Lin Rong lowered his head. Under the hijab was the eldest princess's beautiful Dankou jade hands. She took a step closer and whispered in the eldest princess's ear: "When Eleven Niang jumped off the cliff, did your highness the princess regret it at all? "
Since that day of house arrest, the eldest princess has never been willing to see Lin Rong again. Now when she saw her questioning her, the smile on her face froze, she covered it with her fan, and said to her left and right: "Look at this girl, you can't bear to part with her? Don't worry Go, your father and I are happy for you?"
Lin Rong shook his head, took a step back, bowed his head and returned the greeting: "My daughter remembers the teachings of her father and mother, and bids her farewell. I hope my father and mother will take care of me.
After going out of the middle gate, boarding the float and heading to the ferry, I saw forty-one large ships and twenty small ships. The sailing ships were like clouds and their shafts were thousands of miles away, seeming to cover the sky and the sun.
Seeing this, Kingfisher whispered softly: "County Lord, this is the 600,000 stones of grain from Jiangzhou as a dowry. It started shipping half a month ago."
Lin Rong was shocked when he heard this. Even during the Ming and Qing dynasties when water transportation was extremely prosperous, the annual grain transportation from south to north was only six million dan at most, and it still covered Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan and Zhejiang.
Nowadays, a small Jiangzhou can actually spend 600,000 shi of grain as a dowry. It can be said that it is not rich.
The boat Lin Rong boarded was a wedding boat sent by Yongzhou. The whole body was ink gold, supplemented by various colors. The dragon head hoop was gilded, and it was carved with mountains, sea cliffs, hundreds of bats and flowing clouds, and was surrounded by black and gold embroidered land. Clan's military flag, although the hull of the ship is covered in red and colorful, there is a faint aura of chilling. The messenger was a general in his thirties, dressed in black armor and standing with a sword in his hand. When he saw Lin Rong, he only slightly cupped his hands and didn't look sideways.
Lin Rong got on the boat and saw a couplet on the door: green bamboos sandwiched between clear water, swimming fish making circular waves, and the plaque was the word "Floating Spring"③. After entering the door, there was a "Bison Picture" hanging on the wall. It has no money or seal, and I don't know who wrote it. There are three bottles and stoves on the table, and I can smell the fragrance of water.
She was supported by Kingfisher to the soft couch behind the bead curtain. She had been stiff all day, and then finally relaxed. She only felt that her waist and back pain became more and more unbearable.
Kingfisher waved his hand and sent the little girl to wait outside. He took off the beaded crown from Lin Rong's head. While gently rubbing her waist, he whispered: "County Master, are you okay?"
Lin Rong nodded, tilted his head, and heard Jingqin whisper: "County Master, this boat is probably used by Yongzhou Youye. It has light waves and is beautiful, and I don't know how many stinky men have used it. Now that I'm here to welcome the bride, I won't say anything. When you buy a new ship, the utensils are not replaced and the couplets on the plaque are not changed. How disrespectful is that?"
She left her hometown and married far away. She didn't know when she would be able to return home. Feng Xiao, another eldest girl next to her, also said angrily: "How could the county master be so honorable in the past, so unsatisfactory in his marriage? Now he has not left the river. The state just ignored it and waited until Yongzhou..."
After finishing the arrangement outside, Granny Qu also opened the curtain and came in: "County Master, the things outside have been arranged neatly. Only we didn't get on the boat to take a look in advance. The original arrangement of the utensils on the boat was very awkward. Not to mention the bells and chimes. They were arranged as a pair, but the four table screens were left alone, which was very unseemly. It would take at least a month to go to Yongzhou. The old slave thought that he would not open all the boxes and boxes, but only picked up some daily necessities. It's good to come out. I can't help but make the county owner suffer some injustice..."
Lin Rong lay back on Jin Qiu, took a sip of tea, thought for a while, and said seriously: "If you follow me now, you will be no less careful in your words and deeds than in Jiangzhou. Words such as contempt and grievance, although It's the truth, but don't mention it again. As everyone knows, some things come from the mouth."
Jing Qin, Feng Xiao, and Nanny Qu all looked at Lin Rong and nodded slowly. They felt as if the county master had changed. "I will remember this, and I will never mention it again."
Lin Rong took off the jade bracelet on his hand and threw it aside. Seeing Jade Bird look ashamed: "I'm not trying to impress you, it's just..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a commotion on the deck below.
