I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 289

The road leading to Plum Valley is a cobblestone road, with the sound of horseshoes and the fragrance of plum blossoms all around. If it weren't for the cold weather, it would be hard to believe that this place would be the snow-covered Xiangwu County.

After the carriage completely entered Meigu, the temperature gradually rose. At least it wouldn't make people feel cold hands and feet. After sitting in the carriage bumping for more than an hour, a group of people asked the coachman to stop the carriage.

"The ground is a bit slippery, and Ms. Zhou is worried about her feet." Qiu Jinyu is wearing a white gown embroidered with silver trim today, covered with a cloak of the same color. The young man who was 14 years old still made all the girls who got off the carriage stare straight at him.

"Thank you, Brother Jinyu." Sensing the hidden gazes around her, Zhou Shuyao suddenly changed her address, but she felt a little shy as soon as she said the words.

This title was too intimate, and Zhou Shuyao's face showed a bit of anxiety, lest the gentleman Qiu Jinyu would not like it.

Among a group of girls with beautiful faces, Zhou Shuyao's appearance is not even considered average, her facial features are more handsome, her frame is also tall, and she lacks the softness and beauty of a woman.

Qiu Jinyu nodded with a slight smile. Although she was silent, this tacit attitude instantly made Zhou Shuyao happy, and her eyes showed shyness unconsciously.

"Xiao Xu, how far is it from Meigu?" Zhou Shuyao suppressed her fluctuating mood and walked to Yang Xu's side.

The Zhou family has strict rules, even if a group of people come out to look for plums in the snow, but she is already a girl who is about to reach Ji, and it is not convenient to get too close to Qiu Jinyu, but it is different from Yang Xu, they are cousins ​​by blood, Yang Xu And young.

Yang Xu has also been to Meigu. He came here with Yang Shoucheng last year. He remembered the way, so he looked around and said, "It's almost a quarter of an hour away."

After replying, Yang Xu quickly looked back. Compared with the people walking together in twos and threes, Zhan Feiyu's carriage was at the back, and she hadn't got off the carriage yet, obviously she didn't intend to go with them walk over.

Qiu Jinyu followed his gaze and reminded in a low voice, "Xiao Xu, it's time to go."

If Zhou Shuyao's status is three points higher than those of the seven or eight peers present, then Yang Xu is even more unattainable to them. Once the general's mansion is restored, Yang Xu's status will be like the son of the town's Marquis' mansion, In Longyou Dao, that is the Lord who says one thing is the same.

So if Yang Xu didn't go first, the others would not dare to move forward.

Thinking of Qiu Jinyu's previous point, Yang Xu also knew that if he was in charge of military power in the future, he should practice now. The few people who went with him included children from Juren families, sons from rich families, and some from the families of county government officials. Their identities are average, but they are just right for Yang Xu who rarely interacts with others.

Nodding to Qiu Jinyu, Yang Xu took the lead. Even though he was wearing a whitishly washed cotton coat, his body exuded the arrogance and calmness of a general. "Everyone, it's almost time. Let's walk there."

Yang Xu and Zhou Shuyao walked in the front, Qiu Jinyu followed behind them unhurriedly, and the rest of them immediately followed.

The maids and servants carried their belongings and left at the back, not daring to disturb the chat of the masters.

Zhan Feiyu and the others who stayed in the carriage had gone so far that they couldn't even see their figures, so they said to He Nuan, "Let's unload the carriage and lead the horses over."

It would be best if Meigu was not in danger, but if someone really ambushed, riding a horse would be the fastest and safest way. If the enemy wants to catch a turtle, it depends on whether they can stop the horse.

"My brother has already sent people to stay in the southeast, northwest, and four directions." Carrying the food box, He Nuan jumped out of the carriage first, and took down the bamboo box containing the sundries.

Guzhong is safe at present, there is no ambush, if an enemy comes, He Sheng will send out a signal immediately, and He Nuan can take Zhan Feiyu on horseback and leave Meigu. As long as you go out, it will not be so easy for the enemy to ambush up.

After Zhan Feiyu got out of the carriage, the coachman skillfully unloaded the carriage, and the force made the coachmen next to him stare straight at him.

On weekdays, they had to unload the carriages, at least three or four people together. This seemingly ordinary, not tall, and not strong colleague, actually wrote the carriages by himself. Isn't this a natural supernatural power?

After the saddle was installed, He Nuan hung the bamboo box on the horse's back, holding the food box in one hand and holding the rein in the other.

