Zheng Haizhu wore no makeup, her black hair was wrapped in an indigo scarf, and she wore plain clothes. Walking among the women in colorful makeup and costumes in the Moon River, she had no sense of presence compared to the extras in the background.
So good, she boarded the ship with Mr. Tao, just like an ordinary maid, not conspicuous at all.
The cruise ship Mr. Tao chartered today is a "fairy boat" in terms of shape and shape. It is much smaller than a painting boat or a light boat, but it is also well decorated with carved pillars and windows.
Zheng Haizhu chatted a few words with the boatman in the local Wu dialect, then turned to Master Tao and said: "There is indeed a Jiulian Temple in the north of the city. I know roughly how to get there. The voyage here takes less than an hour."
Mr. Tao thanked him with a smile, turned around and went into the cabin. He and his servant boy tinkered on the table for a while, and then brought out a small copper stove.
Zheng Haizhu smelled a sweet fragrance, but saw reddish-brown powder gathered on the copper stove partition to form a zigzag of the word "Fu".
This is playing incense and seal, an elegant game loved by scholar-bureaucrats and rich ladies in the Song and Ming Dynasties.
"Could this fragrance be made from crushed lychee shells?" Zheng Haizhu asked curiously.
When she was in Han Mansion, she often saw ladies and grandmothers playing with incense and seals, but they were all expensive raw materials. Zheng Haizhu laughed at himself, saying that he was like a cow chewing peonies. He really couldn't smell anything good, but it was not as good as the lychee fruit in front of him.
Mr. Tao showed his face and said: "It is made by steaming lychee shells, drying and grinding them into powder. This is my mother's unique craft. When I travel, I always bring the fragrance of lychee, such as ashes, sandalwood, dragon and luxury. , nothing can compare to it.”
He sniffed quite relaxedly, then raised his eyes to look around at the streets and towns on both sides of the bank, and said sincerely: "The prefectures in southern Zhili are very prosperous, and I will definitely visit with my mother again next year. After a woman gets married, she is confined to the back house. If their husbands and sons had not gone to other places to serve as officials, they would never have been able to leave this county for the rest of their lives, which is really pitiful."
Zheng Haizhu was quite surprised when he heard this.
Mr. Tao showed generosity and protection to Ru Liier. Zheng Haizhu originally thought it was a cliché scenario of a passionate scribe pursuing a talented prostitute.
Looking at his words and expressions today, I found that his comfort to Ru Liier was simple and pure without any intention, and even his eyes when saying goodbye were clear and calm.
Listening to his natural expression of emotion at this moment, there was nothing pretentious about it, it was purely out of compassion for the woman's situation.
Zheng Haizhu glanced at the square scarf on Master Tao's head.
In the Ming Dynasty, only men who had obtained the qualification of being a student could wear a square scarf. Mr. Tao, who is wearing a square scarf, is at least a scholar. Judging from the quality and cost of the clothes, his family background should be extraordinary.
With such a status, it is even more rare to not have a dandy appearance, but also to have sympathy.
"I would like to ask, where is the fairyland of the young master?"
"Oh, Zhejiang Shanyin."
It turns out that he is from Shaoxing, his accent is not too strong, and he speaks southern Zhili Mandarin.
Zheng Haizhu showed a sincere look of fascination: "A good place, the preface to the Lanting collection, and Shen Garden."
Mr. Tao smiled gently: "Yes, we have many historical sites in Shanyin."
Mr. Tao didn't find it strange that a little maid actually knew the story of the calligraphy sage Wang Xizhi, as well as Lu You and Tang Wan.
Although he is young, he has a lot of experience. After studying in various places in the south of the Yangtze River, he understands that many prostitute girls and maids from wealthy families are either influenced by the literary style of the house and the owner, or they are originally from a scholar's family. Their knowledge and education are not necessarily inferior to those Male student.
