The river is long, and when the waves on the canal are rippling, the summer insects are chirping on both sides of the river, and the yellow-green fireflies are like the fog floating on both sides of the river. aggregated.
The painting boat stopped on the bank of the river. The lights on the bow of the boat were all bright, but it was not bright, but it also surrounded a small world between the river channels. This is the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er took all the way south. There were not many people left on the boat at this time, because Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a group of maids, and stewards had already been invited to go. Went to another boat for dinner.
In the evening, the two boats met, and the talented man on the opposite side spoke enthusiastically. The protagonist in the eyes of everyone was Lin Tingzhi, who had not attracted much attention after getting on the boat. After greeting, the other side invited everyone on the boat to hang out in Jiaxing for a few days.
Lou Shuwan's goods are waiting for delivery, it is impossible to hang around, but for some reason, Lou Shuwan also suggested that she can stay here for one night. The reason is that the invitation over there is not unreliable. They are riding the painting boat of Fangqingyuan today. Although Fangqingyuan is a brothel, the dishes cooked by the chef, especially the whole fish feast, are regarded as a must in Jiaxing. , so he invited everyone to go to the boat to eat fish.
Ning Yi and Su Taner originally came for fun. Jiaxing is not far from Hangzhou, and the two places are closely connected. Lou Shuwan can be regarded as half a landlord here. Since she said it, she naturally agreed to the promise and called Wen Ding Wenfang, the account manager and others to eat together. There were not many people left on the boat here. The boss of the boat, family members of each family, and several servants Naturally, I can't get on the table during these gatherings, so I stay here, eat something casually, and chat and enjoy the coolness around the boat.
When the adults went to the banquet, a few children were naturally left behind, and they couldn't help but ask about the whereabouts of the adults, especially the uncle of the owner who likes to tell stories. The accountant and the steward's wife was fine, and she probably explained that she was invited by some very powerful people.
Recalling the battle just now, there are talents and scholars on the boat over there, and the introductions are all of great background, and maybe there is a master scholar who is a master. In the eyes of these merchant women, it is naturally very powerful. , and can't help but take it out to teach children to make progress if they have the opportunity. They used to be in the Su family. Although they knew that the uncle of the Dong family was also a powerful person, they naturally couldn't compare with these orthodox scholars.
Regarding matters on Jiaxing's side, the people from Jiangning had no idea, and they didn't know how much status those scholars had, but it seemed that the battle was not bad. There were a few guys on the boat who followed Lou Shuwan all the way. I knew a little bit about it. When talking about it at the stern, I asked how Wen Duqing's poetry and prose were, and how famous Du Ruohan was in Jiaxing and Hangzhou, and I couldn't help but talk about his own lady. , and the matter of Lin Tingzhi, they used to disapprove of Lin Tingzhi, but at this time, everyone realized that this person was also a great talent. There was Su guy named Dong Zhu who listened to it and didn't take it seriously.
"So what? Our master's uncle is not comparable to these people. No one in Jiangning knows his name. Even if an official as big as the prime minister invited him to Beijing recently, he didn't even go."
"Liar."
"Master Prime Minister?"
"Uh, anyway, it's a high-ranking official about the same age as the prime minister."
Dongzhu said these things are actually a bit incomprehensible. He listened to Chan'erjuan'er and these maids mutter a few words a few days ago, saying that it was the prime minister or some other high-ranking official who invited the uncle to Beijing, but he didn't go. It is also difficult for him to imagine such a high-ranking official as a prime minister. At this time, when others ask carefully, he has no confidence, but his mouth is self-assured.
In fact, Chan'er and Juan'er are not very clear about these matters. How can it be explained in the discussion? Qin Siyuan is only going to Beijing at this time, and his official position is undecided. Ning Yi only mentioned it, and only gave a general idea. Although Chan'er Juan'er knew about most things about the position of the relatives, it was difficult for the girls of the merchants to figure out these things after all.
Lou Shuwan's husband is also the uncle who is in the marriage, and several of the guys can see it clearly on weekdays. After getting on the boat, seeing that the situation on both sides is similar, they naturally have some concerns about Ning Yi's position. The shock, but after all, it is hard to believe in my heart. You talked for a while, and I only knew that Dongzhu, who was very powerful in his uncle, said a few specific cases, but he was not convincing enough. Others were inspired, and he also talked about the things they heard about the uncle of the Su family in the past. Come.
Although the words and phrases mixed in the mouths of the women and children could not be as powerful as Ning Yi's words of "being a high-ranking official", they finally drew a simple and powerful outline.
On a summer night, the lights in the distance reflect the outline of Jiaxing City, and there are occasional pedestrians, carriages and horses passing by on the post road in the woods, and the lights weave a simple path. The people on the boat were also killing time in this chat. When the child asked how long it would take for the adults who had left to return, the women and children said it for sure. Most of these gatherings can only be dispersed until late at night. However, not long after these words were spoken, several lanterns came from the distant post road, and the lights lit up among the willows by the river bank. The people who were coming here were vaguely Ning Yi and Su Tan'er. In front of them, Xing'er carried the lantern, Chan'er took the fan, and occasionally ran a few steps along the river bank to drive away the flying fireflies, and then there was a faint sound of laughter.
