Yuanqing fifteen years, the fourth day of October.
There are still six days left until the Shen family repays the debt.
The winter solstice is not yet approaching, but suddenly a heavy snow falls. Looking around, the entire Chang'an City is covered in silver light and foggy.
At three o'clock in the morning, before the thick clouds and mists were cleared away by the morning light, a carriage was seen stepping on the sound of roars, heading straight for Tongyifang.
After half an hour, they stopped in front of a mansion.
Shen Zhen put on her skirt and got off the carriage, and walked quickly to the front of Suning Bo Mansion.
She stared at the closed Zhumen in a daze, hesitated again and again, and finally raised her hand and knocked on the door.
I knocked three times in a row, but there was no response.
Shen Zhen Xibai's arms froze, laughing at herself.
After eating the closed door for half a month, Rao is Shen Zhen, a delicate flower that has never been kneaded, and finally understands why the wall is pushed down by everyone, and the tree is down and scattered.
Early last month.
Shen Wenqi, the Marquis of Yunyang, had just completed his three-year post as Minister of the Ministry of Industry, and he was about to ascend to the lower province, but the newly built Chengxi Canal collapsed suddenly. There was a breach in the canal, which led to obstruction of water transport, flooding, countless casualties, and complaints from the people.
In order to quell this matter, the saint brought the entire Ministry of Industry in one fell swoop.
The Marquis of Yunyang was in an important position, even if the canal was not designed by him, he would be guilty of dereliction of duty.
According to the laws of the Jin Dynasty, he would not only be dismissed and deprived of the title, but also sentenced to two years in prison.
As soon as such news came out, those relatives who wished to visit the door every day in the past, now see the Shen family, and all of them avoid it, for fear of being implicated for no reason.
The so-called common sweetness and common suffering are nothing more than that.
As time passed by, the number of people on the street gradually increased. Seeing that the Suning Mansion had been closed to no visitors, several passing women could not help but look at Shen Zhen with sympathy.
"To say that these three girls are also pitiful. Their biological mother died of illness, their father was in prison, and now they have such a large debt on their shoulders. It's really a house leak that happens to rain overnight."
Another person sighed: "No, that Jin's Qian Yinpu's high monthly interest rate is really scary. If it continues to be so profitable, I'm afraid that I won't be able to turn around in this life."
"Are you still thinking about turning over? The Jin family will come to ask for money in six days! It would be good if you don't sell yourself!"
The former number one beauty in Chang'an will soon become a delicate flower that everyone can pick.
The whispers behind her continued one after another, and Qingxi on the side couldn't listen anymore. She glanced at her girl's stiff back, her whole heart seemed to be torn apart.
How did the three girls from the Yunyang Marquis Mansion suffer such grievances
Qingxi turned her head and glared at everyone, and was about to speak, when Shen Zhen grabbed her arm, "Qingxi, we are here to ask for help."
When Shen Zhen spoke, Qingxi could only turn around.
She endured and endured again, and then calmed her tone, "Today there are so many people talking, and the girl's body has always been afraid of the cold, why not, let's come back another day?"
Come back another day
Shen Zhen lowered her eyes and couldn't help asking herself: Can those bulls, ghosts and snakes who came to Shen's house to collect debts, can they allow her to another day
She reached out and closed the cloak on her body, and said in a very soft voice, "Wait a minute."
When everyone on the street is clear, my aunt will meet her naturally.
This waited until the sun slanted westward.
The red light gradually dyed the clouds red, and those who were watching the fun finally felt bored and gradually dispersed.
At this moment, the tightly closed door slowly opened, and Madam Liu leaned out and said to Shen Zhen familiarly, "Come in, Miss Three."
After closing the door, Madam Liu hurriedly said, "The eldest lady has been suffering from a cold recently, and her body is not very refreshed. She has been drowsy all day. No matter who comes, she always closes the door to thank you. At this moment, she just woke up."
Shen Zhen heard the meaning in the words, and didn't break it, she just followed the words: "When did my aunt get sick, but seriously?"
