Taohuaxi

Chapter 81

When I returned to Qin Mansion, it was already dark.

The servant asked me respectfully: "Young Madam, the food has been prepared according to the Master's instructions. They are all your favorite dishes. Do you want to serve them now?"

I said: "Let's wait until the young master comes back."

I was sorting Qin Mingxu's clothes in the bedroom.

I saw a camphor wood box in the corner of the house. There were two words engraved on the box: Sangyu.

I opened the box and saw a lot of bits and pieces.

A hand stove.Red copper in color, the furnace cover is engraved with twining chrysanthemums. It is smooth, round, smooth and plain.The body of the furnace is engraved with two characters in Yangwen small seal: Fengqing.

I remember the first snowy days in Yangzhou. I went to see Cheng Huai off at the ferry. When I came back, I was delayed and the city gate was about to close.I met Qin Mingxu, and he handed me such a hand stove, but the word "Yue Ming" was engraved on the stove body.

The moon is bright and the wind is clear.

This hand stove turned out to be a pair.

Also, in the past, I painted a peony painting for Cai Qingyao’s birthday. Later, this peony painting came into the hands of Mr. Zhang.For a while, Qin Mingxu was mistaken for Mr. Zhang's son and lived in the Zhang Mansion.He actually brought this peony painting back to Yangzhou.

Next to the picture of peonies, a new line of small words was added: Peonies were in full bloom last night.After all, it’s this year’s Spring Festival Gala.Tea pays for the smoked wind pipe.

Then I looked through it and found a very old coarse cloth handkerchief.

The word "mulberry" is embroidered on the veil.

I took it with me when I took the boat from Dongchangfu to Yangzhou.Somehow I couldn't find it.

I think it was left on the boat and picked up by him.

He treats every trivial thing about me as a treasure and collects it carefully.

I closed the box and put it back where it was. My heart was soaked in the night and felt soft and gentle.

At the second watch, Qin Mingxu came back from outside.

I ordered the maid to heat up the food and bring it into the room.

"Mingxu, what did he say when he left you?" I asked.

His expression was much calmer than when he was in court, and he was no longer so nervous and unnatural.

He smiled softly at me, patted my hand and said, "Don't worry, it's okay. It's just some extra silver. Money that is external to you should be used as a waste to eliminate disasters."

"Mingxu, that steward was a person who used to be close to Master Zhang. His name was Zou Cheng. He was originally a scholar from Qionglin Academy. He was very skilled in martial arts and was appreciated by Master Zhang. He only obeyed orders from Master Zhang. He was very loyal. Yes. Why did he join the Zheng family? I always feel that there is something hidden inside." I thought about it.

He served me a bowl of soup and said: "He was loyal in the past because Mr. Zhang was the chief minister and held a high position. Now, Mr. Zhang has passed away and the Zhang Mansion is sparse. As a good bird chooses the best trees to roost, he has another It’s not surprising that he would seek refuge in a court. This is how things are in the world. According to rumors, the imperial doctors all say that Concubine Zheng’s baby is most likely to be a prince, and Long Live the Lord has moved Yi Chu’s thoughts.”

"The Queen Mother finally allowed Long Live Lord to establish the crown prince with great difficulty. How can she allow him to dethrone him so easily? The crown prince is the foundation of the country, and the foundation of the country will not be easily touched."

He took a sip of the soup and said, "I heard... Mr. Feng was helping the Queen Mother? He contributed a lot to the establishment of the Crown Prince last time."

I stopped my chopsticks and said, "Dongchang has never been involved in party strife. It only takes orders from Long Live. Don't listen to what others say."

He paused, laid out the dishes for me, and said, "Hurry up and eat. I just said it casually and I won't mention it again."

I forgot to mention Zou Cheng's matter because it was so confusing.

I only worry about Feng Gao.

If he really contributed to the establishment of the crown prince, Concubine Zheng and her party would definitely regard him as a thorn in the flesh and want to get rid of him.

Qin Mingxu said nothing more and remained silent for a long time.

After finishing his sloppy dinner, he lay on the couch and rested his head on his hands.

"Sang Yu, if I do something wrong, will you leave me?"

A word that makes no sense, makes me feel strange.

I walked to the couch, and he held my hand tightly and put it on his chest: "I don't want you to leave me. I cherish these days now. Sang Yu, become husband and wife with you and live under the same roof." , my heart is very peaceful, peace I have never had before. The greatest happiness in the world is nothing more than this. When I go home, there is a light on waiting for me. I don’t want to lose it.”

