Sun Tu was also a little surprised. This was too much of a coincidence. How could he happen to help someone twice and he happened to be helping the same family? However, I felt relieved when I thought that the wealthy slave I met that day was named Tong Zhuang. They were all named Tong, so it made sense that they were from the same family.
At this time, the young man who was still a little sick quickly came to Sun Tu, bowed his hands and said: "My benefactor, please accept Tong Mu's worship."
"Young Master Tong is too polite, I dare not accept such a great gift." Sun Tu also quickly gave him a virtual hand and said in return.
While they were talking, Tong Rui and others also came out after hearing the sound. They couldn't help but be a little surprised when they saw this situation: "Second Young Master, why are you doing this?"
"He's the third steward. You don't know something. This Young Master Sun is my savior..." Tong Mu explained casually, and then took Sun Tu's hand: "Master Sun, please come into the mansion and sit down to talk. , I have to thank you very much."
At the same time, several of the domestic slaves who had followed over there had already gathered around Tong Rui and briefly explained the story of Sun Tu curing Tong Mu's acute illness in Wuqiu Town. This made the third steward of the Tong family immediately stunned. Moved by this, the original prejudice against Sun Tu quickly dissipated.
It seems that his villain's heart has judged the opponent's gentleman's heart. His insistence on leaving just now was not a way to retreat in order to advance, but because he really didn't want to accept his own reward. What kind of magnanimity is this? It's really It was awe-inspiring.
Thinking of this, Tong Rui also hurriedly stepped forward, smiled and persuaded his young master: "Yes, Mr. Sun, you saved the two young masters of my Tong family. If my Tong family doesn't express gratitude and let you leave like this, If we go, once word spreads, others will really poke our backs. Please don’t put me in trouble, Mr. Sun."
Tong Mu was stunned when he heard this, and then he found out why Sun Tu appeared here and there was such a change, which made him respect him even more, and said repeatedly: "Master Sun, please don't refuse, let me Thank you very much for this life-saving grace. Also, if my uncle knows that you saved me and Yuan'er, he will definitely be very happy." After saying that, he winked at Sun Tu several times.
Under such kindness, Sun Tu could no longer pretend to be aloof, after all, going too far was not enough. So he said: "It's just that my sister-in-law is still in the store. I really can't worry about her being alone outside."
"This is not a problem. Ximo—" Tong Mu immediately turned around and ordered his book boy: "Take a few people to bring back Mr. Sun's family and things. Please also ask Mr. Sun to tell you about the location of the hotel where you are staying. .”
Sun Tu could only report the location and name of the hotel where he was staying, and then Tong Mu took his hand and went straight in. To be honest, he was really uncomfortable with being held by such a man suddenly. But considering that this was a way for men to express intimacy at this time, they could only endure it.
These words naturally attracted the attention of many slaves in the front yard of the Tong family. Everyone looked at Sun Tu with obvious envy. Yes, this young man actually saved his young master twice in a row, so he will naturally get a lot of rewards.
Among these people, the face of the young man who had spoken to Tong Rui before was so gloomy that he could drop water. He stared at Sun Tu and the others quietly after they entered the courtyard behind, and then he turned his gaze to another person. Tong Zhuang, who was shrinking and not daring to look at him, had anger in his eyes.
But in the end, he didn't have an attack. He just took a deep breath and left.
This time, Sun Tu really understood what the environment was like in the homes of wealthy people nowadays. Just the first few steps into the courtyard made him sigh. Under the soft light of the palace lanterns, what you can see are the carefully carved rockery pavilions and ponds, flowers and trees, and the attics built with bamboo and wood are dotted among them, and they look very coordinated. It really makes you feel like you are there. The painting is average.
Sun Tu had also been to Suzhou in his previous life and visited many gardens there. In comparison, the courtyard of Tong Mansion gave him a more elegant yet wealthy feeling.
A few people were chatting, and soon they came to a courtyard with a large area of bamboo planted around it and a lotus pond several feet square in front. Only then did Tong Mu show a relaxed smile on his face: "Brother Sun, please." Come in, this is my residence, you don’t have to be formal, just treat it as if you are in your own home." With that, he pushed the door open and entered.
