22 Wind in the Building
◎ Really interesting ◎
Ruiyang County.
The sky was still dim at this time, and it was difficult to tell whether it was the moon or the sun hanging high in the sky.
All the restaurants near Changning River had turned off the lights, and the shops were bustling with activity. Those who were counting the bills, mopping the floors, and clearing the tables were busy with their tasks without even looking up.
There was only one lantern hanging high, and the waiter was unhurried.
They received the news that the host was hosting a banquet for distinguished guests today.
The time was chosen exactly at the hour of Mao.
There were few people at this time, and they were enjoying the leisure time. At first glance, they all seemed to be doing their own things, but in fact, everyone's eyes were fixed on the door.
Here it comes.
With the driver's "Whoa", not long after, a folding fan lifted the door curtain, and a handsome young man walked out with a smile.
Seeing that there was no one behind him, the shopkeeper then began to greet his boss.
Jing Wenshu's smile suddenly became even brighter, and the brightly blooming flowers on the stairs seemed to pale in comparison.
He stretched out his slender fingers and put them to his lips, making a gesture of silence.
The shopkeeper understood and retreated.
As soon as he retreated to the counter, the curtain that had just stopped swaying was lifted up by someone.
Along with a clumsy exclamation, a chill rushed in.
Tian Nong Le Ren then appeared.
His brows were originally furrowed, and the unevenness in his brow arch had been forcibly smoothed out before it was even smoothed out.
When he smiles, he clearly has a frail and handsome face, but one can always tell that he has some hidden thoughts, and it's as if the smile never reaches his eyes.
This time he was not as confident as last time, and he seemed much more humble. He had been trying to maintain some dignity outside just now, but now he lost some strength as soon as he entered the door. He did not expect that there were so many servants in Linqing Pavilion at this time. His face was full of laughter and tears, which made everyone exchange expressions.
Jing Wenshu had already gone upstairs when he lifted the curtain. Tian Nong Le suppressed his anger and followed the servant who led him upstairs to the private room on the second floor.
Before going down to the west pavilion, Tian Nongle took out a purse from his bosom, gave the servant a piece of silver as a reward, and then bent over and pushed open the door.
Jing Wenshu did not sit down. He was standing by the window, looking at the pale sky outside.
"Lord Jing." Tian Nong Le put the tea set he had picked up from the warehouse on the table. Unfortunately, it touched the white porcelain plate containing snacks, which made a jingling sound, making his already anxious heart hang even higher.
He moved the plate, and Jing Wenshu came over. He looked at the tea set on the table and said with a smile: "Second uncle is very polite. I feel so rude."
When Tian Nong Le heard how he addressed him, he felt even more embarrassed.
Today he only brought half of the silver notes agreed upon that day.
Tian Nong Le never went out without servants. Outsiders thought it was difficult to be the son-in-law of a wealthy family, but he knew that if he was found out by using the power of the banker to do something illegal, he would be in trouble. Therefore, he was extremely careful in his daily life.
He never shows up easily.
This time it’s because…
Tian Nongle sat down near the door and said, "I don't deserve to be called Second Uncle by Master Jing."
Jing Wenshu flicked the candlelight and stopped chatting. "Second Uncle, the money we agreed on..."
He was halfway through his words when he looked at Tian Nong Le with his watery peach blossom eyes.
The anxiety in his eyes almost overflowed.
Tian Nong Le rubbed his palm and said soothingly, "Of course I brought it."
He took out a dozen banknotes from his pocket, placed them on the table, and pushed them to Jing Wenshu who was sitting opposite him.
Jing Wenshu took it and counted it carefully, then said, "This is only 1,500 taels, and I want 3,000 taels."
His tone suddenly turned cold, and he frowned and asked, "Second Uncle, do you not trust me?"
"How could that be?" Tian Nong Le smiled awkwardly, "It's just that I can only take out this much at a time."
Jing Wenshu's expression became more solemn, he remained silent, and the air around him was filled with disbelief.
Tian Nong Le had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Something happened at home, and these are all I have now."
“…”
Jing Wenshu snorted coldly: "In that case, I can't accept these 1,500 taels. I can only find someone who can give me 3,000 taels."
Seeing him getting up to leave, Tian Nongle hurriedly stopped him.
Jing Wenshu squinted at him without saying a word.
Tian Nong Le was greedy for money, so he ignored the dissuasion of the people behind him and insisted on going to the appointment. Now that he saw that Jing Wenshu was determined to go, his suspicion was dispelled, and he forcibly dragged Jing Wenshu, who was half a head taller than him, to sit down again.
