Along the Yang Wu moat surrounding the outer Guo to the east to the Xitian Temple to see the section of the city wall, Zhao Dangshi and his party turned back, walked the guest bridge, and entered the city by the Jubao Gate. At that time, the sky flew a light rain, walking on the straight and wide ancient royal street, "the light rain in the sky street is as moist as a crisp" several people blurted out.

Dressed in a light blue satin armor and wearing a net scarf, Zhao Dangshi washed the killing spirit in the army, looking capable and heroic. Hua Qing, who is dressed as a man and has a Tang scarf and a light fur, looks like a rich son. Even Zhou Wenhe, Deng Longye and Man Ning also changed into chimney hats and gray tows, matching their angular faces and sturdy and generous bodies, adding a bit of peace and friendliness.

The city is full of pedestrians, both men and women are dressed in wide clothes, black scarves and purple fur are staggered, green clothes and red belts fluttering, making people feel as if walking through the delicate garden where the flowers are gradually charming. The rain fell one after another, crossed the Wuding Bridge, and saw the Qinhuai River with cold water, Huaqing went to the riverside foot merchant to buy an oil paper fan to block the rain, and was choosing, and a person on the side walked up slowly, and said with a smile: "The lady is white, red, blue, and purple, but where is the yellow loneliness, doesn't the lady like yellow?" ”

Hua Qing looked at the man, but it was a young man in his twenties wearing a yellow robe. The young man had a white face, a folding fan in his hand, and his demeanor was as graceful as that of Confucianism.

"Yellow is the royal color, it's not that I don't like it, but I don't think it's appropriate."

The young man smiled heartily and said, "In this season, there is nothing that is not royal color." The yellow used by the emperor is called 'gold', which should be more dazzling, and the yellow here is still very different. As he spoke, he reached out and picked up the yellow umbrella, "Xiao Sheng saw that the lady was very kind and noble. In the "Taiping Yulan", it is said that "yellow gas is like a horizontal forehead, and the appearance of the Qing is also", indicating that yellow is the most suitable for nobles. Xiaosheng is willing to buy this umbrella as a gift to the lady, and take the opportunity to make friends with the lady. ”

Hua Qing was simple-minded, and when he saw that he was kind, he took the umbrella and said with a smile: "Then thank you." ”

The young man was overjoyed in his heart, and arched his hand and said: "Xiaosheng's surname is Mao, his single name is Xiang, and he has cursive characters." I don't know what to call a lady? ”

Hua Qing said: "My name is Hua Qing. ”

"The spring cold bathes Huaqing Pool, and the hot spring water is slippery and washes the ...... of condensation," Mao Xiang said to himself, "The word 'Huaqing' is gorgeous and beautiful, clear and beautiful, and it is matched with the woman's appearance and temperament." Good name, good name. And said, "Listening to Miss Hua's accent, she seems to be a northerner?" ”

Hua Qing nodded and said, "Yes, I am from Hanzhong Mansion." ”

Mao Xiang closed the folding fan and muttered: "It turned out to be a guest from afar." There are friends from afar who are very happy, thank you for not giving up, Xiaosheng will act as a guide, and take the Chinese girl to see the beautiful scenery of this Tianfu scenic spot? ”

Hua Qingyi hesitated and said, "This ...... I'm afraid this ......"

Mao Xiang didn't wait for an answer, and Zhao Dangshi and a few people had already walked over. Seeing this, Hua Qing said with a smile: "Mao Gongzi, these are all my friends. Immediately introduced Mao Xiang to Zhao Dangshi.

"In the world of Xia Zhao, this is polite." Zhao Dangshi hugged his fists, and at the same time turned to Huaqing, "Ah Qing, have you picked the umbrella?" ”

Hua Qing replied, "Okay." This kind impostor bought a yellow umbrella and gave it to me. As he spoke, he shook the oil-paper umbrella in his hand.

Mao Xiang has the eyesight to see the child, and observed that Zhao Dangshi and Hua Qing behaved more intimately than others, and had guessed the relationship between the two. Seeing Zhao Dangshi and even Zhou Wenhe and the other three beside him, they sighed secretly, their emotions plummeted, and they responded with a return salute.

