The Ma family's house was built lavishly. The gate at the entrance was painted red, and there were two stone lion statues placed at the door.
After Tong Wen Yao got off the carriage, a servant came to her immediately and asked, "Excuse me, are you the old man who helped my young master yesterday?" She was a little surprised. She had told Ma Yun'er yesterday that he would come today, but she didn't expect that they had already told the servants so early.
"That's right, I've prepared some small gifts, please accept them!
After handing it over to the servants, Tong Wenyao took Xing'er into the yard. The chrysanthemums inside were in full bloom, even the begonias were in bloom, and all kinds of precious flowers were blooming in the corridor. Tong Wenyao couldn't help but be amazed! This Ma family is too arrogant.
Before they reached the hall, they saw Ma Dong and Yun'er coming to pick them up.
"My benefactor, please come this way!" Following Ma Dong across a small bridge and through two corridors, we finally arrived at the Ma family's hall. This is a hall specially used to entertain distinguished guests. It is usually not open to the public. If the prefect or a high-ranking official comes, this hall will be used to welcome the guests.
After Tong Wen Yao arrived, Ma Dong asked him to sit on the high seat. Tong Wen Yao waved his hand. Seeing that he really didn't want to sit, Ma Dong didn't force him.
I sat down next to him and the maid brought tea. The white plate and pink pastries looked beautiful.
"Old man, have some tea."
Tong Wenyao opened the lid of the tea, and was greeted by the fragrance of peach blossoms.
This is the Peach Blossom Temple in the south, also known as Peach Blossom Tea. According to legend, in ancient times, there was a Rakshasa who destroyed farms and harmed human beings. He was killed by a passing monk. The monk said that if you use three or two pieces of peach blossoms, add peach blossoms to tea leaves before and after Qingming Festival and fry them with sulfur, the Rakshasa will go away when it smells this smell and will no longer come to cause harm!
The hot water opened up the wrinkles of the peach blossoms in the teacup, revealing them as clusters.
When you drink it, you can feel the fragrance and coolness.
Ma Dong and his sister bowed to him and thanked him, "Thank you for your help yesterday, old man. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me and I will definitely help you."
Tong Wenyao waved her hand.
He said, "No need. I came to you to ask about Kong Ming. It was Wu Ping who told me that if I wanted to find Kong Ming, I should come to Cangzhou to find you."
After hearing this, Ma Dong realized that he was able to get out of this predicament thanks to his brother.
He did not hide anything and said, "Uncle, Brother Ming went to the south. According to the date, he will be back soon. Uncle, you can stay at the Ma family for the next two days. I will let you know when Brother Ming comes back."
She was not surprised that she did not see Kong Ming immediately. After all, it was said that only Ma Dong knew his whereabouts. But fortunately, he came back after two days, which was also a good thing.
"Brother Ma, you are too polite. I am used to staying in inns. Now you want me to stay here, I am not used to it."
Now that she had gotten the answer she wanted, Tong Wen Yao opened her mouth to say goodbye, but Ma Dong held her back.
"Uncle, I have always remembered the kindness you showed me yesterday. Since you know Brother Ming, you are also my good friend. You won't refuse a meal from a good friend, right?" After saying that, he pulled Tong Wen Yao towards the table without giving any reason for refusal.
There was no food on the table yet, but as soon as she sat down on the stool, Ma Dong clapped his hands, and the servants at the door brought the dishes up one by one. To Tong Wen Yao's surprise, there was even a big lobster!
Putting aside the weather, just considering the speed of shipping in ancient times, the fact that this lobster didn't stink when it arrived must have taken a lot of thought. Judging from the abundance of this meal, the Ma family had put a lot of effort into their preparations!
Ma Dong said from the side, "Father is ill and cannot come to see the guests. I hope you can understand."
"No, no, this is a rejuvenating ointment I stumbled upon. Brother Ma, you can give it to your father!"
It was originally made for Guoer, but Ma Fuqiu obviously needed more. I will buy some medicine when I go back and make it for Guoer. That's also fine.
After Ma Dong took it, he said solemnly, "Thank you!"
After they had almost finished eating, Tong Wen Yao said goodbye to them. Ma Dong saw them out the door and thoughtfully sent a servant to drive a carriage to take Tong Wen Yao and the others back.
After returning to the inn, Tong Wen Yao discovered that the Ma family had sent a lot of good things to her room. The servant had not left yet. After he came in, he told Tong Wen Yao, "The young master asked me to give you these five thousand taels of silver notes." He respectfully presented it to Tong Wen Yao with both hands.
Tong Wen Yao glanced at the gift. Together with the five thousand taels of silver notes, the total amount given to her by the Ma family was about ten thousand taels. This was too expensive and she could not accept it. Moreover, considering that she would need Ma Dong to speak well of her later, she could not accept it even more.
The servant waited for a long time but didn't see him take it. He wanted to look up and peek, and then he heard Tong Wenyao say, "I won't accept this money, and I'll send this gift back too! I'm helping your master because he and Kong Ming are good brothers. I'll need your master to say a few good words for me in front of Kong Ming in the future."
The servant looked embarrassed, but seeing the old man's firm attitude, he took the gifts and banknotes and returned to the Ma family.
In the past two days, Tong Wen Yao took Xing'er shopping to buy New Year's goods. After all, the New Year is less than ten days away, and she doesn't know whether the house at home has been built!
Before I came to Cangzhou, I planned to come back in a few days, but now it has been almost half a month!
Fortunately, Tong Wenyao didn't have to wait too long. That day, Tong Wenyao met the Ma family's servant on the road. He panted and said, "Old man, Kong Ming is back and is now at the Ma family's mansion!"
She and Xing'er exchanged a glance, a hint of joy in their eyes. "In that case, let's go find him quickly!"
The carriage arrived at the Ma family's house. Ma Yun'er was standing at the door waiting for them. "Uncle, Xing'er, you're here. I'm inside to greet Brother Kong. I knew you were coming back, so I waited at the door specially."
A few days ago, the old man gave my dad a can of rejuvenating cream to apply. In just a few days, his face has recovered a lot. It is really God’s blessing that they met the old man.
Tong Wenyao said, "Thank you, Miss Yun'er."
It was still the same hall as last time. When Ma Dong saw her, he quickly stood up, and Kong Ming also stood up.
"Uncle, please sit down quickly!" Xing'er was pulled away by Ma Yun'er, and she came to find Kong Ming.
Ma Dong took the lead in introducing, "This is the old man who saved me, and this is Kong Ming!"
Tong Wen Yao looked at Kong Ming and said, "Junior greets Mr. Kong!" After hearing this, the two were stunned for a moment. Why did the old man call them juniors?
Seeing the two people's confused state, Tong Wenyao explained, "I dressed up when I went out. Mr. Kong, my surname is Tong, and I am now over nine years old!"
After hearing this, Kong Ming's face was surprised, and with a hint of surprise in his eyes, he said, "But it was sent by General Tong!"
Tong Wenyao nodded and replied, "Exactly! I believe Mr. Kong has also heard about the trouble in our family. Mr. Kong is very knowledgeable and has a wide range of experience. Now our family is in need of a teacher to teach and educate us. I wonder if Mr. Kong is willing?"
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