Ajiu

Chapter 6 Ajiu's Sadness

Prefect Pei has always been clean and honest, but the back house of the Suzhou government office is elegantly constructed and beautifully landscaped, just like a fairyland on earth.Of course, this was not written by Prefect Pei, but by Prefect Pei's predecessor, a magistrate surnamed Mo.Prefect Mo was greedy and cruel by nature, and after he took office, he levied and extorted money, greedy for enjoyment, and the people in Wuzhong complained endlessly.This prefect Mo was not a Jinshi, nor was he an official selected by the Ministry of Officials, but was directly appointed by the "Tejian" Emperor.It may be for this reason that he dared to act recklessly without any scruples.During his two years in Suzhou, he scraped countless people's fat and cream, hired famous scholars from the south of the Yangtze River, and worked hard to build an elegant house.However, as soon as the house was built, he died suddenly in office, and he didn't enjoy it at all.

Back then, when Taishou Pei first arrived in Suzhou, an old master among his staff persuaded him, "Your Excellency, you should demolish this house to show your innocence." Who will believe that you are not a corrupt official?

Prefect Pei didn't take it seriously, "No need. These are the blood and sweat of the people, and it took a lot of manpower and material resources. To demolish them is pure waste."

It's demolished, do you want to rebuild it?Of course I will.Previous magistrates lived in the back house with their families. If you don’t build a back house, where will the prefect and his family live?Now there is a good-looking house, it must be demolished first, and then it will be built with great effort, what is the plan?Purely to show that "I am an honest official" and "I am not greedy", the price is too high.

A truly upright official would not torment the common people like this for the sake of his own reputation, wasting manpower and material resources.

The old master couldn't persuade him, so he gave up with a long sigh.However, the old master always didn't take it seriously, and was always worried that Prefect Pei would be criticized because of this.

To the surprise of the old master, although Prefect Pei lives in the exquisite house left by his predecessor, he is still famous all over the world and is called "Pei Qingtian" by the people.

The old master thought for a long time, but he didn't want to understand the reason.

On the day of the full moon, Ajiu was very happy to be carried out by the nanny, saw the sun, and breathed fresh air.Let alone the joy in her heart, she really wanted to say hello to the sun enthusiastically, but it was just thinking about it. At this moment, how could she speak.

For the first time today, Grandfather Pei Taishou was not busy with official duties, but "stolen half a day's leisure", setting up opera wine at home, and entertaining relatives and friends.Nowadays, "Kunshan Opera" is popular in Suzhou, that is, Kunqu Opera, which belongs to Southern Opera.The Pei family invited guests from the Nanxi opera troupe.

The elegant and melodious sound of Kunqu opera came to her ears, and Ajiu felt refreshed.No wonder it is called "the ancestor of a hundred operas". It is really elegant in reciting and singing in a gorgeous way, which is so nice.

Ajiu is only full moon, her eyesight and hearing are not very good, and her energy is not strong enough, so she fell asleep soon after she was moved.When she was carried into the hall, she vaguely heard Prefect Pei's voice, as if he was introducing a guest to her. Ajiu really wanted to open her eyes to see her grandfather's friends, but her soul could not direct her body, so she opened her eyes. Without opening my eyes, I fell asleep.

Ajiu really doesn't want to sleep.She wants to see the ancient courtyard, the antique furniture, and more curious about who the guests are, whether they have personality, whether their speech and behavior are interesting... This is Jiangnan, a place where talented people come out.

However, she still fell asleep, and slept very sweetly.

Ajiu is quite free and easy.

Ah Jiu's mother in this life, Lin Youhui, the second grandmother of the Pei family, is also free and easy.She arrived at the banquet in a beautiful dress, and planned to have fun for half a day, but after all, she had just finished confinement, her energy was not very strong, and she felt tired.She would not wrong herself, so she quietly reported to Mrs. Fang and went back to her room to rest.

Pei San's grandma Xu's eyes dimmed as she watched her bid farewell to the crowd gracefully and gracefully, and left gracefully.She is also the daughter-in-law of the Pei family, the second sister-in-law is a husband-in-law, and she has both children. How comfortable she is on a daily basis.Second sister-in-law, I really envy you.

Her husband and son-in-law had won the exam a few years ago, and they have visited famous teachers over the years, studying continuously, and they are all famous scholars in Wuzhong.If you buy a boat and go north in the spring, I am afraid that a Jinshi will be safe.At that time, she will be honored as a husband and wife, and she will also have a patent.

