swear not to be concubine

Chapter 37

When Qingzhu found Xu Zhongxuan, he was chatting with Du Dai over tea in the Drunken Flower Pavilion.Shen Chuoyuan also sat with them, but a servant came to tell him something to do, so he left first.

Zuihua Pavilion is a water pavilion built on the source of the Huaxi River that surrounds the peach forest.

Because the weather is very good today, the fans on all sides of the Drunken Flower Pavilion are opened, and the bamboo curtains are also half rolled and half opened. It can be seen that the peach blossoms are blooming like brocades and rosy clouds outside, and the purple swallows are piercing the trees.

Du Dai is talking about the recent hot Japanese pirates:

"...Zhejiang and Fujian sent a flood of memorials to our Department of General Affairs, all of which said that Japanese pirates invaded and looted everywhere. The commander of Fujian sent a man to lead the army to fight against the Japanese, but he was actually arrested by Japanese pirates. He asked for 2000 taels of money to redeem his body, and said that he would kill him if he didn’t. The commander only blamed the incident for his ineffective command, which damaged countless soldiers and lost their face. He didn’t intend to redeem him. Let the Japanese pirates kill him. But in the end, he was worried that someone would impeach him because of this, so he simply sent a memorial, asking whether the above should be redeemed or not. Now the cabinet is concerned about this matter. But the fuss is tight. Mr. Shoufu Zhou means that what are these people going to do with redemption? It’s nothing to lose the face of my Celestial Dynasty, just let the Japanese pirates kill them. And Mr. Wu, the second assistant, means, How can there be a soldier who is always victorious and undefeated in the world? A soldier who bleeds and dies on the front line is accidentally captured by the enemy. If our court does not redeem him and let the Japanese pirates kill him, wouldn’t that chill the hearts of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the front line? So he The meaning is to redeem that thing."

Yibi leaned over slightly again, and said in a low voice: "But I heard that the incident was certainly due to poor command, and the command envoy refused to pay him to redeem him, but it was also because of the lack of drought in the past few years." It is waterlogging. The imperial court fought another battle in the southwest frontier two years ago, which cost countless manpower and material resources. The treasury is now empty and has not been relieved. The Ministry of War has written several times saying that the army’s salary is not enough. How can the command department pay for it? Do you have money to redeem that matter? And most importantly, it is said that Master Wu recommended that matter to be an official. If you don’t care about it and let the Japanese pirates kill you, you may offend Master Wu. So the commander can’t make up his mind. , This is why I specially wrote a memorial, otherwise, why would such a thing need to be brought up? It would have been dealt with by myself long ago."

Xu Zhongxuan only lowered his head to drink his tea, hummed lightly, and didn't say a word.

Since the prince passed away a few years ago, the emperor has not established a crown prince.And now there are two princes under the emperor's knees who are born by the empress, namely King Liang and King Ning, both of whom may be established as heirs.In terms of age alone, King Liang is the eldest, so he should have been established as the heir apparent, but seeing the emperor's intentions, he preferred King Ning more.So the courtiers, headed by the second assistant Wu Kaiji and the first assistant Zhou Yuanzheng, were naturally divided into the Liangwang Party and the Ningwang Party.This Du Dai came from the main gate of Zhou Yuan, the chief assistant, and belonged to King Ning's party.Speaking of Xu Zhongxuan, Zhou Yuanzhengyuan was also his teacher. He should be in the party of King Ning, but he had been speaking for King Liang for two years. I heard that King Liang valued him, so he was most likely to support King Liang's.But if it is seen from the outside, Xu Zhongxuan has a neutral attitude. He neither supports Liang Wang nor Ning Wang. He just does his own thing every day, and others can no longer see his true inner thoughts.

It would be fine if he was just a mediocre official, and no one would pay attention to him.But he occupies such a high position at a young age, and he is highly valued by the current emperor. The emperor will always listen to what he says, so both parties want to win him over.And because Du Dai had a classmate relationship with Xu Zhongxuan, Zhou Yuanzheng specially called him to give him instructions, asking him to slowly use words to find out which side Xu Zhongxuan was on.

But when Du Dai said that just now, Xu Zhongxuan didn't express a very clear attitude.Unwilling to give up, Du Dai simply asked straightforwardly: "Lan Xi, what do you think should be the solution to this matter?"

Xu Zhongxuan pondered for a moment, and then said: "Of course not redeeming will chill the hearts of the soldiers in front, but if redeeming, what will be done to the imperial court? This wind cannot last long. What I mean is that the imperial court made a decree To the leader of the Japanese pirates, let him hand over the matter properly. Otherwise, the heavenly soldiers will overwhelm the country and wipe out the Japanese pirates to show the law. If the matter is still alive at that time, the Ministry of War will discuss his merits and demerits, and then reward and punish him. He died unfortunately, and the imperial court will come forward to commend him for his sacrifice for the country, and then he will greatly comfort his family and shade his descendants, then naturally the hearts of the frontline soldiers will not be chilled."

