"What do you think the goddess in the holy dream looks like? Even Emperor Xi's concubine was left out in the cold." Xie Deyong thought.
Zhou Shenzhi didn't want to know anything about the emperor's harem life.
Seeing that his friend didn't care, Xie Deyong revealed the more secret gossip to his friend: "I heard that Sanlang of the Li family once painted a painting for the Holy Emperor. The imperial concubine Xi accidentally saw the painting, which made Long Yan furious. , almost being thrown into the cold palace."
"What painting?" Zhou Shenzhi frowned.
Xie Deyong hesitated: "First of all, let's say that you can't hit anyone when you are angry. After all, I didn't paint this painting. I only listened to what others said."
"Say." Zhou Shenzhi felt that his patience was about to run out when Xie Deyong was dawdling.
"I heard that the painting is of the Mistress of Youzhou." After Xie Deyong finished speaking, he immediately moved away.
There was just a click, and my friend actually crushed a corner of the armchair.
Zhou Shenzhi's face turned red and his eyes were filled with murderous intent: "What did you say?"
Xie Deyong fled.
Chapter 187
Martial arts training ground.
Zhou Shiliu's eyes were straight and his handsome face was pale. He looked at the dusty two fighting in the field, trembled and murmured: "Is my cousin really the uncle's biological son?"
"What are you talking nonsense about?" Xiao Luolan glared at him after listening to the sixteen people's unbridled words.
"It's true that a dog's mouth can't spit out ivory. Of course my brother is my father's biological son." Xiao Qingxue was more rude, rolled her eyes at Shiliu, and retorted directly.
"Then why can uncle be so cruel?" Zhou Shiliu's face was distorted. You must know that his cousin had only recovered from his illness for a day before he was dragged to the martial arts training ground by his uncle. The Zhou family made their fortune through martial arts. The boys all practice martial arts more or less, and even his father and his buddies have to do it when they get up in the morning, but...but...
Who uses heavy swords for martial arts training? Zhou Shiliu screamed in his heart. He felt that the giant sword was even more powerful in his uncle's hand. The sound of the sword roared like thunder and was as heavy as a ten thousand gun. He couldn't help but admire his cousin's dodge ability. If he touches this thing, he won't vomit blood!
Zhou Shenzhi lay on the ground, panting, using the Youzhou sword to block the Juque sword's blade. The veins on the back of his hands popped out, and his forehead was covered with sweat. Even so, the Juque sword still pressed down inch by inch.
Zhou Xu's wrist holding the sword quickly twisted, and the sword body shook. The originally light attack suddenly became more powerful. With the sound of gold and iron clashing, the blunt tip of the giant sword grazed the blade diagonally and slashed down.
Saturday stood up immediately.
Xiao Luolan's face turned pale and she was startled. Xiao Qingxue quickly shouted: "Dad!"
The dust dispersed, and Zhou Shenzhi rolled to the side. Although it was unsightly, luckily he still managed to avoid it. He turned to look at the tip of the sword that had brushed against his ear. He put one hand on the ground and panted. , managed to stand up with the Youzhou knife, his face was dark, and now his back was covered in cold sweat.
Zhou Xu smiled and said, "Do you still want to fight?"
Zhou Shenzhi looked at his father's teasing eyes and said in a low voice: "No more fighting." His arms were sore and numb from the huge force coming from the giant tower, and he became more and more depressed.
"Are you coming tomorrow?" Zhou Xu put away the giant tower.
Xiao Luolan stepped forward quickly, then slowed down his steps, and said angrily to Sect Master Zhou: "Shen's illness has recovered, and I will practice martial arts with you in two days."
Hearing Madam's decisive tone, Zhou Xu was afraid that he would be angry if he didn't understand her again, so he laughed and said, "Just listen to Madam."
Xiao Luolan looked around Shen Zhi carefully and found that except for some dust on his clothes, the rest was fine and he was in good spirits. She smiled and said: "Okay, I have practiced martial arts. Let's go have lunch together, Qing." Xue has been waiting for a long time."
Xiao Qingxue nodded: "My stomach is growling with hunger now."
Zhou Xu laughed loudly and slapped his daughter on the shoulder with a big palm: "Let's go, let's take you to eat delicious food." As he walked, he asked his daughter if she had encountered any problems while on duty in the government office.
Xiao Qingxue shook her head: "No, everyone is very nice to me. Cui Langjun is right next to me. If you have anything you don't understand, just ask him."
In fact, her work was really leisurely. Jiang Da helped her manage the soldiers under her command. The nitrate field affairs that Gongsun Qi and Gongsun Luo were responsible for were on the right track, so she didn't need to watch them every day.
She was assigned the position of Zhonglang General, but she was not needed to send troops to fight. The Military Advisor Zhonglang General was more like a counselor, a civilian staff officer. Fortunately, Cui Langjun did not dislike her for not knowing anything, and allowed her to participate. With Langge's defense arrangement, Xiao Qingxue suddenly felt that the burden on her shoulders became heavier.
