Aspirations

Chapter 152 The wise meet, the benevolent wins
Although Cao Shuli felt a little lost in her heart, she thought that even if Xia Xiang proposed marriage to her first, she might not be able to do it. She is not as good as Lian Ruohan who can make decisions on her own, and has to get permission from her parents. should.It's better to be a good person to the end. She took a step forward and took Lian Ruohan's arm, shaking it gently: "Sister Lian, you see that Mr. Xia Lang is alone, and so are you. It's a good thing for you two to get married as soon as possible, at least in the future." In this world, you will have your dearest relatives."

Cao Shuli's words not only made Lian Ruohan's tense heart fall to the ground, but also made her nose sore, which was extremely touching, not only because Cao Shuli's words aroused her sigh of life experience, but also made her feel grateful for Cao Shuli's words sincere.If it was said that she and Cao Shuli had grown from strangers to acquaintances in the past, although they were called sisters, there was still a slight gap. From now on, her heart was melted by Cao Shuli's words, and she really regarded Cao Shuli as a sister.

At least there are close relatives in this world... Lian Ruohan took a deep breath, not wanting to let her tears flow down, she has always boasted of being strong, and felt that she could live a good and comfortable life alone, and she didn't want to meet Xia Xiang Later, after getting to know Cao Shuli, Cao Shujun, Mantuo, Xiao Wu, Xiao Jia and others one after another, I suddenly felt that life was no longer a monotonous and boring business, but full of strong family and friendship.

In all fairness, she is very grateful to Xia Xiang for opening another door to her life, which made her life full of warmth and richness.

"My lady, if you don't marry now, when will you wait?" Xia Xiang struck while the iron was hot and attacked again.

Lian Ruohan almost blurted out her promise to Xia Xiang, but fortunately, when the autumn wind blew, she regained some sobriety. She hugged Cao Shuli's shoulder vigorously and said, "Thank you sister Cao, you are all my dearest relatives in this world. What do you say?" , when will I marry Xia Xianzun?"

The problem came back to Cao Shuli, but Cao Shuli was as indifferent as the wind, brushed her hair quietly, and smiled slightly: "Mr. Xia Lang is a magistrate of Zhending county, he is busy with official duties, and the emperor is on a tour to the south, so he must not care about marriage recently." It's a big deal. In my opinion, Mr. Xia Lang and Mrs. Lian will have a grand wedding after the emperor makes his southern tour."

"I agree." Xia Xiang raised his right hand high, looking expectant, "Miss Lian, the emperor's southern tour is only a month away, if you don't go down, there will be no time for the big wedding."

Lian Ruohan opened his mouth, hesitant to speak, Cao Shujuan sighed and said: "Miss Lian, if you don't marry again, my sister and Mrs. Mantuo will be the first to step in. You are not an indecisive person. Such a rare and loving man, why don’t you act first? Although I also love Lady Lian, I also hope that you and Xia Xianzun can be husband and wife.”

Uncharacteristically, Man Tuo took a step forward and hugged Xia Xiang's arm, leaning his head under Xia Xiang's shoulder: "If Mrs. Lian doesn't marry, I will marry Xia Xianzun. Anyway, I am alone. You don’t have to obey your parents’ orders, just say what you want.”

If there was only Cao Shuli alone, even Ruohan would not feel a sense of crisis, and Mantuo's joining made her feel very nervous. In her opinion, once Mantuo, who is as cold as frost and always calm, becomes emotional, he will be desperate.

Lian Ruohan immediately took a step back, bowed to Xia Xiangfu, and Yingying said: "I have made a thousand wishes before my pillow. If I want to rest, I will wait until the green hills die. The scales and hammers float on the water until the Yellow River is completely dry. The sun is shining in the daytime, and the Big Dipper Going back to the south, you can't rest if you rest, and wait until the third watch to see the sun!"

Man Tuo put down Xia Xiang's arm, took a step back, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and then his indifference returned.

Cao Shujun looked melancholy, and sighed: "The car is far away, and the horse is long. You travel east, east, east, and east, and fly to the west wind. May I be like a star king like a moon, and the night and night stream be bright and clean."

Tears flickered in Cao Shuli's eyes, and she murmured in a low voice: "Shangxie, I want to know you, and my life will never end. The mountains have no edges, the rivers are exhausted, the winter thunder bursts, the summer rains and snows, and the heaven and the earth are united. Decide with the king."

Xia Xiang was even more tender in his heart, and he solemnly returned a salute to Lian Ruohan. This salute was tantamount to establishing a lifelong event between him and Lian Ruohan.Even Ruohan's poems just now and Cao Shuli's poems are the promise of life and death. How can he have such two beautiful women who are willing to stay together for the rest of his life?

Xia Xiang bowed to Cao Shuli again, and said generously: "Xia is not talented, so the two ladies have a lifetime promise. In the future, we will never leave, and we will grow old together. If there is any disobedience, the sky will be struck by lightning!"

