Lin Ruhai of the Red Chamber Reborn

I don't realize that the hot summer is over, and the cool autumn comes suddenly, and September is the time when crabs are fat.Below I presented a few baskets of very fat crabs. Both Jia Min and Lin Ruhai liked to eat this, but they didn't dare to eat too much. It was a pity that Lin Ruhai suggested that Jia Min order someone to steam the crabs in front of the yamen. Invite a few friends to come and enjoy the flowers and drink.

The chrysanthemums in the garden were blooming just right, and the autumn scenery was intoxicating. Jia Min clapped her hands and said yes, and immediately posted the post.

Because Lin Hui and Lin Zhi were young, when their wives came and replied to the posts, they all brought their own boys and girls of the same age. The youngest was one year older than Lin Zhi, and the oldest was only seven years old. Five or six people.

Daiyu likes to be lively the most, but she is also very picky about food. She has a weak spleen and stomach, so she shouldn't be greasy, so she eats naturally and carefully. Seeing that Jia Min was thinking about how to hold a banquet, she couldn't help but remind Jia Min: "Everyone likes to eat those things. Yes, if there are things you don’t like to eat, why not set up a few for each of them, and put some of their favorite things in the box, wouldn’t it be interesting?”

When Daiyu usually goes to banquets with Jia Min, the most dislike is that there is nothing she likes on the table.

Jia Min thought for a while and said, "This is a good idea."

Just as he was talking, the wife of Liu Ying, the magistrate, suddenly sent someone to apologize, saying that she had intended to bring only her youngest daughter Liu Fang here in the previous reply, but unexpectedly her niece from her natal family came to Yangzhou.Mrs. Liu had no choice but to order someone to come over and talk to Jia Min, lest one more person come in time, which would be bad.

Jia Min thought for a moment, Mrs. Liu's maiden name was Yang, and her brother Yang Xu was quite powerful. He was a third-rank military officer in the capital. Since she was her daughter, she probably came from the capital. Tell me? Could it be that our family treats guests without preparing more rice?"

The Liu family's mother-in-law also laughed when she heard this, and said goodbye and went back to tell Mrs. Liu not to mention it.

On the first day, when the female relatives of each family came, the fellows having tea met and talked about the family affairs. Sure enough, Jia Min saw that besides her daughter Liu Fang, Mrs. Liu brought another girl, who seemed to be her brother's daughter, but everyone didn't agree. recognize.

This girl is about ten years old, she has picturesque features, her clothes are slightly different from those in Yangzhou, but she is still dressed in the capital city, with splendid clothes, pearls and emerald hairpin rings, she is dazzling, and when she greets everyone, she also speaks Chang'an official dialect , there are seven or eight girls serving in front of and behind him, which shows that he is of extraordinary background.

Everyone wondered about this girl's origin, only to hear Liu Ying laughingly said: "This is my niece from my mother's family, her name is Ru'er."

Jia Min beckoned to him, took Yang Ru's hand, looked at her carefully, and praised: "What a neat girl, thank you for bringing it, otherwise we would have missed it." As table gifts, one gold and jade ring, one string of fragrant beads, and other people, there are also two gifts.

Because they didn't sit with the adults, the sisters who were with Daiyu stood far away and asked Liu Fang in a low voice: "Your cousin came here, why are you dressed like this? Since you are going out, your wife didn't prepare for your cousin. New clothes and jewelry?" The two girls who spoke were disdainful, as the saying goes, do as the Romans do, and when they came to their place, they were still wearing the clothes of the capital. Could it be that the styles of the capital are fresher than theirs?I don't know that Yangzhou is luxurious, and many of them in the capital are worn by them.

Liu Fang smiled wryly and said: "I just came here yesterday, how can I have the time to make clothes? I just heard that we are coming, so I have to follow." Coming out of Chang'an City, the people at the feet of the emperor felt that they were superior, and her cousin is one of them.

Because someone wondered: "Why did it come so suddenly? But there are other relatives here?"

Liu Fang was also very puzzled by this matter. She traveled thousands of miles away. It stands to reason that Yang Ru's parents are both present, so there is no reason why she suddenly came to live with them. Liu Fang is seven years old this year. After returning to the capital, she hadn't seen her grandparents and aunts, so she sent Yang Ru here to live temporarily.

Just as he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard Jia Min say: "Yu'er, take your sister from the Yang family to play together."

