That night, Han Ximeng Ping left the old woman and maid in the courtyard and sat down in front of the embroidered bed.
Zheng Haizhu briefly explained all the ins and outs of Heminglou and softly apologized.
Han Ximeng raised his green jade fingers that were playing with various silk threads, waved them a few times, and said gently and sincerely: "How can I blame you for being stupid? You came out to help Na Ruliu'er today, but in fact you didn't abandon me on the ship. Escape is the same mentality. I personally benefited from your chivalry and toughness, but I turned around and didn't take it seriously that you wanted to save others. Isn't this a double standard? "
"Double standards" is such a modern Internet term that Zheng Haizhu told Han Ximeng.
After traveling through time, she came to seek refuge with this Jiangnan socialite who had a good reputation in official history, and deliberately instilled the vocabulary of future generations of modern people.
The essence of language is the precipitation of thoughts. If a reader subtly integrates your language habits, it often means that he or she accepts your thoughts.
And a lady like Han Ximeng, who has been reading and reading since she was a child, has no difficulty or hesitation in understanding new things.
They all regard it as an imported language that is common in the coastal areas of Fujian where trade is developed.
Zheng Haizhu's eyes were full of joy and he smiled very brightly: "Miss said this, I am more happy than getting gold and silver mountains."
Han Ximeng lowered his head and thought for a moment, and the look of joy on his face became stronger: "The Xu Mansion is like an orchid house, and the family is full of joy. Xu Hanlin paid to hire people to grow sweet potatoes in case of sudden famine. The Xu family's daughter-in-law is also a responsible person. Yes, with such a clear mind, how could she not know the reason for today? She took the initiative and blocked a big punishment for you."
Zheng Haizhu said sincerely: "Ah Zhu understands. Therefore, Ah Zhu dared to tell the lady more deeply that believing in native religions or foreign religions, just like studying Chinese paintings and Japanese paintings, may not be the rules for judging the good and evil of people." The key is to see what you will do with it after you believe it and learn it.”
Han Ximeng nodded, stood up, walked to another embroidery stand in the corner of the hall, and lifted the silk gauze covering it.
It was an embroidery with a grand theme, but the master and servant did not want to make it public in the house before it was completed.
Han Ximeng carefully looked at the war scenes performed by the colorful threads, and said slowly: "Yes, for example, those who believe in the Tujia religion were originally from poor backgrounds, but when they got together, they used the name of this male god or that mother goddess. They plundered everywhere and bullied the people, and they were extremely vicious. As for Xu Hanlin and others, they believed in foreign religions. How could they kill the people's hearts and cook their lungs to worship foreign gods like what was rumored outside? They clearly did a lot of good deeds. "
After resting for a while, she turned to a happy face again, and said politely: "Second Brother Gu's mother did not dislike my big feet, and even secretly told me that she envied me walking nimblely. Aunt Shen, the head of the house, was also kind and kind. I'm angry. My little aunt is a bit rude, but she doesn't seem to be a bad person. Really bad people won't be as stupid as she is."
Zheng Haizhu was looking forward to the hostess turning to this topic, so he walked over and said to Han Ximeng seriously: "Miss, what kind of temperament are the grandmothers in the Gu family? Ah Zhu can't comment without rules. But after we go down the mountain, I will tell Huang When my wife sent her back to the mansion, she asked me that your young lady had acquired the tricks of the barbarian land and was learning to embroider. I would like to show her something strange when I look back. She said that the third lady told them."
Han Ximeng turned around and looked at Zheng Haizhu in the candlelight of the glazed lamp.
Azhuna's last sentence contained other meanings and revealed a warning. How could Han Ximeng not notice it?
"Azhu, do you think Xiying is gossiping outside?"
"Miss, she is not just a right and wrong person, she is a smiling tiger to you. The Gu family is so nice, but it is you who married her, not her. She is not willing to admit that you and Mr. Gu are in love and are made for each other. She treats you like this. My only opinion on marriage is: My sister found this good marriage because her second aunt doted on her."
"Azhu! You think too much about the little girl."
"Miss, she's got haircut, she's not a little girl. I didn't come up with the idea of a smiling tiger out of nowhere. It's what I saw and heard that led me to this conclusion."
Han Ximeng was speechless, and then sighed.
To her, Zheng Haizhu was more like a female companion than a maid.
This female companion would often make a sound that was not flattering and submissive, but Han Ximeng actually respected her more.
After pondering for a moment, Han Ximeng said: "Sister Aying is not bad in nature, but her parents' situation has harmed her. Of course I believe you will not lie, so I didn't let her see this embroidery pattern before it was completed, so as not to get angry. The most I can do is let her see me describing the Japanese paintings of landscapes and feathers. There are many servants in the house, so it would be weird to hide it too much."
Zheng Haizhu said: "The young lady and the third girl are siblings, and it is natural to be lenient to her, as is human nature. But I am the young lady's maidservant, and it is my duty to be a subordinate. I only care about my master's safety and don't care about anything else."
