Clam Pearl

The night before, Gu Zhao went to bed late after watching a play alone.

In the morning of the second day, Gu Zhaocai got up lazily when the sun rose three poles. At this time, Ah Run had already gone to the other end and was not by his side.Gu Zhao didn't know when people left and who came to pick up these chores, and he didn't ask. His heart was bright and his sleep quality was always high.

On the contrary, Ah Run, he has always had nightmares in recent years, coming and going like that dream before the death of Emperor Tian Shu.Gu Zhao knew that Ah Run had something on his mind, but he had never asked about it for three years. In fact, he knew that there were many things going on behind the scenes in that struggle that year. Knowing about it would only add to the troubles.

After waking up, Gu Zhao was still thinking about the scene yesterday.Alas, that scene was very wonderfully performed, although I dare not mention that it is about the family of this dynasty, but it was fabricated by the family of a certain generation.But as long as they look at it, the spectators will know it.

In the play, the appearance of his fifth elder brother is described very wonderfully in poetry, which is really more than King Lanling.How his fifth sister-in-law made a secret promise before the battle, how she flirted with her, how she robbed someone and entered the village, how she continued to flirt with her in the bridal chamber, and the queen forced her to bow her head... Gu Zhao was so laughing yesterday, he was so open, he polished the rice They all added an extra bowl.The eunuch who was standing aside to serve hurriedly made a note, preparing to present it at night, and now Gu Zhao had to record what he ate and used every day.

Just like he likes to eat Wukang glutinous rice, that kind of glutinous rice is produced in Wukangxi County all over the country, so it is also called Wukangxi.Fine rice has high requirements on the planting area, but the yield per mu is not high. Therefore, only 20 acres of special soil on a certain hillside in Xi County can grow this unique, slightly sweet and soft glutinous rice.Now, most of the 20 acres have filled Gu Zhao's stomach. Gu Zhao himself doesn't know about this, he only knows that it is delicious, so there are often on the table.It's just that glutinous rice is not easy to digest, Ah Run only asks him to eat it once every three days.

After grooming and having breakfast, Maude arrived. He was not allowed to enter the back, but waited in the main hall of the front yard.Now everyone in the family knows about Gu Zhao's bad habit. No one is allowed to go to his backyard, and neither is his brother!

Gu Maode waited in the front hall for a while, then saw his little uncle wearing a lavender unicorn robe, with a rhinoceros horn belt around his waist, and a black hard-shell square-top bib on his head, swinging out.

Gu Maode quickly saluted and said, "Little Uncle."

Gu Zhao curled his lips: "I'm uneasy, if your father doesn't act as a matchmaker for me a few times, I'll be fine!"

Gu Maode didn't answer this question, but continued: "Little uncle, I have wronged my father this time, and my nephew is here today to say hello to you in advance. The old lady of Duke Qi's family is probably going to give you a Introduce some people."

Gu Zhao pointed to the seat on one side, took the small half bowl of medicinal soup that Xizai had brought, and poured it down while pinching his nose.There is nothing wrong with him, but now the rules of the family follow the rules of the palace, there is nothing wrong with him all year round, and he takes medicine according to the season.

Putting down the medicine bowl and rinsing his mouth, Gu Zhao then asked Gu Maode: "Yo, the old lady of the Qi family has heard that she is not bad, she is the most enthusiastic and cheerful old lady, how come she and my elder brother are settling for me now?" Start a matchmaker? Let me tell you, no one says it’s useless, just get someone to go home and share my money, and leave me alone, I’m not sick!”

Gu Maode had no choice but to explain: "Uncle, I really don't have anything to do with my father today. In fact, Mrs. Qi is also helpless, and she is not a matchmaker for you. This matter has nothing to do with being a matchmaker. In fact..." Speaking of which , Gu Maode glanced at Gu Zhao quietly: "Actually, the old lady of the Qi family has old relatives with our little grandma's family. She has no choice but to find you in Beijing now. I asked someone to tell you I have asked many times, but my father can't help it."

Gu Zhao wondered when there was a little grandma in his family, and turned inside out. There are really few people in this world who can make Gu Maode call grandma.Gu Zhao was puzzled: "Who? Where is the little grandma from?"

"That's... my little uncle's natal family, that is, my little uncle's uncle from your maternal family's family has arrived." Gu Maode was a little embarrassed, this son even forgot about his mother, what can he do?

Gu Zhao was stunned for a moment.When he called here, he had various homes, father's home, elder brother's home, southern home, and old home, but his grandma's home never met.

