The wheels of the carriage creaked, covering up all the sounds in the market. There were still lights on the long street, and occasionally a few pedestrians could be seen, but many shops were closing. Through the swaying bamboo curtains, you could often see
I saw the store clerks holding wooden boards and lining the door frames of the stores. This kind of door panels is quite popular in the market in Nanjing, and its function should be equivalent to the modern rolling shutter door.
The carriage was relatively small, barely big enough for two people, and the lantern hanging by the window flickered on and off. The brother and sister sat side by side, silent and not very lively, as if they were each thinking about their own thoughts.
Now that arrangements have probably been made in Nanjing, Zhang Ning is mainly worried about what will happen after entering Beijing. He and Yang Shiqi have not yet determined the relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law. Others have obviously played a role in the transfer to official positions, so there are still rules.
, directly giving money is suspected of being a bribe, not to mention that his old man is not in need of this, but giving money will make him feel inferior, so he had prepared to give it to the troupe before.
Isn't it said that Yang Shiqi likes to listen to operas? The opera troupe who came from Nanjing happened to bring new songs, which not only expressed his feelings but also kept the handle. Although a person like Yang Shiqi had never entered Confucianism, he was a civil servant when he became an official, and his favorites were the fashionable scholars.
Those things he did were about elegance and sociability. As for the obvious ingratiation, Zhang Ning couldn't care less. Not everyone in Shilin followed a noble path, and there was still a market for bureaucrats and scholars who knew how to deal with others.
Now that Yang Shiqi is interested, should he express his feelings to his teacher Lu Zhen? Also, Yu Qian is a friend of the same generation. Last time when he helped rent a yard in Beijing, he even gave him money as a farewell. This was a favor, so let’s go from Nanjing.
It’s also appropriate to bring some unique gifts. Luo Yaoniang is a girl who cares about her very much. If you don’t give many surprises, you will let down other people’s feelings. In this world, no one owes you anything, and no one is born with a deserved gift.
Doing good to yourself unconditionally is the same as doing good to yourself.
Zhang Ning was still thinking about many complicated matters. His sitting posture was very upright, with his hands on his knees as if he were sitting in a military posture, but his body was much more relaxed.
"What date is brother's schedule set for?" The little sister's voice temporarily freed him from his chaotic thoughts. The gentle accent contained parting emotions and a touch of sadness, but it was simple and beautiful. Perhaps it did not involve interests.
Everything will appear simpler.
Zhang Ning replied: "The day after tomorrow."
The little girl looked lost and sad. She turned her head and looked out the window and stopped talking.
The streets in Nanjing were in good condition, but the carriage did not have a shock absorption system, and the balance of the horse was not very good, so it was a bit bumpy. During the shaking, his hand would touch the soft and cool ground from time to time.
He didn't have the nerve to lower his head to look at the thing, but he could imagine it was his little sister's little hand. The subtle touch, he wanted to get closer but couldn't, but he couldn't bear to take his hand away... At this moment, he had an illusion, like the cool breeze
Not in late autumn, but in the cold spring season.
I want to be with my brother. A crisp voice still seemed to be echoing in his ears. He closed his eyes and felt the emotions and memories carefully.
"I feel the same thing about what little sister is facing and how you feel..." Zhang Ning said gently. Preaching-style education is not good. He understands this truth, but now there is no chance of getting along with his sister in a hurry.
Many, language is the fastest and most effective way, there is no choice.
Fortunately, he had a correct attitude, and his equal tone and this opening statement made it easier for the little girl to accept the recognition. The words "empathy" made her turn around and listen, instead of reacting like she did to her uncle and aunt, "It's endless, I feel like it."
Don’t even let others sleep.” Everyone has feelings. Who doesn’t want to be understood and cared for?
Zhang Ning was very patient, especially with his younger sister. He slowly continued to enlighten: "Do you feel that you don't know anyone in the Su family, and you don't know what kind of life you will face, so you feel scared and uneasy?
"
"Yes." The little sister looked at his big eyes with a beautiful light in gratitude. Only Zhang Ning could say such a thing to her.
Zhang Ning smiled and took the opportunity to cover her small hand with his big hand. Naturally... he continued to maintain this expression and said, "Not only do you feel this way, my brother sometimes also has this kind of worry."
"I thought my brother was not afraid of anything and could do anything." Zhang Xiaomei gently snuggled into his arm.
For a moment, Zhang Ning didn't want to continue his education, for fear that if he opened his mouth to speak, he would destroy such tranquility and attachment, with a faint fragrance of youth. He was silent for a while before saying: "Sometimes I go to strange places, such as
When I went to Beijing once and then to Yangzhou, I always lacked... a sense of security. When you think about being alone and not knowing what will happen next, those days will be just as scary as you are now. You will miss the past and the familiar environment. But people have to
To gain a foothold in the world, life must go on, so you cannot escape. You must try to get used to it, and the unfamiliar will gradually become familiar."
"Yes." The younger sister responded softly, moved her body, leaned closer, put her soft breasts against his arm, and snuggled closer.
Zhang Ning didn't move. No one would see him in the carriage anyway. He asked with complicated emotions: "Have you figured it out?"
"Brother is right," said the younger sister.
"That's good..." Zhang Ning said seriously, duplicitously.
"I'm not afraid of being with people I don't know anymore." The little girl whispered to the side of his face. He could even feel the breath exhaled from her mouth, and then heard her continue to murmur, "I just
I’m afraid that once we get to know each other, there won’t be another person like my second brother, and no one will ever say these words to me again.”
