Emperor Kangxi: The First Rule of the Palace

Chapter 7
Seeing the old man's surprise, Jianmei laughed quickly and said, "Father, this is the elder brother Wei Dongting that I often mentioned to you. He works in Rehe Huangzhuang, and we are neighbors..." Turning back to Wei Dongting, he said, "This is my elder brother. Shi Longbiao, the adoptive father whom I recognized the year before last, we came to Beijing this time..." Jianmei was talking, saw Shi Longbiao winking at her, and then changed the subject, "It is precisely to join you."

"Shi Longbiao?" Wei Dongting frowned and thought about it, and suddenly exclaimed: "Could it be that Shi Daxia who is called Tie Luohan in the Jianghu?" How could the two of you recognize father and daughter by fate?" The old man sighed and said, "It's a long story, since we have come to join you, let's go back first, let's talk slowly, where do you live?"

One word reminded Wei Dongting, he answered "I'm in the third house in the east of Hufang Bridge", stood up, looked around, and said, "Old man Shi, just stay here and don't move, I'll hire a sedan chair, Let's go again." After speaking, he waded through the chaotic bushes and walked out of the forest.

Unexpectedly, because of this incident, the Xiheyan temple fair left early, and there were no sedan chairs nearby.Wei Dongting searched for about half an hour, and finally found a car, so he ordered the owner of the car to wait on the road, and turned around to look for Jianmei and Shi Longbiao.

Before he got close to the old willow tree, he saw the grass and trees in the forest were messy, and he said "no good", he walked a few steps to the old willow tree, but he saw that Lin Jing was empty, and there was no sign of Jianmei and his daughter!

Wei Dongting searched carefully, and saw a jade pendant thrown in the grass, he picked it up and recognized it as Jianmei's belongings, in an instant, he broke out in sweat, stomped his feet and said bitterly: "I miscalculated, I knew it earlier Why not go together!" He didn't dare to delay for a moment, ran out of the woods, ran to the side of the road and boarded the car, and ordered: "Quick, go to the Forbidden City!"

Wei Dongting went to Beijing to work as an errand in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it took him only two months to get a full load, and he didn't know many acquaintances.At this moment, I was anxious to meet my mother in the palace, and wanted to ask someone to deliver a message. I asked a few people, but they all said "no way", so I had no choice but to give up my delusion and return unhappy.

He had just left the gate of the House of Internal Affairs, and met Xiao Maozi sauntering towards him, and suddenly remembered that he was working in the imperial tea room of the inner palace.Because Xiao Maozi's cousin Wen Cunsheng is also in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and he has met him twice.This little boy must have lost money in a bet, and came to find his cousin to fight the famine again, so he hurriedly grabbed him and said with a smile: "Little boy, are you looking for your cousin?"

Xiao Maozi gave a "hmm", looked up and saw Wei Dongting, and quickly asked: "Is my cousin in there?" , stomped his feet and turned his face away.Wei Dongting hurriedly said: "Your cousin and we get along very well on a daily basis. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. If you can do it, I will do it for you; if you can't, I will also pass it on to you." Xiao Mao Zi frowned and said: "Speaking of it, it's so shabby! When I went back yesterday, my mother was very ill, and the money for the medicine was not available. I asked my cousin to exchange some."

Wei Dongting thought he was lying, smiled secretly, slapped his chest and said: "Brother, you are called filial piety! Brother can help with this matter - how much will it cost?" Xiao Maozi said embarrassedly: "How good is this? Hit your pumpkin? In fact, it’s not too much, one and a half is enough.” Wei Dongting laughed: “One and a half is enough for what! This is five taels, you use it to treat the old aunt’s illness, and then buy some tonics It will be fine if you raise it." Xiao Maozi was very surprised, staring at Wei Dongting and said: "You only have five taels a month, how can I feel sorry for it?" Wei Dongting said: "My brother, say so Words make people laugh."

