Ordinary clear day

Chapter 78
The grandparent and grandson returned to the mansion, Duanning's servant Wang Gui came up to him and said, "Fourth Master, Young Master Tong is here, waiting for you in the flower hall."

After hearing this, Duanning hurriedly complained to his grandfather and went to the flower hall.

As soon as Tongying saw him, she said, "I'm looking forward to you coming back, hurry up, hurry up, everyone is waiting for you." Then she pulled people out.Duanning hurriedly grabbed him and asked: "What's the matter? You should explain clearly." Tong Ying said: "The fourth child is finally out of grounding today. Called here, let's not eat wine, drink tea and eat snacks, let him relax."

It turned out that the fourth elder brother Yinzhen was punished by the emperor for a month for some unknown reasons last month.It was the first time today that he was out of the palace, and Tong Ying, who was on good terms with him on weekdays, called Tong's brothers, Duan Ning and several other princes' children, and reserved a private room in Deyue Pavilion, and invited him to have tea.

The fourth elder brother was very sympathetic to him, and his expression was very relaxed during the conversation.Seeing him like this, Duanning felt a little relieved.While others were not paying attention, he quietly said to the fourth elder brother: "It's good that you are fine. My mother-in-law wrote a letter a few days ago and asked how you are. She said that it is rainy in Lingnan, so I don't know how the capital is. If it rains, Just remember not to get wet and catch a cold." The fourth elder brother smiled slightly, and said, "I'll wake up, tell auntie to rest assured." Duanning nodded.

On the other side, Tongying chatted and laughed for a while, then said to the fourth elder brother mysteriously: "I have prepared a gift for you, just to relieve your boredom." Then she clapped her hands, and one of them came in with a cage.

Everyone asked what it was, so he opened the cage and brought out a little pug: "It's a pity that they delivered it a bit late. If it had arrived last month, you wouldn't be so bored in the palace."

The fourth elder brother hugged the puppy very pleasantly, stroked its fur, and said: "Is it really for me?" Tong Ying said with a smile: "Of course. Last time you saw someone else's puppy outside, Don't you like it very much? I just wanted to get one for you. Don't worry, it's clean, and it was taught from a young age, so it won't bite people indiscriminately."

The fourth elder brother petted the puppy affectionately, and the others touched it curiously. After a while, they hugged it to play with. puppy prank.

The fourth elder brother smiled and watched the crowd joke, Duanning also watched for a while, then whispered to him: "You like it very much?" He nodded, and Duanning said again: "Since you like it, why don't you tell us? I also have a way Get one for you." The fourth elder brother was silent for a while, and then said: "It's just a plaything, why bother to make a big fuss, Huang Ama will tell me about it." Duanning was also silent.

Tongying turned around and heard this sentence, and said: "That's true. Although it is a gift from me, you should not spoil it too much, lest people say that you are a plaything and lose your mind, which is not good for you. People like you shouldn't let people know what they like and don't like."

The fourth elder brother nodded, feeling a little heavy.Tong Ying smiled again and said: "But don't think too much, how old are you? Don't be like that old man, just play with the puppy when you are free, and leave it to the servants to take care of it." Fourth elder brother He nodded again, started to smile again, and started joking with everyone.

Duanning was suppressed by the topic just now, and just sat on the sidelines watching them play.Tong Ying sat next to him and said: "I just told him, don't think too much, but you think too much instead. He has his own way of life, you don't have to worry about him."

Duan Ning nodded: "I know, in fact, at the beginning it was because of Er Niang's idea that I made friends with him. After getting to know him for a long time, I felt that it was not easy for him. In fact, he is nice, but he is a little withdrawn, but it doesn't matter, I will Continue to be friends with him."

Tong Ying hugged his neck with a smile, and said: "I like you the most. No matter who you are, you can treat each other as a friend. No matter how high the other party's status is, you won't care." Duan Ning smiled: " Could it be that you are talking about yourself? Now that you have been sealed as Master Bei, your status is naturally different than before, but I still remember our friendship over the past few years, so I won't tell you about those empty etiquettes. "

Tong Ying said: "That's good. According to me, what's the point of these identities and titles? My second uncle was deprived of the title of prince, and he died very sadly. His only son, Acton, was with him when he was a child. I played with them, and I was sick if I said I was sick, and I was gone if I said no. If the second uncle hadn't been entangled with some people, he wouldn't have fallen into the situation of Gejue. But at the funeral, except for a few of our relatives, Who else will come to see him? So making friends is all about sincerity, if you only value status, what's the point of making friends?"

