in spring

Chapter 327 The Return
There was no good news coming from the ear reports at the pier. Even if they found out anything, it was only at which port the overseas fleet had "heard" the news of the mission, that's all. At home, while preparing the dowry, I occasionally draw a world map based on my memories with a pen and paper, and estimate Hu Fei's schedule.

And Lujiaya shop gradually prospered.Lu Yougui was not satisfied with only dealing in cotton cloth business, so he gradually increased the share of silk products.However, he didn't take the risk of making it big, but contacted the Jiangnan silk merchants he met in the capital in the past, and began to act as their suppliers.Those merchants laughed and said, "In the past, we sold materials to you, but now you sell materials to us instead. It's really a turn of events!" Lu Yougui laughed.

At the end of the year, Lujiaya's accounts were kept, and after a few months, they actually accumulated a profit of more than 500 taels.According to this momentum, within ten years, the Lu family will really become a truly wealthy family.

Satisfied, Lu Yougui planned to bring his wife and son over in the spring.He has already taken a fancy to a school in the city. The master is a Juren, who is best at teaching children to read. In the past ten years, he has taught two Jinshi, five Juren, and more than a dozen scholars, and he treats the sons of farmers and merchants equally.He planned to send his son there to study for a few years, and even if he came back as a scholar in the future, he would have no regrets in his life.

In order to improve his family's reputation, he also discussed with his daughter. Taking advantage of the New Year's Eve, he bought [-] mu of land in Wu County, which is attached to Guoguo, Suzhou Prefecture. He did not rent it to tenants, but hired people to repair the ditches. Hire three or four skilled long-term workers and plant rice, mulberry, beans, rapeseed, melons and vegetables.In this way, even if the property is a little smaller, the Lu family has transformed from a merchant to a landlord.

In the spring of the following year, as soon as the canal thawed, Lu Yougui immediately transported a batch of goods northward, and brought his wife and children over by the way.Xiaohu came to Jiangnan for the first time, saw everything new, and was so excited that he ran around the streets and alleys. Chunying, dumbfounded, called him back, stuffed him with some Suzhou special snacks, and pointed out to him the books, pens, inks, papers and inkstones he had carefully prepared. Look.

Lu's mother looked at the newly renovated house with satisfaction, and then glanced at Xiaoxiang who was waiting respectfully beside her. She was in a good mood. She even smiled and taught Xiaoxiang how to match the clothes as a girl, and corrected her a few "" rule".Xiaoxiang glanced at Chunying in confusion, and when she saw Chunying's eyes, she immediately understood, and respectfully agreed to Lu's mother. As for what happens after turning her back, that's another matter.

In order to divert her mother's attention, Chunying specially asked Mrs. He and Xiaoxiang to bring over a dozen pieces of material, and said to her mother, "Mother, this is to plant clothes for you and your brother. They are all high-quality materials. Gauze and satin are also available. Which one do you like? I think this lotus-colored lake crepe can be made into a jacket, and the maroon skirt of the maid is the most suitable. Although it is already March, but It is still quite cold in the morning and evening, so I rushed to make it overnight, and it will be ready in three days. I will save this sapphire blue cotton silk to make a summer dress, and I will be able to wear it in a month. This azurite one, I will make new clothes for my younger brother. Right? He's going to school, so it's better to wear simple and stable clothes, and the husband likes it when he sees it, besides, the material is dark in color and thick in texture, it's the most durable..."

Mother Lu watched her daughter flipping through various fabrics, talking about this one, that one, and which one was suitable for what to do. She couldn't help being dazzled, but seeing the smooth and soft silk satin, she was extremely happy in her heart.Now I can wear silk and satin openly, without worrying that the material is too expensive to wear, and I can wear whatever I want, which is really comforting.She pinched the azurite material and glanced at it for a few times, and said: "The color is too dark, and Xiaohu is still young. Give him the sapphire blue one, and this green one. You should make him out first, and let him wear it to meet him." Teacher, what kind of silk is this? It looks really pretty."

"This is spring silk from Suzhou, also called Xianchun. It is just used to make spring clothes. If mother likes it, I will make one for my brother after I finish making it for my brother."

