This time Zhou Xing came with the housekeeper. He was tired from traveling all the way and his face looked tired, but he was in a great mood.
Knowing that Uncle Zhou and Zhou Zixu must have a lot to say, Lin Yuanqiu did not stay long. After greetings, he took his leave and returned to the Imperial College with a large package.
Anyway, Uncle Zhou won't go back so soon, and it will be the same if we meet again in a few days.
After returning to the dormitory, Lin Yuanqiu opened the package and saw an envelope at the top, followed by several sets of clothes and shoes and socks, all brand new.
Lin Yuanqiu opened the letter first, and what he saw was the beautiful handwriting. This should be written by Chunyan. Lin Yuanqiu felt comforted. Before coming to the capital, he specially told Chunyan and Chuncao to learn more and practice calligraphy with the third sister-in-law. It seemed that both of them took his words to heart.
While Lin Yuanqiu was checking the package and reading the letter, in the inn, Zhou Xingzheng happily told Zhou Zixu the purpose of his trip.
When he heard that the marriage was specially arranged for him, Zhou Zixu was shocked, "Dad, whose family are you talking about?"
"The Lu family is your Lu Shibo family."
Zhou Xing's face was full of smiles, life passed by so fast, and in a blink of an eye, it was time for his Xu'er to propose marriage.
Also, this marriage was a letter written by Mr. Lu himself to his father. Although she was only a concubine, her father said that if Xu'er could get this marriage, she would definitely have a lot of success in her career in the future.
…
Chapter 115 Marriage Proposal
After confirming that he had not heard wrongly, Zhou Zixu's expression turned ugly, "Dad, I don't agree with this marriage!"
Zhou Xing, his own son, knows that his Xu'er has always been a bright and open-minded child, and it is rare for him to have a sullen face. The very unhappy expression on his face now shows how disgusted he is with this marriage. .
But Zhou Xing was puzzled. He just mentioned the Lu family, and before he said which girl from the Lu family it was, his son began to object strongly.
It is impossible to say that he has any objections to the Lu family. When his son wrote home last time, he even mentioned that Lu Shibo had given him advice on writing an article.
So what is going on?
If you have any doubts in your mind, you should naturally ask questions clearly, and this is also related to your son's marriage.
Zhou Xing asked, "Tell me, dad, why you don't like the Lu family's marriage. Didn't you, Xu'er, write back earlier and say that Mr. Lu taught you how to write articles?"
"That was before."
Zhou Zixu naturally had nothing to hide from his father.
"After her son went there twice, Mrs. Lu specially called her son to come over and talk."
Zhou Zixu still remembers the condescending expression of the other party, "Mrs. Lu said that Lu Shibo was busy with official duties on weekdays, and it was rare for Xiu Mu to take a break. His son was not a fool. After hearing this, he never went there again. "
"Did Mrs. Lu say this?"
Zhou Xing couldn't believe it. When he came to visit with gifts that day, Mrs. Lu was also there. She looked so kind and smiling. Could it be that these were just appearances?
Seeing his father's look of disbelief, Zhou Zixu lost his mind and said seriously: "Dad, do you think your son is someone who would lie to you about this matter?"
Yes, his Xu'er never lies. Even when he was a child, he was still a person who always said one thing and another.
Thinking of this, the anger in Zhou Xing's heart started to rise. This Lu Mansion was too unreasonable. If he didn't want his son to come to ask for advice, he could just say no. Why would he agree to it and wait for a few days? It's really boring to do this again and behave like this.
Seeing his father's expression turned ugly, Zhou Zixu hurriedly comforted him, "Dad, there's nothing to be angry about. Brother Lin said that only when you are strong can others not look down upon you. Besides, even if there is no such thing No matter what, my son will not accept the marriage with the Lu family. Dad, don’t think about it. People like the Lu family designate us as people who want to covet them. If they really want to marry us, they can only marry us at most. I will be given a concubine, and my son is not someone who cannot make a future, so why should he be picked on by others?"
Hearing this, Zhou Xing was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect to tell his son that it was indeed the concubine of the family who was being raised by the Lu family.
Seeing the expression on his father's face, Zhou Zixu didn't understand why, "Is she really a concubine?"
Zhou Xing nodded, "She is the second young lady from the Lu family."
