Return to the rumor

"That was three years ago, around late spring. At that time, Mr. Tang went to Beijing for a test and failed, so he rushed into the temple one by one. There were quite a lot of guests who came to worship Buddha on weekdays. What kind of people have you never seen before? At that time, the monks Although they saw her sad face and dirty clothes, she was dressed as a scholar, but they didn't take it seriously. They didn't know that she ran straight to the backyard wholeheartedly. There were soldiers guarding here, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter. They asked her where she was. Why did she come here, she only clamored to see Master Jingci. Coincidentally, Madam got up from a nap that day and went out to watch the spring. She heard the movement and came to see it. Madam is a Bodhisattva. Seeing the soldiers' rough hands and feet, she drove the handle of the knife to dissuade her. Come down, and call her into the courtyard to talk. The funny thing is, she doesn’t come in now, she just stays there, weeping sadly, and before leaving, she glances at Madam and then leaves.”

The more Rou Ke listened, the more she felt strange, and her heart became uneasy, and she asked: "She left that day, what happened afterwards?" A person like Auntie's heart has already been tightly bound by the iron that she poured into it. How could it be three or two days? People can get in through a door and window.

Chunhua was summoned by Rou Ke from the kitchen just now to ask questions, guessing that she probably wanted to ask about Tang's speech, so she asked in a leisurely and detailed manner.Picking a space to pause for a while, drank some water to moisten her throat, never thought that Rou Ke would be so impatient, and hurriedly continued: "Later, Madam just thought it was a son of a noble family who came here for fame in Beijing, and didn't take it to heart. , Day by day, I forgot about it. Until the Mid-Autumn Festival of that year, I went out early in the morning to draw water and noodles, and saw a slender boy standing at the gate of the courtyard with a food box, his shoulders were covered with petals That day, my face was not so haggard, and I dressed pleasantly. I didn’t look like a bad person, so I went into the house and reported to my wife. After hearing this, my wife remembered the first meeting a few months ago, and wondered if she might be A traveler, young and weak, with nowhere to dispel homesickness and pain. As soon as his heart softened, he called her in and spent the Mid-Autumn Festival together talking and laughing. After that day, Mr. Tang came over once in a while, and his wife hit it off with her, so they formed a relationship. camaraderie."

"She comes here alone every time? Have you checked the food boxes one by one?"

With a clear mind like a mirror, Chunhua smiled and said: "Every time I come alone." She suddenly grinned again, "Bring another black horse!"

Feeling a sense of frustration that her worries and anxieties were wasted, Rou Ke sighed helplessly and said, "Aunt Chunhua..."

"I know what Miss is worried about." Chunhua also sighed, and three or four more drooping wrinkles appeared on the ravine skin, "I grew up serving my wife since I was a child, and the wind comes and goes in the rain, and no matter how big the waves are, It’s over. I’ve seen no fewer conspiracies than you, and I know what my wife still misses in her heart when she is alive. Don’t worry, Mr. Tang is not a bad person. If I can’t even see this, I will be a slave in vain It's been a lifetime. Besides," she looked at the soldiers patrolling the courtyard gate with her cloudy eyes, "the one in Beijing is still alive, no one dares to lay hands on Madam."

In these words, there are mostly sincere hatred and helpless frustration.

Rou Ke took Chun Hua's hand like a withered tree, caressed and comforted her over and over again, and said apologetically: "If I care about it, it will cause chaos. Over the years, I have made things difficult for you, aunt."

Not to mention that the elders are always tolerant and courteous towards the younger generation, Chunhua also felt that he could not accept the status of master and servant that cannot be overstepped, and he couldn't live up to Rou Ke's sincere apology, and said with a smile: "It's no wonder you, Apart from you, Madam, almost no one visits here. Not to mention you were surprised and panicked, I was the same at first. The things in the food box were tested with silver needles every time, but they were all famous cakes in Beijing, which is nothing unusual. When the concubine passed away and you left Beijing to observe your filial piety, Madam ordered me not to write letters to bother you, so you just got to know her for the first time today."

Inside the kitchen.

Rou Ke's personal maid, Qiao Qingyi, came in with a handful of firewood from the outside, and smiled when she saw the shredded radish sliced ​​on the chopping board to be of the same thickness, but she saw Tang Ci squatting down to pour the firewood slowly, in a gentle manner. Text is like writing and drawing.

"Oh, my son! Look at you slow-moving, how long will it take you to turn up the fire? If the heat is not good, the rice will be cooked!" Qiao Qing pushed Tang Ci out, and added I took out the finely chopped firewood, and then fanned the fire. After the fire had ignited for a few minutes, I added the big firewood that had been put aside to dry.After a while, steam was rising from the rice steaming drawer.

Tang Ci froze on the spot, a little embarrassed, and was about to use the kitchen knife again, before he took a step, and Qiao Qing's back was blocked in front of his eyes, and he yelled unceremoniously: "This place is small, you are a big man. It's getting in the way here. Ma'am is taking a nap, but there are stone tables and chairs in the yard, go over and have a chat with my princess, you two scholars may be able to talk."