Madam Liu led Shen Zhen inside, and sighed, "Madam heard that the eldest master received 60 boards in prison, and even fainted from crying... that's why I can't afford it."
As soon as these words came out, Shen Zhen's hand in his sleeve shook uncontrollably, and the only bit of blood on his face gradually faded.
Completely panicked.
—
They had just passed through the veranda when they happened to come across a scene that made people blush in front of the gate of Xiaokuayuan.
A man and a woman were actually entangled in the blue sky and the sun. If it wasn't for the woman calling out "Uncle" one by one, Shen Zhen would never have believed that that person was the usual polite uncle.
After hearing the footsteps, Suning Bo turned around.
His clothes were slightly disheveled, and there were two very conspicuous red marks on his neck.
Looking around, he was full of wind.
Shen Zhen hurriedly bowed her head and bowed her head.
Uncle Suning took a step forward and looked at Shen Zhen from top to bottom. In an instant, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Three girls, is this here to find your aunt?"
Shen Zhen nodded and replied in a proper manner.
Suning Bo stared at the sixteen-year-old girl's plump figure and her skin that was as smooth as jade... For a moment, she couldn't help but narrow her eyes.
This kid has grown up.
To present such a wonderful person as a gift, King Teng must have been unable to refuse this time.
After all, what could be more enjoyable than to hide the daughter of your rival and wantonly berate her
Suning Bo smiled and said, "Don't be too polite, let's go in."
Affected by the scene just now, Shen Zhen walked quickly towards the main courtyard after all the etiquette.
As he walked fast, the ru skirt on his body changed shape with the pace, outlining that coquettish and charming figure.
Suning Bo turned his head to look at the bumpy outline, and smiled, thinking: It is the rich and noble flower of Chang'an, and it really is not comparable to the rouge and vulgar powder in Pingkangfang.
—
The candles flickered in the house, filled with an indescribable medicinal fragrance, Shen Zhen opened the curtain, and at a glance saw the aunt who was the closest to him in the past—Shen Lan.
Shen Lan was lying on his side on the couch with a pale complexion. Seeing Shen Zhen walking in, he quickly sat up and said, "Jane, come in quickly."
Shen Zhen stepped forward and called softly, "Auntie." Her voice was sweet and tender, and the moment she opened her mouth, she was pitiful.
Shen Lan patted her body and motioned for her to sit down. After meeting her eyes, she couldn't help but lift the veil, covered her mouth, and choked, "A half month ago, my aunt visited Dali Temple."
Shen Zhen's eyes widened suddenly, and he said hurriedly, "Auntie has seen her father?"
Shen Lan shook his head, "I heard that your father was flogged inside, and I wanted to send some money in, but the current Dali Temple Minister Zhou Shuan is a close minister of the emperor, and the money he takes out will cost everyone a penny. Uncollected."
Shen Zhen's hand on his knee couldn't help secretly exerting force, and couldn't help but tremble: "That father's injury..."
Shen Lan looked at Shen Zhen with pity, and said slowly: "Tian Prison is cold and cold, and it's a cold winter..." She sighed again, "It's probably going to be tough."
The voice fell to the ground, and Shen Zhen's crystal clear eyes couldn't help but glisten with water.
But the tears of the beautiful woman are especially sympathetic.
Speaking of the beauty of Shen Zhen, anyone who has seen her in Changan will probably use the word "Alluring City" to describe her.
Her appearance is neither ostentatious nor presumptuous, just like a heavy fog in the Jiangnan water town, the fog blowing, hazy and soft, makes everyone unable to help but fall into it.
As long as she smiled sweetly, I'm afraid that most of the men in this world will fall for her and fall for her.
Or like at this moment, the beautiful woman is weeping, she is delicate and delicate, no matter how resolute a man is, he will have a soft bowel and a heart full of love and pity.
Shen Lan stared at her hibiscus-like face, and couldn't help sighing: Who can escape such a color
She took Shen Zhen into her arms and patted her on the back lightly, "Okay, okay, don't cry with red eyes, since you came to find me today, my aunt will always give it to you. some ideas."
