The person who spoke had a low voice, but it was as warm as a spring breeze. Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but raise his eyelids and glance quickly at the man who was speaking.
The man had an elegant appearance. He wore a stone-blue gauze robe, a cloth belt around his waist, and his hair was tied up with a bamboo hairpin. He looked about the same age as the man in the indigo Taoist robe. Although he had a warm temperament, there was a gleam of light in his eyes.
Zhou Shaojin's heart trembled, and he quickly lowered his head to pay attention to the fire.
The man opposite her laughed out loud, "Jiu Nie guessed wrong this time! Wang Gang is probably too busy taking care of himself to keep an eye on Wan Tong!"
His tone seemed somewhat gloating, as if he was very happy that this man named Wang Gang had misfortune.
"Eh!" Bie Yun heard this and said, "There is such a thing? How come I don't know about it? Pengju, can you tell me what's going on?"
The man called "Pengju" laughed and said, "The emperor promoted Liu Yong from the Wine and Vinegar Bureau to the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department a few days ago. Wang Gang's plan has failed!"
"Is there such a thing?" Bie Yun laughed, his joy was beyond words, and said, "Isn't Wang Gang the most proud godson of the Qianqing Palace's chief eunuch Chen Li? Why didn't Chen Li stand up for him this time?"
Peng Ju smiled disapprovingly and said, "How can you expect these rootless people to know loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness? It's all because Wang Gang has been poor for a long time and suddenly became rich, and he has forgotten his status quo. No matter how much Wan Tong and Chen Li fight, they have served the emperor together in the palace. He just stretched out his hand and pulled Wan Tong down. With such a powerful method, how can Chen Li not feel that the lips and teeth are cold?"
He discussed state affairs unscrupulously.
Zhou Shaojin's heart was pounding and a glance drifted over there out of the corner of his eye.
She was wearing a purple-red robe with a square ribbed pattern of plum blossoms woven in gold on a dark green vanilla mat. Her whole body was pure white, and the jade plate with a crane holding a red fruit in its mouth was warm and moist. The crane with its wings spread out looked lifelike, flying with its head held high, as if it was about to rush out of the jade plate. The bright yellow belt wrapped around the moon-white fine gauze summer socks under her robe made her even more frightened.
Since the founding of this dynasty, there have been strict regulations on clothing, but Jiangnan has become wealthy, and since Emperor Xiaozong, the world has become increasingly extravagant. Common people often wear gold, silver and treasures, and wear silk and satin. The government does not punish them and turns a blind eye to it. This trend has become more and more serious, but no one dares to use bright yellow, the color exclusive to the royal family.
In Jinling City, only one family is qualified to use this color.
Duke Liang’s Mansion!
This person should be the eldest son of Duke Liang, Zhu Kun, Zhu Pengju.
Zhou Shaojin raised his head and looked at the man in the indigo Taoist robe.
He leaned leisurely on the big pillow, smiling and saying nothing, as if Zhu Pengju was just a neighbor next door and there was no need to pay too much attention to him.
Zhou Shaojin was at a loss.
"Bie Yun" slapped his thigh and laughed, "'You can't expect rootless people to know loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness', I love to hear this sentence, it should be widely praised!" As he said this, as if he remembered something, he looked regretful and sighed, "It's a pity that Jiu Nie can't drink, otherwise we can get drunk again."
Is it okay to say this about the eunuchs in the inner court
Zhou Shaojin looked at the man in the indigo Taoist robe again.
This time, the man in the indigo Taoist robe seemed to sense something and turned his head with a smile.
Zhou Shaojin felt a burning sensation on his face and quickly lowered his head, but he seemed to hear the Taoist robed man's chuckle in his ears.
She wanted to know whether he was laughing or not, but Jiu Nie just smiled helplessly and said, "Next time! Next time you come to Jinling, I will definitely accompany you to get drunk for three days."
This left Zhou Shaojin no time to explain, and the heat on his face lingered for a long time.
"No, no, no!" Bie Yun said repeatedly, "Don't mention that you are in mourning now. Even if you are not in mourning, the wine and food at your Gu family's banquets are always hard to swallow. I might as well go to Pengju's place to eat. Forget about anything else, just look at the little actor that Pengju keeps. His voice is as high as splitting clouds, as low as a trickle, as fast as bursting beans, and as slow as a leak... His posture and singing skills are all excellent!" He sighed and savored, "How can those hundred-year-old plum trees in your family compare to him?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhou Shaojin was surprised.
His surname is Gu, he has a century-old plum tree, he has a strict family tradition, and his name is "Jiunie". He should be the descendant of Gu Qinghong from Meihua Lane in Jinling City. Later, he was promoted to the Minister of Works and was ranked among the Nine Minor Ministers, Gu Yunhe Gu Jiunie.
He is Cheng Xu's cousin.
However, judging from Gu Jiunie's appearance, he shouldn't be the kind of person who would follow Cheng Xu in making trouble. Could there be some twists and turns in this
Zhou Shaojin looked towards the intersection.
Cheng Xu was circling under the big banyan tree at the intersection, looking like he wanted to come over but didn't dare to.
Pan Zhuo stared at this side blankly, stunned.
Zhou Shaojin was stunned and a little uneasy.
What if Cheng Xu rushes over
She shifted a little uneasily.
The man in the indigo robe suddenly asked, "Qingfeng, go ask the master, what are you doing here instead of entertaining guests in the outer courtyard?"
The little Taoist boy who was fetching water had put the bamboo tube on a stone pier at the side without knowing when, and was standing beside the man who looked like a dead bamboo with his hands hanging down. He left immediately after hearing the order.
The air condensed and then quickly dissipated.
