The four hundred and thirtieth chapter joy to sorrow (a)
Although he had known for a long time that Shen Cang was seriously ill, Mao Chi was still shocked when he saw Shen Cang. His face was gray, his cheekbones were bulging, and he was skinny. There was not much left of his original majesty, except for a pair of eyes that were still gleaming. , it looks little better than a dead body.
Shen Cang smiled and pretended that he didn't see anything strange about Mao Chi.
Shen Cang was quite relieved that Mao Chi was able to return to Beijing.
Although the world values boys over girls, among the three Shen brothers, there is only one daughter, Sister Yu. When Sister Yu was in the second room, her brother Shen Luo was at home, and her mother Qiao was not a gentle person, but As a concubine, she lived like a little transparent person. Fortunately, Aunt Xu was in charge of the house, and there was a distinction between superiority and inferiority, as well as clear rewards and punishments, so no one bullied Sister Yu. When Sister Yu passed away under the name of Xiao Zhangfang , and became the true eldest lady of the Shen family.
Because she had been taught by Mrs. Xu for several years, and she had been the housekeeper of the third wife in the past few years, Sister Yu already had some shadows of the youth of the Xu family. She was originally a biological niece, and with the addition of "Aiwujiwu", Shen Cang had a deep affection for Yu. My sister also loves me a little more.
Even though the marriage between Shen and Mao's family was intended to help the Shen family, they were carefully selected.
Mao Cheng was born as the number one scholar and had a bright future, but he was born into a humble background and would not be picky about Sister Yu's status as a commoner. Although the Mao family is not a millionaire, it is still a well-to-do family. It is different from those "poor people suddenly become rich" families. There are still some rules and character.
Mao Chi himself could not be said to be "better than his elders", but he was also a good scholar. He would have to take the imperial examination and become an official in the future, and his future was certain. In addition, he had a good relationship with Shen Rui and was taught by Shen Li. With these two relationships, he would treat Sister Yu in the future. Only those who value.
It is difficult for a daughter in this world, and after three years of delay, there is no way that Sister Yu's life in her husband's family will be difficult in the future. Shen Cang is still optimistic that the marriage between the two families can be arranged before he closes his eyes.
"Ten years of hard study will make your dreams come true. Sir, you must not be arrogant and slack off..." Shen Cang said.
"Changqing" was Mao Chi's name or given by Shen Li.
Shen Li was Mao Cheng's senior and colleague. Both of them were number one scholars. Even though they didn't have close contacts in the early days, they were quite like-minded. When the Mao family and the Shen family got married, their friendship took a big step forward. Mao Chiben He studied Shi Wen with Shen Li, but he didn't formally join the family, but he respected him as a teacher. Although it was a bit confusing in terms of relatives and seniority, it didn't seem too outrageous that Shen Li originally had friends with Mao Cheng, his generation.
Mao Chi said sarcastically: "It's just barely on the list, what should I be proud of? It's more admirable that a nephew of the Shibo clan can win the first prize in Nanzhili."
Shen Cang touched his beard and said: "You also said that he is my nephew, but you are my son-in-law. Naturally, I am very happy for you..."
Mao Chi's face turned red and he sat there at a loss.
Among the officials' children, there are many people who know the affairs of the people even in their teens. It is indeed rare to be as pure and kind as Mao Chi. Mrs. Xu was standing by, pursed her lips and smiled, and her heart was a little relieved.
After Shen Cang accepted the post and knew that Mao Cheng was coming over after leaving office today, he didn't say much to Mao Chi.
Marriage is a major matter that is originally ordered by the parents and the matchmaker, but when it comes to making a decision to marry, the elders of the two parents have the final say.
When Mrs. Xu saw her husband say a few words, he started to cough, and said to Shen Rui: "Brother Chi hasn't been here for a long time. You brothers, please go down and talk..."
Shen Rui stood up and responded, taking Mao Chi out.
It wasn't until he left the main room that Mao Chi breathed a sigh of relief.
Shen Rui glanced at him and said, "I'm pretending to be good and blushing when I call you 'son-in-law'?"
Mao Chi snorted softly and said, "Don't you think you can act so presumptuously in front of Grand Scholar Yang?"
Don't laugh at fifty steps but one hundred steps.
