concubine leisurely

Chapter 23

On Fuwai Street in Xicheng, there are many shops and crowds of pedestrians. In the east of the street, there is a tea house named Baihe Tower, which is a favorite place for literati.In the bamboo house in the elegant room of the tea house, there are a few sparse green bamboos, a few simple and elegant tables and chairs, and the environment is quite quiet. A middle-aged man in brocade clothes is sitting alone among them, with a dazed expression on his face.

The servant Zhang Quan was ordered to invite Ah Bing again, but he didn't know if he would come this time?In the past few times, either Zhang Quan was simply blocked out of the door and could not see A Bing at all, or he could not invite anyone when he saw A Bing; if it is really impossible to send a boy, why not go in person?But if he went directly to the military camp to look for it, and there was any verbal discord between father and son, it would be a joke for outsiders to see.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and Zhang Ming was refreshed, only to hear Zhang Quan's courteous voice, "Master, please come this way." Is it Ah Bing?Zhang Ming was at a loss for a while. How long has it been since he saw his son?It's been almost three years, and I don't know what he has become in the past three years, and I don't know what happened to him in the past three years. Alas, since that incident happened, Ah Bing ran away in anger, and they haven't seen each other again. After that, Ah Bing refused to write even a letter.

Zhang Quan opened the curtain, and led Zhang Bing in with a smile on his face. Zhang Ming saw the unusually tall and silent Zhang Bing standing at the door, and there was a rush of heat in his heart. He opened his mouth, but he couldn't say a word.

Zhang Quan is a shrewd boy who is used to watching his face. Seeing Zhang Ming sitting there hesitating to speak, with tears in his eyes, Zhang Bing stood without saying a word, with a calm expression on his face, clearly showing the relationship between father and son. Very alienated, he hurriedly smiled and said to Zhang Ming, "Master, the young master is a very busy person in the military camp. I have been working so hard in the military camp for a while, and more than a dozen military masters have come to report military affairs to the young master. The young master will not be idle for a while! It is so busy." , I even made a special trip to make this trip, young master is so filial to you!" He turned around and wiped the stool diligently, to wipe off the dust that didn't exist at all, invited Zhang to sit together, and laughed with him, "Master, young master, drink tea first, little one Urge the food to go." Seeing Zhang Ming nodded, he ran out in a hurry.

After leaving the door, Zhang Quan wiped the sweat from his forehead, and the young master stood there as if sitting on a mountain. Although he didn't say a word, his majesty was stronger than that of the Duke!
"Ah Bing, how have you been doing these past few years?" Zhang Ming asked uneasily with a hint of guilt.It's not that he doesn't care about Zhang Bing, but he can only let him live alone in the Duke's mansion when he was a child, and wander around alone when he grows up. Speaking of which, he is really an incompetent father.

"If you don't die, you'll survive. Is there anything good about it?" Zhang Bing said slowly, "The last time we met, you wanted to tell me that the Duke of the State asked me to set up my own family. This time, what's the matter?"

I can't see you anymore?There must be something between father and son before they can meet?Zhang Ming felt bitter in his heart, and said with difficulty, "Ah Bing, why did you take her away without even saying hello? Your grandfather is very angry." The Cheng family has been imprisoned in Zhuangzi for these years, and they are still at peace. Who knows that A Bing was transferred back to Beijing a few days ago, and he didn't know how he found it, so he went directly to pick up Cheng Shi.

Zhang Bing said flatly, "It's only natural for a son to take away his mother."

Zhang Ming said in a low voice, "Ah Bing, you...you can't recognize her as your mother, she is from the Cheng family."

Zhang Bing's expression remained unchanged, "The Cheng family has been pardoned, and they are now ordinary civilians."

Zhang Ming looked at Zhang Bing with pity, "A Bing, you are young and don't know the seriousness. Although the Cheng family was pardoned, the fact that the Cheng family committed a crime is too great. I didn't know it at the beginning, so I..."

"Your family has already returned her deed of selling herself. She is free and not a prisoner of your Zhang family." Zhang He said calmly, "She showed me a marriage letter and said it was written by you yourself?"

