Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 858: Nie Yuan (Part [-])
In Ce Garden, what Cheng Mengxing is most proud of, besides the lake stones, vegetation, pavilions and pavilions, is the beauty that adorns it.
However, Cao Yong was in the filial piety, and Cheng Mengxing couldn't let the beauties in the garden show his hand, so the focus of this banquet was on the table.All dishes and chopsticks are fine; frying and frying are all beautiful.

Even Cao Yong's family uses the cook who is the successor of the imperial cuisine, and he can only praise the authentic Huaiyang cuisine in front of him, "good".

But Wang Lusheng is used to Shandong cuisine, which has a strong taste, and he doesn't like Huaiyang cuisine as much as Cao Yong.Holding the wine cup, Cheng Mengkun and Cheng Mengkun exchanged cups.

Speaking of which, the ancestors of the two families still had in-law contacts.

This time he intercepted Cheng Jiabiao, Wang Lusheng was afraid of accumulating old grievances, so he agreed wholeheartedly. Cheng Mengkun wanted to make friends with the Wang family, get involved in Nanyang business, and chat with Wang Lusheng warmly.

Because Cao Yong didn't drink, Cheng Mengxing also accompanied him with tea.At the banquet, Cheng Mengxing asked about the current situation of the old capital, and Cao Yong answered them one by one.

When it comes to the niece Han Jiangshi, Cheng Mengxing has to hold a teacup and replace the wine with tea, thanking Cao Yong for taking care of her these years.

Cao Yong picked up the teacup with a smile, took a sip, and said with a smile: "Although I want my niece to worship my mother as a righteous daughter, brother Wu Qiao should not even think about performing the ceremony of an elder in front of me."

Cheng Mengxing couldn't help smiling when he heard the words: "That's natural. If we talk about the relationship between the two families, it's really hard to say who is the elder."

Cao Yong only heard his father mention that the Cao family had an old relationship with Cheng's family, but he really didn't know about the others, so he couldn't help asking curiously: "Oh, the ancestors of our two families were married?"

Cheng Mengxing nodded, and said: "My great-grandmother was born in the Gu family, and she and Mrs. Ling Zuru are cousins. I heard that your father married Mrs. Gu in the early years, and she was the iceman made by my great-grandfather."

In terms of blood relationship, Cao Xi's concubine Gu Shi is Cao Yong's pro-grandmother.Maybe because I haven't seen her since I was a child, Cao Yong didn't feel much about this grandmother.

He was surprised earlier that according to the rules, the birth mother of an official can also ask for a conferment.

Even if my father became a servant and made an earl, only Cao Xi and the Sun family were the ones who followed up the title, and there was nothing to do with the Gu family.

Later, when several living old servants in the same mansion asked about this matter, they only vaguely got a general idea.

Although the Gu family was the daughter of a famous family in the south of the Yangtze River, she was not the concubine that Cao Xi took after she came to the south of the Yangtze River. Instead, she was separated from her family during the war, was plundered as a slave, and was transferred to the Cao family as a maidservant.

Even if Cao Xi later went to Jiangnan and brought the Gu family, who was already a concubine, to meet the members of the Gu family, it could not obliterate the fact that the Gu family had been living outside.

Besides, considering the childless Sun family, it is even more impossible for Cao Xi to praise Gu's status.

Gu's is the cousin of Cheng Mengxing's great-grandmother. From this point of view, Cheng Mengxing is a generation lower than Cao Yong, and he should be called "cousin".

When Cao Yong heard the words, he was somewhat curious about the Jiangnan Gu family.That was my father's uncle's family, which is closer to the Cao family than the Sun and Li families.

Xu is because of his grandmother Sun's sake. In Cao Yong's memory, his father had limited contacts with the Gu family.Taking care of Gu Na's father back then was also because he took his wife and children to Jiangning to seek refuge.

"The two families still have such a relationship, I really can't think of it..." Cao Yong sighed and said with a bit of emotion.

Cheng Mengxing said: "Yeah, I didn't know about it earlier. This time when my mother died and went back to the hometown to guard the system, I just heard about it by accident."

Both of them are smart people. Speaking of this matter, they were a little at a loss when they thought that the elders were silent about it, but it didn't look like the two families had any enmity.

At this moment, Wang Lusheng and Cheng Mengkun have already used a lot of wine, and both of them are a bit over the top.

