The eldest prince was not in the mood to look at the lamp again, and went back to the mansion directly. When they arrived in the study, they heard that the Shen brothers and sisters went to see the lantern, and they became even more angry for a moment: That brat made a fuss, cried and cried, and still went on looking at the lantern, is she heartless or Intentionally messing with yourself
Seeing him frowning in thought, an aide asked, "What does Your Highness think about that young girl?"
The eldest prince only felt a deep disgust welling up in his chest, remembering Shen Wen's words that were obviously childish but made the fourth princess and him lose face everywhere, and snorted angrily: "A fool! Let people spread their words Go, say she is uneducated, she is like a shrew at such a young age, let's see how she will marry in the future!"
It is easy to hate someone who has humiliated us, and this hate can also arouse an inner resistance: to reduce the other person to nothing. This leads man to make another mistake: underestimating his enemy.
The eldest prince took the fourth princess who had always been grumpy tonight, just to cause trouble for Shen Wen. He wanted to see Shen Wen's reaction. In his foresight, Shen Wen may remain calm and deal with it calmly, or panic, and be severely humiliated by the fourth princess and lose face. But he didn't expect Shen Wenneng to tear his face, and burst into tears. After all, a seven-year-old girl from a powerful family has been educated in etiquette. When in front of outsiders, she can't even cry, and she has to cover her lips when she laughs. How can she be as shameless as Shen Wen, and she doesn't even want Qingyu? up.
There was also a moment when he thought that maybe Shen Wen was intentionally pretending to be stupid and scolding him and the fourth princess, but he immediately denied it. What smart person would do such a foolish thing? ! He is the eldest prince, offending him, what good would Zhenbei Hou do? Anyone with a little mind will be polite to him. How old is Shen Wen? If she is really smart, how can she do such a stupid thing? Where does she have the guts? !
If Shen Wen was really careful and calm to deal with it, he would still suspect that Shen Wen was scheming, but now he thought of Shen Wen's red, bloated body and face like a monkey's butt, so he decided that Shen Wen was stupid and spoiled The uneducated child put aside all other ideas.
How could he have imagined that Shen Wen didn't care about his own reputation at all, she knew that if Bei Rong invaded, how many girls would be defiled and died, so what's the use of having a good reputation? She came back this time, bearing the burden of waiting for thousands of years, even her life, not only her reputation? It is not easy for her to keep the bottom line.
The staff thought for a moment and said: "Your Highness reprimanded that girl in front of everyone, and this matter will surely reach the ears of Zhenbeihou in the future. How will he think of His Highness?"
The eldest prince snorted and said, "Father dislikes the Marquis of Zhenbei the most. Back then, the old Marquis of Zhenbei used to call the old man surnamed Liu 'forgetful friendship', and the man surnamed Liu spoke highly of the uncle in public. Hou said several times that "with the Shen family army in northern Xinjiang, there will be no worries". Isn't this a threat? If there is no Shen family army, there will be worries in northern Xinjiang? At that time, the father suspected that the emperor had something to do with Zhenbeihou. The emperor The uncle died and his father succeeded to the throne, so the old Zhenbeihou stopped making a sound. Now Zhenbeihou married his son to the Liu family, and the father said he was "uninterested". I will give Zhenbeihou a face, Royal father is only happy, not unhappy."
The staff lowered their voices: "But the Marquis of Zhenbei has a heavy army in his hand, just in case..."
The eldest prince pursed his lips: "People like them always talk about 'loyalty to the emperor and serve the country'. They definitely wouldn't dare to make trouble. At most, they rely on the self-esteem of the soldiers and want to dictate to the government. His sons and the third brother left It's so close, I probably want to play the tricks of the old town Beihou again. It's a good idea!" His tone was relaxed, but the staff felt a chill in their hearts.
When Shen Zhuo and his party arrived at Dengshi, they asked a few people to follow Shen Xiang and Shen Wen on foot, and the others waited at the street outside Dengshi.
When Shen Wen got out of the carriage, he saw colorful lights everywhere: colored lights were hung on the doors on both sides of the street, and there were long bamboo poles or ropes along the street with lights hung on them. Lanterns of various colors competed for splendor, and they couldn't help saying happily: "It's so beautiful! It's much more beautiful than the one in Changlehou's Mansion just now! Third brother, don't you think so? Do you like the one in that mansion? Or the one on this street?"
Shen Zhuo naturally said: "I was just playing chess with others, so I didn't pay much attention to the lights in the yard."
Shen Wen widened his eyes and asked, "Did the third brother win?"
