Chapter 229: Famous scholars

Prince Heshuo Jian, who was vengeful, cannot offend him, and Cui Defu, who was burning the pot, did not have any signs of his eyes. Therefore, a few days later, he came directly to the Daotai Mansion to "please" Cao Yong.

Cao Yong had no choice but to greet him sincerely, and then took the deeds and pinks from Cui Defu with a little "gratitude" and the deeds of the servants who gave him, and the deeds of the Cui sisters and a few servants on the side of the house.

Seeing Cui Defu's face smiling like a flower, Cao Yong knew that this behavior had achieved results. It is estimated that Cui Defu would be able to explain when he returned.

After receiving the gift, Cao Yong had to say something else "admired" to Yaerjiang A, and prepared a decent return gift. When asked Cui Defu to reply to his master Yaerjiang A, he had to boast about how to do a good job.

Cao Yong is not short of money now, and he never thought about making money from outside his post. Although the gift from Prince Jian’s mansion is not considered bribery, it is just a so-called "human favor and courtesy" in normal interpersonal communication, he was still depressed for a while. He really admired the character of those "clever officials" from the bottom of his heart. It is terrible that only scholars from poor families can be scruples, always stick to their positions, not fear life and death, and only seek to leave their reputation in history and be remembered forever.

Regarding the trouble that cannot be pushed away, Mr. Zhuang’s previous statement, “Recognize it at the knee and marry the place of marriage” is just a joke. Not to mention that it is a bad reputation, but it is said that it is a clan relative. It only applies to officials who are not in the banner like Jiangning Road Road. The Cao family has been in the banner since the Qing Dynasty entered the pass, and the population was raised in the family. There have been records. How could they make up two nieces of the same clan casually?

It is their blessing to meet the two sisters. At least they don’t have to be carried around and sent around like goods. However, Cao Yong is a lazy person. Now his family, friends, and yamen need to worry about everything. How can he bear the fate and joys of others? Besides, he is not a sarcastic person. If he really makes the two girls miserable for the rest of his life because of the inappropriate arrangements, he will inevitably blame himself for it.

Whether it is to be a concubine for officials and tycoons, or to be a wife for a small household, or to have other plans, let the two sisters choose their own lives. What Cao Yong is most concerned about now is the reconstruction of the Nancheng house.

The house has a large garden and is close to the water, which is much cooler than the other side of the Daotai Yamen. However, the paths paved with bluestone were naturally pried up and replaced with cobblestones. The pontoon bridge leading to the pavilion on the lotus pond is a bit old, and some places already have moss, and they are all replaced with new ones.

Cao Yong found the shortcomings everywhere, Cao Yanxiao, Cao Yanwei, and Wu Mao led the team to repair them. In just four or five days, the whole house was completely renewed.

The two servants and two little maids who were presented to this house were also given to them. The two little maids were serving Sister Fandie. The two servants were originally from the house to see the house, and they heard that they were left by their ex-masters.

The Cao family was not short of manpower, and Cao Yong believed the outsiders, so he gave the two servants' contracts and sent them away. The two little maids were just bought from the Yizhou market for a few days, but they were still staying to work with the Fandie Sisters.

Pink Butterfly and Cui Die were placed in the west yard. The two sisters knew how to abide by the rules and stayed in the room without a command. When they were really bored, they just walked around their own yard.

Cui Die was simple-minded. Sometimes through the courtyard gate, she was eager to start the ground outside. She was curious and couldn't help but go back to the house and ask her sister: "Why do you lay it again? The pontoon bridge is also like that. There are chains on both sides. What is this? Master Cao is really strange!"

Fen Die sat at the round table. After listening to her chirping, she smiled faintly: "I guess this Master Cao is a child of a wealthy family and is accustomed to life in a delicate way!"

Cui Die sat opposite her sister, held her chin, thoughtful, and said for a while: "Since I cleaned up this house, I think Mr. Cao is coming here too. If so, we will besides playing the piano, flute, chanting poetry and painting..." Speaking of this, her face turned red and she whispered: "Do you... also have to serve Mr. Cao... that?"

