When they were overjoyed, the Xue Mansion was all happy and smiling, but Zhao'er was a little worried.
Without him, it's because the eldest son should be the age of his relatives. The children of various families in the capital get married early, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, and at the age of seventeen or eighteen. Confucianism pays attention to self-cultivation, balancing the family, governing the country and the world, which is commonly known as getting married first and then starting a career. Even if he is not in the capital, in Yuqing Village, Xue Yaohong's age should say kiss.
Zhao'er has always been an open-minded person, and she didn't plan to find a daughter-in-law for herself without saying hello, so she told her eldest son about it in advance.
Unexpectedly, Xue Yaohong was blocked here.
Xue Yaohong meant that the husband should set up a career first and then start a family. He planned to talk about marriage after he passed the exam.
Not only that, he also plans to go out and travel to gain knowledge.
This is not, Zhao'er is worried.
Zhao'er can't be the master of this matter, so he told Xue Tingyan about it, but Xue Tingxiang couldn't help but think more.
He hasn't forgotten that in that dream, his son was never married in his whole life, and it ended up being a broken sleeve.
Although a normal man becomes a broken sleeve, there must be many factors, but he has been thinking about this matter in his heart.
Usually, I pay more attention to my eldest son, and it is only after seeing no such signs in the past two years that I gradually calmed down. Now when it's time to get married, you don't get married, and you say you want to go out for a trip. Is this really going for a trip, or is it to avoid marriage
Xue Tingxiang deliberately took a break and called his eldest son to ask.
Facing his father, as he grew older, Xue Yaohong gained a lot of admiration and respect, but he lost a little closeness in his childhood.
It’s not that I’m not close, but that I’ve grown up, understood more things, and understood the responsibilities on my shoulders, and my mentality has changed.
"I heard from your mother that you are planning to travel?" Xue Tingxiang rubbed his brows and said.
Now that he has joined the cabinet, he has more affairs, and especially Emperor Jiacheng seems to have let go of it. He is no longer holding everything in his hands as before, and his body does not allow it. Government affairs inevitably fall on the cabinet. He said it was Xiu Mu today, but he left everything behind before taking the time.
Xue Yaohong was not surprised that his father would ask himself that, and nodded: "My son has such a plan."
"Why do you suddenly have this idea?"
Xue Yaohong glanced at his father who was sitting behind the desk, and saw that he was dressed in Tsing Yi, his face was clear, and his whole body was filled with a refined and calm temperament.
This is his father, the minister of households in Dachang, the youngest minister of the cabinet, and the minister of the arm and stock in His Majesty's mind.
Xue Yaohong worshipped Xue Tingxiang, but every time this kind of worship increased, he would feel more ashamed in his heart.
"Why don't you speak?"
"Dad, I..."
Xue Tingxiang came out from behind the desk and sat down on the armchair next to him. He pointed to the seat beside him and said, "Come here, sit here."
Xue Yaohong came over and sat down.
"Is there anything else we can't say between our father and son? Is it because Dad has been busy all these years, and the little dog is no longer close to Dad?"
Hearing this 'dog boy', Xue Yaohong's pale face showed a look of embarrassment.
He was ignorant when he was young, and he remembered it early, and he had not forgotten that when he was a child, he always called himself a puppy and a puppy. At that time, it was probably his happiest time. Dad's official position was not high, and he had not yet shouldered the heavy burden of the imperial court. He would always use a small backpack to play around with him and his mother.
Rumorous feelings suddenly rose, and Xue Yaohong also thought that his family's situation was different from others. His parents had always been tolerant and acquiescent to him, never interfering in his life, and never even asked him to do what he had to do.
"My son feels that his thinking is shallow and he has too little knowledge. I am the eldest son in the family, but when my father is away, as the eldest son, I do not take up the burden of the family. When a crisis occurs, my mother has to come forward to deal with it. My son is sixteen this year. When my father was sixteen, he was already a great man. If he was only trapped in the world at home, hiding under the wings of his parents, the son would feel that he would not be able to grow up in his life..."
In fact, there are many more, Xue Yaohong did not say.
During the period when Emperor Jiacheng lived in the Xue Mansion, maybe Ning Ning and Brother Tai were not aware of the crisis at home, but Xue Yaohong, the eldest son, knew it well.
He really wanted to help his mother and take that responsibility, but it wasn't until then that he realized that he was helpless and could only watch her mother do everything she could for the safety of the whole family.