I even feel guilty for going to work late. After all, someone as sick as Cui Langjun can arrive early.
"There's me, there's me, uncle, I'm eating here too today." Zhou Shili followed behind his uncle.
Zhou Xu ignored Shiliu and nodded: "If you have anything to do, just ask Shizi. Two days ago, Xiaoyaozi sent some beauty elixirs to your mother-in-law. I think the Taoist temple they live in is quite far from the city. I assigned the Changsheng Taoist Temple to them. In a few days, they will probably go to the Yamen to submit their Taoist certificates. You can settle them yourself."
Immortality Taoist Temple? Xiao Qingxue thought about it for a moment, didn't this belong to her third uncle?
"Does Third Uncle Guild agree?" Xiao Qingxue asked doubtfully.
"Your third uncle is old and should enjoy peace and happiness. Now he is retiring in another village." Zhou Xu looked pleased: "Their family has gone with them. It's no good if there is no one to take care of the Changsheng Taoist Temple. It just so happens that Xiaoyaozi is quite happy. Suitable."
Zhou Shiliu twitched his cheek as if he had a toothache. He was far away from the center of power, just living in the countryside and waiting to die. His third uncle had always been arrogant and arrogant. This punishment was even more uncomfortable for him than killing him.
My uncle was a man who was determined to retaliate, and he deliberately waited until the Chinese New Year before dealing with his third uncle. On Saturday, with his heart trembling, he approached his cousin.
"Oh." Xiao Qingxue smiled, narrowed her eyes, and said affectionately: "Thank you, Dad, Dad is so kind."
Xiao Luolan and Shen Zhi were walking behind and heard the undisguised heroic laughter of Sect Master Zhou. Then they looked at Shen Zhi, who was haggard and still ill, and felt a little sorry.
The age difference between the two children is not big, so it is really not good to treat them differently. Just when I was thinking about how to enlighten Shenzhi, I found that I ran to the grape trellis of Tianliju for a while on Saturday.
"Auntie, why haven't the grapes you planted sprouted yet? It's already the third day." Zhou Shiliu has not been involved in farming since he was a child. He has been pampered with fine clothes and fine food. He is very new to the grape seedlings.
Xiao Luolan was amused, covered her lips with her sleeves, and said unhurriedly: "It takes seven to ten days for grapes to germinate. It also depends on the temperature and whether the soil is suitable for its growth. It doesn't mean that it will sprout immediately after planting. If you want grapes to grow smoothly, you need to soak the grape seeds in warm water for a day, then transplant them to moist gauze, and wait until the grape seeds turn white before planting them. This way, the chances of the grapes surviving will be greater."
"Auntie is so amazing, she knows so much." Zhou Shiliu didn't expect that her auntie knew so much, and she took it seriously after hearing this.
"You're not involved in farming and don't know about grains, so you still have the nerve to ask." Zhou Xu looked at Zhou Shiliu with a straight face, but after a moment, the smile on his face got bigger: "Madam is really smart, she even knows how to grow grapes."
Xiao Luolan's face was slightly pale. She used to like to read books about growing flowers and plants when she was free. She also worked with flowers and plants. She felt that she was a half layman, so she didn't deserve the praise from Sect Master Zhou. Seeing that they were all interested, she said more. Some of them said: "After the grapes germinate, we need to weed the pear soil. They will bloom around June, bear fruit in July, and the grapes will be completely mature in August and September."
"Come and eat then." Xiao Luolan invited.
"Okay, okay." Zhou Shiliu nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, thinking that his aunt was much more generous than his cousin, who was only willing to let him eat a bunch. He suddenly thought of something and said in surprise; "We It will take three months to go to Jiangnan, and I will be able to eat the grapes grown by my aunt when I come back."
"That's not right. If the grapes ripen late, it will take September to eat them." An idea came to Zhou Shiliu: "How about we stay in Jiangnan for an extra month or two?"
Xiao Qingxue was a little moved and looked at her father and mother.
Before Zhou Xu could speak, he heard the lady's gentle voice of rejection.
Xiao Luolan looked up at the grape trellis that had been set up, and seemed to see the grape branches twining around the trellis. Under the leafy branches, there were clusters of grapes, and the cool breeze blew away the heat and heat.
She curved her lips and said with a smile: "Just come back in August."
They went in May, arrived in June, played in July, and came back in August. It took a total of three months. They came back in August when the grapes were beginning to ripen.
"Then August." Xiao Qingxue immediately agreed, it doesn't matter where she is, she mainly wants to be with her mother-in-law.
"The Jiangnan side has never been our territory. If we stay for a long time, things may change, so it's better to come back as soon as possible." Zhou Shenzhi also expressed his opinion.
Zhou Xu also looked up at the grape trellis, which was now bare. He glanced at his wife, then at Shenzhi, and clicked his tongue.
Zhou Shenzhi was puzzled by his father. What was wrong with what he just said? This time his father and mother went to the south of the Yangtze River. They must lead troops, but the place in the south of the Yangtze River is full of dragons and snakes, and there are many aristocratic families. It is a pool of muddy water, or they are in their base camp. Youzhou is safer.
