son-in-law

Chapter 209 Chapter 2
The river is long, and when the waves on the canal rise, the chirping of summer insects can be heard on both sides of the river, and the yellow-green fireflies are like mist floating on both sides of the river. Get together.

The painting boat stopped on the bank of the river. There were lights on the bow of the boat, which was not bright, but it also surrounded a small world in the middle of the river.This is the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er took all the way south. At this time, there are not many people left on the boat, because including Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a group of maids, and stewards, they have all been invited to go. I went to eat on another painting boat.

In the evening, the two boats met, and the talented people on the opposite side spoke enthusiastically. The protagonist in everyone's eyes can be regarded as Lin Tingzhi, who has not received much attention since boarding the boat.After saying hello, the other side invited everyone on the boat here to wander around Jiaxing for a few days.

Lou Shuwan's goods are waiting to be delivered, so it is impossible to linger, but for some reason, Lou Shuwan also suggested that she can stay here for one night.The reason is that the invitation over there is not unreliable. Today they took the boat of Fangqingyuan, and although Fangqingyuan is a brothel, the dishes cooked by the chef, especially the whole fish feast, can be regarded as unique in Jiaxing , So I invited everyone to eat fish on the boat.

Ning Yi and Su Tan'er came here for fun. Jiaxing is not far from Hangzhou, and the two places are closely connected. Lou Shuwan can be regarded as a half-landlord here.Now that she said it, she naturally agreed to the promise here, and asked Wending Wenfang, the accountant steward and others to eat together. There were not many people left on the painting boat. Naturally, they couldn't make it to the table during such gatherings, so they stayed here, waiting for a quick bite to eat, and chatted around the boat to cool off.

When the adults went to the banquet, the children were naturally left behind, so they couldn't help asking where the adults were going, especially the uncle who liked to tell stories.The accountant and the woman in charge of the house were fine, probably explaining that they were invited by some very powerful people.

Recalling the battle of talents just now, there are talented scholars and scholars on the boat over there, and they all have a lot of background in the introduction, maybe there are masters of scholar and masters, in the eyes of the women of these merchants, they are naturally extremely powerful However, it is unavoidable to use it to teach children to make progress if they have the opportunity.They used to be in the Su family, and although they knew that the uncle of the host family was also a powerful figure, they naturally couldn't compare with these orthodox scholars.

The people from Jiangning have no idea about the affairs in Jiaxing, and they don't know how much status those scholars have, but the battle seems not bad.There were a few fellows on the boat who came along with Lou Shuwan, who knew a little bit about it. When they talked about it at the stern, they said how about the literary and clear poems, what kind of reputation Du Ruohan had in Jiaxing and Hangzhou, and he couldn't help but talk about his young lady. , and the matter of Lin Tingzhi, they used to be somewhat disapproving of Lin Tingzhi, but when they talked about it now, everyone discovered that this person is also a great talent.There was a Su guy named Dongzhu who listened to it and didn't take it seriously.

"So what, our uncle is not comparable to these people. No one in Jiangning knows his talent and name. Even if an official as big as the Prime Minister invited him to Beijing recently, he didn't go."

"Liar."

"Master Prime Minister?"

"Uh, anyway, he is a senior official who is about the same age as the prime minister."

Dongzhu's talk about these things is actually a bit uncertain. A few days ago, he heard Chan'er Juan'er and the maidservants mumbling a few words, saying that it was the prime minister or some high-ranking official who invited the young lady to Beijing but the young lady didn't go.It was also difficult for him to imagine such a high official as the prime minister. At this time, when others asked him carefully, he lost much confidence, but he insisted on it.

In fact, Chan'er and Juan'er are not very clear about these things, how can they explain clearly in the discussion, Qin Yuyuan is going to Beijing at this time, and his official position has not yet been determined, Ning Yi just mentioned it, and only talked about it, six books, left and right Although Chan'er and Juan'er are clear about most things, such as the position of relatives, it is difficult for the girl of the merchant's family to figure out these things after all.

Lou Shuwan's husband is also a son-in-law who is married, and several of the staff can see it clearly on weekdays. After boarding the boat, seeing that the two sides are in similar situations, they naturally have some concerns about Ning Yi's position in their hearts. Shocking, but I couldn't believe it in my heart.You said something and I talked for a while. Dong Zhu, who only knew that his uncle was very powerful, gave a few specific examples, but his persuasiveness was not always enough. Others were inspired, and they also talked about the things about the uncle of the Su family that they had heard about in the past. Come.

Although the words mixed in the mouths of women and children could not make Ning Yi as majestic as "becoming a high official", they finally outlined a simple and powerful outline.

On summer nights, the outline of Jiaxing City is illuminated by lights in the distance, and pedestrians and carriages occasionally pass by on the post road in the forest, and the lights weave a simple path.The people on the boat were also chatting away time, and when the children asked how long it would take for the adults who had left to return, the women and children were sure that such gatherings would usually end late at night.However, not long after these words were spoken, a few lanterns came from the post road in the distance, and the lights lit up among the willows by the river embankment. The people who were coming here were vaguely Ning Yi and Su Tan'er For these, in front is Xing'er carrying the lantern, Chan'er holding the round fan, occasionally jogging a few steps along the embankment to chase away the dancing fireflies, and then there was faint laughter.