When Fan Die heard this, she was stunned at first, then understood what her sister said, and her cheeks couldn't help but be covered with red clouds. Seeing that her sister had faint hope in her eyes, she couldn't bear to be sad afterwards, so she mentioned, "Maybe Mr. Cao cleaned up the house to give it away like Mr. Cui!"

Cui Die showed a little disappointment on her face, but then she got better, she covered her mouth and smiled, "I wish it would be better if the new master was as interesting as Master Cao!"

Fandie touched the strings with her hands, silently. Although her hands were itchy, in order not to leave a frivolous feeling to outsiders, the strings could not be plucked at will.

Seeing that her sister was silent, Cui Die lost interest in speaking, and lay on the table, playing with the twisted silk bracelet on her hand.

Just as I was bored, a little maid, eleven or two years old, came in and replied: "Two girls, Mr. Cao is here, send someone to pass the message and invite the girls to the front hall!"

The little maid named Heye and another one called Lianxin followed her sisters to serve her.

The two sisters looked at each other, feeling a little confused and nervous, but they didn't dare to delay. They checked each other's hair and clothes, and when they saw that they were all right, they followed the lotus leaves.

Cao Yong sat in the hall, feeling depressed. He packed the yard so quickly that he wanted to take Chu Yu here earlier to avoid being stuffy in the Daotai Mansion. Unexpectedly, the governor's office came to the documentary office, and the Jiangsu Censor Gan Guobi was promoted to the Shandong Provincial Governor's General Administration. On June 20, he arrived at Jinan Prefecture. Those who were directly guarding the road like Cao Yong would rush to Jinan Prefecture to welcome Shangguan before this.

Now, it is the ninth day of the lunar month, and there are still ten days left. There will be a few more days left on the road. At that time, you need to pay a visit to the governor or other colleagues in advance for social engagements. You will set off in a few days.

Although the garden here is large, there are not many houses. It only has three entrances. Except for the main courtyard of the middle road, there are two small courtyards on both sides, so there are not many people.

If Chu Yu was not here, there would be Lianqiu, Xiqiu, Han Master's wife, Lu Master's wife, and others who would visit each other and talk to each other, and would not be too boring.

Cao Yong thought about it and took Chu Yu here to escape the summer heat when he came back from Jinan Prefecture. But now, he had to settle the two sisters first.

The two sisters came in and stood a few steps away to greet Cao Yong.

Cao Yong did not sit in the upper seat, but sat on the chair on one side, pointed to the seat opposite, and asked them to sit down.

The pink butterfly and Cuidie hesitated for a moment, leaned over and thanked him slightly, and sat down next to the chair.

*

Daotai Mansion, living room.

Mr. Zhuang said with joy, "I heard about the news in Beijing in April, and knew that Wu Qiao had been in the pilot, and he wanted to send a letter to congratulate him. But he happened to catch up with some chores here, and it was delayed! He thought he would have to go back to Beijing before he could see him again, but he didn't expect that he could gather here and here, which was really 'a great pleasure'!"

Sitting opposite him, wearing a blue silk dress and smiling on his face was Mr. Zhuang's friend Cheng Mengxing.

Although he was a talented person in Jiangnan, Cheng Mengxing did not take the imperial examination reputation seriously. He went to the capital to take the exam, but because his wife died, he was afraid of being hurt. He was forced by his mother and elders in the clan to be forced to marry each other, so he was stranded in the capital under the guise of the imperial examination. This time, he accidentally took the exam and was selected to study in Hanlin Academy, which was exactly what he wanted.

The imperial edict for selecting Shujishi was issued on April 19th. According to the rules, these new Jinshi had a four-month holiday starting at the beginning of the next month. Most of them took this opportunity to return home. If they were engaged, they would get married at this time and then bring their families back to Beijing.

Cheng Mengxing knew that this time it was probably difficult to shirk responsibility. He was originally called "studying" and was about to pass the Jinshi and get married again, so he didn't take much attention when he entered the examination room. Unexpectedly, he passed the second grade.

After delaying reluctance in the capital for a month, Yangzhou had sent several people to come. In the end, the old lady gave an ultimatum and wrote a letter to her son, telling him that if she didn't come back, she would just make a wife here.

