The Dragon Boat Festival and dragon boat races are so lively.
Guo Ting was traveling with her grandfather and her family. Standing on a three-story teahouse, she saw an extraordinary-looking man wearing a curtain hat appearing among the crowd below.
At a sudden glance, that unforgettable face was none other than Xu Xiao.
Guo Ting was stunned and quickly chased after him.
Unfortunately, there was a huge crowd, coming and going, and she could not find Xu Xiao.
When I was in the capital, I heard from Mrs. Lu that Xu Xiao was in Hangzhou. This time, I planned to follow them to the tea merchant conference in Hangzhou to see if I could try my luck. Who knew that he would actually be there?
Meet in Suzhou.
When Guo Ting went back, she was in a state of disbelief.
Third cousin Zhuang Gaolang bought some food and came over, saying happily: "What are you doing downstairs, cousin? There is a lot of chaos outside today. Tell third cousin what you want to eat and he will buy it for you."
Guo Ting shook her head, she didn't want to eat anything.
The figure she just saw still echoed in her heart, clear and deep, like a jar of freshly opened strong wine, exuding a time-honored fragrance. The mellow atmosphere made her slightly tipsy and wandering around the world.
It must be Xu Xiao. Apart from him, who else would have such a shocking face? If you look at it even more, you will fall in love with it.
Guo Ting couldn't help but ask: "Is there anything going on with the government recently?"
Zhuang Gaolang had a friend who was the concubine of the prefect. Hearing this, he said, "I heard that someone has come to Suzhou to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The prefect is hosting a banquet in the back hall tonight."
Could it be Xu Xiao? Guo Ting thought, pinching her handkerchief.
"Can the third cousin go and see it?"
Zhuang Gaolang was a little embarrassed when he heard this. He only found out about this banquet because his friend complained that he couldn't even stay there.
But when his cousin asked about it, he didn't want to lose face, so he said in a fool's manner: "I told my friend that it should be okay to watch from a distance. After all, there are adults in the room. Let's go up together."
I can’t even speak.”
The banker is a merchant. In the early years, Mr. Zhuang donated a seventh-grade official, and successfully betrothed Guo Ting's mother to Guo Bai, who was already a Jinshi. He originally wanted to join the official family, but who knew that Guo Bai
Although he sat in the prefect's seat, he left early.
Later, the banker also produced several scholars, but they were all scholars, and they had not yet obtained the honorary title of Juren.
Guo Ting has three cousins, two of whom are already married and have children. Only Zhuang Mingliang, because he is the youngest son of his aunt, is doted on.
In addition, Zhuang wanted to get ahead in his studies, so he naturally wanted to marry an official daughter for Zhuang Minglang. Guo Ting was obviously not among the considerations.
Guo Ting also knows this very well. Over the years, except when she was a child, she has rarely come to Suzhou.
This time, I received a letter from my grandfather saying that there was a tea merchant association in Hangzhou and asked her to come and learn more about it.
The old man never supported her business, but seeing that the Guo family is now in good order, he slowly changed his attitude.
He just kept saying that she was not a man, otherwise the Guo family would have successors.
Guo Ting doesn't care about this. As long as she can earn money to support her family, her younger siblings are well-behaved and filial, and she has an explanation for her father, that's enough.
But when I came back this time, my grandfather said that he had failed the Gao Minglang exam for a long time, and if he failed again this year, the marriage would not be delayed any longer.
The implication is that the eldest aunt may be thinking of her. Even if it doesn't work, she was once the daughter of the magistrate. What's more, she has accumulated some wealth and has good connections now.
But my aunt was wrong. Since she had picked on her back then, she shouldn't bring it up again now.
Otherwise, my aunt will probably be embarrassed.
Because of this, although Guo Ting wanted to go to the banquet with Gao Minglang, she still shook her head and said: "As a girl, why would I go to such a banquet? I was just asking."
"Third cousin, please go back quickly so that your aunt doesn't come looking for you."
Gao Minglang looked up and saw his mother leaning on the railing, staring at him.
He smiled sarcastically, his cheeks flushed, and for a moment he didn't know what to say?
On the contrary, Guo Ting took the opportunity to walk away and soon took the maid and grandma to the street.
Seeing this scene, my eldest aunt Wang said displeasedly: "A girl's house is so chaotic. Why would she go to the street?"
Second aunt Guan, who had always been at odds with her, said: "Sister-in-law still doesn't understand. She is the daughter of the Guo family, not our banker, let alone the banker's daughter-in-law. She is a guest from afar. Where does she want to go?
As long as my parents agree, we have no room to talk."
Mrs. Wang was not angry and said sarcastically: "So, at such an old age, I still can't find my husband's family."
Guan said: "In this case, it's better for my sister-in-law to say less. I've heard that Mrs. Zhang in the capital likes Tingting very much, and she is even willing to give her a flower shop in Zhuangyuan Street. On the surface, she
It is said that they are rented, but the shop on Zhuangyuan Street may not be available even if you are rich or have power. People treat Tingting well like this. I have to say it unpleasantly. Tingting’s marriage is no longer something that a sister-in-law can do.
Nothing to worry about."
Mrs. Wang blushed with anger and was about to curse. After hearing the news, Mrs. Zhuang slammed the table and said displeased: "That's enough!"
At the end, he said gloomily: "Since you didn't look down on me at first, then keep your eyes straight and don't say anything embarrassing again."
This means that it is no longer possible for Guo Ting to be Gao Minglang's wife.
Mrs. Wang was angry and anxious, but she couldn't say anything or contradict her elders, so she waved her hand and left.
Guan Shi hummed lightly and didn't take it seriously.
The next moment, Mr. Zhuang said: "Who did you hear this news from?"
When Mrs. Guan heard her father-in-law's question, she quickly cheered up and said: "My daughter-in-law heard from Aunt Zhuang who was next to Tingting. Mrs. Zhang kept Tingting in the house for a long time, and during this period she even called her
Xu Xiao, the eldest son of the third bedroom, has come to have a few meals."
"The shop on Zhuangyuan Street is said to belong to the Xu family, but in fact it belongs to Xu Xiao."
"Not only that, they met Mrs. Lu when they were on Zhuangyuan Street. Mrs. Lu told them that Xu Xiao went to Jiangnan to do business and is now in Hangzhou."
Mr. Zhuang suddenly thought about the letter he wrote to the capital. Before, he said that he was ill, and his granddaughter only asked people to send some precious medicinal materials back. But this time she came back in person?
It turned out that he was not interested in the tea business, but that he was not interested in wine.
As it happened, he got it right and gave her an excuse to come to Suzhou, and then transfer to Hangzhou.
Mr. Zhuang stroked his beard and said with a smile: "With so many evil thoughts, I said she is born as a girl. If she were born as a boy, she might be even stronger than her father."
"You did the right thing. Tingting is your niece no matter what. You should pay more attention to her."
Mrs. Guan was rarely praised by Mrs. Zhuang, and she said happily: "My daughter-in-law will save her money. I will take good care of Tingting in the future."
Mr. Zhuang nodded with satisfaction, thinking that his granddaughter might still have some good fortune.