"Then I will thank you." Xiao Maozi took the money with both hands, tied his leg, and greeted him very skillfully: "Uncle Wei is really good!" Seeing that he was going to leave, Wei Dongting pretended not to mind Ask: "Where are you going now?" Xiao Maozi said: "Go back inside, I am on duty today, and I won't be able to get down until tomorrow morning!"

"Inside" is Ouchi.This is dozing off, pillows falling from the sky, but it can't be sold too cheaply.Wei Dongting casually said "Ah" and asked: "Do you recognize Mrs. Sun who is in front of the emperor?" Xiao Maozi laughed as soon as he heard it: "Don't talk about Nanny Sun, it's Miss Su Mala. The waiter? Those are the first-class celebrities in front of the emperor! What's the matter with you?" Wei Dongting said with a smile: "That's my mother."

"Ouch!" Xiao Maozi said hello after hearing this, "I know you are so quick to shoot, I don't know that Uncle Wei is a nobleman!" Wei Dongting helped him up with a smile, and said: "Don't talk nonsense, you can go back now and take it with you." Just a word, when I saw Nanny Sun, I said that I was waiting for her old man outside the west back corner door, and I couldn't get rid of some things." Xiao Maozi smiled and said, "What is this, I will rely on your old place in the future. Let’s go.” After speaking, he left in a hurry.

Wei Dongting waited at the Xijiao gate for half an hour, it was almost noon before Mrs. Sun came out.According to the rules, the emperor's nurse was not allowed to go out to meet her family, because she was afraid that she would talk about the troubles at home and feel sad when she saw her family, which would affect the quality of milk.Since the time of Shizu Shunzhi, this rule has been loosened a little.

As soon as Mrs. Sun came out from the corner gate, she asked with a straight face: "What's the matter that you want to see me so urgently? You are waiting for the master. If it's about trivial matters, you can be careful!" Wei Dongting heard his mother scold him, As usual, he replied with a smile: "My son is fine, so how dare you disturb the old lady's presence—Mei Mei was snatched away!"

When Sun heard this, she became anxious, and asked repeatedly: "Where did you see her? How did she get here? Who snatched her away?" Wei Dongting slapped his legs and said, " You can't recite it!" Only then did he tell Mrs. Sun exactly what happened.Mrs. Sun stayed for a while before saying: "This girl's life is miserable! Her mother took my hand and confessed that she wanted me to take care of her when she died. She never thought that once I entered the palace, both families would encounter such terrible things. How is it doing now?" Wei Dongting also sighed: "I didn't have time to ask anything, how did she leave home, and how did she meet Shi Daxia and learn this kung fu? It's really puzzling!" With a snotty nose, she wiped her tears with a piece of snow silk and said, "It's useless to be anxious now. You first find out where the person is, and then we can figure out a way. That girl is ten times smarter than you, so nothing serious will happen. It's easy." I will ask the master to think of a way, and the matter will have a clue."

Wei Dongting originally wanted to ask his mother for advice.She has been in Beijing for many years, and she is now a wet nurse. Maybe there is a way, but Sun is at a loss, so she agrees: "Yes." After turning around and walking a few steps, Sun stopped him again: "Master has already Having said that, if you are asked to work as an errand in the inner court, you may be able to walk in front of the imperial court! Although you are still an errand in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, your status is different. Please be careful, if you want someone to say no, I will not obey! If you want to find Meier, you might as well take it to your place first, and then tell me!" After saying that, he went inside.

It was originally to go out of the city to enjoy the spring, but I pretended to be unhappy.Wu Ciyou didn't go out for four or five days in a row, and every time he thought of such things, he became very angry.Seeing him restless lying on the bed, Mingzhu knew that he was angry at Murima's domineering behavior again.After a while, he asked awkwardly, "Brother, is Chunwei going to open?"