Du Dai thought about his words for a while, he did not agree with Master Zhou's opinion on this matter, nor Master Wu's opinion on this matter.But on the other hand, he neither opposed Mr. Zhou's proposition nor Mr. Wu's proposition. In short, he did not offend either, but he still couldn't see which side he favored more.

Du Dai was a little dumbfounded.When I wanted to ask again, I was afraid of causing Xu Zhongxuan's disgust, so after thinking about it, I talked about some private matters.

"Lanxi, speaking of it, our fate is not shallow. We have been classmates for three years, and we often meet without talking, and almost became brother-in-law. Alas, it's a pity that Yuniang is unlucky and left early. Otherwise, you and my family would have been close families long ago."

Yuniang's full name is Cui Yuniang, she is the second sister of Cui Huiniang, Mrs. Du Dai's wife, and she is also the son-daughter marriage arranged by Uncle Xu for Xu Zhongxuan.It's just that Cui Yuniang lost her beauty when she was 14 years old.

Xu Zhongxuan put the lotus flower teacup with white background on the table next to his hand, stroked the pattern on the lid with his fingers, looked up at the trees and flowers outside the fan, and did not make a sound.

Du Dai then said again: "Last time I saw my old father-in-law, what the old father-in-law meant was that he liked you very much, and he was reluctant to break up your relationship. I heard what he said inside and outside the meaning. The idea of ​​getting married. I have been thinking about it these days, Jinniang is also at a young age, and she looks like a flower and a jade, but she is also a good match for you. I don’t know what Lanxi is thinking?"

"Brother Junqing," Xu Zhongxuan withdrew his gaze and looked at Du Dai, with a shallow smile on his lips and an even weaker voice, he just asked with a smile, "I don't know, when will you also serve as the right councilor besides the general secretary?" Taking up the position of Yuelao?"

Although this was said in a joking tone, it still meant that he was meddling in his own business.When Du Dai heard this, his face was a little embarrassing.

He was about to say a few more words when he saw Qi Sang, Xu Zhongxuan's attendant, walk in and said respectfully, "My lord, the servant girl next to Fourth Miss came to see you, saying that Fourth Miss has something to say." to tell you."

After hearing this, Xu Zhongxuan got up and said excuse me to Du Dai, and then went out.

Qingzhu was standing in the corridor waiting, when she saw Xu Zhongxuan came out, she hurriedly blessed him and said respectfully: "Your servant has seen the eldest son."

Xu Zhongxuan stood still a few steps in front of her, and asked, "What does Jin'er want to say to me?"

"The girl only said to let the slaves come over, please go there."

The word "be sure" made Xu Zhongxuan's face slightly moved.Xu Miaojin seldom said such words to him, so he asked: "Where is Jin'er now? But what happened? Please tell me carefully."

Qingzhu hesitated for a while, and then said: "Fourth Miss and Third Miss, after Miss Jian separated from you, she met Qingmei who was next to the eldest girl, and invited them to Zhuxia Pavilion. There, I met Zheng Guogong's mansion. Miss Li, Miss Guo from Wukangbo’s mansion, and Miss Zhou’s niece. Miss Li seemed to like our girl very much, and gave her a red gold butterfly hairpin inlaid with rubies as a gift. Only Miss Li and Ms. Gu didn't seem to like Ms. Jian, she taunted Ms. Jian very much, Ms. Jian didn't reply, she just sat there and accepted it quietly. We girls probably don't want to see Ms. Jane being wronged, but we are not good If you come forward to say it, let the slaves come out to find you, and you must come over if you are invited, which also means to rescue Miss Jian."

After the girl said the whole story, Qi Sang, who was standing beside him, felt his mind was going dizzy.He couldn't help but think in his heart, this green bamboo is indeed the one selected by the young master himself to be placed next to the fourth girl, what he said was complete and concise, and he didn't leave any reasons behind, and he didn't hold back of.As for that girl Jane, he thought to himself, the young master just asked him to inquire about this girl Jane a few days ago, and it seems that he cared about her, so he didn't know that he would hear someone ridiculing and mocking Jane. Girl, what will happen to the son?
He stole a look at Xu Zhongxuan, only to see that the latter's long eyebrows were already locked.

Xu Zhongxuan had met Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin, although he hadn't spoken a few words to them, it could be seen from their faces that these two were domineering masters.Although Jian Yan looked gentle and elegant on the surface, she was just a young girl in the bottom of her heart, and she might not be able to withstand the ridicule of Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin.If she retorted, Li Nianlan and Guo Danqin would get hold of it, and they might humiliate her indefinitely because of their backgrounds.

Xu Zhongxuan lifted his foot and went down the steps, took two steps before remembering, then turned around and told Qi Sang who was following him: "Go and tell Master Du that I have to take a step first, and I will talk about it later." .”

Qi Sang agreed and turned around.Here Qingzhu leads the way, leading Xu Zhongxuan towards the direction of Zhuxia Pavilion.