Lin Rong frowned and slightly held up the ship's window. He saw a silver-robed young man on the deck holding a red-tasseled gun. He held a Jiangzhou guard to his throat and snorted contemptuously: "Jiangzhou is really weak. It can't even take a shot."
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter was heard from the sergeants around the ship: "Young general, this Jiangzhou is a scholar, that's what I mean, he writes in a crude way, and when it comes to swords, guns, swords and halberds, how can his kung fu on horseback be even half as good as ours in Yongzhou?"
Lin Rong frowned. The arrogance of the Yongzhou soldiers was not concealed at all. I am afraid that this trip will be much more difficult than expected.
Chapter 6
Xuanzhou, the capital of Nanping, controlled the frontier fortress at the rear, with the danger of Juyongguan on the left and the stronghold in the clouds on the right. It has always been a key place, and a battleground for military strategists.
The wedding team sailed for more than ten days, disembarked and changed carriages, and traveled for another five or six days. It was not until Lin Rong saw the word "Xuanzhou" on the city gate that Lin Rong knew that the destination of this trip was not Yongzhou, but Lu Shen Xuanzhou, the southern pass that has just been conquered.
The official of Jiangzhou Prefecture, who was delivering his wedding, replied nervously beside the eight-treasure carriage with green drapery and red quills: "Reporting to the county lord, the Marquis of Fuyuan has sent word... he said, 'Northern Xuanzhou will be restored. , because the Yuan family refused to surrender and the killing was too heavy, they got married here to refresh their blood."
Lin Rong had been riding in the carriage for five or six days, and was still a little dizzy at the moment, as if he didn't understand, so he just said a faint 'hmm'.
Feng Xiao whispered: "County Lord, what's this? Isn't this a rush..." A rush... a rush to happiness?
Aunt Cui thought a little deeper than Feng Xiao: "County Lord, in the past, weddings, family affairs, and sacrifices had to be opened in an ancestral hall to worship the ancestors, which is considered a full ceremony. Now that the wedding is being held in Xuanzhou, I'm afraid that the sacrifices One ritual is missing. If the rituals are incomplete, the name will be incorrect. If the name is incorrect, the words will not flow smoothly."
Lin Rong slightly lifted the curtains of the car and saw that the city was more than ten feet high, with black armor standing on top of the city and a majestic pass along the road. It was just as the sun was setting. Looking from a distance, the black-armored guard seemed to be soaked in blood. She stared at it blankly for a while. When she closed her eyes, it was still blood red. She put down the car curtain and whispered softly: "I know. Well, let him be."
As soon as Lin Rong entered the city, he was arranged to enter the inn. The inn was very quaint. Although it is called an inn, it is nothing like Chaimen Caofei. There is a plaque with the word "shooting duck" hanging on the door. Walking along the bluestone path, you will suddenly open up. Four or five rooms are lined up one after another, far apart. There was a smell of moldy wood.
The bamboo shadows were fluttering in the courtyard, and four or five red cloth lanterns were hung in the corridor. An old lady stood at the door. When she saw Lin Rong, a smile appeared on her expressionless face: "Old slave Yu, hello. The county head came to North Xuanzhou on the order of his wife to prepare for the wedding. Before coming, his wife specially asked Mr. Xu from the family temple to calculate the auspicious day. It was the day after tomorrow. Although it was a little rushed, it was not lacking. What."
Aunt Yu is about fifty years old and is a servant of the Marquis of Yongzhou. She has never left Yongzhou in her life. She is so well-behaved that she is almost rigid. Her hair is combed meticulously, with only a copper hairpin inserted in her bun. She is wearing a brown Geyi. When he spoke, he looked at the space three inches in front of him, with a strange tone in his voice: "So that the county master knows that according to our rules in Yongzhou, you must fast and bathe three days before the wedding, and only eat one bowl of vegetable soup every day. It means simplicity."
Before Lin Rong could speak, Aunt Qu, who was standing aside, agreed: "In the past, when Taizu married a daughter, she only had a pure-colored soap tent, and there were only a dozen or so slaves. Now that the county master is marrying far away, the eldest princess loves her daughter so much. , there is a lot of makeup, which is already arrogance. Now it is necessary to show simplicity to the people."
These words not only gave the other party face, but also blocked the loopholes to prevent the other party from finding trouble. It is not unwise to retreat in order to advance.
Just when she said this, Lin Rong was really hungry for two days. By the morning of the third day, my whole body had become quite dull due to long-term hypoglycemia.
However, Aunt Qu took a look at her and was very satisfied: "She is indeed much more stable and chaste. Only when the county master is like this, can he have the demeanor of a tomb woman from a well-known family."