After eating, Ning Yi and others walked all the way back. After boarding the boat, there was a lot of excitement. Juaner and others even brought some packaged dishes and brought them on the boat to give everyone a taste.
"The taste of fish is really good. It's different from Jiangning's. I'll get some food later. You can taste it."
It was only Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, three maids, the accountant, and the shopkeeper who came back. Su Wending and Su Wenfang stayed on the painting boat over there. They always liked these literary gatherings. Ning Yi and Su Tan'er also let them go. Sit there for a while, because Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi were staying there at the same time. To be honest, when Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and others packed up and left after eating, Lou Shuwan's expression was quite unexpected.
In fact, this time I was invited over, although it was said to be entertaining my former friend for a drink and dinner, but everyone was seated, and it was true that there was some drunkard's intention not to taste the wine. In the eyes of those geniuses in Jiangnan, Lin Tingzhi is notoriously romantic. Although his poetic talents are also quite good, he is even more romantic. After all, they didn't know much about Lou Shuwan, but Lin Tingzhi made an introduction and the insider's hesitant, and everyone understood the background of this woman to some extent.
The husband-in-law with a strong personality, a married man, a wealthy and beautiful family, maybe Lin Tingzhi has become her guest of honor, and the Su Tan'er from other places has the same background. In short, to her husband, It shouldn't matter too much. The Suzhou-Hangzhou area is also a place of romance. It is not that these people have deliberately dirty thoughts in their hearts. It is only romantic to communicate between men and women under the framework of Bagu philosophy. Teaser was originally part of romance. Since the other party is a business woman, she doesn't need to be too concerned, so she invited Lin Tingzhi as an excuse to gather everyone together. The rules are actually ordinary and polite guests.
Of course, if the invitee really moved some thoughts, and then you love me, then naturally you have to admire this person's means, and in the eyes of everyone, there will be another romantic anecdote that can be written and discussed.
They invited guests to a banquet in the painting boat of the brothel, which was a bit of a slap in the face, but firstly, it was mainly Lin Tingzhi, and secondly, the banquet here was really good. Su Tan'er was already a married woman, so she could have refused to go, but since Lou Shuwan opened her mouth, Ning Yi didn't want to worry too much about spoiling the fun. He probably saw the situation clearly, so he happily ate a banquet. After eating, he got up and said goodbye before the talented Shixing made a big hair, and packed a bag by the way.
Lou Shuwan was a little surprised. She invited Ning Yi and Su Tan'er to come over this time, but her mind was actually quite complicated. First, she wanted to show the Lou family's extensive contacts. Second, she felt that she had the same experience with Su Tan'er, but she It is impossible to say things directly with Lin Tingzhi. This time, Lin Tingzhi was in the limelight, and she wanted Su Taner to see the literary style of Lin Tingzhi and these scholars. In her opinion, Su Taner married an unreliable scholar, and she was very fond of these well-known literary and elegant people. Even if she doesn't say it, she will definitely yearn for it. As long as she has some yearning, if she knows about her in the future, she will first be envious and eager to move, and it is impossible to look down on her.
She persuaded a few words, but Su Tan'er also took a simple negotiating attitude at this time, and softly refused in a few words. Lou Shuwan originally wanted to go back, but seeing Ning Yi and Su Tan'er walking away so freely, if she followed, she would seem a little lonely.
In her heart, she thought that maybe Tan'er also wanted to stay, but since the husband-in-law was here, she was used to controlling the proportions - in fact, she also had the same thoughts a few years ago, wanting to maintain a decent situation with her husband-in-law, He was simple and simple, and he lived like this for a lifetime. Later, he despised all kinds of wasteful behaviors of his husband, and his heart gradually became tired. At this time, he said that several of those people had an old relationship with the Lou family. She stayed, and Su Wending and Su Wenfang also stayed, but it made her feel a little bit of face.
Here, Ning Yi, Su Tan'er and the others returned to the boat, so they lit the lights on the bow, put on the table and chairs to talk and enjoy the cool, here is still a long way from Jiaxing, but Ning Yi doesn't plan to go to the busy city of Jiaxing. , ordered to let the accountant, the steward, and others take care of themselves. If you want to take your family to play, you can go there. Sitting on the bow of the boat with Su Tan'er, waiting for Xiaochan and the others to hold melons and fruits, and watching the fireflies flying, it is quite like being in the countryside of my hometown when I was a child, but there are many mosquitoes, and I took a pot and ordered wormwood after a while. Waiting for things to repel mosquitoes, a few people sat there with fans.
"Will it be boring? Do you want to go to the market?"
Ning Yi turned her head to ask, Su Tan'er also smiled and shook her head: "No." The three maids sat side by side on the bow to watch the fireflies fly, Juan'er turned back and said, "The scenery here is very good."
