In the dead of night, Xu Que was lying on the bed tossing and turning. It wasn't that he didn't want to sleep, but that what happened after returning home was too shocking.
After coming out of the ancestral hall, his eldest brother handed him a note. Although the words on it were very brief, it also made him understand why his father was unwilling to say it.
Just when Xu Que was thinking about how to get the Xu family out of this whirlpool, the door was quietly pushed open, and a little head poked in.
"It's so late, why haven't you slept yet?" Xu Que asked as he looked at the little figure walking over.
"Brother, I can't sleep. I want to come and see you." The little girl pouted and came to Xu Que.
"Yes, it's hard to fall asleep in a sudden change of place." Xu Que stood up and came to the little girl: "Let's make you something to eat."
Xiner's eyes widened when she heard about the food. In fact, she came to Xu Que because she was a little hungry.
West courtyard back room
"Didn't you tell him about his marriage?" Xu's mother asked.
"No." Xu Maocai shook his head: "Although Lu Shangshu mentioned the matter of breaking off the engagement many times, I kept him away. After all, Que'er's marriage must be decided by himself."
Xu's mother sighed: "If I had known that something like this would happen, Xu Que would not have been allowed to go to the Taoist sect at that time. If he became an in-law, perhaps Lu Shangshu would still want to help."
"A woman like you won't understand. Things are not that simple. Go to bed early and give him my marriage certificate tomorrow and let him handle it by himself." Xu Maocai covered his wife with a quilt and walked to the study.
The next day, Xu Que woke up and left the courtyard. As soon as he walked to the main hall of the west courtyard to see how his mother's illness was, he heard a sudden exclamation from inside: "Master, what's wrong with you?"
Xu Que pushed open the door to the main hall and ran in. He saw his eldest brother collapsed on the ground. His face was extremely pale and bloodless. Xiaohong and her mother hurriedly helped him up.
Xu Que quickly stepped forward and helped his eldest brother up: "Brother, what's wrong with you?"
Tears filled Xu's mother's eyes, and she broke down in tears and said, "It was all because of my mother that I harmed him. Ordinary scholars would waste all their literary energy to write a "Shu Xin Wen". Your elder brother has been writing two articles a day for several days. How can your body bear it?"
After hearing what his mother said, Xu Que finally understood why his eldest brother fainted.
"Xiaohong, go and prepare some soup, and I will drink it for you later."
Just when Xu Que finished speaking, Xu Maocai walked in. Seeing the scene in front of him, he clenched his fists hard, and then he and Xu Que helped Xu Fan to the bed.
Seeing that Xu Fan finally regained his breath, Xu Maocai whispered to Xu Que: "Come to the study with me, I have something for you."
Xu Que didn't know what his father wanted to give him, but he still followed obediently.
Xu Maocai's study was very simple. There were no things used by literati on it. Except for some generals' weapons, they were basically worn-out military books.
"Actually, my father wanted to give this to you last night, but he was afraid it would affect your sleep, so I can only give it to you now." Xu Maofeng took out a wooden box and pushed it in front of Xu Que.
Seeing this wooden box, Xu Que was a little confused. The first thing he thought of was money. After all, the Xu family is so short of money now.
"Father, our family is now..." Just when Xu Que opened the box and wanted to say that he didn't need to give me the money, he was speechless because there was nothing valuable in it.
"This is the marriage certificate from the Lu Mansion, the Minister of Rites. This marriage certificate was agreed upon by your grandfather and Lu Qingfeng three years ago. Ever since your grandfather passed away, Lu Shangshu has wanted to return the marriage certificate. After all, the current Duke's Mansion has declined." Xu Maocai sighed with emotion. He looked at Xu Que.
"Hmph, interesting, but that's okay." A sly smile appeared on Xu Que's face.
"You want to marry Lu Wanqing?" Xu Maocai was surprised. He had no idea what his youngest son wanted to do.
"No... although I don't know why the Duke's Mansion is like this, but my father must have taken care of it. Since we are short of money, this thing can be sold at a good price."
Xu Maocai was shocked and said quickly: "No, this is the marriage contract your grandfather made for you. How can it be compared with gold and silver?"
"Father, you must have heard different rumors while walking around recently, and there is not much money left in the mansion. Even if you sell the Duke's mansion, the person above will not make it easier for us, so you understand better than me!" Xu Que He looked at his father seriously.
