Chapter 108: Crazy

On the 18th day of the 12th lunar month, Cao Yin took Cao Yi to return to Jiangning.

Ning Chun has been busy with the preparations for his marriage these two days and has never had time to visit Cao Yin. On this day, he specially invited Yongqing to see Cao Yin off.

After seeing off the Cao family's father and daughter, Ning Chun pulled Cao Yong and Yongqing to his private house in the city to gather. Because the wedding date was approaching, he wanted to take them to the door of the family so that Qiu Niang could be entrusted to them.

Ning Chun bought a private house this time in Eggplant Hutong in the southwest of the capital. It is an extremely ordinary two-entry courtyard. The flowers, trees, mountains and rocks in the courtyard are also very simple, not as exquisite as Xingmei's courtyard. However, the tables, chairs and houses in the room are very different. From the materials to the workmanship, they are extremely fine, elegant and practical.

Yongqing really praised it, but Ning Chun smiled and patted Cao Yong: "I am the same as Xiao Cao, and I don't want people to pay attention and I am comfortable."

Monk Yongqing was confused, but Cao Yong knew that he was talking about his extremely low-key appearance and a different world inside, so he couldn't help but smile "haha".

This time Ning Chun did not invite a singing girl, and most of the food was from Qiu Niang, which was more like a banquet for the Chang family. Since Ning Chun would go back to the house to continue preparing for the wedding, everyone did not openly drink and had a few drinks. He was very excited when he got together from all over the world.

After the three of them finished their wine and left the house, Ning Chun said to Cao Yong and Yongqing: "I will entrust my two brothers here. The 22nd is my day, and the wedding invitation will be delivered to the mansion in the past two days."

Cao Yong and Yongqing both said: "We are outside, so don't worry about it."

The three of them parted ways. While Cao Yong was riding a horse, he thought that these days were busy and that Ning Chun had not prepared a gift for his wedding. When he went back, he had to discuss with Amethyst and prepare it as soon as possible.

Cao Yong thought about the gifts to Ning Chun all the way. When he arrived at his door, he suddenly saw a blue-screened carriage parked on one side. The coachman was sitting on the shaft of the carriage, but his eyes were looking at the people coming and going to Cao's mansion.

Cao Yong couldn't help but be stunned. Logically speaking, if someone came to visit, if the owner was not here, the gatekeeper would persuade him to go back, but it was rare to wait at the door. It was even rarer to keep an eye on him like this.

Cao Yong dismounted in front of the door and asked the servant who came up to pick up the reins. Who was that person?

The servant replied: "She claims to be an official mediator and wants to see the master. When we said that the masters are not at home, she said she is waiting in front of the door. The uncle forgives the guilt. It is really the young people who can't drive them away, and they are not easy to move..."

Cao Yong nodded. At this time, the coachman there had noticed that Cao Yong, the owner, had returned, and said something to the car, picked up the curtain of the car and got a little maid with a double bun, then put down the small stool and helped a middle-aged woman come out.

The woman walked to Cao Yong and greeted her, saying that she was an official mediator and came to the mansion to propose marriage.

The woman who claimed to be an official media subverted Cao Yong's perception of the matchmaker. Influenced by the past film and television works, the first thing that Cao Yong thought of the word "matchmaker" when he heard the word "matchmaker" was the image of an old woman wearing heavy makeup, eloquent, wearing big red flowers on her head, and holding a dry tobacco pot in her hand. The woman in front of her was in her forties, with elegant makeup, decent clothes, and polite words, just like a decent mistress of a family.

Cao Yong was a little allergic to the word "proposing marriage". He immediately told the official media that his relatives and parents were not here and that they would not make decisions in everything, so he asked her to go back.

The official media said, "Old man is entrusted by others and must do his best. How can he return without success? Although the Cao family's master is not in the capital, it is the same if there is a eldest son. Let's read the old man bringing this red post first. If it is successful or not, the eldest son will make a decision, which is good?"

Cao Yong thought that she had been waiting for most of the day and was considered dedicated, and it was difficult to talk to a matchmaker at the gate, so he ordered the servant to invite her to the side hall.

Cao Yong first went back to the yard to change his clothes, and then ordered Amethyst to go to the side hall with him. He would like to say a few words to the matchmaker when the situation was not good. Although he thought the matchmaker looked pretty good, if the other party couldn't get involved, he was a real man and he would never want to fall to the point of fighting with a matchmaker, and he really couldn't afford to lose that person.