Feng Gao... the words came to mind, and Xu's heart ached.Mr. Pei is a good-tempered person, but he is also a man with no ambitions. He wants to rely on Mr. Pei to forge ahead, seek fame, and seal his wife and son. I don't know how long it will take.

"In this life, if he can barely be a small official of the fourth or fifth rank, it will be very rare." Xu felt depressed, "If I can be a respectful person in my life, it will be considered a high profile."

The seal gift of foreign wives, "The public is called Mrs. of a certain country. The Hou is called Mrs. of a certain Hou. The uncle is called Mrs. Uncle. The first rank is called wife, and later called the first rank wife. The second rank is called wife. The third rank is called Shuren. The fourth rank is called respectful man. The first grade is called Yiren. The sixth grade is called Anren. The seventh grade is called Ruren.”

Congratulations, the grade is not high, but for the current self, it seems out of reach.

When did I, the daughter of the Duke of Wei's mansion, fall into such a situation?Mrs. Xu vaguely remembered the past, her chest was cold.

"Third brothers and sisters, third brothers and sisters." The voice of elder sister-in-law Gu's concern sounded in Xu's ears, "You look bad, but are you tired?" There are many visitors today, and Gu and Xu, the hosts, come and go with the guests. Can't rest at all.As a sister-in-law, Mrs. Gu is really afraid of making her sister-in-law too busy.

Mrs. Xu came back to her senses, with a smile all over her face, "I'm a little tired, it's okay." Mrs. Gu explained to her considerately, "If you are really tired, don't force yourself to go back to your room for a while. My sister-in-law can take care of it by herself. Come down." Xu smiled, "How can I let you work alone? It doesn't make sense." The two sisters-in-law said a few words politely, with friendly smiles on their faces, and went to entertain the guests.

Miss Pei Jiajiu's full moon banquet was very successful.

After the banquet ended, Mrs. Gu and Mrs. Xu saw off the last group of female guests, their waists were almost broken from exhaustion, and their faces were almost numb from laughing.Mrs. Fang knew that they had worked hard, "After tidying up, we all went back to the room to rest, and don't come here again at night. My own woman, I don't care about these empty rituals." Gu and Xu thanked them with a smile, "I know that mother loves us . ” And accompanied Mrs. Fang to say a few words about homework, and Fang left separately.

The eldest son and daughter-in-law of Mrs. Gu, who presided over Zhongfu, were still not allowed to rest. They had to order people to clean up the utensils, sort out the gift list and gifts, and they were busy until dinner time.

As usual, Mrs. Gu sat at the dinner table with her husband and three sons, Pei Wei, Pei Jue, and Pei Lang, with a warm smile on their faces.The Pei family is very particular about eating without talking, so they are very quiet when eating, and they don't chatter.The three children were growing up, and they were very attentive to eating. Uncle Pei seemed to have something on his mind, so he immersed himself in eating, and didn't notice anything unusual about his wife.

"Mom, why don't you move your chopsticks?" The eldest son, Pei Wei, was careful, put down the small porcelain bowl in his hand, and looked at Gu with concern.

The second son, Pei Jue, was silent for a moment, and handed over a bowl of sour bamboo shoot soup with his own hands, "Mother, if you really can't eat, why don't you have some soup."

Uncle Pei also put down the bowl and looked at his wife apologetically, "Thank you for your hard work." He was only thinking about his own thoughts, but he didn't notice that his wife was too tired to eat. It's really...too heartless.

Gu's heart was full of enthusiasm, and she said with a smile: "Who can't eat anymore? I just feel that I seem to be too fat, and I want to fast for two days, so that I can lose weight."

Although she said so, no one would believe it.Uncle Pei urged her to drink the soup, "What's the matter of clear reduction? Clear reduction will not show the appearance of blessing." Gu Shi followed the good advice and picked up the soup key.

The third son, Pei Lang, also put down the bowl bewilderedly, and said something like an adult, "You must be tired, right? Mother, I want to grow up quickly, and marry a daughter-in-law quickly so that I can take care of you!"

As soon as he said this, Mrs. Gu burst out laughing, and Uncle Pei, Pei Wei, and Pei Jue couldn't help laughing, "Are you marrying a wife? Then you have to wait until the year of the monkey."

Ah Lang, how old are you?

Being interrupted by Pei Lang, Gu's joy couldn't be more joyful, she actually had a big appetite, not only drank a bowl of soup, but also ate half a bowl of rice.Seeing this, the Pei family and his son felt relieved.