As soon as the words fell, there was a rumbling sound in the distance, like thunder.Cao Shujuan was stunned for a long time, and suddenly he clapped his hands and laughed: "Mr. Xia Lang, is it true that God will strike you with lightning?"

"Slash your head!" Before Xia Xiang could speak, Mantuo glared at Cao Shujun, jumped up, and disappeared into the night in a blink of an eye, "Something must have happened, I will come as soon as I go."

When several people sat down at the dining table, before the meal was ready, Man Tuo left and returned.

Xia Xiang naturally took the main seat, with Lian Ruohan on his right, Cao Shuli on his left, Cao Shujun and Xiao Jia in turn, without any outsiders.After Man Tuo came in, she sat down, and she glanced at Xia Xiang indifferently, and said in a low voice, "Another fire mine exploded, injuring two people."

Xia Xiang nodded, and said lightly: "Let them toss about it first, there will always be a time to stop."

But Man Tuo said again: "The two people who were injured were servants of the government office. Apart from Cheng Daotong who was helping with the aftermath, there were also Xu Heguang."

Cao Shujuan sneered: "Master Xia, the county magistrate, you don't know whether you are the magistrate of Zhending County or the magistrate of Zhending Mansion. It's really strange. You work for the government office every day, so you are simply seconded to the mansion. Forget it."

"Eat, eat." Xia Xiang didn't answer Cao Shujun's words, and greeted everyone with a smile, "It's rare to get together, today is another day of great joy for me and Mrs. Lian, come and serve wine."

"I wish Xia Xianzun and Mrs. Lian grow old together forever." Xiao Jia toasted his congratulations, "I also wish Xia Xianzun and Mrs. Cao an early marriage and more precious children. On behalf of my teacher, Mr. Li, I respect Xia Xianzun, Lian Niangzi, Madam Cao has a cup."

As soon as Xiao Jia finished speaking, she drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, with a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes.Since meeting Xia Xiang more than three years ago, Xia Lang has been engraved in her heart since then, becoming the man she admires and adores, and even once thought that he was the husband she could entrust to her for life.Not wanting Xia Xiang to have no affection for her, her husband repeatedly warned her that she and him could only be brother and sister.Now that Xia Xiang, Lian Ruohan, and Cao Shuli have completed their cultivation and are about to tie the knot, she is both happy for Xia Xiang and sad for herself, it is really sad and happy.

Life is full of joys and sorrows, love and hatred. Although Xiao Jia is heartbroken, she thinks that although she can't be with Xia Xiang, she still loves Xia Xiang as a brother and sister, and Lian Ruohan and Cao Shuli as sisters. , she should be content.What's more, she still has to work hard with Lian Ruohan to create a good scene that will always exist in every town in Daxia. Let's put the matter of love between children and children aside for the time being.

I hope that the good times in the world will last, and I will live up to my years and love, Xiao Jia secretly said to himself, in his whole life, he can prove his business ability, build more lands for the good times, and do things within his power for the people , is also sufficient.

Xia Xiang saw Xiao Jia's expression of mixed sorrow and joy, he drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, filled it up solemnly, and held it up high: "Miss Xiao, I would like to toast you. You and I have known each other for three years, and we love each other like brothers and sisters. In Zhongshan Village, my husband and I thanked you for taking care of me, so you are my lucky star, from now on, no matter how difficult and difficult the road ahead is, I will walk with you all the way, never leave my side!"

"Me too." Lian Ruohan also admired Xiao Jia's talent and respected Xiao Jia's personality, and raised his glass, "Miss Xiao, we are in the same boat through thick and thin."

"Me too." Cao Shuli also raised her wine glass, she never drank, and made an exception today, "I would like to help Mrs. Xiao in the same boat, through both wind and rain."

Man Tuo turned around and took a jar of wine, slapped off the wine seal, and raised the jar: "Respect Miss Xiao!" As soon as she finished speaking, she immediately raised her neck and drank the jar of wine in one go.

Everyone was stunned, they had never seen Mantuo drinking before, she always looked indifferent, but today she was so forthright, everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, not knowing why.

Man Tuo didn't care about everyone's surprise, he waved his right hand: "Bring more wine."

Then a few jars of wine were served.

Mantuo still opened a jar of wine, grabbed it with one hand, and stood up: "Xia County Venerable, Mantuo's life experience is drifting like duckweed. Fortunately, Xia County Venerable took in Mantuo, so that Mantuo has a place to live. Mantuo I have nothing to repay, I just want to follow Xia Xianzun, protect Xia Xianzun comprehensively, and serve Xia Xianzun like a dog. As long as Xia Xianzun does not despise Mantuo, Mantuo will go through fire and water, no matter what."

