The Romance of the West Chamber: The Bells are Ringing

The matchmaker was ordered by the lady to visit Zhang Sheng.

The matchmaker thought to herself: "I have to go. I think our family, if it weren't for Zhang Sheng, how could we survive?"

Then he thought: "We are temporarily living in Xiao Temple, the ancestral hall of the Prime Minister. Because of a funeral, my young daughter, Hu'er, will join the army and die."

Unconsciously, I thanked Zhang Sheng in my heart: "Fortunately, there is Zhang Sheng. General Du sent troops to rescue after a letter was sent. This shows the usefulness of the article and the selflessness of heaven and earth. If the five thousand thieves and grass bandits were not eliminated, he would have almost lost his life." My whole family has been wiped out."

She sighed in her heart: "Yingying and Junrui are such a perfect match. But my wife broke her promise and used other excuses. She wanted to cancel the marriage and used brother and sister as an excuse. Now that the marriage has been cancelled, the two of them are so worried that the beauty in their hearts is blurred. , a tear washed away the rouge on my face."

Unconsciously, I thought that the haggard Zhang Sheng had gray hair on his temples; Cui Yingying did not look like the old days, with a loose waist and slim waist. One is too groggy to read history, the other is too lazy to pick up needle and thread; one is playing farewell music on silk tung, one is deleting it into a heart-breaking poem on flower paper; one is writing deep feelings with pen, and one is using strings. Convey your thoughts: Both times are equally lovesick.

The matchmaker thought to herself: "I now believe that there is such a thing as the so-called gifted man matching a beautiful woman. In my opinion, there is some eccentric character. I am afraid that a lover who cannot realize his wish will be like this. Zhang Sheng was a little haggard as a result, and Yingying suffered Without thinking, he plunged in and arranged to die of haggardness.

The matchmaker thought, and quickly came to the academy, moistened the broken window paper with her saliva, and watched what Zhang Sheng was doing in the study.

I thought in my heart: "I will break this paper window and peek quietly."

But I saw Zhang Sheng lying undressed. The feeling of sleeping alone, the desolate mood, with no one to serve you. The matchmaker looked secretly and saw Zhang's angry and dull expression. When she listened carefully, she felt that his breath was weak, and she saw that his face was yellow and thin.

I felt a little distressed and thought: "Zhang Sheng, if you hadn't died of suffocation, you would have probably died of lovesickness."

The piano boy came back from feeding the horse and stepped into the academy. He saw the matchmaker lingering at the window, so he coughed lightly.

The matchmaker was looking at Zhang Sheng intently, but was startled by Qin Tong's cough, and immediately turned her head with a hint of embarrassment on her face.

Qintong looked at her and smiled gently. He knew that for the sake of her own freedom, the matchmaker did not hesitate to facilitate the marriage between Zhang Sheng and Yingying, and was even willing to become Zhang Sheng's concubine, all in order to get rid of her slave status.

Qintong did not blame her, but was very grateful for her efforts.

The matchmaker walked up to the piano boy and said softly to the piano boy: "Brother, you have to understand my difficulties. We are all for our own destiny and freedom. Maybe in the next life, we can renew our relationship and live a true life. happy life."

After hearing this, Qintong nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Sister, as long as you live a good life, brother, I will be satisfied. We are all just pawns of fate, and sometimes we have to make sacrifices, but I believe that kindness and sincerity will eventually get payback."

After saying that, he turned around and quietly wiped away his tears. Although this young piano boy is not very old, his heart is full of maturity and tenacity. He understands that everything the matchmakers do is for survival and freedom. This is a cruel and unfair world, but they still maintain their kindness and strong hearts in this world.

The matchmaker said: "Brother, what's wrong with you?"

"It's nothing. There's probably sand in my eyes. I'll just go and get some water." Qin Tong covered it up and rushed out of the academy without looking back.

The matchmaker looked at Qintong's back and saw him leaving the academy and disappearing around the corner, feeling a little helpless in her heart.

