"Master—" Guozi was anxious and helpless, "These books, calligraphy and paintings are inedible or drinkable, and they take up space in the carriage, why don't we bring them?"
"How can I do that?" Tao Wuwen hastily protected his precious calligraphy and paintings, "Especially these two Zhang Zishu paintings, I found them with great difficulty, and each one can be exchanged for several acres of land! place, you should wear those clothes that are thinner and softer."
Guozi groaned: "Master, you are really not in charge of the family, and you don't know the price of firewood and rice. If you don't bring your clothes, you will have to buy them later, and you will have to spend money!"
"But clothes can be bought with money, but these calligraphy and paintings can't be bought with money!"
Guo Zi choked, despite his young master's ignorance of world affairs, when it came to a real debate, he really had never won against his young master once.
Fortunately, Tao Zhengchun came to rescue him in time: "Wu Wen, just now Lao Tao said that there are people watching outside the door, and he suspects that Huang Guangde sent it. You go around the counter a few times, let the dog legs see it, and calm Huang Guangde's heart. Otherwise, it would be inconvenient to leave while being watched like this.”
Tao Wuwen looked at his calligraphy and painting worriedly, and then exchanged a glance with Guozi. Guozi said helplessly, "Don't worry, young master! Guozi dare not be your master."
Only then did Tao Wuwen and Tao Zhengchun walk across the courtyard to the front hall.
During this period of time, between meals, there was only a father and daughter in the lobby, each holding a bowl of plain noodles, sitting at the foot of the stairs, chomping on the noodles while blowing the draft; Where there is wind, a big cattail fan is shaking; outside the door, a driver is sitting in a carriage, waiting for someone to hire a carriage. For the past three years, Tao Wuwen went to Jingyu to look for Shanglu with Tao Zhengchun on his back. He never drove the family's carriage, but hired a carriage on the street, but he had never seen this coachman.
Tao Zhengchun bumped into him lightly, and said in a low voice, "Go to the counter to read the account book."
Tao Wuwen responded lightly, then turned and walked towards the counter.
At this time, there was a sound of horseshoes approaching, and the riders didn't seem to think that this was a busy city. From the time they heard the sound of horseshoes to the time someone came in at the door, it took only a moment.
Tao Zhengchun hastily went up to greet him: "Oh, Mr. Shi! No wonder the shop was glowing red as soon as it opened today. So you're coming! Hurry up, hurry up, upstairs Ruyi Pavilion please!"
The one Tao Zhengchun called Shi Gongzi was a young and rich young master, with several people behind him, including friends, followers, and followers. He ignored Tao Zhengchun, and just strode towards the stairs, followed by others, only a friend-like person behind him nodded and smiled at Tao Zhengchun.
Mr. Shi suddenly stopped at the stairs, raised his chin and looked at the father and daughter: "Little girl, look up."
Everyone in Zuixiang Building looked at each other in blank dismay. The people brought by Mr. Shi either lowered their heads and pretended not to see it, or waited excitedly to watch the show.
The father and daughter dropped the bowl and stood up in surprise, the girl hid behind her father.
At this time, the young man who nodded and smiled at Tao Zhengchun coughed: "Guangyao, you are getting more and more tasteless now! Do you also like this kind of local girl? After drinking, let's go to Qunxiang Garden. How many girls are there?" , which one is inferior to her?"
Shi Guangyao snorted: "Qian Shan, you don't understand that. Those women in Qunxiangyuan are like big fish and big meat. If you eat too much, you will get tired of it. It's appetizing with wild vegetables!"
As he said that, he winked, and immediately a follower went over to pull the girl out. Although the girl is wearing common clothes, they are clean and fit, and her facial features are correct, which is very pleasing to the eye. At this moment, all he knew was trembling.
The girl's father hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "My lord, please be kind! My lord, please be kind!"
Tao Zhengchun leaned forward with a smile: "Mr. Shi, this girl really lacks some beauty. You should go upstairs and sit down. The villain will find a good one for you."
Shi Guangyao smiled but said, "Let's talk about it when you find it!" Turning around, he said to the girl's father, "I bought your daughter, and I want to see her in the Tianshuijing Alley Shifu in the future."