Whenever there is a banquet at home, the boys and girls they come and go with often play together, they get along well, so it is inevitable that they don't like other people's interference, but Daiyu took the initiative today, so she invited Yang Ru over.

Yang Ru is the oldest, dignified and reserved, sitting quietly by the side, smiling and not saying a word.

Jia Min glanced at it from a distance, then turned to look at Mrs. Liu, her eyes flickered slightly, and she thought of how clever she was when she was pulling Yang Ru to talk earlier, and she seemed to think of something in her heart.It was said back and forth that a banquet had been held in the garden. Jia Minfang invited everyone to move to the garden to enjoy the flowers by the water. They like to eat, there are chrysanthemum-style ones, and some begonia-style ones, and so on, but there are small carved lacquer plum blossom tables in front of the children.

When everyone saw it, they were happy and said: "It's hard for you to remember what we like to eat and what we don't like to eat."

Daiyu is already five years old, six years old, Jia Min wants to take her out to learn some social skills, so that outsiders will only think that their daughter only knows how to read, but they don't understand these things, so after hearing this, she pointed at Daiyu. Yu smiled and said: "It's all the idea of ​​the little girl Yu'er. She said that she was afraid that if we sit at the same table, we will always eat something we don't like."

After everyone listened, they glanced at Daiyu and praised her.

Jia Min said to Mrs. Liu: "I don't know what Miss Yang likes to eat. I think she is from the capital, so I have to prepare some dishes from the capital."

Mrs. Liu hadn't spoken yet, but Yang Ru stood up gracefully, and said thanks, "Mrs. Lin is very thoughtful, these are my favorite food." When she spoke, she articulated clearly, with a smile on her face, very carefree Generous.

Jia Min smiled and said, "It's fine if you like it. If you don't like it, just tell me and ask someone to replace it for you."

After finishing speaking, he asked someone to deliver the freshly steamed crabs, prepared ginger silk vinegar, and ordered Daiyu, Liu Fang and the others to say: "It's fine to eat other food, I'm not afraid of you eating, but don't eat too much crabs, it will cause a stomachache." .”

Daiyu promised not to mention that when eating crabs, she only ate a little bit of meat, and Lin Zhi only ate a little bit.

Lin Zhi quarreled and wanted to eat, Daiyu asked the nanny to remove the crab in front of her and Lin Zhi, poked his forehead, and said: "When your stomach hurts, it will be too late to regret it. By then , your stomach hurts, my heart hurts, what can I do?"

Lin Zhi looked at the crab carried away by the nurse, and after listening to Daiyu's words, he hesitated for a long time, and said, "Then I will reluctantly give up."

Daiyu smiled sweetly, and everyone couldn't help laughing.

Yang Ru looked at Daiyu's sister and brother carefully, and saw that although Daiyu was young, she spoke and behaved well, and although her body and face looked timid, she was naturally coquettish, and she also saw that Lin Zhisheng was carved with jade Zhuo, always grabbing Daiyu's sleeves during actions, it is not difficult to see that the relationship between the siblings is very deep.

After Yang Ru looked at it, she said to Daiyu with a smile on her face, "My sister loves my younger brother, so I was dumbfounded and admired."

Daiyu had coaxed Lin Zhi well, and was instructing someone to wash her hands with mung bean noodles smoked with chrysanthemum leaves and osmanthus pistils. After hearing this, she turned to look at her, and said with a smile, "Sister, you've praised her absurdly. Naturally, I should love my younger brother more. Presumably my elder sister is also a brother and friend at home, and my sister and brother protect each other, which is very enviable."

Yang Ru covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and said with a smile, "Hearing my sister's mouth is so delightful."

Liu Fang pursed her lips, and before she could say anything, she listened to someone else interjected, "Sister Lin is of course very good. Do you have any new anecdotes in the capital? Come and listen to us, so that we can know something about the emperor." The story under our feet, so as not to know nothing, go out tomorrow and tell people that we are frogs at the bottom of a well, and we don’t know that there is a sky beyond the sky.”

Yang Ru smiled shyly, her cheeks were as red as the sky, but her bearing was still very reserved, and she said, "I don't go out often, I don't know much, I don't know what my sisters want to know?"

Liu Fang said: "Tell me about the scenery of the capital for all the sisters and brothers to hear. I want to know too."

After hearing this, Yang Ru spoke according to the words, whether it was a Kit Kat family, or someone had a noble person, or someone had a rare event, her voice was soft and charming, and she spoke in a leisurely manner, Such as hitting a jade chime.