"I am remarried. Now that I am married to you, I want to grow old with you. How can I leave you so easily?" I said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy outside came to report: Mr. Feng is here——

I got up and walked to the outer room. Feng Gao had already entered.

He was carrying a bag full of official documents and was in a hurry.

"Sister, the salt patrol is over, I have to go back tonight."

I walked to the kitchen: "I'll make you something to eat. You can leave when you're full."

He took off his luggage and put it on the chair, and then followed me to the kitchen.

He watched me kneading dough and making pancakes, then leaned against the doorframe and said, "Sister, I can come back at the end of this year."

At the end of the year, it was the day when Concubine Zheng gave birth.

"Really?" I said happily.

"Yeah. Sister, you have to believe me, I always have every plan."

He solemnly said: "I told my mother that time, and she was very happy. I don't want her to live alone in Qingyue Pavilion anymore. Come back early to keep her company, and fulfill your filial piety."

The oil in the pot is hot, and the noodles are placed in the pot, making a sizzling sound, which is lively and festive.

Yes.

He is a factory owner who has no plans left.

I have experienced so many twists and turns.

As long as he wanted to, he would be able to escape unscathed and return safely.

The pancakes were ready and served to the table, and he ate several of them.Someone outside the door urged him, so he grabbed his bag and left.

Lonely Luan in the mirror.

Jade tree in front of the court.

His back gradually faded away, and I returned to the couch to rest.Qin Mingxu closed his eyes tightly and was already fast asleep.

Over there, Feng Gao returned to Beijing and found that the official documents in his luggage were missing.

Some pages were messed up, obviously in a hurry and without enough time to restore them.

Next to Feng Gao was a young eunuch who was transferred to the East Factory from the Twelfth Eunuch two months ago.This little eunuch's name was Zhang Jing, and he used to clean toilets in the palace.The urinal is clean, the person is smart, respectful, and can talk.When Feng Gao was imprisoned in the imperial edict, many people acted as helpers, but Zhang Jing was the only one who did not say a bad word and even secretly sent some soup to Feng Gao who was imprisoned.After Feng Gao was released from prison, he investigated Zhang Jing's background and found that he had an innocent family background, with no father, mother, or brothers and sisters, so he transferred him to serve him closely and was promoted to the fifth rank of deacon and eunuch.It can be said that Zhang Jing was lucky and rose to prominence.

When he returned to Yangzhou, Zhang Jing was also accompanying him.

Zhang Jing also discovered that the official document was passive.He carefully asked Feng Gao, "Mr. Factory Master, do you want to investigate this matter?" Feng Gao thought about it for a while, but the luggage only left his sister's room. He shook his head and motioned to Zhang Jing not to say anything.Anyway, the official documents were not stolen, so it's not a big deal.

He had figured out what was going on, but he didn't tell me.

He hopes that my married life will be smooth and trouble-free.

He just sent Zhang Jing to beat Qin Mingxu secretly.

And I don't know any of this.

As long as people do one thing wrong, they have to continue to do many things to cover up that wrong thing.Qin Mingxu was held hostage by Zou Cheng only because he had the handle.

At first, Zou Cheng asked Qin Mingxu to read Feng Gao's official documents, which was just a test.

Qin Mingxu did as he was told.

This move made Zou Cheng feel more and more that Qin Mingxu could take advantage of him.

Feng Gao sent Zhang Jing to beat Qin Mingxu, which made Qin Mingxu even more frightened.Afraid of losing.Mistake after mistake.Until you go into the abyss.

Each of us is caught up in the rolling torrent and unconsciously promotes the occurrence of tragedy.

The next day, before dawn, someone knocked on the door.

I stood up from the bed in a daze and opened the door. Hua Lian said out of breath: "My boss, something happened!"

"What's wrong?" I suddenly woke up completely.

"Master, I went out to pay tribute in the middle of the night and fell. I'm afraid, I'm afraid..." Hua Lian looked panicked.

I quickly put on my coat, wiped my face, and rushed to Zhu's Mansion.Qin Mingxu woke up and said hurriedly: "Sang Yu, I'll go with you."

My father's gray hair was spread out, his clothes were rumpled, and he was lying on the couch.

As a person is getting older, this fall is not a trivial matter. The new injury is linked to the old disease. There is no medicine or stone to cure it, and the breath is dying.

Zhu Xifeng lay beside the couch, crying until his eyes were red and swollen.

