The Red Mansion is so charming

Chapter 208
At the beginning of night, the lights gradually come on, the full moon in the sky is shining brightly, and a few clouds like black mist appear around it from time to time, just like a bloated old lady, walking hard step by step behind the full moon. The moonlight poured down from the gaps in the clouds and shone on the ground.

Fengwei Hutong was very lively in front of the Xing family's mansion. Xing Zhong took Jia Lian and the housekeeper to help a small sedan chair, and an old man with a gray beard walked out of it.The old man only wore the brocade robes of ordinary officials, his face was kind, and his spirit was hale and hearty. It was hard for ordinary people to imagine that this old man was the well-known minister of the Ministry of Punishment who dominated the capital and managed the world's unjust prisons.

The old Shangshu pulled Xing Zhong and said with a smile: "This house is well chosen. If I remember correctly, most of the old people in Xingbuyuan also live here!"

Xing Zhong pointed at Jia Lian with one hand: "It's all done by my nephew, and we didn't bother us too much. The garden is neat and tidy, and there is a small lake inside. Our girl raises a lot of fish, not for viewing. , just for fishing. This summer, we were still talking about when we could invite the boss to sit down, set up a charcoal stove, put the marinated pollack on it, brush it with hot sauce, and have a few drinks A cup of green bamboo leaves, hey, it must make people drunk for three days and three nights."

The old Shangshu was full of remorse: "Oh, don't mention this matter. The good pollack you sent to the south, several cooks in our family have never seen it, and the taste of it is not the same as that made by Xing girl. In comparison. My old woman is in charge of my food and drink every day, no salty food, no sweet food, porridge and side dishes every day, and even the good wine that is filial to me below. If it weren’t for you from time to time Send someone to send some wine to satisfy my hunger, I must be so full!"

Everyone laughed. Old Shangshu's little grandson stepped forward to support him, and explained in embarrassment: "The doctor often told my grandfather that the daily life should be light. This is the way to keep in good health. The old lady is also worried about my grandfather's body!"

The old Shangshu scolded with a smile: "Good boy! How did you discuss it when you were at home just now? When you arrive at your Uncle Xing's house, at least save some face for me."

Xing Zhong's eyes naturally fell on Lao Shangshu's grandson, and his tone was full of surprise: "This is nephew Yunhai? I haven't seen him for more than two years, and he has grown so tall."

Old Shangshu nodded proudly: "I think that when you left Suzhou, this kid was not as good as Xiuyan, but after two years, he was half a head taller than you!"

Xing Zhong was amazed again and again. The young man in front of him had red lips and white teeth. Although he was a bit young and tender, overall he was still a pretty good guy.Xing Zhong silently compared his daughter with Lao Shangshu's grandson in his heart, but to his disappointment, no matter how he compared, he was not very satisfied.Xing Zhong couldn't tell what was awkward, he just felt that if the two stood together, it would look like the elder sister leading the younger brother.

Xing Zhong shivered, quickly threw away this bad idea, and hurriedly led the old Shangshu in.

In the main courtyard, Zhang Wenyuan, the doctor of Yushitai, was surrounded by several apprentices and stood there to welcome Lao Shangshu. When the old friend met for many years, he was full of emotions for a while, and seemed to have endless words.The waiters in the big flower hall are all nimble and well-dressed servants, and a table of delicacies attracts everyone to chat and laugh.

Xiuyan feared that there was something wrong with the main courtyard, so she neglected today's distinguished guests, so she found a nearby room to sit in the small courtyard behind the main courtyard.The lady in charge of the outer courtyard came in from time to time to report the news, what the master said to the adults, what food they ate, and what wine they drank. Xiuyan already knew it clearly without asking.

Seeing that it was almost time for the curfew, Xiuyan also secretly heaved a sigh of relief, and was going to ask someone to make strong tea to refresh the adults.

"Girl, there is a visit from Mr. Cheng outside who claims to be the Minister of the Ministry of Justice." The lady in charge ran in anxiously, "She said she wanted to see the master, but the people under the door saw that they were dressed in ordinary clothes and didn't have any invitations, so they didn't dare to go ahead." Go back to the master and just ask the girl how to deal with it."

Xiuyan instinctively thought this was a liar.What kind of person is Cheng Zimo who will come to the Xing family?Besides, it's this hour again!She didn't dare to act rashly, and ordered the lady in charge to call all the nurses to the front, put on a lark cloak, and led a few maidservants to the door in a mighty manner.

In the wide field, more than a dozen servants are holding sticks in their hands, and there are seven or eight masters with crossbows behind their backs in the shadow of the corner, waiting for an opportunity to move.The chief steward just got the news and ran out from the main courtyard, "Girl!"

Xiuyan took the seven-treasure lotus lantern from Meilian, and the bright candle clearly illuminated the slightly anxious face of the chief steward, Xiuyan smiled lightly: "You just go in and serve the master, I am here!" The manager didn't dare to go, so he obediently stood behind his girl.

Cheng Zimo was wearing a very plain cotton robe, and the riding whip in his hand had been handed over to the long follower. His second younger brother, Cheng Zimo, looked up at the plaque on the gate of the Xing family worriedly: "Brother, why do we come here in the middle of the night?" Is the Xing family uncomfortable asking for this?"

Cheng Zimo didn't even look at his younger brother, he just snorted coldly: "What do you know! If outsiders see me as a dignified Minister of the Ministry of Punishment visiting the small official's house, and spread it out tomorrow, not only will your reputation be damaged, but your sister-in-law's family will also be ashamed .”

