Volume 1: Painting Hall Spring Chapter 4: Major General of the Zeng Family
When Ling Deyan returned home in the evening, Qingxi greeted him with a smile: "Dad, I have set up tea-making utensils on the stone table in the backyard. Are you interested in tasting the fine Yuqian Longjing with Heng'er?"
He had some official documents to review, but seeing that his daughter was very interested, he couldn't bear to dampen her interest. The father and daughter sat comfortably under the big locust tree, sipping tea and chatting.
"You haven't gone out in the past few days. I think you're depressed, right? Why are you asking for permission by trying to please me today?" he asked with a smile.
"Dad, why did I invite you to have a relaxing cup of tea with ulterior motives? Don't worry, I promise to stay at home these few days and I won't go anywhere." Qingxi smiled softly. The sunshine in the spring was shining.
Her face showed the liveliness and agility of a young girl.
"Really? I heard that the Zeng family sent someone to give you a message yesterday. Is it that boy from the Zeng family?"
"Yes." Qingxi nodded casually, not paying attention to the obvious temptation in his father's tone. "He picked up my square silk handkerchief before, but he just gave me back a book of poems, and then went out to Shang.
All the errands were done. I asked Ober to return the poetry collection and ask for it to be returned to Sipa. But he sent someone to send the poetry collection back again, saying that he would not take back the things he had given away!"
Ling Deyan put down the tea cup in his hand and watched the water boiling out of the small red clay stove. He pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Heng'er, you are destined to be with this child."
Qingxi's hand holding the stove to add water paused for a moment. She looked up at Ling Deyan and replied seriously: "Dad, I know what you and mother are thinking. It's just that I always regard him as my brother. In fact, there is nothing special about him.
Place."
Ling Deyan smiled slightly: "Who do you have other thoughts about? Marriage is a long-term matter, and it must be a person who can get along harmoniously for a long time. You and Yuan Yi have known each other for a long time, and they are familiar with each other. You don't need to be too repulsive.
, just let nature take its course.”
Qingxi frowned slightly, pursed her lips, but said nothing more. It wasn't that she didn't agree with her father's words, but she was unwilling to do so. If there was really no choice, she could accept it; but she always thought about whether there would be another life.
This is a possibility. She smelled the fragrance in the cup, and spoke again playfully, changing the topic: "I saw that my father has been worried about official matters these past two days, and I want you to relax, but you are worried about my affairs. You should
Learn from my grandfather and let go and be more comfortable."
"How can I, as an official in the court, let go of my freedom?" Ling Deyan stroked his sleeves and beard, with a far-sighted vision, and said leisurely: "Don't talk about being in the court, even outside the court, someone like His Highness the Sixth Prince,
Nowadays, it seems that everyone is involved in it voluntarily or involuntarily. Who can let go of the affairs of the country, the country, and the country?"
"Your Highness, Sixth Highness? Is that the King Heng who saw the dragon but never saw its end?" Qingxi was slightly surprised. This person was rarely mentioned by officials who discussed political affairs.
"What? Do you still know about His Highness the Sixth?" Ling Deyan withdrew his gaze and looked at his daughter.
"He is the favorite character of the storyteller in Mei Jing Tower." Qingxi's slightly raised tone showed that she had a strong interest in this topic.
Every time she disguised herself and went to Mei Jinglou to drink tea and listen to books, she would hear the story of King Heng nine times out of ten. The storyteller said that King Heng traveled around the world, doing chivalry and justice, relieving people in danger, and sharing their worries. She certainly
I know that these stories cannot be completely believed. It is just that His Highness is not in Shangdu all the year round. He is too mysterious and loves to travel around the world. Naturally, he is the best person to insert the story. But no matter how unconstrained the imagination, Sheng Dou Xiaomin does not dare to arrange anything wrong with the prince.
, he only has a tall image. Such praise earns face for the royal family, and the court is naturally happy to see it.
"Dad has a relationship with him? I haven't heard you mention it!"
Just as he said this, Yueying came over and reported: "Master, Miss, Master Zeng is here to visit and is waiting in the front hall."
"Oh? Say Cao Cao, Cao Cao is here. Well done, well done." Ling Deyan stood up with a smile, and walked toward the front hall with Qingxi in hand.
