Kou Zhong entered the village with Ye Yongjia. He dismounted and looked into the wall. He walked to a house with a lamp still burning and asked.
"There's someone." As soon as he finished speaking, a person appeared from the door. He was about fifty or sixty years old, with a thin face, flat eyes, and white hair covering most of his head. Only a small amount of black hair remained on the temples.
"I'm sorry," Kou Zhong bowed and said with a smile, "If you don't mind, can you let us stay overnight for a day? I'll give you more money of course. We'll leave tomorrow morning." Behind him, Ye Yongjia had just arrived.
"We don't see outsiders here on weekdays, so I'd rather someone come over and say a few words!" the old man laughed.
Kou Zhong now felt more relieved. When he turned around and saw Ye Yongjia dismounting from his horse, he nodded and smiled at him.
"Then I won't bother you all night." Ye Yongjia stepped forward and bowed to the old man.
"Don't be polite, just go in."
Ye Yongjia pulled the horse and found a shed in the yard for the animals. Although the roof of the shed was still leaky, it was suitable. He tied the reins tightly and bent down while holding the trough.
"Where are you from?" the old man looked at Ye Yongjia who came out of the shed and asked.
While brushing the dust off his body, he said: "We are all scholars from Jinan. We have admired Nanjing's name for a long time and wanted to come here to appreciate the local customs and characters."
"I, a native of Nanjing, have seen a lot of scholars like you who came here after hearing the news. May I ask your name?"
"My name is Ye Yongjia, and his name is Kou Zhong."
"The names are all good."
"May I ask the old man's name?" Kou Zhong asked respectfully.
"The old man's name is Zhuo Gaoyi. He attended a private school for a few years, but he is not very talented and learned. I have gotten old recently, and I have probably forgotten all the things I learned." He smiled calmly.
"Is there anyone else at home?" Ye Yongjia asked casually when he saw a room over there with the door closed.
"Oh, there is still my wife and daughter at home. I told them to go to bed early. I have to let Zhuo Jing cook you a meal tomorrow to show your friendship!" He said enthusiastically.
"What's the use? It's causing trouble for the elderly." Ye Yongjia said with a slightly apologetic smile.
After a few people said this, seeing that it was getting late, they all got up to say goodbye. Ye and Kou then moved into the east room, made beds, and managed to squeeze in and sleep.
Early the next morning, the two woke up and went out of the house. They saw Zhuo Gaoyi coming out of the firewood shed, holding a small bundle of firewood. He greeted them and started.
He entered the kitchen house; after a while he came out empty-handed, and before approaching, he greeted and said: "You two get up early! Madam and my daughter are preparing a meal. It won't be too late to leave after eating. Don't let this old man's wishes go to waste!"
Before the two of them could speak, he immediately shouted to the kitchen: "Leng Ping, pour a pot of water for the two guests!"
"That's not necessary..." Kou Zhongzheng said, and saw a girl coming out of the kitchen, carrying a pot, wearing a green jacket on her upper body and an apricot-yellow Su Luo skirt on her lower body. Her face was more upright, but she was a little hairy.
Yellow, maybe because of the smoke and fire all day long; but her figure looks delicate, and at first glance, she does not look like the kind of woman who lives a hard life and does rough work. Although she is not very dazzling, her eyes are
But it is crystal clear and watery, almost as pure as a mountain spring.
She came over, but immediately lowered her head, put the rag aside, poured water for the two of them, then took the pot away and walked back into the house step by step. Kou Zhong slowly picked up the water and looked back at Ye Yongjia.
Kou Zhong turned his head and looked at the water in the bowl and smiled.
Zhuo Gaoyi pointed at the direction: "The girl who just came out is called Leng Ping. She is over seventeen years old. Although she looks quiet, she is actually very smart. I wanted to teach her to read some books, but unfortunately I don't have the ability.
Knowledge, just a rough understanding of words."
"It's a pity..." Ye Yongjia was still lost in thought, and when he spoke, he seemed to be talking to himself.
In Shaoqing, Mrs. Zhuo brought the meal. Kou Zhong ate a lot, while his master ate a little. After breakfast, they went to the shed to pull horses. At first they wanted to pay for the house, but he and his wife refused.
So we had to say goodbye.
Ye Yongjia flicked his whip and the horse quickly left the village; but he was extremely reluctant to let go. He pulled the horse slowly and looked back several times. Sometimes he suddenly stopped and looked back, refusing to move, and was patted on the shoulder by Kou Zhong:
"We only met this woman once, and my master doesn't know what her feelings are. If I see the truth, I'm afraid I'll be disappointed. There's so much going on, so why linger on? It's better for my master to go to Nanjing first and settle down."
"She has something in common with me. Maybe...the end of this connection cannot bring happiness." He left these incomprehensible words and walked towards the majestic Urn City in Nanjing.
There is a wide moat outside the city of Nanjing. When you enter along the road, you will see the huge city wall towering down, as if it is swallowing people up in one fell swoop, which is frightening. After entering the city, more than ten streets and alleys are intertwined and extend in all directions. People can move around during the day.
There were a lot of people walking back and forth, and the sounds and sounds filled the ears and eyes. There was also the ten-mile-long Qinhuai River, which ran straight from east to west. There were boats and boats swimming on the river, and several groups of boats were moored on the shore, in clear order; not to mention the numerous vermilion trees.
The towers are row upon row, integrating with the plain white river houses. They are more pleasing to the eye than the blue tiles and gray bricks of Jinan, and they have more colors!
In the past, Ye Yongjia, the heir of Ye Mansion, rested here. Every day he could look up at the clear sky and watch the boat rides, and it could be said that the water and the sky were the same color.
"Master, I've had a great time here these days!" Kou Zhong came over with a big smile.
"Yes," Ye Yongjia looked moisturized, "You have been out for the past few days, can you find out any news?"
"Master, you have come to the right place in Nanjing!" Kou Zhong said and sat down. "There is a great actor here. His surname is Cai, his name is Xianqing, and his name is Xingchang. He is forty-five years old. Because he was in Nanjing when he was young.
He sang songs and was very popular, and he was in favor with Wang Wan Heshun of Jiankang County. As a result, he opened a theater troupe in Nanjing, which spread all over the region. The knowledgeable troupe left Nanjing early, and he became even bigger."
He held the tea, moistened his throat first, and then said: "It is said that this person is willing to accept bribes to help with things."
Ye Yongjia rubbed his eyebrows and pondered for a long time.
"You mean..."
"Ask him to go to the prince to clear your grievances and make you a Jinshi."
The two pairs of eyes suddenly touched each other.