Sighing lightly, he turned around and knocked on the door of the study. Zhang Sheng's voice came softly from the study. He asked: "Who is it?"

The matchmaker smiled and replied: "I am the messenger of the Five Plagues who conveys lovesickness. Miss wants to ask me, the matchmaker, to come to you when the moon is full."

When Zhang Sheng heard this, he quickly opened the door and welcomed the matchmaker into the study. After entering the door, the matchmaker glanced at the room and found that the layout here had not changed much from the last time she came. On the desk are Zhang Sheng's Four Treasures of the Study, an unfinished calligraphy work, and a guqin. There are some calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, including a landscape painting, obviously written by Zhang Sheng. There is also a faint fragrance of ink floating in the room, creating a peaceful literati atmosphere.

Zhang Sheng's eyes were a little tired, but still full of expectation. He said: "Matchmaker, you are finally here. I have been waiting for a long time. How is the lady? Is everything okay with her at home?"

The matchmaker's heart was a little heavy, but she tried to stay calm and said to Zhang Sheng: "Miss is very worried about you, so she asked me to come and care about your situation. She is doing well now, but she is not in a good mood. Between you two She has never forgotten what happened. She is waiting for that special moment, hoping you can understand her thoughts. "

Zhang Sheng nodded. He knew that he couldn't let the lady worry, but the current situation made him feel powerless. He looked at the matchmaker, his eyes full of gratitude and longing, but also some self-blame.

Outside the academy, Qintong just left the academy without leaving, but quietly wiped away his tears. He is obsessed with the matchmaker, but he also knows the fate between himself and the matchmaker. He never expressed his love to the matchmaker, but only guarded her silently, because he knew that the matchmaker had sacrificed everything in order to get rid of her slavery.

At this time, he heard the matchmaker knocking on the door, and Zhang Sheng welcomed the matchmaker into the study. He hurried into the academy and looked inside through the window paper that the matchmaker had just moistened.

I saw Zhang Sheng looking at the matchmaker, with anticipation in his eyes, and he said: "Matchmaker, since you are here, Miss Yingying must have something to say."

The matchmaker smiled and nodded. She knew that the relationship between Zhang Sheng and Yingying had always been confusing and full of twists and turns. She said: "Yes, Sir, Miss Yingying does miss you. She mentioned you more than once, and her eyes were full of expectation."

When the piano boy heard the matchmaker say "Mr.", his heart felt as if he had been hit hard by a sledgehammer. He calmed down and looked inside again.

But Zhang Sheng felt relieved, and the stone in his heart seemed to relax. He continued: "Matchmaker, I have a letter, and I dare to ask the young lady to convey my heartfelt words."

The matchmaker nodded in agreement, took the envelope, and carefully placed the letter in her hand. She knew that this letter was of great significance to Yingying and Zhang Sheng and carried too many emotions. But she was still a little worried and said cautiously: "I'm afraid that Miss Yingying will change her mind after seeing this letter. She has always been so stubborn. If she sees this letter, she may think hard and think about it again and again." ."

Zhang Sheng responded firmly: "I understand, but I must let her know my feelings. No matter what the outcome is, I will not regret it."

The matchmaker looked at Zhang Sheng affectionately, knowing that the young scholar's feelings for Yingying were sincere and firm. She said: "Zhang Sheng, you don't have to worry that I will change my mind. I will give the letter to Miss Yingying and let her make a decision."

Zhang Sheng bowed deeply to express his gratitude. He said: "Matchmaker, I will reward you with more gold and silk in the future."

The matchmaker shook her head and said with a smile: "Hey, you poor scholar is so boring. Do you show off that you have wealth? Do you want to get your things? Sir, give me the matchmaker's money and things as a reward. It's me. Do you love your money? Look at people like peaches and plums showing off on the branches in the spring breeze, leaning against the door and showing off. Although I am a woman, I have ambition. I will say to the lady: 'It's pity that he is a young man who is alone. !’ In a case like this, maybe there is a way.”