When he returned to the side hall, the official media took out a red paper, handed it over respectfully, and smiled and said, "I was entrusted by Mrs. Jueluo, Zheng Huangqi, to propose marriage to the third lady of the mansion."

Cao Yong was stunned, and there was a little smile in his eyes. Someone proposed marriage to Ping'er, which really made him, the brother, feel proud of "My family has a daughter growing up first". Then he realized which mansion the "Zhenghuang Banner Jueluo Family" was. Sure enough, he took the red paper, and clearly wrote Seshtu's name, banner origin, age, and even three generations of names, hometown and official rank.

Cao Yong pinched the post and felt a little regretful. His father had just left today. If one day in the morning... Of course, he had to ask Ping'er what he meant. After thinking about it, he said to the official media: "I just told the nanny that my relatives were not here, and I, the brother, could not make the decision. I have left your red post. Please reply to the Jueluo family. When I turn back and write a letter with my parents, I will reply to the other side."

The official media did not bother her. Seeing that the other party received the post, she was considered "not humiliating" and stood up to say goodbye.

Amethyst had seen Seshtu, and often heard Cao Yi mention Mrs. Luo. After careful consideration, he also felt that this was a good marriage. Although Cao Yong had a good impression of Seshtu, it was a lifelong event for his sister, and he was still cautious and cautious. Although he could not take his own marriage, the girl still hoped to find someone her sister liked. Therefore, he immediately wrote a book and wrote a letter to Cao Yi, asked her about the proposal of the Jueluo family, and asked her opinions; one letter to her parents, and explained the character and family background of Seshtu in detail. Finally, he mentioned that he hoped that the two elders would ask Ping'er's opinions. If she was satisfied with the Jueluo family, she could consider getting married.

Cao Song came back just after Cao Yong finished writing the letter. Today, he did not play with his cousins ​​like he did a few days ago, but returned to the mansion after school, without changing his clothes outside, and just wandered around Cao Yong. He said nothing but gossip, with a little hesitant expression, which was very different from his usual cheerfulness.

Cao Yong looked at it, what was the difficulty for this younger brother? Could it be that the money was not enough to spend? He had already told the account that Cao Song's monthly silver was thirty taels. The money was not too much, but it was definitely not a small amount for a 14th or 5th boy. Thinking of this, Cao Yong felt a little guilty. He had been busy accompanying his father out of Beijing for the past half month, and seemed to be a little negligent about his younger brother.

After waiting for a while, when Cao Song still stammered and refused to talk about the topic, Cao Yong waited a little impatiently and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, don't go around in circles. What do you mean by coming to me?"

When Cao Song heard his brother's question, he smiled foolishly, touched the back of his head, and there was a blush on his face.

What made Cao Yong so shy when he saw that Cao Yong was so angry? Could it be that he fell in love with a cousin or cousin in Zhaojia Mansion? Cao Song said something that surprised Cao Yong. He actually asked his brother for 600 taels of silver for the purpose of redeeming a singer named Xiangqin in Miaoxiufang.

"Miaoxiufang, singing girl?" Cao Yong frowned slightly and asked, "Did you go to drink wine? Whose idea?" Although Cao Song looked strong, he was still a child after all, and going to that kind of unclean place again made him feel worried.

Seeing that his brother looked wrong, Cao Song also smiled and quickly defended himself: "It was just a few older classmates who took us to see the world and listened to a few songs!"

"Just just see the world and listen to the little song? Who is Xiangqin?" Cao Yong naturally did not believe Cao Song's words.

Cao Song's face was so ashamed that he was not as squeamish as before. He started slightly and said in a silly voice: "Xiangqin is Xiangqin, and he will be my woman in the future! I don't want her to continue singing in the brothel. I want to redeem her. If my brother doesn't give me the money, I will pawn the things!"

Cao Yong was so amused that he patted the back of his head hard: "Good boy, you are right! Tell me carefully what kind of character Xiangqin is, it seems that I am fascinated by my brother!"

When talking about Xiangqin, Cao Song was a little uncomfortable: "Xiangqin's songs are well-sung, and she is also very good at speaking and treating people!" As he said that, he flipped through his wallet, as if he was looking for something.

After rummaging for a while, but not finding it, Cao Song realized that he was afraid of losing it with him, so he put it on the Balcony Grid in the bedroom.

Cao Yong had no prejudice against prostitutes, but he had no good feelings. However, he heard that the other party was a singing girl and he also hoped that his brother would meet a better one. He wanted to ask the other party about the specific situation, but he didn't expect that the silly brother only said three "goods". Cao Yong was so calculating that he wanted to get married to the rich young master to escape. If Xiangqin was the same, he didn't want his brother to be coaxed. Considering this, Cao Yong thought of something and looked at his younger brother with a strange look.