After sending the three sons to rest, Uncle Pei looked at his wife guiltily and wanted to say something, but he couldn't express his words.After a while, he said softly: "I just found out today that Shaanxi Xuezheng has appointed Mr. Tong Yangui Tong. The second brother said, my chance has come."

Imperial examinations, sometimes there is actually no reason to talk about.Those who are successful do not necessarily have high talents; those who fail do not necessarily have insufficient talents.Examination papers are reviewed and rated by examiners. Some examiners like rigorous writing style, some like gorgeous and extravagant, and some examiners like cold and upright.Therefore, whether to win or not, one depends on the candidates' real talents and learning, and the other depends on the candidates' opportunities.

If the examinee himself is rigorous and dignified, but meets an examiner who likes gorgeous words, it will be difficult to get into the examiner's eyes.

Second Master Pei kept comforting his elder brother, "You are well-balanced, but the examiner of our class, Mr. Han, admired vigor, so he chose me. Brother, it's not that you lack talents, it's just that your luck is bad."

After learning who the new candidate for Shaanxi Xuezheng was, Erye Pei's joy was beyond words, "Brother, Tong Xuezheng has been in his fifties, and he is an upright person. I have read his articles, and he is on the same path as you!"

When Uncle Pei heard what his younger brother said, he was of course very moved, and his mind was all on the imperial examination and Qiu Wei.

After hearing her husband's words, Mrs. Gu was both surprised and delighted, "Sister, this is really great." It is the same way as Xuezheng's article, and with Dalang's talent, it is just around the corner.

Suddenly, Gu Shi felt that the fatigue all over his body had disappeared, and his face was radiant, "Master, I will pack your luggage for you these few days!"

Go, go early and come back early, and return with glory.

The husband and wife carefully calculated the matter, and the more they talked, the happier they became, and the more they talked, the more enthusiastic they became.After going to bed that night, the two had a good celebration in bed, very happy.

In the early morning of the next day, Mrs. Gu got up early to manage the affairs of the household as usual.When people are happy and refreshed, she treats people very kindly, and her words are very gentle, which makes people feel like a spring breeze.

In the afternoon, after finishing the housework, she specially asked the third grandma Xu to go to see Ajiu together.Having seen the little baby of the Pei family, the only little daughter of the Pei family, Lin Youhui ordered the maid to bring tea, and the three of them sat and chatted.

Gu Shi mentioned Pei Lang's childish words, "...he is only so old, and he already wants to marry a wife. Do you think it's funny?" She said it as a joke, but she was not without complacency in describing it.

Both Lin Youhui and Mrs. Xu expressed their objection with a smile, "This is A-Lang's filial piety! A-Lang is only six or seven years old, so he already knows how much he loves you! Sister-in-law, you have three good sons, all you need to do is wait for the blessings in the future. "

Ajiu on the bed listened intently, her little heart suddenly felt sad.A boy who is only six or seven years old already knows that he wants to marry a daughter-in-law to help his mother with work. The idea of ​​"marrying a daughter-in-law is for the mother" is really deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

In her previous life, Ajiu was also addicted to one soap opera after another, and was moved by countless "virtuous" and "selfless and dedicated" heroines in the drama.The mother-in-law was picky, the man cheated, the strong and kind heroine divorced the man, and lived alone with her daughter.When the man was abandoned by a third party and the company went bankrupt, the tolerant, generous and philanthropic heroine remarried her ex-husband resolutely, honoring her mother-in-law meticulously...

How touching.

A daughter-in-law is always sacrificial, dedicated, and filial. If there are more heroines with traditional virtues, how harmonious the society will be!

The forbearance and concession of countless women are contributing to a harmonious society.

However, Ajiu is just an ordinary woman. Although she is also moved by the kind, strong, tolerant, fraternal and generous heroine, she does not want to live like the heroine, and does not want to give everything for her husband and mother-in-law like the heroine, regardless of rewards.

She is willing to love a man, but she prefers a man to love her.

For a woman like Ajiu, to love means to be loved.

That was Ah Jiu from the previous life.

Ah Jiu in this life doesn't know what kind of fate she will face.

When I grow up, will I be married off?Could that person be like Pei Lang, marrying a daughter-in-law in order to be filial to his mother?Ah Jiu, who has a young and immature body, suddenly has a vicissitudes of mind.

(End of this chapter)