The tall and plump figure overlapped with the clever girl with her waist crossed when she was young, but she was always polite to herself at that time, pointing east and not daring to west, guide not daring to go north.

It's really 30 years in Hedong and 30 years in Hexi.

After brushing off his robe, Tang Ci stepped back and stepped out of the door, thinking that he would not be able to go to the stone table and chairs.

Things in the world often don't go according to one's wishes, and as soon as you go out, Rou Ke walks towards you.

There was no way to avoid it, so I had no choice but to bite the bullet and smile nonsense: "... Princess, what a coincidence."

Rou Ke looked at the bewildered Tangci indifferently, and said casually: "The backyard is only about ten feet long and wide, but there are only three or four places to go, how can it be a coincidence?"

Tang Ci coughed a few times with red cheeks, looked up at the sky, and pretended to have an epiphany: "I have heard that every spring on the back mountain of Biyun Temple, a hundred flowers bloom. I will go and have a look while the sun is just right now."

Rou Ke followed closely behind, calmly: "It's not as good as going."

Tangci wanted to cry but had no tears in his heart. He pulled the corners of his mouth and smiled and said, "With the company of Princess Yiren, I'm afraid Shaoguang will be a bit inferior."

When I arrived at the back mountain, there were no flowers, only crabapples.

Begonia pears in the pool are full of red branches in rainy weather.

Tang Ci and Rou Ke have their own concerns, but they have no intention of admiring the flowers.A thief with a guilty conscience walks with his head bowed.One is an old man fishing in Yechi, and he doesn't care about wine.

After a long time, Rou Ke brushed the rain and dew on the branches with her slender hands, her eyebrows were gentle and gentle: "I heard that Mr. Tang was originally from Yunzhou, and my father Wang is a tea lover. Yunzhou Pu'er is famous all over the world. I wonder if you can ask your parents, elders or sisters and brothers to buy Send some tea cakes to the capital?"

His brows were slightly frowned, and then relaxed for a moment, Tang Ci said generously: "Why not? My father and mother both live in Yunzhou City, do some business to make a living, and they are most familiar with the tea market. When I get home, I will write a letter Send the letter from home, at least by this time next month, Prince Yu will be able to enjoy the fresh fragrance of tea."

"That's it, thank you Mr. Tang." Rou Ke was surprised that she was so undefended, and said in a few words, saving her time and effort to inquire, after all, it is not the way of a gentleman.

On Tangci's side, it was like smashing bottles and cans, with mixed flavors.Partly for Jingci's peace of mind, partly for his own chilling, he tried to be realistic and said against his will: "Where is it? It's not a trivial matter. Besides, my father has long admired King Yu's name, and he is very happy that I cling to him and make friends with him."

Climb to make friends?Rou Ke sneered secretly, but she didn't know that her father was just a false pretense.

"Due to some reasons, my aunt was not a good person to get along with at first. If Mr. Tang has suffered some hardships, I will apologize to you here."

Tang Ci stopped when he heard the words, and there was some unhappiness that was suppressed on his face: "The princess's words are wrong, and Master Jingci treats me very well. I am just a stranger to her. I think she must have a good temper. Will it be a difficult person to get along with?"

The words can still be false, the tone can't be true, and the look is clear and gloomy.

Rou Ke felt relieved at this moment, and said with a light smile: "Young Master Tang said yes, I was overwhelmed. It's getting late, let's go back first."

Minister of the Ministry of War.

"This is just your conjecture, how can it be true?" Shen asked Linchi to fish, wearing a bamboo hat and a cloth robe.

Shen Yi was on the sidelines, hesitating to speak, but after a while, he lowered his head and said sullenly, "If elder brother told you to listen, would you still answer like this?"

Shen Rang knew that his concubine had few talents, and now he was named on the gold list, but he suffered from the distinction between concubines and concubines. No matter how he was treated by others or word of mouth from neighbors, he always seemed to be behind his eldest son, so he was depressed.

Opening his eyes, his eyes softened a little: "During the reign of Emperor Dezong, there was a famous female minister who went down in history. Later, although she was beheaded to show the public according to the law, the folks spread the story of her risking her life to save her father in the form of drama and storytelling. The absurd imitators have been repeatedly banned, and there are often heroic and valiant people among women that people can't distinguish. Later, in the third year of Emperor Xiaozong's Kangle, the Ministry of Rites deliberated and submitted a letter to play, and set up a master in the provincial and general examinations. If you have any doubts, please go to the cubicle to take off your clothes for a body check. If you have any doubts, you might as well invite the principal who will be taking the exam this year to inquire."

Shen Yi had this intention long ago, but he didn't dare to act rashly due to his small official position, now with his father's approval, he immediately ordered someone to summon the principal.