Han Ximeng chuckled: "I know, I know, you are my door god. Hey, but there is one thing. When it's just you and me, you don't want to have vassals and maids. Although it is popular in the Ming Dynasty to employ permanent employees, Not all are domestic slaves, but have you ever seen a master who opened an academy together with his long-time employee? Well, in your words, what do you call them, partners? Azhu, I really regard you as a partner. Once you hand it over as a handkerchief, you can no longer have any relationship with me."
…
Two days later, at Shenshi, Zheng Haizhu went to the Huang Mansion to deliver the embroidery book to Yao. After walking back for a while, she suddenly heard someone calling from behind: "Miss Azhu."
It was actually the female steward of the salt field who had served him on Daishan Island, Shi Yuelan.
Shi Yuelan had a good impression of Zheng Haizhu at first, but she was only puzzled: why did Miss Azhu not follow him when such a good man as Master Yan was.
Shi Yuelan talked about this with her husband, Lao Tang. Lao Tang laughed at his mother-in-law for being stupid, saying that there must be a richer marriage waiting for Miss Azhu on land, and maybe it was the young master of her employer. As a woman from a scholarly family, it's not surprising that she doesn't like Shanghai merchants.
But today, it seems that Zheng Haizhu is still dressed simply, with no makeup on her face, and walking with a fast and energetic stride. She is obviously still a maid who goes out to do errands for her employer, and she does not look like a grandma or aunt.
Shi Yuelan breathed a sigh of relief. Good things take a long time, maybe after all the detours, Master Yan will still be able to become a couple with Miss A-Zhu.
Zheng Haizhu was also surprised to see Shi Yuelan and asked her why she came to the shore.
Yuelan pulled her to the corner and said softly: "Old Tang wants to take some money to various bank accounts in the south of the Yangtze River for Master Yan, and I will follow him. When the Master left the island, he told my parents-in-law that whenever there is an opportunity, they must Come and see Miss Azhu. Mr. Yan is always afraid that you will be wronged, Miss."
Yuelan emphasized the last sentence, but Zheng Haizhu grinned and said: "I am very good, and my boss, from the grandparents to the ladies, are all good people. Brother Yan is worried about me, and I am also worried about his business. Don't worry about it." My nature is eaten away."
Yuelan is a measured person. She felt that Zheng Haizhu was not charming, so she stopped talking self-righteously about the friendship between the master and the master. She only said respectfully: "The Tang family's house over at Nanhuizui is one of our own. The master will go back." The boat is going smoothly, if there is any bonus for Miss Azhu to bring ashore, someone will come over there to ask the lady to give her instructions."
Zheng Haizhu nodded seriously and said: "It's good to think of this. Although we don't steal or rob, we make money by spending money and working hard to sell goods on ships, but after all, I am a servant girl of the Jin gentry family. Brother Yan is really related to If I divide the money, I have to be careful about how I express the money. By the way, Yuelan, have you eaten dim sum? I'll eat two drawers of crabmeal dumplings with you. It won't take a long time. I just need to return to Han Mansion in Youchu."
Shi Yuelan hurriedly said: "Miss, I understand, but I still have an urgent matter. Do you still remember Dr. Shao who treated you on the island? Alas, they say doctors don't heal themselves. He was seriously ill in the autumn. Unable to bear it anymore, he had the idea of returning to his roots and begging us to take him back to Ningbo. He didn't expect that he would die just as the boat docked this morning. It is the rule of us country people that we must recite sutras for him to be saved tonight, otherwise the wandering soul will die. It will turn into an evil spirit. Now I have to find a Buddhist master."
Zheng Haizhu understood and pointed out some serious Buddhist temples in the east to Yue Lan and said goodbye to her.
…
The next day, Zheng Haizhu got sympathy from Han Ximeng and took a boat to Yuehe River on the pretext of arranging silk threads to find out what happened to Ru Liier after she was captured.
The gatekeeper of Qingfeng Tower already knew Zheng Haizhu, and now he got her five cents of silver. He reported very flatteringly: "Miss Jiu'er has not been beaten these days, let alone looking for life and death. Mr. Tao invites her out to relax every day." , I went out early this morning."
Zheng Haizhu felt relieved and walked outside the alley.
Yuehe is located in a busy city, and Diwu Yaxing is also by the river. Zheng Haizhu found a young man with a gentle face and carefully inquired about the price of renting a courtyard in the northeast of the city.
The kindergarten in Zheng Haizhu's imagination was to accept the children of urban small handicraftsmen and suburban farmers. The more girls the children were, the more important they were to be accepted.
In order to get off to a smooth start in an era when girls' education in schools was zero, the kindergarten had to first resort to the guise of "setting up an account to teach female celebrities" and pay attention to safety. When Zheng Haizhu asked Huang Zunsu before, Huang Zunsu also told her that the location of the kindergarten should be as far away as possible from academies that teach crafts (i.e. imperial examination examinations). Since girls and children gather together, it is best to avoid places where sergeants and soldiers gather.