Lin Rong coughed and had to remind her: "Mommy, I'm hungry."
Aunt Qu laughed sarcastically, but had no intention of preparing the meal immediately. She said with relief: "The county master will bear with it for now. The sedan chair to welcome the bride will arrive in a while. After paying homage to the hall and completing the ceremony, you can eat."
At the beginning, it was said that you put on makeup at Yin time and get on the sedan chair at noon time. But Lin Rong had been sitting on the wedding bed until dusk, when he heard the faint sound of firecrackers outside to welcome the bride.
Lin Rong, who was wearing a red hijab and being led by others, slowly walked out, lowering her head slightly. What caught her eye was the golden light on the large slope of the ground under the steps. It was a good time at dusk.
Sheya Garden is in the south of Xuanzhou City, and Lu Shen's carriage is in the north of the city. The sedan chair circled the city for a full circle before stopping in front of the gate of Jiedushi's residence.
Lin Rong had been hungry for three days including the day he first arrived. He sat quietly on the wedding bed. Apart from his reaction being slower, he didn't feel anything. At this time, he asked someone to help him get out of the sedan chair and cross the saddle. , smelling the aroma of wine and rice at the banquet, I just felt hungry and became more and more unbearable.
Lin Rong covered her head with a hijab, and everything she saw was a blur of red light. She followed the lead of the red silk, not daring to take another step.
At the end, stand still and listen to the chanting of the praisers in the hall: "Burn candles and incense to worship heaven and earth, parents and ancestors."
After the ceremony, Lin Rong was surrounded by everyone and welcomed into the wedding room. She was already sweating. There was silence all around, except for the occasional flicker of candlelight. She didn't know how long she sat on the wedding bed until her legs felt slightly numb. Then she heard the sound of clouds on the second door outside, and the constant voice of a servant girl: "Your Majesty has arrived. ! Your Majesty has arrived!"
The door creaked open, footsteps gradually approached, and a pair of black boots embroidered with gold came into view, stopping three inches away.
The servant girl who was attending the wedding beside the bed whispered: "Your Majesty, you should practice the ceremony of sharing the prison and joining the marriage."
Lu Shen waved his hand: "Get out!"
The tall shadow suddenly enveloped him and remained motionless for a long time, causing Lin Rong to feel a chill for no reason. Lu Shen sneered and saw a bronze sword hanging above the bed. He swung the sword away and the dragon and phoenix hijab split in half, revealing a frightened and beautiful face.
The bronze sword was extremely sharp and was a dowry of the Cui family. According to the custom of Yongdi, it was hung above the bed on the night of the wedding as a tool to ward off evil spirits. But no one could have imagined that one day, the groom would use this sword to cut through the bride's hijab.
Lin Rong fell down on the bed, and her beaded crown was scattered aside. She originally thought she could be very calm, but now her fingers were trembling unconsciously, her mind was in chaos, and she was lamenting in her heart: Do I have to explain here today?
Her mind was buzzing for a long time, and then she heard a cold laugh: "The county lord of Jiangzhou is of noble birth, and is known as a bright and beautiful person in Luoyang. He is unusually qualified to make a beautiful vase."
Lin Rong looked back and saw a man in red Jiyi. He seemed to have drunk a lot of wine, and he could smell the faint smell of alcohol from a distance.
He took a step back and leaned casually on the rosewood armchair. Five-color crowns were scattered aside. He stretched out his hand to caress his forehead. On his waist, he made a jade pendant composed of Heng, Yu, jade flowers, Ju, Chongya, Huang and jade drops. ring.
He was tall and tall in life, with long eyebrows at the temples, slightly raised thin lips that looked like a smile but not a smile, and his eyes were like deep dark pools, full of unruly, oppressive, and full of elegance and consideration.
Lin Rong took a deep breath, got dressed, got on the bed, and saluted: "I am Cui Shiyiniang, and I pay my respects to you."
Lu Shen did not respond. Lin Rong paused, not caring, and said the pre-prepared words: "I came from Jiangzhou. It is actually the order of my parents and cannot be violated. Before leaving, my relatives and friends earnestly told me that everything must be done." It is hoped that the two surnames of Cui and Lu will be good. However, the Cui family has been rude to Yongzhou many times before, and she feels guilty as a concubine. Therefore, she does not dare to occupy the position of the head wife and the wife of the tomb, and regards herself as Mrs. Lu, let alone disturb the monarch too much. . Now in Yongzhou, all I want is a secluded house, three meals a day, and clothing for all seasons, so that I can survive for the rest of my life."