In particular, Xue Yaohong was born when Xue Tingxiang was not prosperous. He almost saw with his own eyes that his father had worked hard all the way to the top, and now he is more than 30 years old and has become the auxiliary minister of the cabinet.
Although he couldn't understand the difficulties and obstacles during the period, he could only feel it from the time his mother disappeared for a year.
He would always hold himself subconsciously, and when he compared with his father at his age, the result of the comparison was that he was ashamed. Coupled with the failure of the previous township examination, and many things happened immediately, he had the idea of going out to travel.
It's just that it was a troubled time at home, and he never dared to mention it. Seeing that everything was on the right track, this idea came to his mind again.
Following Xue Yaohong's remarks, Xue Tingxiang just listened silently.
After he finished speaking, he raised his eyes to look at the handsome and gentle boy beside him, but he couldn't hide his youth.
The boy's face was immature, just like him back then.
This is his son!
Everyone experiences it in order to grow. Just like him, it is not because of that dream that he has experienced a lifetime more than others, so he will be able to handle it in this life.
There are no shortcuts in life, and Xue Tingxiang is not the one who always protects his children under his wings for the rest of his life. When your child grows up, you should let him fly.
As for whether the result is good or bad, you have to experience it to know, right
He suddenly felt that his previous worries were ridiculous. It was obvious that the reality had already fallen out of the track in the dream. Why should he worry about whether his son would become a broken sleeve again.
Whether it will or not is his life.
"If you want to go, then go. It's better to travel thousands of miles than reading thousands of books. Just go out and think about your parents, siblings, and siblings. Even if you don't do it, you don't need to be discouraged. Everyone's existence has its necessary meaning. He has his rightful place, as long as he is happy, why should he care a lot." He patted his son's shoulder with a slight sigh.
Obviously, Xue Yaohong will not understand these words temporarily, maybe he will understand in the future, but that will be in the future.
…
Xue Yaohong didn't stay at home for too long, and soon packed his bags and set off on the road.
Ning Ning has always been close to the eldest brother, knowing that the eldest brother is going to go away, she has been crying for several days.
Sending off his son, looking at the carriage that was gradually receding, even the always strong man couldn't help but red-eyed.
"You really let him go." Zhao'er choked, tears finally falling.
Xue Tingxiang wrapped her shoulders around her, and put the other arm around her waist, comforting: "Okay, the children and grandchildren will have their own children and grandchildren, so it's not that they won't come back."
"But I still can't bear it. You said that he was pampered when he was a child, so he could endure hardship when he went out like this? You said that he has a father like you, and a mother like me, and he has money and power. What are you letting him go out to travel for! "
"There are people who are not as good as me. He has his own path. Do you have the heart to interfere?"
Zhao'er snorted and said, "I don't want to talk to you!" After speaking, she turned her head away in anger.
Of course, this anger will not last long. Don't look at Zhao'er's mouth, she is actually quite proud in her heart. She felt very comforted that her son could have such thoughts after seeing more of those playful children in Beijing.
It's just that parents will inevitably think a lot, and there is no such thing as a saying - a loving mother's hand thread, a wandering child's shirt, and the tight seam before leaving, the intention is to return late.
Zhao'er thought that the eldest son would travel for a year and a half at most. Who would have thought that Xue Yaohong would only return after a few years, and there are other adventures, of course, that's a story later.
It's New Year's Eve again.
Every Shangyuan Festival is the busiest time in the capital, but Xue Tingxiang's family has never visited the lamp market.
Without him, I was busy and had no time at first. In the past few years, there will be a palace banquet in the Shangyuan Festival every year. Not only Xue Tingyan, but also his family members have to enter the palace to attend the banquet.
Finally, there is no banquet in the palace this time. Zhao'er and Xue Tingxiang discussed in advance to take the two children to the lamp market.
I just made a decision here, but the other side in the palace changed its mind again, but Emperor Jiacheng ordered not to hold a banquet in the palace, but to have fun with the people.
Because of this sentence, the Ministry of Housing began to get busy again. This time, Xue Tingxiang took the lead in the Ministry of Rites, and finally someone shared the burden.
On that day, from Qipan Street to Zhengyangmen Street, lighthouses and lighthouses began to be erected early.
In addition to the purchase of the imperial court, it is natural that various families and prefectures have fun.
It is rare that His Majesty is interested in going out to the palace to appreciate the lanterns. If his own lanterns have attracted the attention of the Holy One, it will be a good time to gain face. Even the Xue family also set up a lantern, and purchased many lanterns, not asking for a bright day, but only seeking moderation.