After a while, Zhang Ming nodded his head with difficulty.

"Master Guo dislikes me because of this." Zhang Bing said in a calm voice without any waves.

"No, Ah Bing, your grandfather loves you in his heart, but he doesn't show it on the surface. He has always been like this, even when he spoke harshly to me, he would beat and scold you if he disagreed with you. You are fierce."

Zhang was noncommittal.Zhang Ming said eagerly again, "A Bing, father will go to ask your grandfather to allow you to recognize your ancestor and return to your clan."

Zhang Bing said lightly, "Since you have established your own family, you don't need to recognize any ancestors and belong to any sect."

Looking at his son's indifferent face, Zhang Ming was very discouraged. The child is still young, and he doesn't know the difficulty of a man without family protection. Anyway, he has been stationed in the capital for the past two years, so let's slowly enlighten him. "Xiu Mu tomorrow, call your sixth uncle, we three have a good drink, your sixth uncle misses you." The person who loves Ah Bing the most in Wei Guogong's mansion is probably the sixth.

Zhang Bing shook his head, "Tomorrow won't work. Tomorrow I will go to the Marquis of Ji'an's Mansion to pay a visit to Lord Zhonghou." Zhang Ming was a little disappointed, but then he was relieved, "Master Zhong is very popular in the army, and it is really a blessing for you to get his teachings." Beneficial." The father and son had dinner together, left the teahouse, and before parting, Zhang Ming looked at his son who was a head taller than him, both happy and sad, if he could recognize his ancestor and return to his clan!Zhang Ming earnestly confessed, "Abin, your grandfather is getting old, and you must obey your grandfather in everything from now on." Only by obeying your grandfather can you be admitted to Duke Wei's mansion.

Zhang Bing looked at Zhang Ming condescendingly, and slowly said word by word, "I fought my way out among thousands of troops, not just to follow him in everything. I decide for myself and don't need him to worry about my affairs. "

Zhang Ming was displeased when he heard his disrespect towards Wei Guogong in his tone, but then he thought of his sentence "I fought my way out among thousands of troops".Can't help feeling distressed again.

A burly man led a majestic steed, respectfully handed over the reins to Zhang Bin, and Zhang Bin got on the horse, accompanied by two guards, and galloped away.

Zhang Ming stood blankly for a while, Zhang Quan timidly urged, Fang went back to the princess mansion full of thoughts.

The Marquis of Ji'an's Mansion is located in the bustling area of ​​the inner city. Because of the outstanding contributions of the founding fathers, the mansion occupies more than half of the street.

"Meet Mrs. Tai." Yan Ran, An Ran, Youran and others bowed respectfully.Mrs. Ji of the Marquis of Ji'an was sitting at the head, holding a round moon bun, on which was inserted a beautiful white jade hairpin, and a luxurious deep purple Hangzhou silk beanie. Ruyi's leisurely, light green brocade dress, without embroidery, is fresh and clean. Although she is still young, she can tell that she was born really well, and her manners are also good, her movements are as graceful and natural as flowing clouds and flowing water, like a maid in the palace. What Mammy taught is much better than the third and fourth girls in her family.

After saluting, Mrs. Tai beckoned Yanran and Youran to approach, first asked Yanran a few words, Yanran answered with a smile, then took Youran's hand and asked carefully how old she was, what books she read, what embroidery work she did on weekdays What to do, she answered leisurely one by one, and blushed embarrassedly admitted that "I don't know how to do embroidery work". When Mrs. Tai saw her as a concubine, she was neither humble nor overbearing, gentle and moderate, open and generous, even if it was embarrassing She also looked calm about the matter, and looked at her differently. This kind of demeanor is rare, no wonder Wei Guogong's mansion is interested in her.

Xin Ran pursed her lips, "Grandmother won't love me when she sees the third and fifth sisters, and I don't agree." Mrs. Tai smiled and said, "Your third and fifth sisters are both gentle and polite, so they are not as naughty as you monkey." Everyone laughed, Xin Ran was even more reluctant, and rolled into Mrs. Tai's arms to act like a baby.