Shen Zhuo said with some pride: "Each has his own outcome." Then he added: "He is four or five years older than me."
Shen Wen clapped his hands and said: "Wow, the third brother is really good, he can beat everyone in the future!"
Shen Zhuo immediately said seriously: "You can't say that. I just read a few books and barely managed it. How can I beat everyone? I can beat..." He swallowed Zhang Yunming's name.
Shen Wen didn't seem to notice that he only said half a sentence, and continued to say excitedly: "Third brother is so good after only reading a few books, then just read a few more books, there are so many books in our mansion !"
Shen Zhuo said with a smile: "It must be a game book, and we don't have many in the mansion."
Shen Wen stared and said, "Then let's go buy it! Sister Wanniang, where should I buy chess books?"
Su Wanniang smiled, and said according to the words the two of them had agreed on earlier: "Miss, look, the Guanyi Pavilion over there is a place to play chess, maybe there are chess books for sale inside."
Shen Wen shook her hand and said, "Then you go and have a look. If there is any, we will all go over and pick it for the third brother. Now, we have to look for the sister of the Zhang family here first."
Su Wanniang bowed her head in response, and said to Shen Xiang: "Miss, I'll come as soon as I go."
Shen Xiang said: "Take someone to follow you, we are near here."
Su Wanniang said: "No need, just a few steps away, I'll take a look. There aren't many guards, so let's stay with Miss."
Shen Zhuo also wanted to take a look, but when Shen Wen said that he wanted to find Zhang Yunjin here, he was afraid of missing it, so he said to Su Wanniang: "Just call if you need something."
Su Wanniang nodded, and quickly walked towards the Guanyi Pavilion.
When they arrived in front of Guanyi Pavilion, seeing the bright lights inside, Su Wanniang walked in, bowed to a young waiter, and asked with a smile: "Can I see your proprietor or the housekeeper?"
She looks beautiful, her words and deeds are polite, and people like her. The guy immediately said: "Please come this way, girl." He took her to a small room. Su Wanniang waited for a while, and when the door curtain was raised, a fat middle-aged man came in and asked with a smile, "What do you want me for, little lady?"
Su Wanniang saluted, and asked, "But Guan Bao?"
Bao Guanren smiled and nodded, Su Wanniang took out the small bag from her sleeve and opened it, unfolded the chess game on the white silk, and handed it to Bao Guanren. Bao Guanren took it over, and it looked good at first glance. After a while, he exclaimed: "Is this the game played by Ji Wenzhao? I can't walk ten steps... eight steps! Ji Wenzhao, the national champion!"
Su Wanniang hurriedly said: "My master asks Baoguan to do me a favor."
Bao Guan asked without raising his eyes, "What's the matter?"
Su Wanniang said: "Please ask the officials to hang this situation on the wall, so that everyone can watch and guess."
Bao Guanren nodded repeatedly and said, "Of course! This game must be delicate, and it cannot be solved by one person."
Su Wanniang smiled and handed over a fan and a letter, and said, "If Mr. Ji Wenzhao comes here one day and asks about this situation, please pass these two things to him."
Bao Guanren finally raised his head, and said even more surprised: "Ji Wenzhao will come?! That's a national player! How can my little Guanyi Pavilion..." He immediately picked up the things and carefully put them in his arms.
Su Wanniang interrupted with a smile, and handed over five taels of silver and said, "I'm bothering the officials to keep this matter secret. My master doesn't want everyone to know about it. Please ask the officials to confirm Ji Wenzhao's identity before giving him something in private. A little silver taels, It’s just to repay the officials for their troubles.” At the beginning, Shen Wen said that the money should not be given too much, but it would arouse suspicion. Five taels is just right, which is considered a handling fee.
The official Bao hurriedly declined: "Why do you need money?! Once such a chess game is played, there will be a lot of people coming to my teahouse! The profit is already a reward, please don't spend money on your son!" He looked down at the chess game again.
He automatically thought of Su Wanniang's master as a son. Su Wanniang did not correct her, she put the money on the table and saluted, "I dare not disobey the master's order. Thank you for the help of the officials."
Baoguan didn't seem to hear, and said in his mouth: "Where is that..." Looking at the chess board, he murmured: "If the black chess moves like this... it must be placed on the board..."
Su Wanniang left with a smile, and before going out, she saw that there were no shelves selling books in the teahouse, but there was a bookstall at the entrance of the teahouse, which was full of books such as "Theory of Yi" and "Talking about Yi". Chess players who came to the teahouse to play chess. Su Wanniang left in a hurry and returned to the place where Shen Wen and the others looked at the lights. From a distance, Zhang Yunjin and Shen Xiang could be seen talking: "...not long after you left, my elder brother will arrive and just come out."