My father saw me and stretched out his yellowed hand: "Sangyu, Sangyu——"

I quickly stepped forward and held his hand tightly: "Dad, I'm here."

My father choked with sobs and said, "Sang Yu, your mother waved to me from below. She said she was suffering a lot and asked me to go down and accompany her."

I shook my head and said, "No, my mother is the most understanding person. She will wait on Huangquan Road until my father is old enough before going."

"I have been a useless person all my life... I have completely lost all my ancestral property... Fortunately... Fortunately, your mother adopted you and gave me something to rely on in my old age. Now that I have enjoyed the blessings, there is nothing I can't bear to leave." What? Xifeng, I have become more and more sensible after being taught by you. When I reach the end, I will be worthy of Lin Yue." He said tremblingly.He didn't want to let down either of his two wives.

"My father-in-law has not finished enjoying his blessings. My father-in-law loves Siamese tea. My son-in-law went to the south to get some. He will be able to go to Yangzhou next month. He can drink as much as he wants," Qin Mingxu said.

My father smiled, with muddy old tears falling, and his beard trembling: "I wish the family a good daughter and a good uncle..."

He said to me: "Sang Yu, get some paper and pen."

"What does Dad need paper and pen for now?"

The veins on his forehead bulged as he insisted: "Get me a pen and paper quickly."

I obeyed and brought a pen and paper.

My father struggled, picked up the pen, and wrote his last words: After my death, the recipe for Zhu Jiahua Brewing will be left to my adopted daughter Zhu Sangyu, who will have full authority to dispose of it...

My eyes were hot: "Dad, it doesn't have to be like this, it doesn't have to be like this."

If we say that when he first arrived in Yangzhou, he was still somewhat wary of me.

At this moment, it is completely sincere.

During this time, we met day and night, and I was extremely filial to him.

He really treats me like a daughter.

He left me the most precious thing.

He believes that I will treat Zhu Xifeng kindly throughout his life, and there is no need for a promise.

He believed that I would run Zhujia Winery well.

After writing, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he pointed at Zhu Xifeng and said to me and Qin Mingxu: "Sang Yu, uncle, I have a wish before I die..."

Qin Mingxu and I said in unison: "Dad, just tell us and we will do it."

"Xifeng's child is old and it's time to get married. A few days ago, I told Mr. Zhao from Zhao Ji Rice Shop about the marriage. The eldest daughter of his family is the same age as Xifeng. Mr. Zhao agreed. Sang Yu, uncle, hurry up. ...Hurry up and get married in Xifeng... Even if I kick off right away, it will still be a success..."

I thought for a while and said, "Listen to Dad."

Zhu Xifeng was at a loss when he first heard that he was going to marry Miss Zhao.

He took Hua Lian and said, "Let's secretly go to Zhao Jimi's shop and see what Miss Zhao looks like."

Hua Lian remained silent and followed him.

He was mumbling all the way.

Hua Lian slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Damn it, Miss Zhao will take care of you from now on, so you don't have to bother me anymore!"

Zhu Xifeng said: "Don't even think about it. Even if I marry a hundred wives, I will still bother you every day."

The two of them were fooling around and arrived at Zhao Ji's rice shop.

A carriage stopped outside the door, and the maid helped a young lady in a bright red dress get out of the carriage.

Hua Lian pulled Zhu Xifeng and hid aside.

I only heard the young lady say: "Dad, you really shouldn't have married me to someone else out of nowhere. Who knows, Zhu Sangyu is the head of the Zhu family. With such a powerful aunt in the door, life will probably be difficult." .”

The maid said: "Miss, you are mistaken. How can the Zhu family only have a married woman to lead the family? It is unreasonable. Zhu Xifeng is the upright young master of the Zhu family. When he gets married in the future, all the Zhu family members belong to the young lady. I heard that Zhu Xifeng is careless and stupid, so he must be very good at handling it. When the young lady gets married, he will drive away Zhu Sangyu and make the Zhu Mansion his home..."

The young lady nodded and said, "You are absolutely right."

Hua Lian turned pale with anger and rushed forward, saying: "Who are you saying is stupid? Who are you saying is careless? Our young master's family negotiated a big deal a while ago, is it your turn to dislike him?"

The maid's face turned red and white: "Who are you? Do you care?"

The two fought.

The maid was no match for Hua Lian, so she called the guys from Midian to come over and help.

When Zhu Xifeng saw Hua Lian being surrounded by people, he became anxious and shouted: "Let's see who dares to bully my dead girl! I won't marry you for this marriage!"

(End of this chapter)