The two came to the front hall, where Zeng Qidao was sitting upright on the Taishi chair. As soon as he saw the two of them, he quickly stood up and stood up. He first nodded slightly towards Qingxi, showing a hearty smile, and then saluted respectfully: "Hello, Uncle Ling.
"
"Sit down, sit down. Did your business trip to Suyang go well this time?" Ling Deyan said and pulled him to sit down.
"Everything went well. I came back a few days ago. I was just busy reporting to the court on the situation of exterminating the bandits and dealing with the remaining matters. I just had time to come and visit my uncle today." Zeng Qidao spoke sonorously and forcefully, without any sloppiness, and he had the air of a general.
Ling Deyan said with a smile: "I heard. This mission was done well, and the Holy Father was very satisfied. He praised the tiger father for having no dogs. I'm afraid you didn't just come to see me today, right?" He said with a special look in his eyes.
He glanced at his daughter sitting beside him.
Zeng Qidao lowered his head in embarrassment, but only for a moment before he said frankly: "Indeed. Yesterday I sent someone to return sister Qingxi's things, but she returned them. I heard that she has not been able to leave the house recently, so I came over.
have a look."
Ling Deyan's smile deepened, and he stood up slowly, "She is really depressed. You are here, so tell her about your experience in Suyang. I still have some official documents to read, so I will go to the study first."
Zeng Qidao hurriedly stood up and bowed again. After Ling Deyan walked away, he took a step forward, looked at Ling Qingxi and asked, "Long time no see, how is Heng'er?"
Qingxi raised her eyes and saw that Zeng Qidao seemed to be thinner and his skin was tanned, but he looked more energetic, upright and determined. "It's very good. It's just a collection of poems. Is it worth another trip?"
Zeng Qidao took out the "Ye Yu Poetry Collection" from his arms and sighed heavily: "Is this poetry collection really not good-looking?"
"It really doesn't look good."
Zeng Qidao was stunned for a long time, with a hint of disappointment in his eyes. He was still holding the book in his hand, neither putting it down nor putting it away.
Seeing him like this, Qingxi murmured a little. Zeng Qidao had always spoken bluntly and neatly. When had he ever looked like he was in a dilemma? He felt that his words were too straightforward, so he said again: "No. I
I’m just angry that you didn’t return my silk handkerchief. It’s useless for you to keep my daughter’s things.”
Zeng Qidao laughed innocently, put the book down and said, "That's right. I actually just feel that we are close to each other. These small items are nothing. It's just that I didn't think carefully."
"Okay. Let's not talk about this for now. Tell me about your experience in Suyang this time."
Zeng Qidao saw her eyes light up when she mentioned what she had seen and heard in other places, so he changed his mood and started talking endlessly. From the extermination of bandits, to the mountains and rivers of Suyang, from the scenery on the way back to the interesting things on the way, he talked about it all
At the end, he mentioned: "I was able to complete the errand so smoothly this time thanks to the help of one person."
"who?"
"Oh, a person from the Jianghu." Zeng Qidao lowered his head slightly and replied calmly. After a moment's pause, he raised his head again and said: "This time, the bandits are guarding the pass up the mountain. It is not easy to attack by force. Even if they rely on the strength of the people, they can still win.
But after all, there was a needless sacrifice. Just when I was hesitating, someone came to offer advice and said that he knew the secret way to the mountain and could attack the enemy from the rear. It was this person who helped us win easily. However, he was not greedy for credit.
, please don’t mention him in the briefing submitted to the court. It is said to avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Ling Qingxi frowned slightly and then said with a clear look: "It can be seen that he is a wanderer."
Zeng Qidao nodded noncommittally, then seemed to remember something, and asked with a change of breath: "I heard that you will follow Uncle Ling to Baoding Mountain? Didn't you often say that you want to see Baoding Blood Cuckoo and Yuting Chunyue?
?I will find a free time then and we can enjoy the beautiful scenery together."
Ling Qingxi nodded and said nothing.
After talking for a long time, Zeng Qidao knew that it was inconvenient to stay longer, so he went to say goodbye to Ling Deyan and then returned home. When he walked to the door of the hall, he turned around and said, "See you at Baoding Mountain."