Shen Lan first wiped away Shen Zhen's tears with her thumb, and then recalled the old days, and her eyes turned red as she spoke, "Zhen'er, the Shen family lost power, and my aunt's days in Bo's Mansion were like walking on thin ice, that is, If I want to help you again, I'm afraid I'll be powerless... But fortunately, there is only one person in this world who can help you."
Shen Zhen's eyes were clear, and she said softly, "Aunt, but it doesn't matter."
Shen Lan looked into her eyes and couldn't bear it, but when she remembered the warning Suning Bo gave her, she could only say cruelly: "On the tenth day of this month, King Teng is going to hold a Cuju competition, and then my aunt will take you there. As long as you ask him, my aunt promises you that he will protect you in the future and will never make you suffer again."
Go and ask King Teng.
After Shen Zhen understood the secret, she felt the blood all over her body rushing towards her chest.
King Teng was over forty years old, his wives and concubines were in groups, he was ruthless, and he had always been at odds with his father. If he wanted her to enter Prince Teng's mansion, what was the difference between killing her directly
Shen Lan looked at her slightly trembling fingertips, and seemed to hear what she was thinking.
She took Shen Zhen's hand and whispered: "Zhen Er, as long as you can bear it and bow your head, someone will help you settle the debts owed by your father and the Shen family, but if it's the other way around. , a full 8,000 debts, what will you pay? Is it possible that you really want to be sold to be a girl?"
The sky turned dark slightly, and the cold wind was blowing against the doors and windows of the inner room, making the sound of knocking and knocking.
Just like Shen Zhen's heartbeat at this time.
Why did my aunt mention King Teng? She understood after thinking about it carefully. Now that the big tree in the Shen family has fallen, the situation in the Suning House is already very embarrassing. They are eager to turn to a more powerful person to stabilize the uncle. prestige of the government.
A person like King Teng who has no shortage of financial power and is favored by the emperor is naturally the best choice.
It turned out that she was just trying to curry favor with King Teng's sincerity from Suning Bo Mansion.
Before today, she thought that as long as her aunt remembered her old relationship, she would help her no matter what, but it turned out that the eldest sister was right.
I can't believe a word of what other people say.
Seeing that she didn't respond for a long time, Shen Lan knew that it would be easy to make mistakes if you were too harsh, so she said softly: "You don't have to give me an answer now, if you don't think about it, go back and think about it carefully..."
Before the words were finished, Shen Zhen got up directly.
She avoided her aunt's concerned eyes and said word by word, "What my aunt just said, Zhen Er has never heard of it."
"Today, my niece came uninvited, she's already a lot of nuisance, and I hope my aunt will forgive me." After that, Shen Zhen turned around and left.
Madam Liu was about to step forward to stop the person, when Shen Lan gave her a "let her go" look.
The door slammed shut with a squeak, and Madam Liu couldn't help but say earnestly, "The old slave thinks that the third girl is used to being pampered. According to her temperament, even if she enters Prince Teng's mansion, she may not be used by her in the future."
Shen Lan raised her hand and rubbed her temples, and said disdainfully, "You think those people in Pingkangfang who hold the pipa and sing songs are all born to please men? After all, it's not forced, it's natural You'll know that dying is the most useless thing."
After saying that, Shen Lan turned her head sideways and sighed out the window.
If it wasn't for her having nowhere to go, who would be willing to be the one who even thought about her own mother's family? Although Shen Zhen was not her direct niece, she was still from the Shen family.
Thinking of this, Shen Lan couldn't help clenching his fists.
Xie Cheng, this villain, is sinister and hypocritical, and turning his face is ruthless. This month, he has not only emptied his right to feed in, but handed over all the power to his beloved Aunt Sheng, and even gave her only son Xie Peng, They were all sent to the old lady's house.
It's just nonsense that it's not as bad as a married woman.
If Shen Zhen can't please King Teng and help him rise in the Ministry of Rites, then her life with Peng'er will be even more difficult.
I hope her niece will not be stubborn and untamed, otherwise, she can't be blamed for pushing her.
Shen Lan nodded and counted the time. The person from Jin's Qian Yinpu should come to ask for the debt again.