Chapter 41
Chapter 41
After traveling for more than ten days, he was eager to return home. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the city gate, he saw his two children. It was such a pleasant surprise that Mr. Wen hurriedly got off the carriage.
He is already tall, and looks even thinner when he is dark-skinned.
Dark and thin, Wen Shuse was sure that he was his biological father and stepped forward to greet him, "My brother said that my father will arrive in Fengcheng in the next few days. I thought of trying my luck this morning, and I really picked him up."
Wen Huai was surprised. What a smart person! No wonder he and his father always thought of her wherever they went over the years.
Master Wen was obviously very happy. He asked around and was quite satisfied: "It seems that the soil and water of Fengcheng are good for people. You are the fairest in our family."
"That's because father and brother are too dark." Wen Shuse didn't appreciate it at all: "When father goes back, grandma probably won't recognize him."
Master Wen chuckled twice and said, "It doesn't matter if my son has some black spots." Then he asked her, "How is your grandmother? Is she in good spirits?"
Wen Shuse nodded and said, "It's fine, but I'm worried about my father all day long."
Speaking of this, Master Wen looked guilty. His parents were not far away, and he had not been around to show filial piety to his ancestors all year round, and he made them worry about him. He was not filial at all. He sighed and said, "Fortunately, your uncle's family took care of him." He thought, "How was your eldest sister's wedding banquet? Was it lively?"
Wen Huai, who was standing next to him, glanced at Wen Shuse. He would never forget everything he had experienced on the day he came back. Now that he had gotten through it, he had the leisure to see how she would deal with it.
Having had experience before, he was able to handle the situation with ease. Wen Shuse remained calm and said, "Father has just arrived. Let's go back first."
There was no end to the family affairs, and it was not too late to talk about them when we got home. Second Master Wen turned around and saw Wen Huai, with a look of surprise in his eyes: "Why are you wearing such clothes? They are more decent than the blue shirt you usually wear."
Wen Huai didn't mind making things worse, and added fuel to the fire: "Father, can't you recognize it? This is an official uniform."
Master Wen was stunned.
Wen Huai continued: "Does father like it? If so, there is another one at the Jade Fairy."
He's such a quick talker! She originally wanted to go back to the Wen family and talk slowly. Well, her father was already looking at her with a puzzled look on his face. Wen Shuse had no choice but to say, "My father has been gone for almost half a year. A lot of things have happened at home. I can't explain them all in a short time. Let's get in the carriage first and I'll talk to you slowly."
After saying that, he walked towards Master Wen's carriage.
Master Wen stopped her and said, "I know you like to eat clams, so I brought a carriage back. It's full and there's no room for you to sit. You'd better get on your carriage."
Clams again.
Such a familiar scene. It seemed as if he saw his past self in his father. Thinking of the horrible sight in the past, Wen Huai turned his head away, unable to bear to watch.
Wen Shuse hesitated to move. He turned around and glanced at the carriage parked on the side of the road, and suggested: "Why don't we walk back?"
Master Wen smiled and said, "We are still a long way from home. How long will it take to get there?" He couldn't wait to know, "Why is Wen Huai wearing an official uniform? What's going on?"
I guess I won't be able to wait until I get home. There are so many people coming and going at the city gate. I can't say it here. OK, we will meet sooner or later. "Father, let me introduce someone to you first."
Before Master Wen could come to his senses, Wen Shuse turned and walked towards the carriage parked nearby, stood beside the mullioned window, and knocked twice: "My dear..."
Before dawn today, the young lady came to knock on the door, forcibly pulled him out of bed, hurriedly put on his clothes, got on the carriage, and went to the government office to stake out.
They chased Wen San all the way to the city gate. The fourth lady of the Yu family left, but brought the second master of the Wen family back.
The carriage was parked not far away, and Xie Shao had heard the voices outside a long time ago. Due to his status, it was too awkward to meet them suddenly, so he wanted to wait for the young lady to go back and explain everything, and it would not be too late to meet them next time. Unexpectedly, after a few words, the young lady actually came to knock on the window first.
The sound of "dong dong" rang in my ears, and my back stiffened. I really didn't want to pay attention, but the young lady didn't give up and continued to knock: "My dear, are you awake? Father is back, come down and see him."
Xie Shao: ...
The words have been spoken, what else can I do?
After a while, the curtain of the carriage was opened from the inside, and a sleepy and handsome man got out.
When Master Wen heard Wen Shuse call him "Young Master", he was already dumbfounded. Now, when he saw the young master's true appearance getting out of the carriage, his eyes were filled with shock and he was completely at a loss for words.
Wen Shuse, however, pulled Langjun's sleeve in front of him, dragged him to her side and said with a smile, "Father, this is the third son of the Xie family, your son-in-law."
Xie Shao nodded slightly and saluted politely: "Father-in-law."