"Then make a beige, and you can also make a jacket. Change the color, and make it more delicate. Look at what clothes you are wearing, and you don't know how to tidy yourself up."

Chunying looked helplessly at the light green jacket and blue pleated skirt on her body, knowing that her mother's aesthetics did not appreciate such an elegant combination, so she wisely chose to remain silent, dragged another piece of material under her hand, and transferred her again. attention.

Lu Yougui sat comfortably on the armchair, seeing the happy family scene, he felt very happy, turned his head to his daughter and said, "Didn't you get a piece of Zhang velvet a year ago? You only made me a Taoist robe, Put it away, right?"

Before Chunying could answer, Lu's mother interjected: "Zhang velvet? I've heard of it, what is it called velvet, isn't it? I heard that only high-ranking officials and nobles can wear it, can we wear it too? Just wear silk and satin, What if someone from the government arrests you for wearing such precious things?"

Lu Yougui raised his eyebrows, smiled without saying a word, Chunying said, "Mother, don't worry, Jiangnan is not as sophisticated as the capital, and even ordinary people wear fleece outside. Father only wears it when he is going out to socialize." Lu Yougui Gui Ye said: "Nowadays, the streets are full of velvet. Zhang velvet is nothing. Common people dare to wear carved velvet. Don't worry." Then he said to his daughter: "I will give you the rest of the velvet. Mother also makes a suit of clothes, and she has to do it carefully, so that she can wear them next year. If you encounter such materials again, you will save a few more. By the end of the year, Brother Kang will grow up, and let your sister's family come to live. In a few months, when the time comes, I will also make a whole body for their family."

Chunying agreed with a smile, thinking that the family reunion would be a pleasure.However, she couldn't help but think of Hu Fei again. It's been more than half a year, so it's time for him to come back, right?Thinking of this, she planned in her mind to get a piece of plain fleece and make a suit for Hu Fei.

I don't know if it was because God heard her heartfelt voice, so she turned this thought in her mind two or three times, and someone from the store in front came to report: "Liujiagang is here!" She was stunned for a while, and then immediately jumped up.

Lu Yougui hurriedly ordered the man to come in and ask questions, and the man replied: "At dusk yesterday, a fleet of ships that docked said they saw the mission's treasure ship, and it turned out that the ship docked at the second watch. In the morning Just now when everyone heard about it, there was a commotion. The younger one squeezed himself onto the pier and asked. It was indeed the boat on which the imperial court sent a mission to the West. I heard that the leader of the mission was an old prince. The younger one rushed over immediately. Reported."

Chunying tightly grasped her father's arm, she was so excited that she only called out "Father", but couldn't say anything.Lu Yougui hurriedly told his family: "Get the car ready! No, prepare the boat! I want to check it myself!"

From Suzhou to Liujia Port, although it is fast by boat, it will take more than half a day, so when the Lu family's awning boat arrived near the pier, it was already a night.The sky gradually brightened, and the sun showed a small face from behind the clouds in the east.In the early morning of March, there was still a cold wind blowing by the water, which made the masts of a row of large ships moored by the pier creak.

Chunying was wrapped in a thick cloak, sitting on the carriage, raised the corner of the curtain and looked out anxiously.She came here following her father. Lu Yougui was standing beside the carriage waiting for news. Mo Han, another dental assistant, and the hired worker who was inquiring about the news on the pier split up to find someone to inquire about. Several people couldn't tell where the members of the mission stayed last night, and how the itinerary was arranged. Did they return to Beijing directly to report?Or do you want to take a rest in Taicang?Chunying was anxious and excited at the same time, she couldn't wait for the reply in the carriage with peace of mind.

At least half an hour later, Mo Han came back and reported: "I asked clearly, I was resting in Zhizhou's mansion last night, but this morning, people from Yingtian Mansion came over, planning to pick up Prince Wen and the embassy. I don’t know if I have set off now, and I don’t know if all the members of the mission are going to Nanjing.” He was also a little anxious, he hadn’t seen his old master for several years, and he didn’t know whether Hu Fei’s trip well.