Shen Xiang said, "Let's watch the lights together."
Shen Wen said to Su Wanniang: "Great, you're back, we just happened to go together."
There was a smile on Shen Zhuo's face, although Zhang Yunming was standing between him and Zhang Yunjin. When Shen Zhuo saw Su Wanniang, his expression was a little nervous. Su Wanniang knew that he didn't want Zhang Yunming to know that he was looking for game books, so she lowered her head and smiled, followed Shen Wen and followed Shen Xiang and Zhang Yunjin.
There are people coming and going on the street, and there are many well-dressed men and women. They are not conspicuous walking on the street. In the warm and bright environment, Shen Wen was in a good mood, took Su Wanniang's hand and said, "Sister Wanniang, I'm so happy!"
Su Wanniang has been with Shen Wen for a few months, and she has roughly figured out Shen Wen's real and fake smiles. Now seeing the smile on Shen Wen's crying face, she knows that she is really happy, and feels a little sour in her heart: I haven't seen this seven-year-old smile. How many times has this year-old girl been so happy, she spends so much time planning every day, and often goes out of the house at night, why bother? Is there anything you can't tell your parents and elder brothers to do? Although she obeyed Shen Wenyan, she still had doubts in her heart. She really couldn't wait to see Ji Wenzhao, to know the cause of her father's death, to see if it was framed by others as Shen Wen said.
They were walking, and a few people came towards them. The young man in the middle was dressed in extravagant clothes. The auspicious cloud pattern embroidered with silver thread was inlaid on the edge of the clothes made of dark blue brocade, which shone faintly under the light. He walked over step by step, There seems to be a bright light lingering around him. He has clear eyebrows and bright eyes, and his face is extremely handsome, but his expression is gloomy, his brows are slightly frowned, and his mouth is tightly pursed, as if he is angry.
He swept over with a glance, Shen Xiang and Zhang Yunjin, who were chatting enthusiastically in front of him, didn't notice it, but Shen Wen felt that those eyes were shining, as bright as a knife blade. She was surprised that a boy in his teens could have such clear eyes, and felt He looked a little familiar, and couldn't help but stare at the boy who passed him by.
The boy glanced at Shen Wen with disdain, and then slammed into Zhang Yunming who was walking side by side with Shen Zhuo behind Shen Wen, knocking Zhang Yunming back two steps. The young man raised his face: "I'm sorry, young master." His tone was arrogant and rude, before Zhang Yunming could speak, he continued walking without looking back.
A few people behind him kept bowing, saying: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." They trotted after the boy.
Although Shen Zhuo didn't like Zhang Yunming, when he saw him being bumped, he couldn't help but say, "How are you? Shall I go over and talk to him?" It feels really good to help people who usually look down on me.
Zhang Yunming shook his shoulders and said with a smile: "It's okay, I'm not hurt."
Shen Zhuo looked back at the young man who had gone away, but Zhang Yunming said: "We have walked a street, and my mother said that I can't go shopping in the lantern market for a long time, so I should take my sister back home."
Shen Zhuo frowned and looked at Zhang Yunming, hoping that that person just knocked Zhang Yunming to the ground.
Zhang Yunming smiled at Shen Zhuo and said, "It's a pity that we can't play chess with the third brother today, we must have a good match next time." After speaking, he went up and said a few words to Zhang Yunjin who had stopped and turned back, Zhang Yunjin glanced at Shen Xiang , showing reluctance, but she behaved well, and immediately said goodbye to the Shen brothers and sisters, and was about to leave, when someone said: "Isn't this the third son of Shen? Oh, Mr. Zhang is also here, what a coincidence." A group of people on the street Among the people stood the third prince and fifth princess in casual clothes.
The last time Shen Wen saw the third prince was at the flower festival last spring, and the time between them was less than a year, but the third prince grew more than two or three inches taller. It seems that boys really grow up at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Although he is wearing civilian clothes today, they are exquisite in workmanship and gorgeous in style, just like a romantic boy in his youth.
Shen Zhuo and Zhang Yunming walked over hurriedly, took the girls to salute, the third prince said with a smile: "Don't be too polite, it's open to everyone."
The fifth princess also returned the gift. She was about the same age as Shen Xiang and Zhang Yunjin. After talking to them a few words, she turned her head and smiled and said to Shen Wen, "Does this sister remember me?"
