Wu Mansion.
"Mother, please spare us!"
When the Seventeenth Mother walked to the front hall, she saw a maid kneeling in front of a woman in her twenties crying.
The woman's face was ashen.
Seeing this, Seventeenth Mother was about to retreat, but she heard the woman say: "Seventeenth, come here!"
After hearing this, the Seventeenth Mother followed the words and walked up to the woman and said, "Why did the elder sister-in-law call me?"
"Seventeen, how should you punish this maid?"
"Sister-in-law, speak slowly."
Mrs. Fan shed tears and said: "In the past, your brother would only study in the study for half an hour before going back to his room to rest, but last night he didn't go back for two hours. I also said that he has made progress, but I wouldn't know if I just asked..."
"If it weren't for the flaw in your brother's words, I wouldn't have known that she actually seduced your brother into doing that shameless thing while he was studying in the study."
The Seventeenth Mother looked over and saw that although the maid's face had been slapped, she was still pretty.
"Please, Mistress, have mercy on me, please Mistress, please have mercy! Don't beat this slave to death, give me a way to live, I will be grateful in the next life and the next life."
The Seventeenth Mother said: "Sister-in-law, if we beat this maid to death, no wonder my brother will blame us in his heart, and outsiders will also say that we are mean."
Mrs. Fan nodded and said, "Sister Seventeen said, give her twenty lashes and then drive me out of the house."
Upon hearing this, the slave girl felt as if she had received a general amnesty, and kowtowed: "Thank you, Madam, and thank you, Madam Seventeenth."
After this slave leaves.
The Seventeenth Mother held Mrs. Fan's hand and said, "The eldest sister-in-law is kind-hearted. I remember that something like this happened at the second sister-in-law's house. She beat the maid half to death and then drove her out of the house."
Fan said: "Second sister-in-law comes from the Wang family in Linchuan. His father is famous for being merciless. Her temperament is a third of his father's. What's more, his father is close friends with our father, so he has the confidence to do so."
The Seventeenth Mother said: "To be honest, it is the two brothers who are not to blame. Otherwise, why would the sisters-in-law use the maid to establish the family law?"
Mrs. Fan said: "Your second sister-in-law and I just turn a blind eye. If we are pushed too hard, my mother-in-law will say that I am intolerant, stingy and jealous, or your brother has raised an illegitimate wife, it will be embarrassing." ."
"Seventeen, let me tell you, you are honest and can't tolerate a grain of salt in your eyes. Even if your husband's temper is so fierce, your husband's family will suffer. You see, the second sister is just like you. She also has outstanding appearance and has read poetry since she was a child. Shu, how powerful his temper was before he left the cabinet."
The seventeenth mother said: "How can I compare with my second sister? No matter what, I am inferior. I just live in peace at home."
Mrs. Fan smiled and said: "You don't have to be humble and frustrated with me. Your second sister has been married to the Lu family in Donglai for more than a year. Her mother-in-law is also from a famous family, but she didn't expect to be so cunning. The second sister During the day, I forced a smile on my face, but wrote several letters to complain. Previously in Beijing, I saw my mother-in-law holding a letter from my second sister and crying while reading it. Your second sister was born as a legitimate daughter and you are like this..."
The Seventeenth Mother said: "I also understand the kindness of the eldest sister-in-law. The official family's house looks full of flowers outside, but it also has its shortcomings. However, many Jinshi children from humble backgrounds are dissolute and righteous. It still depends on it. People!"
The two of them were chatting with each other, when they saw Wu Anshi walking towards them.
The Seventeenth Mother saw this and asked, "Brother, dressed like this, you are going out again?"
Wu Anshi smiled and said: "We have guests at home, and we have to return the books to the library. Sister Qi, you should spend more time with your sister-in-law and take some time to relax. Yes, Madam Zhang's wife is coming to our house in a few days. Madam will entertain us. Fan."
Mrs. Fan said angrily: "Which Zhang family lady?"