Mrs. Zhong and Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Ji'anhou, sat at the bottom. Mrs. Wang had a decent smile on her face, but her eyes were very sharp.She and Mrs. Shen, the sixth lady of Duke Wei's mansion, are cousins, and Mrs. Shen asked her to find out what the Meng family said, "Please, cousin. I went back to Mrs. Duke and said that the suitable candidate is the fifth Mr. Meng of Guanglu Temple." Daughter, Mrs. Guogong readily agreed, even if I was ordered to send someone to find out the tone of the Meng family first, I thought of my cousin. Mrs. Meng's family is my cousin's sister-in-law, and she must be intimate with her cousin, so I will ask her. Mrs. Guogong This matter is extremely urgent, so my cousin must help me." Mrs. Wang knew that her little cousin was naive and ignorant of worldly affairs, and she was always an idler in her husband's house. It was bright, so she asked Mrs. Tai for instructions. After hearing this, Mrs. Tai pondered for a while, and immediately ordered Meng Zhengxian to go to Meng's house. She wanted to meet the fifth girl in person.Looking at it today, the third and fifth girls of the Meng family who seldom show up are all good, and the fifth girl looks better.

"Xian'er take your younger sisters out to play." Mrs. Tai ordered Meng Zhengxian, and kindly said to Sister Yanran, "The scenery in the house can barely be seen, go out and take a walk."

Yan Ran accompanied her with a smile and said, "Emperor Taizu relied heavily on the founding feats of the Marquis of Ji'an's mansion. The mansion bestowed by him must be of no small importance. If you have a good eye today, you must take a good tour to live up to Madam Tai's kindness."

Mrs. Tai looked at Yan Ran with a smile, she was also winking, among the concubines in Zhen'er's family, the third girl smiled sweetly and winked, the fourth girl was quiet and thoughtful, and the fifth girl had a calm and relaxed expression. It's not bad, well, if you have a good education in the future, you can make a few good marriages, which will also help Zhen'er.The good thing about Zhen'er's family is that there are only concubine daughters and no concubine sons.Concubine daughter, no matter how much she is favored, she can only be raised for a few years, pay a dowry and marry someone. There is still a lot of room for choice for someone who is outstanding like this.

Meng Zhengxian took his four younger sisters out, toured and admired the garden, and when they were sitting in the garden drinking tea, Meng Zhengxian mentioned that he had just obtained the Fang Cheng clay inkstone and wanted to see it, so everyone followed the brothers and sisters to see each other. Together, they went to Meng Zhengxian's study.

Meng Zhengxian's study room is located in the northwest corner of the Hou Mansion. It is extremely quiet. There are four large bookcases in the study room. The bookcases are full of thick thread-bound books. Precious paper and ink, the pens in the pen barrel are like trees, and Yan Ran looks envious, "Fifth sister, the second brother's study is like this, he must have read poetry and books." Youran nodded in agreement, "That is, the second brother must be knowledgeable Talented." But he knew in his heart that Meng Zhengxian didn't like reading, and his study was just for tricks.

An Ran quietly looked at a picture hanging on the east wall of the study. It was a picture of a general standing on horseback on the prairie. Lonely, tragic and heroic.

Leisurely's heart moved, An Ran's appearance was extremely quiet and kept her duty, she was a well-behaved concubine in the most traditional sense, looking at this painting with her expression, could it be that she also has a dream of being a hero in a tired life?

The Chengni inkstone that Meng Zhengxian just got is fine in texture, like a baby's skin, and the color is even more excellent cinnabar red. He couldn't put it down. Meng Zhengxian waved his hand, "Sixth Sister likes it, so give it to Sixth Sister." I am overjoyed, " Seriously? The second brother loves me, the second brother is the best!" Meng Zhengxian smiled and said, "What's the matter? What a silly girl." Then he turned to Yan Ran, An Ran, and Youran and said, "Sisters, don't be too polite, there are on the desk, Pick one yourself."