Everyone thinks that Yangzhou is prosperous, after all, the capital is under the feet of the emperor, so they can't help but listen.

Yang Ru looked at Daiyu with a smile and said, "I came to Yangzhou for the first time. I don't know what the scenery is like here. If my sister is free tomorrow, how about we make an appointment to go out together? Then, I will ask my aunt to post a post for my sister."

Daiyu said: "I shouldn't say goodbye to my sister, but I still have to go to school, only take one day off after five days, and take care of my younger brother. I can't do my landlord's kindness, so I have to bother sister Liu."

Yang Ru raised her eyebrows and asked in surprise, "Your sister is going to school now?"

If Liu Fang hadn't been instructed by her mother, she wouldn't have bothered to pay any attention to this cousin from the capital, who was so high-spirited, and said, "What's so strange about this? In our family, which girl didn't go to school at the age of four or five? Isn't my sister? Lin My younger sister has already studied in the first half of the year, she has finished studying the Four Books, and now she is studying the Five Classics."

After Yang Ru heard this, she couldn't help but praise Daiyu, "Sister is really intelligent, she has learned a lot at such a young age."

Daiyu smiled lightly, and said, "My sister is overrated, I ask other sisters, they have learned more than me."

Yang Ru looked at the crowd, and they all smiled without saying a word.Daiyu praised them both inside and out, but they all knew themselves. Except for the two elder brothers, the others did not study the Four Books and Five Classics, and not everyone was like the Lin family. daughter.

When Yang Ru heard this, she couldn't ask any more questions.

Here, the sisters and brothers pointed to the flowers and said this one was good and that one was beautiful, but someone from Jia Min asked why Miss Yang came to South by herself.

Mrs. Liu took a look at Jia Min, but felt that her mother's intentions were hard to say. After thinking about it, Fang smiled and said: "There is nothing important. I just admire the beautiful scenery of our Yangzhou, so I came to have a look. Besides, I also want to see you." I am an aunt. My natal mother, brother and sister-in-law all love her, and it happened that a relative came to Jinling to visit her relatives, so they brought her here."

The Yang family has a lot of contacts with the Rongguo Mansion and the Ningguo Mansion. Mrs. Yang has naturally met Lin Rui, so why isn't she very satisfied with him?She was not the only one who thought so, the other family also took a fancy to Lin Rui, and originally wanted to ask Jia Mu to match him up, but Jia Mu knew that her daughter and son-in-law were left-handed, and she only said what her parents ordered and the matchmaker's words, but she didn't dare to agree, so she came to trust Mrs. Liu to make peace. , and asked Mrs. Liu to take Yang Ru to the Lin's house too often. Yang Ru is beautiful and talented, so I don't need to mention it by myself, but Jia Min has taken a fancy to it.

Mrs. Liu smiled wryly, and complained to Liu Ying when she came back from Lin's house in the evening: "I don't know what my mother's family thinks, what's the use of entrusting me with things that the old lady of Jia's family can't do in the capital? What do you want me to say? I went to the banquet today, and before I even opened my mouth, Mrs. Lin said that we won't get married until Brother Rui is 15 years old, which made me so ashamed that I had nowhere to hide my face."

Liu Ying thinks that Lin Rui is a son-in-law who can take advantage of the dragon, but it's a pity that his family can't get high. Although the official position of the brother-in-law is not lower than that of Lin Ruhai, it's a pity that he has one literary and one martial arts. Born, but Yang Xu is a general.

After Mrs. Liu complained, she felt aggrieved again, and said, "Send Ru'er here without saying a word, what do you want me to do?"

Liu Ying smiled and said: "Don't be upset, just do what you want. Don't tell me we have to force him to do it? Anyway, there is no shortage of food and clothing for Ru'er alone in the family. Let's treat her well. When things are not settled, she will delay When I can't afford it, I will naturally go back to the capital. However, if you can't do this, will the Yue family annoy you?"

Mrs. Liu said: "I'm already at odds with my natal family, how can I not be annoyed if this matter can't be done?"

Liu Ying said: "Could it be that the cow doesn't drink water and forcefully presses its head? Mother-in-law told you to take girl Ru to walk around the Lin's house, and you have already done so, what else do you want? The Lin family doesn't want to get married, so how can you blame you? High-ranking officials and dignitaries, the Lin family doesn't even have any intentions, if they wanted to, they would have come to propose marriage long ago, let alone the Yue family."

