Zhang Yue's answer made the atmosphere in the room stagnant.
Li Shi smiled slightly and said: "Sanlang does have an idea. But in life, how can you not ask for help? You beg me to come, I beg you to come, and the feelings will come. You have me, and I have you, This is how we become a family.”
Zhang Yue said: "Madam is right."
Li said: "But the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. You are alone in Beijing. It is rare for you to be so persistent."
After speaking, Mrs. Li stood up on her knees, and the maids on the left and right hurriedly came to help her.
"There will be a family dinner later, Sanlang wants to drink a few more drinks."
Zhang Yue was about to resign after hearing this.
Li suddenly said: "Since you came to Beijing alone, you don't have a place to stay on weekdays."
Zhang Yue said quickly: "I live in Taixue on weekdays, and I just bought a house in Bianjing."
When facing his future mother-in-law, he must reveal that he owns a house, otherwise it will be easy to brag about it. This is Zhang Yue's profound lesson in his previous life.
But Li's concern was not there. In her eyes, there was not much difference between Zhang Yue's one apartment or ten apartments in Bianjing.
Li said: "I heard Mrs. Ouyang say it, but it's still far away from the Imperial College. It happens that our Wu family has an old building next to the Imperial College, which was just tidied up a year ago. I see that you are alone in Beijing, and you don't have a place to settle down on weekdays. It’s a good place, so just stay here.”
Zhang Yue listened to Li's tone that he would not allow him to refuse, so he had no choice but to agree. If you don't know how to behave, you will really offend people.
However, Zhang Yue always remembered Xiang Qi's previous experience of living in the house of his official wife, and he always had lingering fears.
Mr. Li nodded and said: "I will send my servants to clean and serve. Sanlang, why don't you think about it anymore?"
Zhang Yue was stunned for a moment and then said: "Reporting to Madam, we are both Jinshi and not Jinshi."
In the Song Dynasty, those who were born with the same Jinshi status were specifically awarded for those who passed the provincial examination, but failed the palace examination, so there was a saying that the same Jinshi was not a Jinshi. What's more, Zhang Yue did not pass the imperial examination, but was given by way of gift.
Li said nothing more after hearing this.
As for Wu Anshi behind the screen, she was furious, thinking that Zhang Yue clearly didn't take the Wu family seriously.
After Zhang Yue left, he left from the corridor. A maid came in front of him and said a few words to the boy who was leading Zhang Yue, and the boy left.
Zhang Yue saw that the maid looked familiar and said, "You are not Huaishui..."
The maid smiled, made a silent gesture and handed Zhang Yue a note.
Zhang Yue saw a line of beautiful small characters on the note.
It says, "Please don't be offended by Mr. Zhang if your brother's words are uncomfortable." A gentleman of liberal arts, don’t lose or forget on New Year’s Eve. '
Zhang Yue looked at the displeasure caused by Wu Anshi's words before the note and suddenly didn't know where he was.
So is this last sentence an agreement?
But why is there only time and no place?
Zhang Yue saluted the maid and said, "Thank you very much."
The maid quickly avoided it and said: "I don't dare to take this seriously. You are my girl's uncle-to-be, but I hope you will treat my girl well... in the future."
After saying this, the maid's face turned slightly red, she bowed to Zhang Yue and left.
At the family banquet, Ouyang Fa, Fan Zuyu, Zhang Yue, Wen Jifu and Wu Anshi, Wu Anchi and Wu Andu drank at the same table.
There are three tables like this, all of which are people related to the Wu family by marriage.
What a family dinner indeed!
The women were sitting at a table in the backyard.
Ouyang Fa's daughter-in-law Wu was chatting with the fifteenth and seventeenth mothers at the table.
Mrs. Wu said to Seventeenth Niang, "Don't worry. I told Fa Lang before I came here. I asked him to take good care of the husband of the Zhang family. There will be no difficulties."
Seventeenth Mother smiled and said: "Sister, what are you talking about? How can I be worried?"
