Ning Xiu came to his room, took off his robe and boots, and was about to rest, when he saw a bucket of steaming hot water in the room.

He couldn't help but rejoice, the journey was indeed very tiring.

Although the time of the boat ride saves a lot of bumps, after all, the itinerary is too tight and fatigue is inevitable.

Ning Xiu took off his coat without hesitation and jumped into the barrel. The temperature of the hot water was sufficient, and Ning Xiu felt that it was at least sixty or seventy degrees.

This temperature is perfect for bathing. It's too cold to feel it, and it's too hot and the irritation to the skin is too strong.

To say that the accommodation conditions of this Huguang Guild Hall are indeed very good, much better than the average inn, Ning Xiu is very glad that he listened to Liu Weining's opinion.

Ning Xiu soaked in the hot soup bucket bath for half an hour, and felt that his fatigue had gone a lot, so he wiped his body clean and called someone to pour the bath water.

He has a slight habit of cleanliness, and having such a bucket of bath water in the house makes it very uncomfortable even if he has used it himself.

After someone removed the bucket of bath water, Ning Xiu closed the door, turned off the lights and went to bed.

Nothing was said all night.

Early the next morning, Ning Xiu got up early.

He had already developed a good habit of going to bed early and waking up early, so as soon as the sky was bright, he reflexively got up.

In fact, it is really not difficult to go to bed early. In this era, entertainment resources are really scarce, and there is basically no other choice but to read a book when it gets dark.

After Ning Xiu washed up, he went to the guild hall cafeteria for some breakfast, and then left the guild hall and headed north of the city.

According to the administrative division, Beijing is divided into two counties: Wanping and Daxing. But usually, the people of Jingshi are more accustomed to dividing them by geographical regions.

North, South, East, West.

Therefore, there is a saying, the north is noble and the south is cheap, the east is rich and the west is poor.

Specifically, because of the Forbidden City in the north, many dignitaries chose their mansions in the north city.

This is not because these dignitaries want to touch the nobility of the Son of Heaven. In fact, in their hearts, the Son of Heaven is no different from them, just a mortal mortal with flesh and blood. Only those ordinary people who don't have much knowledge will envelop the nonsense that the emperor is the son of God.

The reason why they chose their mansion in Beicheng was because the road would be closer when they went to court.

As everyone knows, the early dynasty time was very anti-human, even if there was a sedan chair to travel, it was crazy. Therefore, choosing a location close to the Forbidden City can buy you valuable sleep time.

As for those royal mansions, the princes' mansions, not to mention the marquis' mansions, in order to show that they are resting with the country, they naturally chose their mansions in the north of the city.

Correspondingly, most of the mansions of ordinary people are in the south of the city.

There was even a joke that said that a royal historian couldn't afford to buy a house in the north of the city, so he bought a set in the south of the city, and was later found by his colleagues to be sarcastic and sarcastic several times, and he was angry to death.

As for the rich in the east and the poor in the west, it also makes sense.

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal stretches all the way to Zhangjiawan Wharf, which is close to Dongcheng.

For the sake of convenience, the wealthy merchants and magnates placed their houses in the east city, so that as soon as the cargo ships from the south arrived, they could go to the docks to supervise them.

Merchants are no more important than officials, and they value money very much, and they are not willing to lose a penny.

In the west, there are more poor people, but it is slightly better than in the southern city.

Qi Jiguang's Beijing residence is naturally in Beicheng.

When Qi Ling'er left Jingzhou, she told Ning Xiu the specific location of the mansion, so Ning Xiu could easily find the future old Taishan's mansion.

Before coming to the mansion, Ning Xiu was a little nervous.

Although the old Taishan is not there in the future, the old Thai water can be in the future.

Others don't know this Qi Wang clan, but Ning Xiu knows it very well. Through various wild history notes, Ning Xiu knew that Qi Jiguang's wife, Wang Yuejiao, was a complete dominatrix.

Although Qi Jiguang is a majestic General Qi outside, he is afraid of the inside to a certain extent, and he doesn't even dare to gasp in the face of Wang Yuejiao.

Ning Xiu was very worried in his heart, for fear of leaving a bad impression on Lao Taishui in the future.

He straightened his clothes and shook his robe, and then he took a deep breath and strode towards the door of the mansion.

When he walked to the gate, his own door official stepped forward and said, "Blocking the car, dare to ask who this son is?" ”

Seeing that Ning Xiu was dressed luxuriously, this official was a little careful.

After all, there are countless high-ranking officials and nobles in Beijing, who knows which noble son the person in front of him is?

Ning Xiu hugged his fists at the door official and said, "In Xia Jiangling Ning Xiu, I ask to see Qi Shaobao." ”

As soon as Ning Xiu reported his name, an incredible expression appeared on the official's face.

"Childe is Ning Xiu?"

