After coming out of Shou'an Hall, Wang Zhong went to Changbai Courtyard, but he didn't expect to see Qi Heng again at Changbai.
"My young father-in-law is here too?"
"Qi Heng has met Tong San!" Qi Heng raised his hands and saluted Wang Zhong.
"We are all friends, why should the young master be so outspoken?" Wang Zhong said with a smile.
"Why are Zihou here!" Changbai immediately smiled on Wang Zhong's face and asked hurriedly.
Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said straight to the point: "I will leave Beijing and return to Quanzhou tomorrow, so I came here to say goodbye!"
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Chang Bai was also surprised when he heard the news.
Wang Zhong said: "It's not too rushed. In fact, I had this plan a while ago, but I have been thinking about it and haven't made a decision."
"But it's the twelfth lunar month of winter, it's snowing everywhere, and the roads are difficult to travel. It's not easy to travel at this time!" Changbai said worriedly.
Wang Zhong said with a smile: "If it's difficult to leave, then leave slowly. Just use practical actions to stop the mouths of those people."
Changbai was stunned when he heard this, and then a look of helplessness appeared on his face. He sighed, cupped his hands towards Wang Zhong and said, "In that case, I won't say anything else. Zihou will cherish it all the way."
Wang Zhong sat at the table, picked up the kettle and poured himself a cup of tea. After drinking, he said: "Spring is approaching, so Zecheng won't come to see me off tomorrow. He will concentrate on studying at home and preparing for the exam. I'm waiting for the good news from Zecheng in Quanzhou. !”
"You have always had a good idea, and you never change what you have decided!" Chang Bai walked to sit opposite Wang Zhong, glanced at Wang Zhong, and said helplessly, with a hint of a smile on his lips.
"After I leave, the sixth sister will have to trouble Zecheng to take care of her, so as not to be bullied by the fourth sister again!" Wang Zhong did not shy away from Qi Heng and said directly to Chang Bai.
Just as soon as these words came out, the smile on Changbai's face froze. Even with Changbai's determination, he couldn't help but glance at Qi Heng's reaction, then glared at Wang Zhong and said: "How did the fourth sister ever bully me?" After passing the Sixth Sister, Zihou, please don’t talk nonsense.”
"Hahaha!" Wang Zhong said with a smile: "You really can't help but be funny!"
"Okay, that's all said and done. It's time for me to leave. Zicheng should study hard. After the big admission, there will be the small admission. Unfortunately, I was in Quanzhou at that time and couldn't come back to have Zicheng's wedding banquet! "
After finishing speaking, Chang Bai didn't wait for his attack. He stood up and cupped his hands towards Qi Heng and said, "Young Master, I'll take my leave now. You guys can review slowly!"
After saying that, he turned around and walked out, walking away. Chang Bai watched Wang Zhong's leaving figure and felt a little emotional for a moment.
The time they get together is always short. Once Wang Zhong leaves, if Changbai is also chosen this time and chooses to go out, then the two of them will really be separated from each other. I don't know when they will see each other again.
But when Qi Heng looked at Wang Zhong's leaving figure, his eyes were a little complicated, and there seemed to be a hint of envy, unwillingness, and even jealousy.
Now Minglan, who is about to have haircuts, has already grown her eyebrows and looks slim and graceful. If we only look at the color, among the girls in the Sheng family, including Hualan, who is already married, they are a bit inferior to Minglan.
Qi Heng has been studying at the Sheng Family School for many years and has been classmates with Changbai Minglan and others for many years. It can be said that he has watched Minglan grow from a cute and cute little girl to what she is now. Mu Shaoai, even though Minglan had made an engagement long ago, Qi Heng still couldn't help but be moved.
Early the next morning, at dawn, two carriages and eight fast horses slowly drove out from Zhuangzi outside Wangzhong City, merged into the official road, and headed straight to the south.
It was night, and the group of people hurriedly and slowly arrived at Xianping.
There was an official post beside the official road, and Wang Zhong and his party settled in the official post. Not long after it got dark, snowflakes started to fall from the sky.
Mrs. Wang Li looked at her daughter who was practicing with the gun and stick in the courtyard, and said distressedly: "Uncle, it's snowing here. Besides, we have been traveling all day today. Why don't we let Sister Qian have a rest?" ! It will be the same if you practice another day."
