Many people had made plans to play all night on the three days of the Lantern Festival, but in the end they were still too tired to go home early.
Du Zhai, seeing the master's return, the concierge hurriedly greeted him.
"Alang is back, isn't it time yet?"
"The Lantern Festival has passed after midnight, and it's no longer fun to go shopping." Du Youlin held back his yawn and ordered, "Bring me some side dishes, and Xue Xiaolang and I will have a drink."
The three of them bought some wine, sweet-scented osmanthus drink, and some snacks at the night market, and sat down in the backyard garden, facing the round moon.
Lu Fengniang was also at the table, talking about those things again.
"Xue Bai, you and Wu Lang have reached the age of marriage. Children from aristocratic families will be laughed at if they get married late. You will take the imperial examination after you are married, otherwise someone will be listed to catch your son-in-law..."
"A woman's opinion." Du Youlin interrupted her impatiently, "If you let them get married early, how can you still think about their studies?"
It was on this matter that Lu Fengniang firmly refuted her husband-in-law, saying: "To start a family, start a family first, then start a career. Get married as early as possible. After a year or two, you will be determined, and then you can prepare for the imperial examination."
Du Youlin said calmly: "It doesn't take a year or two, they can all be on the list next year."
"Really? You can win in one game?!" Lu Fengniang said in surprise, "We have never had a Jinshi who is sixteen or seventeen years old in the Tang Dynasty, right? Have we? Lang Jun."
"Everything has been arranged." Du Youlin didn't know whether he was there or not. Yun Danfeng waved his hand lightly, "If not, how could I allow Wu Lang to be so presumptuous recently?"
Xue Bai smiled, thinking that Du Youlin usually didn't say anything to his wife.
Now is the time when he needs to build a network of relationships the most, and marriage is an important means. Having in-laws to help each other can get through this most difficult time. But precisely for this reason, we must be more cautious...
Lu Fengniang was still smiling happily, and the Du family siblings also came back from Fengwei Building.
Tonight is a beautiful day and it is rare for a family to sit together and have a drink.
"It's really not easy to be an official." Du Wulang said: "Today, the king and his wife socialize during the day and give banquets at night. At midnight, they have to rush to the Xingqing Palace for a banquet to spend money with His Majesty. "
After Xue Bai listened, there was something in his mind that he didn't say out loud.
——As long as Li Longji saves time to deal with state affairs and sleeps, and then plays with the officials who are about to take a rest, he can make everyone feel that he is not old yet.
Anyway, this saint was extremely smart, and all the officials thought he had solved a conspiracy case in half a night, but in fact he didn't even use half an hour.
After he has deceived others enough, he may even be able to believe that he is immortal.
As the conversation continued, the conversation finally came to Xue Bai's life experience.
"What?! Are you moving away?!"
Du Wulang suddenly stood up, with a look of reluctance on his face, and said, "When I'm done with my work for a while, I'll stay with you."
Xue Bai said: "I have to go home after all."
"Don't worry, you have plenty of opportunities to accompany him." Du Youlin said: "I have asked someone to arrange for you to go to the Imperial College. To participate in next year's Spring Festival, simply speaking, there are two ways. Or you can take the autumn exam of various states and counties and become a 'township' "Gong'; or enroll in the Imperial College, pass the annual examination, and become a 'shengtu', and you can follow the path of a student."
It's not easy to get into the Imperial College. You must at least have a fifth-rank official in your family.
Although Du Youlin had a fifth rank before, it was only a false position, and he was not able to arrange Du Wulang to enter the Imperial Academy.
His eldest son and second son also participated in the imperial examination of Jingzhao Mansion, and were admitted as Jinshi and Mingjing officials respectively. They had no hope that the untalented Wulang would be able to take the imperial examination and become an official, thinking that the prince would have a family background after he ascended the throne.
Lu Fengniang was overjoyed when she heard this, and she praised: "Mr. Lang, this is really... if you don't have to be restrained by the empty post of the good doctor, you can show your ability!"
Du Youlin was so ashamed that he glanced at Du Jin and saw that his daughter was in a daze.
"Guo...sub-prisoner..."
Du Wulang was struck by thunder and couldn't believe that he would get such two pieces of bad news during the Shangyuan Festival.
"Hahaha." Du Youlin laughed heartily, raised his glass and said: "Xue Bai, I have a fate with you, and I would like to recognize you as my adopted son. I would like to accept you as my adopted son. Please don't be offended."
This was how he promised Lu Fengniang to take charge of the back house. Jiaonu was there before, so it was inconvenient to mention it.
Now that he saw that Xue Bai was moving away, he had to bring it up quickly. There were some things that the woman didn't know, but he probably knew Xue Bai's ability and his protection of Du Zhai.
Du Zhai didn't have much to offer. Apart from Qing Lan's body bond, he only had the determination to be tightly bound together when they were down and out.
Taking advantage of Xue Bai, Xue Bai will be convicted for offending Li Linfu in the future, and the Du family will not be able to escape.