Different from the wealthy environment outside, this place is simpler and quieter. There are no flowers and plants in the courtyard, only two big trees standing in the sky. Opposite the courtyard gate are two main rooms and two wing rooms on the left and right.
Tong Rui quickly entered the main room on the right and helped them light the lights in the room. Sun Tu stood in front of the door and took a look, only to realize that it was a study room with many bookshelves in it. , filled with various articles and classics.
In front of the bookshelf, in addition to a piano table, there are two low tables and two seats, but there are no tables, chairs or other furniture commonly seen outside.
Since the Tang Dynasty, the people have begun to absorb some habits of the countries in the Western Regions, which is reflected in all aspects of food, clothing, housing and transportation, the most obvious of which is furniture. The original Han people all sat on the floor, but now most people use high tables and chairs. Only those who deeply admire the essence of Confucianism will insist on using such ancient furniture.
Sun Tu was stunned for a moment, then followed Tong Rui into the room. After Tong Rui made a gesture of invitation, he imitated him and sat in front of the guest table on the right side. Then, Tong Rui took a delicate tray from the side and placed it in front of Tong Mu. There were many small jars and a small stove on the tray.
Sun Tu has seen people making tea in the past. After all, in the era before time travel, many people of certain status liked to do this. He also drank kung fu tea, so after seeing this set, his first reaction should be It's time to make tea.
Sure enough, Tong Mu took out the finely divided things in the jar with a spoon and put them into a small pot, and said: "I shouldn't be so casual, but because the root of the disease is still in my body, I can only talk with tea instead of wine. I’d like to express my gratitude, and I hope Brother Sun won’t be offended.”
"How dare you." Sun Tu was relaxed at this time, watching the other party put things into the pot like flowing water, poured the water sent by Tong Rui into it, and lit the stove with high-quality charcoal. Don't make any interruptions, because the other person seems to be particularly focused at this time.
The tea in the pot quickly started to boil, and the aroma inside quickly spread out. Sun Tu frowned slightly when he smelled it: "This tea..."
"This is a method of making tea that I learned with great difficulty. Even my uncle said it was good after he drank it. Brother Sun, please give it a try." Tong Mu said, pouring the dark liquid in the pot into the cup. He held it with both hands.
As soon as he took it, Sun Tu smelled a strong and messy fragrance that almost made him sneeze. Looking at the tea in the cup, it looked like Chinese medicine with dregs. Tea leaves and other fine things were mixed in it.
Just when Sun Tu was at a loss, Tong Mu had already taken a sip of tea and chewed the impurities in the cup carefully, looking like he was enjoying it: "Brother Sun, please."
At this time, Sun Tu could only bite the bullet and pour the cup into his mouth, and then a smell of spices quickly surrounded his entire taste buds, fennel, pepper, cardamom... Anyway, he just couldn't taste the taste of tea. The fresh fragrance made him feel dizzy.
Sun Tu didn't know that this was how prominent people drank tea in this era. They would mix various fine and precious ingredients with tea leaves, cook them, and then drink them together with the soup. Although tea in later generations was available at this time, it was only used by people at the bottom, and it was easily regarded as a waste of natural resources.
After struggling to drink the cup of thank you tea, the two of them officially reported their names, ages and origins. This Tong Mu is twenty-one years old this year and is from Huazhou, Hebei Province. He has been living in his uncle's house before. I live there and plan to take the Jinshi exam next year so that I can become an official.
It was only because his mother suddenly fell ill at home that he rushed back to take care of her a few months ago. It wasn't until more than half a month ago that I came back, but I didn't expect to get a sudden illness near Wuqiu Town and almost died.
Sun Tu followed the other person's words and asked, seemingly unintentionally: "I wonder who your uncle is? Looking at the splendor of the mansion here, he must be a high-ranking official in the court, right? That brother Tong should also be a senior official."
"This..." Tong Mu hesitated for a moment, and then said: "To be honest, my uncle's reputation in the hearts of others is not very good. He is now the Privy Councilor of the imperial court."
Tong Guan! It is indeed his home!
Sun Tu pretended to be surprised on his face, but he said in his heart, so you are not called the eunuch queen, but the eunuch queen...