Wu Ciyou was about to speak, when he heard the sound of the bamboo curtain, He Guizhu stepped into the room, with a Sixi box in his left hand, and a jar in his right hand.He put the box on the table, slowly put the jar under the table, greeted Wu Ciyou and said: "Second Lord, there will be no more Chunwei this year, but the new emperor will definitely be selected by Jiake. Gentleman, Erye Jinke must be proud of it!" As he said, he opened the box with a smile, and on the drawer were steaming hot cakes, rice dumplings, overcooked soft-shelled turtles, and a stick of rice. The pens, ink ingots and a wishful handle are neatly arranged, which is really beautiful.He Guizhu put the things on the table one by one, and opened the lower drawer, but there were six dishes of steamed vegetables in one color.

In an instant, the room was filled with fragrance.He Guizhu said while rectifying, "This is a little bit of filial piety, please appreciate it. I know that the second master's family has been a great Confucian for generations, so I don't believe in these things, but I just want to make it auspicious!"

The originally dull air, after such a toss by He Guizhu, suddenly became alive.Wu Ciyou leaned up, put on his shoes, and said with a smile, "It's hard for you. No matter if it's auspicious or not, you have to enjoy the food first. Brother Mingzhu, Zhu'er, there are no outsiders here, so the three of us just sit and sit." He Guizhu was happy to see the young master. , I felt happy, and I was invited to have a drink together. I am afraid that my ancestors have never experienced such a show of face, and said "I dare not", but there are twelve wishes in my heart.He hurriedly called the buddy: "Fan the charcoal stove for the Chinese New Year and bring it over to warm the wine. Xiaosan, don't go to the facade, go to Jiaxing Tower and quietly invite Cuigu..."

Wu Ciyou thought he was going to be called a geisha, so he hurriedly said, "Don't, I'm afraid of this most, and it's the national funeral right now!" Songs and lyrics can be regarded as having status. It is good for the second master to be careful, but although it is a national funeral, it is also a day of celebration for the new emperor's ascension to the throne. Everyone is not taboo, let alone us! The seventh sister of Qiuxiangyuan passed away yesterday. We also came to the Oboi Zhongtang family to sing. Our family is small, and the second master wants to gain fame, so it's not too much for her to sing a song to add to the fun." Seeing that Mr. Wu didn't stop him, Xiaosan went on her own.

After three cups of hot old wine, Wu Ciyou's gloomy face stretched out, he put the wine glass on the table, and said with a smile: "Speaking of the word "gongming", I think it's really full of flavors. It's interesting to the extreme and boring to the extreme." Mingzhu He took a sip of the wine, picked up a pair of chopsticks and chewed steamed sea cucumber, and asked with a smile, "How dare you ask my brother, what's so interesting?" Zhu drank a few cups, but he was a bit out of shape. When he saw that the young master had ordered to his house, he raised his cup and said with a smile: "'For the community, to serve the gentleman's weapon', this is what the old man often talks about. I am a son of a family, I have heard a lot. Among the seven generations of the son's family, there were four champions and [-] Jinshi, who pulled out the atmosphere of Yangzhou! People look at Wu's family as if looking up to the sky from the ground. In the words of the old man, "Yao Zu Rong body Yin Zisun'. Such a good thing, of course it is interesting!" After speaking, he picked up the door cup and swallowed it with a "squeak".Wu Ciyou applauded and laughed loudly: "It's well said, and the explanation is very clear. 'When you go out, you will ride the horse, and if you enter the hall, you will shout from the hall, and you will go down the steps...' These are the words of Mr. Pu Liuxian. Zhu'er made a good bet! "It was the first time for Mingzhu to hear about the Wu family's previous life, and she felt very happy, so she hurriedly drank a glass of wine and asked, "Then why do you say 'boring'?"

Gui Zhu didn't dare to answer. He stared at the wine glass for a while and said, "This little one doesn't quite understand. Although it is good to be an official, you have to worry about it; although reading is good, it is always a chore, but this?" Wu Ciyou was waiting to answer, when the voice of the mistress suddenly came from outside the window: "Miss Cui, you are here, the master's house is waiting for you!" He Guizhu heard that Aunt Cui was coming, and hurriedly got up to lift the curtain, and said with a smile: " Hello, sister Cui! Come and meet the second master!"

