As the Chinese New Year approaches, Xifeng Village begins to prepare for sacrificial activities, but Dongxiang Village is surprisingly quiet.
Meng Zhengtang wanted to use this sacrificial event to suppress Dongxiang Village. Although Dongxiang Village was suppressed by Xifeng Village every year, since the existence of the woman Sheng Guoer, Meng Zhengtang felt that he should act more cautiously.
What puzzled him the most was that his son did not help him but went to help Sheng Guoer, so Meng Zhengtang called Meng Xingzhou over to ask him clearly.
"Zhou'er, my father asked you why you helped Sheng Guo'er like this?"
Meng Xingzhou cupped his hands and said, "Father, some of Sheng Guoer's ideas are very innovative, and she is righteous, gentle and kind, so I admire her very much."
Meng Zhengtang stroked three strands of his long beard and said, "I heard that Hong Shiqing, the young master of the Hong family, was persuaded by you to help Sheng Guoer, but he actually went to practice stalls?"
Meng Xingzhou said: "This matter is still under discussion, and Mr. Hong has not agreed yet."
Meng Zhengtang said angrily: "You are still helping Sheng Guoer write some Spring Festival couplets. It is really insulting to gentlemen!"
Meng Xingzhou did not expect that his father would still be so stubborn. He said: "Father, Sheng Guoer used a strange method to get rid of the Nian beast that has been troubled for many years, and led everyone to have a new way of celebrating the New Year. Every household is full of joy. You see, everyone is grateful to Sheng Why is my father so stubborn about Guo'er's merits?"
Meng Zhengtang is a conservative person. Although he appreciates some of Sheng Guoer's talents, he will never agree to anything that goes against the laws of his ancestors!
So Meng Zhengtang said: "She has destroyed the tradition for many years. We have been sacrificing the Nian beast and everything is fine. If she gets rid of the Nian beast, what should we do if she provokes revenge from the Nian beast clan!"
Meng Xingzhou smiled at this time and said: "Then it is even more necessary for Sheng Guoer to teach everyone the Spring Festival couplets, the word "Fu" and the method of firecrackers. These three are the nemesis of the Nian beast. Even if the Nian beast comes again, the people will not be afraid. "
Meng Zhengtang paced back and forth angrily and said, "She made a lot of money from our Xifeng Village! Do you know?"
Meng Xingzhou said: "What's wrong with reasonable buying and selling? It's not only good for the people, but also good for ourselves. What's wrong with mutual benefit?"
Meng Zhengtang pointed at Meng Xingzhou and said: "You are a traitor, turn your elbows outward, I will never allow Sheng Guoer's things to break my rules! Also, if you help Sheng Guoer again, I will kick you out!" "
After finishing speaking, Meng Zhengtang walked away.
Meng Xingzhou frowned and looked at his father, feeling unhappy in his heart and wondering why his father was so stubbornly conservative. His master Gui Guzi once taught him to take advantage of the situation and be open to all rivers. Why was it that his ancestors' flexible wisdom was never reflected in his father?
It is really difficult to change my father's thinking.
At this time, Meng Xingzhou's mother, Mrs. Chen, came out and comforted Meng Xingzhou with kind words: "Don't worry about it, kid. I know what kind of person Sheng Guoer is. You are so lucky to be in contact with her, and..."
Mrs. Chen smiled and said to Meng Xingzhou: "The reason why my mother came back is not because your father has changed his mind, but because I saw the hope of the Meng family in Sheng Guoer. I don't want that Xu to mess up the Meng family. Zhou'er, I know your relationship with Guo'er, so go ahead and propose marriage!"
Propose marriage! Meng Xingzhou felt a little embarrassed after hearing what his mother said. Mrs. Chen said, "This is a good girl. She must be a good wife. You must marry Sheng Guoer!"
Although Meng Xingzhou also had this idea, marriage between the East and the West was not compatible. Meng Zhengtang already had a prejudice against Sheng Guoer. It was not easy to marry her, so he had to think of a perfect strategy.
Besides, whether Sheng Guoer agrees to marry her is also a question!
It is the rule of this era to marry and obey your husband. Can Sheng Guoer agree? Meng Xingzhou was not sure about this.
Meng Xingzhou said: "Marriage between the East and the West is not the same. This is a rule set by my great-grandfather. I would like to break it, but my father may..."
Mrs. Chen saw her son's worry and said, "I have my own solution for your father. As long as your grandma agrees, your father has no solution!"
Meng Xingzhou asked: "Mom, what can you do?"
Mrs. Chen smiled slightly and said, "I have my own method. As long as Sheng Guo'er is willing to become your wife, I will find a way for you!"
Meng Xingzhou nodded, thinking that Guo'er would have to agree.
