The sun shines into the attic, and the water for tea is boiling on the small stove.
"Xue Ling's house was built by Xue Rengui when he was appointed general of the Sixth Army of Beiya. Although it is not as good as the later general's house, it was passed down to the second house and is also the ancestral house. If you cannot keep it, you will be said to be unfilial. Whether it’s for grandpa or the ancestral home, Xue Bai should come.”
"It must be that he didn't think about this yesterday and refused to work hard for his false father. If he thinks about it today, it will come..."
Da Xi Yingying was very patient, making tea and waiting.
Not long after, she got news.
"Madam, the scoundrels we arranged to stay in the Xue family's residence in Changshoufang were kicked out by Chang'an County officials."
"Why?"
"The contract has not yet passed..."
"Did you show them the IOU for Xue Ling's debt?"
"I gave it, but the Chang'an County Lieutenant said that the sufferer refused to admit that he owed a huge debt overnight. He suspected that we were setting up a gambling or fraud and wanted to investigate the matter."
Da Xi Yingying frowned and said angrily: "My gambling shop is located in Wannian County, what does it have to do with Chang'an County? Nosy."
She didn't care about the small house, but she was curious about why Xue Bai made it so complicated when things could be solved just by coming over and talking for a few words.
Soon someone hurried over and said, "Madam, Xue Bai is coming to Daozhengfang."
Da Xi Yingying smiled slightly and understood instantly.
Show off your skills before talking, she would do the same thing, it's just a simple trick.
"Bring Xue Ling a good beating and the debt book."
Get ready here, Xue Bai also arrived at Daozhengfang.
However, he did not come to find her, but went straight into Fengwei Building.
~~
The lobby was busy. Qu Shui didn't know where he saw Xue Bai and hurriedly greeted him.
"Mr.
Xue Bai walked through the busy lobby, hesitated for a moment, and went to the accounting room.
I heard a "crackling" sound outside the door. I pushed open the ajar door and went in. I saw a beautiful woman sitting at the table. She picked up two gold cakes in her slender hands and weighed them. She moved the abacus and took notes. account.
"What's the matter?" Du Mei asked calmly without raising her head.
Xue Bai discovered for the first time that she was quite impressive when she was outside.
Du Wei waited for a moment but got no answer. When she raised her head and saw him coming, she quickly lowered her eyes, slightly panicked.
For the past two days, she had been staying with Du Jin at home. The two sisters had never been alone with Xue Bai. As soon as Xue Bai came closer, she immediately became uncomfortable.
She didn't even call him. She opened her mouth twice, as if to say "You're here," but her voice was very low, and she suddenly couldn't speak.
"I'm here to take a look." Xue Bai stepped forward and took a look at the account book, "Last time I told you I would teach you how to keep accounts..."
"Have you been busy for a while?" Du Wei seemed to have no intention of learning.
Seeing her so uneasy, Xue Bai had a thought in his mind.
Du Yu and Du Jin use the same spices, but they are lighter. Xue Bai could smell subtle differences when he looked at them, but he couldn't smell them without looking at them.
When the woman came the night before, he was sleeping deeply and it was too dark inside the curtains. He was so confused that he didn't recognize who it was. Last night he deliberately opened the curtains, but when he woke up they were closed again.
The woman had been gritting her teeth and holding back, not daring to make too much noise, as if she didn't want him to know who she was, so he stopped guessing and concentrated on enjoying it.
But now, looking at Du Wei's figure and her feelings when getting along, it should be her...
"Is there anything else you have to do?" Du Wei asked, turning sideways unconsciously, "If nothing happens, you can go find Erniang."
"It's okay, you go do your business first."
Seeing that she was distant, Xue Bai became suspicious again.
He left the accounting room and climbed to the attic in the backyard.
Standing against the railing, you can see the scenery of several nearby courtyards.
"That's Qingliangzhai over there. It was originally a secret gambling house used in spring and summer. I heard that its owner plans to build a new house near Qujiang Pond." Du Jin came out of nowhere and said leisurely: "Xue Ling It means losing everything in Qingliangzhai."
"Do you know who the proprietor is?"
"I don't know yet," Du Jin said, "He probably wants to make friends with you, otherwise he would have sent someone to Fengwei Building to collect debts."
"Are you coming for me?"
Du Jin said: "Talent and prestige are most important in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty. Prestige comes first with filial piety. Saints attach great importance to the word 'filial piety'. You must save Xue Ling."
Xue Bai said: "I am running hard to save Xue Ling."
"Um?"
"In the morning, I went to ask Xue Hui for help; in the afternoon, I went to the Chang'an County government office to report the case and temporarily got my ancestral home back; in the afternoon, I went to Fengwei Building to pay money. Tomorrow, I will go to Yang Zhao to borrow money and bring him Go to the Chang'an County Government Office to show your sincerity in repaying the debt and your determination to save Xue Ling."