As soon as he finished speaking, a boy who looked like a valet threw a silver coin to the girl's father. The girl's father shouted anxiously: "I won't sell my daughter! I won't sell my daughter! My lord! I won't sell my daughter!"
One of the attendants pushed him away, and the rest dragged the girl away. The girl could only cry out at this moment, and the hall was jumping like crazy.
The young man Shi Guangyao called "Qianshan" clenched his hands, but slowly lowered them, allowing his sleeves to cover his fists.
"Wait!"
With a clear shout, a thin young man rushed to Shi Guangyao: "This uncle has already said that he will not sell his daughter, how can you buy and sell by force!"
Shi Guangyao narrowed his eyes and smiled, before he could speak, Tao Zhengchun stood between him and the boy: "What's the matter with you here? Go back!"
Shi Guangyao pushed Tao Zhengchun away: "You said I bought and sold by force"
"That's right! Uncle doesn't sell girls. If you keep money by force, you are buying and selling by force!"
Shi Guangyao laughed out loud. Tao Zhengchun bowed again and again: "Dogs are ignorant, Mr. Shi has a lot of people, so don't worry about it." A few guys also came up to pull Tao Wuwen, Tao Wuwen struggled while still throwing his voice: "Although I am ignorant, I also know the principles of heaven, the laws of the king, Father and daughter relationship!"
Shi Guangyao laughed and looked at Tao Zhengchun: "Your son!"
Tao Zhengchun laughed and said: "The dog is ignorant."
Shi Guangyao asked Tao Wuwen leisurely: "You want me to let this little girl go?"
Tao Wuwen said with emotion: "Although she is dressed in commoner clothes, she is well-fitting and tidy. Father and daughter can come to a place like our Zuixianglou to eat bowls of noodles, which shows that life is still healthy, and it is not necessary to sell girls to survive. Young master Angzang Bachi , Extraordinary manner. Although she is beautiful, but well-dressed, not luxurious, she must be a wealthy family, how can this matter bring disaster to the family? Please think again, young master!"
Tao Zhengchun nodded secretly. In his heart, his son was always a nerd before the age of 13, and a fool who was obsessed with Shang Lu after the age of 13. He did not expect him to be able to observe the subtleties and speak clearly.
Shi Qianshan chimed in and said: "Guangyao, what this kid said has some truth. Those censors have nothing to do and want to impeach the second uncle a few times. It is really uneconomical to cause trouble for the second uncle because of such a pretty girl. .”
A doorman sang against him: "There are so many people who have impeached the Taiwei, who was the Taiwei afraid of?"
Shi Guangyao glanced at the girl again, and shook his head in disappointment: "Although father is not afraid of anyone, it's not worth annoying him for such a girl."
Turning around, he said to Tao Wuwen: "Okay, I let this girl go, but you have spoiled my interest, so I have to go drink with you."
Several attendants immediately let go of the girl and stood on both sides of Tao Wuwen: "Master Tao, please—"
On the second floor, Ruyi Pavilion.
Shi Guangyao stabbed to sit on the chief seat, and pointed his chin to the chair on his left: "Sit."
Two attendants pulled Tao Wuwen over and pressed him on the chair.
Shi Guangyao's friends sat on both sides of him, and the disciples sat down first.
Although Shi Guangyao is the son of a Taiwei, he does not have any official position, and his friends are all in white clothes, so Tao Wuwen sat down.
Tao Wuwen didn't drink much at all. He lost his mother since he was a child. Over the years, Tao Zhengchun gave him all his love. He was so well protected that he was hardly stained with a speck of dust. At the beginning, everyone had three glasses, and he was drunk, his cheeks were as red as rouge, and his eyes became confused.
Tao Zhengchun was worried, and stood outside the door to wait. The buddy delivered wine and food, and he took it and delivered it himself. Seeing his son's drunken state, he hastily apologized and smiled: "The dog's size is low, he has shown his ugliness, and spoiled the young master's happiness. The villain is here to apologize to the young master."
Shi Guangyao squinted at him: "Did I say anything?"
"That's that, who is the young master? The prime minister can hold a boat in his stomach!"
