Qin Mubai slept soundly from early morning to noon. When I was about to wake up from sleep, I felt a little itchy in my nose. I couldn't help but sneeze and woke up immediately.
"Giggle!" Someone in the room burst into laughter. Qin Mubai turned around and saw that it was Shuang'er and Mei Niang.
"You two guys!" Qin Mubai leaned down and climbed out of the bed, yawned a few times against the pillow, and asked, "What time is it now?"
"It's time to have lunch. Mother asked me to wake you up." Shuang'er said with a smile, "Mei Niang has been here for more than half an hour, and you still don't allow me to wake you up. She is too spoiled to you!"
Qin Mubai chuckled: "I'm sorry, Mei Niang, for keeping you waiting for so long. By the way, how is your 'Qinxian Pavilion' cooking? Sorry, I've been too busy these two days. I don’t have time to go over and help you.”
"It doesn't matter, I can help myself, I have a lot of help." Wu Meiniang smiled and walked to Qin Mubai's bed and sat down, and said, "Didn't you see that I had some free time and came to your house to play? "
Behind Wu Meiniang, Qin Shuang'er stuck out her tongue and made a face at Qin Mubai. No need to guess, this girl must have "abducted" Wu Meiniang.
"By the way, I want to tell you something." Wu Meiniang said as she took out an invitation and handed it to Qin Mubai, "It's strange. It's been a year since the No. 1 Liquor in the World opened. There has always been only King Wei and The King of Wu went to support me, but the prince rarely had anything to do with us. The King of Han, Li Yuanchang, who was very close to the prince before, even had trouble with us. But this time, the prince took the initiative to help me, and the shop was newly renovated. Before it was completed, he sent someone to send congratulatory gifts and issued an invitation to invite me to the East Palace for a banquet in three days, saying it was the birthday of the Crown Princess. "
"Well, is there such a thing?" Qin Mubai took the invitation over and took a look at it in surprise. It was indeed the case.
"Obviously, this invitation is for you." Wu Meiniang said, "I have never had any dealings with anyone from the East Palace."
"Yes, I know." Qin Mubai nodded and asked, "You just said that the prince helped you, what did you help?"
"He helped me with two things." Wu Meiniang said, "A few days ago, Chu Suiliang and a few colleagues came to my shop to have a drink, so I personally came to receive them. Chu Suiliang told me that he had handed me the coupon. I asked the emperor for permission to apply for the title of "Yishang of the Tang Dynasty" but my whereabouts have never been found. I didn't think so at the time, thinking that if it was available, it would be gone. Later, Chu Suiliang vaguely revealed this in his words. The matter was not approved by the emperor, but fell into the hands of the King of Wei."
"The emperor really doesn't care about such trivial matters." Qin Mubai said, "For many similar trivial matters, it is normal for the emperor to leave them to King Wei next to him. King Wei was favored by the emperor and was allowed to stay in the Wude Palace. He lived and served the emperor, often participated in some political affairs, and often helped the emperor handle some government affairs. "
"Although Chu Suiliang didn't say it clearly, I guess that the King of Wei was not willing to approve giving me the title of Yishang of the Tang Dynasty." Wu Meiniang said, "I had already given up this idea at that time. Who would have thought that I would just live through it? One day, Chu Suiliang personally sent a plaque of "Datang Yishang" personally signed by the emperor. The font was in Fei Bai's handwriting, and it was written by His Majesty the Emperor himself. "
"Oh?" Qin Mubai frowned in surprise, "I entered the palace yesterday, and the emperor never mentioned this to me."
"Chu Suiliang told me that the King of Wei hid the memorial and did not report it to the emperor. However, the prince intentionally or unintentionally took a batch of memorials from the King of Wei's desk to read. He discovered the memorial and reported it directly. The emperor approved it without saying a word," Wu Meiniang said with a smile, "It seems that the prince and the king of Wei are really fighting openly and secretly!"
Qin Mubai chuckled and said: "This is a fight between their princes and has nothing to do with us. The prince is the crown prince of a country and has the power to participate in political affairs and handle military and state affairs. Strictly speaking, King Wei is overstepping his bounds. It’s all just because the emperor gave him special privileges because of his preference.”
