Soul travels through the world of immortality

Li Mingyang's dissatisfaction all stemmed from the marriage that Li Shichang had arranged for him, Li Moqiu, the concubine of Pingyang Marquis.

At the time of the engagement, Li Mingyang was only eighteen years old, and it was less than a year after his father took office as Fu Yin.

That year, at the birthday banquet of the Marquis of Pingyang, Li's father, the governor of the capital, was busy and fell in love with Li Moqiu, a ten-year-old girl at the time. She had a baby-fat face. Although she was not favored by the Marquis of Pingyang, she was After all, he is the heir of the Marquis.

In order to consolidate his position in the court, Li's father ignored the objections of his beloved wife, and as if he was possessed by a devil, he had to ask a matchmaker to propose marriage to the Pingyang Hou family. He wanted to make a marriage arrangement with the Pingyang Hou family. , naturally it fell on the second son Li Mingyang, who was the most promising in the future.

Doted on by his parents since he was a child, he is smart and talented, and has long been the subject of discussion among the female relatives of every family in Chang'an City.

But he doesn't like women, and prefers a free life. He likes poetry, poetry, and swimming in mountains and rivers with his friends.

However, his father arranged this marriage for him with an eight-year age difference, which made him quite resistant.

Li Moqiu is a gentle and kind-hearted girl. Although she is not favored, she is still a young lady from the Pingyang Marquis Mansion and does not have the arrogance and coquettishness of a noble daughter from aristocratic families. She knew that her status as a concubine was not comparable to that of her legitimate sisters, so she had always kept a low profile and worked hard to survive in the backyard of the Hou Mansion, hoping that one day she would be cared for by her father.

The engagement between Li Mingyang and Li Moqiu ended after the elders of both parties met with each other and exchanged gifts. Neither party involved participated in the whole process.

At that time, Li Mingyang came home and saw the return gift from Pingyang Marquis Mansion in front of the hall, and his heart was filled with helplessness and anger.

He knew that if he really married this ten-year-old concubine, it would mean that he would have to wait at least five years for her to grow up before she could actually get married. In his heart, regardless of whether she was a concubine or not, a ten-year-old girl would never tie down a handsome man like him, let alone a woman who was not valued by the family.

In this way, he has been living a romantic and happy life. If it weren't for this scientific examination, he would not have remembered that he still had an unmarried wife.

However, life is always full of surprises. In the few years since their engagement, Li Moqiu has shed her baby fat and is not as Li Mingyang imagined. She has become a slim figure. Not only is she smart, but she also has a cheerful personality. Her smile It can always infect those around you.

Although Li Mingyang was dissatisfied with this marriage at first, as time went by, he slowly forgot about the fact that he was engaged.

As he grew older and for the sake of scientific examination, he did not go to the fiefdom with Prince Qu Wang Li Jing to live permanently. Fortunately, Prince Qu Jing did not only look at the people in front of him, but sympathized with Li Mingyang and wanted him to have a better future. He did not think much of these followers. If he didn't mind, he would just wait for the exam in Beijing. It was indeed a pleasant day.

Li Mingyang was also well aware of the fact that anything good like wood would be destroyed by Lin Feng. At this time, he also restrained some of his past arrogance and kept a low profile at home to prepare for the exam.

There is a difference between closeness and distance, which is vividly reflected in Li Mingyang's scientific examination. Because the second son of Marquis Pingyang is also taking the examination, the examination is extremely high-profile, especially before entering the examination room, Li Mingyang He would hide whenever possible and never attend poetry gatherings held by other students.

But today is indeed a post from the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. As his future son-in-law, her mother, Mrs. Meng, immediately agreed to the matter. It was not until Li Mingyang wanted to refuse, but it was already the day before the poetry meeting, that his cousin Li Yuwan came to visit. Enjoy this.

"Cousin, I also received a post about the poetry meeting at Pingyang Marquis Mansion the day before yesterday. Can we go there together?" Li Yuwan asked softly.

"Poetry party? It's not interesting at all. It's just for men and women of different families to see each other. As a engaged person, it's better not to go."

"This poetry meeting is not out of reach of you. It is the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. You are their future son-in-law. Do you have to lead the show? As for the blind date, I haven't seen you for several years. I have passed that Miss Li Moqiu, do you want to take this opportunity to cultivate some feelings?" Li Yuwan teased Li Mingyang with a smile.

"Are you looking for a fight?" Li Yuwan, who had always been cheerful and generous, could only laugh like this by teasing an idiot like him.

Li Mingyang's face became more and more gloomy, and he choked her back and said, "I think you will find a powerful husband in the future who can cure this crazy girl like you."