People say that Concubine Chen Guifei has a gentle and sweet temperament, and her daughter Wu Gongzhu wants to imitate her mannerisms. Although it can be seen that it is deliberate, after all, it is more likable than the fourth princess's arrogance. Shen Wen also smiled and said: "Remember, my sister gave me beads, do you have them today?"
Shen Xiang smiled and pulled Shen Wen: "Little money fan."
The fifth princess smiled and untied a pendant from her belt. A pearl was adorned under the jade. She handed it to Shen Wen and said, "Take it, as long as my little sister likes it." It is a precious thing, and this piece of jade glows with a lustrous luster under the lantern at night.
Shen Wen looked at Shen Zhuo, and the third prince smiled and said to Shen Zhuo: "Don't be polite, it's a good sign to give a gift or win a lottery in the first month."
Shen Zhuo nodded, Shen Wen happily took it, handed it to Su Wanniang and said, "Take it well for me, I will make a sachet for this sister when I go back."
Shen Xiang smiled: "Don't do it, I haven't seen you take needle and thread for more than half a year, and it might not be as good as last time." Everyone laughed: This business is too worthwhile.
Shen Wen put the chubby index finger on his face seriously, and said in thought: "But I have to pay back the gift no matter what."
The fifth princess imitated the adults and said generously: "What did you say, little sister? This is from the elder sister. What kind of gift is it? You can remember me next time you see me." Although she was only a nine-year-old girl , but can already speak beautiful words. Maybe she did this with her mother's instruction, maybe she did this to get married to the Zhenbeihou Mansion, but Shen Wen is a small-minded person, thinking that for her today's pearl, she will not be allowed to marry to Beirong in the future , marry the fourth princess.
The third prince asked Shen Zhuo: "Where are the eldest son Shen and the second son Shen? I fought a fox with them a year ago, but we haven't seen each other since Chinese New Year."
Shen Zhuo said: "I sent my younger sisters to see the lantern show today, maybe the two of them came out to watch the lantern by themselves, maybe they were in the mansion, I really don't know."
The third prince asked Zhang Yunming again: "Master Zhang, is he interested in riding a hunter? At the end of the month, I will go to the mountains outside the city with the sons of the Shen family, do you want to go together?"
Zhang Yun said with a wry smile, "Thank you..."
The third prince said: "Just call me the third son."
Zhang Yunming said in a sincere tone: "Thank you for your invitation, but my riding skills are poor, I'm afraid I will cause trouble if I go." Shen Wen pursed his lips and smiled at Zhang Yunming: this person is lying without blinking an eye. He rode horses at the age of four and shot arrows at the age of five, but Marquis Ping Yuan never let him show off in front of others. This kind of cover-up is really comparable to mine.
Zhang Yunming caught Shen Wen's smile from the corner of his eye and was in a daze for a moment, thinking that the girl knew that she was lying. Fortunately, the third prince obviously didn't see it through, and said with a smile: "People say that Mr. Zhang's articles are wonderful. It seems that Mr. Zhang is going to abandon martial arts and follow literature."
Zhang Yunming hurriedly smiled and replied: "I didn't have any martial arts at first, but my father always said that the position of military general is fine in his generation, let me study more, and I will go to the examination of a scholar this year." Shen Wen knew that Zhang Yunming was acting for his father Deliver the word.
The third prince nodded solemnly and said: "I wish you all the best, Mr. Zhang, maybe you will see Mr. Zhang in the palace examination in the future."
Zhang Yunming said modestly: "Where do I have such a high level of talent and learning? My father said that being a scholar means that my family has burned high incense." Everyone laughed in response to the occasion, and Zhang Yunming immediately brought out the original rhetoric, bid farewell to everyone, and saluted Then he took Zhang Yunjin and the servants away.
As soon as Zhang Yunjin left, Shen Zhuo also took the opportunity to leave, saying that the sisters should not stay for long. Although he is young, he also knows that in such a public place, it is better not to socialize too much with the royal family. The two sides saluted again, and the third prince smiled and said, "Say hello to the old madam and madam for me." Shen Zhuo quickly thanked.
They left the third prince and his party, and Zhang Yunming's brother and sister had also left. Shen Zhuo's expression was a bit depressed: That Zhang Yunming just ran away with Zhang Yunjin, and didn't even wait for us.
Only then did Su Wanniang whisper to Shen Zhuo, "There are quite a few books about games for sale outside Guanyi Pavilion."
Shen Zhuo said to the middle-aged guard behind him: "Old Guan, did you hear that? When they get back to the car, you ask someone to buy it for me, buy a copy of everything, I don't believe it... hum!"
That old Guan had a farmer's face, with deep wrinkles on his face, he responded with a smile.