"That's true, but the prince is also trying to show you his favor?" Wu Meiniang said, "If the matter of the memorial is just that the prince wants to confront King Wei, then he took the initiative to help me make a comprehensive account of the best wine in the world. The intentions of the two shops next to it are even more obvious. I think it has been a long time since I bought those two shops, but they have been operating in Chang'an for many years and they all have strong backgrounds. One of them is a member of the Prince's East Palace. It was opened by a relative. Although I tried hard, we couldn't reach an agreement at all before. Instead, they wanted to engulf my shop. But if the prince said anything casually, the two shops would obediently give way. ”
Qin Mubai smiled: "It's not a show of kindness, it's a repayment of kindness."
"how do I say this?"
"Then it's a long story!" Qin Mubai yawned and stretched a lot, "I'll get up and wash up first. Aren't you disgusted by my eye goo?"
"Hey, that's disgusting!" Wu Meiniang scolded and stepped away.
Qin Shuang'er chuckled and got some hot water and other things, and said: "You two, you are really strange. I have never seen a couple who are in love like you. When it comes to business, it is either business or state affairs. It really ruins the scenery.”
"You're the only one with a poor mouth!" Qin Mubai pinched Qin Shuang'er's face and got up to wash and change clothes.
Lunch was already cooked, and Wu Meiniang participated in the Qin family's family dinner for the first time.
Although the Qin family has a strict family tradition, Qin Shubao is not that pedantic and sour scholar. He is relatively free and generous by nature. He seems very easy-going during family banquets like this. There are no strict rules. Concubines and female family members, They can also dine together with the head of the family.
Wu Meiniang was also a relatively well-behaved and agile person. She only seemed polite at the dinner, not as reserved and timid as her younger daughter-in-law. Instead, she took the initiative to propose a toast to Qin Shubao and Liu, and behaved gracefully and appropriately.
Mrs. Liu's face was smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum, and she was obviously very satisfied with Wu Meiniang, a well-behaved and capable daughter-in-law. Even Qin Shubao was often coaxed to laugh by Wu Meiniang's witty words, and enjoyed the family dinner happily.
Qin Mubai laughed in his heart and thought to himself: Mei Niang is really smart. Since the last time she met Princess Gaoyang, she must have felt a crisis, but she never mentioned it on her own initiative. Instead, she used actions to consolidate her "status." She rebuilt the business using the name Qin Xianjiu, and took the initiative to come to my house to get close to my family. These were all very effective initiatives. In contrast, the innocent and straightforward Princess Gaoyang did not understand such management.
The two of them are really two completely different types of women. Wu Meiniang is extremely smart and quick-witted, while Princess Gaoyang is persistent and forthright and never looks back... It's really hard to choose!
After dinner, Qin Mubai went back to his room to continue copying books. Shuang'er stuffed Wu Meiniang into his room, but she slipped away.
Qin Mubai was busy writing at his desk, while Wu Meiniang was quietly grinding ink aside, adding tea and charcoal for him from time to time, and then she sat quietly reading without saying a word.
An hour or two later, Qin Mubai was also a little tired. He put down his pen and smiled at Wu Meiniang: "Meiniang, if you feel bored or tired, you can take a nap."
"No need. It's good to be by your side." Wu Meiniang smiled sweetly, "Just sitting quietly like this, I feel very peaceful. I don't need to talk, it's quite comfortable."
"Really?" Qin Mubai chuckled, "With you by my side, I feel like time flies by very fast."
"What are you copying? When will you finish such a thick book? Do you want me to help you?" Wu Meiniang came closer and asked.
Qin Mubai thought for a while and nodded: "That's fine. This is the military book passed to me by Li Jing. I promised him never to pass it on to others."
"Then I won't help you." Wu Meiniang said with a smile, "so that you won't be in trouble."
"It doesn't matter, I believe you." Qin Mubai smiled, "If I don't believe you, who else can I believe?"
"Okay, I'll sit with you on the same case, and you allocate some for me to copy." Wu Meiniang walked to him and sat down next to him with a smile on her face.
Qin Mubai temporarily broke up the thick book, gave a stack to Wu Meiniang, and handed her a processed quill.
Wu Meiniang took the quill pen and looked at it for a while, and couldn't help but smile: "I just wanted to ask you, can this pen also be used for writing?"
"Of course, you can give it a try. Come, I'll tell you to hold the pen." Qin Mubai held her soft little hand and taught her to hold the pen and write.
There was a hint of redness on Wu Meiniang's face. After writing a few words, she couldn't help but smile in surprise: "It's really easy to use! Although it's still a little awkward, I believe that after practicing it, I can write very well. It's better than a calligraphy pen." Easy to use and write faster!”