Wang Zhong stood in the wind and snow with his hands behind his back, staring at Wang Qian'er with his eyes motionless, and said calmly: "Sister-in-law, you should hurry up and prepare dinner!"
Although the tone was calm, it carried a majesty that could not be rejected.
"Mom, I'm not tired. I want to practice again!" After a few years apart, although her third uncle's requirements for her were more stringent than before, Wang Qier cherished staying with Wang Zhong. During the time together, Wang Qier knew in her heart that her third uncle's strict requirements on her were for her own good, so she naturally did not want to live up to her third uncle's expectations.
"Don't be distracted!" Wang Zhong's voice reached her ears. Wang Qier quickly gathered her mind and continued practicing with concentration.
Mrs. Wang Li looked at her daughter distressedly, then at Wang Zhong, then turned around helplessly and went into the kitchen, just wanting to prepare the meal quickly so that her daughter could rest and eat early.
After dinner, Wang Qier and her younger brother came to Wang Zhong's room carrying a book box.
"Third uncle!" The two siblings respectfully greeted Wang Zhong who was sitting behind the desk.
"Sit down!" Wang Zhong said calmly.
The two siblings sat opposite Wang Zhong. Wang Qier took out the Four Treasures of the Study and two thread-bound blue books from the book box!
One is "The Thousand Character Essay", which is for Brother Xu's enlightenment, and the other is "Han Shu", which Wang Qier is reading.
Different from the Four Books and Five Classics, which are read by scholars taking formal imperial examinations, Wang Zhong always only taught history and mathematics to Wang Qian'er, and occasionally mentioned the meaning of the classics, only in a few sentences.
There is no need to take the imperial examination, so learning those classics is of little use. When you have time, why not tell Wang Qian'er more historical allusions, and then use the allusions to explain the truth, so that Wang Qian'er can learn mathematics carefully.
Those women who disguised themselves as men to take part in the imperial examinations and then became famous are just the illusion of some later authors. The ancients were not stupid, so they couldn't even tell the difference between men and women?
Even if you look alike, you really can't tell the difference with the naked eye, but before entering the imperial examination, you have to be checked and searched to prevent being caught. Unless you can bribe people in Gongyuan, otherwise, it is just a fantasy for a man to dress as a woman and enter the examination room.
Wang Zhong first checked the homework of the two siblings, then lectured for about half an hour, and then urged them to do their homework.
Brother Xu's homework is to practice calligraphy, but he is too young, so his handwriting is only slightly better than that produced by chicken claws.
Wang Qier looked at the math problems assigned by Wang Zhong and scratched her head. She didn't know how to start for a moment.
"Dong dong dong!"
There was a sudden knock on the door.
"Come in!" As soon as Wang Zhong finished speaking, Mrs. Wang Li had already walked in with the maid carrying a tray: "I cooked some pear soup. Uncle taught Sister Qian that they have worked hard. Drink some to moisten your throat!"
"Thank you, sister-in-law!" Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said, "Let's take a rest first and have a bowl of pear soup before we talk!"
Wang Qier was immediately relieved and a smile appeared on her face.
This girl was quite smart when she was young, but she didn't expect that her talent is far less than before as she gets older. Fortunately, she still has some talent in martial arts and her temper is tough enough.
"Uncle, Sister Qian and Brother Xu are still young. They have to travel during the day and study at night. Could it be..." Mrs. Wang Li was worried about her children's health, fearing that they wouldn't be able to bear it. That's why she was like this One thing to say.
Wang Zhong said: "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I'll be watching in person, there won't be any problems."
Wang Li opened her mouth when she saw this, but she couldn't say the rest of the words.
Early the next morning, the snow stopped before dawn. After breakfast, the group left the inn and set off again. Wang Li took his son and two female envoys close to him in the carriage. Wang Zhong led Wang Qier and Huan Huan. Yu Chuer and several guards rode on horses and continued southward.
"How are you? Are you still used to it?" Not far after walking out, Wang Zhong asked Wang Qier next to him.
Originally, Wang Qier was riding in the carriage with her mother and younger brother, but it was she who requested to ride with Wang Zhong.
Wang Qier was wearing a thick cotton coat, a hooded cloak, a thick leather hat on her head, a scarf made by Wang Li herself, and gloves on her hands. .
"Not bad!" Wang Qier said: "Uncle Third, at our current speed, how long will it take to get to Quanzhou?"
"Probably more than a month!" Wang Zhong said.
"Ah?" Wang Qier's face suddenly showed a bitter look: "Will it take more than a month?"