"Oh, I wanted to hide it from you...forget it, since I have chosen you, then you can make your own decision." Xu Maocai sighed.
"Father, since that man doesn't want to see us, we should leave early. After all, this place..." Xu Que didn't finish his words and just made a neck-locking motion.
"What about the Duke's Mansion? Your grandfather worked hard for this for half his life." Xu Maocai asked.
"Write a letter and ask your uncle. If he doesn't agree, leave the Duke's Mansion to him. There is no need for us to fight over this." Xu Que said firmly.
Xu Maocai nodded. In fact, he had already realized it when he was doing it. Just for the pride in his heart, he never gave up. Now that Xu Que said it, he also understood what it means to do something.
"When Fan'er wakes up, let's discuss it. I will write a letter to my eldest brother now," Xu Maocai said.
"Well, take your leave then." Xu Que bowed respectfully and exited the study.
At three o'clock in the morning, Xu Fan supported his body and slowly came to the study. After discussing with Xu Maocai, he walked towards Xu Que's residence.
No one knows what the two brothers discussed, but one thing is that they want to leave the capital!
And just when Xu Fan left Xu Que's room, a clear female voice suddenly came from outside: "Excuse me, is Mr. Xu Fan and Xu here?"
Xu Fan was stunned, his pale face looking even more sad.
"Brother, are you here?" Xu Que came to Xu Fan and asked.
Xu Fan nodded, shook his head, and then walked towards his bedroom.
Xu Que wondered, why did this person leave?
Xiaohong walked out quickly: "The girl is..."
The woman gave a slight salute: "This slave is Cui'er who serves this girl in Piaoxiang Tower... I've come here specifically to see Young Master Xu Fan."
Xiaohong said: "The eldest son is not feeling well. I'm afraid he won't be able to see guests. If necessary, I will take my place."
Hearing that Xu Fan was unwell, Cui'er was a little anxious: "Sister, please let me meet the young master no matter what. The matter is urgent and cannot be passed on to others."
"Then...come in."
Cui'er and Xiaohong entered the west courtyard, but when they entered Xu Fan's small courtyard, Cui'er was shocked by the person in front of her.
"Tui'er, what happened?" Xu Fan asked, holding on to the pillar.
Seeing the bloodless Xu Fan, Cui'er clenched her fists and said, "Today, my sister left Leji. Does the eldest son know?"
Leaving the Le family is a step that all girls in brothels take. When they are young, they perform in brothels. When they get older and are no longer suitable for this kind of livelihood, leaving the Le family to marry a good man or become a concubine of a wealthy family is the best destination.
And even though Liu Rushi is the famous courtesan in Piaoxianglou, she can't escape the rules of the brothel.
The bloodless Xu Fan was in a daze: "Yes...she once said she would leave Leji, but I didn't know it was today...she asked you to come here?"
"I came out today without telling my elder sister. Last night I saw my elder sister secretly hiding the invitation for the young master. Therefore, my elder sister did not want the young master to participate in the matter of leaving the music family, just because she knew that the prime minister's music Xian, together with all the talented people in the capital's literary circle, has always wanted to end the young master's literary career. If the young master participates, it may be very dangerous. The slave girl also knows that her sister's approach is right, but the slave girl is still worried. Today Qu Xian has announced that he will be in I hugged my sister back from the farewell party. The prime minister's palace is so powerful, how can we resist it... What if we jump into the pit of fire... How can we go back to tell the story of the Yuan Dynasty with the young master again? "
Xu Fan, who was already weak, trembled violently after hearing this, and his whole heart was riddled with holes.
Just when Xu Fan was thinking about holding up his body and agreeing to Cui'er, Xu's mother sighed and walked into the small courtyard: "Fan'er, this girl's concern is really for you. You should rest in peace and wait and see how the situation changes."
"Mother, that's the prime minister's house...it's us..." Xu Fan's chest rose and fell sharply, and the anger on his face made him look sickly and decadent.
"The prime minister planned all this to destroy us. If you go to Piaoxiang Tower, it will go as they want. As the only scholar in the Xu family, you should know how dangerous this place is. If you This has ended the cultural path, and our Xu family has no foundation for a foothold. What's more, your body and bones are meaningless now. Instead, they will add insult to injury. In this way, a girl like this will be implicated..."
