Aspirations

Chapter 28

It was none other than Cao Shujun.

The last time Cao Shujun left, Cao Shujun said that he would come to Quanyou Inn to visit Xia Xiang soon, but there was no news for a few days, Xia Xiang thought that Cao Shujun was a young man, and he forgot what he said.He didn't want to make a sudden visit today, but it surprised and delighted him.

Xia Xiang introduced Cao Shujun to Zhang Hou and Shen Bao, but the two had no interest in Cao Shujun, and they only said a few words and then excused themselves.

"The two of you just now, are Xia Langjun's classmates?" Cao Shujun asked curiously after the two of them left, "Shen Bao is a bold, careful and sincere person, but because of his changeable personality, it is difficult for him to take on a major role. Zhang Housheng has a rebellious character, and he will do amazing things in the future. You should not get too close to him, because it is easy to be accidentally injured by him. Confucius said, only women and villains are difficult to raise. "

Xia Xiang was surprised. Cao Shujun's conclusion about Zhang Hou was seven points similar to his judgment on Zhang Hou. He couldn't help but wonder, "Will Cao Sanlang meet again?"

"Not really, I just like to read some miscellaneous books. After reading a lot, I will have some experience, which may not be correct, and the right should be a joy." If it was someone else, Cao Shujun would not be so humble, that is, in Xia In front of Xiang, he only restrained a bit.

"However, Zhang Hou is dignified, dignified, and humble. He is quite noble." Xia Xiang has also read a lot of books of miscellaneous families, and he knows a little about the relatives. The extravagance is contained but not revealed. You can see that he is walking like a tiger, and he will definitely make a big difference in the future."

Longxinghubu is not to say that walking is like a tiger or a mighty person, but it is free and easy, elegant and free. The so-called eagle stands like a sleep, and a tiger walks like a disease. The real masters are not powerful in appearance and walking like the wind.

"The rich and the rich are not necessarily good people." Cao Shujun smiled, took a sip from Zhang Hou's white porcelain teacup, "Sister asked me to say hello, Xia Langjun, don't blame me for being too talkative, if you pass the exam Jinshi, don't let down your sister's lovesickness."

Xia Xiang smiled: "Little lady Cao is well recently? Thanks to the little lady's love, I miss her beauty very much..."

Cao Shujun believed it to be true: "Really? Xia Langjun, if you are really interested in your sister, how about I be a matchmaker to match the two of you?"

"It's important to talk about the business first." Xia Xiang didn't expect that Cao Shujun would really be a matchmaker for him and Cao Shuli.

"Father doesn't force me to take the exam anymore, especially after the examiner was changed to Wen Changju, he never mentioned the matter of taking the exam. It's also because his illness has gotten worse recently, and he has no time to take care of me." Cao Shujun sighed and shook his head, " It's strange. A few days ago, my father was in much better health. At the invitation of Wenchang's book, he went to his house for a banquet. When he came back, his old illness relapsed. At first, he thought that he would get better soon, but his condition worsened day by day. I can't get out of bed anymore. It's also because my father is sick and it's inconvenient to go out, so I postponed seeing you until today."

Xia Xiang was startled: "Cao Gong's condition is getting worse? What did the doctor say?"

"The doctor looked at it and said it was cold entering the body. I used some medicines to dispel cold and warm and nourish the body, but no effect was found." Cao Shujun looked sad, "Sister hired Jin Jia, a famous doctor in Beijing. The medicine of Dihuang Pill. After taking it, I feel a little better."

"Jin Jia is a famous doctor in the world, and his prescription will definitely cure the disease." Xia Xiang always felt that something was wrong. After a little thought, he figured out the link and asked, "How is the personal relationship between Duke Cao and Shang Shu?"

Cao Shujun was stunned, not knowing why Xia Xiang asked this question: "It's very ordinary, and I don't usually communicate with each other."

"Why did Wen Shangshu suddenly invite Duke Cao to the mansion for a gathering?" Xia Xiang couldn't help but think a lot. The last time he saw Cao Yongguo, Cao Yongguo's face was pale, and it was cold. It's serious, it should be warmed up for a while, how come back from a trip to the Wenfu not only the old disease recurs, but also the sickness can't be cured?Moreover, it is summer now, even in the middle of the night, it is full of hot air, and it is not the chilling autumn and cold winter, where does the cold air enter the body?