Satisfied, Shi Guangyao lifted his chopsticks to pick up the crystal frozen meat that had just been served. Crystal frozen meat is supposed to be melted in summer, but Zuixianglou, as the largest restaurant in the capital, hires people to collect ice in the Cuihua Mountain ice cave in the south of the capital all year round. At this moment, the crystal frozen meat is frozen on the ice, and it will never melt. risk.
Tao Zhengchun saw that he was in a good mood, and asked tentatively: "The dog is already too strong to drink, I'm afraid he will offend the young master when he is drunk, why not let the villain help him down first?"
Unexpectedly, the frozen meat was too smooth. Shi Guangyao failed to pick it up after several times, and was angry. He just broke the piece on the chopsticks again after hearing this. In a moment of anger, he slapped the chopsticks on the table. The cups and plates jumped wildly.
Not to mention everyone, even Tao Wuwen, who was already drunk, trembled in fright.
"Just because your son is so skinny, can you offend me?"
Tao Wuwen was sitting next to him. He was dizzy and uncomfortable at first, but after being frightened for a second, he felt like vomiting, but he hadn't eaten anything, so naturally he couldn't vomit, but his face faded from bright red and became pale.
Shi Qianshan sat on Shi Guangyao's right, frowned and said, "Don't spit here, it's disgusting."
Shi Guangyao looked back at Tao Wuwen, seeing his pale face, he apologized to Shi Qianshan himself, gave Shi Qianshan a dissatisfied look, and asked Tao Wuwen: "Is it true that you can't drink so much?"
Tao Zhengchun apologized and said with a smile: "The dog never drinks alcohol, and only drank these three cups in order to accompany the young master."
Shi Guangyao waved his hand: "Take it away!"
Tao Zhengchun hurriedly helped Tao Wuwen up. Tao Wuwen endured his nausea and said goodbye to everyone. Shi Guangyao became even more impatient: "How can there be so many broken etiquette? Get lost!"
Only then did Tao Wuwen leave with Tao Zhengchun's support.
Back in Tao Wuwen's room, Guozi helped put Tao Wuwen on the bed, put a cushion on his back to make him half-lying, and gave him something to eat, so Tao Wuwen felt less uncomfortable.
Tao Zhengchun was worried: "Why hasn't Lao Tao come back?"
Guozi asked, "Where did Lao Tao go?" Seeing that Tao Zhengchun just looked at Tao Wuwen and didn't answer, he couldn't help thinking wildly, but he didn't dare to ask any more.
Tao Wuwen asked Tao Zhengchun weakly: "Father, don't you need to take care of Mr. Shi and the others?"
Tao Zhengchun asked, "What do you think of this Mr. Shi?"
Tao Wuwen said: "It's wrong for him to rob people's daughters. But it's good to listen to advice and rein in the precipice. If you can make good friends, you should be on the right track."
Tao Zhengchun shook his head: "Mr. Shi, because he is the only son of Taiwei Shi, has always been arrogant and domineering. And—" He hesitated for a moment, but decided to say it out, "I heard that he is not jealous of men and women, I'm afraid he also has feelings for you. Huang Guangde's thought of shooting arrows."
Tao Wuwen smiled and said: "Daddy looks at me, naturally he is very kind. It's just that there are so many beautiful men and talented men in this world. I have neither beauty nor talent. How can I just like it if I have a broken sleeve?"
Guozi couldn't help interjecting: "What's wrong with the young master?"
I was about to say more, but seeing the way Tao Zhengchun looked at him, I had no choice but to swallow it back.
Tao Zhengchun instructed: "You rest well, we will leave tonight, you don't have to think about whether this Mr. Shi has any feelings for you."
Before Tao Wuwen could nod her head, she heard a voice outside the door: "Where are you going!"
The three people in the room looked at each other pale. The door curtain was lifted heavily, and Shi Guangyao stepped in, staring closely at Tao Wuwen: "Afraid of me? I treat you badly? Where are you going to hide?"
After being surprised, Tao Wuwen said calmly: "It's not because of the young master."
"Who is that because of? Lianjian? Huang Guangde?"
Tao Zhengchun hurriedly stood in front of Tao Wuwen: "Mr. Shi, don't worry, sit down and talk slowly." He moved Shi Guangyao to the chair.