Ning Yi and the others came back from a walk all the way after eating, and there was a lot of excitement after boarding the boat. Juan'er and the others even brought some packed dishes and brought them on the boat for everyone to try.

"The taste of the fish is really good. It's different from Jiang Ning's. We'll make some food later. You can try it."

Only Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, the three maids, the accountant, and the shopkeeper came back. Su Wending and Su Wenfang stayed on the painting boat over there. They always liked these literary clubs. Ning Yi and Su Tan'er also let them Sit there for a while, because Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi are also staying there at this time.To be honest, when Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others packed up and left after eating, Lou Shuwan's expression was quite unexpected.

In fact, this time I was invited over, even though it was said to be a dinner and wine treat for old friends, but the people in the seat really felt a little drunk.In the eyes of those Jiangnan talents, Lin Tingzhi was known as a romantic person. Although his poetic talent was quite good, he was even more romantic.After all, they didn't know much about Yu Lou Shuwan, but after Lin Tingzhi's introduction and the hesitation of the insider, everyone knew more or less about this woman's background.

The husband-in-law with a strong personality, rich and beautiful, maybe Lin Tingzhi has become her guest of honor, and Su Tan'er from other places has the same background. In short, to her husband, It shouldn't matter too much.The Suzhou and Hangzhou area is also a romantic place, and this group of people does not have deliberate dirty thoughts in their hearts, but it is romantic to communicate between men and women under the framework of stereotyped Neo-Confucianism. Teaser is part of romance.Since the other party is a business woman, I don't need to be too concerned about it, so I used the excuse of inviting Lin Tingzhi to gather everyone together. The rules are actually ordinary and polite guests and friends.

Of course, if the invitee has really moved some thoughts, then you can only admire this person's tricks, and in the eyes of everyone, there will be another romantic anecdote that can be written and discussed.

They invited guests to a banquet in the brothel's painting boat, which was a bit menglang, but firstly, they mainly invited Lin Tingzhi, and secondly, the banquet here was really good.Su Tan'er is already a married woman, and she could have refused to go directly, but since Lou Shuwan opened her mouth, Ning Yi didn't want to be too scruples to spoil the fun, so she went to the painting boat and had a few chats with everyone. He probably saw the situation clearly, so he ate a feast happily, and after eating, he got up and left before the group of gifted scholars became famous, and packed a bag by the way.

Lou Shuwan was a bit astonished. She invited Ning Yi and Su Tan'er over this time, but her thoughts were quite complicated. Firstly, she wanted to show the wide range of Lou's friends, and secondly, she felt that she had the same experience as Su Tan'er. It is impossible to speak directly about the matter with Lin Tingzhi.This time Lin Tingzhi was in the limelight, so she also wanted Su Tan'er to see Lin Tingzhi's literary flair with these scholars. In her opinion, Su Tan'er married an unreliable scholar. Even if you don't say it, you will definitely yearn for it. As long as she has some yearning for it, if you find out about her in the future, you will be envious and ready to move, and it is impossible to look down on her.

She persuaded a few words, but Su Tan'er also showed a simple negotiating attitude at this time, and gently refused in a few words.Lou Shuwan originally wanted to go back with her, but seeing Ning Yi and Su Tan'er walking away so freely, if she followed, she would seem a bit lonely.

She also thought in her heart that maybe Tan'er wanted to stay, but since the son-in-law was here, she was used to controlling her proportions—in fact, she also had the same thoughts in the early years, wanting to maintain a passable situation with her husband-in-law He was simple, he was simple, he lived like this for the rest of his life, and later he became more and more contemptuous of his husband's various trashy behaviors, and his heart gradually became tired--at this time, he asked how many of those people had old relationships with the Lou family , made an excuse to stay, and Su Wending and Su Wenfang also stayed, but it made her feel a little bit of face.

Here Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others returned to the boat, lit up the lights on the bow, put tables and chairs to talk and enjoy the coolness, there is still a distance from Jiaxing, but Ning Yi doesn't plan to go to Jiaxing's downtown to play , I ordered the accountant, steward and others to do their own thing. If you want to take your family to play, you can also go.Sitting on the bow of the boat with Su Tan'er, waiting for Xiao Chan and others to hold melons and fruits, watching the fireflies dancing, it is quite like being in the countryside of my hometown when I was a child, but there are many mosquitoes, and after a while, I took a pot and ordered wormwood Waiting for something to repel the mosquitoes, several people took fans and sat there fanning them.

"Will it be boring? Do you want to go to the market?"

Ning Yi turned her head to ask, Su Tan'er also smiled and shook her head: "No." The three maids sat side by side on the bow to watch the fireflies fly, Juan'er turned back and said: "The scenery here is very good."