There is no cold air between heaven and earth, where does the cold air come from?

"This... this is unknown." How could Cao Shujun think about these things deeply, "Why, Xia Langjun knows Wen Shangshu?"

"I'm a commoner, how can I know the second-rank officer of the current dynasty?"

"Last time you said goodbye, you said that a great thing happened to me. What is it, please tell me quickly." Cao Shujun had long wanted to come to meet with Xia Xiang, so as to know what happened to Xia Xiang last time. What is the good thing to say.

"Is this matter..." Xia Xiang thought for a while, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that there was a lot of mystery behind the matter, got up and said, "Let's talk as we walk."

"Where to go?" Cao Shujun followed closely behind Xia Xiang.

Xia Xiang and Cao Shujun left the inn, Xiao Wu followed behind them, and the three of them headed west all the way to Cao's residence.Not long after passing by Haojing often at the Anranju Inn - Xia Xiang already knew at this time that Haojing often appeared in the major restaurants, tea shops and inns all over the territory of Daxia. The names of the branches are all named after a certain residence. For example, there are Taipingju, Tianshangju, Tianranju, etc. in the restaurant of Haojingchang in Shangjing City, and there are Anzhiju, Xiaoyaoju, Zizaiju, etc. in the tea shop. Then there are places such as safe residence, such as home, and such as home.

In Shangjing, there are more than [-] restaurants, teahouses and inns where the good times are always present.

"Good times are always here... Did you know that?" In the morning, the sun was just right, passers-by were hurrying, and it was very lively. Xia Xiang pointed to the signboard of the good times by the roadside and smiled, "Cao Saburo, I heard that the good times are always there. The master here is a little lady like flowers and jade, you have not married yet, if you marry her, you will have endless glory and wealth."

"Forget it, I have no luck. A delicate little lady can support such a huge industry. She must have something special. Maybe she is a person who is as beautiful as a flower and a snake and a scorpion, or maybe She's just a puppet who shows her face, and the master behind the scenes is someone else, so it's better to stay away."

In this way, Cao Shujun doesn't know the origin and background of the good times?Xia Xiang was a little more curious about Hao Jing Chang Zai in his heart. Although Cao Shujun was not a prince or a nobleman in Shangjing, he was considered a large and small government. Not to mention that the people behind the good times are too powerful and mysterious.

"What's the good thing in the end? Say it now, I'm so anxious." Cao Shujun couldn't contain the curiosity and urgency in his heart, and scratched his cheeks anxiously.

"Good things are also related to the good times." The corners of Xia Xiang's mouth slowly turned up, and he smiled happily and brilliantly, "I still have to know the little lady who is good times."

"Xia Langjun, are you interested in the good times, or are you interested in the little lady who is good times?" Cao Shujun shook his head, "No, this is not good, you can only like the elder sister alone, you can't My sister is always in chaos and abandoned..."

"..." Xia Xiang was speechless, Cao Shujun was really a rogue, he and Cao Shuli only had one relationship, and they haven't even held hands yet, saying that it was too much for a good person to be abandoned forever, "Cao Saburo, do you have any questions? I have thought about one thing, if your craftsmanship is used by the good times, with the financial resources and strength of the good times, you will be famous all over the world and become an unparalleled master."

"Really? Don't lie to me, I'm your brother-in-law." Cao Shujun raised his head and glanced at the flag that was flying in the wind. He narrowed his eyes and smiled happily, "Xia Langjun, my How can craft be used for good times?"

Xia Xiang lost his temper by Cao Shujun's scoundrel, so he had to acknowledge his "brother-in-law" aggrievedly, and said with a smile, "Look at the banner of good times, and then look at this..." He turned over from his body Out a jade card, "Do you have any ideas for combining the two?"

Cao Shujun took the jade plaque, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he exclaimed: "What a beautiful piece of jade, not only is it moist as suet, but the most rare thing is that it is flawless. The carving is also good, it should be made by a first-class craftsman. This piece of jade, It’s worth a lot, to say the least.”