Chunying gritted her teeth: "Go to Zhizhou Yamen first to have a look, if the person really left, then go to Nanjing to inquire!"

Lu Yougui waved his hand: "Let's go!"

The group of five people turned around again and went to Zhizhou Yamen.As a result, there was still a whole street away, and they saw people crowding at the gate of the yamen, bustling and arguing non-stop.

After the staff went to inquire, Chunying and others knew that most of the members of the original mission were locals from Jiangnan. Most of the soldiers and guards were selected from the Nanjing garrison, so as soon as they heard that the mission had returned, their family members, relatives and friends rushed over to inquire about the news.When the members of the mission heard that it was family members who came to look for him, they all rushed out to meet him.After seeing each other for so many years and going through life and death, they all became excited, crying and laughing, making a fuss.And because the Zhizhou yamen is too small, the local officials are afraid that the crowd will disturb the peace of King Wenjun, so they only let the people talk in the open space in front of the yamen, so a street is crowded.

There are too many people, it's better to stay far away, but when you get close, you can hardly even walk.Chunying saw that there were many women and children among the people present, so she didn't care too much. She got out of the car, looked at the crowd, took a deep breath, and was about to squeeze to the gate of the state government office, but was pulled back by her father: "Hurry up." What?! There is a teahouse next to it, let's go in and wait for the news. Mo Han will go and find out!" Mo Han answered, and took the hired workers to go with him, and Chun Ying only waited to follow her father to the teahouse with the staff.

The lobby of the tea house was also full of people. Lu Yougui spent a little more money to come to a private room on the second floor, went in and sat down, and drove Xiao Er away. He poured himself a cup of tea and picked it up. I wanted to take a sip, but couldn't help putting it down, got up and leaned against the window.

Chunying was leaning against the window, staring closely at the gate of the state government office, for fear of missing everyone who came out of it.Lu Yougui said: "Girl, come over to have some tea, as soon as there is news, Mo Han will come to report. He is here, are you afraid that he will escape?"

Chunying just stared at the gate of the yamen. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Mo Han rushing up to the gate from under the steps, crying loudly. She couldn't help shaking, opened her eyes wide, and watched a familiar figure step forward to hold Mo Han Holding on, the two faced each other and wiped away their tears.That person was wearing the clothes she made herself!
Her heartbeat quickened immediately, but her vision was blurry, she hurriedly reached out to wipe it off, trying to see the person more clearly, in the blink of an eye, he had already raised his head and looked this way.That thin but energetic face was clearly the person who appeared in her dreams every night.She wanted to see more clearly, but for some reason, her eyes were always blurred, and when she reached out to wipe her face, her face was already covered with tears.

"Come out?! Oh! I finally saw it!" Seeing Hu Fei, Lu Yougui happily patted his thigh and waved to him vigorously.Hu Fei nodded, expressing his understanding, and then turned his gaze back to Chunying's face, his gaze softened, and there were faint tears in his eyes.

Chun Ying watched him and Mo Han push through the crowd and walk towards the teahouse. She saw him disappearing downstairs. Then she turned around and walked back to the table, but felt that her legs were weak, so she hurriedly supported the edge of the table and slowly He sat down slowly, as if he had no strength in his body, but his heart was filled with indescribable excitement.

Dong dong dong, the sound of footsteps came up the stairs, and every time she heard it, her heart beat faster, but when she saw Hu Fei appearing at the door, she seemed to be unable to hear her own heartbeat, and only felt that she was Nearly suffocating.

Hu Fei stood by the door, darkened and thinner, but in good spirits, with a vigorous face, his eyes fixed on Chunying, as if he didn't even hear Lu Yougui talking to him.Lu Yougui called him a few times, but he suddenly came to his senses, but he didn't respond, he strode forward and hugged Chunying tightly.

Chunying felt the warmth of Hu Fei's body, gradually calmed down, and could feel her breathing and heartbeat again, but she just wanted to speak, but still felt choked in her throat: "Are you back?"

"I'm back." Hu Fei hugged Chunying tightly, smelling the fragrance of her hair, he felt his restless heart finally calmed down, "I will never leave again. I will always be with you... You don't know, I thought I was really going to die outside, at that time, I just wanted to see you..."