After hearing this, Xue Bai immediately picked up the jug, replaced the sweet-scented osmanthus drink in the cup with wine, held the cup in both hands, and stood up.
In Tianbao Datang, a place he was unfamiliar with, he needed a network of people who could trust each other. Du Youlin was weak, but he had the Jingzhao Du family behind him.
However, as soon as he stood up, a delicate hand stretched out in front of him and took the wine glass in his hand.
"Two drinks and you'll get drunk again."
As Du Jin said this, she turned to Du Youlin and said, "I'm confused. Only last night there were people fighting for a son in front of the emperor. Do you want to recognize your adopted son tonight?"
"I have my own considerations."
"My daughter is a little bit affected by the wind and doesn't feel very well, so I have to leave."
Du Jin put the cup in his hand on the table, said a blessing, turned around and went back to the room.
Du Youlin saw that his daughter was not very happy and felt quite embarrassed and sat down.
"Don't rush into the matter of acknowledging your relatives for now, let's talk about it later."
Du Wei said softly, poured the wine in Xue Bai's cup into her own cup, and poured him a cup of sweet-scented osmanthus drink.
"Second mother-in-law is doing this for your own good, don't take it personally."
"I know."
Xue Bai took the sweet-scented osmanthus drink and took a sip.
Du Wei also sipped the wine in her glass, lowered her eyes, and felt a little strange in her heart, but she felt that she was so much older than him, so she shouldn't be so worried.
Everyone sat for a while longer, no longer mentioning the matter of recognizing their adopted son, and the atmosphere as before was gone. They dispersed and went back to their rooms to rest.
~~
"Do you know why the second sister is unhappy?"
Du Wulang and Xue Bai walked through the verandah, asked in a low voice, and then answered by themselves.
"You didn't see it, did you? My mother wants to see the daughter of the Lu family for you, but the second sister is not familiar with the Lu family, but it doesn't matter, they will be fine in a few days. The main reason is that they can't let you go, so you can keep a few more Day?"
"good."
"Really?" Du Wulang said, "Actually, I know what they are thinking. It would be great if my mother-in-law had another sister. It would be great if you could be my brother-in-law. Everyone hopes that you will be closer to our family."
"Stop thinking about useless things. Just prepare to go to the Imperial College."
"Don't spoil the fun."
While talking, they walked to the corridor of the main courtyard, and the two of them dispersed and went back to their rooms.
Xue Bai opened the door and saw Qing Lan sitting in front of the window sewing a cloth bag.
"Mr. Lang is back. I've prepared hot water. Can you bring it to you?"
"I've washed it. I damaged my eye when I turned around. I'll have to sew it up tomorrow."
"On the fifteenth day of the month, you can see clearly. I am sewing a baggage. It will be useful when moving. Look, Sir, there are many things to bring..."
Xue Bai came alone, thinking that he had nothing to offer, but when he followed the little girl's fingers, he realized that he had gained a lot in just over two months.
Pens, ink, paper and inkstones, more than 20 books, and various daily necessities. The two stones placed on the ground also had to be taken away to use for physical fitness. It was not easy to find a suitable one.
Let’s just say that on this New Year’s Day, Lu Fengniang gave three sets of clothes; Du Wei personally received two pairs of boots; Du Jin gave a rather expensive belt, saying that this kind of sheepskin belt is tight; Du Wulang gave many useless ones. Ornaments; there is still half a basket of eggs sent by Tian Shenyu; Yang Zhao did not forget to give a pen holder with the four words "flying to the top" engraved on it...
"Don't be in a hurry to move." Xue Bai said: "Just take your time and pack it away. Help me pack these words and go and have a rest."
"Mr. Sir, the moonlight is too bright tonight. I will help you hang the curtains and close them when you fall asleep. Well, I listened to you today and did not work in the house. At night, please invite the maids in the house. We watched the lanterns together, bought fabrics and food, came back, and talked in the courtyard. Caiyun envied me, but I was too busy..."
"Then our schedule is almost the same, but the osmanthus drink I bought is too sweet. When you get to Xue Zhai, don't work for others."
Since Qing Lan wanted to talk, Xue Bai agreed.
"It would be too easy to only take care of your husband's daily life. From now on, I will make sure that you are clean every day, eat on time, and live comfortably."
"Don't expect too much from life in Xue's house. It's quite down there and there are no separate houses."
"It doesn't matter, I can endure hardship, especially hardship."
"I know."
Qinglan raised her eyes and couldn't help but recall the experience the two had on the outskirts of Chang'an.
"Lang Jun, shall I go back to the back courtyard to rest?"
"Go ahead."
Xue Bai watched her retreat, thinking that it would be okay for him to go to Xue's house and sleep on a bunk bed, but it would be inconvenient to bring a little girl with him... She was indeed still young.