It was the beautiful jade card that Xia Xiang borrowed from Shen Bao.

"Good eyesight." Xia Xiang said with a smile, "How about you make a logo with Haojingchang's flag and jade plaque?"

Cao Shujun glanced at the flag flying above the restaurant again, his eyes fell back to the jade plaque where good times are always present, and he thought for a moment: "If you use jade, the difficulty is that there are no two identical pieces of jade in the world, and in polishing It's too time-consuming. If you use gold, it's too vulgar. Not to mention silver, it's too cheap. If it's ivory, it's inconvenient to get it... What is the best way to use it? If you use wood, pine is too common. There is too little red sandalwood, Xia Langjun, what do you think?"

Xia Xiang had an idea in his heart and smiled slightly: "My idea is to use three or four materials to make a palm-sized circle, similar to copper coins, the first circle is gold, the second circle is silver, the third circle is copper, and the middle part is made of yellow. The logo of good times is always carved in rosewood, gold, silver and copper can be tempered together, and the logo in the middle can be removed for easy replacement..."

"Good idea." Cao Shujun's eyes lit up with joy, "Miao, Xia Langjun, your idea is brilliant! But I still don't quite understand, what is the purpose of this logo?"

"Naturally, it is for the little lady who is always there." Xia Xiang smiled mysteriously and continued to stride forward. "If this happens, you and I will be the guests of the little lady who is always there."

"I don't care if you are a guest, I'm not interested in the little lady." Cao Shujun shook his head, thinking back to the sign Xia Xiang said, and said as he walked, with an obsessed face, "It's interesting to have gold outside, silver inside and copper inside. ,So funny."

Xia Xiang smiled, but thought in his heart that Cao Shujun really liked the tricks and tricks.Confucius said, a gentleman is not an instrument—a gentleman should not be an instrument, do not do specific things, but should be knowledgeable and versatile, write books and lectures, and educate the people with knowledge.But in his view, gentlemen who can carry the heavy responsibility of educating the common people, after all, are few, and Confucius is also a man through the ages.

When he came to Cao Mansion again, Xia Xiang was standing at the entrance of Cao Mansion, just as he was about to step in, he suddenly remembered something, turned around and looked - the wonton stall and his wife were already gone.Thinking of the friendship between the two of them, he couldn't help but feel lost.

Cao Shujun stood with his hands behind his back, and said, "Less than three days after the last incident, the wonton stall disappeared. Later, I heard that the couple went south to Quanzhou to look for their son. I hope they will be reunited as a family soon."

"I hope so." Xia Xiang was silent for a moment, then turned around and entered the Cao Mansion with Cao Shujun.

The last time I came to Cao Mansion was at night, and I only remember the corridor painting workshop, which is twists and turns. Looking at it now, the scenery is not bad.Different from the small and exquisite garden style in the south, the mansions in the north are mostly grand and majestic, and even the rockery is also vigorous.

Cao Shujun led the way and went straight to the backyard.

Turning through an arched door, the eyes suddenly opened up, and there was a shimmering pond.Although the area of ​​the pond is not large, it is also several acres in diameter. There are several swans playing in the water and lingering among the lotus flowers. This scene can be drawn into the painting.

Cao Shujun walked to the edge of the pond, walked a few steps along the pond, suddenly turned to the right, and hurriedly said: "Xia Langjun is waiting for me here for a while, I am anxious, go and come."

Xia Xiang nodded, just standing under a weeping willow, the breeze was blowing, and the whole body was refreshed.It has been a long time since he came to the capital, and it is rare to have today's leisure time. He stood with his hands behind his back and admired the beautiful scenery.

Xiao Wu was relatively quiet at first, and he started playing with sex after a while. He couldn't hold back his eagerness to try: "Sir, there is a boat in the pond. The shape of the boat is very interesting, and the tips on both ends are like the moon..."

Xia Xiang smiled and said, "Don't go around the corners, just go if you want to row, but don't make a fuss."

"Yes." Xiao Wuxi was overjoyed, and after a few jumps, he came to the boat, picked up the paddle and lightly tapped, and the boat cut through the water and sailed into the depths of the lotus.