"I can't drink any more. If I drink any more, I'll be drunk." Wang Lusheng said with a hint of alcohol.

"It's rare to have a good drink at the same table, Qiye should not keep it private." Cheng Mengkun personally filled the cup and filled it for Wang Lusheng, persuading him.

Hearing this, Wang Lusheng added a bit of arrogance, glared at Cheng Mengkun and said, "Does Master Cheng look down on me, Wang Lao Qi? Then I won't be drunk and come home today. Dare Master Cheng accompany you?"

Cheng Mengkun picked up the wine cup, and said with a bit of drunkenness: "A thousand cups of wine are rare for a bosom friend, and Cheng Mou will give up his life to accompany a gentleman today!"

They are all the heads of a century-old family, whether they are really drunk or fake drunk, only they themselves know it well, anyway, the wine table is hot.People who didn't know saw it, and thought it was a brother who changed posts.

Cheng Mengxing is the most elegant person. Hearing their noise, he couldn't bear it anymore. Seeing that Cao Yong used it almost the same, he said: "Fu Ruo, they drink theirs. If Fu Ruo uses it well, let's go out and visit the garden. ?”

Facing the two drunkards, Cao Yong is naturally willing to accompany him wherever there is a pleasing scenery outside.

Cheng Mengxing asked someone to add a few refreshing side dishes for the two of them to drink, then got up and led Cao Yong out for a walk in the garden.

It wasn't until he got out of the living room that he asked what he had been thinking about all the time, and said: "By the way, can Miss Zijing pay homage to the Buddha now? My mother left a lot of Buddhist books, including many rare ones. I never believed in this. It’s a pity that it’s been put on the shelf here. When Fu Ruo returns from Guangzhou, I’ll pack up a copy and bring it back to Beijing for Fu Ruo.”

Although Cheng Mengxing looked normal and pretended to be casual, but Cao Yong had been in the officialdom for many years, and he still had some winks.From his somewhat stiff smile, it can be seen that his heart is agitated.

In Cao Yong's heart, he sighed.

If Zijing had chosen to marry outside, what would have happened?If I let go of my worries and become the hostess of this garden, I might not die of illness in my 30s.

"Wu Qiao's kindness, my brother thanked Zijing. It's just that Zijing... Zijing died of illness in the winter of the previous year..." Cao Yong said with a little sadness.

"Ah?" Cheng Mengxing was surprised when he heard this.

Because men and women are different, over the years, Cheng Mengxing and Cao Yong have exchanged letters, but it is not easy to inquire about Amethyst.

Today, he is still heard of.

The appearance of that seemingly gentle and decisive woman in his mind made him feel a little sentimental.

Cheng Mengxing asked urgently: "Where is the burial?" After asking, he realized that he was out of shape, and said embarrassingly: "Speaking of which, if she hadn't suffered a family change and married into the Hu family, she would still be my relative... There will be a chance in the future , should also pay homage to one or two..."

"She has no father, no mother, no husband and no children. Where else can she be buried except in the Cao family's cemetery? Don't worry, brother Wu Qiao. I always regard her as my sister, and my children as my aunt. The incense will not be cut off. "Cao Yong was grateful for Cheng Mengxing's sincerity, but he didn't mean to challenge, so he said calmly.

Cheng Mengxing twitched the corners of his mouth and didn't speak anymore, the smile had long since disappeared.

Seeing him like this, Cao Yong knew that he was not interested in visiting the garden, so he pointed to a pavilion in front of him and said, "The scenery over there is quite beautiful, how about we go and sit for a while?"

Just as Cheng Mengxing was about to nod, he remembered what his daughter said when he came over, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Fu Ruo, just before the banquet, the little girl came to look for me, saying that my aunt wanted to see Fu Ruo. She also said that we don't need to go there, she wants to come and meet .Look, this... how to arrange..."

Cao Yong heard the words and said: "Of course the younger brother went to visit. How can there be any reason for the elders to move? I blame Brother Wu Qiao. I should have gone to visit earlier. Now I am full of wine and food. It is really rude."

Cheng Mengxing is a free and easy person after all, although he felt sad for the death of Amethyst, he calmed down his thoughts at the moment, his face returned to calm, he nodded, and led Cao Yong to the Danguitang where Cheng's family was...

*
Osmanthus hall, the upper room.

