The first is Cui Weizhen’s teacher, Wang Ruoling and Wang Xuezheng.
Ye Zhenzhen looked at the remaining one hundred taels of silver worriedly, not knowing how to prepare for the door-to-door ceremony - it was Cui Weizhen's first time as a disciple, so he couldn't do it empty-handed.
Just when she was worried, Cui Weizhen, who had gone out, came back and handed her a long box and a banknote with a face value of one thousand taels. "The teacher especially likes Wu Huasheng's paintings. This is his painting of a lady, and it can be used as a visit gift."
.As for this thousand taels of silver, you can keep it for your household use."
Ye Zhenzhen has long been a disciple of Wu Xiamen and has already understood the status of Wu Huisheng in the painting world. It is not an exaggeration to say that his paintings are worth a lot of money. Where did Cui Weizhen get the paintings of Wu Huisheng?
Also, where did these thousand taels of silver notes come from?
She is full of questions now.
Cui Weizhen seemed to know what she was thinking, and said: "This painting was originally from my father's collection. Later, it was borrowed and never returned. I came to ask for it back. As for the one thousand taels of silver, I think it is the interest."
"
nonsense!
The Cui family used to have a great business, so it was not surprising that there were paintings by Wu Huasheng in the family. Ye Zhenzhen still believed the first sentence, but the second sentence was simply nonsense. Even if Wu Huasheng's paintings were worth a fortune, they were not worthy of such high prices.
interest.
Such a valuable painting can be lent out at will, plus the thousand taels of silver brought back by Cui Weizhen, which is enough to show that the Cui family has a close relationship with the other party. Based on the family relationship that Cui Auntie has recently instilled in her, she can probably guess which family it is.
Already.
Since Cui Weizhen didn't want to talk about it, she pretended that she didn't know, and made several sets of powders by herself to ensure that the gift was decent enough, and then asked Cui Weizhen to send a greeting note to Wang Xuezheng.
I received a response the same day I sent the greeting card and made an appointment to meet the next day.
Because they were short of money, the Cui family had not purchased a carriage yet, so they hired a carriage this time. The carriage started from Jurenfang on the east side of Seventh Street, all the way west, and finally stopped at Daguanfang on Fourth Street, and finally stopped at the third house to the north.
Come down.
Prince's Mansion.
The gilt plaque with a black background shines brilliantly in the sun. The front door of the mansion is spacious and open. The streets paved with bluestone are neat and tidy. The Wang family's concierge is neatly dressed and stands in front of the door looking towards the end of the street.
Soon, the clatter of horse hooves and the sound of wheels came slowly, arriving in the blink of an eye. When the carriage stopped, he hurriedly stepped forward to say hello, "I welcome Mrs. Cui, Mr. Cui, and Young Mistress Cui."
The two families are old acquaintances, and the concierge still retains the title of Cui Shichang during his lifetime. In fact, Cui Weizhen is now in charge of the Cui family, and Aunt Cui has become the old lady among the servants.
Cui Auntie looked complicated. She got out of the carriage with the help of Aunt Guilan and Yuxiu. Ye Zhenzhen and Cui Weizhen were in the back. They greeted each other and greeted each other. The green silk carriage was ready at the door. Cui Auntie
He and Ye Zhenzhen were invited into the car and carried directly to the Chuihua Gate by the servants before stopping.
Cui Weizhen paid homage to his mentor in the front yard. Ye Zhenzhen and Cui Auntie said goodbye to him at the Chuihua Gate. They took Yuxiu and Aunt Guilan into the Chuihua Gate, walked straight along the Chaoshou Veranda, passed another Moon Gate, and finally arrived at the third entrance.
Main courtyard.
Along the way, the strict rules and regulations of the deep mansion are displayed.
Mrs. Wang was already waiting under the eaves of the main house. As soon as she saw them, she came over enthusiastically. Her eyes were slightly red. She held Aunt Cui's hand and said with emotion, "Jun Lan, I heard that my master said you were in Lin.