Master Wen stood there, looking at this and that, and didn't react for a long time.
Even if Wen Shuse didn't register for him, he would have recognized him. Wasn't this the only son of Xie Pushe, Xie Shao, the third son of the Xie family?
But why did he become his son-in-law?
As a person who has experienced this, Wen Huai especially understands this feeling. He knows that it is difficult for him to accept it. This is just the beginning, and there is more to come. So he said, "Father, get in the car and we'll talk later."
Wen Shuse and Mr. Wen Er entered the carriage one after another. Wen Huai and Xie Shao did not get in, but stood outside waiting.
Half an incense stick passed, and Master Wen inside yelled out, just like Wen Huai did at the beginning: "Ridiculous!"
Xie Shao put his hands behind his back and glanced at Wen Huai. Wen Huai turned his neck to the side and looked at the horizon. He had at least entered the city and taken a tour of Fengcheng that day, and his father had just entered the city gate this time.
The blow was quite severe, but there was no movement inside.
After a delay, the sun had already risen and it was getting late. Xie Shao looked at Wen Huai and said, "I have an appointment with a few staff members today. Can you lend me the horses of the soldiers? I will visit you another day."
Is he going to escape?
Wen Huai refused out of embarrassment: "My family is bankrupt, and the horses have not been fed with fodder these days. I am afraid that my brother-in-law will be hurt. It is safer for my brother-in-law to ride in a carriage."
With the words "brother-in-law is killing me", Xie Shao could not move and could only wait. After another half incense stick of time, Master Wen finally lifted the curtain and got down from the carriage.
No one knew what Wen Shuse had said to him. When he saw Xie Shao again, he was actually very polite and asked him, "Is Xie Pushe not back yet?"
Although Mr. Xie had resigned long ago, many people in Fengcheng still called him that, so it was not surprising. Xie Shao nodded and said, "Grandmother Ruan of Yangzhou is ill. My father and mother are going to visit her, so I'm afraid it will take some time."
"I wanted to visit him a while ago. I will come to visit him again when he comes back." These words showed his attitude and tacitly agreed to the marriage.
It was easier than he thought. Xie Shao bowed and said, "Waiting for you, father-in-law."
Master Wen secretly took another look and found that the man was indeed good-looking. He swallowed his pain and didn't want to talk more: "Let's go back first." He turned around and went back to sit in his own clam carriage.
Wen Huai jumped on his horse and walked in front, raising his horse's hooves and walking very agilely.
As he was looking at her, his wife opened the window and called him again: "My dear, aren't you going to be on duty? Come up quickly. I'll take you to the intersection later. I'll go back to the Wen family first. Can you walk over by yourself?"
Mr. Wen is returning today, and the young lady must go to the Wen family with him.
When returning to the Wen family from the city gate, one will pass by the palace, but it is only a few steps away, so it is not a problem.
After getting into the carriage, the young lady looked as if nothing had happened, as if her enthusiasm just now was just to get by. After the man left, she was no longer of any use to him, so she immediately left him aside.
Feeling unhappy, he asked curiously, "Does your father have any objection?"
Wen Shuse knew what he was asking and shook her head, "My dear, you are so handsome and an official. My father must be very fond of you."
This was too much of a lie. His memory was not so bad as to forget how this marriage came about. He looked up at the young lady inquiringly, and suddenly understood something. He asked, "Are you saying that you like me?"
It turns out that we are from the same field and our guess is correct.
Wen Shuse had nothing to hide: "What else can I do? In order to reassure everyone, I can only sacrifice myself and make up such an excuse."
As a result, the man opposite said sarcastically: "Young lady is really different, with a broad mind, and she likes so casually."
Wen Shu was stunned for a moment, and asked, "How will you explain this to your father and mother?"
How difficult is that: "Tell the truth."
To be honest, that means we are going our separate ways.
I don't know when the Second Master and the Second Mistress will be back, but it should be soon. We have finally managed to appease the three people in the mansion, and it would not be a good idea to be exposed so soon.
Wen Shuse discussed with him in a gentle voice: "My dear, why don't you wait for a while? I see that we have been getting along pretty well these days. Let's just make do with each other for now. When you or I find someone we like in the future, we can part ways amicably. What do you think?"
What do you mean, do you want to separate?
The person she likes, the second son of the Ming family?
That's right. It was a wrong start. There has to be an end. She, a young lady, is not afraid of reputation, so why should he be afraid? "Okay, let me know when it's convenient." She turned around and told the coachman, "Stop the car."
Before Wen Shuse could react, he stood up, opened the car door, lifted the curtain and jumped out.
Before they reached the destination, Wen Shuse leaned out of the window to remind him, but saw her husband rushing into the street without looking back, with an air of parting ways. She was stunned for a moment, not understanding how she had offended him.