He is also very clear about his own background.Back then when his father fought with the first emperor, when they reached Chengzhou County, the city was taken down, but the noble families in Dengzhou refused to cooperate.

Those gentry families have had their own strength of character since ancient times.I can't beat you, and I won't fight, I just don't cooperate, obey you, see you, and ignore you.In the past, emperors mainly appease the noble families.However, the first emperor was from Ye Luzi back then, and when he saw that he was left alone, he led his soldiers into the largest family in the area, Dehui Yue's family, in a fit of anger.He robbed the daughter of the patriarch Yue Kui to make an example to others, and gave it to the rudest general around him to fill in the house.

Gu Zhao's mother was born in a prestigious family. She was educated by books and played piano and chess since she was a child. She is also young and beautiful, and quite talented. Naturally, she also has a lot of pride.

Later, the family suffered a lot, was robbed, and married an old man who was dozens of years older than himself.Naturally, she was in a bad mood, so she died of depression not long after giving birth to Gu Zhao.Even Gu Zhao himself, who was born prematurely, doesn't have the memory of his little mother hugging him a few times. The only thing she has is that she always looks disgusted every time she sees him. Otherwise, the old man would love Gu Zhao so much.Seeing that Gu Zhao had no mother to care for, he had no choice but to take him with him to raise him.

Gu Zhao cherishes blessings and never remembers bad things, so he also forgot about his little mother early, and just kowtowed to her a few times during the festivals, paying enough tributes and muttering about it.

How is it now?Is it possible?Is it because of another thing to cling to?Thinking of this, Gu Zhao looked at Gu Maode suspiciously.

Gu Maode naturally knew what the little uncle was thinking, so he smiled and explained: "Little uncle thinks too much, your natal family is a famous master of legal studies, nothing else, but the character is famous, if it is not too strong, you will have a strong character that day. Nor will he be angered by the first emperor.

This is not last month. Today I opened a law department at Guozixue. I wanted to hire a famous teacher to be a doctor. After thinking about it, I thought of Dehui Yue's family.As far as law is concerned, Dehui Yue's family can be regarded as the leader in the world. Their school has studied law for more than 400 years with a history of more than ten generations.The teacher invited this time, in terms of seniority, is my uncle's uncle.That's why my dad accepted old lady Qi's post.He also said...this matter...does no harm to my little uncle, so don't push it. "When Gu Maode said this, his earthy face unexpectedly revealed an expression of admiration.

Gu Zhaocai didn't care about this, and said with a sneer: "The fool just asked a large family of elders to put his head on his head."

Gu Maode has long been familiar with his little uncle's confusion, and he has no other way, so he just sits there with a smile.

After a while, Gu Zhao's nanny entered the house and signaled that the sedan chair was ready.Since he was a guest today, Gu Zhao could not ride his white camel, but could only sit in his eight-person sedan chair.

Sitting in a sedan chair, the uncle and nephew wandered through the streets and alleys, and arrived at Duke Qi's mansion in a blink of an eye.Arriving at Duke Chang's mansion, it was Duke Chang's eldest son, Qi Ze, who met the guests at the main entrance.Today is the birthday of his family's ancestors, both of whom are six-star protectors, so the Qi family's strength is not smaller than that of the Gu family.Therefore, there are friends and relatives outside the door that can't be seen, and the people who come and go are the most famous people in Beijing.

Gu Zhao got off the sedan chair, and the officials who were waiting to celebrate his birthday over there consciously stepped aside and asked Gu Zhao to go first. Gu Zhao stood at the door and said a few words to Qi Ze casually, and then Qi Ze led the way. He didn't want to go to the main hall over there to chat and eat wine, but just took the sedan chair of Qi Mansion all the way to the main hall behind.

At the back, after getting off the sedan chair, he was led by Qi Ze into a bright courtyard. As soon as he entered the house, Gu Zhao had an idea in his mind. It was obvious that Chang Guogong was more popular than his elder brother.Look, the main hall of Chang Guogong's mansion is similar to that of ordinary officials' homes, except that there are three rows of chairs for guests on both sides, twice as many as his home.

As soon as he entered the door, he heard someone calling Gu Zhao: "Xiaoqi, come here."