Cheng Mengxing had no choice but to set off and return home. When he passed by Tancheng County, he remembered that Mr. Zhuang was on duty at Cao Yong, and his yamen was Yizhou, which was adjacent to Tancheng County. He turned north and came to visit this friend who forgot his age.

"It's mine, it's not my fault. The gentleman didn't even catch up with the new girl's happiness. He couldn't delay the two gifts!" After Cheng Mengxing said that, he called the servant who accompanied him to present the gift.

Three sandalwood boxes, two of which were slightly larger and one was slightly smaller. Although he didn't know what was inside, Mr. Zhuang knew that Cheng Mengxing was not a polite person, so he refused to accept the trick again. He smiled and thanked him on behalf of his concubine's daughter.

After the two of them chatted, they talked about current affairs in the capital. Such as the "sentiment and drinking together" and the powerful people fighting each other, how could they pay attention to the casual literati like Cheng Mengxing? The one who is most concerned about is Dai Mingshi's "Nanshan Ji Case".

Most of the involved ones are the leader of the Shilin in Jiangnan, and many of them have personal relationships with him. Although Kangxi forgives the Fang clans who were implicated, he has no intention of taking the culprit "Dai Mingshi".

Perhaps by this autumn and autumn, Dai Mingshi, the great scholar of the times, will have a different body and head.

Mr. Zhuang and Cheng Mengxing are both literati and sincerely admire Dai Mingshi. Thinking that he had been famous all over the world for twenty years and ended up in this situation, he couldn't help but sigh again.

They lost interest for a moment, and even when they mentioned Enko next year, they just said a few casually. When the two of them sighed at the same time, they looked at each other and smiled and turned away from the topic of Shilin. Even if they were moved, they were just a little bit more tired. Do they still have to complain all day long, so they are not a rash person?

When talking about Mr. Zhuang's old daughter, Cheng Mengxing couldn't help but feel moved and said, "Sir, why don't we get a relative? Mr. also knows that Xing's deceased wife has a pair of children left by her. The little girl is older and the child is five years old this year. Although she is older than Ling's, she is a perfect match!"

Cheng Mengxing is a famous scholar and a romantic friend, and he is his best friend. Mr. Zhuang couldn't help but feel moved, but when he thinks of the wealthy family of the Cheng family, he hesitated more and said with a smile: "Wu Qiao, you are useless to call yourself a gentleman and laugh at others for being a scheming person. These two children are a little older, but who knows what kind of temperament will be like in the future? If we are elders, on a whim, they will be determined for their lifetime, there are too many jokes!"

Cheng Mengxing patted his forehead and said with a smile: "Sir, don't blame me, don't blame me, don't blame me, don't look at me, don't be confused? Why did he hide in the capital? He seemed to have forgotten, and he unknowingly became a habit of a corrupt scholar! Speaking of this, the bannermen are more transparent than us in marriage!"

Cheng Mengxing is not a stupid person, so he naturally understands that Mr. Zhuang has concerns, and that he just refuses, but he is also understanding his kind fatherly heart.

For some reason, he didn't think so, but since he entered Yizhou, Cheng Mengxing remembered the woman who had a conversation with him. After entering the Taotai Yamen, he also remembered two or three incidents, so he asked: "Sir, did the girl Amethyst in the mansion go out of the capital with Lord Cao and his wife?"

Mr. Zhuang knew that he helped Cao Yong repair the garden the year before yesterday and knew the amethyst. When he heard him ask, he didn't think much about it and nodded, "The inner house is controlled by the amethyst, so naturally he follows here!"

Cheng Mengxing thought about it for a while and said with a smile: "I don't know if you want to hide it from you, but later I know that this Amethyst girl and Xing are still relatives. If it is convenient, Xing also wants to meet her this time and reminisce about the old words!"

The year before yesterday, when Cao Yong sent someone south to check on Zijing's relatives, it was Mr. Zhuang's arrangement. Mr. Zhuang naturally knew that Zijing had an aunt married into the Hu family, and the Hu family and the Cheng family were also relatives. In other words, Zijing and Cheng Mengxing can also be considered in-laws.