Zhan Feiyu strode forward with short legs, not to mention that the surrounding scenery is really good, the key is that it is not cold, Zhan Feiyu seems to be alive.

……

These princes and ladies from Xiangwu County come to Meigu every winter, and they have been familiar with it for a long time. When Zhan Feiyu came over, he saw that there were fur mattresses laid out on the grass. The thick mattresses were not only soft but also insulated. The chill of the ground.

Six or seven mattresses were laid out in a circle, and the boy set up a bonfire in the middle of the open space. It was convenient for heating water or barbecue. Besides, although Meigu was not cold, it would not be too warm. The bonfire was lit It brings bursts of warmth and makes people feel extra comfortable.

"My lady, this open space is reserved for your master." A servant woman in her thirties hurried over. Although she was surprised that He Nuan was leading the horse, there was no trace of shock on her face, only a kind smile remained. Meaning, "I am a servant of the Feng family. My wife is worried, so she asked me to accompany the lady here."

The Feng family is the county captain's family, and this servant who calls herself Aunt Huang should be Miss Feng's nanny in charge. Compared with the servants of the other families, Aunt Huang's status is naturally higher.

"Thank you." He Nuan agreed, and after putting down the food box, he took the bamboo box from the horse's back. The horse was not tied down, and he patted the horse's back. The well-trained army horse walked slowly to the side to graze.

Aunt Huang glanced at Zhan Feiyu who was not far away, and knew at a glance that the little girl with this face must be from a scholarly family. She seemed to be the youngest in the group today, but she still had a bookish look and a laid-back look. Attitude can only be cultivated by aristocratic families.

What's more, the little girl's red lips and white teeth, and her white and tender skin seem to be able to pinch water. Aunt Huang thought of Zhou Shuyao who just went to the hot spring. .

"Miss He, did you bring a mat? If you haven't prepared one, I have a spare here." Aunt Huang asked politely. She worked as a servant in Liu's Mansion in the capital. Although she was only a second-class maid, she also learned a lot. Not to mention two mattresses, she also prepared an extra set of clothes, shoes and socks, just to prevent accidents.

After Liu's house was ransacked, Aunt Huang returned to her hometown in Xiangwu County to survive. Fortunately, although the Feng family could not be compared with Liu's house in Beijing, at least they had no worries about food and clothing. What Aunt Huang liked most was the peace and tranquility.

"I brought it." He Nuan opened the bamboo box, took out a fur mattress and spread it on the floor.

After seeing He Nuan take out the silver charcoal, Aunt Huang's gaze changed slightly, and she confirmed her previous inference again, that the little girl has a lot of background after all.

Generally small families are reluctant to use this silver charcoal, especially Meigu is not too cold. Putting silver charcoal in the hand stove is a waste of money. After all, a catty of high-quality silver charcoal costs half a tael of silver. It takes ten catties, and fifty catties is not enough for a big family.

If you add the inferior charcoal used by the servants for heating, it will cost three to forty taels of silver just for the charcoal fire, and ordinary people in Xiangwu County can save less than ten taels of silver a year.

"Miss, warm your hands first, I'll boil some hot water." He Nuan handed the stove to Zhan Feiyu, put together the folded small wooden table, spread the dark blue silk cloth on the table, put it on the table The eight-color pastries brought in the box, a plate of dried meat, and chopped fruits were returned to work by the fire.

Wearing fox fur on his body, and buttoning the hood, he is warm from head to toe, and holding a hand stove to bask in the sun, Zhan Feiyu is very comfortable sitting on the pony tie and looking at the opposite snow-capped mountains and the blooming red flowers. Merlin, eat two more pastries, this is life.

On the other side, with Qiu Jinyu and Zhou Shuyao around, Yang Xu quickly chatted with several yamen in Xiangwu County and the children of rich families. Everyone held Yang Xu intentionally, and the atmosphere seemed particularly harmonious.

"It's a pity that my second brother went to Fucheng with the master a few days ago, otherwise I could have a discussion with you, Xiaoxu today." Miss Feng laughed heartily. She is one year older than Zhou Shuyao, and has a more cheerful temperament, talking to Yang Xu Sometimes she doesn't show fawning, more like a kind big sister.

"Little Brother Feng is a martial idiot." Mr. Wei, who knows the Feng family's siblings, joked, "Everyone in Xiangwu County doesn't know that Brother Feng has a talent for martial arts. I heard that he plans to join the army in two years."

As soon as Mr. Wei said this, everyone else laughed, except Zhou Shuyao and Yang Xu who didn't know the situation, so they were a little puzzled.

