The joy was not only because Sheng Weiqiao and the others finally moved back, but also because the host sent by the Hou Mansion to Xiazhou to discuss the wedding with Xu Caikui's future husband's family brought back good news: "My father-in-law is in good health. It is very likely that he will enter the imperial court in the next year!"
Xu Caikui's fiancé Wu Yanyi is the only son of Wu Ying, the current governor of Xiazhou.
Wu Ying also came from a poor family, and his family background was even inferior to that of Xu Zijing. However, he relied on studying to get ahead, and he was ranked first and second in the rankings back then. It was precisely because it was too easy for Bu Nao to rise to prominence in his early years. He was a little reckless when he was young and accidentally offended the Meng family, so he was sent to be a parent officer in the border town of Northern Xinjiang... That town was often invaded by Ruru at that time, and the local officials If he didn't fight hard and died, or if he was afraid of fighting and ran away, he would be executed by the court. Meng's intention of doing that was obvious!
Fortunately, Xu Zijing had just emerged at that time, and Ruru was defeated one after another, unable to attack. If so, Wu Ying's future and the lives of his family were indirectly saved.
Wu Ying was very grateful to Xu Zijing for this reason. He showed the usual aloofness of Eastern scholars and made him a confidant. The two families also became close friends because of their frequent exchanges.
Later, when Xu Zijing was in court, Wu Ying learned from his own experience and gave him advice.
... Because of the deep friendship between the two, when they were having a drink, Xu Zijing saw that Wu Ying's only son Wu Yanyi was clever and ruthless, so he joked that it would be better to marry his son and daughter. Originally, he was sent back to Cangwu County because his son Xu Baomo was still in his infancy and was raised by his grandparents. The parents could not see it. When he saw Wu Yanyi, he inevitably missed his son and said casually. Said.
After all, the country continued the customs of the previous dynasty, but after the few years after the founding of the country, it gradually became less noble and less military.
This is an inevitable measure for the imperial power to fear the threat of military power. Therefore, Mr. Xu said before that Xu Zijing was not as good as Sheng Lanci. Although it was an exaggeration to please Mr. Sheng, in fact, from a broad perspective, it was not wrong.
Scholars who have been admitted to the Hanlin Academy will be respected wherever they go, and their children will also be honored; but a marquis who relies on solid military achievements may be ridiculed when he meets the kind of person who believes that "everything is worthless, but reading is good" "Reckless man".
Although Wu Ying was born into a poor family, his qualifications for second place were not there. Although he and his wife gave birth to several children, they all died in infancy. Only Wu Yanyi survived, so he was naturally very fond of him. According to Shidong's concept, he should marry a lady from a scholarly family.
However, Xu Zijing said he could forget it, but Wu Ying specially sent him a silver hairpin that was given to his wife as a dowry. Although the silver hairpin was not worth much, Wu Ying and his wife had long ago asked to leave it to their daughter-in-law. , the intention is self-evident.
At that time, Xu Zijing had no title and was just an ordinary general in Northern Xinjiang. Although Wu Ying was suppressed by the Meng family, firstly, he was born second in the rankings, and secondly, he had really good legs when he was in charge. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be promoted to the rank of senior general sooner or later. Therefore, Xu Zijing and his wife felt that the marriage was a bit high-end, so they took a silver hairpin to explain at the door and planned to go back soon.
Unexpectedly, Wu Ying was very resolute, and Wu Yanyi seemed to be a well-behaved and filial person, so the marriage was decided... Originally, because Xu Zijing and his wife were reluctant to let go of their daughter, they planned to let Xu Caikui raise her at home for another two years before getting married, but last year At the end of the year, Gao Yiying suddenly fell ill. She was worried that she would not be able to support her daughter-in-law, which would delay the youth of the younger generations, so she sent someone to discuss with the Xu family, hoping to bring forward the wedding date, so they set it for April next year.