The fifteenth mother said: "Seventeen, of course you can rest assured. My sister usually takes care of her brother-in-law. I heard that some of the pretty maids in his boudoir have all been transferred to the outer courtyard. Now my brother-in-law is surrounded by either old or young girls. , do you think my brother-in-law can be disobedient?"
Mrs. Wu said: "Well, with that mouth of yours, can you tolerate Mr. Wen's husband? I heard that Mr. Wen's husband was going to a brothel... to stay overnight in a brothel, but you didn't say anything on your face and took it with you the next day. Daddy posted, go to Kaifeng Mansion and send someone to seal the brothel."
Mrs. Wu knew that this matter was causing quite a fuss. Wen Jifu actually went not to a brothel but to the Elephant Girl's Pavilion. Normally, she would just go to the brothel to drink and write poems. But how could the fifteenth mother of the Xianggu Pavilion endure this? But it’s hard to keep it public.
The fifteenth mother said: "Sister, don't argue with me about this. Don't you always tell me how you can control your husband if you don't have any means?"
"Okay, two sisters, stop arguing." Seventeenth Mother couldn't help but said.
Mrs. Wu was also afraid that their sister's marriage would bring a bad impression to her only sister who had not left the court, so she said: "I heard from Fa Lang that the husband of the Zhang family is really good. He has been focusing on studying since he entered the Imperial Academy. He doesn’t sleep outside, he doesn’t hang out with others on weekdays, he sleeps outside among flowers and willows.”
"That's not necessarily the case. I'm a descendant of the Han family, so maybe I'm short of money?" Fifteen Niang said sarcastically.
"Fifteen!" Wu couldn't help but angrily yelled.
The fifteenth mother said unconvinced: "Am I wrong? I have seen a lot of the Han family's children. Before they become successful, they will be humble and cowardly. Once they become successful, they will be unjust. Seventeen, I tell you, the Zhang family If your husband wins the Jinshi, you need to watch him more closely."
The Seventeenth Mother said: "What do you mean, sister? If the husband of the Zhang family is really such a person, I can't control him even if I have the means. If not, why should I have the means."
The fifteenth mother shook her head and said: "You are the foolish talk of a girl who has not left the court. Although Fulang and I are on good terms, he can't take a cent of the dowry money from me. He pays for his own expenses at home, as long as he keeps an eye on the money. Bag, where can he find the fireworks woman?"
Wu said: "What are you talking about? It's not a blind marriage. The husband of the Zhang family is a man that both father and uncle Ouyang like. He is a gentleman with good conduct."
"It's true now, but it's hard to say in the future," Fifteen Niang still said, "What's more, Uncle Ouyang is also a person who sleeps among flowers and willows."
Before New Year's Eve.
There are no classes in Taixue, so the students of Taixue are laissez-faire.
On this day, someone from the Wu family informed Zhang Yue that the house had been tidied up, so that he could live there directly.
Zhang Yue then took Tang Jiuyi with him.
The house is located on Yunqi Bridge, only fifteen minutes' walk from Taixue.
They walked to a house in the alley.
After Zhang Yue knocked on the door, he saw a male servant coming out to greet him. When he saw Zhang Yue, he smiled and said, "This is the husband of the Zhang family."
Zhang Yue was surprised: "How do you know?"
"Mr. Lang has been to the Wu Mansion several times. I have seen it and remembered it in my heart."
"Lead me to have a look!"
Zhang Yue and Tang Jiu walked around, and a housekeeper named Wu showed Zhang Yue the way.
The Wu family lived in this second-entry house for themselves.
The outer room is a splayed door wall, bypassing the screen wall. In front is a main hall, and behind the main hall is a courtyard. The left and right side rooms and the main hall of the main room form a courtyard. As for the front yard, there are also two wing rooms.
There is a well in the patio of the front yard, flowers and trees are planted in the backyard, and the tables and chairs in the living room are newly purchased, as well as all kinds of porcelain, furniture, etc. are all of the highest quality.
As for how good it is, Zhang Yue can't tell.
Butler Wu introduced Zhang Yue to who gave this thing, and who gave it to him. Anyway, the Wu family all had gifts.
