Cheng Chi said "Oh" with interest, and said: "Tell me, what did he do in the capital?"
Huaishan smiled slightly and said, "We don't know what he's going to do yet!"
Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows.
Huaishan said: "He lived in Shangqing Palace for a while, and spent the whole day hanging out with the Taoist priests who had committed crimes and were demoted to menial jobs. One of them, named Yang, was the former guest master of Shangqing Palace. He loved drinking and would brag when he was drunk, always talking about how talented he was when he was young and how he was almost accepted as a disciple by the Tianyi Sect of Longhu Mountain. Fan Qi didn't believe it, so he made a bet with the Taoist priest named Yang, saying that if the Taoist priest named Yang could make the eldest daughter of the Mu family marry the master of the Lin family this year, he would lose 100 taels of silver to him; if he could make the eldest daughter of the Mu family marry the master of the Lin family next year, he would lose 30 taels of silver to him; if he could make the eldest daughter of the Mu family marry the master of the Lin family the year after, he would invite the Taoist priest named Yang to have a meal at the most famous restaurant in the capital.
“We also invited several Taoist priests who were present at the time to testify.
"The Taoist priest surnamed Yang immediately agreed.
"A few days later, a Taoist priest from the Tianyi Sect of Longhu Mountain passed by the Mu family and said that the eldest daughter of the Mu family was destined to have a disaster, and if she stayed at home, her parents and siblings would be in trouble. Lord Mu was a scholar, and he would not believe this story of supernatural powers. Not only did he not treat the Taoist priest surnamed Yang as a guest of honor, he also had his servants beat the Taoist priest surnamed Yang out with a broom.
"The Taoist priest surnamed Yang was not satisfied with this, so he discussed with a few Taoist priests he was friends with, and used a few copper coins to find a beggar on the street to secretly break the hinges of the door of Lord Mu's house. As a result, when someone from the Mu family pushed the door the next day, the door fell to the ground, scaring the neighbors.
"A few days later, when Lord Mu came back, the step of the official sedan suddenly broke.
"This happened for several days in a row. Lord Mu didn't believe it, but Madam Mu did. She asked the master of Shangqing Palace to help Miss Mu with her fortune. The master of Shangqing Palace didn't predict any disaster for Miss Mu, but the fortune of the Mu family in the past two years has been a bit bad.
"Mrs. Mu used her private savings to ask Shangqing Palace to help resolve the situation.
"The Taoist priest surnamed Yang saw that Madam Mu had fallen into the trap, and he was heartbroken about the 100 taels of silver he had bet on, so he secretly told the master about the bet he had made with Fan Qi.
"When Madam Mu went to pray for the family again, the master of Shangqing Palace said that it was your daughter who had a calamity in her fate, which hindered Master Mu's fortune. But it's okay, as long as you marry your daughter before the Chinese New Year this year, Master Mu's fortune will be better.
"After hearing this, Mrs. Mu really decided to marry her daughter off.
"First, Miss Mu is only thirteen years old this year, and she hasn't reached the age of marriage yet; second, Master Mu doesn't believe in these things at all; third, the New Year is coming soon, and no matter how anxious we are, we can't marry Miss Mu off before the New Year.
"Hesitantly, Madam Mu went to Tanzhe Temple again."
At this point, Huaishan couldn't help laughing and said, "Fourth Master, no wonder you always say that these Taoists and monks are all liars. Guess what? The monk from Tanzhe Temple actually followed the so-called master of Shangqing Palace and also said that Miss Mu was destined to have a calamity and that she had to practice Taoism for 749 days to resolve it.
"When Fan Qi came back, Madam Mu was arguing with Lord Mu! They said that Miss Mu must be married off next spring no matter what. Otherwise, Madam Mu would take the children back to her parents' home."
Cheng Chi was a little surprised and asked, "So Fan Qi came back just like that?"
"Yes!" Huaishan said, "I gave the Taoist priest surnamed Yang twenty taels of silver, saying that I will follow my family elders to the capital to do business next spring, and then I will go to see the Taoist priest surnamed Yang."
Cheng Chi tapped the table lightly.
Huaishan said, "It may be that the New Year is coming, and he was afraid that his family would get suspicious, so he had to rush back. I will send someone to keep an eye on him. If Fan Qi makes any move again, they don't need to give instructions, just send someone to follow him directly."
"You have a point." Cheng Chi felt that this matter should not end like this. "They went to the capital with great deliberation. It is impossible for them to come back like this. You continue to send people to watch them and see what they are going to do."
Huaishan agreed.
Qingfeng reported through the curtain: "Fourth Master, the prince of Zhu Guogong sent someone to deliver a letter from the capital."
In mid-October, Zhu Pengju went to the capital with his father. In addition to him and his son, the emperor's brothers, the King of Xiang, the King of Yue, the King of Jin, the King of Chu, etc., also brought their children to the capital. The emperor kept them in the capital to celebrate the New Year, and decided to hold a family banquet in the Baohe Hall to entertain these brothers and nephews who had not seen each other for many years, and set off fireworks on Chang'an Street to celebrate with the people.
Cheng Chi said: "Bring the letter in!"
Huaishan went to receive the letter.
Cheng Chi tore the seal of the envelope and scanned the text quickly.
Huaishan bowed and waited for instructions.
Cheng Chi sat there without moving, and after a while he said, "Let's go to Hanbi Mountain House."
