swear not to be concubine

Chapter 68

Jian Yan stood in front of the gate of the Jade Emperor Temple at the foot of the mountain, looked up at the Jade Emperor Temple standing halfway up the mountain, and twitched the corners of her mouth speechlessly.

On such a hot day, under such a scorching sun, just to come to this temple to have a safe dip and watch a play, this spirit is simply amazing.If it were her, she would rather stay at home for a whole summer and not grow moldy mushrooms.

But fortunately, no matter how vicious the sun is, she still wears a scorpion on her head.

This wide-brimmed hat on the head is equivalent to a beach hat with the largest outer edge, not to mention, there is also a layer of black gauze on the brim, which hangs down all the way to cover the instep, the whole is simply a great piece Do you have sun protection clothing?Moreover, although this layer of black veil is thin, it is not transparent, so she can clearly see any clear expression on other people's faces while hiding inside, but others cannot see what she looks like underneath.That is to say, as long as she wears this power coat, she doesn't have to pretend to be dignified and elegant on her face.

So Jian Yan was very happy, and when she looked up at the Jade Emperor Temple halfway up the mountain, she suddenly felt a heroic spirit of wanting to climb up by herself.

But naturally she would not really let her climb up by herself.Even if she thinks about it again, Mrs. Jane will not agree.

Mrs. Jian has always been committed to teaching Jian Yan to be a gentle woman who knows how to read and respect. She wished she could hold her heart in her arms every day, and she would shed tears from time to time, so that she could teach those men to read it from the bottom of her heart. He would feel sorry for her and pity her, but how could he let her do something like climbing a mountain.

There were already several servants and women waiting by the mountain gate.Seeing Wu Shi and others coming, those servants and mother-in-law rushed forward to welcome them.

The maid at the front obviously recognized Wu Shi, she had already greeted her with a happy face, bowed to Wu Shi and others, and then said with a smile: "Madam asked the servants and others to wait here early in the morning. Old lady, wife, and brothers and sisters."

Wu Shi nodded to her, and then smiled and said: "It's such a hot day, it's hard for you to wait here for half a day."

At the same time, he ordered Caizhu to take some money to these servants and women, saying that they would use it to buy tea.

The servants and women received the money, and the smiles on their faces deepened.Yin said again: "Today, all the female relatives of various families come and go in the Jade Emperor Temple. The temple sent people to clear the scene early in the morning, and no one else was allowed to come in. So ladies and sisters Feel free to wander around."

Then he turned around and pointed to a group of young men standing behind him with their hands down, and said, "Our wife has called these young men to wait here long ago, so that they can wait for all the wives and brothers and sisters to go up the mountain."

Standing at the back, Jian Yan raised her eyes and looked over, and saw several sliding poles similar to those in Sichuan placed beside those servants.They are all tied with two long bamboo poles to form a stretcher, with a recliner in the middle and a footboard hanging from the front.

However, Jian Yan immediately learned from the maid that this is not called a slippery pole, but a shoulder joint.

Afterwards, all the female family members of the Xu family sat in the shoulder room under the service of their maids and servants.None of the male relatives sat on this shoulder, and all of them climbed the mountain by themselves.

This shoulder wobbles when it sits up, and trembles up and down when it walks. Those who are more courageous will only think it is a kind of enjoyment, but those who are less courageous, I am afraid that the taste will not be very pleasant.

At least Jian Yan would hear the low screams of Xu Miaolan and others from time to time.

Jian Yan acted as if she didn't hear it, and half-lyed on the recliner in a very relaxed posture, looking up at the sky above her head.

With this power, she can take off her disguise for a while and be herself for a while.

The sky above is high and deep, and the clouds are white and soft, stretching all the way to the sky.The green trees on the mountain roads on both sides are green and green, and a clear mountain spring is gurgling and winding down.

Now that she is in the mountain, what she can see with her eyes is naturally the scenery in the mountain.But she still remembered that when she sat on the plane and looked down, under the misty white clouds, the vast sea was just a touch of blue, not to mention the mountain which was not considered very high.

At that time, looking up, it was a blue sky that was intoxicating, and looking down, it was white clouds. The rosy sunset glow in the sky seemed to be on fire, reflecting red all the places she could see.

So what is all this now?

The world is nothing more than this, it is nothing more than a glass of wine, and if you are drunk, it is nothing more than a drop of tears.After a bustling event, even if we meet each other thousands of miles away, we just want to live a happy life.

Jian Yan let out a breath slowly, as if she had let out all the uneasiness and fear that had been lingering in her heart for a long time.

The wind of the valley blows slowly, blowing the black veil in front of her, bringing the fragrance of the trees.

She let go of her tense shoulders, sat in the recliner with peace of mind, and looked up at the rugged mountain road ahead.

No matter how rough the road ahead is, she will still move forward unswervingly.