It turned out that Mrs. Liu and Liu Ying were two old fathers who joked after drinking and made a baby kiss. The father of Liu Ying died early. Liu Ying was still young, and the Liu family was gradually losing. Gao Pan didn't mention it anymore.Unexpectedly, Father Yang is a person who values ​​love and righteousness, and he still promises his beloved daughter.The Liu family was naturally very grateful, but it annoyed Yang's mother. She felt sorry for her daughter and didn't want her to suffer, so she picked a nephew from her natal family for her daughter. Which one is not ten times stronger than Liu Ying?But Father Yang made the decision, and she dared not object, and her daughter was willing to marry Liu Ying, who was unknown at the time, so she vented her anger on the Liu family. Ever since Mrs. Liu left the cabinet, she had no important contact with the Liu family.

Liu Ying is grateful to his father-in-law for his righteousness and his wife's love for him. After marriage, he worked hard to become stronger. Five years later, he won the imperial examination, and the next year he was named a Jinshi on the gold list. He became the magistrate of Yangzhou solidly and was re-elected for many years.Therefore, he respected his deceased father-in-law very much, but he did not take it seriously for his mother-in-law.

Mrs. Liu sighed: "Why don't I know this truth? It's just that since my father passed away, my mother has become more and more left-handed. If she can't keep it, she will blame us for not doing my best. I'm a daughter, so I'm fine. I'm just afraid of delaying the master's future."

Yang Xu also holds an important position in the capital, not to mention being close to the Jia family, it is hard to guarantee that this will not be the case.

Liu Ying smiled freely and said: "Madam, don't worry, in the capital, who can cover up the sky with one hand? Besides, since Mr. Lin became the inspector of salt and censor, our two families have a very good friendship, and we can help each other in government affairs. I don't know the details of what happened here, and I don't know what to do, so Master Lin will definitely protect me a bit."

Mrs. Liu pondered for a moment, this is true, it is better to have a close relationship than a magistrate who has no relationship with Yangzhou.

When the couple was discussing, Jia Min was also talking to Lin Ruhai, saying: "During the dinner, everyone asked about Rui'er's age, and also asked if they were engaged. Look, Rui'er's marriage was decided early." When Yang Ru first arrived, she was a bit cautious, but after admiring the flowers in the garden, she already knew everyone, she was good at dancing with long sleeves, and she was very clever. However, Jia Min lived longer in the Lin family than in the Jia family, influenced by the Lin family, and loved scholars She is noble, but she doesn't like girls who are slick and sophisticated.

Lin Ruhai took the small scissors to cut off the candles, and the bedroom became much brighter in an instant. He turned his head and smiled and said, "What's the hurry? Our eldest daughter-in-law always has to choose the right one. It's not a matter of a short while. Let’s talk about fame.”

Jia Min said: "Rui'er has fame and fame, so it's easy to choose a marriage, but every time I see people, I always ask about it, and I'm getting impatient."

After finishing speaking, he said with a smile: "It's better that the master taught us well, we Rui'er strives for success, who doesn't want to get married? Look at the Xue family, even if their family has millions of dollars, they may not be willing to be well-matched. In the final analysis, apart from family status, The first is character and ability, with character and ability, you don’t have to pick it yourself, there will be people flocking to it.”

Lin Ruhai said: "Rui'er's marriage, you don't have to choose among these people's families."

Jia Min was startled when he heard this.

Lin Ruhai smiled and said: "These people who come here are mostly for fame and fortune. They are originally dirty-minded and lack character. For us, getting married is a disaster rather than a blessing. Let's take a look at Rui'er's marriage. But if the man is alive, there is no need to hurry to get married, anyway, Ruier is a man, so there is no problem in discussing marriage when he is older."

Jia Min nodded and said, "Master is right, you have to choose one with all four corners."

Lin Ruhai shook his head and smiled. Although he paid attention to being well-matched, he mainly understood etiquette and righteousness. He didn't insist on marrying Lin Rui an impeccable daughter-in-law. His own daughter was not flawless, so why demand perfection from her?What's more, since he holds this position, he doesn't have to choose from high-ranking and powerful families at all.

Lin Ruhai didn't tell Jia Min these words. Anyway, Lin Rui said that he was the one who made the final decision on the marriage, and if he was dissatisfied, the marriage would not be concluded.

