The prayer house prepared a very sumptuous dinner party to wash away the dust for Tang Bushu, who came from afar.

During the banquet, Stealing Yu met Qi Yuxue, the eldest lady of the Qi family who was rumored to have a marriage contract with Tang Bujing. I heard that the eldest lady of the Qi family is the first beauty in the south of the Yangtze River, which is really stunning. When I saw it with my own eyes, I felt that it really lived up to its reputation. At the dinner, she wore an elegant wide-sleeved dress embroidered with white pear blossoms, and her arms were tied with hibiscus-colored light yarn. Her jet-black hair was tied at the back of her head, and a gilded ringed silk hosta was inserted on it. In order to set off the clothes, Qi Yuxue put on the pear blossom makeup that is highly respected by the aristocratic ladies at the moment. The makeup is light and elegant, with only a minimal amount of rouge gouache, and silver powder at the center of the eyebrows to delicately outline the shape of the pear blossom. It can be seen that she has been carefully dressed tonight. However, this outfit is very suitable for her, and it makes her elegant and vulgar, even the daughter of the nobles of the family may not be so noble. I heard that Miss Bing Xue of the Qi family is smart, proficient in poetry and songs, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and she is a rare talented woman.

There is a famous Oiran Chuyan in the capital, and there is a talented woman in Huainan who is peerless and captivating, and the talented woman Qi Yuxue is not shocked! Thinking like this, for some reason, Stealing Jade actually felt a little sore in his heart. She sighed unconsciously and shook her head, but unexpectedly, this small action could not escape the stunned eyes. He asked with concern, "Yu'er, but what's the discomfort?" ”

As soon as he said this, he immediately attracted the attention of a table of people, and the eyes of everyone in the Qi family immediately looked at the stealing jade standing beside Tang Bujing. It's not difficult to understand that a noble son cares so much about a little girl, which shows that the relationship is not trivial. It was difficult for Stealing Jade to accept the baptism of so many eyes for a while, her pretty face was crimson, and her head shook like a rattle: "No, nothing ......"

Qi Yuxue smiled softly and said to the jade: "The girl is a little tired from the long journey?" If you feel uncomfortable, the house has prepared a side room for you, and the girl can go to rest first. ”

"It really doesn't matter." Stealing Yu immediately waved his hand, and then looked at Tang Bushu, "Childe doesn't have to worry about me, don't let me ruin everyone's interest." ”

Since she said so, Tang Bu was shocked and nodded reassuringly, and did not continue on this matter. During the banquet, the staggered bargaining, laughter, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. At the beginning, Qi Yushan and Tang Buxi were talking about some business or the relationship between the two families. Qi Yushan drank a lot of wine and began to become excited and talkative. Although he drank a lot with him, he was very sober. Soon, he brought the conversation to what he wanted to know.

"Uncle, when will I be able to meet the prefect? I don't know if tomorrow is suitable......" Tang Bu was surprised to hold the blue and white porcelain wine cup, and asked Qi Yushan very expectantly.

"There is no need to worry." Qi Yushan said, and drank the wine in the cup again, "Tomorrow he will definitely not be in the mansion." ”

Hearing him say this, Tang Buxing immediately made a curious look and asked, "Is Master Chen going to travel tomorrow?" That's really unfortunate, if he goes out, he doesn't know when he will return. If you don't know when you'll see him. ”

Qi Yushan couldn't help laughing out loud when he saw Tang Bu's regretful look; "The virtuous nephew is too worried! Don't worry, although this Zhiyuan brother is out, he won't go far. In two or three days at most, he will be back. ”

"I see." Tang Bu was shocked and made a look of sudden realization, "It seems that my uncle and Master Chen really have a deep relationship, and they know his whereabouts well." It's better for the uncle to tell him more about Lord Chen, so that when he returns to the capital and sees that friend, he can also tell him more anecdotes about Lord Chen, and ask him for a few drinks to eat! ”

"Good, good, good!" Qi Yushan stroked his palms and laughed. He obviously drank a little too much, and he couldn't withstand Tang Bu's inducement, so he opened the conversation, "Virtuous nephew, you don't know, if I tell you the 'anecdote' of Brother Zhiyuan, I'm afraid your friend won't respect him so much." ”

Tang Bu's face was full of curiosity: "Oh, there is such a thing? That's not surprising, but I have to listen to it. ”

Qi Yushan saw that he was so serious, so he didn't sell Guanzi, and said: "Outsiders only say that Brother Zhiyuan is indifferent to fame and fortune, not for power, wealth, and wealth. He didn't like the officialdom between the DPRK and China to be real, but he didn't come back for this reason. He came back for a woman. ”

"A woman?" Although nothing could make Tang Bu feel shocked on weekdays, he was also quite shocked when he heard Qi Yushan's words at this moment. And the stealing jade was even more appetizing, and looked straight at the two people in front of him, and he didn't care about the rules that he should have as a maid, and only thought about not missing the slightest clue.