Ning Xiu bowed slightly, feeling that it was not strange.

Is the name so famous?

It is said that he has just won Huguang Jieyuan, but he will not be so famous that everyone in Beijing knows about it, right?

He was stunned, the official had already opened the door and welcomed Ning Xiu inside.

"The little one is really clumsy, I didn't see that my uncle was coming, and I ask for forgiveness."

Ning Xiu suddenly realized.

Unexpectedly, this marriage has been made public, and even the officials in the palace have already known about it.

"It's hard work."

Ning Xiu said lightly.

It stands to reason that when ordinary guests come to visit, they will be allowed to watch tea in the ear room for the time being, and then lead them into the inner house after the doorman informs them.

But Ning Xiu is not ordinary, that is Qi Jiguang's son-in-law.

That official just doesn't have the eyesight to see anymore, and he won't leave the new aunt dry.

Without thinking, he let Ning Xiu into the house and led him to the side hall to rest, and then hurriedly went to report.

Now that the lord is not in Beijing, this matter should be reported to Mrs.

The doorman trotted all the way to Wang Yuejiao's house, and after some communication, Wang Yuejiao only said softly, "I know." ”

After about touching the tea, Wang Yuejiao walked out.

I saw that she was wearing a big red coat, which looked graceful and luxurious, very extraordinary.

"Where is he now?"

"Madame, let my uncle go to the side hall."

Wang Yuejiao sighed, and then moved to the side hall.

The doorman wanted to remind Madame whether she should tell Miss about this. But seeing that Madame didn't mean to mention it, the words that came to her lips were swallowed alive.

But he said that Ning Xiu was staying in the flower hall here, although there was a maidservant who poured tea and refilled the cup, but he was not in the mood to taste tea. Like all newcomers who are about to see their mother-in-law's family, Ning Xiu felt empty in his heart.

What's more, he knows better than anyone that this mother-in-law's family is a tigress, but if he says half a sentence wrong, he must not be torn alive?

He recited the prepared words in his mind and thought as much as he could about what might happen.

As the saying goes, knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent is invincible. Ning Xiu learned a lot of details about Wang Yuejiao from various wild history miscellaneous records, and he was happy to come in handy.

While Ning Xiu was meditating, Wang Yuejiao had already come to the side hall.

The moment Ning Xiu raised his head, he happened to be opposite his mother-in-law's pair of Danfeng eyes.

......

......

Ning Xiu hurriedly got up to greet him.

He bowed deeply to Wang Yuejiao and said respectfully: "Son-in-law to meet Lao Taishui." ”

He had already thought about the issue of the salutation. It stands to reason that he and Qi Ling'er are only engaged, not married, and it seems inappropriate to call Wang Yuejiao Lao Taishui.

But he couldn't think of a better name, so it was better to be cheeky than to be upset.

It's just that the atmosphere is inevitably a little embarrassing, although Wang Yuejiao is a female man, but she was called Lao Taishui so suddenly, and she still couldn't react.

After being stunned for a while, Wang Yuejiao coughed and said, "Son-in-law, get up quickly." ”

She gave Ning Xiu a hand, trying to make her voice appear gentle.

"The virtuous son-in-law is here to take the exam?"

Since Ning Xiu took the lead in shouting Lao Taishui, Wang Yuejiao naturally had no psychological pressure, and the virtuous son-in-law shouted catchy.

Anyway, the marriage between Ling'er and Ning Xiu has already been decided, and it is a matter of time before the marriage is completed.

As the old saying goes, the mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, how to look at it and how pleasing to the eye.

In addition, Ning Xiu's Yushu was born in the wind, and he was suave, and it was also at the level of small fresh meat in later generations, and Wang Yuejiao was even more happy in her heart.

She said in her heart, no wonder Ling'er went to Jiangling and came back to life for this Ning Xiuai's death. In the face of such a handsome brother who looks like Pan An, there are few people in this world who can resist.

Wang Yuejiao and Ning Xiu sat down separately, but their moods were very different.

Wang Yuejiao is a mother-in-law and a strong party, so she is naturally very calm.

Ning Xiu is a quasi-son-in-law, a weak party, and he is very worried. Even the buttocks only sat on the small side, for fear that the mother-in-law would suddenly be in trouble.

Wang Yuejiao took a sip of tea and exhaled calmly.

"Qi Lao Taishui, the son-in-law is trying to go to Beijing for the exam preparation meeting. Because I was worried that Dabi would be delayed on the road, I set off some time earlier. ”

Ning Xiu's answer was not leaky, and his heart gradually calmed down.

"Where does the virtuous son-in-law live now?"