Daiyu didn't like the Yang Ru she saw today, although her words and deeds were amiable, she always felt that she had other plans, if it wasn't because she was a guest, she would have ignored her a long time ago, why would she be joking among her sisters and brothers? .

Early the next morning, Daiyu got up late, and it was cold, and she felt a little unwell. She didn't have to go to class today, and Mr. Fang caught a cold, so she lay lazily on the bed, not wanting to get up, but Lin Zhi appeared in front of her. With a smiling face, she lay on the side of Daiyu's pillow and said coquettishly, "Sister, it was Zhi'er who was Tang Pozi yesterday."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Chou'er is the best, and it will be like this when winter comes."

Somehow, after Lin Zhi's third birthday was over, and at the end of the year, he became stronger and stronger day by day, unlike Daiyu, although she was better than before, it was not a great deal, but Lin Zhi was much better, her previous weakness was gone, and she was angry Great, when she slept with Daiyu last winter, Daiyu often approached her unknowingly, sleeping very warmly.

Lin Zhi patted Daiyu's pillow and said, "Don't worry, sister, I will still sleep with my sister."

While talking and joking, Qinghe Bailu and others came in with hot water and clothes, and said: "Miss, it's time to get up, master is taking a rest today."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu stood up and said with a smile, "Daddy promised me last time that he would take me out, but I forgot that Daddy is free today. Ugly, get up, sister will take you out." Lin Ruhai rests once every five days, and people often invite him out for a drink, and they usually don't bring Daiyu there, it's extremely rare to meet him at leisure.

Lin Zhi was really happy when he heard this.

After the siblings finished washing, they went to greet Lin Ruhai and Jia Min and mentioned this matter.

Lin Ruhai immediately agreed, and after having breakfast with Jia Min, he took his two children out, the bustling outside was full of traffickers and peddlers, Daiyu was very reserved, but Lin Zhi shouted excitedly.

Lin Ruhai laughed, and ordered countless servants to surround him, holding Daiyu with one hand and Lin Zhi with the other, fearing that there would be too many people on the street and be abducted.Back then, if Zhen Shiyin and his wife had sent two more servants and Huo Qi to take Yinglian out to watch the lanterns, how could Huo Qi have relieved her and Yinglian had been abducted.

Daiyu was young, so she was not confined at home. Lin Ruhai usually took her out, mostly to dinners, and rarely walked in the market.

Seeing the crowds of people ahead, Daiyu asked curiously, "What are you doing up front?"

After hearing the question, a servant immediately went over to inquire, and after half a day, he came back and said: "The Cui Yan merchant set up a ring here to fight for wealth with the Wu Yan merchant."

The salt merchants in Yangzhou are very aggressive in fighting for wealth, and every time they spend money like water, attracting thousands of people, Daiyu frowned, and said: "I heard from my father that salt merchants always have all sorts of strange ways to fight for wealth, and they even pay a lot of money to choose ugly people." , in order to win the first place, some people use soy sauce to tan their faces, but is that so?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "You remember well."

A trace of complacency flashed across Daiyu's face, and she asked the boy, "What's the idea of ​​the two salt merchants this time?"

The servant had already inquired clearly, and said with a smile: "This time is different from the past. The two salt merchants set up a arena to hold a poetry competition. They each produced a lot of precious treasures. Who can write better poems? Everyone rewards things, and compare whose things are more expensive and whose things are rare."

When Lin Ruhai and Daiyu heard this, ridicule flashed in their eyes.

Lin Ruhai looked at Daiyu and said with a smile: "Yu'er is also learning to compose poetry recently, do you want to try it in the past?"

Daiyu shook her head and said: "I'm not going, what's the fun? Besides, reading is not for fame and fortune. But we can go and see the excitement, and let Mom know when we come back."

Lin Ruhai agreed with a smile. When he walked to the front, it was really crowded. On the ring, Cui Yanshang and Wu Yue were divided into two sides, both dressed in brocade clothes, full of arrogance, and there were a few sour scholars invited by them beside them. He looks like a gentleman, but Lin Ruhai knows that few of those who are willing to be a guest at a salt merchant have the character of a scholar.Behind Cui Yanshang and Wu Yue, there were many young servants standing respectively, holding trays, all of which were covered with red satin.

As there were more and more people bustling around, Lin Ruhai lowered his head and said to Daiyu, "Let's go to the restaurant and sit down, and we can also see it from the window. You don't have to crowd with people, lest the pickled smell will suffocate you."