Li Yuwan was not afraid of irritating Li Mingyang, and she was not afraid of death and said: "I am loved by everyone, no matter what heroic man he is, I will definitely make him docile in the future, and he wants to treat me so that he will stop wasting his brain. I wonder if my future cousin-in-law will be a tigress and be able to control you into submission? Hahaha..."

She laughed louder and louder, and continued: "To get down to business, I heard that this poetry fair will bring good results, and these young ladies are very profitable. Why don't you accompany me, brother? When the poetry fair comes, If you lose, it’s mine, if you win, we’ll split it equally?”

He shook his head helplessly: "Xiao Wan, you are honest. Can you guarantee that my brother will beat them? If I go to the appointment, it would be a bit rude if I lose. After all, I am also the brother. If we lose, we will each share half of it. , then everything will be at my command."

Li Yuwan was thinking about how to win money, but when she heard what Li Mingyang said, she said more cheerfully: "Actually, I am embarrassed to share the money with my brother, but I don't think many of the young men in the capital can surpass such a talented man as my brother. With your talent, if your brother feels uncomfortable sharing the money if he wins, my sister will naturally not force you to do so."

"Since you said so, I will go to the Poetry Club with you. As for the money, we will share it equally whether we win or lose." Li Mingyang finally decided.

Li Yuwan nodded. She had seen several poetry gatherings before, and they were all hosted by other families. This time, Pingyang Marquis Mansion was related to her family by marriage, so she would not embarrass her family, so her cousin Fang could be said to be a sure profit, and she was calculating the gains and losses in her mind.

"Do you know who was invited to this poetry meeting?" Li Mingyang pondered for a while and asked.

"My maid inquired and heard that most of the people invited to this poetry meeting are those who came to Beijing to take the exam this year, and there may be Gongyuan officials who will present the questions. It is a rare opportunity."

The presence of the Gongyuan officials who set the questions was a great opportunity for the students. Li Mingyang thought that he would have the opportunity to meet the examiners and show off his talents, so he was relieved of the entertainment.

In the inner courtyard of Pingyang Marquis Mansion, Li Mohan took a stack of manuscripts in his hand, rubbed it gently, a trace of pride flashed in his eyes, then called the servant, handed him the letter he had prepared, and gave instructions. Said: "Lei Zi, you go to Gongyuan to find Mr. Lin and hand over my father's autographed letter to Mr. Lin. You must let him participate in the poetry meeting in two days."

Lei Zi asked curiously: "Sir, didn't you send me to deliver a letter half a month ago? Why do you still send a letter?"

Li Mohan looked at him and said helplessly: "Hey, you just said that the letter was sent by me. If Mr. Lin doesn't want to come, how can he not give face to me with my father's autograph? Mr. Lin has been in the officialdom for many years. , he comes from a clan and does not have this kind of etiquette. If he really doesn't give face, then it will be considered as offending my family, do you understand?"

"Sir, Gao Ming, I'll do it right away." Li Mohan glanced at Lei Zi, hummed lightly, and stopped talking.

Two hours later, Lei Zi had returned to Pingyang Hou Mansion with Master Lin's reply. As Li Mohan expected, Master Lin was originally unwilling, but after reading the letter from the old Marquis, he had to agree. In order to It seems formal, and I specially write a letter to express my feelings.

Li Mohan had already discussed with the old Marquis to set up a poetry club centered on the Fuzhong Garden, and invited opera troupes from Beijing to join in the fun. Several sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law in the family would all come out to receive the guests, regardless of whether the poetry club itself Whether he can win the first prize, the Hou Mansion will offer a prize worth a thousand taels of silver. As for what it will be, he has to discuss it with his wife.

Li Moqiu heard the news at the dining table and glanced at Mrs. Hou who was sitting on her arm.

When Mrs. Hou saw someone looking over her, she realized that it was Mo Qiu. She finally closed her eyelids with a bad look on her face. She raised her head and held her bun tightly, as if she could feel the hairpin.

Mrs. Hou turned her head and said to the maid: "Fangfei, I went back to Master Hou. I can agree to the thousand taels of silver, but the lottery is more meaningful. It is more appropriate to use the objects given by the palace to give the Queen the year before last." The pearl hairpin that the empress rewarded will be sent to the Marquis, needless to say anything else."

Fang Fei came back from the front hall soon and said with a smile: "Madam, don't tell me, the master was so happy when he saw your pearl hairpin that he agreed immediately."

Ever since she married Marquis Pingyang and became Mrs. Marquis, she has known her husband best for decades. He is flamboyant in front of others, but in reality he is shrewd and calculating. A thousand taels of silver is just for face. If he really uses it, But it won't be so happy.

Madam Hou turned her attention to Li Moqiu. Based on her situation in the Hou Mansion, she decided that Mr. Li was a high-ranking figure. After all, his father was also a prominent figure in the palace with real power, and she was just a concubine and could not stand on the stage. , but I heard that she also invited her future husband this time, so I need to remind her not to miss out on a great marriage.

