Chapter 14
Chapter 14
The ancestors of the Wen family lived in Fengcheng. In order to express his gratitude to old man Wen for his love and admiration, Emperor Wenchang specially ordered people to buy this house in Fengcheng, which inadvertently left a way out for the Wen family.
After the emperor ascended the throne, Mr. Wen was demoted and his family moved back to Fengcheng. The original grand gate in front of the mansion was demoted and replaced with a simple house-style gate.
There is a stone screen wall painted with pine and bamboo, and a plain corridor, which is not impressive at all. Only after entering a door can you see the carved beams and painted rafters, and realize the former glory of this house.
Wen Shu was eager to go home, with Aunt Tongqing walking in front to lead the way, while Xie Shao and Old Madam Xie followed three or five steps behind. The messenger followed Old Madam Wen's instructions and brought them to Xinyuan Hall, serving them tea.
After half a cup of tea, voices were heard outside the house. Wen Shuse's heart tightened, and he stretched his neck to look out the lattice window. He saw Madam Wen leading Aunt Cao and two maids down the corridor. After more than ten days of longing and various misfortunes, he didn't care about whether he would be laughed at by others. He stood up and walked out quickly. He stepped out of the door and stood on the step. Looking at the old woman in her sixties in front of him, he called out in a buzzing voice, "Grandma."
Without waiting for Madam Wen's reaction, she lifted her skirt again, walked quickly down the hall, walked up to her and hugged her, "I miss my granddaughter so much."
He was brought up by Madam Wen since he was a child, and the relationship between the two is like that of mother and son. When Wen Shuse was a child, he would often throw himself into Madam Wen's arms when he was happy. After he grew up and became sensible, he knew what the rules were, and he had not been so willful for a long time.
Mrs. Wen was so touched by her hug that tears welled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath and forgot about everything else. She just patted her shoulder and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm glad you're back."
The grandfather and grandson hugged each other in the yard and expressed their longing for each other. In the house, Old Madam Xie felt more and more uneasy. She turned her head to look at her grandson who was bored, and leaned over to give him some advice, "The old fox in the Wen family is very cunning. It depends on you whether you can take your beloved back home today. Be more careful later. Think about your brother's daily conversation. Learn a few things from him so that the old man will feel at ease. The same goes for the eldest and the third son."
The only person in the Xie family who could speak to him like this was Old Madam Xie.
Previously, Xie Shao had repeatedly assured her that Wen Er was the one he loved, but now he has ended up tying himself up in knots.
Before Xie Shao could respond, a group of people outside had already walked into the house. Old Madam Xie looked serious and asked Xie Shao hurriedly, "Can you help me check if you are still energetic?"
Old Madam Xie had dressed up specially today. When she got off the carriage, she asked Nanzhi to put some powder on her face. Now, she didn't know if it was because of nervousness or the effect of the powder, but her face, which was pale yesterday, looked a lot rosier now.
Xie Shao nodded helplessly, "Spirit."
Madam Xie was still worried, she straightened her back, stood up and said, "No, I have to go to the door to meet someone."
Madam Wen was about to step over the threshold when she recalled Madam Xie's face. She paused and turned to ask Wen Shuse in a low voice, "I don't look bad, do I?"
Wen Shuse took her arm and praised her in her ear, "Grandma is in great spirits."
As soon as the voice fell, a figure suddenly walked out from the door, and the voice was extremely loud, "Hey, sister, we haven't seen each other for a long time."
Old Madam Wen looked up and recognized the old fox in front of her at a glance.
In the past few days, each of them has been talking about the other's name.
So, the two people who were lying on the bed together yesterday, took a deep breath and used all their mental strength. Neither of them wanted to show any sign of fatigue in the other.
Although they had cursed each other thousands of times in their hearts, they still had to maintain their dignity when they met. Madam Wen smiled, "Isn't it true? It's been almost half a year. I heard that the old lady fell ill a few days ago. I should have gone to visit her, but I was delayed by the affairs of the mansion. Please don't blame me, old lady." Then she instructed Nanzhi, "Madam Xie is weak, ordinary tea will not work, go and get some warm tonic..."
Mrs. Xie's face was slightly stiff. "It's just a toothache for a while, it's not an old illness. I'm sorry to make you worry." She added, "Last time, you were ill, and I was too busy to visit you..."
When girls are young, they compete to see who has a better marriage; when they are married, they compete to see whose husband loves them more; when they have children, they compete to see whose children are more successful; and in old age, in addition to family honor, they compete to see who has a healthier body.
Neither of them gave in mentally nor in verbal combat.
It was precisely because the two of them were familiar with each other before, and had sat together and gossiped about many aristocratic families, that the old lady of this family was of poor moral character and should not be a close friend, while the old lady of that family was thoughtful and should be guarded against.
Now that the two of them have become such a laughing stock, both sides can foresee that with the other's mouth, they must have made up a lot of stories about themselves behind their backs.
The two of them each had their own secrets, and after entering the house, Madam Wen shifted her attention away from Madam Xie and looked towards Xie Shao.
She had only heard of him in the past, but today was the first time she saw him. When she saw his face, she immediately remembered the letter that Wen Shuse had sent back, saying that she was bewitched by the Third Young Master.
He does look like a guy that girls like, but good looks can't make a living, and in terms of character, he is no match for the eldest son...
Seeing someone coming in, Xie Shao stood up and greeted, "Junior Xianwei greets the old lady."
Sun Xu, who did not get her ideal husband, married a prodigal son who was famous in Fengcheng. How would the two prodigal sons live in the future when they got together? Old Madam Wen was not interested and nodded politely without saying a word.