He poured a cup of tea for Jing Wenshu and said with a smile, "Master Jing, calm down. I really didn't mean to lie to you."
"Second uncle is taking advantage of me because I'm from a humble family and don't know the details of the banker's family, yet he's lying to me." Jing Wenshu held his face and snorted coldly, "At the very least, I'm still the third place scholar personally appointed by the emperor. The banker's vision is really narrow."
Tian Nongle smiled apologetically, "Master Jing, you are worrying too much. How could the banker not trust you? I really can't come up with so much money right away."
Jing Wenshu: "In the final analysis, it's still the big man behind my second uncle who looks down on Jue Qian."
He was so vague that Tian Nongle was taken aback. He also said, "I'm not afraid of being looked down upon by Master Jing. All family affairs are decided by my father-in-law. I'm just an errand boy."
He was a scholar who could not lift anything with his hands or carry anything on his shoulders. He was doted on by his father at home and never had to work in the fields. But in the village, he became a "runner".
This sounded like something that couldn't stand up to scrutiny, but Jing Wenshu didn't refute it. He just glanced at Tian Nong Le superficially, and his smile disappeared in an instant.
This is half true and half false. What is true is that all important matters of the banker are indeed finalized by Mr. Zhuang himself; what is false is that he is not even a "runner".
Zhuang Xueling is the only heir of this generation in the Zhuang family. He is extremely intelligent and has long been the default future head of the Zhuang family.
He only had the reputation of being the son-in-law of the Zhuang family, and was respected as the son-in-law in the mansion because of Zhuang Xueling's love.
The servants under him did not know that he was just a figurehead and respected him. For a moment, he himself felt that he had risen to the top and become the master.
But how can love be enough when it is taken away at any time?
Zhuang Xueling always had a cold and aloof look. From the first time they met until now, he had always been humble to him. His fellow disciples only thought that he was good-looking and envied him for marrying into a wealthy family, but they did not know his hardships.
Is there any man in the world who doesn’t like a gentle, soft, and charming woman?
Even the third place winner in the imperial examination at Yaolin Qiongshu is no exception.
Tian Nongle took a sip of the warm tea and leaned in to tell his story.
It's just that it's difficult to be a son-in-law from a wealthy family, and the daughter of the Zhuang family has little chance of having children. It's really difficult for him to mediate alone.
Both of them pretended to be ignorant although they knew the truth. One of them repeatedly promised that he would collect enough banknotes in a few days, while the other frowned and seemed extremely reluctant.
Finally, Jing Wenshu collected the banknotes from the table and stood up, seemingly unwilling to say more. He simply said, "You and I are destined to meet. I can wait, but the debt collector can't. I'll take the money first." He stepped over the threshold and then continued indifferently, "If you don't send the other half in ten days, I'll make you taste prison."
After saying that, he walked away.
Tian Nongle looked at the tea set on the table that had not been taken away for a while, then laughed out loud through gritted teeth.
A rookie is just a rookie, he even looks timid when trying to bluff others.
He did not take the threat seriously. Instead, because of Jing Wenshu's attitude, he developed some distrust of the person behind it.
A mere three thousand taels, only a small trader would truly believe that he couldn't come up with it.
But no matter what, at least it proves that he is right.
Jing Wenshu was really at his wit's end, which was consistent with his investigations in recent days.
Jing Wenshu went out the door but did not go downstairs. He turned sideways and looked behind him. Seeing that Tian Nong Le did not follow him, he quickly turned around and went upstairs.
In the innermost private room on the third floor.
The man, dressed in white, stood in the shadows, looking elegant and graceful, but his words were harsh, "Even though you are a ninth-rank official, it's really funny that you rush to call out to your second uncle who lends money."
Jing Wenshu sneered and thought to himself, "I'm afraid you want to shout but can't." He didn't show it on his face. He just bowed and recounted what had just happened in detail.
The net is about to be closed, and it's time for him to leave.
Lin Luan tapped the table unconsciously, his eyes already fixed on the pedestrians downstairs.
It was already mid-day when Tian Nong Le walked out of Linqing Pavilion. Fortunately, only unfortunate people would be running around on the streets at this time.
Everyone was busy on their way and didn't even glance at him.
He was happy and relaxed, walking slowly towards the manor house alone.
Today, Ruoshui Academy is closed for ten days, which is a rare time for the father and son to reunite.