"Miss Mantuo, don't drink anymore, be careful to get drunk." Xia Xiang got up and wanted to persuade him, but he was a step too late, and Mantuo drank another jar of wine in one breath.

Seeing that Mantuo's cheeks were flushed and her eyes blurred, Xia Xiang knew that she was too strong to drink, so he hurriedly said: "I know your thoughts naturally, so I don't need to drink. I also treat you like a family member. As long as you are willing to follow, I will treat you generously." .”

In fact, deep down in his heart, Xia Xiang has a lot of affection for Mantuo. Don't look at Mantuo's indifference, in fact, she is as careful as a hair, and she is a wonderful woman with deep affection and righteousness.If Lian Ruohan and Cao Shuli are his close relatives, and Xiao Jia is like a family member, then Man Tuo is like a confidant who can share joys and sorrows, and can walk the world together with swords.

But Mantuo raised another jar of wine and held it up high: "Master Xia, I follow you not because of your talent and knowledge, nor because you are handsome and romantic, but because of you. He has a heart of serving the country and the people, and considers the people in everything. He is a good official. My father was killed by a traitor and passed away early. He has many last wishes that cannot be fulfilled. I hope that Xia Xianzun can make my father's will come true. carry forward."

"What is your father's will?" Xia Xiang and Lin Xiansong had never met each other, and had never heard of his name before. Later, after getting to know Man Tuo, they learned of his name and person, and admired Lin Xiansong's honesty and integrity.

"Expel the treacherous minister Hou Pingpan, and kill the rebellious minister, His Highness Xingwang. May the emperor be sage, the people be safe, and the summer will be bright and peaceful." Thinking of his father's life of frustration and his death in a foreign land, Man Tuo's heart was restless, and his eyes were wet, "Father is coming... When he was leaving, he told me that if he could meet a good official who truly serves the country and the people and let me follow him to the death, it would be regarded as a comfort to his spirit in heaven."

Xia Xiang was so proud that he also picked up a jar of wine: "Respect Lin Gong! I will definitely live up to Lin Gong's last will, work hard to govern, serve as an official, and benefit one party. Being an official for a lifetime will benefit the common people!"

Everyone stood up one after another, raised their glasses and said, "Respect Mr. Lin!"

All in one drink!

Cao Shujun drank in a hurry, choked, coughed for a long time, patted his chest, and asked with a smile: "Miss Mantuo, did your father ask you to find a good family to marry in your father's last wish?"

Mantuo's cheeks were blushing, whether it was wine red or embarrassment, she glared at Cao Shujun: "I want you to care! Stay away from me."

Cao Shujun took a step forward with his guts, and bowed with fists in his hands: "Miss Mantuo, if you don't dislike her, I will make a vow to fulfill the part of your father's last wish to be good to others, and to follow you all my life and be your shadow."

"Looking for beating or looking for death?" Mantuo was angry, and raised his hand to grab another jar of wine, "If you want to marry me, well, you can either beat me or drink me, you choose one."

"I..." Cao Shujuan's martial arts are mediocre, and his alcohol capacity is also average. He flinched, turned around and left, "Forget it. Yang Ye, I actually like Mrs. Xiao better, she is beautiful, intelligent, generous and cheerful, Mrs. Xiao, here I come..."

Xiao Jia got up and stepped aside, smiled slightly: "You can only like me if you accept the challenge of Mrs. Mantuo. Otherwise, I will look down on you."

It would be fine if only one side was aggressive, but now there are two sides aggressive, Cao Shujun was in a dilemma, so he had to turn to Xia Xiang for help: "Mr. Xia, Mr. Xia Xianzun, brother Xia, what do you think I should do?"

Xia Xiang smiled calmly: "A man should do something and not do something. Pursuing a woman is no different from studying and seeking an official. When two strong men meet, the brave wins..."

"Fight." Cao Shujun didn't wait for Xia Xiang to finish, picked up a jug of wine, raised his head and drank it all, "As a man, how can he be afraid of a woman? It's too masculine. Come on, have another jug , Madam Mantuo, do you dare to accompany me to get drunk? Asking the fairy, talking and laughing, it is too much to get drunk in life. Hey, why am I so dizzy? No, why are there two Xia Langjun? Xia Langjun, You lied to me, when two strong men meet, the brave wins, and I am the weak..."

Before he finished speaking, Cao Shujuan tilted his body and fell under the table, too drunk to wake up.

Xia Xiang shook his head profoundly: "You rushed to drink before I finished speaking—when two strong men meet, the brave wins. Who can blame it?"

Cao Shujun was helped down. He was so drunk that he couldn't even walk steadily, and was finally carried back by two people.

Several people drank a few more glasses of wine, and seeing that it was getting late, they dispersed.Xia Xiang returned to the room and had just taken a few sips of the tea served by Liu Er when he heard someone knock on the door.

(End of this chapter)