Although Wu Anshi, the eldest brother-in-law, said that he was not happy with Zhang Yue, he was still an eldest brother-in-law, so he still wanted face. The gifts were not only the largest but also valuable.
According to Butler Wu's introduction, there were seven servants in the courtyard, including him, serving Zhang Yue alone.
A servant, a cook, two servants, and two old ladies in the inner courtyard.
Butler Wu smiled and said, "I knew your husband was coming today, so I cooked a special meal."
Zhang Yue suddenly asked: "How much does Butler Wu earn per month?"
Butler Wu was stunned for a moment, and then said: "The villain has five strings per month... Langjun, all your food and clothing expenses here will be paid for by the house, so you don't have to worry about it."
Zhang Yue nodded. It was indeed true. He was being taken care of.
It seems that after walking around, I will eventually fall into the trap of eating soft food. Although I am not such a person, I still have to say one thing when the matter comes...it tastes so delicious!
When the cook served the food, Butler Wu smiled and said, "Chef Li is very good at cooking food in the mansion. I heard that Lang Jun lives a very poor life in Taixue, so I asked him to prepare the food."
Zhang Yue looked at a table of more than a dozen dishes and actually cut a plate of mutton, which was too rich.
Zhang Yue asked: "No wine?"
Butler Wu said with a smile: "My family has told me that it is best not to let Mr. Lang drink. But if Mr. Wang really wants to drink, I have a few bottles here that I am used to drinking. It's just a bit crude. I don't know if it suits my taste."
Zhang Yue smiled and said: "It's not for me, it's for my brother. I don't usually drink."
Butler Wu glanced at Tang Jiu and said with a smile, "That's good."
Zhang Yue asked again: "Can my brother live here?"
Butler Wu said: "Of course, this is Lang Jun's home, and Lang Jun is in charge of everything."
Zhang Yue nodded and said, "That's good."
After they had had enough wine and food, Zhang Yue said to Butler Wu, "Take care of my brother."
Butler Wu said yes and asked, "Where are you going, Mr. Lang?"
"Go back to Taixue!"
Butler Wu was surprised and asked, "Mr. Lang, you don't want to live here?"
"Of course."
Butler Wu was surprised: "I don't know why?"
Zhang Yue didn't answer, but just said to himself: "I don't understand even if I tell you."
After saying this, Zhang Yue stepped into the streets of Bianjing.
Is this house bad?
It's not that it's bad, Zhang Yue is very satisfied, but it's just that it's too good to live here. It's not that life with fine clothes and fine food is bad, but that the fine clothes and fine food have sapped one's energy.
Who doesn’t like fine clothes and fine food? Who doesn’t love beautiful women? But we might as well wait until we are admitted to Jinshi.
As the saying goes, those with deep desires have shallow secrets, and those who are heavy on the outside will be clumsy on the inside.
There was a chief minister in the Ming Dynasty named Wang Xijue, and his father was the richest man in Taicang. One day when he went to school, the academic officer saw his patched shoes and couldn't help laughing and said: "Your family is so poor that you can't even buy a piece of cloth."
Someone immediately told the academic officer about Wang Xijue's family background. The academic officer sighed greatly and said, "If a child like you cannot succeed, who else can succeed?"
Some people must say that Wang Xijue is pretending.
But Wang Xijue came first in the provincial examination, first in the general examination, second in the palace examination, and finally came in second place.
Results can defeat all doubts.
Under the night view of Bianjing, Zhang Yue couldn't help but memorize "Preface to Prince Teng's Pavilion"
...Sigh! The fortunes are bad and the fate is misfortune.
Feng Tang Yi Lao, Li Guang difficult to seal. Qu Jiayi in Changsha is not without a holy master; when Liang Hong travels to Haiqu, is there no lack of bright time? I rely on a gentleman to see an opportunity and an expert to know his fate...
After reading this, Zhang Yue paused and read louder...
When you are old and strong, you would rather have a gray-headed heart? Be poor and strong, and never fall into the clouds. Drinking from the greedy spring makes you feel refreshed, and you still feel happy when you are in a dry road. Although Beihai is on credit, it can be picked up if it is soaring; the east corner has passed, and it is not too late to mulberry trees...