Ru Ming heard that he was in good health. Although the wedding date that had been set in Dong would not be changed, the Xu family was still very happy in Dong. After all, not to mention the friendship between Wu Ying and Xu Zijing, Xu Zijing definitely hoped that he would be healthy and live a long life; From the perspective of interests, the Wu family is very thin, and Wu Yanyi has not yet made his mark. Whether the family is what it is now depends on Wu Ying alone. If Wu Ying had not left, the Wu family would have plummeted.
Xu Zijing and his wife do not regret their marriage, but as parents, we always hope that our children will be well. At that time, I heard that Wu Ying was not only well, but also had a good chance of entering the court. How could I not be happy
Nan knew that Sheng Weiqiao and the others were wrong because they didn't understand the Wu family, so he introduced it specifically: "When they came to Chang'an a few years ago, he regretted the marriage! After all, they were not sure about settling in Chang'an at that time, and they couldn't go there easily. Some other place. But my father-in-law has been transferred to Xiazhou! Although that place is not far away from Chang'an, it only takes a few months to get there. He only has two daughters, and picking sunflowers is not a smart person. How can you rest assured that you are married far away? Fortunately, God has blessed you. At that time, Cai Kui came out of the palace in April, and the in-laws came to the court next year. It happened to bring the young couple to Chang'an. Not to mention that she would come back from time to time to reunite, so close at hand. , and he feels more at peace!"
"I don't want to say that! I don't know what is going on in Brother Wu Xian's family?" Xu Zijing was not happy after hearing those words, and couldn't help but defended, "That brother Wu has the most integrity, wasn't I very good in the past? He always praised him for being clean and self-possessed. Like Brother Sheng Shi, he was born in a wealthy family but was not obsessed with wealth, silk and beauty. At first glance, he was from a decent family. Even if he had not been in court, Cai Kui became his daughter-in-law, so he was afraid that the Wu family would treat him badly. she goes?"
Nan said with consternation: "Did he say that the Wu family is not good?! He just said that he was worried if his daughter married far away! A good child will grow up to be so big in front of you, like a flower, and it will be difficult for him to grow up after leaving the pavilion. Seeing it, I am willing to let it go?! He is not willing to part with my heartless willingness!!! What a bastard, Ping Hong said that he doubted the Wu family for no reason?! Fortunately, there were no outsiders there, otherwise the news would have spread and the Wu family would have listened. He said, there is no need to cause trouble to his daughter! Doesn’t my old guy have long ears and doesn’t hear, doesn’t he have red ears and doesn’t hear clearly?!”
Hearing this, Xu Zijing immediately lowered his eyebrows and said with a smile, "That's what he said. Don't be angry, don't be angry..."
"Look at my confused look. I'm not making fun of Qiao Er or the others!" After Nan finished his usual tantrum, he looked up and saw the embarrassed expressions of Sheng Weiqiao and the others. Then he came to his senses and hurriedly covered it up, "Qiao Er, let me try that. Red sheep branches and hoofs, eating sheep in that season is the most nourishing!"
"Thank you, aunt!" Sheng Weiqiao was polite to her, while secretly wondering: I remember the year before last... no, the year before last, when Xu Bao Mo Dou wanted to meet her, she once said that Xu Caikui's husband's family suddenly came to the Xu family indifferently, and he was worried about that Something about my relationship has changed, so I wanted to ask her opinion.
Sheng Weiqiao, who was still naive and ignorant at that time, never thought that Xu Baomo, who should be beaten, was deliberately trying to trick her into confirming her true nature. She told the truth without even thinking... She was fired. Anyway, now look at Xu Zijing From Nan's words and appearance, it seemed that nothing like that had ever happened
Not to mention, was there a misunderstanding at that time, and then we were relieved after explaining it
"Of course he's very smart, but that guy Xu Baomo just made it up and lied to him! That bastard!!!" Sheng Weiqiao thought to himself, "After he finishes the exam, it's best not to meet him alone. Ah! Otherwise, watch how he beats him!!!"