However, after listening to what his son had just said, Zhou Xing felt that even if the Lu family was talking about a legitimate daughter this time, he would not agree to the marriage based on their inconsistent behavior.
His Xu'er was right, it wasn't like he couldn't make a future, so why should he be picked on by them.
Thinking like this, Zhou Xing couldn't help but feel grateful for his wisdom and come to the capital in person. Originally, according to his father's wish, he wanted to reply to Mr. Lu to agree to the marriage first, and then go through the engagement process.
In fact, Zhou Xing knew what his father meant. He was worried that a good marriage would be lost.
Alas, Zhou Xing sighed. If he hadn't been lucky enough to come over, he would have thought this was a good marriage.
Also, he only found out today that although his Xu'er had never mentioned her marriage, she still had her own opinions in her heart.
Zhou Xing suddenly felt that his son's marriage would definitely not be arranged by his parents and elders.
At this time, Zhou Zixu was a little absent-minded. He had always thought that he would have his own opinions on his marriage. Unexpectedly, his grandfather actually wanted to settle his marriage without even saying a word to him. Fortunately, this time he Dad is here.
Otherwise, if he really decides to marry a concubine, his whole life will be over.
Zhou Zixu quickly remembered Han Jiaoyu's face being scratched by his wife, who was also a concubine.
What's more, Zhou Zixu actually had an idea in his mind about his marriage. The reason why he didn't say it yet was that he still felt that the time had not come yet. Now it seemed that he couldn't delay it, otherwise his grandfather would find a way to arrange the marriage for him one day. .
Zhou Xing knew that the boarding students must return to the Imperial College before the Youshi period, so he urged Zhou Zixu to go back quickly, "Don't be anxious. In a few days, dad will go to the Lu Mansion and say that you are still young." I still want to wait for a few more years to get married."
After Zhou Zixu asked his father to have a good rest, he didn't stay any longer. He was still pretending to be worried.
And here, Lin Yuanqiu neatly put the clothes and shoes in the bag into the cage.
Chunyan said in the letter that she and her sister made these clothes. This obvious tone of claiming credit made Lin Yuanqiu laugh.
It happened that Uncle Zhou came over, and Lin Yuanqiu planned to go to the street tomorrow to buy some beautiful head flowers and summer clothes for Chun Yanchuncao. By the way, he also bought a pair of double-sided embroidered holding fans for the two of them. Then I asked Uncle Zhou to take it back. In two months, it will be hot summer, and it will be ready for use by then.
After closing the suitcase, Lin Yuanqiu opened the bookcase and took out several bags. These were the orders for Guanyin that the guests had requested. Lin Yuanqiu planned to draw them all before going to bed.
Unrolling the rolled paper, Lin Yuanqiu took out a piece of mica rice paper and spread it flat on the table. Because the paper was sprinkled with a little gold powder, it looked gleaming.
After all, the people in Kyoto were much more affluent than county towns and prefectures. A three-foot-wide mica rice paper like this would cost more than one tael of silver.
The guests here who make portraits of Bodhisattva all use this kind of paper, and one painting must be paired with two. This is to leave room for the painter. If one painting is not done well, he can paint another one. .
Lin Yuanqiu was reluctant to waste such expensive paper.
So every time he drew, he paid special attention and tried not to use a second picture.
You know, all the paper saved belongs to him.
The most important aspect of a Bodhisattva portrait is the face. If the painting is not done well, the entire painting will be greatly compromised. However, this is not difficult for Lin Yuanqiu, who was used to painting portraits in his previous life.
First, he gently folded the paper in half to make a line, which was used as the center line of the face. Then Lin Yuanqiu picked up the pen and drew a round face in twos and twos. When drawing a character's face, it must be done in one go, so that the lines can be smooth. Then there are the eyes that look down slightly, and finally the mouth that is slightly tilted into a smile. The whole process was smooth and smooth, with no vines or branches, and soon a face full of compassion appeared on the paper.
After washing the ink on the pen tip, Lin Yuanqiu picked up a little cinnabar from the porcelain box, and then landed it between Guanyin's eyebrows. This is Guanyin's mole, also called pekoe, which means good fortune, wisdom, brightness, and freedom from ignorance and enlightenment.
After drawing the face, it would be much easier to draw other parts. Lin Yuanqiu dipped his pen in ink and prepared to draw the next part of the body.