Daiyu felt unwell earlier, so she nodded her head in agreement.

The father and son led the servants to avoid the crowd and went to the restaurant. They all came to watch the excitement today, and it was a day of rest and bathing. The private rooms in the restaurant were gone. Lin Ruhai didn't want to deceive others, and was about to sit in the middle of the restaurant. Suddenly, I saw a young servant coming down from upstairs, bowed to Lin Ruhai and said, "Master Lin, my lord has an invitation."

Lin Ruhai was startled, and asked, "Who is the Lord?"

The boy said: "My lord's surname is Zeng, and his name is Ming."

Lin Ruhai was taken aback, and said immediately, "Brother Zeng, why did you end up in the south of the Yangtze River? Didn't you send me a message?"

Then he smiled and said to Daiyu, "We have somewhere to go."

After hearing this, Daiyu knew that Lin Ruhai had met an old man, but she had never heard of this Mr. Zeng Ming from Lin Ruhai, so she couldn't help being very surprised.Following Lin Ruhai up to the second floor and entering a private room, he saw a gentleman standing up laughing, about 40 years old, refined and elegant, with extraordinary bearing, besides the servants who came to invite them, there were three or four servants. Waiting on the sidelines.

Daiyu pulled Lin Zhi and followed Lin Ruhai, guessing Zeng Ming's origin and identity, but saw Lin Ruhai holding Zeng Ming's hand, staring at his white hair on the sideburns, and sighed: "How many years have we not seen each other?"

Zeng Ming smiled and said, "It must have been 20 years?"

Lin Ruhai shook his head and said, "I'm forty years old. I haven't seen him since the year we participated in Chunwei."

Zeng Ming chuckled and said, "I haven't seen you for 20 years. You've done a good job as an official. I've been in Yangzhou for a few days and I often hear about your family. Are the two children beside you your children? I thought According to your age, you should hold your grandson no matter what, why are your children still young?"

Lin Ruhai hurriedly ordered Daiyu and Lin Zhi to come and pay a visit, saying: "It's destined, it's not too late."

Zeng Ming received the gift from Daiyu's sister and brother, thought for a while, took off the jade pendant around his waist, and took off the agarwood rosary on his wrist as a gift, and said with a smile: "When I came to Yangzhou, I didn't know your father was here. As an official, I didn't prepare any congratulatory gifts in a hurry, so take these two things away, and if you don't like them, give them to the girl."

Daiyu and Lin Zhi all thanked each other, then turned around and presented it to Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai glanced at it and said with a smile: "Your Zeng Shibo gave it to you, just accept it, he is not an outsider."

The Zeng family and the Lin family were not family friends, but Zeng Ming and Lin Ruhai were classmates, so the two families became entangled and had a close relationship. Zeng Ming was talented and not under Lin Ruhai, but because of his father's taboo, he stopped being a Gongsheng. Can't go any further.Zeng Ming's father's name is taboo Jin, which sounds the same as Jinshizhijin.Scholars in the world look down on each other, so they wrote a letter on this matter and refused to allow Zeng Ming to participate in the palace examination.

At that time, Emperor Xuankang did not want to miss Zeng Ming, and there were many literati who opposed him. Emperor Xuankang had no choice but to not allow Zeng Ming to participate in the palace examination, but at the same time, in that year, he gave Zeng Ming an official position.He didn't take the Jinshi exam, so there is no need to shy away from it, but he can still be an official if he has a real deficiency, which shows how much Emperor Xuankang valued Zeng Mingdao.Unexpectedly, Zeng Ming was calm and indifferent, impatient with being swayed by the officialdom, knowing that if he accepted the order, he would offend his colleagues, so he drifted away, and Lin Ruhai hadn't heard from him for many years.

Among Lin Ruhai's best friends, Su Li and Gu Yue are at the top, and Guo Fuxian is coming from behind. However, the one Lin Ruhai misses the most is Zeng Ming. Why, he actually appeared in Yangzhou in this life.

After taking a seat for a while, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but said, "Where have you been for the past 20 years? There is no news at all."

Zeng Ming ordered someone to cook tea and bring it to Daiyu and Lin Zhi, and then ordered someone to ask for some fine colors and put them in front of Daiyu and Lin Zhi. Learned a lot."

Lin Ruhai frowned and said, "Outside for 20 years?"