"Then can we return to Yangzhou before New Year's Eve?" Wang Qier turned around and asked again.
Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "I'm not sure either!"
The winter journey was blocked by heavy snow, and now that they were in the north, it was hard to say what the situation would be. After all, even those highways in later generations might be blocked by ice and snow, let alone now.
"Hey!" Wang Qier sighed, quite helplessly.
"It's so good, why are you sighing!"
"I thought I could celebrate the New Year in Yangzhou this year!" Wang Qier said a little disappointed.
"Want to go back to Yangzhou?" Wang Zhong turned to look at Wang Qier and asked softly.
Wang Qier nodded and said, "My grandma and I haven't been back to Yangzhou for several years!"
Wang Chong said with a smile: "Then when we get to Yangzhou, let's stay a few more days!"
"Really?" Wang Qian'er was overjoyed immediately, but before she could be happy for a second, the smile on her face immediately disappeared with the wind: "Forget it, the third uncle has to rush back to Quanzhou to take office. When we pass by Yangzhou, we will go back It’s enough to pay homage to Dad and Aweng, there’s no need to stay longer.”
Listening to his niece's sensible words, Wang Zhong couldn't help but smile on his face: "Our court has always governed the world with benevolence and filial piety. As an official of the court, I have been an official abroad for many years. Now when I pass by my hometown, why don't I go home to pay homage to my relatives? The principle of offering incense is to stay a few days longer and show your filial piety, and no one else can fault you!"
"Besides, as long as I behave upright and sit upright, I don't need to care about other people's opinions! Officials are wise kings, so naturally they won't dislike me just because of the impeachment of a few people!"
Although Wang Qian'er is not very old and is not very good at reading, changes in her family since childhood have made this little girl's mind much more mature than her peers.
"Is everything really okay?" Wang Qier looked at Wang Zhong uncertainly.
Wang Zhong smiled and replied softly: "Of course it is true!"
Wang Qier's face immediately showed a smile again: "Then let's stay in Yangzhou for three days?"
Wang Zhong smiled and said: "It shouldn't be a problem to stay here for three to five days."
New Year's Eve arrived in a blink of an eye. Unfortunately, Wang Zhong and others still failed to arrive in Yangzhou. They could only spend New Year's Eve in the inn and did not return to Yangzhou until the third day of the Lunar New Year.
In Baishui Village, the news that Wang Zhong's family returned to the village spread throughout the village in just a few moments. The elders in the village led a group of villagers to Xiaozhu Village.
Women who were acquainted with Wang Li at the beginning also came to talk to Wang Li.
Looking at the tiger-headed Brother Xu, all the women were very interested.
"Look, Brother Xu's facial features are quite similar to Tongpan's!"
"It's indeed quite similar!"
A group of women surrounded Wang Li and Brother Xu, talking non-stop. Wang Li had not experienced this scene for several years, and she was still a little uncomfortable with it.
Wang Qian'er, on the other hand, is either studying or practicing martial arts, or accompanying Wang Li and her younger brother. The servants and wives in the village in Tokyo also pay respect to Wang Li, and Mrs. Sheng doesn't talk much on weekdays. Not many, it seems that this kind of scene is rare.
In the outer hall, Wang Zhong was also greeting the senior folks from the Yu and Li families.
"Brother Zhong, your parents died early, your brother also passed away early, and there are no elders in the family. We old and immortal people just licked our faces and asked, now that you are in your late twenties, the marriage has been decided. I don't know why. When are you getting married?" The clan elders were concerned about Wang Zhongdao.
Wang Zhong smiled and cupped his hands and said: "Although my Wang family is from Baishui Village where I fled, I have lived in Baishui Village for so many years and have long regarded Baishui Village as my hometown. All of you elders are my Wang Zhong's elders. I have to ask, but the date of the wedding has been decided a long time ago, it will be in February next year, but because the time is too tight, whether the wedding will be in Tokyo or Quanzhou depends on the situation!"
"Now that it's been decided, that's the best. Brother Chong, although you have become famous now, your Wang family is very thin. In your generation, you will be the only one left. You should have done it earlier." Let’s think about procreating children and continuing the family’s legacy.”
"In ordinary people, it is already too late for a man to get married at the age of seventeen or eighteen. Now you are twenty-four, and the children of your age in the village can all work in the fields. You should think about having children as soon as possible."