There was a hand on the bamboo pole, clean and slender, and then a clear and moist voice sounded, comforting her in a low voice: "Don't be afraid. It will arrive soon."

Jian Yan turned her head and looked over.

It's Xu Zhongxuan.

Even through a black veil, she could still clearly see the concern on Xu Zhongxuan's face.Presumably he thought that he would be afraid to sit on this shoulder.

This man is really outstanding, she sighed sincerely in her heart, he became famous all over the world at a young age, and at such a young age he is in a high position.He is so handsome and clear, and what's rare is that he still has a gentle and elegant air. It's still hard for people not to pay attention to him no matter where he stands.

But what does this have to do with her?
She knew in her heart that even if Xu Zhongxuan cared about her and defended her now, he probably never thought of making her his wife.

She can be sure that Xu Zhongxuan is a rational person, even if he is a person who will ride the world of mortals and send Sophora japonica cakes at night, he will clearly understand what he wants What and how to do is the most beneficial choice for him.In his position, marriage is more a kind of good of two surnames, a combination of two families, a win-win situation for each other, so how could it be possible to marry a daughter of a merchant like her?It is of no benefit to him.

What he can give her is nothing more than the title of a concubine.

The corners of Jian Yan's lips suddenly curled up.

Because she remembered the time when Xu Zhongxuan gave her Sophora japonica cake at night, when he was drunk.

Yes, but he did such impulsive things when he was drunk.If he was sober, would he still do such a thing?
She suddenly chuckled.

"Eldest Young Master," she smiled with crooked eyebrows, but Xu Zhongxuan couldn't see it through a black veil, "please think about it, but I'm not afraid at all."

After that, she turned her head away and stopped looking at him.

Xu Zhongxuan froze in place.

He sensitively sensed something was wrong from Jian Yan's words just now.

Compared with the awkwardness of walking away from Ning Cui Xuan last time, she seemed to let go of all her annoyance towards him.However, the indifference in her words also meant that she didn't care about him at all.

It was as if he was just a stranger, and she didn't care about his life or death. She just folded her hands and watched indifferently from the sidelines.

That is really a kind of indifference from the bottom of my heart because I have seen everything.

Xu Zhongxuan didn't know why, he suddenly felt panicked for no reason, and in an instant, a deep fear surged from the bottom of his heart, and quickly spread to his limbs and bones.

Cold hands and feet.

Even though it was midsummer and the hot sun was shining on him, he still felt cold sweat protruding from his back, soaking through his shirt.

He even wanted to rush over, dragged Jian Yan regardless, and asked her what the last sentence meant.

But he still clenched his hands into fists and stood still.

Because Mrs. Wu, who just passed by, and Mrs. Feng and others were looking at her with strange eyes.Xu Miaoning even asked him: "Brother, what are you doing standing here and not leaving?"

Xu Zhongjing also stepped forward and invited him to go forward together.

Xu Zhongxuan tried his best to gather his mind and followed everyone's footsteps.

It's just that he was still in a mess all the way, just thinking, no, he must find a suitable time later, find a secluded place, and ask Jian Yan what the words mean.

In an open courtyard in the Jade Emperor Temple, the upstairs and downstairs have been cleaned long ago, and bamboo curtains are hung on all sides, half rolled and half opened. Although there are many maids and servants waiting on the side, it is completely silent. Not even a cough was heard.

When Wu and the others went up to the second floor, Cui Huiniang had already led Cui Jinniang, Cui Wenchang and others to greet them.

"Old lady," she took Wu's arm very warmly, and asked with a smile on her face, "Is it hot all the way here?"

In a hurry, he turned back and ordered the servant girl to serve icy plum soup, cold bowls, various icy fruits, etc.

Jian Yan followed everyone up the stairs, and after greeting everyone for a while, she sat down at the table.

This courtyard is also a small courtyard, but it is surrounded by two-story buildings.

A stage was set up in one building to sing opera, and all kinds of joys and sorrows were being performed on it, which could be seen in the other three buildings.It's just that Jian Yan is not in the front building, but just a side building on the right hand side.

At this moment, she was holding a round fan in her hand, and she was shaking it slowly, looking at the stage with her eyes, but she was listening to Cui Huiniang and Wu Shi and others talking in her ears.

Cui Huiniang was laughing and said: "...I inquired about it a few days ago, and said that Mrs. Zheng Guogong gave her daughter a safety dip in this Jade Emperor Temple today. So the front building is reserved for their Zheng Guogong's mansion. .”

Jian Yan thought in her heart, Zheng Guogong?That Li Nianlan is the concubine of Zheng Guogong's mansion, but I don't know who the daughter of Zheng Guogong's wife is.

She glanced sideways at the front building, but saw that the curtain was lowered, but there was no one inside.

At this time, Wu Shi was already asking: "Then why is there no one in the front building? Mrs. Zheng Guogong didn't come?"