The boat is pointed at both ends and has a peculiar shape. It is not a common shape of Daxia boats. It should be made by extra craftsmen.Cao Yongguo was the Shaoqing of Honglu Temple and traveled with envoys from various countries. This ship should have been gifted by foreign envoys.

The national strength of Daxia is growing day by day, and the number of people from neighboring countries who come to do business and pay tribute is increasing.

Knowing that he neighed on the tree, there was no one around, and it was even more quiet.Xia Xiang stood for a long time, but did not see Cao Shujun returning, so he simply sat on a stone chair by the shore and closed his eyes.After closing my eyes, I suddenly felt an itchy neck, and when I touched it with my hand, it was fluffy like a bug.

Xia Xiang was most afraid of caterpillars and other bugs in his life. His eyes widened and his hair stood on end. He stretched out his hand and saw that it was a green caterpillar.He jumped up in shock, threw the caterpillar away with his hands, and jumped onto the chair, still terrified.

"Cuckoo..."

The light and graceful laughter came from the pond along with the sound of the wind. As soon as the lotus blossoms opened, a boat broke through the water. There was a person standing on the bow of the boat, full of smiles.

Cao Shuli has been a little gloomy recently. Since the last time she saw Xia Xiang, for some reason, since he left, his shadow has been flashing in her mind.Xia Xiang's eloquent conversation, Xia Xiang's light-hearted demeanor, Xia Xiang's calm conversation, and Xia Xiang's eloquent talent, all of which were like ripples in her heart, which lasted for a long time.

Could it be... She really fell in love with Xia Xiang?

Cao Shuli didn't want to admit that she fell in love with Xia Xiang at first sight. She had seen too many princes and nobles, whether they were the sons of princes or princes, how many young talents stepped on the threshold of Cao's residence just to ask her to smile, but she ignored them all.It's not that she dislikes Xia Xiang's identity in white clothes, but that Xia Xiang doesn't seem to have any feelings for her...

She is a woman, how can she take the initiative to show her love to a man?She didn't want to be like Zhuo Wenjun's phoenix.

Xia Xiang was never heard from again, and because of his father's serious illness, Cao Shujun did not go to make an appointment with Xia Xiang, and Cao Shuli's heart was even more ups and downs.Not only worried about his father's condition, but also want to see Xia Xiang again soon.

It was rare to be in the mood to play today, and she completely forgot her worries on the rafting pond.In a trance, a figure on the shore flashed, it seemed to be Xia Xiang, and when she took a closer look, she saw Yang Liu Yiyi, empty, and she couldn't help feeling lost.While feeling lost, he didn't find it funny. Xia Xiangren was in the inn, so why did he come to Cao's mansion?She was a disaster of lovesickness, and she was dazzled for a while.

Unexpectedly, when the wind blew, and the lotus rose and fell, Xia Xiang's figure appeared again.Cao Shuli couldn't believe it, rubbed her eyes, and asked Zuo'er behind her, "Zuo'er, the person on the shore, is Xia Langjun?"

"Where is Xia Langjun on the shore? Xia Langjun is studying in the inn, lady, don't lie." Zuo'er was picking a lotus pod, and replied casually, and glanced at the shore at random, the lotus pod in his hand fell into the water, She covered her mouth, "Ah, madam, it's really Xia Langjun, you read it right, did I read it right?"

Afterwards, the boat returned to its heart and headed towards the shore.When he didn't want to get to the shore, Xia Xiang was frightened by an unexpected caterpillar, which made Cao Shuli's full of anticipation and tension turned into a smile and joy.

Xia Xiang did not expect that his second meeting with Cao Shuli would be in such a situation, so he smiled and bowed his hands: "I saw a smile."

The boat docked on the shore, Zuoer jumped ashore and stretched out his hand to pull Cao Shuli.Unexpectedly, when the boat swung, Cao Shuli swayed, lost her balance, and fell into the water.

Xia Xiang didn't dare to hesitate, so he flew forward, grabbed Cao Shuli's hands, and then pulled hard, Cao Shuli couldn't stand, and the whole person plunged into Xia Xiang's arms.

(End of this chapter)