Duanning knew that he was quite touched by the desolate ending of the family of the ex-Prince Zheng, and wanted to comfort him, but he was not comfortable discussing these family affairs in public, so he didn't know what to say for a while.Fortunately, Tong Ying quickly discovered his predicament, smiled lightly, and said: "Forget it, these are the affairs of adults, what do we care about so much?" He turned his head and looked around the room, and asked: "It seems like there is a lot of trouble here." Is it your family's business? I heard that the business has not been as good as before?"

Duanning was also happy to change the subject, so he sat up straight again and said, "There are several big teahouses opened in Beijing, which are no worse than here. No wonder it is like this. The storytellers have no fresh goods, so they have to get some old novels. Say, who cares to come and listen?"

Tong Ying was thoughtful: "I heard that the original storytelling book was written by your talented cousin? Now that she is not in Beijing, your family's business will be difficult?"

Duan Ning sneered and said: "It's good if she's not here, it's tiring. My eldest sister is crying at home every day, and my elder brother originally promised to fill the vacancy in the official department, but now it's given to someone else. I really don't want to mention her." After a pause, he continued: "The business of the second uncle and the second aunt may be temporarily poor, but now I have figured out a way, and it will get better soon. It doesn't matter if the girl is there or not!"

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Duanning went back to the mansion for dinner, and was called to the study by his grandfather.

Hal Qi asked: "Are you going out with Tongying Beizi today to meet the fourth elder brother?" Duanning replied respectfully: "Yes."

Harqi pondered for a while, and said: "You usually associate with the sons of the royal family, and Mafa has always approved of it. But you are not young now, and you should go to the army for training in two years. In order to plan for your future official career, you should make friends on a daily basis. , it’s better to be targeted, stay away from those who should be distant, and get close to those who should be close.”

Duan Ning didn't quite understand, so he said, "Mafa please show me."

Hal Qi said: "For example, you have been in contact with Tong Ying's little Beizi. It's nothing like the old days, but recently Prince Jane has conflicts with the elder brother because of his eldest son's service in the army. How can the people on their side be kind?" Let it go? Although it shows that Master Zhu has lost his power, the elder brother's family has not diminished in the slightest. Prince Jane's family is noble, so naturally nothing will happen, but there is no guarantee that those people will not vent their anger on those who have close contacts with their family. But last month your fourth uncle drove away a guard who made a mistake, and he was from the elder brother's side. In normal times, this is just a trivial matter, but now that we have old and new enemies, our family is easily implicated. After you It's better not to get too close to Xiao Beizi."

Hearing these words, Duan Ning felt very sad.Tongying's eldest brother, Yaerjiang'a, had heard about the dispute with his elder brother for a long time.Yaerjiang'a has been in the Jianrui camp for nearly a year. Regardless of his background, character, and prestige, he is quite outstanding. He has already decided to take over as the wing commander of the Jianrui camp this autumn.Unexpectedly, the elder brother stepped in and vigorously recommended his wife's natal brother to take up the position, and regarded Yaerjiang A as a block in the way.But Prince Jane felt sorry for his son and was unwilling to give in.This is the truth of the so-called "conflict".

As far as Duanning is concerned, he and Tongying are on good terms with each other, and it is really unacceptable to alienate each other because of these "adults" fighting for power.But he didn't dare to talk back to his grandfather face to face, so he pretended to be educated and bowed his head in silence.

Harqi continued: "Furthermore, since you are acquainted with the fourth elder brother, and the fourth elder brother is on good terms with the prince, you should take this opportunity to ask him to introduce the prince to you. If you can get the favor of the prince, he will succeed you in the future. You naturally have a bright future. Taking ten thousand steps back, you, Ama, accidentally offended Mr. Suo a few years ago, so you can take this opportunity to accompany him."

Duan Ning felt even more uncomfortable: "But the grandson and the fourth elder brother have always treated each other sincerely, this way..."

"Stupid!" Harqi scolded, "Don't tell me you're being insincere by asking him a small favor? What's more, what is your identity and what is his identity? Don't say such childish things!"