In the main room, Shen Cang ate half a bowl of tea soup, suppressed the itchiness in his throat, and then stopped coughing. However, he had no strength, and after coughing for a while, there was sweat on his forehead.
Seeing this, Mrs. Xu became even more worried.
Although it is a good thing that Mao Zedong returned to Beijing late, after all, the important matter of marriage cannot be completed in three or two days. The words of the imperial doctor are still vivid in my mind, can my master persist in getting through it?
Shen Cang was closing his eyes to rest, and just now he coughed violently, making him dizzy.
After a while, Shen Cang regained his composure, slowly opened his eyes, and said, "Tell someone to prepare two more good ginseng sticks. I always have to watch Sister Yu come out of the cabinet..."
With Jiuru in the middle, Mao Chi could not hide his worry and hesitated: "Isn't it inappropriate to propose marriage at this time?"
In terms of age, Shen Rui was two years younger than him, but Shen Rui had always been steady, and since he was his brother-in-law, he sincerely asked for advice.
Shen Rui thought of the words of the imperial physician and felt uncertain, saying, "My father and mother hope that you will get married as soon as possible, so as not to delay you... But I can't say whether it will succeed..."
Mao Chi smiled bitterly and said: "I always feel that mentioning this at this time is adding to the confusion..."
Shen Rui said: "You are an only child after all. If the wedding date is hasty, I wonder if your father-in-law will be unhappy?"
I originally wanted to marry Sister Yu as soon as possible because of Mao Chi's old age and fear that the Mao family would not be willing to wait for three years. If the marriage was rushed and the parents-in-law were displeased, it would be better to be more reserved and leave the court after three years.
Mao Chi hurriedly shook his head and said: "It's an extraordinary event. It's an extraordinary matter. How can my parents care about these people? I'm just afraid that I might have wronged my sister..."
Before and after the two families got engaged, Mao Chi also met Sister Yu and was quite satisfied with his fiancée.
After knowing each other for several years, Shen Rui trusts Mao Chi's character. Since he said this, Shen Rui also believed it. As for other things, the two of them were not sure of what they said, so they had to wait for Mao Cheng to come over in the evening. Mention it later.
Shen Rui asked about the Nanzhili Township Examination, and he was quite surprised that Shen Jin could get Jieyuan.
The more people come into contact with the imperial examinations, the more they know that the competition in the Nanzhili examination is fierce. Even Shen Rui himself feels very lucky every time he thinks about the number of exams in Nanzhili.
Not to mention others, Wen Zhengming, a great talent who has become famous in Nanshilin, has already failed the exam four times, and will continue to fail the sixth time and ten times in the future. From a young man in his twenties to a flourishing young man, Even when the old man was in his fifties, he still failed to pass the exam.
In particular, it can be seen that it is very difficult to be elected in Nanzhili, and it is even more difficult to stand out among the candidates.
Needless to say, as long as Shen Jin ranks among the top ten in the joint examination, with his status as Jieyuan of Nanzhili, he has more chances to get a nod than others.
However, Mao Chi didn't know about the relationship between Shen Jin and Shen Rui. He only mentioned one sentence and praised Wu Xuan: "Mr. Wang is really a great talent. Wu Xuan is just a book boy beside him who writes pen and ink. He first ended up on the 20th Nine names make people feel ashamed..."
Shen Rui said: "You don't know yet, Chang Qing, Wu Xuan has already served tea in front of the teacher and is now my junior brother."
Mao Chi was quite surprised and said: "Mr. Wang accepts students in a very eclectic way..."
Mao Cheng came here before dinner, not alone. He was also accompanied by Shen Li.
"I heard that my second uncle was back, so my nephew came over to have a look..." Shen Li said.
Previously, due to the relationship with Mr. Xie Ge, Shen Li was unwilling to involve the Shangshu Mansion in the party struggles of several elders, and had alienated relations with him. However, when Shen Cang retired from the court due to illness and recuperated, Shen Li The number of times I come here is more.
After all, Shen Zhou had not arrived in Beijing before, and the third master was not in good health. How could Shen Li trust Shen Rui to support this business alone?