Zeng Ming nodded and said with a smile: "It's not that I haven't been back to my hometown, it's just that it's thousands of miles away and it's hard to communicate with each other. I stayed in the capital for a few months last year. When I go south this time, I will come to see you, and I will leave in a few days."

Lin Ruhai was taken aback, and said, "You've only been in Yangzhou for a few days, and you're leaving?"

Zeng Ming said with a smile: "It's no fun staying in Yangzhou, I'll go to see the scenery elsewhere. But before I leave, I will arrange my family in Yangzhou, please take care of me."

Lin Ruhai wondered: "Why is there such a relationship between you and me? But, how to settle in Yangzhou?" Zeng Ming's native place is not Jiangnan, but Shandong. If he resettled his family members, they should be sent back to their hometown, so Lin Ruhai listened to Zeng Ming's advice. If he said that, his heart was full of doubts, and he asked immediately.

Zeng Ming smiled wryly, and said, "Why do you think I placed them in Yangzhou? It's not because they are the magistrates in our house, they are from the same department as you and me, Xu Fei."

Lin Ruhai's complexion changed after hearing this.It was Xu Fei who instigated the letter to prevent Zeng Ming from participating in the imperial examination. Speaking of which, Xu Fei and Zeng Ming are still relatives, but Xu Fei is nearly 20 years older than Zeng Ming. Zeng Ming is young and will be named in the gold list , but his temples were white, he couldn't help feeling jealous, and used the name of Zeng Ming's father, Zeng Jin, to prevent him from taking the exam.Unknowingly, after 20 years, Xu Fei has also become a magistrate from a fellow Jinshi.

Lin Ruhai sighed, and said, "No wonder you don't want to go back to your hometown to live. It's just that there may not be any close friends of yours in Chang'an City, so why don't you place them in the capital?"

Zeng Ming shook his head and said: "The capital is full of turmoil, how can I rest assured? It is very quiet here. Even if you are not here, I intend to place them here. Now that you are here, I don't have to worry." In fact, Zeng Ming I have always taken my family to visit the world's scenic spots. My wife has been in poor health in recent years, so I settled him down.

Lin Ruhai said solemnly: "Don't worry, as long as I have one day, no one will bully the family."

Zeng Ming smiled and said: "I don't know your temper. Others don't believe me, but I believe you. I said I would go to your house to pay a visit, but I didn't expect to meet here. You also come to see the fun?"

Lin Ruhai said: "Take the two children out to play."

Zeng Mingdao: "Who would have thought that you would have such a free time. You two children are fine, what are their names?" At that time, the gongs and drums were beating outside, and the sound of strings and bamboos continued. The questions had already begun, and they had already been awarded once. up.This restaurant is the closest to the arena, and you can see everything on the stage clearly from the window, and you can hear them very clearly. Zeng Ming saw Daiyu and Lin Zhi move their chairs to the window, stepping on each other to look out. , there is a servant behind him to protect each other, and he smiles knowingly.

Lin Ruhai turned around and saw a young servant looking at Fang Ba, and said with a smile: "The little girl's scientific name is Lin Hui, her baby name is Daiyu, the dog's scientific name is Lin Zhi, and her baby name is Chou'er. One is five and a half years old, and the other is about four years old."

Zeng Ming was about to speak, when Lin Zhi pointed to the uncovered tray on the stage and said, "Sister, I want that!"

Daiyu saw that Wu Yue and Cui Yanshang each opened a tray behind them, and they walked in front of the people. Among them, the tray in front of Wu Yue was shining golden, while Cui Yanshang's was crystal clear jade, and Daiyu could only see one. It's gold and the other is jade, but I can't see what it is, so I can't help but say: "Chou, can you see it clearly?"

Lin Zhili said bluntly: "I can't see clearly."

Daiyu smiled and said: "I can't see clearly, what do you want? I don't know which one you are talking about."

Lin Zhi shook his head and said: "I want it, sister, sister win it for me."

The servant next to him laughed and said, "Girl, Second Lord, on that tray is a golden phoenix with lace and white jade rings. They are all very delicate things. There are a lot of pearls and precious stones on the golden phoenix."

Daiyu said disdainfully: "Who can still be a treasure?" She knew that Chou'er was young, and he liked whatever he saw, especially the bright golden phoenix and the nine chains were very stubborn, so she listened attentively to the topic above, it was Yong Crab, Daiyu After thinking about it for a long time, fortunately, I had a few good words when I ate crabs yesterday. When the incense burnt on the stage was halfway through, I had already got the rest.