There was a dining table on the kang, and Cheng Zihe tried to persuade him a few times, but Cheng only drank a couple of mouthfuls of the mushroom soup before putting down the spoon.

Seeing that the food was getting cold, Cheng Zihe had no choice but to ask someone to clear the table. Fearing that Cheng would starve to death, he ordered someone to prepare a bird's nest cup and wait.

She could see that before seeing that uncle of the Cao family, the aunt really didn't feel like eating.

Thinking of this, she called another woman, and ordered in a low voice: "Go to the living room and see how father and the others are using it."

The woman went down in response, and Cheng Zihe turned his head, and saw that Mrs. Cheng had got up from the edge of the kang and sat down in front of the dressing mirror.

She looked in the mirror, touched her temples, and asked, "He'er, have I grown old in the past two years?"

Cheng Zihe stepped forward, stood behind Cheng, and said in a crisp voice: "Auntie is just dressed plainly, how old is she? When outsiders see it, who would think that Auntie is my father's aunt, and it's more like a sister."

After hearing this, Mrs. Cheng smiled wryly, and said in a low voice, "I am the same age as your father. It is said that I am like a brother and sister, but it is not bad."

When Cheng Zihe heard the words, his face was embarrassing, he didn't know what to say.

Although Cheng's face can vaguely see the charm of his early years, but his temples are gray, he looks like a man of over fifty.Cheng Mengxing is only 43 years old this year.

The little girl couldn't bear to see the sad look on her aunt's face, so she forced a smile and said, "Since I want to meet guests, how about my granddaughter helping my aunt to dress up? My aunt is dressed so plainly, and when she meets outsiders Not good."

Cheng was wearing a pale blue double-breasted dress, a dark blue straight skirt, a bun on his head, and only a white jade comb.

"Forget it, let's see you like this. But I have a few words to ask, it's too serious to make people uncomfortable..." Cheng stood up, took Cheng Zihe's hand, and patted it.

Before the words finished, a servant girl came in and said: "Auntie, the master is here, and he said he brought guests here to say hello to Auntie, so he is waiting in the corridor."

When Cheng heard this, his face changed color, and he staggered, nearly falling.

Cheng Zihe hurriedly stepped forward to support him, Cheng swallowed hard, pushed Cheng Zihe's arm away, and walked out quickly.

Outside the door, Cao Yong stood beside Cheng Mengxing, looking at the plaque hanging outside the house.

The one on the end is the dragon, phoenix and phoenix dance, which has a unique charm. It is signed "Xiangxi", which is Cheng Mengxing's name.The name of this Jiangnan talent is indeed well-deserved.

It's just that I don't know what happened to the Cheng family in later generations. It seems that the garden that cost Cheng Mengxing's painstaking efforts has not been passed down, which is really regrettable.Otherwise, it should be among the famous gardens in the south of the Yangtze River.

In Cheng Mengxing's heart, he was thinking about the reason why his aunt wanted to see Cao Yong, but he couldn't guess it for a while.

At this moment, Mrs. Cheng has already rushed out from the inner room and out the door. Looking at the figure standing behind Cheng Mengxing, she stopped and dared not go forward.

"Aunt, this is the good friend my nephew made when I was in the capital, Cao Yong, the eldest son of the late Mr. Cao Zhizao." Cheng Mengxing saw her come out, took two steps forward, turned sideways and pointed to Cao Yong and introduced.

After finishing speaking, he turned around again and said to Cao Yong: "Furuo, this is my aunt, you can call me as you like."

Cao Yong took two steps forward, bowed and said: "Junior Cao Yong sees Aunt Cheng, please greet Aunt Cheng."

Cheng firmly grasped the door frame to make herself stand firm, nodded, and said with a trembling voice: "It turns out that Mr. Cao is here, and he invited you to watch tea in the hall."

Cao Yong didn't have anything, so he answered, and followed Cheng's aunt and nephew into the house to watch the seat; Cheng Mengxing had already seen that Cheng was wrong, and asked with concern: "Auntie's complexion is not good, but she is not feeling well? Or ask someone to call the doctor to come to the house?" Auntie please take a pulse?"

Cheng shook her head hurriedly and said, "It's nothing, it's just that I got up early in the morning and my energy is a little lacking, it's okay."

Cao Yong leaned over to pay respects just now, but he didn't see Cheng's appearance clearly, but now he was sitting in the seat, listening to their aunt and nephew talking, and only then did he see Cheng's appearance clearly.