But Amethyst is called the maid of the Cao family, and in fact she has a sibling relationship with Cao Yong. How can Mr. Zhuang make a decision? Cheng Mengxing is not an outsider, and Mr. Zhuang doesn’t hide it from him. He told the truth: “Although Miss Amethyst was a bumpy girl when she was young, she lived a casual life in the Cao family. Not to mention the old man, she is afraid that even the young master will not be self-dedicated. Now, I can only accept the support of Wu Qiao to convey it. As for whether Amethyst girl is willing to talk about old things with Wu Qiao, it depends on her own idea!”

When Cheng Mengxing helped Cao Mansion build a garden in the capital, he also knew something about Cao Mansion. He knew that Cao Yong was very kind to Amethyst. At first, he really had speculation. He thought that Cao Yong, as Hu Jiren said, had the intention of taking Amethyst. He was just a prince of a noble family who had not married or taken concubines, had a bad reputation, and his wife was a member of the royal family.

Cao Yong was humble and polite, and Amethyst was generous and quiet. Although the two were a little older, they didn't look obvious. Now, when they thought about it, Cheng Mengxing felt ashamed of his villain. He thought in his heart that he was too hypocritical, so why did he betray his cousin's nonsense? Although he was speaking in front of that guy, he actually saw Amethyst and Cao Yong together, and even felt a little envious of Cao Yong.

The two were talking, but Cao Yong had already received the letter and had no time to change his clothes. He came directly to see Cheng Mengxing.

Among the people who came to this life, Cao Yong thought he had few debts, and even if he had received favors and help, he would repay them with all his heart. There were only two people in the fourth prince and Cheng Mengxing, one was to save his life, and the other was to help because of his rise. No matter how big the favor was, he still had no chance of reward. Not to mention that Cheng Mengxing's character and lazy style of doing things were envious. Since he knew Cheng Mengxing and had a little understanding of his behavior, Cao Yong sighed for several days. Even if he was reborn in another world, why not let him be reborn in the Cheng family and be a relaxed and happy playboy?

The Cheng family has Yu Yin, and no matter who becomes the emperor, they treat their family well. With strong property, they can choose to enter the officialdom, or do business, or be a free and easy local rich man. There is no need to be like him. He is obviously a lazy person and is most tired of using his brain, but he can only worry about this and that. If he wants to do whatever he wants, he has constant troubles and needs to take care of it.

"Mr. Cheng, Cao Yong is late to come back. Please forgive me for your crime!" Cao Yong greeted with a smile.

Cheng Mengxing was a little flattered, but he was not panicked, and stood up and bowed, "Mengxing has seen Lord Cao!"

Cao Yong was stunned, then smiled and said, "Mr. Cheng, what is this? If you follow the etiquette and Brother Wu Qiao and Mr. Wu are you going to force Cao Yong to perform the younger generation's rituals?"

Cheng Mengxing also heard about Cao Yong going north from Jiangning in the first month of the first month. He thought that although Cao Yong was young, he was in a place with a valuable status. The fourth grade of the official rank is not low, so he must be less humble than in the past. Unexpectedly, this conversation was much easier than when he was in the capital, which was quite surprising.

Cheng Mengxing smiled and said, "Since Furuo said this, then Xing would not be polite!"

Cao Yong heard Mr. Zhuang say that the incident of Mengxing's spring exam was in the process, and he couldn't help but congratulate him during the greetings. He was also happy to learn that he had chosen Shujishi and entered the Hanlin Academy to study.

Although Hanlin had no rights, he was noble and leisurely. Cao Yong thought that he had studied hard for nearly ten years but had not even entered the imperial examination gate, which was really shameful.

When he was a child, when he was studying in the clan with Gu Na and Cao Song, Cao Yong thought about trying to try the imperial examination. When he got older, Gu Na passed the imperial examination, he realized that he and his younger brother Cao Song both received prison students when he was young. He was considered a person with fame and fortune. He could directly take the provincial examination exam without taking the imperial examination. It was so simple, but he had no interest in taking the exam.
Chapter completed!