Dress to be a celebrity

In the afternoon of the eighth day of April, when the red sun was hanging high and the pedestrians were hiding in the shade, a figure in a blue Confucian uniform rode into the capital against the scorching sun. A mansion with a plaque of "Huanfu" hanging high.

The door only had time to call "Uncle Ling", and the figure had already entered the corner door.He didn't even have time to get off his horse in front of the door, and after a few steps in, he reined in the horse, turned over and jumped off, dropped the rein casually, and went straight to the main hall.

Sitting in the hall was an old man wearing a sauce-colored Taoist robe. When he saw him enter the door, he raised his head slightly and asked in surprise: "Brother Ling, didn't you go back to your hometown to display the tomb? Why did you come back right after you left?"

"On my way back to my hometown, I went to Song's house." He seemed to have the wind and frost that accompanied him all the way, saluted hurriedly, and looked up at the people seated: "Did grandfather make up his mind a long time ago to send Yuanniang away?" entered the palace?"

The old man of the Huan family averted his eyes slightly, pursed his thin lips lightly, and two deep wrinkles formed around his mouth, and said calmly: "Yuanniang just turned seventeen this year, and your grandfather has been promoted to the right servant of the Ministry of Rites. The conditions for choosing a concubine are unavoidable—”

"Why can't we avoid it?" Huan Ling stood in front of the hall, looking down at his grandfather, with a compelling brilliance in his dark pupils: "Yuan Niang has already booked her husband's house, and there is a letter of appointment as evidence. Not included in the list of concubines. But I heard in the Song family that when Yuan Niang and I were just filial piety, the eldest brother of the Song family came to discuss marriage, but our family said that Yuan Niang was on the list and asked them to return the money to my father. Written documents..."

Old Master Huan shook his head and frowned slightly: "The selection of a concubine by the king of Zhou is a major event in the heavenly family. Since our family meets at the right time, how can we avoid it? It's not intentional to hide this matter from you, it's just an important relationship that you are just going to try at that time. If you don't want to Let you be distracted by trivial matters. As for the Song family, I have already made compensation first, and transferred Song Shi's father to Wuping County, Fujian Province, and asked him to serve as the county magistrate of Ping'an County for two terms. Your fourth brother has gone to Fujian to meet face-to-face Song Juren has retired, as long as the Song family is sensible, our family will support them in the future."

Huan Ling stood straight in front of him, his voice was slightly lowered, and there was imperceptible anger in his eyes: "Grandfather, this marriage of the Song family was personally arranged by my father when he was there. How can we just withdraw? Back then? My father passed away, and the third younger brother Song followed him for the full May [-]th! Song Shibo has never let go of our family in the past few years, and gifts come to Beijing every winter and summer. Yuanniang has kept filial piety for more than four years, and third brother Song is even more filial than her. The person who is two years older and who should have been married a long time ago waited for us for four years without saying a word..."

Old Mrs. Huan raised his eyelids, showing a stern look, and looked at this persistent grandson: "Do you think our family called off this marriage just to cling to the powerful?"

"Grandson dare not." Huan Ling stood in front of him without retreating half a step, and replied with downcast eyes: "But Song Shi was my father's favorite disciple. People—didn’t my grandfather once praise him as a good son? I really don’t know why the family must retire!”

"You said it was once. I used to praise him because when he lived in our house, he was indeed a reading seed who 'keep his ears off the window and read only the books of sages', but now he is a hard-working The turbid flow of mundane affairs."

Huan Ling frowned slightly, and argued: "Song Shi had correspondence with me every year, and in the letters he often discussed with me what he had learned from his studies. The textual research was extremely precise, and every word had its source. It was not for the sake of secular affairs to hinder the study of Confucian classics. If grandpa is willing to look at it, I'll bring it here."

Old Master Huan picked up his teacup and took a sip, then said calmly, "You can tell what you can tell from the letter. You don't have to argue with me, why don't you ask Yuan Niang if she wants to marry?"

Huan Ling knew that his grandfather would never say anything again, so he turned silently and walked towards the back house.He strode past the carefully arranged pavilions, flowers and trees, but the bright and beautiful scenery in early summer was completely inconspicuous. His thoughts were heavy, he only thought about this marriage that had been delayed for many years, and thought that he should be in the north right now, or even in the Huan Mansion... Be his sister-in-law.