Hua Qing said again: "Mao Gongzi, you said you wanted to take us to visit Yingtianfu, right?" ”

Mao Xiang thought to himself: "Of course it doesn't hurt if you are alone, but now that there are these big men, what fun do I have with you?" It's just that it's not good to refuse directly, so he said, "I can guide you from afar, and Xiaosheng is shining." It's a pity that Xiao Sheng only remembered that there were still things to do in the Gongyuan, so he had to go there first, so he ......"

As soon as Zhao Dangshi heard the "Tribute Academy", he asked: "What the prince said is the Jiangnan Tribute Academy?" ”

"Exactly."

Jiangnan Gongyuan integrates the township examination and the general examination, with more than 20,000 houses and can accommodate more than 20,000 candidates at the same time, and is the largest imperial examination room in the southeast. Opposite to the Gongyuan across the Qinhuai River, that is, the location of the Nanjing Teaching Workshop, its old courtyard, Zhushi and other workshops are even more famous, and it is the most famous fireworks willow lane in the southeast.

"There are many boats and boats, and it is a place where literati and elegant people linger. Now that we have come to the Qinhuai River, why don't we go over there with this impostor. Zhao Dangshi said with a smile. In the Ming Dynasty, prostitutes were different, and most of the prostitutes and prostitutes were pleasing with their talents. In particular, the official prostitutes of the teaching workshop are all poetry, calligraphy, sound and painting, and the tourists admire the famous prostitutes and are proud to be able to mingle with the famous prostitutes. The great Confucian Zhang Dai once said that "famous prostitutes can't be seen, and they can't enter unless they are village guides", which shows that with his prominent status, he may not be able to see famous prostitutes as he wishes. In terms of status, prostitution is still a cheap job, but if a prostitute is both beautiful and talented, then her actual support is far higher than her own status.

Although Huaqing has lived in the depths for a long time, he has heard more or less about this aspect. She likes to sing poetry and books since she was a child, and she admires the customs and customs of the southeast, and now she has heard and seen the opportunity, and there is no conflict with Zhao Dangshi's proposal, but she is very curious and excited. Not to mention Zhou Wenhe and others, as soon as they heard the words "Qin Huai" and "famous prostitute", goosebumps fell to the ground. I can't wait to fly to the Teaching Workshop Division immediately and kiss Fangze.

Mao Xiang said "Gongyuan", but in fact, he secretly also had the idea of going to the Jiaofang Division to play, but he didn't want to be broken by Zhao Dangshi, so he could only push the boat down the river and agree to come down.

On the way, Zhao Dangshi asked: "Mao Gongzi is often in Yingtian, so he must be very familiar with the Qinhuai area." Among them, there must be many acquaintances with famous prostitutes, can you introduce one or two in advance? ”

Mao Xiang thought for a while and said: "Now the top famous people all belong to the Jiaofang Division, and they are called Gu Meisheng, Bian Yujing, Kou Baimen, Li Xiangjun, Yin Chun, and Dong Xiao...... Ahem, but they are all in demand, and they may not be able to see them, even if they are regular customers, they have to say hello in advance and put them on the schedule. Saying that, he squinted at Zhou Wenhe and the three, and said in a deep voice, "Brother Zhao is like this, you can still try the opportunity, those three brothers are ...... I'm afraid it's hard to see ......."

Zhao Dangshi and Hua Qing looked at each other dumbfounded, but when they saw Zhou Wenhe and the three of them in a hurry, they couldn't help laughing.

When I went to the area of Dezhu City, I saw countless tourists on both sides of the Qinhuai River, and the painting boats on the water were moored like clouds. Mao Xiang said: "This year is the Nanfu Township Examination, and scholars from all over the country who come to take the exam gather in Yingtian. Although the current exam is over, I have been studying hard for several years, and I will be able to come to this ethereal wonderland one day, and I will have to stay for a while and indulge in lust without regrets. ”

Zhao Dangshi shook his head and sighed, after Mao Xiang finished speaking, he saw a person everywhere, raised his hand to say hello, that person came over, and looked like a scholar with a high crown, but he seemed to be younger than Mao Xiang.

"This is my dear friend, surnamed Hou Shuangming Fang Yu, the word Chaozong, the year Fang Fang weak crown, and he is also the son who participated in Nanfu this year."