"That goes without saying!" Qin Mubai laughed.
Wu Meiniang rolled her eyes and laughed: "Mu Bai, tell me... if I sell this kind of pen as a commodity, can I make a lot of money?"
"Haha! Mei Niang, Mei Niang, you are really a genius in business!" Qin Mubai laughed, "Of course you can, what's not possible? The production and processing of this kind of pen is very simple. In fact, I can also teach you how to make fountain pens. , but time is limited now, so I can only think about it slowly later.”
"pen?"
Qin Mubai smiled and said: "That is a kind of pen that is more convenient and easier to use than a quill pen. Well, let's not talk about it now, copying the book is important. I will take this book back to Li Jing tomorrow! "
"Okay, let me help you!"
The two began to copy books together. While Qin Mubai was writing, he paid attention to Wu Meiniang's side.
This strange woman is really smart. Qin Mubai only taught her once, and she was able to use the quill very skillfully by herself after just a little thought. Not only that, her handwriting was also quite beautiful, with the style of a great calligrapher, which amazed Qin Mubai.
"Hidden things deeply, Mei Niang! Your handwriting is so beautiful!" Qin Mubai praised.
"Giggle, you are looking down on me!" Wu Meiniang said with a proud smile, "I have been reading and practicing calligraphy with my mother since I was three or four years old!"
"Haha!" Qin Mubai laughed, "Tell me, what else do you have?"
"Hehe!" Wu Meiniang smiled proudly for a while, and recited in a clear tone, "Spring is coming, thousands of doors are opening at night. Orchid lanterns are burning new flames, and the osmanthus is bright and round. It's only necessary to send wine. When the cup is full, there is no need to dilute it. Make sure the Xiajiang is rejuvenated before returning to Panluo."
"A poem you wrote?" Qin Mubai couldn't help grinning, "You must have plagiarized it, it's obviously winter!"
"It was obviously me who did it!" Wu Meiniang pinched Qin Mubai angrily and said, "It was done when our family visited the Luo Water Lantern Festival when we were visiting relatives and friends in Luoyang not long after returning to Guanzhong this spring!"
"Just brag!" Qin Mubai smirked, "I won't believe it even to death! I can't even write poetry, but you can!"
"Hmph! Why can't I know it if you don't know it? Looking at your stupid look, you really should read more books!" Wu Meiniang laughed and scolded for a while, then suddenly closed the book she was copying and said: "Now Listen carefully - I have a plan for teaching battles in the camp, so that the soldiers know where to go and where to go. The battle formation cannot be predicted, so it cannot be defeated, but the shape of the soldiers is infinite, and the water is controlled by the ground. If a soldier is able to win due to his enemy's shape, he is called a god. If his battle formation has no plan, it is not wrong to use the formation of teaching and practice as the formation of fighting the enemy.
"I... Damn!" Qin Mubai had to exclaim loudly, "You have a photographic memory?!"
"Would you like to listen to another section?" Wu Meiniang giggled, "The heavenly formation is located in Qian, which is the Tianmen. The earth formation is located in Kun, which is the earth gate. The wind formation is located in Xun, which is the wind gate. The cloud formation is located in Kan, which is the cloud gate. The flying dragon is located in Zhen, which is the flying dragon gate. .Huyijudui is Huyimen..."
"Stop, stop!" Qin Mubai shouted, "I believe it, I believe it! You really have a photographic memory! What a genius!"
"Giggle!" Wu Meiniang laughed, "What does this mean? I have already copied it, so of course I remember it. If I pay a little more attention, I can remember things very firmly after just reading them once, and I will not forget them for years to come."
Qin Mubai shook his head and sighed: "Forget it, I'd better not ask about your specialties anymore. It hurts your self-esteem to ask back and forth - copy books!"
"Hey, just copy the books! From now on, it will be an hour. Let's see who can copy more and better. The loser will pinch the leg of the winner!" Wu Meiniang giggled.
"Let's change the bet." Qin Mubai said with a mischievous smile, "If I win, I can kiss you however I want; if you win, I can kiss me however I want."
"Bad guy, a bastard!"
…
In the Qin family compound, Mrs. Liu was walking with Qin Shubao. Since he became healthy, Qin Shubao's mood has become very cheerful. He often walks and chats with Mr. Liu or goes out to the market together. The husband and wife play together, and they have a bit of a young couple's atmosphere.