Daiyu had already learned to compose poetry, and there were countless poems and poems in her belly. Lin Ruhai took a look at it, although the layout was exquisite, it was too young and not deep enough, so she showed it to Zeng Ming and ordered someone to send it down.

Zeng Mingdao: "Your daughter is quite talented, she is doing so well at such a young age."

Lin Ruhai said proudly: "I'm not boasting, there are not many people in the world who can match my daughter's talent. However, she is young, and in a few years, I'm afraid your poems and mine will not be as good as her." Entering Jia's mansion at an early age, even though there was almost no one to teach him, Lin Ruhai sighed secretly.Stealing three points of pistils is white, and borrowing a ray of soul from plum blossoms, how romantic and unique.360 days a year, the wind, the sword, the frost and the sword are pressing against each other, how desolate it is.

Unexpectedly, Daiyu did not win the first place, but only the third place.Even if it is the third place, there are prizes on the stage. The young servant who sent the poem to the competition brought it. When everyone looked at it, it was a sachet woven with gold and silver threads. The flowers and insects were woven from the Wu family. A jade pendant, carved in the shape of a gourd, was produced by Cui Yan's merchant.

Daiyu was often praised since she was a child, and she relied on herself as a genius, but today she didn't win the first place, so her face suddenly became gloomy, quite displeased.

Lin Ruhai knew Daiyu's temperament, so she came over and took a look at the lottery heads in her hand. They were all extraordinary. It can be seen that the Wu family and the Cui family are rich. People are the same age, so why can't the first place be easily achieved? You are now five or six years old and won No.3. If others knew it, they would be ashamed to death."

Zeng Ming also laughed and said, "When I was your age, I didn't know how to compose poetry yet."

After hearing their comfort, Daiyu became happy again, and gave Lin Zhi the sachet and jade pendant to play with.

Suddenly there was another problem on the stage outside, and the tray was uncovered. On the tray of the Wu family was a short piano, which was an antique. Standing in front of the window, Lin Ruhai saw it, his eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "Yu'er should learn Qin, I was just saying that the one at home is not good, and I will find you a better one, but I never thought that the one at Wu’s is an ancient one.”

Daiyu didn't take it seriously, and said: "It doesn't matter if it's an antique or a new piano, as long as it can be used, it's a good piano. Besides, what is your father's status, how can you compete with them for this prize? I don't want it! Daddy will find it tomorrow." wood, just ask a master craftsman to make one for me."

Lin Ruhai smiled and complied with her.

How Wu Cui and his family fought for wealth, they could see clearly from the window. Lin Ruhai watched for a long time, and saw that their last lottery was awarded to the Linglong Pagoda, Coral and Treasure Tree, and suddenly said: "These thoughts and tricks are just for face. It’s better to use the money to help the poor. I’m trying to figure out a way to ask them to pay a sum of money.”

Zeng Ming listened on the sidelines, and said with a smile: "How can they not pay you for your work? But I heard that there are often tsunamis along the coast of southern Fujian, ruining the lives of the people, and being raided by Japanese pirates, why don't you get some money to help. "

Lin Ruhai said: "There are natural disasters and man-made disasters everywhere, why don't you want money? Saints are also short of money. Hearing what you said, I have an excellent idea. I have to write a letter to the saints. Just stay in Yangzhou for a few more days, we Let's get together again, where do you live now? You have to let us know the door."

Zeng Ming said with a smile: "It's getting late today, when you come back to take a rest, I'll invite you in a post."

After hearing this, Lin Ruhai promised not to mention it.

After the two families had finished fighting for wealth and the crowd dwindled, Lin Ruhai waved goodbye to Zeng Ming, took his children home, asked Daiyu and Lin Zhi to go to Jia Min, went to the study by himself, and wrote a post with his own handwriting to order people to go All salt merchants big and small please.

Wu Yue and Cui Yanshang fought for wealth, each was good at winning, but they couldn't decide who was superior, and they were depressed and unhappy, so they returned home when they didn't want to, then they received a message from Lin Ruhai, they didn't know why, they hurriedly changed their clothes, cleaned up Back, came to Lin's house by car, and saw Cui salt merchant who was fighting for wealth with him today head-on, his face suddenly darkened, not only him and Cui salt merchant, but also all the big and small salt merchants in Yangzhou arrived.