The three elders came one after another, saying things that were difficult for others to say.
"Now that you are in a high position and have no shortage of family wealth, your unmarried wife is still too young to get married. Then you can first take in two concubines and a few roommates, and the husband's sons can come out to take over the marriage. The only way for the Wang family to continue its incense! There is no shortage of food for a few people..."
"The lesson taught by the three elders is that in the past few years, they have concentrated on governing the local area and only focused on serving the official's appreciation and generous salary from the court. They have neglected this matter!" Wang Chong complained repeatedly.
The three elders looked at each other, holding a cane and having white beard and hair. Old Mrs. Li, who was also the oldest, said: "Brother Zhong, we know that you are a person who misses old friendships. In the past few years, if you hadn't been there to care for me, I wouldn't have been there." It is impossible for our Baishui Village to be in such a situation now."
Wang Zhongdao: "Second Master, your words are really embarrassing to me. When I was young, thanks to the care of the villagers, I was able to study with peace of mind. Please don't mention these unscrupulous words again in the future!"
"Brother Zhong, actually we have a merciless request!" Mr. Li is a little younger than Mr. Li, but he is not a few years younger.
"My lord, if you have something to do, it's okay to say it. As long as it can be done, I will never refuse!" Wang Zhong said.
Old Mrs. Yu said: "It's not a big deal, it's just that we old guys are discussing to pick out a girl with good age, appearance and figure from Yu and Li's family to be your mistress." , when you marry the eldest lady and have a real wife in the future, you can give them a title."
"This..." Wang Zhong frowned slightly.
Mr. Li immediately said: "Of course, this is just our wishful thinking. If you don't want to, brother Zhong, just pretend we haven't mentioned it."
Mr. Li San and Mr. Yu also expressed their opinions. They were just suggesting this matter, and the final decision still rested with Wang Zhong.
In fact, Wang Zhong could guess what the Yu and Li families were thinking. They were just worried that the old friendship had weakened over time. In addition, Wang Zhong's property was now all handed over to the Sheng family to help take care of it. Wang Zhong was destined to be an official in other places all year round, and the time he could return to Yangzhou was numbered on his hands.
But if Wang Chong takes a girl from the Yu and Li families as his concubine, it will be completely different. If he has another child in the future, he will not have to worry about the lack of affection.
Wang Zhong explained: "Third Master, it's not that I don't want to do this, it's just that my unmarried daughter-in-law has a very clear-cut temperament of love and hate. If I really take girls from the Yu and Li families as concubines, what will happen to them in the future?" If we start a quarrel with my future daughter-in-law, I'm afraid it may not go as you think, but instead it will create a estrangement."
"Brother Zhong, don't worry, such a thing will never happen!" The three princes assured Wang Zhong: "Besides, our Yu and Li families will have to rely on your wife to make a living in the future. Who dares to Make trouble with your wife!"
Seeing the persistence of the three elders, Wang Zhong sighed and said, "Who can say for sure what will happen in the future!"
"If Brother Zhong doesn't want to, just pretend we haven't mentioned this matter!" Old Mrs. Yu said.
"Old Master! That's not what I meant!" Wang Zhong said: "It's just that this matter is too sudden. Anyway, I have to stay in Yangzhou for a few more days. Could you please allow me to think about it?"
In fact, having two girls from the Yu and Li families as concubines did have some benefits for Wang Zhong. The Wang family was very thin. In the early years, except for Wang Erxi, the rest of Wang Zhong's subordinates were not The Yu family is a member of the Li family, and the situation has only gotten better in the past few years. But with the intervention of the Sheng family, the Yu family and the Li family naturally felt the crisis, so they made such a decision.
And it just so happened that Wang Zhongdu was already old and had no heirs. Otherwise, why wouldn't the two families have mentioned this matter a few years ago.
"No rush, no rush! You take your time and think about it!" The three elders had smiles on their faces, and their expressions were no longer as nervous as before.
The next morning, Wang Zhong took Wang Li's mother and son to open the ancestral hall, and wrote Wang Xu's name into the family tree, under the names of Wang Li and his deceased eldest brother. In the Wang family ancestral hall, under the name of Wang Zhong's brother Before the ranking, Wang Li burst into tears and burst into tears.
In the afternoon, Wang Zhong took Wang Qian'er to Minglan's aunt Wei's home with prepared gifts and handwritten letters from Minglan and Wei Shuyi.
(End of chapter)