"Uncle Bao, look, Mei Niang is really good, right?" Mrs. Liu said, "She is not only smart and capable, but also very filial and respectful. She will definitely become Liang'er's good wife in the future."
"I don't doubt this. I have never said that I hate her." Qin Shubao said, "It's just that Wu Meiniang is embarrassed no matter how there is Princess Gaoyang there. This woman is very smart and has a very clever mind. She saw Princess Gaoyang got closer to Sanlang, so she took the initiative to get close to us and let us accept her first. If her thoughts and ingenuity are used in the right way, there will be endless benefits, but if they are used in the wrong way, then it will be the same. It’s a huge legacy.”
"Look at you, where are you thinking?" Ms. Liu said, "Following Liang'er, can she still become evil? Don't you often say that a sword has two edges, but hurting the enemy will also hurt yourself. But you practice martial arts Why do people like magic weapons instead of blunt swords? Just because Mei Niang is too smart and cunning, isn't this because she is choking and is not eating, and it is too unfair to her and Liang'er? "
Qin Shubao was speechless and remained silent for a long time before he said: "Then it depends on whether she is willing to live in the side room."
"Hey..." Mr. Liu shook his head and sighed a few times, and said, "Let's take care of Liang'er. We don't want to control him too much and make it difficult for him. I believe Liang'er can handle these things well."
"Oh, you do have confidence in your philandering son!" Qin Shubao couldn't help but laugh, "Now I don't have to worry about not getting a daughter-in-law. It's just that each of these daughters-in-law is bigger and bigger than the other. It’s so difficult to deal with, it’s really annoying!”
"So, you have begun to accept Mei Niang?" Ms. Liu asked with surprise.
"I didn't say that!"
…
The whole afternoon, Qin Mubai and Mei Niang were copying books in the room without leaving the door. With Mei Niang's help, it is really possible to get twice the result with half the effort. Moreover, since the work of matching men and women is not tiring, Qin Mubai's own efficiency has also been greatly improved. In just half a day, I almost copied the rest of the book. At most, with half a night shift, the copying can be completed.
After dinner, Wu Meiniang said goodbye and left. With all her sincerity, she invited the Qin family to her home. Qin Shubao also agreed with a smile.
After Wu Meiniang left, Qin Shuang'er ran to Qin Mubai's room and said to him, "Third brother, I still think Meiniang is good!"
"What do you mean?" Qin Mubai said.
"That's it... it would be more suitable if you married Mei Niang to be your head wife and mistress!" Qin Shuang'er said, "Princess Gaoyang is quite good, she is of noble birth and beautiful, and she is devoted to you and has no regrets. But... She is like an ignorant child now, and she likes to be willful and mischievous. How can she be as virtuous and courteous as she is, smart and well-behaved? How wonderful it is to be a good wife!”
Qin Mubai smiled: "Why did you suddenly tell me this for no reason?"
"Have you never considered such a big thing?" Qin Shuang'er asked in surprise.
"Not yet." Qin Mubai breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Let's think about it in at least a year! Right now, I'm very busy. A man should first establish a career and then start a family. Why should a man worry about being without a wife? There is no need to worry about this kind of thing. Things are complicated.”
"Huh, third brother, just pretend! In fact, you are more troubled than anyone else!" Qin Shuang'er said, "It's all your fault! You are so romantic and uninhibited, and you have made so many women fall in love with you before you get married."
"is it a lot?"
"How few?" Qin Shuang'er blurted out, "I know three of them!"
"Three?" Qin Mubai frowned, "Why is there one more?"
"Uh, this..." Shuang'er murmured for a while, knowing that she had spilled the beans, she quickly waved her hands, "Two, two! I said it wrong."
Qin Mubai blinked a few times and smiled calmly: "Go and play, don't bother me. I'm busy right now!"
"Hmph, just go! Don't ask me to add charcoal and tea for a while!"
"Then do you still need to scream? Haha!"
"Ignore you!" Qin Shuang'er put on an angry attitude and walked away angrily.
After Shuang'er left, Qin Mubai couldn't help but sigh secretly: I am really destined to commit suicide! Shuang'er, this little girl, how could she lie? Her expression just now had clearly given her away. She and Yao'er are the best friends with each other, and they must always exchange their thoughts together. Judging from her expression just now... she must have wanted to say that Miss Yao'er is also attracted to me.
What a sin!
Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang are enough to cause headaches, but there is also a gentle and gentle demon lurking next to me, secretly promising my love! …