Xu Fan stared at the sky blankly, with a lot of thoughts in his heart. The scenes were like a flood. Suddenly, he coughed violently. When he took his hand away from his mouth, his palm turned a shocking red...
"Fan'er!"
"Master!"
Everyone was shocked, and Xu Que hurriedly stepped forward to help his elder brother.
Xu's mother immediately wiped Xu Fan's blood with her sleeve. As a mother, she doesn't know what her son is thinking.
Cui'er didn't expect such a thing to happen. She stared blankly, her face pale.
Xu Que sent his eldest brother into the room, and after walking out of the room, he said to Cui'er who was in a daze, "Follow me."
As soon as she left the room, Cui'er knelt down in front of Xu Que: "Master, I really didn't expect such a thing to happen. It's my fault..."
"Sister Cui'er, I know you also have good intentions, thank you for telling us the matter." Xu Que helped Cui'er up: "You have also seen my elder brother's situation, can the departure from the Leji Banquet be postponed? "
"No, the invitations were sent out early today." Cui'er answered truthfully.
Xu Que touched his chin and pondered for a long time: "Then...can I go instead of my brother?"
Cui'er was stunned and asked quickly: "Sir, do you want to participate?"
"Yeah, can't it?" Xu Que was confused.
"No, no... This is not what I mean. You can participate, but the participants are all literati. I'm afraid that you..."
Before Cui'er could finish her words, Xu Que said with a smile, "You go back first, I will go to Piaoxiang Tower later!"
After hearing Xu Que's words, Cui'er hesitated for a moment, then took out the invitation from her arms and handed it to Xu Que: "Master, this invitation was drawn up by Piaoxianglou. If my sister saw it, she hid it, and the servant secretly Take the land and leave, this slave."
After taking the red invitation and looking at Cui'er who turned away, Xu Que took a look at the neat small letters on the invitation and his smile became even thicker!
Qu Xian, the prime minister, a scholar in the capital...
Xu Que was sorting through the words of Cui'er and his mother just now in his mind. He thought that since he chose to leave the capital, he should give these people eye drops and want to cut off his eldest brother Wen's path? This is interesting stuff!
Xu Que did not go back to his room, but walked towards his elder brother's study. After all, if he wanted to defeat these literati, he had to start from the basics. He needed to fully understand the literati of this world.
The so-called banquet was held in the evening, there were still two or three hours before noon, enough time for Xu Que to copy all the books in the study.
There are a large number of books in Xu Fan's study, including "Tao Te Ching", "The Analects of Confucius", "Xiao Dai Li Ji", "Mencius", etc. These classics have rough edges, and it is obvious that Xu Fan has read them frequently.
As if appreciating flowers and the moon, Xu Que touched a book and threw it aside. A large amount of book knowledge entered his brain like a sea. The dead branch on the right side of the ancient tree even sprouted more than a dozen new leaves.
Absolutely no one would have thought that Xu Que would become a scholar in just one step. In a dozen steps, he would be equivalent to a scholar in this world who has been studying hard for decades!
After walking around, Xu Que sat in front of the desk and picked up a yellowed book on the desk. The title of the book was "Collection of Famous Poems from All Countries".
There is a brief sentence at the beginning: This book contains the works of 424 poetic geniuses from hundreds of countries over the past thousand years, a total of 482 poems, all of which are famous ancient and modern poems.
The first song "Winter Snow" "The red silkworms are dim and graceful, and the wind has faded. They fly up to the blue sky in winter. I send you a lot of good luck, and I will never say goodbye to the harsh winter." The author Gu Yanfeng, a native of Beimang Canngling, was born in the Huangli calendar In 212, he died in 268 of the lunar calendar...
The second song "Wall Viewing"...
The third song "Yesterday's Rain"...
He read more than a hundred poems in a row, but none of them were familiar to him. In other words, there were no literati and poets from that world in this world!
Throwing the collection of poems aside, Xu Que picked up another book that made him curious. This book was called "Miscellaneous Talks of Hundreds of Literary Schools". When he opened the book, his eyes lit up instantly, because this book contained detailed records. How do the saints in this world bestow the power of the liberal arts on the world? They also introduce in detail what the liberal arts is, what the ladder is, how to advance to the liberal arts, and finally explain the taboos of the liberal arts, etc...