Du Jin listened and couldn't help but pursed his lips and smiled, already understanding what he meant.
"In this case, who can say that you are unfilial? If this matter comes to the ears of the saint, you can be said to be the most filial son in Chang'an City."
"feasible?"
"Of course it's possible. I'll try to spread the word." Du Jin liked his cleverness and praised: "This is a small accident, but it can make your filial piety famous far and wide, and it will be of great benefit to your official career. ...I'm just afraid if Xue Ling dies."
"No, whether the other party collects debts or has ulterior motives, killing him is useless and will only cause trouble." Xue Bai said: "Let them raise him."
"You are such an old fox."
The two of them were discussing this with a sense of complicity.
She smiled and leaned closer. Xue Bai felt the fragrance lingering in his nose and felt that the atmosphere was a little different.
He remembered that there was one more thing to say, and Yun Danfeng said lightly: "By the way, I will go to Mrs. Guo's house tomorrow night for help, and it is also about Xue Ling. I may be away for two or three days, and there are many things that you need to take care of..."
Before he finished speaking, Du Jin pulled him from the railing into the attic.
She stood on tiptoes, moved closer, and sealed his mouth.
Xue Bai felt strange at first, but he understood it instantly.
The carved wooden door at the pole was hooked by a boot and closed. The curtains in the small pavilion swayed slightly, and heavy breathing sounded.
"Is it you at night?"
"Um……"
~~
In the backyard kitchen, the cook picked up a Luoyang Dongguan radish, put it into the basin and rubbed it vigorously. As the water rippled, she rubbed it clean.
Afterwards, she picked up the basin and splashed it with all her strength. The water flowed freely and merged into the small ditch.
At the stove, the thatch ignited at a moment's notice, making a "cracking" sound, and soon the firewood was burning vigorously, and the fire was burning blazingly.
Hu Shisanniang washed her hands, rubbed them on her lower abdomen, picked up the spatula, and prepared to do a lot of work.
A piece of greasy white oil melts instantly in the hot iron pot...
~~
"Second mother."
Qu Shui hurriedly ran out of the attic. Seeing that the door was closed, he reported: "A visitor came to see Xue Langjun. The original question was to ask if Xue Ling's son was here... Er Niang?"
"Not seen, blast away."
Du Jin responded briefly, his voice a little strange.
Qu Shui was stunned for a moment, thinking that Er Niang was angry and ran away quickly.
Soon, the sound of a table shaking was heard inside the door.
Du Jin sat on the table, raised her head and bit her lip. She heard the footsteps fade away and finally let out a long hum.
She stretched out a pair of jade hands to hold Xue Bai's belt, and pulled awkwardly twice, but failed to pull it away.
This is what she gave him as a gift, a sheepskin belt, tightly tied.
"I'll solve it."
"Um……"
Xue Bai untied it for a while, but before he could untie it, she was dissatisfied and pulled him coquettishly.
The stuck belt was suddenly torn open and fell to the ground.
…
The wind gradually became stronger, blowing the bells under the eaves, making a crisp sound.
Two clouds in the sky were blown together, intertwined and merged into one. The water vapor was thick and finally brewed into raindrops.
The spring rain falls, moistening things silently.
The warblers chirped in the distant willow trees, and the city of Chang'an seemed to have a new color after being washed by the spring rain.
It is exactly "the flowers are shy at dawn, the wind is cold, the butterflies are dreaming, the willows are worried and the spring rain is wet, and the orioles are singing".
~~
"Madam, Xue Bai said... no guests."
Da Xi Yingying frowned, her face gradually became displeased, and she ordered: "Find some scoundrels to go to Fengwei Building to collect debts."
"yes."
"I want to see for myself."
"Madam, it's raining. It's better... that little guy to prepare the car."
Although it was only a short distance, Da Xi Yingying had to take a carriage.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley. She opened some curtains and looked towards Fengweilou. The scoundrels had arrived and were shouting inside.
"It is only natural that the father's debt should be paid by the son. Xue Ling owes us money, and Xue Bai should pay it back!"
Today was another banquet for dignitaries. Da Xi Yingying did not dare to offend them for a trivial matter. Letting the scoundrels shout like this was just to make Xue Bai feel the pressure.
This was also her test to observe the young man who attracted the attention of King Shou.
Soon, a young man arrived with the guardian and shouted: "If you make trouble again, you will offend Mrs. Guo Guo, you know? This is Mrs. Guo Guo's property."
"Xue Bai, why don't you pay back the money?!"
Da Xi Yingying frowned, knowing that this scoundrel had admitted the wrong person.
Seeing that he had been mistaken, Du Wulang shook his head. He did not want to be regarded as the old-fashioned and boring Xue Bai.
But there was no explanation for this ignorant and lazy man. He raised his hand and immediately shouted: "The ancestral teachings of Pingyang County, future generations, anyone who dares to gamble will be expelled from the house forever, regardless of parents and children, all kindness and righteousness will be cut off."