Gu Zhao saw that it was his elder brother, Gu Yan, Duke of Pingguo.There were two people sitting beside him, and the one who was very familiar was Qi Yuanjing, Duke of Chang.The other one didn't know him.This man is about five or sixty years old, with a long face, thin face, bright eyes, and a beautiful beard. Although he is not tall, he has an indescribable smell. Not at all shy.When he saw Gu Zhao's door, his expression showed a little excitement, but even so, he didn't stand up.Just wait for Gu Zhao to come and see him.

Gu Zhao took a rough look at him, and saw that he was wearing a very ordinary dark-colored thick silk robe, a black scarf of the same color on his head, and a pair of very delicately woven straw sandals on his feet.Dressed in such a shallow way, sitting on the carved chairs surrounded by wealth and honor, there is a sense of leisurely sitting under the southern mountain of Dongli.

"Brother, I'm here to show you a person." When Gu Yan saw his younger brother, he came over with a smile on his face, took his hand and patted it, turned around and pulled Gu Zhao to this person, and introduced: "Mr. Shui Jing, This is the seventh son of my family, Azhao, nicknamed Penzi. After finishing speaking, he turned to Gu Zhao and said, "Brother, this one is not an outsider, this is your... mother's uncle... come, call uncle. "

From the bottom of his heart, Gu Yan wanted Gu Zhao to recognize his uncle, not for other reasons. Dehui Yue's family is a top-ranking family with a history of 400 years. On this point, no matter what, it is really good for Gu Zhao himself and Gu Zhao's descendants. Little bad.

Gu Zhaocai didn't like this, he just saluted slightly, and said indifferently: "Hello, Mr. Yue."

Gu Yan sighed in his heart, knowing that Gu Zhao had lost his temper again.

Yue Shuangqing stood up slowly, there was no sign of displeasure on his face, even his eyes were wet, his lips trembled a few times, and he stretched out his right hand to gently touch Gu Zhao's head. Said: "You...you don't look like his family, you look like your mother."

Master Gu Yan suddenly looked embarrassed. His family members are all pretty. When they go out, they are all handsome. When they go out, there are young daughter-in-laws from the street surrounding them to watch.

Gu Zhao smiled lightly: "I don't remember her, they say I'm more like daddy."

Gu Yan suddenly felt tears welling up in his eyes, look, it's still our little seven.I know a lot of people inside and outside. Since you are the one, I can say whatever I want.

Hey, that's not right, he will suffer in this way, this kid is stupid, such a good family, I don't know how good it is for his reputation in the court and outside.Why can't it follow the trend?

Gu Yan winked at the side, but Gu Zhao just didn't look at him.

Yue Shuangqing shook his head slightly and said with certainty: "You are like your mother! If you meet your aunt by chance, you will know, you are [-]% similar... Oh, your aunt is the most like your mother, and now she In my hometown, I often talk about you."

In fact, don't look at that aunt, this Mr. Shuangqing has slightly similar eyes and nose to Gu Zhao.Gu Zhaoming clearly saw it, but he didn't want to admit it.

Seeing their nephew and uncle talking, Chang Guogong found a reason to take Gu Yan out.When he was about to leave, Gu Yan was worried, and ordered another sentence: "Talk to your uncle carefully."

Gu Zhao rolled his eyes at him.

Gu Yan had no choice but to turn around and explain apologetically to Yue Shuangqing: "Mr. Shui Jing, Xiao Qi has been spoiled since he was a child, but his character is the best. He is just... a little stubborn, so you must bear with him. "

Yue Shuangqing nodded, and said with a good-natured smile, "No, no, we're still unfamiliar. Let's talk it through later."

In this way, Gu Yan had no choice but to go out with Chang Guogong.

In a blink of an eye, there were only two uncles and nephews left in the room. Neither of them talked much outside, so neither of them spoke. It made him feel uncomfortable.If you miss yourself, what did you do in the early years, you stayed in your hometown all the time, and only went out when you became sensible.

The two of them didn't speak, they were waiting for each other to speak. After a long time, Yue Shuangqing could only find some gossip to ask and answer with Gu Zhao.

"What do you read on weekdays?"

"I don't read books, I just flip through the scripts occasionally."

"You... your mother was sacrificed by yourself, or in his family's ancestral temple?"

"I have always been in the ancestral temple, and I have never made a single sacrifice."

"...It's better to read a few serious books. You are also a person who has opened a house and set up a household. You don't do it for others, but you still need to know some truths. From now on, your words and deeds will be learned by your children. Be self-disciplined."

Gu Zhao had no choice but to pinch his nose, looked at Yue Shuangqing and sighed, "...Mr. Yue is here this time to start a class for Guozixue!"