Hou Fangyu sighed and said: "Mediocre people disturb themselves, mediocre people disturb themselves." A few months ago, when the list was released, my brother and I were both ranked first, and the examiner dismissed it as a taboo for my first decision, which also saved me some energy, and I came here early to get drunk and rest. "Speak slowly and logically, like a young man and an old man.

Zhao Dangshi arched his hand and said: "Hou Gongzi, in the next Zhao Dangshi, I have admired Lord Lingzun for a long time. He had a relationship with Zuo Mengeng, and learned a lot about Zuo Liangyu and Hou Sui from him, and also knew that this Hou Fangyu was the son of Hou Sui, who was still in prison.

Hou Fangyu said with a smile: "My father is old, and the world is full of peaches and plums, if you know this in prison, you will not be lonely." Glimpsing Hua Qing's appearance during the laughter, he was shocked, and then his face was lonely, and he sighed in a low voice, "There is nowhere to send lovesickness, and no one knows about the early stage of falling flowers and grass." ”

Mao Xiang comforted: "Brother Hou, there is no grass at the end of the world, you are handsome and talented, and the time of being alone will not last long, so you don't have to be too sad." ”

Hou Fangyu smiled bitterly: "Brother Mao has Miss Dong as his companion, how can he understand the suffering of my generation." "After that, he didn't say goodbye, and left with his sleeves.

Zhao Dangshi said: "If you know how to be lustful, you will Mu Shaoai, although Hou Gongzi is wise, but at this age, he will inevitably become a person in the game." ”

Everyone was talking, and when the people on the shore saw Zhao Dangshi and others facing each other, they rushed up, competing to introduce famous prostitutes, and broke up Mao Xiang with three punches and two feet. Mao Xiang took everyone back and forth in the old courtyard and Zhushi area, and repeatedly boarded the painting boat to swim on the boat, but unfortunately, those famous prostitutes on the Qinhuai River have been entertained today, and there is no gap to enter. Walking out of the "Meilou" where Gu Meisheng lived, Mao Xiang apologized: "It's useless to go down, let you run in vain." ”

Hua Qing replied: "How can you run in vain? If it weren't for the young man, how would I know that these brothels in Qinglou are very different from what I remembered, all of them are elegant and clean. Just like this eyebrow tower, the layout is ingenious, strange stones and bamboos, cigarette smoke is around, and the mood is no different from the garden. The orchestra is silk and bamboo, the aftermath is curling, and the artistic conception has passed the fairy house. ”

Mao Xiang nodded and said: "Li Xiangjun can play the piano and sing songs, and he is slightly involved in literature and ink; Gu Meisheng is familiar with literature and history, and is good at painting orchids; Yin Chun is good at opera; Bian Yujing specializes in small Kai, and so on, each with its own characteristics. Alas, it's a pity that I can't take you to see it today. After that, he sighed again and again.

Brought out of the teaching workshop and said goodbye to Mao Xiang, it was already sunset. The glow is scattered on the Qinhuai River, shining brightly. A series of lanterns hanging along the banks of the river are also lit one after another, and the light of heaven and earth reflects each other, and the whole river is also sparkling. Hua Qing leaned on Zhao Dangshi's shoulder, fascinated by the scenery, and muttered, like a whisper: "If I can be a prostitute, live in one of the thousands of painting boats, accompany your poetry, and get along day and night, it is the best." ”

Cross the Dazhong Bridge, walk straight along Chang'an Street, and you will arrive at the five mansions and six ministries of the imperial city in Nanjing. Many officials who were straight down to the streets were in groups of three or two, and went to the street to eat together. Zhao Dangshi and his entourage also found a shop on Chang'an Street. In winter, it gets dark quickly, and the twilight has sunk after a full meal. Fortunately, the roads are illuminated by the lights near the Imperial City. After asking, I realized that this was to prepare in advance for Chinese New Year's Eve, which will arrive in half a month.

Crossing the Royal River from the Baichuan Bridge, walking on Datong Street to the north by the Imperial City Wall in the east, the fireworks gradually withered. The group turned west from the Xuanjin Bridge opposite the Xihua Gate of the Imperial City. South Fold Lufei Lane all the way to the vicinity of Jian'an Fang, and there are more pedestrians. Zhao Dangshi found a home on the east side of Chaotian Palace and settled down, and when he entered the wing room, he hugged Hua Qing who was lying on his back, and found that she had fallen asleep soundly.