It's a pity that it's Saturday. One month is not enough for him to play.
After eating, Xiao Qingxue ran to find her cousin Xiao Qinghe and took him to the government office. The young man had recently exchanged letters with his family and practiced martial arts every day. His diligence made Xiao Qingxue ashamed. .
Zhou Shenzhi took Shiliu back to his Yueying Residence.
Xiao Luolan sorted out the things she had brought with her when she was going to see Wan Niang in the afternoon. After Qing Shan got pregnant, she gradually got closer to them. Usually the three of them would share a small private room, where they could listen to plays and drink tea.
Wan Niang has recently written some story books and asked Xiao Luolan to read them. Xiao Luolan has been reading them for a long time and has some thoughts. Although there is printing in this era, books are still valuable. Ordinary people want to support students. It is extremely difficult. Not all students in the college are from rich families. Students from poor families also need to copy books from time to time to earn some writing fees to support their families.
Xiao Luolan also thought about paying for the scholars to copy the books and then hiring a teacher to teach the illiterate people. Later, she thought carefully about whether her idea was just a scaled-down version of the school. Compared with Langge's academy, she was not as strong at all. Secondly, there is the issue of fees. Xiao Luolan selfishly does not want to charge fees, but everyone in the college has to pay for repairs. If she does not accept fees, it will destroy the existing stable market and easily cause conflicts.
After much deliberation, Xiao Luolan chose to help Salesian Nunnery.
Salesian Nunnery was an orphanage in ancient times. Most of the children in it were orphans, many of whom were descendants of soldiers who died in the war. Clan Master Zhou treated them well and raised them intensively, providing them with food and drink.
No matter how poor a student is, there is always a family to support him. The children in the Salesian Nunnery are alone, without a father or a mother. She took a look at it a few days ago, and she really couldn't bear it.
To enlighten those young children, she felt that she could still do it.
With limited manpower, she could only do her best.
"What are you thinking about, Madam?" Zhou Xu kept looking at Madam, and took a quick sip of incense while the hall was empty.
Xiao Luolan came to her senses and expressed her thoughts: "This will also allow the students to earn some writing fees, and then invite an old gentleman with high moral character to enlighten the children of Salesian Nunnery." And she goes there from time to time. Looking at the words of those children can also ensure that those children are not harsh.
There are good people and bad people in this world. A policy may have good intentions, but it does not prevent some people from tampering with it to line their own pockets.
Zhou Xu held his wife in his arms and put her hand in his palm. The lady's soft and white hands were like a handful of clean snow. He lowered his head and kissed her. As long as the wife wanted to do something, Zhou Xu would rarely interfere. Narrowing his eyes and smiling, he said, "If you want to do it, madam, just do it."
He looked at his wife, caressed her face, and suddenly kissed her lips with a little force.
Xiao Luolan's eyes were suddenly covered with mist, and she frowned lightly.
Zhou Xu lovingly licked Madam's red lips and said hoarsely, "Why is Madam so nice to Shen Zhi? She went back to eat grapes in August."
Xiao Luolan looked at Sect Leader Zhou strangely. Could this man be jealous of his son? What a chicken intestine.
Xiao Luolan found it funny and couldn't help but laugh out loud. This person couldn't help but think that she was almost doting on Qingxue. Since he could treat Qingxue as his own child and compare his feelings to hers, she could also treat Shenzhi as her own. His biological son loves and cares for him.
Zhou Xu held Madam Xue's neck and kissed the side of her neck with a heavy breath, his eyes darkened.
"If you have thoughts in your heart, you will have hope for this day, and Shen Zhi will not feel that the time is too long." Xiao Luolan smiled and smiled, her eyes twinkling.
Maybe after they left, Shen Zhi would think about when his father, mother, and sister would come back while the grape vines were climbing up the support.
When the grapes are produced, you will think about when the grapes will ripen.
As long as the grapes are found growing, Shen Zhi will know that the day is approaching day by day.
How can there be a child in this world who does not look forward to the joy of being reunited with his relatives?
Chapter 188
Early April.
It started to get hot in Youzhou. When Xiao Luolan came back from Salesian Nunnery by car, he brought back some fresh pears and planned to go home to make some snow pear and white fungus soup.
But what's special is that she brought two acquaintances back today.
"Come in." Xiao Luolan waved to Miss Zheng and the white-robed monk He Jin to enter the house. On her way home, she happened to meet the two people shopping. The little girl enthusiastically gave her a basket of sweet pears. Xiao Luolan Hearing that the two of them were looking for a restaurant to have dinner, they took them back to Zhou Zhai.
Zheng Yuxin sat on the chair in the outer hall to entertain guests and said, "Thank you, mistress."
"Tell me what you like to eat and I'll let the kitchen cook it." Xiao Luolan greeted the two of them to tea.
He Jin said "Amitabha" and lowered his eyes slightly, hiding his unparalleled double eyes: "Thank you, Princess. The young monk can just eat some light vegetarian dishes."