Wu Anshi said: "He is the Yang family of this county. His husband used to be an official in Suzhou, and now he has been promoted to a doctor in the Ministry of War. His Yang family and his second uncle's family are related by marriage, but they are not very close to us. This time he came to visit us as well." I’m going home to visit my relatives during the Chinese New Year, so I stopped by to pay a visit, it’s no big deal.”
Fan said: "It's the Yang family and the Zhang family, who knows?"
The Seventeenth Mother's eyes narrowed and she said, "Could it be that her son is Zhang Dun, who abandoned the list in Jinke?"
Wu Anshi smiled and said: "That's right, that's right. Sister Seventeen is really smart. That Zhang Dun was a close friend of mine when we were in school at the county school."
Seventeenth Mother thought for a while and asked: "Then who returned the book?"
Wu Anshi said: "What a coincidence, he is Zhang Dun's biological brother."
"Brother?" Fan asked, "What kind of fame does he have during this period?"
Wu Anshi said: "Madam, you don't understand. Although Zhang Dun is also a member of the Zhang family in this county, he is a side branch. He changed his official status in order to be admitted to the imperial examination. This Zhang Sanlang was his younger brother before he changed his official status. I don't know why after changing his official status, We still haven’t recognized each other.”
Fan said: "Official, if you want to borrow books and return them, you can do so, but no one else will be attracted to your home."
Wu Anshi looked sharply and said: "What? Although Zhang Sanlang comes from a poor family, he has learned a lot. This time he ranked first among the economics students in the county school examination. I want to recommend him to the Imperial College. If I have the chance, I would like to recruit him to my father's sect." ."
Fan said: "I'm not talking about him, but..."
Seventeenth mother said: "Sister-in-law, stop talking, it's not a big deal."
Wu Anshi said in confusion: "It's inexplicable."
After saying that, Wu Anshi walked away with a puff of sleeves.
Seventeenth Mother said: "I knew that my brother would not say a word to the maid."
Mrs. Fan said to Qi Niang, "It's better to just ask. Why don't you tell your brother that He Qi from the county school always comes to the library every now and then to borrow and return books since I met you in the library last time?" It’s obviously not easy to feel at ease.”
Seventeenth mother said: "If you tell brother, his temper will ruin his future. If He Qi is here in the future, I will not go to the library."
Fan said: "How can this be done? These people don't put their minds on fame and fame, but they also want to take advantage of my daughter of the Wu family. They try to climb the dragon and follow the phoenix, and they will become famous all at once. It's not a good idea. If you don't let your brother interrupt him. How could his legs extinguish his thoughts?"
Fan immediately thought: "How can you protect him like this? Although I asked you to find a child from a poor family, you must at least be a Jinshi."
Seventeenth mother...
…………
"I didn't expect Mr. Wu Dalang to come in person. I'm really flattered."
Outside the library, Zhang Yue solemnly handed the three books wrapped in cloth to Wu Anshi and said: "Da Langjun, I have returned the books as promised, and I ask you to check them."
Wu Anshi laughed loudly and said, "Can I still not trust Sanlang?"
As he said this, Wu Anshi handed the book to the library manager nearby.
Wu Anshi said: "I heard that you are going to the Imperial College."
Zhang Yue said: "There is nothing wrong with these horoscopes. Don't laugh at me, Mr. Dalang."
Wu Anshi laughed and said: "I know that you just want to be silent and become a blockbuster. If you have good news, don't forget to tell me."
"Thank you Mr. Wu Dalang for your attention. I won't be polite. I have something to ask of you." Zhang Yue said.
Wu Anshi said in an amused voice: "Sanlang, you and I will meet each other. If you have anything to say, just tell me."
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Then I would like to thank Mr. Wu Dalang first. I will go to Jianyang next spring to hand over three historical policies to Li Xuezheng for review. But regarding historical policies, one must read historical books thoroughly. This is not my strength, so I thought I'll borrow it from Dalangjun's library for two days and allow me to extract some historical materials."
