The second level is called the Aunt Array. Seven aunts and eight aunts set up an array to interrogate Chen Qing. They must answer with limericks. Of course, the key is to satisfy them with the contents of Zheng Ping's red wooden barrel.
The first person to ask was Lu Xiu's aunt Lu Xiaoqing. She is married to her father's student Liu Zhiyuan and is currently serving as a doctor of state studies. If nothing goes wrong, she will be transferred to Taixue as an official early next year.
Lu Xiaoqing asked loudly: "Excuse me, how big is my uncle-in-law's land and house? What is his family's livelihood?"
Chen Qing recited a poem and said: "My family has four or five thatched huts, two for storing grain and two for free use. Three bridges cultivate seven acres of land. In the free time, I cut firewood and sell it for money."
There was a burst of 'Pfft!' laughter inside the door. This Chen Dutong was cutting firewood and selling it for money!
Mrs. Xu asked again: "How many brothers are there in the family? What is the compatibility of my aunt?"
There is nothing wrong with this question in itself, but it is very special to Chen Qing, so it is a bit inappropriate to ask it at this time.
Chen Qing thought for a long time before reciting a poem and said: "My mother once sewed clothes, and I walked up the mountain with my father and brother. Since the tigers and wolves came from the north, I sat alone until dawn!"
This poem is indeed a bit sad, and everyone cast dissatisfied looks at Mrs. Xu. Everyone knew that Chen Qing was alone, but she still asked this sensitive question.
Mrs. Xu also knew that the question was inappropriate, so she could only apologize: "Then don't ask!"
Lu Xiaoqing nodded and said: "Whether a poem is good or not depends on sincerity. How sincere is my uncle!"
Zheng Ping quickly ran up and threw the red wooden barrel through the back door, "Sincerity is here, be careful not to get hit."
It was full of fifty small ingots of silver again. Everyone was overjoyed and divided the silver among themselves. They all said with a smile: "If you pass, please come in!"
The last formation has nothing to do with money, so Zheng Ping doesn't need to go. Chen Qing came to Lu Xiu's small building. In front of the small building stood a pretty young lady, about eleven or twelve years old, who was Lu Xiu's half-sister.
Lu Wen.
This level is called marriage proposal. The bride poses the questions and the groom answers them. When the bride is satisfied, she agrees to get married. Of course, this is usually discussed in advance. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a bad thing if the groom can’t answer the questions?
Lu Wen's voice was very clear, and he smiled and said: "My sister asked my uncle-in-law to write a good poem that can impress her. This is not a limerick outside. If you want to be my brother-in-law, you have to show your true ability."
There was paper and pen on the small table next to him. Chen Qing understood what Lu Xiu meant. He must have asked him to write "There is no way out after mountains and rivers, and there is a village with dark flowers and bright flowers" again, and he would pass the test.
But Chen Qing also knew that deep down in Lu Xiu's heart, she actually wanted him to write another love poem that would move her, but... this was not easy. He could do limericks, but if he could make the talented Lu Xiu move, then...
I can only rely on the poems of later generations.
Chen Qing thought for a moment and wrote on the paper:
If life is just like the first time we met, why should the autumn wind draw a fan sadly?
Long farewell and poor blessing to the man in brocade, I wish you the same day with wings and branches.
Chen Qing slightly changed Nalan Xingde's poem, and the meaning was completely different.
Lu Wen took the poem in, ran out and said with a smile: "It passed. My sister said that if the auspicious time comes, she will definitely get up and ask my brother-in-law to sit down and rest for a while, drink tea and wait patiently!"
This brother-in-law shouted well. Chen Qing took out a walnut-sized pearl and handed it to her with a smile: "A little gift for you!"
Lu Wen's eyes lit up and he quickly held it with both hands. The pearl was sparkling and dazzling. This was not a pearl. It was actually a bead made of jade. It was equally valuable.
Her heart was so happy that she jumped up and ran upstairs, "Look, my brother-in-law gave me a treasure!"
...........
In the inner hall, Lu Yihao met Chen Qing temporarily. He said with some worry: "Today is your special day. There are some things I didn't want to tell you, but I think it's better to let you know."
"Grandpa, just say so!"
"As for your whereabouts, there was a fierce debate in the court this morning. The officials originally asked you to go to Guangnan West Road to quell the rebellion of the Southern Barbarians, but Zhang Jun, Zhao Ding, Li Hui and several academicians all opposed your going to Guangnan.
However, Qin Hui and Queen Mother Wei thought that it would be most suitable for you to go to Guangnan, and insisted on the original plan. The government and the family were caught in the middle, and they were in a dilemma, and the decree was delayed. "
"Has the Queen Mother blatantly interfered in politics?"