Cao Song felt so angry when his brother saw him, and he shook his neck uneasy: "Brother, what do I do?"

Cao Yong originally wanted to ask his younger brother if he had stayed in a brothel, and he wanted to put out his brother's brothel to scold him. However, on the other hand, this society was different from three hundred years later. It was common for the young man from the house to leave two houses at home at the age of thirteen or four. It was just that after returning from Qingliang Temple last year, his mother specially picked Zhuer and Cuier up. It was just because he was a gentleman and really couldn't do anything to the little girl of Thirteen or Four, so everyone was so innocent.

Therefore, Cao Yong did not talk too much, but asked a few questions seriously: how old Xiangqin was, how could she live in a brothel, whether she knew Cao Song’s identity, whether she had taken the initiative to ask Cao Song to raise money to redeem herself, etc.

Although Cao Song was a little aware of it, he also heard what his brother meant. He was afraid that Xiangqin was regarded as a bad woman who used words to coax him, so he quickly defended her: "Xiangqin didn't ask me to raise money, but I took the initiative to say that I wanted to help her redeem her. She also advised me not to make a fool of myself, saying that I would not be true when I go to those places in the future, and that the words on the court should not be taken seriously."

Cao Yong nodded. Just listening to these few words, he could tell that Xiangqin was a transparent woman, not as sweet as Tang Jiaojiao.

After Cao Song made a statement, he answered his brother's question just now: "Xiangqin Shiba, originally the daughter of a good family. Because her father died of illness, her mother had to pull two little brothers. She really had no choice but to enter that place. She only knew that my surname was Cao, and she ranked second, and she didn't know whose family's children."

Cao Song was so enthusiastic, but Cao Yong was very calm. Redeeming a prostitute can be regarded as saving people's suffering. He did not object in his heart, but it was related to his younger brother and the woman's life, so he should be more cautious. He asked Cao Song seriously, if he had ever thought about the past. Cao Song nodded like pounding garlic, and repeatedly said that he really liked Xiangqin and was willing to take her as his concubine after getting married.

"Concubine" Just be a concubine. Being a concubine in the Cao family is better than welcoming and seeing him off in a brothel. Seeing that Cao Song had made up his mind, Cao Yong did not persuade him anymore. He called Zijing, got some silver notes from her, and took Cao Song to Miaoxiufang.

*

Miaoxiufang is located in Yanzhi Hutong on the north side of Xizhu Street. Because it is still dawn and it is not too late, it seems a bit deserted before the guests are crowded.

Cao Yong and Cao Song got off the horse. Seeing his brother's face full of joy, Cao Yong felt a little uncomfortable. He was still a virgin, so this boy went to the brothel. It seemed that he had been too relaxed in the past and he would have to be "strict" in the future.

Eight or nine out of ten things in the world are right. Cao Song came late, and Xiangqin was redeemed by a businessman from another place two days ago. Cao Songchu thought that the madam coaxed her, but he still didn't believe it because he had been here four days ago. But these days, because his uncle was in the mansion and did not dare to be casual, he did not come here.

Cao Song shouted that he wanted to help Xiangqin redeem her body, not once or twice. The madam knew him too. Seeing that he brought a gentle young man, the two of them had similar appearances, she guessed that she invited her brother to help Xiangqin redeem her body, and she couldn't help but regret it.

For Cao Song, the madam offered 1,000 taels of silver. Even if the young masters helped to bargain, they agreed to 800 taels. The merchant who redeemed Xiangqin only gave 550 taels. Originally, Cao Song was just a boy when he was resting in Xiangqin's house. The young man was enthusiastic for a while and did not take it seriously. Although he didn't know which mansion it was, he was not an ordinary family when he looked at his clothes. It was not uncommon for all the young masters to visit prostitutes, but how many people helped prostitutes to redeem themselves? The parents and family members all had to discipline them.

However, no matter how much regret it, the madam still greeted her diligently, asking her to introduce the girls to her brothers. Cao Song held her face and had no patience to deal with her. She only asked Xiangqin's whereabouts. She wanted to chase her and snatch her back.

The madam was so worried that the one who redeemed Xiangqin was a businessman, who knew where he went.

Seeing that Cao Song couldn't ask anything, he went out hatefully. Cao Yong knew that he couldn't persuade him. His younger brother had just had a love story and was very excited about Xiangqin. It would be better if he waited for a few days.
Chapter completed!