At this moment, Sheng Guoer sneezed several times for no reason at home, wondering who was talking about me behind my back? When Mrs. Shen saw her daughter sneezing, she said with concern: "Guo'er, are you catching a cold? You must be suffering from cold sickness when you go to the countryside and Xifeng Village to sell Spring Festival couplets these days! The sales have been very good these days. Didn't you say you want to take a break? Then take a break quickly!"
After finishing speaking, Mrs. Shen hugged Sheng Guoer and gently touched her forehead.
Sheng Guoer lay coquettishly in Mrs. Shen's warm arms and said, "Mom, I'm fine. Maybe someone misses me!"
Shen joked: "Who is it? Is it Mr. Meng?"
Sheng Guoer was stunned when she heard Meng Xingzhou's name, then she sat up, turned her back to her mother and said shyly, "Mom, you are talking nonsense!"
Mrs. Shen raised her eyebrows, looked at the blushing Sheng Guo'er with a smile and said, "I can see the friendship between you and him. But Guo'er, you have to understand that their family is a middle-aged man, and Meng Xingzhou is a Jinshi, a senior official. Wait, we are just untouchables, not to mention we have some spare money now, even if we are as rich as the enemy, it will take three or four years to be recognized by the court before we can be upgraded to the middle class."
Identity again! Sheng Guoer thought to herself that the ancient hierarchy was really infuriating.
She likes Meng Xingzhou, he is talented and ambitious, and he is sincere to her. What is rare is that he, an ancient man, has very similar views to hers. He likes new things and always stands on her side, although sometimes It's a bit silly, but it's also caused by the limitations of the times.
But when she thought of this identity and the so-called "Eastern and Western marriages are not compatible", Sheng Guoer became angry.
So Sheng Guoer said with some displeasure: "Mom, I understand. I don't want to get married yet. I'm going back to rest first."
After saying that, Sheng Guoer turned around and went to her room. Mrs. Shen sighed, understanding her daughter's thoughts in her heart, so she also came up with a bold idea: "I might as well try to communicate with the Meng family. Maybe the Meng family loves the whole family and accepts Guo'er."
At this moment, Sheng Shi suddenly ran in and said, "Mom, where is my sister?"
Shen said: "Didn't you go to Mr. Meng's place to review your books? Why did you come back?"
Sheng Shi took a sip of water and said, "Mr. Meng is at the door. He didn't know what happened today. He was absent-minded. When he taught me history, he wrote Cao Mengde as Cao Guoer. So he simply left school and followed me. We're here together. I'll come in first and report."
Shen laughed and Xiao Tao also walked in. She had just come back from playing at Zhou Rui's place. As soon as she entered the room, she said with a puzzled face: "Mom, I saw Mr. Meng at the door. He and I When I said hello, he didn’t seem to hear me and kept mumbling.”
Mrs. Shen was a little curious and said, "What is he mumbling about?"
Xiao Tao tilted her head and said, "It seems like Guo'er, you want me to... I didn't hear clearly after that."
Mrs. Shen understood this and shouted towards Guoer's house: "Guoer, Mr. Meng is here to see you!"
After a while, Sheng Guoer didn't come out, but just replied from inside the room: "No!"
Shen said: "He may want to discuss getting married with you!"
Sheng Guoer walked out of the room with a bang and said, "Mom, what did you say?"
Ms. Shen said, "Can you tell if you go and see for yourself?"
Sheng Guoer looked at her younger siblings, who also nodded.
So Sheng Guoer walked out. Snowflakes were falling outside, and a tall and tall young man was practicing his confession repeatedly at the door.
Sheng Guoer did not disturb Meng Xingzhou, who had his back turned to her. She came quietly behind Meng Xingzhou and heard Meng Xingzhou whisper: "Guoer, as the saying goes, a fair lady, a gentleman is so jealous. You and I understand each other, and I want to marry you." I don’t know if I can be my wife, but if I don’t have you as my companion in this life, I will be like a zombie walking in the boat, and I will never marry any woman again in this life.”
After Sheng Guoer heard this confession, she liked it very much, but she coughed. Meng Xingzhou was startled, turned around and saw Sheng Guoer, held his chest and said: "Guoer, why don't you hit me Say hello!"
Sheng Guoer said with a straight face: "Oh, how dare I alarm Young Master Meng?"
Meng Xingzhou saw that Sheng Guoer's face looked wrong and asked, "You, what's wrong with you?"
Sheng Guoer put her hands behind her back and said, "Mr. Meng is a superior person, and I am a lower-class person. Even if I have money, it can't change anything. What's more, I don't have any money to save you. What else do you want from me?"