An Ran pursed her lips and said with a smile, "Thank you, Second Brother, I'm a stupid girl who doesn't know how to write, so I won't waste good things." Youran also shook her head, "It's nothing for me." Meng Zhengxian smiled and let them go. Yan Ran is very interested in the famous inkstones on the desk, she wanted to pick one out, but seeing An Ran and You Ran like this, she had no choice but to go to the countryside and do as the Romans do.

An Ran stared at the picture of the general, and came over with a happy expression, "It's very imposing! Which general is it?" An Ran smiled, "The horse is riding on the Huns, it's Huo Qubing, the Hussar General." Xin Ran pouted, "It's the Emperor Wu of the Han who He built a mansion and didn’t even bother to look at it, saying that the Huns are still alive, so why do you have a family?” The emperor rewarded you for your meritorious service, why don’t you, stupid?

An Ran looked solemn, and said, "It is this brave and decisive champion who wins every battle, and together with Wei Qing, is known as the champion of the Empire!" The girl's beautiful eyes were full of astonishing brilliance.

I was pleased to hear the solemnity and admiration in An Ran's tone. An Ran accompanied her since she was a child and defended and followed her everywhere. Although one is a concubine and the other is a concubine, they are good sisters for so many years. The minimum respect is still there, and Xin Ran's tone is also Solemnly said, "Fourth sister, the Hussar general rides on the Xiongnu, even if the emperor gave him a house, he doesn't want it, he treats money like dung, good manners!" An Ran smiled and said, "It's the true nature of a man."

Meng Zhengxian praised, "I didn't expect my sister to appreciate heroes. Yes, a man is a man. He should serve in the battlefield, shrouded in horse leather."

Leisurely looking at the passionate Meng Zhengxian, he said honestly, "War can be avoided if possible. The price is too high. In this battle of the Bingzhou Defense War, Guangzhou alone used 670 million shi of military rations, which was a huge loss of people's strength. .”

"Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty can be said to be a far-sighted emperor who opened up territories, and he can also be said to be an emperor who was very happy and aggressive. During his reign, he launched thirteen wars against the Huns, winning four times, losing five times, and winning four times. Negative, it cost a lot of people's power, and the wealth accumulated by Wenjing Zhizhi was almost wiped out by him. If I were Huo Qubing, I would not want this mansion. The war has already impoverished the country, and it is so extravagant. What can ordinary people do? live."

Yan Ran pursed her lips and said with a smile, "Fifth Younger Sister really cares about the common people." Leisurely said seriously, "I'm just discussing the matter." Xin Ran said, "I don't care about that, I wonder why Huo Qubing didn't marry the princess, so beautiful, and it's him My cousin, marrying a wife and having children will not delay him from fighting."

Yan Ran was a little puzzled, "Which princess? Why haven't I read it? Is it a history book?" Xin Ran was a little embarrassed, and blushed a little, "No, it's the script. It was written in the script that Princess Wei would marry Huo Qubing, but Huo Qubing I don’t want to marry a wife and have children.” Yan Ran smiled cleverly, “So it’s a script.” It turned out to be nonsense.

You Ran was a little perplexed, "Sixth Sister, have you heard that Huo Qubing is a man of few words?" Xin Ran said, "I haven't heard of it. Why doesn't Huo Qubing like to talk?" Nodding leisurely, "Yes, Huo Qubing is a man of few words. He is the illegitimate son of Wei Shao'er and Huo Zhongru. He was raised by Wei Shao'er since he was a child. He didn't know who his father was until he grew up. The story is not completely unreasonable. He refused to marry a wife and have children, perhaps because he had to go to war , may not come back, if he marries a wife and has children, but he is killed, the child will lose his biological father! He has experienced an unhappy childhood without a father, and he does not want his children to repeat the same mistakes."

"Is that so? What happened when I was a child is so important? Then, like Fifth Sister, who used to go to the water in winter, will she not let her children get close to the water in the future?" Yan Ran looked very curious.

Leisurely realized that she talked too much today!Is it because of this painting, or is it because of An Ran's dream of being a hero, or maybe it's because she has been a favored little girl for too long, and her mental age is getting younger and childish?

(End of this chapter)