Zhang Ning was speechless and sat there without moving.
Her voice was very soft, like a whisper just after waking up from sleep, or talking to herself, "I can't let go of my brother's appearance and your voice... I like holding my brother's hand like this the most."
Follow me..."
Zhang Ning didn't know how to deal with it. How could the relationship between brother and sister be so good that they became so dependent? Letting her get married was like weaning her off.
He realized that his behavior at this time was too ambiguous, and wanted to withdraw his hand, but he couldn't bear to make her sad... He was indeed doting on her, and he couldn't help doting on her.
He tried hard to keep his thinking clear and silently reorganized the relationship, but found that it was no simpler than the relationship between officials and scholars. The main reason was that it was too microscopic and difficult to quantify and analyze... It was very small.
But isn't it important? Which is more important, being promoted to a third-level official or earning 10,000 taels of silver, or being a little girl? Being small does not necessarily mean being light, at least it holds a lot of weight in Zhang Ning's heart.
After all, she was only sixteen years old, so she had to get married. This kind of order and rule that was created for the population needs of agricultural civilization itself was not perfect. People in ancient times were precocious and were forced to marry. To become a woman, you can only learn to learn.
As a leader of the family; in modern times, there are also girls who get pregnant as early as 12 or 13 when they encounter unkind people. This shows that early puberty is just a kind of social recognition.
Zhang Ning thought about it according to his own logic and felt that he was a bit cruel to his little sister... Maybe she should be given more time to grow up? Or is this just an excuse subconsciously made for herself?
He was thinking wildly when he suddenly felt that his cheeks were wet. He quickly turned around to hold up his little sister's face, only to see that she was crying silently. The tears made Zhang Ning's mood immediately become simpler. He didn't say anything nonsense.
Said: "You go to Beijing with me and stay with me to take care of you."
"Brother..." Zhang Xiaomei immediately sat upright, and the sad expression immediately disappeared from her face. She just choked with some doubts: "Are you serious about what you said?"
Zhang Ning nodded without any pressure: "The love between children is very attractive, but it's better for you to make it cry. I don't think this is the solution. Don't worry. When you really meet me, there is no need for my brother to force you.
I'm afraid it will be difficult to stop it at that time. You can live by my side and you don't have to worry about your uncle or the others talking about you all day long. It's such a simple thing."
It's completely a kind of doting. Before, he kept teaching his sister not to run away. Now he helps her escape, and she doesn't even have to worry about explaining things to her family. Zhang Ning thought to herself: But it's okay. It's not easy to cut off the chaos in Massachusetts. There are still a lot of things to do when you go to Beijing to be an official.
You have to worry about it and don’t have time to let personal matters affect your mood.
The little sister threw herself into Zhang Ning's arms, her joy beyond words, "Brother, that's great!"
Zhang Ning exhaled and pushed her aside: "Don't be too happy too early, I have to discipline you slowly."
The little sister was not afraid of him at all, and just turned a deaf ear to him. She wiped away her tears with her sleeves three times and turned her tears into a smile. The original sadness and gloominess in the carriage immediately disappeared completely, and the little sister recovered.
She looked like her usual self, chatting and joking lively, and asking questions like what the capital was like, how long it would take to leave, etc. She exuded a lively and youthful atmosphere. She was not Lin Daiyu to begin with. Without pressure, this was her original self.
Zhang Ning patiently answered the two questions, but the carriage arrived home.
Knocking on the door, I saw that no one in the family was asleep. The family members usually do not avoid worldly words and deeds, but at first glance, it was clear that they still cared about their little sister. Otherwise, they had already sent someone back to report that she was safe. Why wouldn't they be asleep? Obviously.
Worrying about things.
Zhang Ning went back to Wuyuan with his horseman. It was getting late tonight and he planned to stay at home later so as not to have to go back and forth. He took his little sister into the yard and saw his uncle Zhang Jiujin with an angry look on his face. He pointed at little sister Zhang and cursed: "I see
Your wings have grown strong and you are ready to fly!"
The cousin also said: "Why don't you go out during the day? We are looking for you everywhere. You are so disobedient."
"Say less." Mother-in-law Zou touched her son and whispered: "I'm not your biological sister. Erlang knows how to discipline." She thought Zhang Ning didn't hear.
Zhang Xiaomei lowered her head, speaking completely in front of her elder brothers as usual, but luckily today she subconsciously hid behind Zhang Ning. Maybe she wouldn't be so scared if her brother was in front of her.
The uncle's family are not bad people, they are just ordinary people. It is human nature to covet the glory of a rich family and dislike the poor and love the rich. What can be wrong? Zhang Ning tried hard to think of ways to communicate, trying to appease his family... But he has already
Realize that no one will be happy once you reject the Su family's marriage. Are your sweet words useless? A few words can be used as nothing but fifty thousand taels?
"Uncle... don't be angry, it's like this..." Zhang Ning forced a smile and said, "My little sister comes to me in a hurry when she has something to do. When she's in a panic, she doesn't think carefully... I'm also to blame for this, I'm confused too.
It took me a long time to think of sending someone back to report the news."
"That's all, has Erlang eaten?" Zhang Jiujin asked seriously. His good words, which were originally about caring for people's food and clothing, changed their taste in his mouth.
"Eat, eat." Zhang Ning nodded hurriedly. Can't he greet me in a different way after this time? I don't know if Zhang Jiujin will still have the intention to greet him after getting down to business...
{Piaotian Literature www.piaotian.net thanks all book friends for their support, your support is our greatest motivation}