This New Year's Festival, the Wang family had a particularly difficult time. On the day of the sacrificial stove, Wang Chang was also a little absent-minded, and his face was gloomy, like a dark cloud. As for Xiao Yang, it was as if he had been ill for a long time, his complexion became more and more pale, and he soon became a little shaky. She stayed in the inner hall on weekdays, and asked Wang Luoniang to talk to Wang Ziling and Wang Zimu with her, and did not go out to visit relatives and friends. As for the prince and Wang Xiangniang, she seems to be out of sight, and every time she greets her, she can't wait to send them away as soon as possible.

Because of the depression of the two masters, the Wang family hardly had a trace of joy about the approaching New Year. The reward given by Xiao Yang's family is also much simpler than in previous years, and the servants and maids dare not make a mistake on their faces, but they are spreading words in private. Some people say that the treasury in the house is completely empty, and some people say that the lady plans to sell the Zhuangzi and sell the shop, and some people are worried that they will be sold. After all, a useful servant and maid can be sold for at least 20,000 yuan, and selling the redundant people is enough for the Wang family to chew for a period of time.

Under such panic, Xiao Yang had to cheer up and continue to spend money to fill the façade. At the very least, the home must be renovated so as not to cause doubts to the visiting guests. In addition, children and servants should not be allowed to wear old clothes, but let them dress up. Of course, the things obtained by her biological children and the things obtained by the prince and Wang Xiangniang should not be too far from those obtained by outsiders. After all, her reputation as a loving mother has been in business for a long time, and she must not allow it to be lost.

The constant gift-giving and preparation for the New Year soon exhausted the Wang family's savings, and it didn't take long for Wang Zixian to receive definite news that Xiao Yang had sent a steward to find a Chinese man and planned to sell a relatively barren grange. And that grange was one of the dowries of his aunt Da Yang back then.

"Let Sun Rong send someone to buy it at a suitable price. When the news came out again, it was said that the owner still wanted to buy a shop in Shangzhou City, and the price was negotiable. He unhurriedly instructed Cao Shilang to finish writing the New Year's letter, "By the way, let people send these two letters to Mr. and Ah Hui respectively." No matter how much money Wang Chang sprinkled outside, he liked to see it. After all, he never cared about these family wealth of the Wang family - however, the one that belonged to the deceased mother Da Yang should have been his, and he would have to take it back sooner or later.

Cao Shilang agreed, and when he came back after going out, he replied with a smile on his eyebrows: "Ah Lang, the one just now went out with a cart of gifts again." That little Yang personally came out to send him off, and even his hands were shaking, and he almost cried!! I see, she is by no means worried that the person will fail again, she can't bear it for a while, she must be patronizing the car of gifts! ”

"Oh, the patriarch is really a wonderful person who knows the meaning of the strings and songs." The prince curled the corners of his lips, "When I have the opportunity in the future, I must repay his old man." The patriarch kindly introduced Wang Chang to the officials, but he didn't mention it, and he also used his own connections, and no one could find out who he was. Even Wang Chang was repeatedly disappointed and even finally desperate, and he couldn't complain about the patriarch, but only for those officials who refused to be accommodating. Who would have known that in order to get back to his official position, he was about to empty all his family savings?

It was not until the day before Chinese New Year's Eve that Wang Chang completely gave up the idea of going through the door of the patriarch and locked himself in the study alone, without drinking or eating. Xiao Yang couldn't rest assured in the end, so he asked Wang Ziling and Wang Zimu to persuade each other, and sent someone to call Wang Zixian: "Da Lang has always had an idea, so I can persuade you to persuade your grandfather." No matter what, you can't get along with your own body. As for the official position, you three brothers are so promising, there must be a way. ”

The prince offered a sigh, and as she wished, went to the outer court in a big coat. When he arrived, Wang Ziling and Wang Zimu were already guarding outside the study. Xiao Yang also wore a fox fur, holding Wang Luoniang, and wiped her tears pitifully.

At her suggestion, Wang Luoniang called out in a coquettish voice: "Grandpa is so self-suffering, my son and my mother are distressed. No matter what happens, it's no more important than Grandpa. I don't care about anything, I just want Grandpa to come out quickly! Grandpa...... Grandpa...... Come out ......"

However, no matter how coquettish she was, there was still no movement in the study. Wang Luoniang, who looked particularly delicate in new clothes, hugged Xiao Yang's and frowned lightly, as if twisting candy: "Auntie, Grandpa ignores it." ”

Xiao Yang stroked her back to show comfort, looked at Wang Ziling and Wang Zimu, and said with a choked voice: "Why is Ah Lang like this? That is, the state capital Gongcao, Changshi and the Ming government are unwilling to be accommodating, so I can't say that Chang'an will have another way? Ah Lang could not have forgotten that our Erlang and San Lang had already worshiped Mr. Zhou as their disciples, and they had become brothers with Yang Xiangtou of the Hongnong County Mansion. I've heard that on weekdays, they're not just brothers, they're cousins—"

Before she finished speaking, Wang Zimu's face had already changed greatly: "Ah Niang......" Seeing that he was anxious, as if he was going to say something unpleasant, Xiao Yang glared at him, hinting that he was silent, and then said softly: "If you can ask the Hongnong County Mansion to help, you are just a county lieutenant, and you will definitely be able to reinstate the official." ”

When Wang Zimu heard what she said, his face was even more anxious, and he said in a low voice: "Ah Niang, we already owe a lot of favors to the Hongnong County Mansion, and it's too late, how can we bother Senior Brother Yang again because of this matter?" What's more, Hongnong County Gong is now in the Ministry of Rites, although he is a waiter in the Ministry of Rites, but he is not a member of the Ministry of Officials, how can he meddle in this matter? ”

