A quiet bluestone alley; old slates and moss marks, new red lanterns; a courtyard door gently opened; a delicate girl's face suddenly showed an expression of surprise. This scene seemed to have been experienced somewhere before, but Zhang
Ning knew that this was a deception of memory, it was just like deja vu.
We met at the gate of the hospital. We didn't have time to say a few words. The young girl's smart eyes seemed to have a thousand words to say. But soon there were more people to socialize with, so she couldn't say anything. Even the neighbors around her listened.
It was said that Zhang Ning, who was an official, was back, and people came to "watch" one after another. Some people even couldn't help but ask why there were no official escorts beating gongs and drums, and why there was no sedan with red flowers, as if Zhang Ning had won the top prize and returned home with splendid clothes.
Perhaps in the eyes of the folks, being a Shangguan in Beijing is a big deal and should be a big deal.
Zhang Jiujin and his son were still doing business during the peak New Year season, but soon they closed their shop and went home.
Like stars holding the moon, neighbors who rarely interacted with each other gathered around Zhang Ning to greet Zhang Ning, and their respect and admiration were beyond words. Zhang Jiujin's face was also glowing because of this. As an elder, the compliments to his neighbors are very useful. When a person is happy, he will lead his whole family all afternoon.
Men, women and children arranged several tables in the courtyard.
Socializing, flattery, courtesy, wine, the Zhang family courtyard is booming, as if spring has arrived early, the bustling and bustling is an auspicious sign, and people like it. Zhang Ning always has a smile on his face, and the people who are celebrating the New Year are so generous, his smile freezes
He couldn't help but look down. Zhang Ning couldn't help but look around for the little girl from time to time. Nothing happened, but he subconsciously wanted to see what she was doing. But every time, he would meet the same look from the little girl.
Zhang Jiujin, who was sitting at the top next to him, had successfully changed his role, as if he had suddenly changed from a businessman to a highly respected country squire. His words were all about officialdom, and he seemed to be deliberately showing off: "Shangyuan County Yamen Sect"
When someone came to deliver the official document, I didn't recognize who it was at first, but Dalang recognized him. Dalang had some acquaintances with the officials in the county. He had met Mr. Zhao, and after talking to him, he realized that he was Mr. Zhao, who was close to the county magistrate.
When the official document that I personally delivered to the Ministry of Officials came, I invited you to the teahouse to talk..."
"Master Zhao, who is in charge of grain and horses, according to the county clerk, many of the decisions made by the county magistrate are made by Master Zhao." The eldest brother Zhang Shicai and his father sang in harmony, "It is not convenient for the county magistrate to come here by himself, so he sent Master Zhao.
It’s very important. To deliver official documents, it’s usually just a matter of sending an official messenger.”
Zhang Ning didn't want to disgrace his uncle, so he said: "I was sent to Yangzhou Prefecture at the end of the year. Not long ago, I was an official in the Ministry of Rites. It is not convenient for me to travel with my parents in my hometown."
Someone at the same table said matter-of-factly: "Although we haven't moved around, we are all officials in the same dynasty, so it's easy to talk to each other. From now on, if something happens to the folks in the countryside that has something to do with the government, we won't be so afraid of officials!"
"
The courtyard door was not closed, and at this time, another wealthy member of staff came in, followed by two servants carrying a whole bundle of silk. When he came in, he bowed to Zhang Jiujin and looked very affectionate. After pretending for a while, Zhang Ning finally understood that it turned out that
This person was none other than his former father-in-law-to-be, Wang Yuanwai. Even though the engagement was broken off, he could still show up to the house in such a big way and send such a big gift for no reason. It was really unexpected.
...The bustle and bustle continued until the lights on Liren Street were all lit up before gradually dissipating. A few tables were left with messy dishes and garbage on the floor. The women of the Zhang family were busy, while the men were full of food and wine.
Enjoyed enough and squatted at the door of the main room to continue chatting. The three elders of the two generations did not do any housework. Zhang Shicai, who had pretended to be an elegant man at the wine table just now, was picking his teeth with a toothpick in a grand manner.
"The Wang family wants to repair the relationship between the two families." Zhang Jiujin sighed.
Zhang Shicai smiled and glanced at Zhang Ning: "The second son of our family is talented, and their family is rich. If there hadn't been that twists and turns, they would be considered well-matched. The Wang family in Jiangning County has a strong family background. They lack nothing but a literary talent.
; And the Miss Wang family is pretty."
"Wang Weng indeed made a special trip to mention it twice, and today he came to visit in person." Uncle Zhang Jiujin said seriously, "Erlang and the younger sister are not young yet, and they are not married yet. What do we think of the Zhang family?"
Zhang Shicai added: "Don't mention it, the matchmakers who have come to propose marriage in the past few months have almost smoothed the threshold of our family. Now that we are a family of officials, there are many young girls who are interested in us."
"My brother hasn't even gotten married yet, how can there be any reason for my younger sister to get married first!" Zhang Xiaomei, who was working, had been listening with her ears. At this time, she couldn't help but interject.
Zhang Shicai smiled and said: "The eldest lady of a eunuch's family never leaves the house without stepping outside. That's just an identity. From now on, little girl, please don't run around in front of others."
"Okay, I'm happy with it. Brother, come and clean the yard. How can a noble lady do such a job?" Zhang Xiaomei's clear voice interprets Nanjing Mandarin to the extreme, and the gentle tone sounds gentler than Wu Qiang.