Shen Cang knew in his heart that since Shen Zhou was arranged to go to Nanjing, Shen Li would have to be looked after in the capital in the future, and he was somewhat warm to Shen Li. Even if he had some official connections, Shen Cang did not leave them to Shen Rui. , but handed it directly to Shen Li.
Shen Li knew the importance of these and refused to accept it. Shen Cang advised: "These relationships are based on interests. Rui Ge'er is young and his status is not enough to check and balance these people. If it is left in Rui Ge'er's hands, it can't be said." Luring the wolf into the house..."
After looking at these years coldly, Shen Cang saw that Shen Li really treated Shen Rui like a brother. Even for Shen Rui's sake, he would not help here. It's just that Xie Ge is a very popular minister and is in danger. Shen Li, the prime minister's son-in-law, would suffer disaster if he couldn't help it.
By the time Shen Rui could use it, it would have been more than ten years since these relationships between the upper and lower levels of the officialdom had already faded away. However, leaving them in Shen Li's hands was a mutually advantageous thing.
As for Shen Ying, Shen Cang has not considered it, but Shen Ying was a Jinshi in the twelfth year of Hongzhi, and his qualifications are still relatively young, and there are two brothers below him who will become officials sooner or later. Now the mother and son of Wufang treat Shen Rui sincerely. But when it comes to conflicts of interests, how much sincerity can be left?
Shen Cang has seen too much of the fickle world and doesn't intend to use this to test people's hearts.
Although Shen Li also has children, they are all younger than Shen Rui. Even if he wants to pursue an imperial examination career in the future, he and Shen Rui will be separated by a few years, so there will be no conflict between them.
Shen Cang did not hide these arrangements from Shen Rui and had already explained the truth to Shen Rui.
Shen Rui also felt that this arrangement was appropriate, but he was also quite strange in his heart, because Shen Cang regarded Shen Li as the "connector" in the Shen family's officialdom, but left the second master aside.
Mao Cheng originally wanted to make a decision within a few days and set the wedding date in November, but after seeing Shen Cang's current appearance, he changed his mind and only said that there would be an auspicious day in the next two days that would make the decision, so he should choose a date before the end of the month.
Seeing Mao Cheng being so happy, Shen Cang naturally had no objections. On the other hand, the second and third masters who were sitting next to him felt hesitant when they heard this, and looked at Xu from time to time.
The wedding date was now being discussed, and Mrs. Xu did not shy away from it, and was also present to meet the guests.
The imperial doctor made it clear that the period of "ten months" is about ten days if it is short, and it is only a month ago if it is long. It is the beginning of October, what if I can't hold on until the end of the month?
Shen Li sat across from several gentlemen, and happened to see the expressions of the second and third gentlemen, and his heart sank.
Mrs. Xu looked calm and said: "I also asked people to check the dates. There are three suitable days for marriage in the second half of the year. Sixteenth, twenty-two and twenty-eight. The sixteenth day is better for the two children. , I’m just a little hasty, I wonder if it’s cheaper at my in-law’s place?”
Mao Cheng was shocked in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He just smiled and said: "I and my wife have been looking forward to this day for a long time. They are all prepared. What's not cheap? Since it matches the children's horoscopes, it's It’s better to settle on sixteen.”
Shen Cang glanced at his wife steadily and did not say anything against it. He just nodded and said: "It's not good to wrong the child. Although the life is rushed, it is better to be more thoughtful..."
Mao Cheng said: "That's what it should be. Don't worry, my family..."
Today is the second day of October, and there is still not much time left before the wedding ceremony. Mao Cheng saw that he was right, so he did not sit down anymore, stood up and left home.
Mrs. Xu wanted to stay for dinner. Mao Cheng saw that the second master and the third master had heavy faces and did not seem to be in the mood to entertain guests, so he politely declined.
Because Shen Li was worried about Shen Cang, he did not leave in a hurry, but went to Shen Rui's place.
"Second uncle, third uncle's expression is wrong. Auntie set the date too eagerly, but what's the matter?" Shen Li asked straight to the point.
Shen Rui did not hide anything and told what the imperial physician said.
Although Shen Li had been prepared, his expression changed when he heard this. But he had to think more. Since the Shen family wanted to marry a daughter, it was better to get married safely. If something happened midway, it would be a disaster. Giving people something to talk about after dinner...