When Xiao Yang heard this, he couldn't hide the anger on his face: "But let you ask, you will be so prevaricated!" You...... You kid, you're too cowardly! It's too unfilial! Is it possible, can you bear to see your grandpa suffer so much?! If he tosses his body and collapses, what should he do? Moreover, even if you have never worshiped Mr. Zhou's disciples, the prince of Hongnong County is also the brother of his mother! If you write to him to ask him for this little favor, I can't say that he will help easily!! ”

Wang Zi Ling next to him glanced at Wang Zixian and said with a smile: "What A-Niang said is very true. If you don't give it a try, how can you know if your cousin is willing to help? Didn't he also look at the affection of his relatives and promise to recommend me to Mr. Zhou? Later, after the two brothers moved into another courtyard, he also instructed the servants and maids to take care of us several times, which obviously took care of us. San Lang, if you don't dare to ask, I'll just ask. ”

After hearing this, Xiao Yang's expression finally relaxed: "What a good boy, Erlang, this matter will be handed over to you." ”

Inside the study

However, Wang Ziling didn't know why, and suddenly said: "I heard that the eldest brother wants to worship the Guozijian Siye as a teacher, you can also give it a try and solve problems for Grandpa." The Duke of Hongnong County and the Guozijian Siye are both high-ranking officials of the four grades, as long as they say a word, how can those long history gongcao in Shangzhou dare to be embarrassed? It's the history of assassination, and you have to give them a face or two - what does the eldest brother think? Of course, he would never explicitly say that the waiter of the Ministry of Rites was a high-ranking official of Shangshu Province with real power; In the end, the Guozijian Division is just a clean official from the fourth grade, and he has nothing but nobility and fame.

Wang Chang was already so excited that his face turned red, and then he looked at Wang Zixian: "Da Lang, is this really the case?" That's—"

"Where did Erlang hear that he wanted to worship the country's Zijian Siye as a teacher for his brother? Si Ye is just entrusted by others to take care of his brother for a few points, but he has always refused to accept his brother as an apprentice. The prince replied, and seeing that Wang Chang had already shown a look of disappointment, he smiled again, "I didn't have the opportunity to talk to Grandpa before, but the child has indeed paid homage to Mr. However, Mr. is only the main person from the seventh grade, and he has not been promoted in the past twenty or thirty years, and I am afraid that the relationship between people is far inferior to that of Hongnong County. Even so, the child will try and ask the husband if he can help. ”

After listening to what he said, Wang Chang's face changed repeatedly, and he said perfunctorily: "I have not been promoted for decades...... There is probably no way to do it. You go and ask—well, why didn't you even pick a good one? If the three of you brothers can become the disciples of Mr. Zhou Jiyan, you will have more weight in front of Yang Zhuangtou. If he doesn't come forward, this matter can be done. ”

The prince lowered his eyes and said softly: "It's the child's incompetence that makes Grandpa worried." ”

Wang Chang waved his hand: "In any case, this is also a serious Guozijian official." When you go back to Chang'an, remember to bring some earthen instruments as a restraint, so that he can't think that our Langya Wang clan is rude. Erlang and Saburo are both apprentices, and they should be more prepared. In addition, the gift to the Hongnong County Mansion must not be neglected! ”

After listening to his arrangement, Xiao Yang's smile suddenly stiffened, and finally responded with a good voice, and took Wang Luoniang back to the inner hall of the main courtyard. Wang Chang summoned Wang Ziling into the study, ignored the prince's offer and made peace with the prince, and closed the door by himself. Wang Zi Ling stood in the study, and when he turned his back to the closed door, he glanced at the two brothers outside a little proudly.

"Big brother...... "Prince Mu clenched his fists, "I...... Am I really cowardly? I...... Is it true...... Unfilial? Accused by his mother Xiao Yang in public, the love in his heart was tumbling, both painful and shocking. However, there seems to be a voice in her heart: She is such a person, don't you know how she has treated her eldest brother over the years? But you still refuse to believe, you don't want to doubt, and now you believe it, right? Your mother is very selfish, and if you go against her will, it will be a great rebellion. Your father is also only concerned about himself, without thinking about his family, and not caring about anything else.

"Of course not." Wang Zixian replied in a low voice, and led him to his courtyard, "San Lang, you should also find out that our two brothers think completely different from their families. But you don't have to doubt yourself because of this, because there are many things that they do wrong, and there is no need to explain them. ”

"Big brother...... So what do we do? Is it possible, you have to watch them openly......" Wang Zimu's eyes were slightly red, and he suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed his brother's sleeve. He clung so tightly that his whole body trembled slightly, and the blood on his face gradually faded, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

"Of course not. Foolishness and filial piety connived, but it harmed them. Wang Zixian sighed softly, "We must always be careful, and we must not let them act too out of line." San Lang, if we step into the official career one day, the first thing is to restrain our families, do you understand? ”

"I ...... Got it. ”

"Can you do that?"

Wang Zimu gritted his teeth and said, "I can do it—but please teach me from my eldest brother!" ”

"Don't rush, take your time." The prince comforted him, "At least, let's spend this Chinese New Year's Eve first." When we returned to Beijing after the year, the two of us had a good livelihood. Chang'an has you and me, just pay attention to it, and you can watch Erlang. As for Shangzhou, perhaps he can only ask the patriarch to take care of one or two. ”

"That'...... When we went to the patriarch's house to pay New Year's greetings, we begged the patriarch to come forward? ”

"That's all there is to it." The prince hooked the corners of his mouth, "It's hard to help his old man all the time." We really should thank Grandpa for his good life, he is. ”