The people present seemed not to notice Qingfeng's departure and continued talking.
Cheng Xu, who was wandering in the distance, looked over here unexpectedly after hearing the Taoist boy's message, but did nothing and obediently took Pan Zhuo away.
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at the man beside him with gratitude.
Zhou Shaojin felt even more confused.
Who is this person
The man seemed not to notice her actions, and smiled as he listened to Gu Jiunie teasing Bie Yun: "How can my sister-in-law stand your reckless temper?"
"You are wrong!" Bie Yun said proudly, shaking his head, "Of the 18 sons of the Yuan family, your sister-in-law picked only me! You said, your sister-in-law is the kind of person who can't tell the difference between a fish eye and a pearl?"
Everyone laughed again.
Yuan, Yuan Bieyun
Cheng Xu’s maternal family’s surname is Yuan!
On Cheng Xu's birthday, Yuan Weichang, the then Prime Minister, Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion and Minister of Personnel, sent his eldest son to congratulate him.
Yuan Weichang is Yuan's uncle.
Could this person be Yuan Weichang’s eldest son
Shouldn't he be in Jifutang? Why is he drinking tea here
Who was the man who rescued her
Zhou Shaojin felt as if he had fallen into a piece of cloisonné pottery and was a little at a loss as to what to do.
The water on the small red clay stove was bubbling with hot steam.
She quickly calmed down and looked after the fire carefully.
Zhu Pengju said: "Zichuan, Wan Tong is coming to guard Jinling, what are you going to do?"
Everyone's eyes fell on the man in the indigo Taoist robe.
It turns out his name is "Zichuan"!
Zhou Shaojin looked at the man beside him.
He still looked lazy, rubbing the rim of the purple clay cup with his thumb and said with a smile: "I, what do I have any idea? I'm just a businessman, so naturally I do what he says."
"Zichuan, do you find it interesting to say this?" Zhu Pengju frowned unhappily, "I came to ask you for advice, but you avoided the topic. Is this the attitude that good friends should have?" Then he complained, "I find that you have become more and more strange in recent years. You don't marry or take concubines, and you don't fly eagles or ride horses in the palace. What on earth do you want to do?"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but prick up his ears to listen.
"As for me..." Zichuan said with a smile, his voice sounding a little nonchalant, "Just do what you need to do. What do you think I can do?"
Yuan Bieyun exchanged glances with Gu Jiuni and said seriously, "Zichuan, I heard from Shiming that you were the one who lit the first incense stick at Daxiangguo Temple on the ninth day..."
Zhou Shaojin's heart skipped a beat.
Buddhism cultivates the afterlife, Taoism cultivates this life. Few people have both good fortune and happiness in this life, so many people cultivate the afterlife, and many believe in Buddhism.
But before Yuan Bieyun could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zichuan's laughter. He said sarcastically: "Don't you know? I also burned the first incense stick at Longhu Mountain this year!"
Yuan Bieyun was speechless.
Gu Jiuniu asked, "Why are there rumors that you are going to sell the Cheng family's salt permits to Du Xintong? Does Elder Ze know about this?"
Cheng Xu's nickname is "Chun Ze Jushi", and outsiders often respect him as "Ze Lao".
"You know everything, how could he not know?" Zichuan smiled, with a hint of mischief in his tone, but still said nothing.
"Zichuan." Yuan Bieyun couldn't help but stroke his forehead and said, "We are all very worried about you, otherwise I would not have rushed here from the capital. Although Mr. Ze has a great reputation, he is not willing to let me make a personal trip. If you are playing Tai Chi with us old friends, then just treat us as meddling in other people's business. You can eat and drink well in Jinling City for a few days, and then go home." By the end of his speech, his brows were furious and his face was red.
"I was wondering why you all came here so often today?" Zichuan said with a smile, "I guess you have planned this long ago. You are trying to force me to express my opinion! All right! You tell me, what do you want from me? I will do whatever you say!"
Gu Jiunie didn't say anything.
Zhu Pengju stood up suddenly and said coldly: "Zichuan, friends understand each other. You know clearly that we are not aimless, but you are making excuses. I don't have the good temper of Brother Bieyun. I can't stand it anymore. I'm leaving!"
He said he was walking, but he didn't lift his feet.
Zichuan, however, changed his attitude leisurely, pointed at the purple clay pot on the stove and reminded Zhou Shaojin: "The water has boiled three times."
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly went to pick up the kettle, but the handle burned his hand. He immediately retracted his hand and hurriedly reached for a handkerchief.
“You…” Zhu Pengju looked a little embarrassed and was about to leave.
Yuan Bieyun stood up and held Zhu Pengju, advising him: "You know Zichuan's temper. If he doesn't want to talk, he won't talk. Since we are friends, we shouldn't care about these things. Come on, sit down and have some tea!"
"According to what you said, it's still my fault!" Zhu Pengju sneered, but sat down angrily.
Zichuan pretended not to see it and slowly heated the cup, saying: "I heard that this tea grows in ghost caves and can cure epidemics. I don't know if it is true or not? However, it is true that it has a strong and long-lasting aroma and a mellow and refreshing taste with a sweet aftertaste. You try it!" As he said that, he personally picked up the kettle and poured a cup of tea.
Zhu Pengju didn't answer.
Zichuan smiled and raised the cup in his hand.
Zhu Pengju turned his head away.
Zichuan's smile gradually faded.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little stagnant.
Yuan Bieyun's brows jumped, and just as he stood up, a little Taoist boy ran over.
He bowed to Zichuan, held up a big red visiting card, and said, "Sir, Mr. Hong, the Censor of Zhejiang Province, wants to see you!"
※
Sisters, have a great weekend!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)