The carriage drove towards the Wen Mansion. Master Wen was not as relaxed as he seemed. He was still sitting in the carriage, not yet able to recover.
Who would have thought that our ancestor, who had been wise all his life, actually did such a foolish thing. If we talk about fault, both the Xie and Wen families are not free from responsibility.
It's all wrong. I've been married for more than a month. How can I get her back in one piece? Since it can't be reversed, I can only accept it.
The only consolation is probably that Gaoxian herself likes it.
Her own daughter knew that since she was young, she would take a second look at someone good-looking. Xie San's appearance was just what she wanted.
Looking at it from a bright side, even if Xie Pushe resigned, he was once the prime minister of a country. The character of the children he taught cannot be bad.
When it comes to laziness and wastefulness, he knows what kind of character his daughter is. No one is unworthy of anyone. Instead, he is glad that the Xie family did not send her back on the spot.
Judging from Xie San's attitude just now, the two seemed to get along well.
Although he didn't get to see her get married in person, as a parent, all he wanted to see was his children living a stable life. As long as the two of them could live in harmony in the future, he would have nothing to complain about.
The shock in his heart was barely calmed down, and he suddenly remembered that he had originally wanted to ask Wen Huai how he got the official position, but his thoughts were disrupted by her thunder.
When they arrived at the Wen family, Master Wen asked Wen Shuse again as soon as they got off the carriage: "What's the matter with Bo Wen's official position?"
Before Wen Shuse could answer, someone had already been seen at the door and came to greet him warmly, "Second Master is back."
After this voice, the deserted courtyard finally became a little lively. The maid who was sweeping the fallen leaves in the front yard threw away the broom in her hand and said, "Go and tell the old ancestor that the second master is back."
Having not been back home for half a year, Second Master Wen put aside his words and looked around the mansion. He only saw three or five servants along the way. He turned around and asked, "Why are there so few people?"
The time was almost right. He was afraid of being exposed when he saw his grandmother later, so Wen Shuse stopped him and said, "Father, please go to the front hall first. I have something to tell you."
Just now, when I entered the city gate, I was frightened by her. There are many things I haven't asked about properly. When the people from the eldest house are here, it is indeed inconvenient to say some things: "It's just right, I also have a few things to say to you and your brother."
There is no need to go to the front hall, just sit in the pavilion by the lotus pond in the backyard.
Wen Shuse took the initiative to give way: "Father, please speak first."
His matter was a happy one, so there was no rush. He wanted to find out Wen Huai's official position: "You go first, tell me everything that happened in the mansion in the past six months, no matter how big or small, tell me everything."
Wen Shuse did not hide it any more and told him: "More than half a month ago, I bought an official position for my brother."
It turned out to be bought.
Along the way, he had already guessed that she was marrying the second wife of the Xie family, not the eldest son of Deputy Envoy Xie. Not to mention that Xie Pushe was not in Fengcheng now, even if he was in Fengcheng, he did not have the ability or need to arrange an official position for his uncle's family.
Just buy an official position. Bowen is too old to follow him to sea all the time. Buying an official position is a good thing. He asked, "How much money?"
Wen Shu was ambiguous and answered irrelevantly: "Father, you may not know that my brother is not only Mr. Wen, but also a military officer. He handled a case a few days ago and it was quite impressive."
Master Wen looked at Wen Huai unexpectedly, his eyes were relieved, and he couldn't help but teasing: "Really? I thought he only knew how to catch crabs."
Seeing that his father was indeed led astray by her, Wen Huai had already been fooled, and waved his sleeves: "Father, let her continue."
Master Wen turned around, his eyes still kind: "You say."
Wen Shuse smiled at him and said, "I bought one for my father as well."
Master Wen's expression gradually hardened, and he bought him one too, which meant two...
She could still scrape together the money for one portion by moving the cash she had on hand, but for two portions, that was unlikely as he didn't have that much money to give her.
Unless the price of official positions is reduced.
But she said, "I sold all the shops and used my grandmother's treasure to buy food. It just so happened that Luoan was suddenly at war and there was a shortage of food. My father and brother were destined to be officials in this life. Otherwise, under the strict rule of Prince Jing, they would not have been able to buy such an official position."
Master Wen's reaction was exactly the same as Wen Huai's. He was stunned for a long time, and asked with a fluke: "How many shops are left?"
"What else is left? It's gone." Wen Shuse was surprised by Mr. Wen's question: "Our shops can buy two official positions, which is already a good deal. The entire property of the second branch of the Xie family was exchanged for an official position..."
Wait a minute, what is Xie family...
Master Wen couldn't keep up.
Wen Huai couldn't help it, so he interrupted and said bluntly: "Not only our family, but also Xie Pushe's property was squandered by her."
Simple and clear, what's there to not understand?