The maidservant brought new tea, and for a moment the only sound left in one's ears was the "ding-dong" sound of the porcelain tea lids, and then there was no sound at all.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent and no one spoke. Everyone was aware of the embarrassment that was before them, but no one wanted to bring it up first.
In the end, it was Old Madam Wen who spoke first, and politely asked Old Madam Xie, "Is Prime Minister Xie not at home?"
Madam Xie was not on guard at all and answered truthfully, "Last month, Madam Ruan fell down, and she took the child's mother to Yangzhou half a month ago."
"No wonder." Madam Wen gently put down the teacup in her hand. "When Xie Pushe was an official, his reputation was known throughout Dafeng. He was a man of integrity and selflessness, and his honesty towards others was beyond words."
When it comes to replacing people, she and Old Man Xie are both to blame, and no one can blame anyone else.
But her own granddaughter had been married for more than ten days, and she was counting the hours to live. If old man Xie had any conscience, he should have come to give her an explanation long ago, but he pretended to be deaf and dumb, and even took the tactic of detaining her, not even letting her come in.
It's really a loss of morality in old age...
Old Madam Xie's eyelids jumped. This was a mockery of her character being worse than her own son's...
This side is also not willing to admit defeat, "Speaking of reputation, how can it compare to Master Wen of your family, a generation of imperial tutor, the master of a country. In terms of character and integrity, who dares to be above the Wen family."
The two old ancestors, half buried in the ground, started a verbal battle. The people below were so nervous that they dared not say a word.
Wen Shuse had also experienced this, and couldn't help thinking to himself that when the older generation quarreled, they were just like the younger generation, digging up their ancestors and mocking their children and grandchildren...
The two old ancestors also noticed it in time, and it didn’t seem good in front of the younger generation.
Madam Wen looked at Wen Shuse and said in a gentle voice, "I haven't been back for such a long time, I'm sure you've been missing your yard. Let's go take a look."
When Wen Shuse got up and left, Mrs. Xie suddenly woke up.
What is she doing...
In just a few words, he was provoked by the old man and lost his mind. He only cared about talking comfortably and forgot the purpose of his visit today. He quickly turned around and said to Xie Shao, "It's boring for you to listen to the elders talking here. Go and keep Shuse company."
—
After coming out of the house, Wen Shuse took a deep breath, turned his head and glanced at the door worriedly, and asked Xiangyun beside him, "Is there going to be a fight?"
Xiangyun shook his head, "Of course not, our ancestors still have to save face."
Yes, she was young and hot-tempered like this. She didn't fight with Xie Shao that night. She knew that she couldn't let go of her ancestors, but if she didn't vent it, she would not be able to get rid of the anger in her heart.
It just so happened that she had to go back to the yard, not to pack up her things. Before leaving, all the things in her house were sold for silver bills, so there was nothing to pack up.
I went back to the yard just to meet Ming Wanrou who lived next door.
The last time she was punished to go to the farm, Ming Wanrou blamed herself so much that her eyes were swollen from crying. But when she came back, she was carried to the Xie family before she even had time to say hello.
Now everyone in Fengcheng knows that Xie San married Wen Er, and they are so anxious that they can’t believe it.
The houses of the Wen family and the Ming family are adjacent to each other, and there is only a passage about ten feet wide between the walls of the two houses. When it is inconvenient for the two to meet, they usually go to the backyard to set up a ladder and shout to each other across the air.
Aunt Qing was brought into the house by Wen Shuse, who asked her to check if there were any fish that had escaped the net. Only Xiangyun was with her.
After the wooden ladder was set up, Xiangyun climbed up first and called out, "Mrs. Ming..."
The other side responded quickly, "Is it the Second Madam? My wife has been missing you for several days and can't even eat. Please wait for a moment, I will go and call you over."
—
After Xie Shao came out, Wen Shuse was nowhere to be seen.
The two old ancestors in the house behind him were probably going to have a big fight, so it was inconvenient for him to stay here. He had never been to the Wen family and didn't know the way.
If you don't know the road, don't rush in rashly.
Just as she was thinking about going out for a walk before coming back in, she looked down and saw the brocade shawl draped over her arm, so she gave up the idea and walked towards the corridor on the right.
Halfway through the walk, a young man suddenly came over from the opposite side. He hurriedly came over and called out from a distance, "Third Young Master."
Xie Shao knew this person, Wen Meng, the eldest son of the Wen family. He went to Dongdu with Master Wen half a year ago. He must have rushed back because of a marriage in the mansion.
Xie Shao nodded in return, "Young Master."
"Just now I heard from the people below that the Third Young Master has arrived at the mansion. I am late and I hope you can forgive me for my impoliteness." He raised his hand and invited, "I have prepared some rough tea in my humble abode. I hope you will not dislike it."
Wen Er's father and brother were not at home, so it was reasonable for him, as the eldest brother, to host the party.
Xie Shao also had nowhere to go, "Sorry to bother you."
Wen Meng passed the imperial examination the previous year and, with the help of Uncle Wen, he entered the Hanlin Academy first and served as an attendant in the Imperial Academy. Although he has no rank yet, his future is promising.
Wen Meng found something to talk to Xie Shao all the way, and soon they arrived at a courtyard. When he entered the door, his view was blocked by a rockery. Wen Meng raised his hand and said, "Third Young Master, please come this way."
Xie Shao continued to move forward. After passing the rockery, his vision suddenly became wider and he could see a long desk in the hall opposite.
Uncle Wen was making tea, and there was a guest in front of him.
Hearing the movement behind him, the guest with his back to this side slowly turned around. It was Pei Yuanqiu, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, whom Xie Shao had met at Pei's house yesterday.
"Xianwei? Isn't this a coincidence?"
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