"Indeed, he is for a woman." Qi Yushan said slowly, "Before Brother Zhiyuan was famous, he had a childhood sweetheart, and the relationship between the two was excellent. I heard that the woman suffered a lot in order to make money for him to enter Beijing to take the exam. But then, somehow, the two didn't get together. Zhiyuan married the daughter of Hu Shilang, who was bent on promoting him at that time, which is his current wife Hu Shi. And that woman is also married to a merchant as a continuation. The two hadn't seen each other for many years, until Brother Zhiyuan came back a few years ago and found her again, and the woman had already become a widow. Since Brother Zhiyuan returned to Beijing that time, he insisted on returning to Huainan. The twists and turns are naturally not known to others like us. However, after Zhiyuan returned to his hometown, he did a lot of practical things for the people, and he was indeed a good official worthy of admiration. ”

It turns out that this is the case, it seems that Chen Zhiyuan is going to leave the house every now and then, so he should go to this woman. Stealing Yu was quietly thinking about her next move in her heart, but Qi Yuxue on the side frowned, blocked the wine glass raised by her father, and said dissatisfiedly: "Dad, you drank too much, why did you start talking nonsense?" ”

"Hehehe," Qi Yushan was not angry at all about his daughter's reproach, but obediently put down the wine glass, "Yes, yes, Dad doesn't drink anymore." Isn't it because he wasn't surprised, Dad was happy. ”

As he spoke, he smiled at Tang Bu and said; "I, the two sons I gave birth to are not angry, but this only daughter has won my heart! Don't look at Xue Xue as a daughter, but she is smarter and more sensible than her two brothers. As he spoke, he lowered his voice and whispered in Tang Bujing's ear, as if hinting at something, "I'm not as pedantic as ordinary people, if those two losers can't support this business, maybe I will pin my hopes on Yuxue......"

Tang Bu smiled in surprise: "Miss Yuxue is indeed a brilliant person, and I believe that she will not disappoint her uncle's expectations." ”

Qi Yushan nodded: "But my daughter's family will marry after all." If I have such thoughts, I need to choose a family business for Yuxue and find a competent husband for her. When the time comes, the husband and wife will work together to integrate the industries of the north and the south and achieve a great cause. When you were young, I told your father about this idea, and Brother Tang also thought it was very good, what do you think? ”

The meaning of his words, Rao is stealing jade understood it on the side. Qi Yushan wanted Tang Bujing to be his fast son-in-law, and then handed over his business to Qi Yuxue. When the two got married, the Qi family and the Tang family became a family. As soon as the two great families of the north and south merge, they will both be glorious and more powerful, and I am afraid that no one can shake it lightly! What a seductive thing is this? If Qi Yuxue marries into the Tang family, Tang Bushu will own the property of the two families. No man with ambitions can withstand the temptation of such power, right? Thinking like this, Stealing Jade couldn't help but glance at Tang Bu in the afterglow, only to see that he was still calm, just smiling and not answering.

After a long time, when Qi Yushan was almost impatient, he saw Tang Bu and said slowly: "Yes, Miss Yuxue's marriage is indeed not a child's play. Although my uncle can rest assured, after returning to Beijing, I will talk to my father about this matter, and we will pay more attention to observe the sons of the Wang clan in Beijing. I must help Miss Yuxue choose a good mate and choose a beautiful son-in-law for her uncle! ”

Tonight, the courtyard was filled with a faint mist, and the black velvety night sky was dotted with a faint crescent moon. After the feast dispersed, Stealing Jade couldn't sleep for a long time. Suddenly the sound of a flute sounded outside the door, which was as natural as it was and intoxicating. She got up, hurriedly put on a coat, got out of bed barefoot, and opened the door. The moonlight is like water, sprinkled in the courtyard, faintly shining with a hint of coolness. There were bluestone tables and chairs in the courtyard, and a man in casual clothes sat there with his back in his back. Hearing the door open, Zi Xiao left his lips, and the music stopped abruptly.

"It's good, why don't you blow it?" Behind him, Stealing Jade asked. Although I stood barefoot in the yard, I didn't seem to feel the slightest chill.

Tang Buzhen turned around and saw the barefoot girl, and couldn't help frowning. He got up suddenly, and before he could react, he picked her up and put her on the bluestone bench.

"Ah, you!" Stealing Jade exclaimed. She didn't expect that Tang Bujing, who claimed to be a gentleman, would pick herself up so abruptly, blushing like a boiled shrimp. She protested dissatisfiedly, "You, you, don't move if you are rude, you are a gentleman in vain!" ”

Tang was not surprised or ignored her, took off his outer robe, covered it on the pair of Qianqian jade feet, and said: "Ran out of the room barefoot in the middle of the night, but is it a lady?" ”

"You ......" Stealing Yu was choked up by his rebuttal words, as if he was angry with himself, and said angrily, "Anyway, I can't talk about you, you're a fox!" ”

"Heh......" Tang Bu chuckled, his frowning brows gradually stretched, as if the clouds broke through the sunrise, and it was thrillingly beautiful.

Stealing jade didn't realize that he was stupid. She couldn't suppress the curiosity in her heart and asked; "You, why did you refuse to pray for the kindness of the old man tonight? Miss Yuxue was born so beautiful, so smart, and has a big family, it is indeed difficult to find in the world. You just pretended not to understand Master Qi's words, and you didn't see how ugly his face became! Alas, if you refuse this time, I don't know if there will be such an opportunity. You're so stupid......"

"Silly?" Tang Bu was surprised to hear this, smiled and shook his head, "Even though the eldest lady of the Qi family is so good, so she is not in my heart, and for me, it is useless." ”

I'm afraid there will be another sad person tonight, stealing jade mourned silently in her heart. She could naturally see Qi Yuxue's heart for Tang Bu. After Tang Buyi said that tactful refusal, the noble and beautiful eldest lady's eyes were also filled with tears. Alas, this is their own business, what is she bothering about here? Changing the topic, he stole the jade and said: "But thank you tonight, the jasper hairpin that the master wanted, the eight achievements are in Chen Zhiyuan, the childhood sweetheart." If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this important news. ”

"What are you doing so politely?" Tang Buzhen smiled, his eyes were crystal clear, as if all the brilliance had been crushed, "Yu'er, as long as you need me, I will always be by your side." ”