They went back to the mansion and naturally went to see Yang Shi to say good night. When they arrived at the main hall, they found that the old lady was also present, apparently waiting for them. Yang's face was serious, and she said to Shen Wen: "Tell me about it again."
Shen Wen immediately showed a pitiful look, and stammered: "I... my sister Wanniang and I are watching a lantern riddle, that, that..." Tears welled up in his eyes. The old lady's heart softened again: "Wen Er, come here, talk slowly if you have something to do, don't be afraid."
Yang sighed, looked at Su Wanniang, Su Wanniang saluted, and said: "Miss and I are looking at the lantern riddle, and the lady is about to guess it, so the riddle was picked up by one person..." She articulated clearly, explaining the ins and outs of the matter over again. Shen Xiang added something about what happened after she arrived, and Shen Zhuo finally told what he saw.
Yang frowned when she heard this, and asked the old lady, "What does mother think?"
The old lady looked around and sighed: "It's just a joke among children, don't take it seriously." This is irony.
Mrs. Yang nodded, knowing that she couldn't discuss this matter here in front of everyone, so she said to Shen Wen: "You have to learn the rules in the future, how can you cry in front of others like this?"
Shen Wen burst into tears, crying and said: "I didn't do anything, why do you say that I didn't discipline enough? I have obviously educated my mother..."
Yang gritted her teeth and said that her daughter was not disciplined? ! If this word is spread, isn't it a slap in the face of the Hou Mansion? How will my daughter behave in the future? The old lady also showed anger, but she patted Shen Wen on the back and said nothing.
Yang Shiqiang smiled, and said to Shen Wen: "Don't cry, and look at the lights, don't think about those things, go to sleep."
Shen Wen stopped crying immediately, hugged the old lady and said goodnight, and then ran to pull Yang's arm to say goodnight. Both Shen Zhuo and Shen Xiang didn't bother to act like a baby, so they saluted well, and the three children went out.
However, Yang Shi and the old lady continued to stay in the hall, and Yang Shi said to the people next to him: "Go prepare some supper, it's getting late, the eldest son and the second son will be back soon, they must be hungry."
Seeing that everyone around her walked away, Yang asked the old lady in a low voice: "Mother, what's the matter? That girl Wanniang was talking to Wen'er, but we all know Wen'er's temperament. If you know how to cry, you will definitely not take the initiative to cause trouble. Why did the fourth princess find trouble with Wen'er?" She usually competes with the old lady, but there are really embarrassing things. If she doesn't ask the old lady, who can she talk to?
The old lady sighed, and said in a low voice: "Write a letter to let Lord Hou know about this matter, don't say anything, just write what the fourth princess and the eldest prince said about Wen'er." Then she got up, shook her head and said: "I'm old! I'm going to rest first."
Mrs. Yang bowed to see the old lady off, and sat on her seat in a daze. Whether this matter is big or small. Thinking about the position of the eldest prince, no matter how you look at it, he is someone who will be a prince. If he was so rude to Wen'er, did he mean he was rude to the Zhenbeihou Mansion? So is his attitude the attitude of the emperor? ... The more I think about it, the more guilty I feel, but I come from a family of middle and lower military officers, and I only guard my husband as a housekeeper in Beijing. I can neither contact court officials nor enter the palace for activities. What can I do
Someone reported that the eldest son and the second son had returned, and Yang sat up straight. When Shen Yi and Shen Jian came in with a relaxed expression, Yang looked at their young faces, hesitated, and ordered someone to serve a supper. The two children used it, and asked about the Lantern Festival, but did not tell them about it. Anyway, Shen Zhuo will tell them, let them have a happy Lantern Festival first.
As soon as the 15th is over, this year is completely over. Yang personally held a pen and wrote a long letter to Zhenbeihou, which contained the affairs of Changlehou's mansion, the meeting of the third prince in Dengshi, etc., and sent them to Beijiang.
The day after the letter was sent, a copy of the letter was placed on the First Prince's desk. The eldest prince read it and just smiled. His happy event is approaching, and he is in a good mood.
Shen Wen is also in a good mood. After a few days, she went to Guanyi Pavilion at night, and saw the chess game she drew hanging high on the north wall of the largest tea room, and there were chess boards on the surrounding tea tables. Although it was already night, many people were still there game or discussion. The official Bao walked among the tea tables with a smile on his face, sometimes pointing to the chessboard and saying a few words of his own opinion. Although he was always scoffed at by people, he didn't take it seriously.
Shen Wen came back and told Su Wanniang that now all he had to do was wait for Ji Wenzhao to enter Beijing.