Yin said again: "Speaking of Mrs. Zheng Guogong, it seems that no one in Beijing has seen her."

Cui Huiniang's voice lowered a bit: "Mrs. Zheng Guogong's daughter died early in the morning. Besides, Mrs. Zheng Guogong's health was not good. Since she came to the capital, she has been lingering on the sick bed, and she hasn't come out to socialize much. But, so we haven't seen it before."

Wu and the others naturally wanted to ask why, so Cui Huiniang spoke in a low voice.

It turns out that Zheng Guogong's title early in the morning was just Uncle Ning Yuan.That year, King Duan conspired against him. The then Duke Zheng Guo was ordered by the emperor to lead his troops to encircle and suppress him. Later, he really succeeded in defeating King Duan and forced King Duan to commit suicide.The emperor was overjoyed, so he promoted him to the title of Duke Zheng.Then Zheng Guogong repaired a book and went home, only saying that his family would pick up his wife and come to Beijing for a reunion.At that time, Zheng Guogong's wife was already seven months pregnant, but she was exhausted all the way, and she gave birth to a daughter early.And at that time, there were those subordinates of King Duan who were fleeing outside, and they were not angry that Duke Zheng forced his King Duan to death. After inquiring about the route for Mrs. Zheng Guogong and others to come to Beijing, they lay in ambush halfway, intending to kill Mrs. Zheng Guogong and her party. .Fortunately, the accompanying guards defended desperately, and finally escaped with Mrs. Zheng Guogong and others, and arrived in the capital smoothly.It's just that the daughter born on the road to Mrs. Zheng Guogong's wife is said to have died.

This is Mrs. Zheng Guogong's first child. I heard that Mrs. Zheng Guogong was greatly stimulated. Even though she gave birth to another child three years later, and it was still a son, she still couldn't forget her first child. A child who was sick with longing and lingering sickness.It was also heard that she lit a long burning lantern for her daughter in the Jade Emperor Temple, and that every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, she would definitely make a safety dip for her daughter, so as to express her grief.

When everyone heard this, they naturally sighed with emotion.I also feel sorry for Mrs. Zheng Guogong's daughter who died unfortunately.

If she didn't die, she would be the only prostitute in Zheng Guogong's mansion, how honorable she would be.

After Jian Yan heard this, she turned her head to look at the stage next to her.

What is being performed on the stage is "The Story of the Pipa".The original wife took care of her parents-in-law in her hometown and lived on bran. The high school husband entered the prime minister's mansion, hugged his lovely wife, and watched the beautiful peach blossoms outside from the crystal curtain.

Jian Yan sneered inwardly, but her face remained as usual.

At this moment, Xu Miaoning leaned over and asked her softly: "Cousin, why don't we go out for a stroll? Sitting here is boring."

Jian Yan turned her head, and quickly glanced at everyone sitting in this building.

Sure enough, it was not without surprise to see Xu Zhongxuan paying attention to her side.

So she shook her head and just said: "It's too hot today, I'm too lazy to move, it's good to sit here and watch a show. If you want to go out for a stroll, it's the same with Jin'er and the others of."

If she went out, Xu Zhongxuan would definitely go out too.She didn't want to have any contact with him anymore.And as long as he sits here and doesn't go out, Xu Zhongxuan won't sit at her table and say anything to her under the watchful eyes of everyone.

There are a total of four tables on the second floor, Xu Miaoning, Xu Miaojin and herself are sitting at this table, and Wu Shi, Ji Shi, Yu Shi and Mrs. Jian are sitting at the other table. Waiting for others, Xu Miaohua, Xu Miaolan and Su Jinniang sat at the same table, Xu Zhongxuan, Xu Zhongjing, Xu Zhongan and Su Wenchang sat at the same table.

Jian Qing didn't come.Mrs. Jian now only asks him to study hard, because August is Qiu Wei, and he can participate according to his qualifications as a supervisor, so he is not allowed to come out to play easily.As for Xu Zhongze, I don't know what kind of madness Xu Zhongxuan has gone into a few days ago, but he took care of his unprogressive younger brother, saying that he is idle all day long, and no matter how unprogressive, it will not ruin Xu's family if things go on like this wind?Because after asking Xu Zhengxing for instructions, he wrote a letter and sent Xu Zhongze to study in an academy in another place, and he couldn't return home several times throughout the year.

In fact, since Jian Yan came up to the second floor, she looked at it coldly, and combined with some news she heard in Taoyuan last time, it was easy to guess Su Huiniang's plan.

The reason why she invited the Xu family to watch a play in the Jade Emperor's Temple today was because she didn't want to drink.