"What's the matter..." Wu Anshi was waiting for a reply when she suddenly remembered what Fan said to her just now. Her heart trembled for no reason, and her face suddenly showed some thoughts.
Seeing Wu Anshi's hesitant expression, Zhang Yue immediately said: "Zhang is taking the liberty, please forgive me for disturbing me."
"It doesn't matter, just come, Sanlang." Wu Anshi smiled lightly.
"Thank you, Mr. Dalang. I'll come to the library tomorrow."
Zhang Yue said goodbye immediately and left.
Wu Anshi looked at Zhang Yue's back and said to the steward: "This Zhang Sanlang came to the library to borrow books a few days ago."
"It was the twenty-seventh of last month."
Wu Anshi asked: "Is there anyone else in the library at that time?"
The steward hesitated and said, "There are six and seventeenth ladies of the Zhang family."
"What?"
The steward said: "I can't believe that I was downstairs at that time. They didn't meet in the library, they just exchanged a few words across the building."
Wu Anshi said with relief: "That's okay. But I'll come to the library the day after tomorrow to copy books, so you have to keep an eye on him."
The steward said: "Da Langjun, I think this Zhang Sanlang is a well-behaved person, definitely not..."
Wu Anshi smiled and said: "When did I say he was unruly? I just asked you to keep more snacks."
After saying that, Wu Anshi walked away with a puff of sleeves.
The day after tomorrow.
Zhang Yue came to the library carrying his book bag, and when he saw the steward, he bowed and said, "I just went to report to the steward, but I learned that the great man had already gone out. He asked me to come here to copy the books. "
Seeing Zhang Yue, the steward said a little coldly: "Since we are just copying books, do you know the rules?"
Zhang Yue felt a soft nail and couldn't help but said: "Please give me some advice from the manager."
The steward said: "I'd like to teach you, Mr. Young Master, that you are only allowed to borrow and copy books for three hours. As I said before, you are not allowed to take them all with you. You must take one book and return it one by one. The most important thing is that you can only copy the books on the table. The Wu family's books are not allowed to be copied." Cannot be lent without permission!"
Zhang Yue was so angry that he refused to lend out any books. Did he not understand that he suspected me of stealing books?
Zhang Yue held back his anger and said, "I understand."
The steward nodded, immediately allowed Zhang Yue to go upstairs, and at the same time motioned for him to put down his book bag.
Zhang Yue immediately walked up to the library.
There are more than a dozen bookshelves in the front and back of the library, all filled with books.
As soon as he walked into this place, Zhang Yue immediately smelled the fragrance of books. To put it bluntly, this is rue, which can prevent moth and moisture. The so-called rue and beetles have their own poetry in them.
On the top of the library is written a book with the words "I bought it with a salary and edited it myself." After reading it, the descendants will know the holy way, and it is unfilial to vend to the borrower.
This is what Du Xian, the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, wrote to his descendants.
The owner of the library wrote this calligraphy and hung it here, which is also a blatant expression of small things.
Zhang Yue thought to himself that lending Wu Dalangjun a book to him would be considered a violation of this sentence, so he could save himself some anger.
Zhang Yue immediately started looking for historical records and found several volumes. However, thinking of what the steward had just said, he only took one volume downstairs.
Zhang Yue came downstairs, found a desk, and began to polish ink and copy books.
After sitting there for a moment, another person pushed open the door and left.
Zhang Yue saw that he knew the person coming, so he stood up and said, "He Qilang, why are you here?"
The other party was none other than He Qi from Jinshizhai County School. He smiled and said: "Zhang Sanlang, aren't you here too? I asked Mr. Wu Dalang for a copy of the book, are you here too?"
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "It just happened to be with Brother He."
Zhang Yue saw that the steward was even more embarrassed when he saw He Qi and said: "He Qi Langjun, why are you here again?"
He Qi said with a good temper: "I am busy with schoolwork and I have no choice. Please forgive me, supervisor!"
"It's just right, you two can stay together!"