Meng Xingzhou anxiously held Sheng Guoer's hand and said, "Whether you are rich or not has nothing to do with me. It doesn't matter what your identity is. I just want to be on the same page with you. Even if the whole world is against me, I will marry you!" "
This anxiousness actually made it very smooth. After Meng Xingzhou finished speaking, he let go of Sheng Guoer's hand in embarrassment, but Sheng Guoer grabbed Meng Xingzhou's hand and said, "What you said must count. You are a man. How are you going to live like your father in this kind of thing?" Shut it down!"
Sheng Guoer knew that she had left a good impression on Meng Xingzhou's mother last time, so Chen should be fine. However, Meng Zhengtang, her future husband, was not easy to deal with. He was a stubborn old man who never changed his ways.
Meng Xingzhou said: "My mother said she would find a way to convince my father."
Sheng Guoer teased: "So you are a mama's boy, you rely on your mother for everything!"
Meng Xingzhou said categorically: "How could it be possible? I have thought about it. No matter whether my mother succeeds or not, I will marry you! If it doesn't work, I will give up my identity and go far away with you, or live with you in Dongxiang Village!" "
Sheng Guoer lay in Meng Xingzhou's arms moved and said softly, "Are you really willing to give up your identity?"
Meng Xingzhou said calmly: "I have died once. Wealth and fame are nothing to me. How lucky I am to find someone who truly understands me. What if I become a pariah!"
Sheng Guoer said: "Aren't you afraid of following me and enduring hardship?"
Meng Xingzhou smiled and said: "You are so smart and I am talented, how can we endure hardship? Besides, even if I endure hardship with you, I feel happy!"
Sheng Guoer kissed Meng Xingzhou gently on the cheek, which made Meng Xingzhou a little at a loss, his eyes widened, and his face turned red instantly.
Sheng Guoer looked at Meng Xingzhou's face and said, "If you say something, you must be responsible to the end!"
Meng Xingzhou nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will join forces with my mother when I go back and I will find a way to convince my father. By the way."
Meng Xingzhou took out a letter written by his mother from his arms. Before Meng Xingzhou arrived, Chen wrote a letter in his own handwriting and asked him to deliver it to Sheng Guoer.
Meng Xingzhou said: "My mother said that if you agree to this marriage, open this letter and take a look. She said there is a clever trick in it! I need your cooperation!"
Sheng Guoer thought to herself that this future mother-in-law was really interesting and open-minded. So he said: "Okay, I will study it carefully. By the way, you can go back quickly."
Meng Xingzhou said: "I will accompany you again!"
Seeing Meng Xingzhou's pleading look, Sheng Guoer said, "Okay, but you must go back before sunset. Don't make your father so angry. How can we meet in the future?"
Meng Xingzhou held Sheng Guoer's hand and said, "Then let's go see the snow scene!"
Sheng Guoer nodded, and the two of them joined hands and came to the Fuyu River at the foot of Changliu Mountain, admiring the snowy scenery by the river.
Looking at the jade-like world and nourished by love, the two of them felt that the whole world was sweet.
"By the way, Xifeng Village is going to hold a sacrificial ceremony. This is a major event during the New Year. I have to help in Xifeng Village these days, and I also have to convince my father. Maybe I can only write to you these days." Meng Xingzhou said. , "The sacrificial ceremony is very important, and relevant officials will be present. As long as it is done well, the government will provide tax exemptions and rewards."
Sheng Guoer also heard Dongxiang Village Zheng talk about this matter, but Li Zheng didn't seem to care and said that Xifeng Village had always won, so he might as well just mess with it this year.
After hearing this, Sheng Guoer thought it should be a common practice, but Li Zheng didn't mention any benefits, so Sheng Guoer didn't pay much attention.
Now when Sheng Guoer heard from Meng Xingzhou that there would be rewards for doing well in this sacrificial ceremony, she became interested and said, "We also have a sacrificial ceremony in Dongxiang Village. You should watch it."
Meng Xingzhou said: "Okay, if your village can win, it is best if it has new ideas, then it might as well bring some changes to Xifeng Village. In fact, Xifeng Village has always done some spectacles in recent years. Officials actually They are all a little dissatisfied, but Dongxiang Village can't produce anything, so Xifeng Village has been treading water. I heard Hong Shiqing say that if Xifeng Village continues like this, the rewards of the two villages may be withheld or even deducted in the future. Not anymore."
Sheng Guoer asked, "Why?"
Meng Xingzhou explained to Sheng Guoer. Emperor Taizu passed away and the new emperor came to the throne. He was determined to reform, so he was very disgusted with some superficial things and ordered improvements from top to bottom. However, it should not destroy the existing rules and systems, but also be beneficial to people's lives. Therefore, the county government and the township require each village to have some new ideas in the sacrificial ceremony and to benefit the people.
After Sheng Guoer learned about the current government order, she remembered some modern activities, so she had a suspicion in her mind: the sacrificial ceremony was some fun.
