The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

Standing at the gate of the county government office, Zhang Fan became nervous for the first time in his life. "This is my first time." Zhang Fan thought to himself.Looking at the sky and the people around him, he seemed to feel that everyone knew about him.Zhang Fan shook his head, shook off the wild thoughts in his mind, checked himself again, felt that there was nothing wrong, and then walked in.

Just now, Chen Wenchuan sent someone to find Zhang Fan.The man also received the words of Ma County Magistrate to Zhang Fan, so that he could prepare himself.Where did Zhang Fan come up with any idea, he told his mother and went out, thinking wildly along the way, how could he find any way to deal with it.In the end, it became more and more chaotic. "Forget it, the boat will be straight when it reaches the bridge, no matter how much you think about it, it's useless." This was Zhang Fan's last thought. Although it couldn't calm the anxiety in his heart, it could be regarded as a kind of self-comfort.

As soon as Zhang Fan entered, he saw Magistrate Ma, who was looking at him with a smile, as if he was encouraging something, Zhang Fan smiled wryly.

When he came to the hall, Chen Wenchuan was sitting there, sipping tea, but seeing the way he picked up the cup for a while and put it down again, he was probably also worried.This scene made Zhang Fan relax a little, at least he knew that he was not the only one who was nervous.

"Uncle." Zhang Fan came to Chen Wenchuan and greeted him.

"Well, here we come, sit down." Chen Wenchuan had actually seen Zhang Fan a long time ago, but he only greeted him now.

Zhang Fan sat across from Chen Wenchuan, and the two big men just looked at each other face to face and eye to eye.Chen Wenchuan's first wife's parents died early, so he didn't have such experience; Zhang Fan didn't know what to say at all.

After a while, Zhang Fan felt that sitting still was not an option, and just as he was about to speak, Chen Wenchuan who was opposite him spoke.

"I heard that you..." After all, it is a lifelong event for his beloved daughter, how could Chen Wenchuan not ask, "I heard that you want to marry my Ru Xue?"

Perhaps it was the direct start that made Zhang Fan put aside other things, and he relaxed as a whole. After all, this was also for his own pursuit of happiness. "Exactly, Uncle, Ruxue and I are in love with each other, and I hope Uncle will be happy."

Chen Wenchuan was quick-eyed and quick-talking when he saw Zhang Fan, but he felt a good impression in his heart. At least he felt that Zhang Fan could answer so straightforwardly, he must like his daughter very much. From this point of view, Zhang Fan is not bad.However, it is not enough. "Since you called me uncle, I will tell you directly." Chen Wenchuan said, "Although you and Ru Xue have a very good relationship these days, I have only met you a few times after all, but I haven't Know you. Why do you think I will marry my daughter to you?"

Zhang Fan didn't know, neither did Chen Wenchuan, Chen Ruxue and his sister were hiding behind the screen in the living room, eavesdropping on their conversation.The conversation between Chen Wenchuan and Ru Xue was overheard by Zhaoxue. She knew that her father was coming to take the exam, just like Zhang Fan, so she dragged her sister over to eavesdrop.Chen Ruxue was originally unwilling, but if others found out about this, she would be ashamed to death if she eavesdropped on the conversation between her father and her sweetheart about her marriage.It's just that she couldn't resist her younger sister's forceful pull, and in addition, she actually wanted to know more in her heart, so this came.

Zhang Fan didn't know what was going on in the living room. Facing Chen Wenchuan's question, he said frankly, "Because I like Ru Xue, maybe not for a long time, but I really like him, and I am willing to do anything for Ru Xue." Zhang Fan After finishing speaking, I realized that what I said seemed a little "bloody", but I said it naturally. Maybe this is what a certain sage said, "Love makes people blind".

"You said you would do anything for Ru Xue?" Chen Wenchuan didn't believe Zhang Fan, but just wanted something from him, "Then you can swear that you will never betray Ru Xue, take care of her forever, and never make any compromises." Do you have to listen to her sad things, even, forever?"

Chen Wenchuan's words were actually very embarrassing at the time. Although there were not many men without fear in ancient times, even from the prime minister to the plain, Chen Wenchuan knew that although his daughter had a stubborn personality, she would never express it. .What's more, she has such deep feelings for Zhang Fan. If she follows Zhang Fan in the future, she will definitely follow his words. Moreover, Zhang Fan is a young man with a bright future. If she does something to wrong her daughter, then...

After hearing Chen Wenchuan's words, Zhang Fan swore without saying a word: "I, Zhang Fan, swear here that if I marry Chen Ruxue, I will love and respect her, and I will never do anything to make Ruxue unhappy. "

Chen Wenchuan was very satisfied after hearing Zhang Fan's words, and said casually, "Really?"