In addition to the lanterns of various houses, the most eye-catching is the high lantern on Aoshan facing the palace gate.
This matter was set up by the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Households only needed to pay out the money. Anyway, the Dachang treasury has been abundant in recent years, and it is rare to celebrate the festival, so I don't care about it.
Before it was dark, the Aoshan high lamp was lit.
If someone looks at it from a high place, the most conspicuous thing in the inner city is this giant lantern.
The giant lantern is in the shape of a mountain as a whole, and its bottom is decorated with various lanterns. A huge five-clawed golden dragon hovers above it, symbolizing the majesty of imperial power.
As the sky gradually darkened, the lanterns in the various prefectures also lit up.
It is better to say that it is a lantern shed, and it is better to say that it is decorated with various lanterns. There are various lanterns hanging in front of the shed, all of which are proud of the various governments.
The Xue family came all dressed up.
Because the Xue family's lantern shed is the Lin family and the Chen family, they are both acquaintances. After arriving, Xue Tingxiang went into the palace to welcome the holy car, and Zhao'er did not worry that no one would speak.
They are all mothers, and naturally they are all about children's classics.
"By the way, Sister Zhao'er, have you shown Ning Ning someone else? But do you have a favorite candidate?"
Hearing this, Zhao'er was stunned for a moment before realizing what Xu Shi was saying. She glanced embarrassedly at her daughter who was talking to Chen Ruyue not far away.
This is the difference between a daughter from another family and a daughter from your own. I couldn't see it when I was a child, but as the two children grew up, Ruyue followed the Xu family, she was demure and gentle, but Ningning followed... Anyway, she was not like her, she was lively and active like a tomboy.
It's not that Ning Ning is not good, she is bright and pure, but such a girl is obviously different from other girls in Beijing. Seeing that he is thirteen, but he doesn't look like a big girl, but still looks like a child.
For this matter, Zhao'er has no headaches, but her daughter is protected by her father. Everyone's father has said that my daughter, Xue Tingxiang, wants to do the same as everyone else, and Zhao'er is also reluctant to discipline her, so this is the only way.
I thought that in two years, it would be better when my daughter was older, but she was obviously not suitable for talking about marriage, so Zhao'er never forgot her thoughts.
"This can't be done. Sister Zhao'er, are you in a hurry? Ning Ning is thirteen this year. It will take a year and a half to get married, and when it is decided, you will have to prepare a dowry. You are already fifteen or sixteen. Which of the families in Beijing didn't start kissing when their daughter was thirteen years old?"
This principle is tricky, but—
"Look at my Ningning, who is like a child. Her father said there is no hurry, so don't hurry."
Seeing this, Mrs. Xu didn't want to say more. She could only talk to Zhao'er about the families she showed Chen Ruyue, from family background, to character and morals, to family style, in-laws' character, and even the relationship between concubines and concubines. All are considered.
Hearing that, Zhao'er was very ashamed, and felt that she was really not qualified to be a mother.
As time passed, the night came unexpectedly.
The lantern festival outside was even more lively.
I have to say that the people from the Ministry of Rites still have a lot of skills. Not only have they hired a lot of juggling teams, they have everything from fire-swallowing, sword-swallowing, juggling, and dragon-dance lanterns. There are also many stalls selling snacks and lanterns.
I really don't know where they got it from.
All in all, this lantern festival is very lively, and it is no different from the lantern market in Liulichang and Dengshikou. The only difference is that the people who appreciate the lanterns have changed from ordinary people to dignitaries.
At first each family was confined, but because they all brought their children, the children were noisy, and gradually they could not help letting go a lot. Zhao'er didn't know if the holy car was here, but Xue Tingxiang, who went to the palace to welcome the holy car, never came back.
The Chen family's younger brother Chong has been arguing about going to see the lanterns. He is only six years old this year and is the only son of Chen Jian and the Xu family. Ning Ning also said to go out to play, Zhao Er saw that there were already many people outside, so he discussed with Xu Shi to go out for a walk.
Mrs. Xu has a demure temperament, and she was a little afraid to show her face, but the Ministry of Rites distributed some masks to each lamp shed, which saved this scruple.
Seeing her mother nodded and agreed, Ning Ning hurriedly called someone to fetch the mask.
These masks look weird, and some have horns on their heads, which looks a little scary at first glance.
"The Ministry of Rites has done all this. Wearing a mask like this at night doesn't have to scare people." Zhao'er said, holding a brown-black mask with two horns on its head.