"Wang Weng's matter depends on Erlang's idea." Zhang Jiujin remained serious regardless of the brothers and sisters' jokes. He finally told the truth, after all, the uncle is not a parent.
Zhang Ning then said: "The gift sent by the Wang family today can only be returned."
Jiujin father and son fell silent immediately.
Zhang Ning explained calmly: "The prince's teacher at that time, Mr. Zuo Yude and Yang Shiqi, his daughter has made an engagement with me, and when we start our official relationship in the new year, the Yang family should prepare a book for the uncle. So.
We can only forget about the Wang family's affairs."
"The prince's teacher!" Zhang Shicai had an imaginative expression on his face, as if he was imagining those high-ranking and important people he had never met before. He then laughed and said, "Erlang is still promising! In this case, why didn't you tell me earlier and mentioned the Wang family?
Why, I will return all the things I sent before and after tomorrow, we don’t care about this."
Zhang Jiujin didn't say anything. He was usually much more stable than his son. He then suddenly said: "By the way, there is another very important thing. There is a husband named Ma Wenchang in Jiangning County, who is said to be from the same tribute courtyard as Erlang.
Scholar, his parents came to visit him in person to ask for help, but they almost didn't let him kneel down... Erlang knows someone in the government, can he help him?"
"It depends on what happened." Zhang Ning said curiously.
"Da Lang, please tell me clearly." Zhang Jiujin looked at his son.
Zhang Shicai had a look of gloating on his misfortune: "It's called a man who has done evil by nature but can't live by doing evil by himself! Last time Erlang was wrongly accused of cheating in the exam and was imprisoned. It turns out that someone is harming you behind your back! This person is no one else.
, that’s my classmate Ma Wenchang.”
"Who investigated this matter?" Zhang Ning was already a little angry, but he could still remain calm.
Thinking back to that time when I met Ma Wenchang outside Fuller Courtyard, the guy smiled politely on the surface, but he didn't want to stab someone in the back. He was this guy, and he even mentioned it deliberately.
Why did Yang Sihai have a conflict with me and want to frame Yang Sihai? How could I have offended him, and why did he want to harm me? Ma Wenchang is not a piece of shit classmate, she is worse than a prostitute whom I have only met once.
Zhang Shicai said: "According to Master Zhao, this Ma Wenchang went to report to a censor named Zhou in Nanzhili, which led to the incident of Erlang being wrongly accused. Unexpectedly, it didn't take long for the censor named Zhou to be implicated.
The imperial case that came to Beijing was taken to the Jinyiwei. Someone interrogated him about the whole story of falsely accusing Lu Zhen, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and brought up the informant Ma Wenchang. He was said to be an accomplice named Zhou, but it seemed that he
It’s not really a role. If Jin Yiwei didn’t come, Shangyuansi’s police officers would come and arrest him and put him in jail... You see, this harms others and ends up harming yourself!”
"His parents are very unbearable. I heard they are a single child." The uncle frowned and said, "Besides, if we repay evil with kindness, our Zhang family's reputation in the neighborhood will be good, otherwise we don't know what the neighbors will say about us."
Zhang Ning couldn't help but glared and said: "How to repay kindness with kindness?"
Zhang Jiujin immediately frowned and looked at him. He soon felt that speaking to his elders in this tone was too angry, so he suppressed his emotions and patiently said: "Uncle, please forgive me, I really don't understand this kind of thing."
There is nothing I can do. It is said that Ma Wenchang was an accomplice of Zhou Nezhi and was imprisoned without asking any questions. This is clearly an indiscriminate revenge by the Donggong faction. I went to plead for him. So whose side am I on? To put it bluntly, so many things have happened.
When Mr. Lu, the examiner, was suspected of cheating, it was the aftermath of a power struggle. Ma Wenchang and I were both chess pieces involved without knowing the truth. We tried our best to stay away, but Ma Wenchang came to the door on his own. His own brain...
Who else can you blame?"
"Erlang is right!" Zhang Shicai stood firmly on Zhang Ning's side, "It seems that Ma Wenchang did this derogatory thing because of Miss Wang. For this matter, he secretly persecuted us. What kind of favors are there now?
Can you tell me? We can’t let Erlang’s future be affected because of him.”
"That's alright." Zhang Jiujin said, "If you can't help, forget it. Our Zhang family is good to others, and over time we will see people's hearts and neighbors will understand."
The uncle was very old, and he did seem to be a bit indifferent to grudges, and was too afraid of getting into trouble. But Zhang Ning was relieved when he heard what he said. When he took a breath, he subconsciously looked around, but he didn't see Zhang Xiaomei. When he looked up, he saw
There is a streak of red in the window on the gray wall. It is the young girl wearing a little red coat, looking at Zhang Ning from a distance with a smile.
A pure smile makes people associate it with all kinds of beautiful things in the world. Just that gentle look can make people addicted to it and unable to extricate themselves. Everything around them has no color or luster.
Things outside are very boring.
"After cleaning up, brother can have a good sleep at night." Zhang Xiaomei shouted softly from the window.
It is also Nanjing Mandarin, why can't women such as aunt and sister-in-law speak it so tastefully? The high and low tones of the characters connect smoothly like streamlined lines, which is more beautiful than the lyrics of Yue Opera.
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