When he glanced over, he was startled, because the person in front of him looked familiar.

On Cheng's side, while talking with Cheng Mengxing, his eyes were also looking at Cao Yong.

Don't want to, the two hits are on the right, looking at Cao Yong's dazed appearance, her eyes are a little flustered, and she hastily moved away from Cao Yong.

This kind of eyes with concern and sorrow... a shadow appeared in Cao Yong's mind...

When looking at Cheng's again, Cao Yong took a bit of certainty.

I was puzzled in my heart, why did she become Cheng Mengxing's aunt in the Cheng family?
Seeing that Cao Yong had regained his clarity, Mrs. Cheng coughed lightly and said to Cheng Mengxing, "I heard that the uncle of the Cao family is also a person who worships Buddha. I just got a few boxes of good sandalwood and put them in the Buddhist hall. Mengxing Fetch it for me."

Knowing that her aunt wanted to talk to Cao Yong alone, Cheng Mengxing got up and pleaded guilty to Cao Yong, even though her heart was twisting and turning, and went out to get incense.

Seeing him go, Cheng waved his hand and sent the servant girls out.

There were only Cheng Shi and Cao Yong left in the hall, and for a while, neither of them spoke.

Cheng Zihe was in the back room, still hesitating when to come out to pay a visit, when he heard his aunt sending everyone out, standing there holding a handkerchief, becoming more and more anxious.

It’s not appropriate to go out; it’s still not appropriate to stay in the back room if you don’t go out, what should you do?

The little girl was in a hurry when she heard Mrs. Cheng ask, "I heard that Mr. Cao passed away the year before last. You Ding Youzhi went south, but what happened?"

Cao Yong didn't answer right away, but paused for a while, Fang said: "I have a close friend, and we have lost track of each other for several years, and now we are going south to Guangzhou, just to find him..."

"Ah, he went to Guangzhou?" Hearing this, Mrs. Cheng's voice was a little excited, and she hurriedly asked: "When did he go, okay, why did you lose the news?"

Cheng Zihe was listening in the back room, still hesitating who this "he" was, so he heard Cao Yong say, "Should I call you Mudan Fangzhu, or... Aunt Qiu? You misunderstood, Zhiran abandoned Qingliang As the abbot of the temple, he went out to travel, but he did not go south, but went north. Years ago, the younger generation received his letter, and he left the customs and went to Mongolia..."

That's right, the person in front of him is "Peony", the owner of Ruyi Workshop that Cao Yong met on the Qinhuai River more than ten years ago.

As for knowing the surname of "Peony" Qiu, it is because after his father's death, Cao Yong obeyed his father's last words and sent people to Jiangning to look for his concubine mother. He learned that a woman surnamed "Qiu" lived near Qingliang Temple and had contacts with Zhiran. After Zhiran left Qingliang Temple, the woman disappeared.

Originally, she didn't know that "Peony" was "Qiu's family", but when she looked closely, there was indeed a shadow of Zhiran, and she knew that the two were actually one person.

Cheng looked at Cao Yong nervously, and when she heard Zhiran's name, she couldn't help leaning forward, her eyes were already red.

It wasn't until she heard Zhiran's letter that there were traces to follow, that she stroked her chest, took two deep breaths, looked at Cao Yong, and said softly: "Peony Master? Aunt Qiu? Both are not right. In terms of it, you Call me Cousin... or Yijie..."

Cao Yong listened, but it was unexpected.

From Zhiran's appearance and Cao Yin's suicide note, he can confirm that Zhiran is his half-brother.

Zhiran's biological mother was regarded as the Cheng family in front of her eyes, how could she become her cousin or righteous sister again?
At this time, Cheng said slowly: "My surname is indeed Cheng. Qiu is my mother's surname. My mother was born in a family of officials in the former dynasty. But because of my mother’s status, I couldn’t take her into Cheng’s house, so I had to keep her in an outside room. Later, when my mother died of illness, my grandmother sent someone to pick me up, and instead of taking me back to Cheng’s house, I was sent to my cousin in Jiangning.”

Speaking of this, she paused, and said: "My cousin is your father's first wife, Mrs. Gu... At that time, my cousin got married for several years and had no children. After I left, she regarded me as my own daughter..."

*
Cough, it's bloody, the truth is bloody. . .

*
(End of this chapter)