After saying that, he lay down on the ground to show that he was waiting for his fate.
A trace of surprise flashed in Lu Shen's eyes. He looked at the woman leaning in front of him. Her crow-green hair was lying on the ground, but she was born extremely white. The overlapping jade fingers on her forehead were faintly green, but she looked good. Ink painting.
After a long time, Lu Shen turned his wrist slightly, and the bronze sword gently lifted the woman's chin. The woman raised her head slightly, revealing her swan-white neck. Although she forced herself to be calm, she still couldn't help but tremble slightly. He stared at her eyes until the beautiful pupils reflected his prince's crown, and his voice was cool and cool. Wei Wei said: "You don't want to marry to Yongdi?"
Lin Rong lowered her eyes slightly and saw the dense black diamond patterns on the sword's edge, and she secretly sighed inwardly.
At this time, although the distinction between the powerful Han clan and the Northern and Southern Dynasties was not as clear as that of the Han clan, there was still a hint of distinction between the common people and the common people. This has been the case since the beginning of the dynasty. Although the officials and officials who were high in the temples were afraid of these local warlords, they also looked down on these warriors in their hearts.
Lu Shen is an arrogant person. I am afraid that he is the only one who dislikes others, but there is no reason for others to dislike him.
Lin Rong raised his head and looked directly at Lu Shen, his eyes calm and bright: "The king is handsome and handsome, he also guards the land and borders, and protects the people. He is a great husband in the world. Although I have lived in Jiangzhou for a long time, I have admired the king for a long time. Why wouldn't I want to What do you mean? It’s actually because my father was rude to the elder of the Lu clan many years ago, and I am so ashamed of myself that I don’t dare to think of anything inappropriate.”
Lu Shen closed his eyes and read: "Han Su is as clear as mud, Gao Diliang is as timid as a chicken. Hum, Cui Shiniang, does the person who taught you to say this really think he is smart?"
Lin Rong's heart sank, and she reluctantly said: "I don't dare, I speak every word from the bottom of my heart!"
Lu Shen stood up, and the bronze sword lightly drew a thin blood mark on the woman's chin. He opened his eyes, and there was no hint of drunkenness in his expression: "You can't help yourself whether you dare or not. Cui Shiniang , If you want to survive in troubled times, you must have self-awareness."
The sword edge was slightly raised, and Lin Rong bowed his head again and paused: "I will bear in mind the teachings of the Lord."
Lu Shen said nothing more, opened the door, and strode away.
Kingfisher, Fengxiao, and Grandma Qu were waiting outside the door. When they heard the noise, they hurried in and saw their master kneeling on the ground with a faint trace of blood on his chin. They were scared to death: "County Master, what's going on? "
Lin Rong stood up with their support, with a strange calmness on his face. Without answering, he asked: "Mommy, can we pass the meal around now?"
Aunt Qu hesitated: "County Master, Junhou... why did Junhou leave?"
Lin Rong replied: "He won't come again."
Your master doesn't want to talk about things that he doesn't want to tell you. No matter how you ask, it will be useless. Aunt Qu, Jing Qin, and Feng Xiao have already learned this lesson on their way north.
Aunt Cui would not let Lin Rong eat the big fish and meat on the table outside. She went to the kitchen in person and prepared a small half jar of fish with frozen ginger and vinegar, a small plate of braised braised chicken with braised meat, and a small bowl of shredded eel chicken soup. Noodles, a plate of quails marinated in lotus leaves, and a large bowl of dried lychee soup: "It's late today, and I'm not familiar with the place. It's no better than when I was in Jiangzhou. I only had these ordinary ingredients. The slave picked up a few things that the master could eat. Okay, the county lord will make do with it. Will you pack up the utensils you brought from Jiangzhou tomorrow and let me tidy them up again?"
Lin Rong was so hungry that he couldn't wait any longer. There was no reason to dislike it. He ate two large bowls of orchid-green Japonica rice with the side dishes, and then he put down his chopsticks with satisfaction.
Feng Xiao was more lively and didn't take everything to heart. She smiled and brought the hot tea to Lin Rong to rinse her mouth: "The county master has such a good appetite. If the sixth girl saw it, he wouldn't know how to make fun of it? Counting from the bottom up. Come on, even girls like us have no reason to eat two big bowls of rice. You, the master, still don’t know how to control yourself?"