In the Zhuxia Pavilion, Jian Yan's words were so shocking that everyone in the room was stunned.

Li Nianlan was the first to react, and said with a cold face: "Very good. Since everyone said that you have written a good handwriting and a good painting, let's compare calligraphy and painting today. Don't turn around and let others Said that I bullied you because I was a year or two older than you."

At this time, Wu Jingxuan said in the middle: "Sister Yan, go and apologize to Ms. Li. Ms. Li is good at drawing plum blossoms and writing in small script with hairpin flowers. The whole capital city Who doesn't know the people here? If you lose face later, wouldn't it be a joke?"

What annoys Jian Yan the most is people like Wu Jingxuan.On the surface, she looked weak and weak, and she said what she said in the name of thinking about you, but inwardly, she was afraid that she would be timid and dare not compete with Li Nianlan. She couldn't hear it.

So Jian Yan turned her head to look at Wu Jingxuan, and asked her with a cold and calm face: "Sister Wu, do you want me to compete with Miss Li, or not?"

Wu Jingxuan didn't expect Jian Yan to become so aggressive all of a sudden, no matter what others said before, she always responded with a smile.

This kind of Jian Yan made people feel a little strange, she didn't know how to resist at the moment, but she was speechless.

But Jian Yan already ignored her, just looked at Li Nianlan, and said very coldly: "Then, according to your words, let's try calligraphy and painting."

"Wait," Guo Danqin suddenly interjected and said, "Let's talk about it first. This competition of calligraphy and painting is not about just writing two characters at random. You can just draw something. You need to have pictures in the poems. There are poems in it, and the scene blends together, otherwise it will always be inferior."

What Guo Danqin thought was that after all, Jian Yan was a daughter of a merchant. Even if she wrote a few words and drew a few strokes, her knowledge must be limited. She knew what it means to have a painting in a poem and a poem in a painting?I'm afraid she hasn't read a few poems, and if she sets some difficult ones, the more ugly she will be in the future, Li Nianlan will naturally feel superior, why not do something that kills two birds with one stone?
After hearing this, Jian Yan didn't say anything, she just said: "Hurry up. I've been out for a long time, and now I'm still in a hurry to go back."

He didn't take this competition seriously at all.When Li Nianlan heard this, her complexion immediately sank, as if she was gnashing her teeth.

On one side, a maid had already brought two large picture tables with mandshurica clips and tenons, and put paper, ink, brushes and inkstones on them one by one.

Xu Miaoning rolled up her sleeves and volunteered to come forward and said, "Cousin, let me grind ink for you."

Xu Miaojin didn't say a word, came over and reached out to hold the drawing paper, acting as a humanoid paperweight.

After Xu Miaoning had worn the ink thickly, Jian Yan walked to the painting table, took a Zihao brush, and started to paint with her head down.

All the grief and anger in her heart gushed out at this moment.

The helplessness of being forced to learn singing and dancing that pleases people all these years, the torment of waking up hungry in the middle of the night, the forbearance that clearly resents people in his heart but still has to please smile on the face, and fears every day that Mrs. Jane will send him away the next moment The worry of being a concubine, the grievance of being ridiculed and ridiculed, all poured out at this moment.

Jian Yan drew faster and faster, and her strokes became more and more sharp. In the end, her painting was ready in less than a stick of incense.

Casually throwing the Banfei Bamboo Tube Zihao Brush in her hand onto the painting table, Jian Yan raised her head and said to Xu Miaoning and Xu Miaojin: "Let's go."

After all, without even looking at the other people in the room, he turned around and left on his own.There is a kind of unrestrained style of flicking clothes to hide merit and fame.

The people in the room were stunned again.

Li Nianlan gritted her molars tightly in hatred, the hand holding the Zihao pen was shaking uncontrollably.

Her plum blossom is only half painted.But Jian Yan had already finished the painting, and she left in such a chic way. Is she so confident that she will win?
At this time, other people had gathered around Jian Yan's painting to look at it, but after looking at it for a while, still no one spoke.

Li Nianlan asked: "How is she painting?"

After a moment of silence, Wu Jingxuan was only heard saying: "She draws very casually, so it can't be compared with Miss Li's fine brushwork."

Guo Danqin was also talking: "Your plum blossom has been taught by a national master, how can she compare with you."

Li Nianlan didn't believe it, and when she was about to throw the pen over to look at it, the light in the room dimmed, and someone pushed open the bamboo curtain and walked in.

As soon as Wu Jingxuan saw the person coming, she immediately reached out and took the stone-carved cloud-pattern inkstone in the upper right corner of the painting case. She wanted to have a landscape with splashed ink and ruin Jian Yan's painting, but Xu Miaohua had quick eyesight and quick hands, and grabbed the painting before she could do it. I took it in my hand.

Then she turned her head and said to the person: "Brother, come and see Miss Jian's painting."

(End of this chapter)