Song Shi last lived in Huan Mansion when his father passed away.It was early spring at that time, and the entire Huan family was filled with icy sorrow, and the entire Huan family was bleak and plain.Song Shi did not wear filial piety, but only wore a hemp rope around his waist as a belt, stood with his back facing him in front of the hall, and received guests who came to express their condolences in a courteous and thoughtful manner.

Since then, the distance between them has grown farther and farther.

After the funeral, he was sent back to his hometown in Baoding, and later went to Guangxi with Song Shibo to serve as an official, and now he is in Fujian...

Although he went back to Beijing with his father to participate in a big project, but that time the father and son lived in an inn outside, and only visited Huan's house once, without the intimacy they used to get along day and night.

He thought it was just a temporary estrangement. After marrying Yuanniang in Song Dynasty, they should be his family members, and he would read and discuss history with him as before, or be an official in the same dynasty, but he didn't expect that it was their Huan family today. It is necessary to abandon the marriage alliance and cut off the love between the two families.

He took a deep breath and stepped into his sister's room.

After their parents passed away, their brother and sister have always depended on each other for life, and they have survived the years of filial piety together.Huan Ling could still argue with his grandfather in front of his grandfather, but he couldn't help lowering his voice when facing Yuan Niang, and asked gently: "Yuan Niang, do you know about the selection of a concubine for King Zhou in the palace? You are old, if you stay in Beijing It is inevitable that you will enter the palace to apply for the election, how about elder brother send you to Wuping to get married..."

A face similar to him raised up, with the same determination in his eyes: "Brother, I am the one who is willing to be elected, so you don't have to worry about me."

Huan Ling sighed: "You don't need to worry about being selected. Although the family has handed over your name, the elder brother can also go back to the court to ask his colleagues for help and get you out. Once you enter the palace, the gate is as deep as the sea, and I only have you How can a younger sister watch you go down this road?"

Huan Yuanniang looked directly at him, and slowly shook her head: "Brother, I was wrong. It wasn't my grandfather who forced me into the palace, but that Sanlang of the Song family was not good enough for me. Yuanniang would rather be a heroic concubine than a mediocre wife. I am willing to marry the king of Zhou as my concubine."

Huan Ling was stunned and said: "Song Sandi is not good enough for you? Who said that! Song Sandi is about the same age as you, and also likes to study. After you get married, you will be able to reconcile with each other, and raise your eyebrows together..."

He sighed, and said earnestly, "Yuan Niang, listen to your elder brother. My Huan family has been a scholarly family for generations, and I stand upright. How can I abandon my marriage alliance in order to cling to the royal family?"

The more he tried to persuade, the colder Huan Yuanniang's expression became. She looked down at the skirt and said coldly: "Brother only knows about fame, so you don't care what life I want to live when I marry? Do you know that Song Sanlang is in charge of Rong County?" County administration, taking on lawsuits, running shops in person, having contacts with craftsmen and businessmen, and even hanging around Washe Goulan—"

Huan Ling couldn't help frowning: "Who is asking for the land of Goulan Washe in front of you? You don't need to listen to such foul language, Song Sandi is not that kind of lustful person, otherwise why would he wait for our family for so many years? Not to mention Song Shibogang When you arrive in Rong County, you will be expelled... and the atmosphere in the county will be cleaned up. Everyone in the Chief Secretary of Guangxi knows about this. You must not believe rumors...

"He did some things in Rong County because Shibo was getting older and there were some things he couldn't take care of when handling county affairs. He naturally wanted to take care of his father. I heard people say that Song Shibo's commentary on the plan of the Ministry of Officials last year was 'Competent', if you say that the third younger brother Song is in charge of all of them, then it can be seen that he is not only filial, but also a talented person who can take care of the people and govern the government on behalf of the emperor."

As for running a shop, dealing with artisans and merchants is nothing to be ashamed of.

"In ancient times, the four peoples of different industries worked in the same way, and they devoted themselves to the same thing. Scholars used repairs, farmers used tools to support them, workers used sharp tools, and merchants used currency. The eight policies in "Hong Fan" were still headed by food and goods. How can our family treat him with courtesy? Artisans and merchants look down on him?"

Huan Yuanniang saw her brother trying to protect outsiders, her face flushed slightly, and she sneered, "Let's not mention this, what did he read when he read it? Our family is also regarded as a family of poetry and etiquette, and both grandfather and father are Jinshi." ;Brother, you passed the examination at the age of 16, and this year you were admitted as a Jinshi immediately after passing the filial piety; several cousins ​​are also famous... Song Shi also studied for more than ten years, but he didn't even get a scholar!"

