my sister.

Today is a good day for my sister, let's take my son and go first.I'm fine, it's just that I know too many things for a while, and I'm so upset that I need to think about it slowly. "

Dong Xiaowan stubbornly pushed Shen Shuren and Chen Yuanyuan to another bedroom, went back to the room and closed the door, and quietly hugged her head to calm herself down.

On the night of college, she was dressed in plain white, which contrasted sharply with Chen Yuanyuan's specially chosen pink suit tonight.

In the Ming Dynasty, a woman who had been an actress, even if she was a nobleman who only sang, could only be secretly carried away in a small sedan chair at night after being redeemed as a concubine, and she could only wear pink, not scarlet.If it is entering a mansion of a wealthy family, the sedan chair has to go through the side door or the back door, not the main door.

Chen Yuanyuan didn't even have the gift of taking a concubine tonight. She just redeemed her body and saved the night sedan chair. The only thing she can comfort herself is to wear pink all over her body specially to save the last bit of her dignity.

……

Having nothing to say all night, Dong Xiaowan's heart was in a mess, which also saved both parties from embarrassment.

Originally he planned to stay one night and return to Taicang's home for the New Year. After indulging in the gentle countryside, he couldn't help himself, so he stayed for a few more days and delayed his departure until the 28th of the twelfth lunar month.

Chen Yuanyuan lingered with him day and night for several days, still reluctant to part: "Sir, can I take my slave home to celebrate the New Year? It's fine as a maid."

Shen Shuren is also very responsible: "If I stay in Suzhou after the Chinese New Year, I can take you back. But after the Lantern Festival, I will go to Shanhaiguan to transport food, and then go to Beijing to catch the exam. It is impossible to take you with me. together.

Now that you have gone to my house, the relatives and elders in the family cannot accept you for a while.Once I'm gone, if my stepmother or aunts treat you badly, who will protect you?
It's better to accompany Xiaowan to relieve boredom. After I go out, I will send all the maids around me to play with you, so I can take care of you.

When I come back from the capital, I will definitely be able to get an official post outside. At that time, I will take you to the post and establish your own family. You don't have to worry about the gossip in the mansion and people bullying you. "

Shen Shuren's words made sense, and Chen Yuanyuan didn't insist any more.Later, Shen Shuren did what he said. He went home to spend the New Year with his family. After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, he went to Kunshan Xiuzhuang to live for seven or eight days. He reluctantly left until he was about to leave before the Lantern Festival.

On the second day of the Lantern Festival, both Chen Yuanyuan and Dong Xiaowan took the small black-covered boat provided by Shen's family and went down the Liuhe River to send Shen Shuren to Liujiagang.

The two girls are still one pink, one plain white, one with charming eyebrows, and the other dignified and solemn, standing on the bow of the boat prettyly, watching the young master board the big ship and sail away.

On the big ship, there are also sailors, family servants, water transportation officials, guards of the Shen family, and some friends of Shen Shuren who went to Beijing to rush for the exam together.

Fang Yizhi also leaned against the ship's side with Shen Shuren, and climbed up to watch the sea view very curiously, pointing with a folding fan.Fang Yizhi was also dumbfounded when he saw the two beauties seeing off on the boat next to him.

"Brother Shen Xian is really a blessing. When I was tinkering with Feisuo, I saw Miss Dong once, and I was already shocked. I didn't expect that the beautiful woman in the pink skirt and jacket next to me is even more... Fang is really ignorant, and he is also poor at words." At the time. Is that also the concubine of the younger brother?"

"That's right, but please remove the word 'also'."

The relationship between him and Dong Xiaowan is still very innocent, and they have always maintained mutual respect and treated each other as guests.

"Forget it, let's not talk about it, this is the first time that Fang has gone to sea after living for these years. The vastness of the surrounding fields, the sea and the sky are really inspiring. Suzhou is such a good place, you can go to sea when you want to go to sea.

I don't know if we can get good news about Brother Xian when we arrive in the capital.Brother, you made so many achievements last year, the Ministry of Officials Jingcha must have already planned your promotion for you, but it's a pity that you haven't heard any news these days at sea. "

Fang Yizhi's guess was also correct, because during the time when they went to sea in "offline mode", Chongzhen, who was far away in the capital, had seen the minister's memorials to Shen Shuren several times.

(End of this chapter)