Thinking of the way his grandfather scolded him for losing money that day, Du Wulang became more energetic and added: "Xue Bai abides by the ancestral precepts. Wouldn't it be unfilial to pay off a gambler's debt?"
The words fell on the carriage in the distance.
When Da Xi Yingying saw him, he asked Shi Zhong on the carriage shaft: "Who do you think this Du Qi is?"
"Looking stupid, he is actually stupid. Occasionally he makes some surprising remarks, and he has some background as a descendant of the family." Shi Zhongdao, "In short, according to the information given by King Shou, Xue Bai is more capable. As for Du Qi, It’s a fool who occasionally has a bright idea.”
"Idiot?" Da Xi Yingying smiled slightly, "Xue Pingzhao must be taken care of in ten years. Did the Du family really happen to save him recently? Look at the relationship between this idiot and Xue Bai."
"What does the lady mean?"
"This idiot is also staring." Da Xi Yingying said: "Did King Shou agree to see me?"
"This... the ten kings' residence is under strict control. King Shou said that it is better to wait until the lady finds out the clues."
As he spoke, Shi Zhong glanced over and saw Da Xi Yingying's face looking ugly. He whispered: "I'll find a beautiful young man for my wife..."
~~
After three days, the dusk drums in Chang'an City rang again.
"Boom."
"Boom."
The guests in Fengwei Building gradually dispersed. Du Wulang stretched and walked to the backyard with Du Wei.
"Sister, are you angry with Xue Bai recently? Because he is moving away."
"No." Du Wei tilted her head and her voice was inexplicably gentle, "I'm not angry with him."
From the small attic, Xue Bai and Du Jin walked down.
"Hey, where were you just now? Someone came to make trouble. Xue Bai, if you don't resolve your grandfather's matter, people will say you are unfilial."
"It's solved."
Du Jin looked up at the sky and murmured, "Is it raining?"
"It's been a long time, doesn't the second sister know?"
"It's so troublesome to ride home." Du Jin frowned.
Du Wulang shook his head and muttered: "I'm getting more and more squeamish."
The four of them had forgotten about the curfew and rode back to Du's house. Even though they were wearing raincoats, their hair was still wet.
In the stable, there were several thin figures feeding the horses.
"Why are you here?"
"Brother Six."
Xue Xin led his younger brothers and sisters to salute the Du brothers and sisters, and then replied: "We help feed the horses. I am good at raising horses."
"Good job." Xue Bai patted his head and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
"We are very full. Sister Qinglan gave us a lot of food. Brother Six, is it okay if we eat so much here?"
"Haha, of course it doesn't matter." Du Wulang smiled and said, "Just treat it as your own home."
"Thank you Wu Lang." After Xue Xin saluted, he looked at Xue Bai again.
"Well, you don't need to be too restrained, but don't cause trouble to others. We will go back to Xue's house after staying for a few more days. How about we ask a gentleman to teach you how to read?"
"good."
Xue Xin actually didn't want to study, he wanted to join the army, follow the example of his great-grandfather, build a career, and revitalize his family. However, although the sixth brother in front of him had just returned, he was very willing to listen to what he had to say.
"Brother Six is so awesome, can he really go home?" Xue Qiniang asked, "Then Grandpa..."
"Qiniang."
Xue Xin quickly pulled away from his sister, as if he was afraid that if she asked, she would really bring Xue Ling back.
~~
Night falls.
Qing Lan wiped Xue Bai's hair, talked about how she got along with the Xue family today, and promised to take care of them in the next few days when he was away. Then she left reluctantly and went back to the backyard.
Xue Bai changed into his spring shirt, hesitated for a moment, bolted the door, and pushed the table to the door to block it.
Although she was looking forward to Du Jin coming back tonight, both of them knew that this relationship was shady. She was probably jealous of Yang Yuyao's power, but he still had to give back to Yang Yuyao.
…
He slept deeply that night. Xue Bai woke up, moved the table and opened the door, and saw Qing Lan standing there with breakfast in his hand and an unhappy look on his face.
"Does Mr. Lang want to take a nap to prevent me from going in?"
"right."
Qing Lan was not afraid of him and said dissatisfiedly: "Lang Jun himself said that he wanted to study and make progress, but he can't do this next time... okay?"
After she finished speaking, she remembered to ask if it was okay.
The Du sisters had already gone to Fengwei Building. It seemed that everyone slept well that night.
Xue Bai packed up and drove his horse out, thinking that this was enough for Xue Ling.
However, yesterday Yan Zhenqing forgot to give the copybook because of delays in handling the case. This is actually a good thing. It's best to forget about it today so that you can have the opportunity to visit more often.
How can it be more beneficial to just have a copybook than to become a disciple?
Xue Bai believed that Yan Zhenqing could be of great help to him in terms of talent and prestige in the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty...