Cheng Zixuan was very reluctant in his heart: "Since elder brother knows about it, he shouldn't have come to join in the fun. He is just an old Shangshu who has passed away, why should we call us to mobilize the teachers! After two or three days, ask the housekeeper to make a post to invite them to come and sit down, isn't it? Isn't it easier?"

Cheng Zixuan is now highly praised by everyone, and those who support Cheng Zimo all praised him highly, saying that the second young master must be the first name in the imperial examination of this subject. It's just a matter of time.Now that he came to visit Xing's house secretly like a thief, Cheng Zixuan felt uncomfortable in his heart, so his words were filled with displeasure.

How could Cheng Zimo not know his younger brother's little plan, so he scolded coldly: "Don't be foolish, old Shangshu is my senior, although he is no longer in office, but he still has power. If you don't talk about it, just look at that old man Zhang Wenyuan." If Le Diandian came to join in the show, you can know the exquisiteness in it."

Cheng Zixuan sneered: "I said that the elder brother was too careful. That Zhang Wenyuan offended the uncle of the country because of the Huzhou case. If he wanted to rely on the empress's methods, the Zhang family would have nothing to eat. If I were the elder brother, I would just go with the emperor It’s enough to make good friends with your favorite ministers and close ministers, but what do these old guys do?”

Seeing his younger brother's disapproving expression, Cheng Zimo's heart was full of anger, but he suppressed it, pretending to be kind and said: "In your opinion, who can make friends with?"

Cheng Zixuan was overjoyed, and immediately talked eloquently: "The empress's elder brother, the prince of Guoan wanted to ask you out for a drink several times, but you never should. Jiangnan Gu Peisheng gave his brother such a big gift this year, you Fortunately, I was asked to return it in a blink of an eye. I don't know what my elder brother was thinking. One of the two is a relative of the empress, and the other is an important minister of the emperor. How come there is no room for friendship in the elder brother's heart?"

Cheng Zimo wished he could slap his silly brother awake.

The prince of Guoan relied on the queen to bully men and women, and Zhang Wenyuan offended the queen because of this.Gu Peisheng sells officials and nobles in the south of the Yangtze River, and the scholars in the Jiangnan examination room are filled with righteous indignation.Cheng Zimo didn't believe that his younger brother didn't know, but seeing the other party's disapproval, Cheng Zimo's heart grew cold.

It is true that he wants to be a powerful minister, but Cheng Zimo never thought of being a traitorous minister.

When did this younger brother become so short-sighted?
Cheng Zimo was thinking wildly here, when the door of Xing's house was opened with a creak, and several well-dressed male servants jumped out, spread out their positions, and stared at them.

Trembling, Cheng Zixuan hid behind Cheng Zimo, and whispered: "Look, brother, what is there to make friends with this kind of people, let me tell you."

Cheng Zixuan's words froze suddenly, his eyes fixed on the figure that suddenly appeared inside the door.

The brilliance of the lamp clearly illuminated the girl who came suddenly, and the feathers on the cloak reflected the turquoise light, making the whole person as vivid and full of aura as a little lark.Cheng Zixuan felt that the girl in front of him was very familiar, yet very strange.

Before Cheng Zixuan remembered where he had seen the girl, the girl had already stepped forward to salute with a smile.

Xiuyan recognized Cheng Zimo at a glance, but to be honest, she was indeed intimidated by the simple appearance of this Lord Shangshu.Going out before the curfew, and only staying with three followers, what does the other party want to do?
"My little girl sees Master Cheng!"

Cheng Zimo looked down at Xing Xiuyan, and felt that it was a pity that his younger brother had no chance to marry this girl into the family. He said kindly: "Miss Xing, please get up, it's still my recklessness. I know that the old Shangshu is a guest in the mansion today. I didn’t even say hello, so I came to visit rashly.”

Xiuyan chuckled: "Master Shangshu, where is this? It is already a blessing from Sanshengxiu to usher in such a distinguished guest as your lord in our humble place."

Cheng Zimo has reached this position today, and there are not a few people who flatter and flatter horses, but hearing this kind of praise from a young girl, Cheng Zimo still couldn't help feeling elated.

He pushed Cheng Zixuan in front of him, and smiled with Xing Xiuyan: "This is my incompetent younger brother, Miss Xing may have seen it before?"

The lantern shone brightly with yellow light, clearly reflecting Cheng Zixuan's flushed face.Xiuyan smiled faintly: "When Mrs. Cheng invited her to be a guest in your mansion, Miss Xiaodie praised the Second Young Master Cheng all the time. Although my daughter has not seen the Second Young Master Cheng, she has heard a little about it."

Cheng Zimo choked and glared at his younger brother angrily.

Cheng Zixuan's face was full of embarrassment. For the first time, he felt that Xiaodie was not as lovable as he remembered, but instead felt a drag.

Xiuyan led the two to the main courtyard, and sent someone to inform his father Xing Zhong, and the students who followed Zhang Wenyuan and the grandson of the old Shangshu rushed out to greet him.No one expected to see Xing Xiuyan in the spacious courtyard.

The old Shangshu's grandson's eyes lit up, and he secretly waved at Xing Xiuyan, as if he wanted to go forward but didn't dare to move.This action immediately attracted countless glances, among which Cheng Zixuan's gaze was the sharpest!
(End of this chapter)