After a while, Su Tan'er said softly: "The silver candle autumn light is cold and the screen is painted, the small fan flutters the fireflies lightly, the sky steps are as cool as water at night, and I lie down and watch the Altair Vega. It is somewhat similar." In fact, this poem is about Qixi Festival, At this time, it is only the beginning of summer at the end of April, so it cannot be said to be strictly suitable for the occasion, but since one or two of them are suitable for the occasion, Ning Yi also nodded happily.Su Tan'er used to like poetry, and she liked to read Niannian when she had nothing to do, but since she knew that her husband was a "big talent", she didn't read much. Probably the mystery and nobility of poetry have been slightly reduced in her heart drop.

In the distance, you can see the light of some boats, and after a while, there is also a cargo ship stirring up waves and heading north along the night.Su Tan'er probably remembered the painting boat that Lou Shuwan and the others said they were in, thought for a while, and smiled softly: "Actually, Lou Shuwan looks down on my husband."

Ning Yi smiled noncommittally: "Her husband is also married."

"I'm afraid I don't get along well."

"I'm afraid there are not many people who get along as well as we do."

Ning Yi's words were a bit boastful, but Su Tan'er only felt that this was the case, and said with a smile: "Probably because my husband is a weirdo, it is... ordinary couples, I am afraid that it is difficult to have such a situation." She thought for a while , and said, "If you want to do a good job in Hangzhou, the Lou family is always a help, so..."

"If you care about these, I'm afraid you won't be able to do business well in the future."

"I do care a little bit, but... thinking about how they would feel if they really knew the identity of the husband-in-law, I would... oh, I am a concubine, and I have a bit of evil intentions. And those people just now... She waved the fan in her hand to blow away the smoke in front of her, and stretched out her hand to stroke her temples, "I find it strange that Xianggong's poems have also been passed from Suzhou and Hangzhou, why those people can't respond after the introduction Woolen cloth?"

Ning Yi laughed: "There are too few poems, and besides... after such a distance, the spread of news is not developed. They may have heard the name Ning Liheng one day. As for his family situation, how many wives and concubines, brothers and sisters , how does he look like, is he a cripple, who can know, so some people mentioned it, maybe they also said that Ning Liheng's height is eight feet and his waist circumference is also eight feet... Anyway, after arriving here, it's hard to say who Ning Liheng is in their hearts What does it look like? Last time the students from the capital city went to Jiangning, there were also rumors that I wandered around in brothels, picking flowers everywhere, or that I was 50 or [-] years old and stable and dignified. In their minds, it seems that this kind of image is more credible."

"Oh, it's Miss Li, my childhood sweetheart." Su Tan'er joked, then covered her chin with a fan, and corrected, "Oh, it's Miss Wang."

"You remember clearly."

"Since she and your husband are childhood sweethearts, if you really like your husband as the outside world said, if you have a chance to come into my house. As a sister, I naturally have to remember her last name."

"It's so virtuous..."

Ning Yi murmured, and then the two chatted about the smell of the fish on the boat. For those people who didn't know their husband's name and looked like a proud son of heaven, Su Tan'er was actually a bit bitter in private Yu Huai, Lou Shuwan didn't know, and Lin Tingzhi didn't know either—maybe it wasn't that they didn't know, but that they didn't think of it or didn't dare to think about it.While talking, someone came on the boat talking and laughing, but it was Su Wending and Su Wenfang who had already come back. They didn't know what good things happened to them, so they laughed very happily. They got on the boat and asked where their sister and husband were, and went straight to the boat. head.

"What's so happy?" Su Tan'er glanced at them, then looked behind, "Where are Shu Wan and the others?"

Ning Yi smiled and said: "It must have been a good poem, and it will kill the Quartet. This is not good, as soon as you come to Jiaxing, the poems will flourish. This is a mess."

The two waved their hands desperately and shook their heads, laughing happily: "No, no poetry, the woman from the Lou family is still behind with her concubine, but she probably will be back soon."

"Don't talk about people like that!" Su Tan'er glared at them, Su Wending stuck out his tongue, covered his mouth with his hand, but was still laughing, Su Wenfang said with a smile: "We didn't write any poems, and they wrote a few poems before we had time. After discussing things together, they came to ask us again, and then they knew the real identity of brother-in-law. You didn’t see their embarrassment, that Qing’er girl...haha, our poems are not good anyway, Just to explain the identity of brother-in-law there, after the explanation, we left, hehe, I don’t know if they will come after you to challenge brother-in-law, anyway, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi should be coming soon..."

Su Wending and Su Wenfang kept laughing, and Ning Yi laughed angrily when he heard it, but Su Tan'er caught up with the interest and blinked his eyes: "What's the matter? Come and listen..." On the other side, Chan'er Juan'er Xing'er's three maidservants also listened attentively, and now they leaned over with interest, and even moved chairs for Su Wending and Su Wenfang so that they could sit down and talk comfortably.

Fluorescent light danced, and the night was getting darker. Not long after, Lou Shuwan, Lin Tingzhi and others rushed back...

(End of this chapter)