She stood up and looked at Huan Ling, and asked stubbornly: "I was born in such a family, and I have been educated since I was a child. How can I spend my whole life with such a dude in the future? My elder brother only said that it was a marriage contract made by my father, and it cannot be changed. But I thought that my father loved me like a pearl, if he knew that he had become like this, he would definitely not force me to marry and suffer!"

Huan Ling looked at that face as stubborn as his own, and finally figured out something, and said with a wry smile: "When Song Sandi was still at our house, he was in Xintai for 14 years, and he almost won a scholar. At that time, he was studying politics. He took the test too early and was prone to arrogance and laziness, so he deliberately dismissed him. After that, his father also pressured him not to take the exam again. And in Xintai 16 years... the year of the rural exam, his father passed away suddenly, and he accompanied us to take care of it Do you still remember the funeral?

"If there is no deliberate suppression by Xuezheng, if his father allows him to take the exam again, he may be a 13-year-old scholar and a 15-year-old Juren. Are you satisfied?"

Are you satisfied with the King Zhou who is the eldest son of the emperor and has unlimited power?Are grandfathers and uncles satisfied?

Huan Ling's face gradually became serious, and he sighed silently.

"You are my younger sister. My parents asked me to take good care of you before they died, and I am not willing to force you. Since you must enter the palace, you can prepare with peace of mind in the next few days. The Huan family violated the engagement. I'm sorry for the Song family, there's no need to make any excuses, as the eldest brother, I will compensate Song Sandi...and Song Shibo for you."

He took one last look at his sister, then got up and pushed the door away, with a solemn wind in the hem of his clothes, and never looked back.

=====================

When Huan Ling went to discuss with his grandfather how to make up for the Song family, the Song family father and son also saw the Huan family who had come all the way to retire—it was Huan Wen, the son of Mr. Huan's elder brother and Miss Huan's cousin.

Song Shi had studied in Huan's family for many years, so he naturally recognized this cousin. He greeted him first when they met, and asked him how the Huan family was well.

With a sneer on Huanwen's lips, he accepted his gift calmly, and said to Master Song: "Marriage is determined by God, sir, don't blame my family for being rude. My grandfather has now been promoted to the third-rank Minister of Rites, Ling Tang My brother is a new Jinshi, and like my second uncle, I ordered Yushi, so my cousin's current identity is naturally on the list, and it's not because the Huan family has deliberately withdrawn from the marriage."

He asked someone to bring out the letter of engagement between Song Juren and Mr. Huan, as well as a Hanyu pendant that Song Juren had given as a dowry gift, and cupped his hands and said: "My family has returned the letter of engagement and the dowry gift, please return my uncle's letter as well." me."

Song Ju was so angry that his face turned blue, and he glanced at his son.Song Shi was much calmer, and even nodded at him with a bit of relief: "Qi Dafei, father don't have to think about it, let's get together and get away."

As a modern person, he has never had a good impression of the marriage ordered by his parents. He only regards it as a responsibility and has to bear it.What's more, he has only met Miss Huan a few times in his life, and when they met, she was still a primary school student, who can cultivate feelings?

I can only support the worry of striding towards the police station!

If it weren't for the people around, Song Shi really wanted to sing "Liu Qiaoer" to express his opposition to arranged marriages.

Song Juren nodded resentfully and helplessly.

The engagement letter and horoscope were kept at home, Song Juren first wrote a divorce document, and then wrote to the family, asking Mrs. Fan to return the letter that Mr. Huan had written to him.

Seeing that he finished writing, Huan Wen immediately put away the letter, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Cousin of the Wen Dynasty pays homage to Xie Xian and his son Gao Yi. Although the relationship between our two families has been broken, the friendship has not been broken. Master Song can just do this in Wuping County with peace of mind." Ling, if you have anything to do, you might as well write to Beijing, and the Huan family will help you."

He asked someone to put away the letter, turned around and walked to Song Shi, approached Song Shi with a strange expression, and said in a low voice: "This marriage has delayed Brother Song's youth for a few years, and it's no wonder that Brother Song likes to have some strange fun. I have something today I came prepared, not only to compensate your father for a smooth official career, but also to compensate my virtuous brother for your beloved beauty."

The author has something to say: In ancient times, the four peoples from different walks of life worked in the same way, with one heart and one heart.Scholars use cultivation, farmers use tools, workers use sharp tools, and merchants use currency

It was written by Wang Yangming, borrow it