The principal was in his prime, with a goatee, and his name was Ding Yongchang.

"There are quite a few people who have taken off their clothes for a body check. I don't know who the young master and your lord are asking?"

Shen Rang was still fishing with his eyes closed, turning a deaf ear.

Shen Yi's brows were full of impatience: "Tang Ci and Lu He."

One is the Supplementary Tanhua compiled by Offside Ren Liupin, and the other is the second place hand-picked in the imperial examination, neither of them is a small person.Ding Yongchang's face changed a little, and he said in panic: "Master Tang and Master Lu are both serious men, there is no falsehood."

"Really?" Shen Yi raised his eyebrows and asked angrily.

Ding Yongchang shrank his shoulders, with a look of fear on his face: "It's absolutely true. Then the roots of life are strong, and the two adults are blessed people."

Shen Yi snorted coldly, his eyes were stern: "Didn't you accept a bribe from someone?"

Shen Rang opened his eyes, and said without anger: "Yi'er, since Mr. Ding has said so, you shouldn't be aggressive. Both Tang Ci and Lu He have seen it a few times, and there is nothing wrong with it."

"But father, that's all for Lu He. Tang Ci's behavior is weird and surly, and she is delicate like a woman. If she is really a woman, she will be an official in the court and don't know what she is planning!"

Shen Rang looked at him sideways, and saw that he bowed his head with guilt, Fang said: "According to what you said, where do you put Pan An and Song Yu? It is a sin for a man to be handsome? You are not young, and your wife is pregnant and three years old. Running out at both ends of the day, entering the Hanlin is a good thing to gain knowledge and broaden your horizons, why do you become narrow-minded instead?"

Seeing Shen Rang's eyes, Ding Yongchang hastily resigned from the house and did not participate in the family affairs of his father and his son.

Turning to the corner of the alley, looking back at no one, he leaned on the wall and gasped for breath, his forehead was covered with sweat, and his legs trembled slightly.

In the evening, Biyun Temple does not provide accommodation for guests.

After dinner, Tang Ci and Rou Ke bid farewell to Jing Ci, and bid farewell to each other.

Walking to the gate of the temple, Tang Ci was about to lead his horse to step on it. Rou Ke approached directly, and warmly invited: "There is no moon in the sky tonight, and the mountain roads are rugged. Young Master Tang, please go back to the city with me in the carriage."

Looking at the fog-shrouded road ahead, and looking at the formidable Rou Ke in front of him, Tang Ci only felt that he would rather fall into a shithole, so he handed over his hand and refused: "What's the point of this? I just met the Princess by chance, the Princess With a clean body, I dare not get close to defile."

Rou Ke smiled lightly, her tone became much more friendly: "Mr. Tang is a scholar and a courtier of the Imperial Academy. Haven't you heard that a white head is as new as before? How can you use the length of acquaintance to measure the relationship between people? And so pedantically caring about the difference between men and women."

During the dinner, Rou Ke paid special attention to observing Tang Ci, but she saw that she treated Jing Ciguo sincerely, and she was considerate and considerate when adding food and vegetables.After the meal, she still squeezed her shoulders and beat her back, showing a filial piety, Jingci also enjoyed it.Therefore, she has really let go of her guard against Tang Ci now, and she has a strong intention of making friends instead.

"... But... this horse..." Tang Ci thought about it, unable to find an excuse, and casually pointed to the innocent horse beside him grazing with its head bowed.

Rou Ke called Qiao Qing: "Go to the temple and ask a master to take care of the horse, and tomorrow you will hire someone to ride it back to the city, and you must send it back to Mr. Tang's home."

Tang Ci had no choice but to agree resentfully, but when he got into the carriage, he was dizzy due to drinking a lot of wine and almost fell, but fortunately Rou Ke helped him up.

In the spacious and comfortable carriage, Rou Ke and Tang Ci sat on two couches.

The groom who was on the way was a veteran, and the journey was smooth and smooth, making the atmosphere even more silent and awkward.

"Princess... But did you hurt your hand?" Tang Ci couldn't help but asked.

When Qiao Qing heard this, she took a few steps closer and turned Rou Ke's hands over and over to look at them.

Rou Ke's expression was inexplicable, and she said strangely: "I have never been injured, why do I have such doubts?"

"Hmm... I saw you staring at your hand just now..."

Rou Ke covered her mouth and chuckled, then raised her eyes to look at Tang Ci, her gaze fell to her arm, and she said seriously: "I just touched your arm in a rude way when I was helping you into the car, I never thought that a man's arm would do the same Being slender and weak, I am a little fascinated."

Meeting Qiao Qing's curious and probing eyes, Tang Ci was even more restless, almost shrinking himself into a corner, blushing and stammering: "People...are born the same. If you have a heavy burden, you should be strong and strong. I grew up at home since I was a child, and I didn’t have to worry about food and clothing. I studied hard, so I was raised white, tender and slender.”