Yue Shuangqing was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a smile and said, "I didn't want to come, you know, there have always been some old grievances between my family and...the higher ups, but this year is different, that Guozixue opened twelve subjects in a row, this law department is no matter what, The Yue family is also coming to whip the whip..." At this point, Yue Shuangqing paused for a moment, but still patiently explained: "Enthusiasm belongs to enmity, knowledge is knowledge, these two points must not be confused! Enmity and hatred can only last three generations, knowledge It’s a matter of eternity.”

Gu Zhao nodded, he was most afraid of dead-headed intellectuals.Although he thought so in his heart, he admired the scholars of this era, not for anything else. These people can give their lives for learning, but future generations will not give up.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhao's tone became better and he said: "I heard that someone is going to write "Law of the Great Liang" today. This book involves a lot of money, from household marriages to lawsuits. Your family has focused on legal studies for a hundred years. , This book is the foundation of governing the world, and it is a good time to prove yourself. It is still necessary to find someone to inquire about this matter early, and writing a book will last forever."

Yue Shuangqing laughed immediately, and he took a closer look at Gu Zhao up and down again to make sure: "This time, it is also related to this matter, but you can understand these...you still look like your mother."

Gu Zhao had no choice but to say another sentence: "A relationship is born from the heart, and whoever I followed, I don't remember her, I only vaguely remember that my mother was not close to me, and she never hugged me, how could I If I look like her, she...would like to strangle me to death."

Yue Shuangqing felt a little sad again, he had no choice but to hold Gu Zhao's hand, patted it twice and sighed: "Now she must regret it, it's not because of A-Xia, A-Xia is still a child, but she doesn't want to be someone's mother. At that time... ...Who can avoid disasters, she couldn't think about it while she was alive, so she left early, now you...you have to live well, cherish yourself is...books, you still need to read a few more books. "

Gu Zhao looked at Yue Shuangqing and asked, "It turns out that my mother's nickname is Axia."

Mr. Shuangqing nodded and said, "Your mother was born by Fu Tian."

Gu Zhao sighed for a long time, and could only nod his head and said, "Well, that's it! If you don't tell me, I never know."

Yue Shuangqing hesitated for a moment, some words were very difficult to say, but he still said: "A-Xia was smart since she was a child, and her late father often said that if she was a boy, she would achieve far more achievements than me. At that time, A-Xia was already engaged, but it's a pity Unexpectedly, she later became your mother again.

Your grandfather...had been unable to let go of this matter during his lifetime, and since A-Xia left early, his heart ached so much that he kept chanting A-Xia's name before he died. "When Mr. Shui Jing said this, his eyes were moist. He is a self-disciplined person and rarely shows sadness in front of others.

Gu Zhao had no choice but to persuade him: "The old man has gone, I'm afraid I have seen my mother, you...don't worry too much. People are the weakest in the world, and any kind of atmosphere can engulf people in." , can't struggle at all, who is this strength, even now he can't do anything about it. But... the old lady in your family is in good health?"

Yue Shuangqing smiled mischievously, wiped away tears and nodded: "The old lady is very nice, and she plays and plays with the grandchildren at home every day when she is free, but occasionally she thinks of you asking, asking which book you should read, but Is someone taking care of you? She is different from your...grandpa, she is the most soft-hearted. This time I came, the old lady has always told me that no matter what, it will always be A-Xia's child, so I have to feel sorry for her."

Gu Zhao nodded. He has always been unable to adapt to this kind of care, so he said something else: "Then, when I have a chance in the future, I will visit the old lady. Then... from now on... if I have free time, I will go to see you." Read a few books to pass the time."

Yue Shuangqing laughed, and could only nod his head: "That's good, just don't read randomly, I'm in Guozixue now, if you're free, go and listen, if you're impatient... I'm in Guangxingli, and I can also read I bought a house, it’s quite quiet, if you don’t understand anything about learning, just ask, now your cousin Duzhi is also studying in Guozi, in a few days you will come to see him and your cousin-in-law at home.”

Gu Zhao nodded slightly and said, "Guangxingli is almost in the outer city, why did you buy a house there?"

Yue Shuangqing smiled: "It's good to have a house to live in, those are all external things, don't always talk about them."

Gu Zhao had nothing else to say, so he could only sit there and stare at the ceiling in a daze.Yue Shuangqing is not a person who knows how to exchange pleasantries. After being cold for a while, he took a black lacquered wooden box from a table on one side and handed it to Gu Zhaodao: "Come today, actually there is one more thing. Your mother prepared a dowry at home in the early years. There are still a few belongings of your mother, so you can take them all."