Seeing Duanning bowed his head and remained silent, he felt displeased: "Why don't you speak? You don't agree? Hmph, I'm afraid it's an excuse? Don't pretend that I don't know, your brothers don't like to make friends with the prince or elder brother, just Wan That girl Ning caused trouble! I don’t know what kind of evil she has fallen into?! She is happy to make friends with other elder brothers, but she just doesn’t want to please the oldest and most powerful two! Brothers poured ecstasy soup, which made all of you unwilling to associate with the crown prince and elder brother!"

He paused, and then said: "Do you know that someone else proposed a good marriage for Shun Ning, but when the boy heard that the girl's brother was from Zhan Shifu, he refused without saying a word, almost making the matchmaker If I can’t get off the stage, it’s over for how many times I’ve been with his Ama!” After speaking, he became more and more angry and slapped the table repeatedly.

Duan Ning persuaded in a low voice: "Mafa, please don't be angry, the second brother is also thinking about the family." Seeing Halqi's eyes widening, he hurriedly said: "Mafa Rong. Although my grandson is young, I have heard of it outside. Mafa is naturally more aware of the current situation in the court than his grandson. When dealing with the crown prince or elder brother, if you please one side, you may offend the other. Although the crown prince is the future heir, our family naturally stands on his side On the other side, but the elder brother is also the eldest son of the emperor, powerful and powerful, and the holy family is grand, if he insists on making things difficult, what should our family do? Therefore, as Mafa just said, it is better to stay far away Well, if neither side is close, then there is no crime."

Harqi was a little shocked when he heard that, he didn't expect this grandson to think so much.He was silent, and after a while, he said: "It seems that you have really grown up." Duanning bowed his head again and remained silent.

Harqi sighed, and said: "You go back to the house, don't tell others what you said."

Duanning answered "Yes" in a low voice, saluted, and left the study.
After returning to Huaiyuan, he breathed a sigh of relief.In the entire Earl's Mansion, this is the only place where he can relax.He went back to his room, picked up the book to read, looked at it, remembered the conversation with his grandfather just now, and was stunned.

After an unknown amount of time, Ermo came into the room and saw him sitting blankly, so she called him, "Brother Duan, what are you thinking? The lamp oil is almost burnt out, don't you think it's dark in the room?" Another lamp was brought.

Duan Ning smiled slightly and said, "I was thinking about something, but I didn't notice it." Ermo took the book in his hand: "If you work hard, you must be careful not to damage your eyes. Where did the scholarly and ink lovers go? I don’t want to bring a few more lamps, the words on the book are so small, how can one lamp be bright enough? Forget it, you can rest for a while.”

Duan Ning said: "Okay, I don't read." Then he took out the letter from Guangzhou from the bookshelf beside the table, and said: "I'll read the letter again and write a reply. The person who sent the letter heard that It’s the day after tomorrow to go back.”

Ermo nodded and said, "That's fine. I've got an answer to the inquiry I asked someone two days ago. Grandma Xiao Liu's husband's family is surnamed Guo, and her son is Xiaobao. He lives with his grandparents and lives well." , I heard that he is five years old this year, and he looks quite strong, but he is a bit naughty, and the old man is spoiled like something. When you write a letter to your wife, remember to write it, so that grandma don't worry. "

Duan Ning responded, and the Ermao babbled on about how to take care of the little master Xian Ning. He didn't mind being bothered, and took notes after listening to a sentence.

Suddenly, there was a sharp female hissing sound from outside, followed by a burst of crying. Duanning was startled and stopped writing.Ermo rushed to the door and asked, "What's going on? Who's calling?" A little girl came back from the courtyard door and replied, "Mommy, it's from Taoyuan. Listen! It sounds like Aunt Cuiying's voice. The Taoyuan is closing."

Ermo thought for a while, then sent all the servants gathered in the courtyard back to do their own business, turned around and went into the house, and said to Duanning: "It must be that Cuiying is going crazy again, since she gave birth early at the beginning of the year From now on, I will make such a fuss from time to time, it is really annoying. It’s okay, you don’t have to pay attention to it.” Then he continued to explain what he hadn’t finished.

Duanning knew that this was Erfang's secret, so he didn't want to ask more questions, so he focused on remembering Ermo's words.At the end, Ermo sighed and said, "You and the girl are both my grandparents. I haven't seen my little master since he was born. I really want to see what he looks like."

Duanning comforted her softly: "Ermo, don't worry, even if my younger brother didn't grow up on your milk, he will still respect and love you."

He chatted some gossip with Ermo again, and after she left, he sat down at the table again and wrote replies to his parents and sister respectively.

(End of this chapter)