"Uncle, I am also a scholar, and I know the principle of 'Heaven, Earth, Monarch, Parent and Teacher', so how can I not keep my oath." Zhang Fan replied firmly.

Only then did Chen Wenchuan feel relieved. After all, he knew who Zhang Fan was, and Ru Xue liked him so much. Now he just wanted a promise that he could treat Ru Xue well. Now that his goal was achieved, there was nothing to worry about. . "In that case, I agree." Chen Wenchuan said.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Fan would have thought that Chen Wenchuan would agree in this way, and the long speech he had just prepared in his heart was useless, but he was also happy when he thought that he had finally got what he wanted.

Chen Wenchuan went on to say: "Since that's the case, let's settle the marriage first. I don't have any relatives in my family, and my elder brother happens to be here right now. Tomorrow, you can find a matchmaker to make a marriage."

"Matchmaker?" Zhang Fan was a little puzzled.

"Naturally, no one is there." Chen Wenchuan saw that Zhang Fan didn't understand these things, and he didn't blame him, and said, "A self-seeking daughter is ugly and unbelievable."

"I understand." Zhang Fan said.

The two were talking, when they suddenly heard a sound behind the screen, Cheng Wenchuan immediately sternly shouted: "Who?"

After listening to the conversation between the two just now, the two sisters were very happy, especially Chen Ruxue, knowing that Ailang had passed his father's exam, and what Zhang Fan said made her feel so happy, thinking that she could marry such a wonderful woman. My lord, how can you not be happy!The girl Chen Zhaoxue was eavesdropping on other people's conversations this time, she heard what she wanted, and was about to go back, but she accidentally bumped into the screen and was overheard by her father.The girl Zhao Xue didn't care, but Ru Xue was about to die of anxiety. If Zhang Fan saw that she was eavesdropping, how could she see him!But Zhaoxue was quick-witted, she signaled her sister to go back, but walked out by herself.

"Father, it's me." Zhaoxue said coquettishly to Chen Wenchuan.

It's just that this time Chen Wenchuan didn't give this mischievous daughter a good look, and said with a sullen face: "My daughter should be more reserved, eavesdrop on what others are saying, and what will happen when it gets out."

How could Zhaoxue have been taught such a severe lesson by her father? Although she is usually naughty, she is a girl after all, and tears immediately rolled in her eyes, and she was about to fall.

Chen Wenchuan wasn't really angry with her, but saw that she was so worthless, and wanted to teach her a lesson, but seeing her daughter's appearance, how could she continue to preach, the serious expression on her face immediately eased, and said: " Zhaoxue, you are not young anymore, you must have heard what my brother Zhang and I said just now. The so-called male college should be married and female college should be married, and your sister is now at the time to talk about marriage, but you are still like this, How can I let my father rest assured!"

For the first time, Zhaoxue showed a coy expression: "I don't want to marry someone else..." The voice became smaller and smaller, and it was barely audible at the end.

"What did you say?" Chen Wenchuan asked.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I'm going to tell my sister the good news." Zhaoxue smiled, not forgetting to cover up for her sister.He looked at her again and said, "Zhaoxue has met my brother-in-law."

Zhang Fanke was really blushed by Zhaoxue's attack, and he didn't know how to answer.Fortunately, the girl Zhaoxue just wanted to see Zhang Fan's jokes, and when she saw that she had achieved her goal, she ran to the back hall contentedly, accompanied by a burst of laughter, but she didn't realize that she felt a sense of loss in her heart.

Seeing his daughter's appearance like this, Chen Wenchuan could only shake his head helplessly. He really couldn't do anything about his eccentric daughter.

"So, go back and prepare." Chen Wenchuan said to Zhang Fan, "I will stay here for a while longer."

"Yes, I understand." Zhang Fan said.

"Remember what you said." Zhang Fan walked to the door of the living room, and Chen Wenchuan's words came again. Zhang Fan turned around, looked at Chen Wenchuan, did not speak, but nodded firmly.

Things come to an end here, over there.Chen Ruxue returned to the room, sat on the stool feeling restless. "Will Father and Brother Fan find out that I'm there too! No, there's that girl Zhaoxue. What if Zhaoxue tells me..." She was thinking wildly in her heart, unable to calm down at all. I drank it to suppress my shock, but it was not as stable as usual!

"Sister, are you in the house?" Chen Ruxue was worrying when her sister Zhaoxue knocked on the door.Ru Xue quickly opened the door, let her sister in, and looked at her anxiously.