Cuigu smiled, stepped into the main room, and said two blessings to Wu Ciyou and Mingzhu steadily.When Wu Ciyou and Mingzhu looked at Cuigu, they almost laughed out loud.It turned out to be just a girl of eighteen or nineteen years old, with nothing on her head, a moon-white waistcoat on her upper body, and an azurite pleated skirt on her lower body. Frown like a frown, dignified body.She raised her eyes and glanced at the mat, and said with a smile: "This is for the young master to enter the house."

Wu Ciyou was a bit restrained at first, but when he saw her openness, he thought it was funny, and hurriedly said: "I don't care about these things, but since it's set down, everyone can have fun—don't be restrained, let's sit together." The opening cup was handed over.

Cui Gu hurriedly stood up and took it with both hands, held it in a handkerchief and drank it, thanked her and sat down, leaning on Wu Ciyou's side, bowing her head and pursing her lips while smiling.After a long while, he said: "Thank you for your kindness, but since you have called me, you should drink more, red makeup and wine." Then, he took out a flute from the silk bag in his bosom, "you eat wine by yourself, I play the flute for fun!"

Ming Zhu was good at playing flute, seeing the flute inlaid with gold and inlaid with jade, she couldn't help but feel itchy, said: "My sister won't give up, why don't I come to play the flute, wouldn't it be better for my sister to sing a cappella?" Gui Zhu clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Good! Wu Ciyou also laughed and said, "It's just that we are too tight."

Mingzhu played the flute in her mouth, and asked with a smile: "Sister, what are you singing?" Cui Gu thought for a while and said, "Let's sing a piece of "The Dressing Table Qiaoxu" by Tang Xueshi." Mingzhu said: "Okay. Play "Five Offerings" Tune." Wu Ciyou didn't understand this, so he just listened blankly.The pearl lightly relaxed its five fingers, and the whimpering flute sound floated out.

Cui Gu looked forward to it, and praised: "What a flute!" Then she sang according to the beat:
〖When we meet each other, who will we share with him during this period of spring?He is a hurt spring guest, and he is drunk on a moonlit night.People are far away, who knows this feeling?People scatter flowers and lanterns at night, people look forward to flowers and sunrise.Pay attention to Dongjun, but also follow the strange man's indifference! 〗

After singing, the audience laughed, and Mingzhu joked: "Sister with such a character, who would be 'indifferent' to you?" He Guizhu said: "This word is too elegant. I think what you sang the day before yesterday was 'telling nonsense' 'That's right." Mingzhu chuckled and said, "It must be the divination of ghosts!" Then she started blowing again, and Cui Gu sang:
〖At dusk, remove the residual makeup, the westerly wind outside the window is cold through the gauze.Listening to the sound of bananas, and the drizzle falling one after another, where can I chat with others?Looking through the autumn water, but not returning home, tears are like numbness.Missing him at the same time, hating him at the same time, holding red embroidered shoes in hand to speculate! 〗

After hearing Cui Gu's singing, Mingzhu called out "Okay" first, and Wu Ciyou also laughed and said, "That's right, the refined and the vulgar can be appreciated together - what is 'red embroidered shoes tell ghosts', I'd like to ask for advice." Cui Gu muttered For a moment, he didn't speak.Gui Zhu said: "This little boy knows that the husband is away from home, and the girls are looking forward to returning, but they are too embarrassed to ask divination. They put the red embroidered shoes on the ground for divination. The one who is coming is that the man is coming back. Turn over the It’s just that I won’t be able to come back for a while—isn’t it?” This vulgar explanation was very thorough, and everyone couldn’t help laughing.Mingzhu suddenly remembered, and asked: "Brother just said that fame is interesting or not, I don't know how to say it is not interesting?" Wu Ciyou said: "Brother, let me tell you." Happy, why did you forget me?"

(End of this chapter)