A few days ago, Tian Nong Le had promised his son that he would accompany him for the whole day, but now he has changed his mind.
How can a short reunion be as important as long-term companionship?
"I want freshly baked ones." Tian Nong Le took out ten coins from his pocket and handed them to the vendor who was packing plum blossom cakes with his eyes lowered, and did not forget to ask, "My wife only likes to eat hot ones."
Zhuang Mansion and Linqing Pavilion were only separated by a street. When Tian Nong Le walked back to the mansion, the plum cake in his arms was still steaming.
The doorman bowed when he saw him. One of the more attentive ones even took the pastries from his hand and brought them in. Tian Nongle hurriedly waved his hand to explain that these were for his wife, and then he entered the house under the admiring gazes of the two men.
Zhuang Xueling's wing was on the westernmost side of the Zhuang Mansion. Tian Nong Le walked over carrying cakes, and the servants who came and went stopped what they were doing and saluted him.
Tian Nong Le liked such scenes very much, so he was kind and friendly to his servants most of the time.
When he arrived at Rong Building where Zhuang Xueling lived, two little girls in goose yellow skirts were whispering and giggling with their backs to him, and they didn't notice anyone approaching.
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter. Their bell-like laughter made Tian Nong Le smile a little as well. He stood not far away and just happened to hear what the two were saying.
One person's expression was a little more serious. "...You're trying to get money, but you still don't believe me."
Another laughed so hard he couldn't breathe, "So this whole family has become obsessed with our banker."
"That's right. It's okay as long as my uncle's parents are here, and the adopted child is also half a member of the village family. How come this niece also..." The man's voice became softer and softer. He had already seen Tian Nong Le and suspected that he had heard him. His face turned pale and he was so scared that he couldn't speak. He grabbed the sleeve of the girl next to him and pulled it hard again and again.
The other girl had her back to Tian Nong Le and hadn't noticed anything unusual about the people around her. She took over the conversation and continued, "You didn't see her come that day? The little girl is young but very thoughtful. When she came to the mansion, she didn't visit her grandfather or her brother, and she didn't even ask about her son-in-law. She went straight to our young lady."
She wanted to continue talking, but became impatient with the interruptions of the people around her, so she stopped talking with a click of her tongue and looked in the direction that person was looking.
I was shocked when I saw this!
She was quick-witted and quickly pushed away the hands of the people around her, forcing her companions to salute together.
Tian Nong Le then walked over and asked them to stand up indifferently. The two of them waited for the trial, and cold sweat broke out on their backs in an instant.
"Why don't you come in?" A gentle voice appeared along with the wind, and Zhuang Xueling was standing at the gate of the courtyard without knowing when.
She seemed unaware of the three men's dirty thoughts, and stood there coldly and lonely, not quite matching the surrounding spring scenery.
Tian Nongle forced a smile and walked up quickly without even glancing at the two maids.
The two rescued maids felt relieved, their legs went limp, and they walked away supporting each other.
In the yard, the couple walked back to their room side by side.
Tian Nong Lexu supported his wife and asked, "Why are you up so early?"
"I just couldn't sleep."
"Second Mother came? Why didn't you tell me?" Tian Nongle added, "I just heard from the servants that it bothered you."
"She said she missed her brother." Zhuang Xueling smiled. "Second Mother has a good temper, how could she be bothered? I said Jiaci was not around, and asked her to keep me company to relieve my boredom, so I kept her for a while."
The two chatted for a while and returned to their room. Tian Nong Le looked tired. Zhuang Xueling took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. She said with concern, "Take a break. You're not feeling well to begin with."
Tian Nongle agreed. Less than half an incense stick had passed since he lay down on the chaise longue when he heard a man running towards him from afar. He ran like a headless fly for a long time and finally knocked on the door.
Zhuang Xueling opened the door. The servant was panting and wanted to salute, but was stopped. He then bowed and said something.
“…”
He looks unfamiliar, probably serving in the outer courtyard.
Tian Nongle felt that it had nothing to do with him and closed his eyes again.
With a "click", the door closed again.
The woman's soft footsteps grew closer and closer, stopping in front of him.
"Yuejun..."
"Dad is dead."
【Author’s words】
Someone's about to start a big fight (rubbing their hands in anticipation). I finally finished writing, but the list is closed. This is not life, is this how you treat me... (looking up at the sky at a 45-degree angle). I'll save the manuscript for a week and post it later, don't worry (although no one cares). Ahhh, I'm a little overwhelmed.
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