Zhaoxue was not in a hurry, she ignored her sister's eyes eager to know what happened, but the old god sat down on the ground, poured a cup of tea, and drank it slowly.Zhaoxue's move made Ruxue very anxious, and asked, "Oh, my good sister, what happened? Brother Fan didn't find me, did he?"

"Brother Fan, Brother Fan, sister is really too, if you have a sweetheart, you don't want me as a sister!" Zhaoxue originally wanted to tease her sister, but now she lost her interest for some reason, "I was scolded by my father because of my sister!" pause."

"Good sister, good Zhaoxue, it's my sister's fault." Ru Xue hurriedly apologized.

"You're really sincere." Zhaoxue pouted, seeing that her sister was very anxious, and then said, "Both father and brother-in-law don't know you're there."

Ru Xue was relieved when she heard that her affairs were not known to others, but her cheeks were flushed by Zhao Xue's "brother-in-law" just now.

"I said sister!" Seeing her sister's appearance, Zhaoxue couldn't help saying, "This matter is settled now, why are you so shy?"

When Ru Xue heard her sister's words, although she understood, she couldn't control herself, and she couldn't help being shy.

"Forget it." Zhaoxue also had no choice but to say, "Now my brother-in-law is probably going to hire a matchmaker. My sister is like this now. I'll see what you will do then."

Zhang Fan returned home and told his mother everything. Mrs. Zhao was overjoyed and said, "Fan'er of my family is finally going to marry a wife."

Mrs. Zhao and Zhang Fan talked for a while, then hurriedly searched for no one.

Although the Chen family is not a prosperous family, it is still a big family, and Zhang Fan is also famous at the moment.The Zhao family naturally has to follow the rules of the big family.

The next day was an auspicious day. Although Zhang Fan didn't know Feng Shui, he had read the almanac.And now, the engagement has officially begun.

As soon as the second day arrived, the matchmaker went to the county government office.For the first time to be able to go to the county government to say goodbye to someone, this is also the first time in Anhua County.After this procedure is completed, Mrs. Zhao will send the betrothal gift to the person, and ask the bride's family to choose it. After accepting the offer, it can be regarded as a formal proposal.

Then there is the question of names.The man has a Geng Cambodian post, write his name, birth year, month, day, and hour, and send it to the woman's home.The woman will reply with the "reply card" of name, birth year, month, day and time.After getting back the Geng Tie, Bu Ji combined the horoscope.

After another two days, the ceremony of Najib will begin—the formal engagement ceremony, where the man sends the dowry to the woman's home.In ancient times, Najib also performed the ceremony of laying geese, but in the Ming Dynasty, it was replaced by a matchmaker's book and marriage.After cross-examination, the parents of both parties had no objection, and then passed the "eight-character stickers".Both the man and the woman prepare a piece of red paper, write the horoscope on the date of birth, and ask the fortune teller to check it, this is a marriage.And here is the official engagement.

That night, Magistrate Ma held a banquet in his mansion.Although it was a bit out of order, the Chen family didn't live here permanently, so it made sense.The Chen family doesn't have any relatives here, neither does the Zhang family.Some of Chen Wenchuan's subordinates and some neighbors of Zhang Fan's family were invited to the banquet.Everyone knew that Zhang Fan was engaged, so they naturally wanted to join in the fun.

During the dinner, Ru Xue didn't come out, but the girl Zhao Xue stuck to Zhang Fan and asked this and that.After the meal, Zhang Fan followed Ma County Magistrate to Ma's study, but Chen Wenchuan was happy about his daughter and was drinking outside.

"Nephew, now that the marriage has been decided, what are your plans?" Ma County Magistrate asked.

"My nephew is going to the capital next month." Zhang Fan said, "I think it's time to wait until I settle down in the capital."

"Well, that's the only way to go." Magistrate Ma had no better idea.To say that this marriage will be done immediately, it seems hasty.Moreover, Zhang Fan will be going to the capital soon, which is quite inconvenient.

"It's just that I'm a little worried." Magistrate Ma said.

"I wonder what uncle is worried about?" Zhang Fan asked.

"The Guozijian will last for four years at the earliest, and there is very little rest time in it." County Magistrate Ma said, "I'm afraid it will delay the lifelong event of you and Ru Xue."

"This..." Zhang Fan didn't think about this issue, but now that County Magistrate Ma raised it, Zhang Fan didn't know what to do.

"Don't think too much about it." Ma County Magistrate said, "We can't think of a solution here, let's talk about it when you arrive in Beijing."