After a while, Su Tan'er said softly: "Silver candles are cold in the autumn light on the screen, Qingluo's small fan flutters on the firefly, the sky is as cool as water at night, lying down and watching the Altair and Vega. It's a bit similar." In fact, this poem is about the Qixi Festival. At this time, it was only the beginning of summer at the end of April, so it couldn't be said to be strictly appropriate, but since one or two sentences were appropriate, Ning Yi nodded happily. Su Taner used to like poetry, but she also likes to read Nian Nian when she has nothing to do, but since she learned that her husband is a "great talent", she has not read much. Probably the mystery and sublime of poetry has been slightly lowered in her heart. drop.
In the distance, you can see the lights of some painting boats, and after a while, there is also a cargo ship stirring up the waves and heading north along the night. Su Tan'er probably remembered the painting boat that Lou Shuwan and others were talking about. After thinking about it, she laughed softly: "Actually, Lou Shuwan looks down on her husband."
Ning Yi smiled noncommittally: "Her husband is also married."
"I'm afraid it's not getting along well."
"As we get along so well, I'm afraid there won't be many."
Ning Yi's words were a bit arrogant, but Su Tan'er only felt that it was true, and smiled: "Probably because Xianggong is a weird person, even... ordinary couples, I'm afraid it's hard to have this kind of thing." She thought for a while, He added, "If you want to get your business done in Hangzhou, Lou's family is always a help, so..."
"You care about this, and I'm afraid you won't be able to do business well in the future."
"I do care a little bit, but... Thinking about how they would feel if they really knew the identity of the husband, I would... heh, concubine, I have a bit of a bad heart. And those talented people..." She waved He waved the fan in his hand and walked away from the smoke in front of him, stretched out his hand and stroked his hair and temples, "I find it strange, the poems of the husband are clearly passed on from Suhang, why can't those people react after the introduction?"
Ning Yi laughed: "There are too few poems, and besides... After such a distance, the dissemination of news is not well developed. They may have heard the name Ning Liheng one day. As for his family background, he has several wives, concubines, family members, brothers and sisters. How does he look, whether he is a lame person, and who knows, there is something to talk about, and maybe it is also said that Ning Liheng is eight feet tall and his waist is eight feet... In short, it is hard to say what Ning Liheng in their hearts is like. The last time the students from the capital went to Jiangning, there were also rumors that I was wandering around the brothel, picking flowers everywhere and showing mercy, or that I was in my forties or fifty years old, stable and dignified. In their hearts, it seems that such images are more credible."
"Oh, it's that childhood sweetheart Miss Li." Su Tan'er joked, then she covered her chin with a fan and corrected, "Oh, it's Miss Wang."
"You remember clearly."
"Since she and Xianggong are your childhood sweethearts, if you really like Xianggong as the outside world says, if you have the opportunity to enter my house. As a sister, I naturally have to remember her surname."
"Really virtuous..."
Ning Yi murmured, and the two then chatted about the smell of the fish on the painting boat. Su Taner was actually a little bit stubborn in private for those people who didn't know their husband's name and looked like a son of heaven. Yu Huai, Lou Shuwan didn't know either, and Lin Tingzhi didn't know either—perhaps it wasn't that he didn't know, but he didn't expect or dared to think about it. While they were talking, someone else got on the boat talking and laughing, but it was Su Wending and Su Wenfang who had already returned. The two of them didn't know what happened, and they laughed extremely happily. head.
"Why are you so happy?" Su Tan'er glanced at them and then looked behind them, "Where are Shu Wan and the others?"
Ning Yi smiled and said, "You must have written a good poem and killed the Quartet. This is not good. When you come to Jiaxing, you will make a lot of poetry. This is a mess."
The two shook their hands desperately and laughed happily: "No, I didn't write a poem, the woman from the Lou family is still behind her concubine, but it is estimated that they will be back soon."
"Don't talk like that!" Su Tan'er glared at them, Su Wending stuck out her tongue and put her hand to cover her mouth, but she was still laughing, Su Wenfang smiled, "We didn't write poetry, we didn't have time, but they did a few. Later, after discussing things together, they ran over to ask us again, and then they knew the real identity of the brother-in-law. You didn't see their embarrassed appearance, that girl Qinger... Haha, anyway, our poetry is not good, just In order to explain the identity of my brother-in-law there, after the explanation, we said goodbye and left, hehe, I wonder if they will chase after you and challenge your brother-in-law, anyway, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi should be soon..."
Su Wending and Su Wenfang kept laughing, but Ning Yi laughed angrily after hearing this, but Su Tan'er caught her interest and blinked: "What's the matter? Come and listen..." On the other side, Chan'er Juan'er Xing The three maids also listened carefully, and leaned over with interest at this time, and even brought a chair for Su Wenfang so that they could sit down and talk comfortably.
Fluorescent light danced, and the night became darker. Soon after, Lou Shuwan, Lin Tingzhi and others rushed back...