At this time, I heard a knock on the door.
Except for Zhou Zixu, Lin Yuanqiu didn't think so.
He put down the brush and was about to put away the drawing paper first, but Lin Yuanqiu saw that the ink on the paper was not dry yet. Don't let the ink smear by then, which would be a waste of paper.
Furthermore, the Bodhisattva's face has not yet been painted with colors that can give it a three-dimensional effect, so even if it is seen by others, it is just an ordinary painting.
So Lin Yuanqiu didn't waste any more time and quickly opened the door.
The person who came was none other than Zhou Zixu. He was still wearing a moon-white round-neck robe just like at noon. The only difference was that he looked a little shy now.
Shy?
How is it possible? They have known each other for so many years, but this person has never been shy.
Lin Yuanqiu thought he had seen it wrong, and hurriedly stretched out his hand to rub his eyes. However, he forgot about the ink he had accidentally stained on his fingertips when he was grinding ink, so it happened to be all smeared on his face.
This time he became a cat with a colorful face.
Zhou Zixu, who was originally worried, forgot all his worries and shyness after seeing Lin Yuanqiu's appearance. He pointed at Lin Yuanqiu's face and just laughed.
"Hahahahaha, Brother Lin, you got the ink on your face, hahaha..."
As soon as the atmosphere opened up, Zhou Zixu felt much more at ease. After seeing Lin Yuanqiu wash his face, he cleared his throat and said what he had been carrying in his stomach for a long time.
"Brother Lin, I want to tell you something."
"What do you want to say?"
The usually cheerful and lively person suddenly became serious, which made Lin Yuanqiu a little uncomfortable.
"Brother Lin, what do you think of me being your brother-in-law?"
What! Brother-in-law?
Cough, cough, cough, Lin Yuanqiu couldn't help but cough several times because he was choked by his own saliva. Is this person kidding him?
But when he looked at Zhou Zixu, he was still sitting upright, looking extremely focused.
It's obvious that they are serious about this.
This made Lin Yuanqiu couldn't help but think about it. It would be great if Zhou Zixu could be his brother-in-law. Putting aside his family background, his character was nothing to say.
But it's useless for Zhou Zixu to talk about this matter. There are also his parents and grandfather above him. If they don't agree, it will definitely not happen.
Also, okay, why did you suddenly mention this? Could it be that Uncle Zhou came here just for Zhou Zixu’s marriage?
In addition, do I have two younger sisters, Chunyan and Chuncao? Which one is this person talking about?
Lin Yuanqiu has always been worried about his sister's marriage, and he does not allow any carelessness, even if this person is a very good friend of his.
So you have to ask clearly when you should ask.
Zhou Zixu, on the other hand, still had his legs together and his back straight. From this moment on, he felt that he was facing his uncle.
Lin Yuanqiu asked: "Tell me, why did you suddenly have this idea?"
"It didn't happen suddenly." Zhou Zixu was a little embarrassed, "I've had this idea since the year before last year, but your sister is still young, and I haven't succeeded in my career, and Brother Lin hasn't made a marriage decision yet, so I just wanted to wait a little longer. wait."
In Zhou Zixu's view, no matter whose family you are in, people should be married in order from oldest to youngest, so there is definitely no possibility of being cut off.
Zhou Zixu had already thought about it. If Brother Lin proposed a marriage, he would naturally ask his father to go to the Lin family to arrange the marriage.
As for why he had the idea of marrying the Lin family, Zhou Zixu had already thought about it carefully.
"I have known Brother Lin for many years. Not only do we have the same views, but we also have similar temperaments, so it is very suitable to marry into Brother Lin's family."
Including every previous interaction with the Lin family, Zhou Zixu felt extremely comfortable.
Also, when he was at home, he often heard his father mention that the elders of the Lin family were sensible and the whole family got along harmoniously. Therefore, Zhou Zixu felt why he should miss such a good marriage.
Seeing Zhou Zixu's appearance of not letting his wealth go to outsiders, Lin Yuanqiu couldn't explain why he had the same views and temperament as him, but it was not like he was living with him.
Lin Yuanqiu seriously suspected that this person probably didn't understand what it meant to marry a wife and start a family. He only wanted to get together among good friends, saying hello to me and everyone.