Shi Guangyao snorted coldly, threw off his robe and sat down. Guozi picked up the teapot and found that the tea was already cold, so she hurried out to make tea.
Tao Zhengchun turned around and winked at Tao Wuwen, but Tao Wuwen didn't understand what he meant at all. Ever since Shi Guangyao entered the room, Tao Wuwen had been struggling to stand up. Now that he had stood up, he said, "It has nothing to do with Mr. Shi."
Shi Guangyao laughed back angrily: "Okay—" He stopped awkwardly, turned his head and asked Tao Zhengchun, "What's your son's name?"
"Tao Wuwen, Wuwen and Wuwen." Tao Wuwen replied by himself.
"Tao Wuwen! I figured it out, in your eyes, I'm the same as Lianjian Huang Guangde"
"Brother Lian treats me with sincerity and courtesy. Although I can't accept him, I still respect him as a person. How can Huang Guangde compare with him?!" Tao Wuwen still has a good impression of Lianjian. He loves Lianjian, but in his heart, Lianjian always exists like a best friend. After Lian Jian confided his heart to him, in order to dispel Lian Jian's thoughts, he planned to avoid Lian Jian in the future; but on the other hand, he hoped to return to the original state of good friends.
"Then you are avoiding Huang Guangde?"
Tao Zhengchun laughed and said, "Young Master, you are so heavenly and human! Just guess it right."
Shi Guangyao laughed: "Then why leave? Others are afraid of him, Huang Guangde, but I am not afraid of him. Now in the court, General Lian and Dali Temple Minister Gu Huankun are in the same party, while my father and the Nine Kings are in the same party. Huang Guangde is the student of Gu Huankun. If you go to Lian Jian, he and Huang Guangde belong to the same party, and if you don’t follow him, he will not protect you wholeheartedly. You might as well follow me and see if Huang Guangde dares to Dare to reach out?!"
Tao Wuwen frowned: "A man, if he wants to survive by relying on others, wouldn't he be a man in vain."
Tao Zhengchun coughed heavily, and tugged at the skirt of his shirt. Tao Wuwen gave him a puzzled look, and pulled the clothes out of his hands.
Shi Guangyao pointed his chin outside the door: "I didn't talk to you." Tao Zhengchun looked helplessly at Tao Wuwen, and walked out step by step.
Shi Guangyao turned his head and looked at Tao Wuwen sarcastically: "You have a good backbone. Only the living can talk about the backbone, and the bones of the dead will only rot."
"Everyone has to die, sooner or later. To live for several years in vain is not much different from dying early."
"You are—" Shi Guangyao looked playfully at his stubborn and straight neck, which was as long and graceful as a swan, and couldn't help swallowing, "Don't you like me?"
"The young master is a man of eight feet, a good-looking talent. Wuwen is only ashamed when he sees it. But Wuwen was born as a man, not a boudoir, and cannot be raised in the courtyard. You are wrongly loved by the young master. Wuwen is ashamed and dare not be worthy of it. Please forgive me." Make a note.
Shi Guangyao snorted: "What do you want to do? What can you do? You come with me, and I will let my father arrange for you to do what you want to do. Look at Shi Qianshan, he is my cousin. He has been with me all these years. , his family all depended on my father for errands. What about you? At most, you can take the Juren exam, and then go to a poor county as a magistrate, and never return to the capital; or go to the Imperial Academy as a poor job, and have no money for the rest of your life. Could it be that you are a man then? There is no one above, no matter how talented you are, there is no place to display it! As long as you follow me, I will help you do whatever you want! You can do whatever you want—as long as you follow me."
"What if Wuwen wants to be emperor?"
Shi Guangyao froze: "Are you playing with me?!"
Since he came in, Tao Wuwen had always spoken softly and looked submissive, but he could really feel Tao Wuwen's undoubted rejection and rejection. At this moment, he was finally sure: this Tao Wuwen was out of oil and salt.
"I don't dare. It's just that Wu Wen knows that any benefit that doesn't come from the right way must have an extraordinary price. It's the same for what Mr. Shi wants and what Wu Wen wants."
Shi Guangyao frowned: "Do you still believe this?" He straightened up leaning on the back of the chair, "I just want to take you back today. See what price you can get?"