To the south of Songjiang City are the government schools and various private academies. To the north, west and southeast, there are military camps.
Only the northeastern part is the most suitable because it has temples, nunneries, gardens and landscapes, and is not far from Gu's mansion.
Zheng Haizhu consulted with the people of that place for a long time and agreed to give him a letter of approval before the twelfth lunar month and send him a penny of silver to express his gratitude.
The Yaren declined humbly: "In our line of business, if we don't make a deal, we won't be able to get money from the guests."
Zheng Haizhu stood up and said, "How can I use half an hour in vain?"
Yaren accepted the money with a smile on his face, thinking that this daughter of the Zheng family from the Han family was as rumored, acting like a man, very neat and elegant.
Being a broker is the most thoughtful thing. As soon as his thoughts changed, he went further and said, "Miss Zheng, if your kindergarten accepts girls, can you send the little girl at home to it?"
Zheng Haizhu smiled: "Of course you are welcome. With such a smart step, your sister must be a good candidate for brother Shixiao. It would be a pity not to come out to study."
"Hey," Yaren waved his hand and said with a smile, "How can a girl's family dare to talk about studying? If she learns some high-quality needlework skills, she will be lucky if her husband's family can do embroidery well."
Zheng Haizhu did not argue with him deeply. He just picked up the tea cup and took a sip. Seeing that there were more and more visitors in the row, he said sympathetically: "Go and do your work. I will take two sips of tea to moisten my throat and then leave."
"Okay, okay, girl, do what you want, don't be polite."
Zheng Haizhu sat by the window and watched the bustling group of men and women on the bank of the Moon River.
Not long after, she leaned out and called: "Lee!"
Ru Li'er was getting off a three-oar carved-beam boat with Mr. Tao's arm.
Although Ru Li'er is not the top Qinghuan in Songjiang Fireworks Liuxiang, she is still a little frustrated. This time she encountered Ruan Lang's love disaster. Relaxed and refreshed.
But she was grateful for Zheng Haizhu's chivalry and concern, so she forced a smile and said, "Miss Zheng, believe me, Li'er is not stupid. Even if she becomes the laughing stock in the song, she won't be able to get over it."
Zheng Haizhu breathed a sigh of relief and said softly: "Life in this world is like a boat sailing on a river. The smoothness of the wind and the depth of the water are never certain. I am a self-combed person who has given up on marriage, but I still want to give you a word of advice. , don’t close your heart and vow never to fall in love again just because of this wrong move.”
"Miss Zheng is absolutely right," Mr. Tao on the side smiled and nodded, then took a small cloth bag from the hand of the boy servant who followed him and handed it to Ru Li'er, "Miss Li'er, I'll be here in a few days. If you want to leave Songjiang, I can’t help but give these volumes of travel notes compiled by this Taoist priest to the girl.”
"Taoist Cao Yi?" Zheng Haizhu's eyes lit up and asked, "But Mr. Wang Wei from the old courtyard of Yingtian Mansion?"
Wang Wei was a famous prostitute in Jiangnan in the late Ming Dynasty. Her nickname was "Taoist in Grass Clothes". Wang Wei was good at poetry and prose, and had contacts with many literati. His reputation was not as good as that of Liu Rushi.
Zheng Haizhu graduated from the Institute of History and Geography majoring in Ming and Qing history in her last life. Although she mainly writes ancient puppet dramas to make a living, her knowledge is by no means limited to the "Eight Beauties of Qinhuai".
But Mr. Tao asked curiously: "Miss Zheng also knows about her?"
"Well," Zheng Haizhu said naturally, "Taoist Cao Yi is just like Li'er. His poems are beautiful. You talented people naturally know how to appreciate them. We women who are literate also like them very much."
Mr. Tao raised his eyebrows.
Not only was this maid from Han Mansion somewhat loyal, but she was also good at talking. With a simple sentence, she praised everyone present and absent.
But the praise was also sincere, not sour and charming.
When Ru Liier heard Zheng Haizhu compare herself with the famous Wang Wei, her mood became a little warmer despite the sadness.
Thinking again that Mr. Tao ignored the past grievances and even paid for the invitation to travel on the river and discuss poetry, which saved him a lot of face in the industry. Ru Liier then said to Zheng Haizhu: "Sister Azhu, I ask you to do a favor. Mr. Tao today I’m looking for an old friend who lives in Jiulian Temple in the north of the city. I’m really weak right now and can’t hold myself up anymore. Can I ask Sister Azhu to guide Mr. Tao there?”
Zheng Haizhu immediately understood that the old friend must be a nun, and it was inconvenient for Mr. Tao to visit alone, so he looked at the sun and said cheerfully: "Okay, I am about to take a boat back to Han Mansion, and I can be a guide for Mr. Tao. .”