This Xu Shi knew a little bit, so he explained it to Zhao'er.
It turns out that wearing a mask on the lanterns during the Shangyuan Festival is an ancient custom handed down many years ago, originating from the Nuo culture in ancient times. And 'nuo' has the meaning of being sheltered from danger and frightening away evil spirits, so these masks are so scary, just to scare away such unlucky things as epidemics and evil spirits.
It is estimated that the Ministry of Rites made this set for the occasion. In addition, those who came to participate in the Royal Lantern Festival this time were all honored relatives of your country, princes, ministers, and many girls. With masks, they could avoid taboos for each other.
"So it is."
Seeing this, Zhao'er was also intrigued, and divided the masks, one for each person, and even a small one for Brother Chong.
The group of people put on their masks and left the lighthouse, not entering the crowd.
"The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Household did a good job this time."
In the light market, there is a group of people who are not the same as the others.
Several tall men surrounded an old man who was sitting on a wheelchair. Because they were all wearing masks and casual clothes, they couldn't tell what his appearance was or what his identity was.
However, it is not difficult to guess the identities of the other people who can appear at this lantern festival and are in a wheelchair.
However, His Majesty and the lightly dressed Jianxing clearly did not want people to recognize them. Even if they saw this pedestrian and guessed their identity, no one would take the initiative to tell them.
Even in order not to spoil His Majesty's interest, everyone he met pretended to be nonchalant. It has to be said that anyone who can be an official must have an exquisite heart, otherwise they will not be able to get along.
"The Ministry of Household does not dare to take credit, most of it is the credit of the Ministry of Rites." The man in Tsing Yi who was standing on the right side of the wheelchair said.
It was Xue Tingxiang.
"Master Xue also came up with a lot of good ideas." It was King Lu who spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Rites.
In fact, this lantern festival is said to be organized by the Ministry of Rites, but it is actually managed by King Lu. King Lu is Mo Jia, but now he is no longer called Mo Jia, but changed his surname Qi.
"His Royal Highness King Lu is humble."
"Okay, both of you have merit." Emperor Jiacheng said with a smile, watching the rare excitement through the mask.
How long has it been since he saw this kind of excitement? Although there are a lot of people in the palace, they are all stuck in what they say and do. As an emperor, it must be extremely cold at a high place, but after a long time, I will miss this firework atmosphere.
"Selling Yuanxiao, with thin skin and lots of stuffing, big and round Yuanxiao!" "Fried crispy fruit, fragrant, crispy and crisp!" "Wonton! Wonton!"
There are the most people in the stalls selling snacks, and they can't see their faces anyway. These dignitaries are also willing to spend a dollar or two to buy snacks and experience the feelings of the people.
Not far away, there was a man eating Yuanxiao.
It may be a little hot, so hot that he blows again and again and feeds it directly into his mouth.
Emperor Jiacheng looked there with relish.
The fourth prince finally found a chance to speak, and hurriedly said: "Is the father of the emperor someone to buy a bowl? My son seems to be quite good to see that Lantern Festival."
Hearing this, Li Shun, who was beside him, couldn't bear it any longer, and hurriedly persuaded: "Your Majesty, this thing outside the palace..."
Although the rest of the words are not finished, they understand the meaning.
If something happens, today's festive festival will turn into a tragedy. It is estimated that one person at this lantern festival counts as one.
The fourth prince also realized that he had made a slip of the tongue and did not speak again.
Although Emperor Jiacheng thought for a while, he held back, and the group walked forward again. But with what happened before, it was still a disappointment.
After walking around for a while, Emperor Jiacheng got tired of it and said, "I am tired, so I will go back to the palace."
"My son will send the father back to the palace." King Lu and the fourth prince said almost in unison.
Emperor Jiacheng waved his hand: "What else are you giving away, let's go shopping, don't let me disturb your interest. It's not that there will be any fireworks later. When I get old, I won't join in the fun, you guys keep watching."
After saying that, he let Li Shun push him away, and Wei Yunjie and others immediately protected him. In fact, there are people in Jin Yiwei secretly, but they can't see it from the surface.
After Emperor Jiacheng left, only Xue Tingxiang, King Lu and the Fourth Prince were left.
The fourth prince glanced at King Lu, then turned his head and left.
Leaving Xue Tingxiang and King Lu behind, the two men looked at each other through masks and parted ways.
Xue Tingxiang returned to his lighthouse.