Kingfisher also said: "The county master has always had a bad spleen and stomach, and he will be restless tomorrow." He sent the little girl away: "There is a set of lacquered treasure boxes in the camphor wood box, and there are digestive medicines in the second drawer. Pills, take out a few."
Lin Rong smiled and watched them tossing around. After bathing, he sat in front of the window and wiped his hair. Aunt Qu ordered the little girl to embroider the quilt, and gently combed Lin Rong's hair while nagging: "Master, don't blame me for talking too much. The eldest princess entrusted me with the county master before she left. There are some things that my old lady has to say. .”
"Yongzhou Mu is a soldier. He has been in the army for a long time and has a resolute and unyielding temperament. If the county master has such a character and is a little more pliable, why worry about not being favored? On the night of the wedding, Yongzhou Mu walked away. I'm afraid As time goes by, the county lord will no longer have a foothold here."
Lin Rong looked at her with sincerity on his face, and decided to say something perfunctory: "Mommy is right, it's just that Yongzhou Mu hates me and has a deep prejudice against Cui, and I can't do anything about it."
Chapter 7
When Lin Rong woke up, the sky was misty and had just turned white, and the spring rain was pattering outside. Occasionally, under the banana tree, he heard one or two apes roaring loudly. The sound was clear and long, as if it went straight into the sky.
One hand lifted up the red gauze curtain, and dim candlelight suddenly poured in.
Seeing that Lin Rong had woken up and was looking at the top of the tent in a daze, with fine sweat on her forehead, Aunt Qu reached out to touch Lin Rong's forehead and murmured: "The county master has been recovering from illness for half a year. Most of his symptoms have improved after taking medicine." , The headache no longer attacks, but I still have nightmares from time to time. According to the old slave, it could be that I have washed something, or I have provoked something unclean on my body."
Kingfisher brought hot tea and green salt, served Lin Rong to wash up, and said: "County Master, I will bring the Chongshu to check later. If I am really guilty, I must prepare colored paper and fruits to worship. These things, They are all people who would rather believe that they have something than something that doesn’t exist.”
Lin Rong shook his head hurriedly: "I don't believe this, so you should stop coming."
Just as he was talking, Feng Xiao came in from outside: "The night before last, a wild monkey came out of nowhere. I asked people to drive it out, but Kingfisher said it was spiritual and fed him a few fruits. The beast got too stubborn and refused to leave. , hanging on the bowl-sized Xifu Begonia hanging around last night, I woke up this morning and saw that the brocade was covered with red flowers all over the ground, which is really unlucky."
Kingfisher picked up pearl powder and balm, wiped Lin Rong's face, and answered: "I don't know how many doors can be used to enter this deep courtyard. Even if there are wild monkeys coming down the mountain, they can't get in. The monkey is all white, without a single hair on it, and it understands commands, so you can tell that it was raised by humans."
Lin Rong ignored the lawsuit, took out a folded piece of yellow paper from the drawer, and asked Feng Xiao: "How is the matter that I asked you to do because of the noise this morning?"
Feng Xiao held a sandalwood box in her arms, pouted and said, "Master, you are really making things difficult for me. I am a slave, I don't know a few Chinese characters, and you ask me to go shopping for books?"
He opened the box again and presented a scroll with a painting: "Although Xuanzhou is the largest city in the North, how can it match the prosperity of our Jiangzhou? I have visited all the major bookstores in Xuanzhou in the past few days, looking for this This is a picture of "Begonia Night Banquet" by Qian Yake, but it is a copy. The bookseller said that this scroll was commissioned by someone else, but the original would not be given to me, and he would not even let me take a look at it."
Feng Xiao pursed her lips as she spoke. If the master was bored in Jiangzhou, the little boy from outside would buy some strange and exquisite gadgets and bring them to him. But here we are, even looking for a few volumes of calligraphy and painting is so laborious. It is really different from the past.
The scroll was already a little yellowed, and it was slowly unfolded. It was a Xifu Begonia in full bloom, sometimes accompanied by a magnolia, which means "wealth of Yutang". Under the flowers was a table of leftovers and a red flower. The official was drunk and sleeping soundly, lying high on the east bed. Although the three characters "Qian Ya Ke" are inscribed on the painting, although they are all the same, the handwriting is completely different from the other one. It is obviously just the same name.
Seeing Lin Rong's face darken, Feng Xiao felt worried, thinking that the county lord used to have a violent temper. If something went wrong, he would often beat and scold his servants. After recovering from the illness, although his temper became more docile, he didn't know if he would be punished. Own.