Xi County, I have been looking forward to the stars and the moon, and today I hope you will come back. I have also heard about what happened back then. The Cui clan is really hateful. Don’t worry, I can trust your character, even if you come back.
There is no need for the capital to be afraid of them. Hey, this is Wei Zhen's wife, right? She has a good appearance, Wei Zhen is very lucky."
After such a long speech, full of enthusiasm and concern, everyone thought that Mrs. Wang was a hospitable host, but Ye Zhenzhen, who had learned ancient social etiquette from Aunt Cui, knew that Mrs. Wang's enthusiasm was just an illusion.
Perhaps Wang Xuezheng can treat the Cui family as usual. Mrs. Wang has already taken some control.
The Cui and Wang families are family friends, and the Cui family's status was even higher than that of the Wang family. However, because the male owners of the two families are close friends, they have always known each other as equals.
Therefore, when a close friend whom she had not seen for many years came to visit, Mrs. Wang not only did not greet her at the second door, she did not even send out a decent maid. She just waited at the door of the main house. This series of actions was enough to illustrate her attitude.
To put it bluntly, Wang Xuezheng is now a high-ranking official, the Cui family has been reduced to an orphan and a widowed mother, and Cui Weizhen is still a disciple. The relationship between the two families is no longer the same as it used to be.
Ye Zhenzhen looked at Aunt Cui worriedly, fearing that she wouldn't be able to withstand the blow.
Unexpectedly, she was worrying too much. Aunt Cui had a slight smile on her face. This kind of polite and etiquette social smile was exactly the same as Cui Weizhen's. And because of her outstanding appearance, it added a bit of brilliance, making her life smooth.
uncomfortable.
"Excuse me for worrying. The old things are gone, so there is no need to talk more. We just went to Beijing a few days ago, and we had to pay a visit after settling in. We haven't seen each other for many years. Huilan, you are getting younger. I guess it is because of the filial piety of your children. You guys
My brother Xuan, is he old enough to take the next exam this year?"
Mrs. Wang immediately beamed with smile, and while holding Aunt Cui's hand and walking into the house, she reservedly and proudly praised her legitimate son and daughter. Aunt Cui smiled and nodded, and echoed a few words from time to time, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Ye Zhenzhen was half a step behind Aunt Cui and entered the hall together.
It is now October, and the north is already bitingly cold, so the hall is burning fine silver charcoal. Occasionally, there is a slight crackling sound, but there is no smoke that is choking. Instead, the purple sand Guanyin incense burner in the corner is burning lightly, stacked with smoke.
The warm fragrance filled the room, making people feel intoxicated for a moment, as if they were immersed in the splendor of splendor and prosperity.
Entering the greenhouse from the cold room, Ye Zhenzhen couldn't help but shiver. It wasn't until the maid brought hot tea and the warm and fragrant tea entered her stomach that her body gradually warmed up.
Over there, Mrs. Wang was talking about her children, with a look of annoyance flashing across her face, "Look, I've forgotten. When Jun Lan comes back, it's time for An'er and the others to come visit your aunt. Mo Zhu, go and get Miss
They called over."
A woman who looked like a big maid bowed and left. Mrs. Wang continued, "I just came back from my grandmother's house yesterday. I didn't know you were visiting today. She was sleeping in late at the moment. If she knew you were coming, she would have arrived early."
Just waiting..."
Mrs. Wang's words were neither urgent nor slow, but they gradually became background music. Ye Zhenzhen could no longer hear clearly and only remembered the word "An'er" in her mouth.
At the beginning, Wang Xuezheng leaked that he and Cui Shichang had agreed to be their children's in-laws. If it hadn't been for the changes in the Cui family, Mrs. Wang's legitimate daughter "An'er" would have been Cui Weizhen's legitimate wife.