Mrs. Hou said loudly: "Mo Qiu, seeing that you are fourteen years old, I think your marriage will be officially announced after the big exam. Although you have already been betrothed to Mr. Li, the emotional relationship is still there." It needs to be cultivated, and there is no doubt about this marriage.

If Young Master Li succeeds in this exam, other people may have some thoughts that they shouldn't have. You have to be aware of this. As your aunt, I should give you some advice. Mr. Li is also invited to this poetry meeting. As for how you want to do it, it’s up to you. "

Li Moqiu responded softly, her face flushed like fire, and she hurriedly lowered her head in shame, not daring to look at her. She held the embroidered handkerchief tightly in her little hands and sat on the table obediently, nodding.

The youngest daughter's thoughts were clearly visible. What else could Mrs. Hou say? She nodded and smiled and said, "It's past time to develop a relationship with him. The big exam is coming soon. There are many girls from various families at the poetry festival, so don't let others snatch her away?" "

Everyone smiled, and Li Moqiu's heart was already surrounded by sweetness. Hearing everyone's laughter, he shyly confessed to Madam Hou like a frightened rabbit, exited the restaurant and walked towards the boudoir.

The maid Ping'er looked at Li Moqiu's graceful back and felt happy for the young lady in her heart. She chased her and said to her: "Miss, Mr. Li will not come for another two days. Don't walk so fast. I won't be able to catch up with you. Wait until the day after tomorrow." Mr. Li is here, if you..."

Li Moqiu stopped and turned around to glare at Ping'er. He really wanted to tear the girl's mouth off. Ping'er hurriedly closed her mouth, only to see Li Moqiu hurriedly packing up her makeup.

This Li Moqiu is a very independent woman. Although she is shy, what Gang's mother said is reasonable. She should think about how to attract Mr. Li's attention.

On that day, there was a lot of traffic in front of the Pingyang Marquis Mansion. The young Marquis of the Marquis Mansion and Li Mohai, the alternate Yuanwai Lang, also stood in front of the mansion to greet the students who came to participate in the poetry meeting and the noble family members of each mansion. He greeted the guests and friends while greeting them. Everywhere he went in the house, he was courteous and courteous, and his demeanor was extraordinary, winning the favor of everyone.

The way Li Mohai is good at making friends is very similar to the cool and unrestrained Marquis Pingyang when he was young. It seems that this young Marquis has also learned his true legacy.

Li Mohan, who was receiving the reception in the main hall, led Mr. Lin and his family who had just arrived to sit down. Mr. Hou also smiled humbly and said: "Han'er, please stay with Mr. Lin more. You will also end up in this year's scientific examination. The students should be well entertained. Teacher’s.”

"In front of the Marquis, how can a subordinate dare to call himself a teacher? Today's poetry meeting is lively, and I came to the house specially to bother you."

The Marquis said with a smile: "Master Lin, you are very polite. I have been idle at home for a long time, so how dare you support me? Please take a seat quickly."

Master Lin said humbly: "Thank you, Lord Marquis."

He waved his hand, and an attendant handed over a beautiful box. Lord Lin respectfully handed it to Marquis Pingyang and said: "Lin came in a hurry this time. This poetry meeting was not able to add to the fun, and he was not fully prepared. I arrived in Jianzhou last year." , the scenery was unusually meandering, so I painted a picture in the river. I gave it to the Marquis for viewing when I came here this time. I wish the two gentlemen a bright future and a prosperous career."

Everyone in the hall had heard of Mr. Lin's reputation as a talented scholar from the south of the Yangtze River, and heard that his calligraphy and painting were very vivid. They whispered that paintings were said to be hard to come by, so Mr. Lin was really serious about giving such a well-intentioned gift.

Seeing that Marquis Pingyang looked like he was taking advantage of it, Master Lin smiled and said, "My humble work is not worthy of such praise. As long as it does not stain the eyes of the Marquis?"

Pingyang Hou laughed and said: "Master Lin, you are being too modest. With your status as a bachelor, it is an honor on my face to receive this painting. Please unfold your master's painting quickly, I want to enjoy it with the guests."

Li Mohan called his servants to slowly open the scroll. The painting showed a water scene in the south of the Yangtze River, with green mountains and green willows. The scenery was pleasant. Two handsome young men were standing on the boat, holding the scroll in their hands, enjoying the wine. The wings of the flying birds in the sky are naturally ethereal, and the artistic conception is indescribably beautiful. Although there is no inscription, there is a high-spirited spirit rushing towards the face. It is really a masterpiece, and it is very consistent with the significance of the poetry meeting and examination here.