Huaishan replied “yes” respectfully and called out “Minghe” quickly. Before he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered that Minghe was going to get married soon and was preparing her wedding dress in the house. He wanted to call out Qingfeng, but then he remembered that Qingfeng was only eight years old this year… In such a big Xiaoshan Conggui Courtyard, there was not even someone to change the Fourth Master’s clothes.
He personally went to get some clothes and helped Cheng Chi change his clothes while saying, "Fourth Master, you still have to live here for two years. I think it would be better to add two maids? They are older and can be sent away before you leave..."
"We'll talk about it when the time comes!" Cheng Chi wasn't very interested. He changed his clothes and went to Old Madam Guo.
※
In Jiashu Hall, Zhou Shaojin was trying to persuade Cheng Yi: "... If you do this, aren't you pushing Jiying into the fire pit? Since you said you like her, why do you treat her like this? Do you think she will be able to be a human being in the future?"
Cheng Yi's face was swollen, red and purple, with finger marks on it. He was tied up with ropes and thrown on the ground, looking very miserable. Fortunately, he was wearing a fur coat, otherwise, in such weather, with the bluestone floor tiles, he would have been frozen even with a brazier.
He squinted his eyes at Zhou Shaojin and snorted contemptuously, saying, "I have already severed my friendship with you. Don't ever talk to me again. I won't listen to anything you say."
Zhou Shaojin was so angry that he kicked him and said, "Do you think I like talking to you? I don't want to see Jiying being sold out with the name of 'Fox Seducing Master'. You will regret it later!"
"Selling?!" Cheng Yi snorted coldly, "Stop trying to scare me! Jiying is Uncle Chi's person, so it's not my grandmother's or mother's turn to intervene."
Zhou Shaojin said bluntly: "Let me ask you, how many times have you met Uncle Chi? How many times have you talked to him? Do you know what kind of person he is? Are you so sure that if you ask Uncle Chi for someone, he will give her to you without any doubt or grudge? There are so many men in the family, and it's not like no one has seen Jiying, so why are you the only one who is so anxious to ask Uncle Chi for her?"
Cheng Yi was so anxious that his face turned red and his neck became thick. He shouted, "You are talking nonsense! You are spreading rumors! You are making trouble out of nothing! There is nothing between Ji Ying and me! We have only met once. Others may not know, but don't you know?"
"I know!" Zhou Shaojin said, "I believe you too! But will others believe you?"
Cheng Yi's mouth twitched, and he didn't say a word for a long time.
Zhou Shaojin said: "Think about it carefully! I'm leaving first. Don't ruin someone's life for your own momentary preference!"
Cheng Yi lowered his head in silence.
Zhou Shaojin walked out quietly.
Mrs. Miao was waiting outside the curtain with bated breath. When she saw her come out, she immediately took her arm and walked forward until they reached the center of the yard. She stopped and whispered, "Shao Jin, thank you this time. If your cousin Yi can come back, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life."
"Aunt, you are too kind." Zhou Shaojin said embarrassedly, "I was just talking nonsense, and I don't know if cousin Yi will listen to me."
"He doesn't listen, that's because he doesn't know what's good for him." Mrs. Miao said angrily, "Your kindness has been appreciated by your aunt." Then she said lovingly, "Come on, let's go to your grandmother's room and talk. It's cold outside, be careful not to catch a cold."
Zhou Shaojin nodded, and went to Old Lady Guan with Zhou Shaojin.
Old Lady Guan was waiting for them. Before they could stand still, she asked anxiously, "What do you think of that fool who doesn't know how to live or die?"
"He didn't say anything." Mrs. Miao felt sorry for her son and said, "But we can see that he is not as stubborn as before."
Mrs. Guan heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this, and said thoughtfully: "I don't think this is a good idea... Aren't you going back to your parents' home on the fourth day of the New Year? Bring Erlang to the old man of the He family to see if he can stay in the He family to study..."
The old man of the He family was a young Jinshi, and once worked in the Hanlin Academy. Later, he was unable to adapt to the northern climate and suffered from asthma, so he resigned and returned to his hometown to recuperate. He Mianzhi was his grandson, and he was also named Meng after him.
In his previous life, Cheng Yi had been studying in the Cheng clan school.
I changed one more thing...
Zhou Shaojin forced himself not to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Mrs. Miao was very happy to hear this.
If his son could win the favor of old man He, it would be much better than attending classes with a bunch of people in the clan school.
"I'll listen to you," she said immediately, "I'll add another ten percent to the gift I'm sending to my parents."
If it succeeds, this thank-you gift is indispensable.
※
In Hanbi Mountain House, Cheng Chi was playing Go with Old Madam Guo.
Madam Guo pondered for a long time, then sighed and put down the black chess piece in her hand: "I taught you how to play Go, but now even I, with three pieces, am no match for you!"
"The disciple surpasses the master." Cheng Chi smiled lightly, "Isn't this what all teachers expect of their disciples?"
“But there are also cases where a disciple has taught his master to become so mad that he has killed himself.” Old Madam Guo laughed. It was obvious that she was in a very good mood.
Cheng Chi asked, "When will sister-in-law leave? If she doesn't leave now, she may miss the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve."
"It's too late to leave now." Old Man Guo looked at Cheng Chi with a smile, and said meaningfully, "I also want her to leave earlier, and your sister-in-law also wants to leave earlier, but if she leaves, what will happen to the household affairs of the eldest house? If she had someone who could help her, I would have asked her to go to the capital to take care of your eldest brother a long time ago."
※
Sisters, today's pink ticket update is extra!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)