Gu Zhao was taken aback, although he didn't care about money, he was curious about the contents of the box, so he took the box and opened it, and there were two bamboo deeds inside, one was a deed for a thousand-acre high-quality farmland, and the other was a deed for a middle-grade farmland The deed of five hundred acres.In addition, there is a crystal clear jade bracelet and two gold hairpins, which I think my mother often wore when she was a girl.In the end, there was a volume of books in the bottom of the box. I took it out and opened it, but it was a volume of the general principles of the Yue family's laws.

"The military disaster that day also affected the family. Your mother had a lot of things, almost all of which were lost. These were found out later, and it's just a thought for you to keep them." Seeing that Gu Zhao was silent, Yue Shuangqing explained on the sidelines.

At this moment, Gu Zhao could fully feel the kindness of his family. He nodded, took the jewelry from the box, and put the book in his sleeve. As for the land deed, he returned the box to Yue Shuangqing and said, "Trouble... ...you, that's enough."

What he did made Yue Shuangqing look at him differently.He gave way to Gu Zhao for a while, but Gu Zhao just didn't want it.So we can only give up.

After the nephew and uncle got along awkwardly for a while, Gu Zhao said that he had something to do, so he slipped away early.

That night, he and Arun also talked about this time, but Arun said that those aristocratic families have been buying land in large quantities since the previous dynasty. Your natal family has nothing else, but there is no shortage of land and mountains. They only give you [-] mu , is really stingy.It's better for me, I will give you whatever you want in this world.

Gu Zhao laughed and didn't care about him.

But when Yue Shuangqing returned home, his first wife Yan Shi asked while helping him tidy up his clothes, "Did you see your nephew?"

Yue Shuangqing smiled, obviously in a good mood: "I see, she looks like A-Xia. Although she hasn't read many books, she still has the strength of character of the Yue family."

After he finished speaking, he handed the box on the table to his wife, and said proudly: "I only accept the jewelry and books left by his mother, but I don't want this land. You take it back and return it to me." Old lady."

Mrs. Yan took the box, took a look inside and said with a smile, "I knew he couldn't take it. He is also a nobleman now, and there is only one or two acres of Susukida, but the old lady doesn't allow it. Help cover it, no one will touch it.

Yue Shuangqing nodded, now that the Gu family in Pingzhou is in full swing, if it is said that there is no shortage of money.Forget it, go back and talk to the old lady, and the old man will feel better.

Seeing that her husband didn't speak, the Yan family smiled again and said: "The day before yesterday, I went to the Yande Wang's tea party..." Seeing that the husband couldn't remember, he reminded: "It's the Yande Wang family who came out of the first concubine Yan."

Yue Shuangqing nodded, with some disdain flashing in his eyes.

Yan naturally knew what he was thinking, so she smiled and said, "It's a coincidence that someone from the Gao family was there at the time, that is, the Gao family where many girls died. Last year you were talking nonsense."

"Well, I know that his family is the most hypocritical and harsh. They hold a family rule that has not changed for a hundred years as the knowledge of governing the world. They only know how to copy it mechanically, so they can call themselves a family with a big surname? Go ahead." Yue Shuangqing rolled up his sleeves and sat upright. Said aside.

Yan Shi then smiled and said: "His family was joking with me well at first, but when they heard that your nephew belongs to our family, they immediately turned black, and said that your nephew is the leader of the dandy in Shangjing, who usually fights cockfights and lackeys." Doing business, a dude who dares to push the wall of the widow's house. He also reminded us to stay away from each other. Now Duzhi is in Guozixue, master..."

Yan Shi was talking lively, Yue Shuangqing coughed hard and asked his wife: "Did you see these things?"

Yan Shi didn't understand: "What did you see?"

"You can see my nephew fighting chickens and running dogs, pushing the wall of the widow's house!"

Yan's face turned red immediately, and she murmured: "It's just that they are just talking, but master, now Duzhi is studying at Shangjing Guozi School, I'm afraid he..."

Yue Shuangqing stood up, flicked his sleeves and snorted: "It's just hearsay, not what I saw with my own eyes, so don't dirty the old man's ears!"

After finishing speaking, he turned around and went to the back hall!Yan Shi, who was just hanging out, stood there blankly, angrily and shyly standing there for a while.