"Sister Zhou, you don't know. Younger brother Feng is only six years old this year. He just said that he will join the army at the age of eight. After two more years of training in the army, he will become a general and lead the army to fight at the age of ten." The little girl beside him said crisply Explain to Zhou Shuyao.

"So young?" Zhou Shuyao also laughed, thinking it was Wu Quxing descending to earth, but who knew it was a child.

Qiu Jinyu took the words in a gentle voice, "I think that younger brother Feng must be outstanding in martial arts, otherwise he would not have such ambitions, Xu'er, you live in Qiu's mansion, and you can indeed learn from younger brother Feng in the future."

Yang Xu is only eight years old, and he can beat ordinary grown men now.

"What my second brother admires most is the general who protects the family and the country. If he knows that he can compete with Xiao Xu, he will be so happy that he can't sleep." Miss Feng smiled gratefully at Yang Xu. The little county lieutenant must be You can't climb high to the general's mansion, but if you form a good relationship, the second younger brother will go to the army in the future, as long as he makes military exploits, he will surely be supported.

The people present talked to each other, even the three people who were born in merchants' families were well-informed and had traveled far with the elders in the family. When they talked about the customs outside, people could listen with gusto.

When Zhan Feiyu drank the hot water, he heard cheerful conversation from a distance. Zhan Feiyu held the teacup and turned his head to look over. I lost the withdrawnness and stubbornness when we met for the first time that day.

Zhou Shuyao and Qiu Jinyu were at the back, which made Zhan Feiyu's eyes sparkle with excitement again, "Ah Nuan, Jiang is still hot, Mr. Qiu really has sparkling eyes, I didn't even think about it .”

He Nuan glanced at the childish Zhan Feiyu and said warmly, "Zhou Shuyao and Master Xu are cousins. Although the Zhang family made trouble for the Yang family back then, it was justifiable. Now they come to make amends. As long as Zhou Shuyao It's not impossible to lower your profile and repair your relationship with Master Xu."

As for Qiu Jinyu, even though old Mr. Qiu doesn't want to see the third wife of the Qiu family, he won't make things difficult for the younger generation. Even closer, this is equivalent to establishing a relationship with the General's Mansion.

As far as the Qiu family of Qianzhong Road is concerned, Qiu Jinyu is also surnamed Qiu. As long as he is loyal to the Qiu family, the Qiu family will support him to make friends with Yang Xu and agree to marry Zhou Shuyao. The family has always been like this, and there is no permanent enemy. , There is no forever friend.

Zhou's family and Zhang's family would not have any objections. If Zhou Shuyao could marry Qiu Jinyu, it would definitely be a high marriage, and the two families would be on top of each other.

"Look for a long line to catch big fish." Zhan Feiyu burst out laughing, this is the curve to save the country, no one dares to make an idea of ​​Yang Xu's marriage, so they can only settle for the next best thing, and have an indirect relationship with Yang Xu, in the future he will return He had to call Qiu Jinyu his cousin.

Zhan Feiyu paused to drink water, then looked back at He Nuan and said, "If it's a long-term plan, then Meigu and his party today will definitely not be in danger. Haven't we been busy for nothing?"

He Sheng came to Meigu overnight to investigate the terrain, and this meeting was still deployed outside, and manpower was also arranged on the mountains around Meigu.

"Just be prepared." He Nuan took the words. With the lessons learned from the Huai'an Mansion, they dare not take it lightly. It's best not to have any accidents. If the lady is in danger again because of their carelessness, there is no need for Qiye to speak. They are a group of people They can all be apologetic with death.

"Little fish..." Even though he had a good chat with everyone else, Yang Xu's best friend in his heart is Zhan Feiyu. Watching her bathing in the sun, drinking water and eating leisurely, Yang Xu Xu couldn't help but quicken his pace a little.

That is the little girl who lived in the Qiu Mansion with Yang Xu?Seeing Yang Xu striding over, Miss Feng and the others looked at each other. Before going out, the elders repeatedly told them to be cautious in their words and deeds, and they would rather not make friends than make enemies.

This little girl is also a noble person in the mouth of the elders, but it is a pity that her identity is a mystery. I heard that the county magistrate Zhu should know, but if the magistrate Zhu does not speak up, the family has no way of knowing, let alone the juniors.

"Sister Zhou, who is that younger sister? Why don't you come with us?" The little girl from the Fu family smiled sweetly. The ten-year-old girl smiled innocently, like a child who doesn't know much about the world, just curious and not He deliberately inquired about Zhan Feiyu's identity.

(End of this chapter)