The shocking thunder finally hit Mr. Wen. The Wen family's shop was gone, and even the Xie family's property was gone...
Thankfully, she was completely unharmed.
Master Wen stared blankly at the girl who had made him so proud just a moment ago, and suddenly became a creditor who came to collect debts. The gap was too big, and he didn't know how to react for a moment, and couldn't help cursing: "You, you..."
Wen Shuse said promptly: "Uncle and aunt have gone to Dongdu and will not be back. Let father and brother fulfill their filial duties in front of grandmother."
Master Wen was shocked again.
Wen Shuse continued to bombard her: "Everyone has left. Now only the old ancestor is left in the mansion. She is so cold and lonely. She keeps asking me when my father will come back. My grandmother is so pitiful."
Master Wen:......
When the ancestor was mentioned, Master Wen instantly lost his temper and sat down on the stone bench, not knowing whether he should scold the prodigal son in front of him or reflect on himself first.
After a while, seeing that his expression seemed to have eased a little, Wen Shuse said carefully: "Father is also a ninth-rank official, and also serves as an observation official. I have asked Madam Zhou, and he is mainly responsible for supervising the people coming and going in Le City and maintaining order. Father is away from home all year round and sees a lot of people, so he must be very good at it."
Master Wen felt dizzy and raised his hand to cover his forehead.
Wen Shuse persuaded him again: "If you keep the money on you, it will be spent sooner or later. An official position can protect you for life. Not to mention father and brother, if I were a son, I would also want to buy an official position to do it." Weiwei moved closer and pulled the sleeve of Master Wen, and whispered: "Last time I heard from my brother that father made a lot of money from aquatic products this year. Can't we make a comeback?"
Master Wen's heart skipped a beat and his face became defensive.
Wen Shuse was glared back at him, sat up straight, and then asked, "What did father want to say to me just now?"
What can she not lose? His Wen family and Xie family are both so rich. What else can she not squander? Second Master Wen's mood turned rapidly. He suddenly waved his hand and said, "Don't count on it. I'm bankrupt too. I came back penniless this time."
Wen Shuse was stunned.
Wen Huai beside him was also startled, turned around and asked, "What's going on?"
Master Wen sighed, his face full of sorrow: "On the way back, we encountered a storm, the boat capsized, and I lost all the money I had..."
It's like adding insult to injury when it rains.
The whole family was counting on Master Wen's return to resolve the family's predicament, but the rumors turned out to be true, and Master Wen lost all his money on this trip.
All that was left of his possessions was a cartload of clams.
When Xie Shao heard the news, he was still a little bit unconvinced. Thinking of the look on Master Wen's face at the city gate, he didn't look like he had gone bankrupt.
It was not until dusk that he saw the young lady returning home listlessly, carrying a basket of clams to him, and said, "My father asked me to share some with you, my dear. You should eat them sparingly, as there will be none left for the next meal." The next day, he met the dejected Master Wen at Prince Jing's mansion, and only then did he believe it.
The bankruptcy was so complete that all three official positions, one for each position, came in handy this time.
It took several days to finally deal with the staff of the palace. Today, Xie Shao followed Pei Qing to continue patrolling Le City. As soon as he came out of the seafood stall, someone called out, "Mr. Xie." Then he heard a voice behind him, "Mr. Wen."
The two officials turned around at the same time. They were both wearing ninth-rank official uniforms. One was old, the other was young. They were both in a state of confusion. After looking at each other, Xie Shao stepped forward to greet them. He was on duty and could not establish a relationship with them. After a brief pause, he followed the others in calling out, "Wen Yuanwai."
We met briefly that day and didn't talk much. Le City was different from Qiao City, with many people around. Second Master Wen pointed to a teahouse under a big banyan tree in front and said, "Have a seat."
When the father-in-law and son-in-law met, they naturally had something to talk about. Pei Qing did not follow them. He said goodbye to them and returned to the yamen first.
It was already lunch time, and Xie Shao was not full after drinking tea. He happened to pass by a stall and bought a few sesame cakes.
Master Wen looked at the flat purse in his hand and suddenly felt mixed emotions.
He had also seen what kind of life the third son of the Xie family lived in Fengcheng before.
It is no exaggeration to say that there is a world of difference.
Thinking that it was her own prodigal son who squandered all the other person's fortune, she was thankful that the other person didn't divorce her. She felt extremely guilty and asked Xie Shao to wait in the tavern first while she went to the bar across the street.
When he came back, he was holding a food box with a roast chicken in it. He smiled and pushed it to Xie Shao: "I secretly hid a few taels of silver on me when I came back. Eat it, my dear son-in-law. When you're done, go back and don't tell her."
I had to accept him at the city gate before, and it was a bit reluctant. Now I am truly satisfied. If it had been someone else who had met such a prodigal, I would have been in chaos.
The babies are coming!
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