In the final analysis, isn't it for the sake of matching Xu Zhongxuan and Su Jinniang?
Jian Yan didn't know before, but on the way back from Taoyuan that day, she heard from Xu Miaoning that Xu Zhongxuan's father had arranged a marriage for Xu Zhongxuan when he was alive.The woman is Cui Huiniang's second sister, named Cui Yuniang.It's just that Cui Yuniang was a confidante, and she died early, so the marriage had to be abandoned.Later, Xu Zhongxuan rose all the way up the officialdom, and the Su family made another plan to let Su Jinniang marry Xu Zhongxuan.Sister dies and sister marries, it can still be a good story if it gets out.

At this time, I saw Cui Huiniang looking at their tables with a smile, and said with a smile: "It's true that the old lady can adjust and manage people. Look at these girls in your family. Look, I love this one, and I love that one too. I just hate that I chose to give birth to a daughter in my life, otherwise I would be begging the old lady and asking you to marry me a granddaughter."

Her words were very playful, so all the wives laughed.

Mrs. Wu laughed and said, "It's true that Mrs. Du can talk, her mouth is really cute."

Yin looked at Su Jinniang and Su Wenchang again and said with a smile: "Aren't your siblings both lovely? One is delicate and the other is handsome. I don't know which family will be the lucky ones."

Su Huiniang smiled slightly, but did not speak.

We are all smart people.If Mrs. Wu wanted to be in-laws with them, she wouldn't have said that sentence just now.

She thought about it, and smiled again: "It's all right for us to talk here, but these brothers and sisters are here to listen to us, I'm afraid they are very impatient in their hearts. The Jade Emperor The temple is cleared early in the morning, and no one else will be allowed to come in. Brothers and sisters may as well go out for a stroll without worry. Although the temple is not big, there are still a few sights that are eye-catching Woolen cloth."

For a while, Yin smiled at Su Wenchang again: "You take good care of your sisters from the Xu family."

He smiled at Su Jinniang again: "Don't wander around alone, follow everyone."

Xu Miaoning came to tug Jian Yan's sleeve again, begging her to go out with her.But Jian Yan just smiled and waved the fan in her hand, expressing that she didn't want to go out.

Xu Zhongxuan sat there, looking only at Jian Yan.

Since he got to the second floor just now, he has been looking at Jian Yan.But Jian Yan specially chose a place with her back to sit down, and all he could see was her back.And she never turned her head to take a look, just waved her fan and looked at the stage below.

He couldn't help but still panicked, and both hands on his knees were tightly clenched into fists.

Why doesn't she go down for a walk?Obviously both Xu Miaoning and Xu Miaojin asked her to accompany them for a stroll?If it was in the past, she would definitely not reject them, but today, is it possible that she doesn't want to get along with him?
Xu Zhongxuan only felt that his heart was slowly falling down.But it couldn't land to the bottom, it just kept floating in mid-air, without a place to stay.

At this moment, Mrs. Jian called Jian Yan.

Jian Yan sighed in her heart, but she still got up and walked over, her hand holding the fan hanging in front of her body, she lowered her head and asked meekly: "Mother, did you call me?"

Mrs. Jane nodded.

Because there are so many outsiders here, her attitude towards Jian Yan can still be called kind and warm.

"My brothers and sisters have all gone shopping, so you should go shopping with them too. What are you doing just sitting here?"

She had just seen Xu Miaoning and Xu Miaojin pulling Jian Yan to go down, but Jian Yan just waved her hands and said nothing.

Even if she doesn't want it in her heart, she dare not disobey what Mrs. Jane said.So she could only answer: "Yes."

Mrs. Jian warned again: "Don't go around alone. It's also good to follow brothers and sisters, chatting and laughing with each other."

How could Jian Yan not understand the meaning of her words?But it can only be answered: "Yes. My daughter knows."

Then she turned to go downstairs.Seeing Xu Miaoning and Xu Miaojin at the side, they hurriedly followed with joy on their faces.

It's just that when Jian Yan walked to the stairs, after thinking about it, she turned her head and gave Bai Wei an order to bring over the stalk she was wearing earlier.

As soon as they went up to the second floor, everyone took off the hairpins on their heads and handed them over to the maids who waited on them.Now everyone went for a walk, and some of them brought sunflowers to cover them from the sun, while others didn’t, thinking that they were in a temple after all, so it’s the same if they chose a place with shade.

The reason why Jian Yan wanted to ask Bai Wei to bring her the grass was not because she wanted to block the sun.Instead, with that layer of protection, she felt that she was covered with a layer of protection, and she was not afraid of anyone at all.

Because she knew that since she came downstairs, Xu Zhongxuan would definitely come down with her.Xu Zhongan, Xu Zhongjing, and Su Wenchang who were sitting at the same table with him just now all went downstairs, but he just sat there without moving. Was he waiting for her?
And sure enough, she, Xu Miaoning, and Xu Miaojin just went downstairs, and Xu Zhongxuan got up and followed them.

(End of this chapter)