He picked up Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy and looked at it in the moonlight. Then he closed his eyes and felt the spiritual essence in the words. Feeling that his calligraphy had improved a little, he closed the window, got on the couch, and closed the curtains.
The bedding has been changed.
Xue Bai remembered something and reached out to check. The spring shirt was no longer there, and he didn't know where it was hanging to dry.
He smiled bitterly, lay down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.
In spring, the moon is full during midnight snacks, and a white jade plate hangs high in the blue sky...
~~
I had another dream that night.
In the dream, it was the bustling lantern market in Chang'an. Women in the prosperous Tang Dynasty were very good at dressing up. Only when they tied up their breasts with colorful silks would the beauty of their even flesh and bones be fully revealed.
Skirts that are tied too high tend to be bloated, so they put their hands on their waists, which is both dignified and outlines their slim figures. The colorful training wrapped around the arm adds a bit of fairy spirit, and it dances beautifully.
They were smiling, and Xue Bai stood there watching like a tourist, smelling the faint fragrance.
"Xue Bai, I have something to ask you."
He turned around under the lamp tree, and the first thing he saw was a pair of eyes full of adoration, full of autumn water, so he put his arms around her.
These days, he was actually troubled by the fact that his too youthful body always gave him an impulse that had nowhere to put it.
Until now, his rising vitality had been suppressed by the uneasiness of being in a foreign land. Only at this time, her softness and thoughtfulness made him feel at ease.
"Um……"
A muffled groan sounded in my ears.
Xue Bai woke up in a trance. There was darkness in the curtain and softness in his arms.
This time, isn't it a dream?
He felt the woman in his arms trembling slightly, and then he moved closer greedily.
There is no need to dance like those Orchids, no need to pose like those famous prostitutes. There was darkness in front of him, but he could feel her strong love, which alone could make people emotional.
Is it Qinglan?
He wanted to ask her but couldn't.
He couldn't even breathe smoothly, as if he was drunk.
She came wrapped in a thick cloak, and inside the cloak was a long skirt made of soft material...
Not Qinglan.
With only this matter confirmed in his mind, he gradually could no longer maintain his thinking.
Then, he finally integrated into the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty.
"..."
It's a cool night with golden wind and jade dew, and the autumn grass is in front of the window. Lightly drunk and sleeping. A pillow on the river makes dreams come true...
~~
In the corner of the courtyard, there is still snow that has not yet melted.
A wintersweet bloomed alone in the night. As the night fog became thicker, the dew condensed on the wintersweet became heavier and heavier, and finally dripped down into the snow.
~~
Finally, the moon sets and the sun rises, and the night passes, with birds singing and flowers fragrant.
"Mr. Lang, you have been asleep for a long time."
Xue Bai opened his eyes and saw Qing Lan first.
He didn't pay much attention to the little girl's appearance before, but now he realized that she was very beautiful, with a crescent moon, Xiaojiabiyu.
"why you?"
"Of course it's me who wakes you up to have dinner."
Xue Bai stood up, still yawning.
"The bedding I changed is too thick. Did Mr. Wang sweat during the night? I'll take him out to dry up..."
Qinglan helped him up and was busy with today's housework enthusiastically, acting like a maid of the Xue family again.
Food has been bought on the table, including biscuits, cheese, eggs, sliced meat, etc. She already knows Xue Bai's taste very well.
Du Wulang hadn't gone to Fengwei House yet today. He passed by the door and came over yawning.
"What area of your house has been creaking all night?"
"The window coffin is loose and makes noise when the wind blows."
"Oh." Du Wulang rubbed his eyes and left.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"The breakfast at home is not delicious. I'll go to Fengwei Restaurant to eat."
Xue Bai looked outside the door and saw the Du sisters coming out of the backyard.
He knew that it could only be one of them last night, so he observed it carefully for a while.
In order to facilitate their work, they all wore robes, and because they were worried about the cold on the road, they wrapped themselves in a cloak. It’s not that she deliberately disguised herself as a man, this was a common attire for women in the Tang Dynasty.
Du Jin looks thinner, which is because she has lost weight due to eating less over the years, but she is not skinny, and her figure is still in good shape. Du Jin has a good figure and likes to wear fancy clothes, so she looks full of color.
Both of them looked like they hadn't slept well. After Du Jin raised her hand to cover her mouth and yawned a little, Du Wei also made the same move.
When they walked away, they didn't look back at him.
Xue Bai couldn't tell the difference in the end, so he changed his mind and thought to himself, in fact, it's okay not to know, so he just thought it was a dream.
After breakfast, he picked up his pen and practiced calligraphy. After all, the things of the night couldn't be forgotten, and he actually felt poetic.
"The spring breeze was full of dew all night long, but no one could see the swaying steps under the heavy curtain."
Before I had time to check the rhyme, I remembered that Li Bai had already written the sentence "The spring breeze blows on the threshold and reveals the richness of the flowers." I shook my head, took off my broken poem, and casually wrote another poem by Bai Juyi. It was time to practice my calligraphy.