Neither Zhao'er nor the children were there, and no one was seen from the Chen family. Hearing that the servants who stayed behind said they were all going to the light market, he turned around and left the light shed.
There is a hustle and bustle outside, and there are dragon lanterns, stilts and lion dances not far away, beating gongs and drums, which is extremely lively.
Other than that, the dragon lantern danced quite strangely and spectacularly.
The dragon lantern has a dragon head, and the body is divided into different sections. There are candles in each section, and there are sticks under the lamp for support. During the dance, one person plays the dragon with colorful beads, and the dragon head rotates with the beads. After that, several people each hold a dragon body and dance with it. They are accompanied by gongs and drums.
There were many people standing around, men and women, old and young, all wearing masks, making it difficult to tell the difference.
Xue Tingxiang remembered that Zhao'er was wearing pink clothes today, as well as the clothes of several children. As long as you find the clothes, you will naturally find someone.
He looked around the field, there was no Zhao'er and others, so he looked for it in another location.
Xue Tingxiang didn't know that someone behind him also went to the Xue's lamp shed. When he learned that they had gone to the lamp market, they didn't enter the crowd.
…
Ning Ning laughed and frolicked with Chen Ruyue.
The two girls were both thirteen and fourteen years old, and they were in the age of cardamom. Even if they covered their faces, they were as beautiful as a painting.
"Eldest sister, I think there is some delicious food in front of you, let's go buy it!" the short man shouted to his brother.
With that said, the person burrowed into the crowd and disappeared.
"Oops, what are you doing so fast to run for brother?"
The two girls followed one after the other, and Zhao'er shouted from behind: "Be careful of bumping into people, this child is really."
Xu Shi said urgently, "Follow up, don't run away."
"I can't lose it, how could this place be lost." Zhao'er said with a smile.
Only then did Xu Shi realize that this was a lantern festival organized by the royal family. If the child could be lost here, there would be no safe place in the world.
"Let's look for it."
Saying that, Xu Shi chased after him. Zhao'er looked around and saw a masked boy squatting in front of a stall selling lanterns not far away. He hurriedly told him not to run around, and followed.
Zhao'er didn't have much time to turn around, and Xu Shi disappeared, so she could only look around while walking. But the lights were bright and the voices were full of people, which also dazzled her eyes. When she looked up, there was a colorful light everywhere.
Zhao'er was walking when suddenly someone tapped her shoulder from behind.
She turned to look and saw him standing behind her.
"How did you find it? Your Majesty? Look at your ugly mask!" She naturally stepped forward and grabbed his big palm.
"Your Majesty has returned to the palace."
"Your eyesight is so good, you can recognize me when I wear a mask."
Xue Tingxiang chuckled: "You didn't recognize me either."
Zhao'er laughed at first, and then said: "You are an old man and an old wife, can I admit that you are wrong? I chose your clothes before going out. By the way, quickly help find Ning Ning, that girl doesn't know where to go. already."
…
King Lu saw a tall, tall woman in pink clothes walking not far ahead.
How to look like her.
The corners of his lips curled slightly, and he stepped forward and said, "Why are you here?"
The other party did not speak.
"Scared stupid? Can you still be scared?"
At this time, the other party made a move, took off the mask and hesitated: "Who are you?"
is an unfamiliar face.
It looks good, but King Lu immediately lost his mood.
He frowned slightly, and was about to leave when a hand suddenly stretched out beside him, it was a little girl.
He was not tall, slender and slender, and the little hand holding his sleeve was white and tender.
"Uncle, why are you here?"
Just by listening to the voice, King Lu knew who it was.
He was about to say something when he saw the little girl waving not far away and shouting, "Father, mother, I'm here."
King Lu looked over and saw a man and a woman standing side by side, looking back.
…
At this moment, a few sounds of '咻-bang' were suddenly heard, and the sky not far away suddenly lit up.
Large tracts of fireworks exploded in the air, some like fireballs, some like silver snakes, and some like blooming flowers, very beautiful. There are also large fireworks pouring down from the sky, forming silver and golden waterfalls, which are breathtaking.
Under the fireworks, the men and women standing next to each other are suffocatingly beautiful.
King Lu looked into the distance, feeling a little numb in his heart.
A step too late, after all, a step too late.
"Uncle, what are you looking at?"
"nothing."
There were bangs, bangs, bangs, and there were exclamations everywhere, all looking up at the beautiful starry sky and the dazzling fireworks.
That's it, it really doesn't seem to matter.