When Chunying heard this, tears couldn't stop flowing out: "What danger have you encountered? Are you injured? Are you sick? Are you better now?"

"It's okay, I'm not injured, I haven't even lost a hair, it's just a false alarm." Hu Fei hugged him even tighter, "When I came back and saw you, I forgot everything."

Chunying gently pushed him away, and looked straight into his face: "You can't lie! Don't think that I will be at ease after hearing this, I have heard it all, you are in a big crisis in India!"

Hu Fei smiled: "It's nothing, it's really nothing, but the scenery there is good, and the customs are also quite interesting. I'll tell you later."

Chunying was half-believed, and heard her father cough heavily, only then did she realize that she and Hu Fei were hugging each other, she hurriedly backed away two steps, and lowered her head blushing.

Hu Fei didn't dare to look directly at Lu Yougui, and also lowered his head, "Lu... Uncle Lu, I haven't seen you for a while..."

Lu Yougui was speechless, thankful that he was smart enough just now, when he saw this kid jumping on his daughter, he closed the door behind his backhand, blocking Mo Han from the outside, otherwise his reputation would have been good.Thinking of this, he glared at Hu Fei angrily again: "Since you're back, let's take care of your business, so as not to have long nights and dreams!"

Chunying blushed even more, lowered her head, and her voice was not much louder than a mosquito's cry: "Why are you talking about it... When it's time to do it, naturally..." Biting her lip, she was so embarrassed that she refused to continue.

Hu Fei was very happy, and he didn't even care about embarrassment: "Exactly! Exactly! The junior never thought that you would be in the south, and planned to go to the village to prepare the bride price first, so that you can take them to the capital together." Marriage proposal, I didn’t expect..." He rubbed his hands, "The mission has to rest in Nanjing for ten days before returning to Beijing to return, or... shall we ask the prince to officiate the marriage for us?"

"Young Master Hu, Young Master Hu!" Someone outside the door called Hu Fei, Lu Yougui stared at the two children, seeing that there was nothing wrong with them, he opened the door.Mo Han stood outside with an inexplicable expression, and beside him was a middle-aged man with a blunt face. Judging by his attire, he was obviously a servant of a dignitary's family.

When Hu Fei saw him, he smiled and asked, "So it's you? What's the matter? But the prince has orders?"

The man saluted with a smile, and said: "My lord heard that your father-in-law is here, so he specially asked me to invite someone over, saying that he is meeting his future in-laws."

Both Lu Yougui and Chunying were taken aback, but Hu Fei waved his hands as if nothing had happened: "You go back and report, just say that I will take someone there right away, please wait for foster father."

The man saluted again, and withdrew respectfully.Chunying hurriedly grabbed Hu Fei's sleeve and asked, "What's going on? Who do you call foster father?"

"It's King Wen. He took me in as his godson on the way. It's a long story. Uncle Lu will go with me first, and we'll talk about the details when we get home." Hu Fei said respectfully to Lu Yougui. A big gift, "Uncle Lu, don't blame it. The younger generation was impolite in a moment of excitement. The prince is the most kind, don't worry, just follow me to see, if the prince asks anything, just tell the truth. I'm already on the way Tell the old man about Chun'er."

Lu Yougui had no choice but to suppress the astonishment in his heart, calm down his mind, and at the same time recall the etiquette he learned when he was an errand at the concierge of the Hou's Mansion, and suddenly felt that it was inappropriate, and then carefully recalled the etiquette when others met dignitaries, and practiced it in his heart Once again, so as not to be rude in front of the nobleman later.

Just when he was struggling with uneasiness, Chunying's heart softened because of the word "go home" that Hu Fei said. Thinking of the changes in her home, she glanced at Hu Fei again, pursed her lips and smiled and whispered: "I There are also many things I want to tell you, you must not think of it, I guarantee you will be shocked."

Looking at her delicate appearance, Hu Fei felt warm in his heart. He secretly held her hand, squeezed it, and blinked: "Don't worry, we will have a lot of time, we can talk slowly..."

(End of this chapter)