Lu Yihao smiled bitterly and said: "It is not unusual for the queen mother of the Song Dynasty to interfere in politics. I can see clearly that the official used the excuse of honoring the mother and the queen, but in fact he was supporting a new force in the court. We call it the rear party. I'm afraid Zhu Shengfei
He will soon go to Beijing to be the Prime Minister, and he is the new Prime Minister recommended by the Queen Mother.
This rear party cooperates with Qin Hui, and is the main war faction of the imperial court against Zhang Jun and Zhao Ding. Otherwise, the peace faction would be weak by relying on Qin Hui alone, because he is not qualified enough."
"Who does grandpa think will win?"
"Look at the situation in the northwest! If you can save Sichuan, you have to go to Guangnan. If Sichuan cannot be saved, the officials will definitely resist the pressure from the Queen Mother."
Chen Qing nodded, "Li Gang told me that if Sichuan and Shaanxi were lost, the Song Dynasty would be destroyed within ten years."
Lu Yihao smiled faintly, "He is still too optimistic. He forgot that there is Wanyan Nianhan's army in Jiangbei. Let me tell you, if Sichuan and Shaanxi are lost, the Song Dynasty will be destroyed within three years. This is the consensus of the court. Officials
I know it very well myself.”
At this time, Lu Jin quickly came to the hall and said: "Father, the auspicious time is coming!"
Lu Yihao nodded and smiled at Chen Qing: "Go! Treat my precious granddaughter well. I wish you two a happy marriage and a son soon!"
...........
Marriage ceremonies are usually held at dusk, so it is called a wedding.
The motorcade walked slowly on the street, with four attendants clearing the way, shouting: "The married daughter of the Lu family, please show courtesy to my neighbors!"
Both sides were filled with people watching, whispering to each other and talking about it, "This is the wedding of Xianggong Lu's granddaughter. It's such a grand event."
"I heard that she married Chen Qing, a famous general in the Western Army, who was Chen Dutong, who was called the 'human devil' by the Jurchens."
Naturally, there is a steelyard in the hearts of the people, and they are called human demons by the Jurchens. They are the Bodhisattvas of the Han people, the heroes who save the country and the people.
Only people like Qin Hui and Wang Bo could demonize Chen Qing.
Chen Qing rode beside the carriage, and people kept shouting: "Congratulations to General Chen on his wedding!"
Chen Qing smiled and cupped his fists in return.
The street was very busy, but inside the carriage it was very quiet.
Lu Xiu wore an expensive yellow gold dress, a green gold embroidered short coat, and a silk red hijab. She straightened her back and sat quietly in the carriage.
Sitting next to them were Yu Lian and Yu Ying, both of whom were pretending to be golden boys and girls. Yu Ying wore a men's robe, a leather belt around her waist, and a gauze hat on her head. She put on a little makeup, and her appearance changed. It was really hard to tell that she and Yu Lian were the same.
Twin sisters.
Yu Lian has her hair in a double-ring bun, wearing a red skirt and yellow jacket. Her skin is crystal clear and snow-white, and her pair of beautiful big eyes are like two black gems inlaid with dazzling brilliance. She is absolutely a stunning little beauty.
Yu Ying was extremely envious. She could have dressed up to be just as beautiful. Now in order to prevent others from recognizing them, she made her skin a little darker and her eyebrows a little thicker. She looked nothing like a golden boy, but she was clearly a fool.
Stupid green boy.
"Girl, there are many people outside watching us!"
Although it's a bit ostentatious, what bride wouldn't like getting married in such a glorious way?
"You two put down the gauze curtain, people outside will see us."
"Ah-sneeze!"
A gust of cold wind blew, and Yu Ying couldn't help sneezing. Yu Lian quickly closed the window. It was winter now, and the cold wind blew in, so the bride should not catch a cold.
The carriage became dark, and it was rare to have a moment of silence, but Yu Ying refused to let everyone be quiet, "The Chinese New Year is only half a month away. Madam, do you think we will celebrate the Chinese New Year in Lin'an?"
Lu Xiu frowned slightly. He actually called himself madam? You should call yourself old! It sounds the same as Mrs. Xu, but what else would you call yourself madam? Calling her eldest sister seems like they are not old enough to call her mistress.
For older people, the key is that they don’t have a mother-in-law, so they really have to call themselves madam.
"I don't think I will be celebrating the New Year. I should leave Lin'an soon."
Yu Ying lamented, "Hey! I wonder where our new home is?"
At this time, the sound of firecrackers and gongs and drums were heard outside, and it was extremely lively. The carriage swayed, slowly stopped, and arrived at the husband's house.
The car door opened, and several wedding ladies smiled outside the car door and said: "Please get out of the car temporarily, pay homage to your parents-in-law, and then go and salute!"