... When a group of people in Ningweihou's mansion were drinking and mingling, in the imperial city.
Xinshou Palace, side hall.
Meng Bijun looked at the person walking to the east and frowned slightly: "Ming Yue, he will come back home... Why should I come here to find him now?"
Mrs. Xiang was displeased: "What did I say then? Is it possible that his mother-in-law missed me and came here to see me... How wrong is that?!"
"The palace gates were locked at that time, and a little while later, people on the street also asked for a curfew." Meng Bijun said without any expression, "Use the connections I have accumulated over the years as a female official for my aunt, and my aunt's clear fault." I'm not too affectionate to sneak into the palace, so why don't I just take a look at him?"
There was actually no sarcasm in her tone, or in other words, her tone was surprisingly calm and contained no emotion at all. However, as Mrs. Xiang listened, her face turned red and she opened her mouth slightly. She froze for a while before feeling embarrassed. He muttered: "Are we biological mother and daughter? Why do I have to shut up with my mother like that?"
"What's going on?" Meng Bijun didn't answer the question and asked calmly, "He stayed with his aunt for so long that time. After he returned home, there must have been many people asking to visit him. I don't want him to sleep too late tomorrow. As for Mingyue, if she doesn't have the energy to greet everyone, it's best not to talk about anything! Those nonsense... there's no need to be verbose, no one will take it seriously anyway!"
Mrs. Xiang felt that those words were too heart-wrenching, and she wanted to retort: "It was because my mother didn't feel sorry for me back then..."
However, when he touched the mockery and impatience in his daughter's eyes, he shrank his head and made a request directly, "Although those two cheap maids Jiaoyu and Meng Lijiang are dead, that little beast is still alive!"
There was clear hatred between her brows, and she gritted her teeth and said, "My father, will he protect that little beast even more? Did I know? Tomorrow, that little beast actually led someone to where we are. My mother acted wildly in the yard without saying a word, and then went back to my father to talk about black and red. My father actually believed him in everything. In turn, he called my mother over and scolded me severely! I said that you are a beast. How can we allow him to grow up when he is so rebellious and vicious at the age of thirteen?!"
"Why did he ask to make trouble in my yard?" However, Meng Bijun had no intention of sharing her hatred and asked calmly.
"Is that little beast the sweet-talking and mean-spirited son of my maid? He has always regarded us three as a thorn in the flesh. He goes to run wild in the yard for my mother, and is looking for a reason?!" Mrs. Xiang frowned, "I ask that. What do you mean? Could it be that my mother knows how to lie to me?!"
Meng Bijun snorted coldly: "Although Meng Si'an was influenced by coquettish words, he always likes to find trouble. After all, he is already thirteen years old, and he is not a four or five-year-old child. He is very ignorant of looks! His mother and sister are gone. , is his sister-in-law, who has always had a rift, about to become his wife? Even if his father loves him very much now, he is still worse than before! For no reason, he would come to make trouble for me for no reason? Is it because of the things around him? People, if you don’t get involved, why don’t you hold on tight?!”
There was a mockery in her eyes, "Look, it's probably because I deprived him of his status, and Yong Wanzhe tried to stimulate him, so that he could cause trouble on the eve of his return home, so he could be dealt with justifiably." ? It turns out that dad didn’t listen to me, he reprimanded me very much, and in anticipation of him being appointed as his successor, he really wanted to scandalize the Meng family?!"
Mrs. Xiang was a little angry and said: "What did I say? If he did that, wouldn't he be able to prevent us three from taking revenge?! I think back then, when that bitch Jiao Yu was here, she was with that little bitch mother Meng Lijiang. How much pain did the girl's joint leg bring to us?! Just because that little beast Meng Si'an is so young, why can't he be a demon?! In the past, my father was in the way of his favoritism, but we, the three of us, could just endure it. , since I became the leader at that time...how could I let that little beast continue to live in that world and take advantage of me?!"