The winter moon has not yet arrived, but the sunshine in front of Shen Shi is still warm. There are several armchairs covered with brocade mattresses outside the cabin. The polite Mr. Tao tells Zheng Haizhu not to be restrained and sit down to drink tea and rest.
He himself leaned back in the chair, picked up a thin book, and read quietly.
Zheng Haizhu saw the word "Folk Song" printed on the cover of the book and couldn't help but said: "Young master, is this a collection of Mr. Feng Menglong of Gusu?"
Feng Menglong's achievements that are familiar to future generations are the compilation of the Ming Dynasty dialect collection "Warning Words" and so on. However, it was still early for "Three Words" to be published at this time. What was published was his collection of Wu Di folk songs.
Mr. Tao raised his head.
This time, he looked at Zheng Haizhu with obvious surprise.
What’s more, it’s extremely rare to be able to read and understand Chinese characters. It’s also rare to know such an unpopular book as Feng Menglong’s “Collection of Folk Songs”.
Zheng Haizhu showed no sign of showing off, and said politely: "My brother studied extensively during his lifetime, and he was even more impressed by Mr. Feng's efforts to collect music and lyrics. My brother once told me that there are many false feelings in the vast poetry and prose." It is a work of hypocrisy, but the vast number of folk songs are all expressions of true feelings. Because folk songs do not have to compete for glory, flattery, or seek fame like poetry."
"Well said!" Mr. Tao praised.
After cheering, Mr. Tao felt a little confused again.
He loved reading miscellaneous books since he was a child, but he soon had to learn the art of eight-legged making like many men of this era.
This kind of exam-taking tactic, mixed with the sophistication of people in the examination room, really hollows out the heart of scholars and kills the ambition of heroes. It is not as refreshing as reading historical records, reading scripts, and reading folk song lyrics.
Mr. Tao did not expect that the slander he often expressed in his belly would be expressed freely today by a woman of the same age whom he met by chance.
He then covered his book and looked at Zheng Haizhu. His tone unknowingly became understanding, and he sighed softly: "Women are controlled by etiquette and customs, men are controlled by articles. Many innocent and good people in the world are all wearing shackles." .”
Before the voice of regret fell, I suddenly heard loud shouts from the left bank.
"Brother, it's me, come over quickly!"
The fairy boat docked, and a young man with a long body, a handsome face, and gorgeous robes jumped onto the deck with a bang, followed by a boy who was wearing thick and clean cloth.
The young man smiled at Mr. Tao, turned to stare at Zheng Haizhu, and said carelessly: "Hey, this girl from which building and courtyard is she? Why is she dressed so shabbily?"
Mr. Tao frowned and shouted in a deep voice: "Nonsense! Miss Zheng is the daughter of a gentry in this mansion. We met by chance and enthusiastically helped a stranger like me to lead the way to the nunnery to find Sister He. Please apologize to the girl quickly."
The young man said "Oh", put away his sly expression, and said to Zheng Haizhu: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's understandable that I misunderstood you. I know that my brother has been enjoying himself in the brothel these two days. I thought the girl was the same..."
"Second brother, you are so old and you still can't speak, so just shut up." Mr. Tao became even more sullen.
The young man was not afraid, and said with a playful smile: "Oh, I have embarrassed my eldest brother again, I will change it now, I will change it now."
After saying that, he cleared his throat in a tone of voice and bowed to Zheng Haizhu: "I am from Zhanggu, Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture. The top of the steep mountains is like walking on the ground. The name is Yanke. Since Miss Zheng is a friend of my eldest son's cousin, The friendship with me, Zhang Sanlang, has also begun today. I am honored to meet you! If I have the opportunity to go to Shaoxing Mansion, I will do my best to serve as a host."
After the young man finished speaking, he glanced at his brother with a pair of flexible eyes and saw that his brother looked embarrassed.
He looked at the pretty Miss Zheng again.
Hey, why did Miss Zheng's expression suddenly become weird?
A moment ago, she was recognized by him as a woman with fireworks, and her appearance was calm, but now her eyes suddenly flashed, as if she was touched by something.