Ning Xiu hurriedly replied: "The son-in-law is temporarily living in the Huguang Guild Hall. ”

Wang Yuejiao and Ning Xiu asked and answered each other like this, and after answering each other for a while, Wang Yuejiao smiled and said, "Since you are here, let's stay and have lunch together." ”

Ning Xiu secretly complained in his heart, this mother-in-law didn't mention Ling'er at all, I'm afraid she didn't want her to meet her, right?

Ning Xiu knew that the dignitaries and dignitaries of the Ming Dynasty paid great attention to the defense of etiquette and education, and the daughters in the boudoir were all out of the door, and they had never seen their husbands until the day of marriage.

But the Qi family obviously doesn't belong to this type. The Qi family is a gatekeeper, and Qi Ling'er is a tiger girl, and she even leaves home thousands of miles just to see herself. Now that he has come to visit Qi's house, there is no need for his mother-in-law's family to stop him from seeing his daughter-in-law.

The truth is that he thinks too much. Wang Yuejiao herself is a big grinning character, and she will not stop Ning Xiu from seeing Ling'er because of any etiquette. It's just that she wants to spend more time with Ning Xiu and take a closer look at this son-in-law.

After some investigation, Wang Yuejiao was very satisfied with Ning Xiu.

In her opinion, Shoufu Zhang Taiyue's evaluation of this person is true and false. This person is really the dragon and phoenix among people, and he can soar to the clouds whenever he has the opportunity.

The Qi family's lunch was much simpler than that of other wealthy families, with only four dishes and one soup.

However, Ning Xiu will not mind in the slightest, Lao Taishui gives rice, which is a great reward, even pickles and dried radishes have to be praised as a delicacy.

After using coarse tea and light rice, Wang Yuejiao finally waved her hand, saying that Ning Xiu could go to see Ling'er.

Ning Xiuzhi is a great joy.

He bowed to Wang Yuejiao as if he had been amnestied, and then followed the housekeeper to the inner courtyard.

Humane companions are like tigers, and this companion mother-in-law is almost the same.

Ning Xiu's back was already soaked, and his clothes were stuck to his back like this, not to mention how uncomfortable it was.

Although Qi Jiguang is a military general, he is a Confucian general, and he is also very good at dabbling in classical culture. Let's talk about this house, in which the garden layout is very exquisite, no worse than those mansions in the south.

Ning Xiu followed the housekeeper all the way through the courtyard to a cross-courtyard front.

The housekeeper smiled at Ning Xiu and said, "Uncle, wait a minute, I'll go and inform the young lady." ”

Ning Xiu secretly said in his heart that this mother-in-law is really calm, it seems that Ling'er still doesn't know that she is here!

The corners of his mouth hooked and he bowed slightly: "I'm tired." ”

Taking advantage of the housekeeper's report, Ning trimmed the entire scarf and vibrated the robe, striving to let Ling'er see a perfect image.

Soon the butler went and returned, signaling Ning Xiu to go in.

Ning Xiu took a deep breath and strode towards the main house.

The door was hidden, and Ning Xiu opened it with a slight push.

He paced in and said in a deep voice, "Ling'er." ”

And no one responded.

Ning Xiu frowned and continued to walk inside.

Bypassing the screen, it was the inner room, Ning Xiu looked around and still didn't see Qi Ling'er.

He couldn't help but be puzzled in his heart, he didn't make a mistake.

"Haha, guess who I am!"

Suddenly, a pair of hands blindfolded Ning Xiu's eyes from behind, and it was not Qi Ling'er but who was the voice!

Ning Xiu smiled bitterly: "Auntie, hurry up and receive the supernatural powers, Xiaosheng knows that he is wrong." ”

Qi Ling'er snorted, and then let go of her hand.

"You've come all the way and you can't even afford to make a joke?"

Ning Xiu knew that Ling'er and he hadn't seen him for a long time, and he missed it very much in his heart, so he was tired of being together as soon as he appeared, so he quipped: "Yes, I really miss my aunt and grandmother, so I came here in the starry night." ”

Qi Ling'er glared at him and said angrily: "Flamboyant tongue, it's really my little enemy." ”

"My mother already knows about your Zhongjie Yuan, and she praised you in front of me for a long time."

Qi Ling'er sat down on the chair and said softly: "In addition, I also sent someone to send the Nalaoshzi telescope that you entrusted me to give to my father." I originally wanted to go to Jizhen by myself, but my father wouldn't allow me. ”

Ning Xiu smiled: "Why is this, there is still a rare aunt and grandmother in this world?" ”

Qi Ling'er said in her heart, it seems that this nerd still doesn't know that I was grounded by my father, so he joked: "I was grounded by my father, and it is impossible to even take a step out of the house without his permission." ”

Ning Xiu was shocked: "Why is this?" When was this? ”

Qi Ling'er glanced at him, and said angrily: "It's not because of you?" I didn't hesitate to run away from home in order to see you, and went to Gangneung, which is thousands of miles away, and when I returned to Beijing, I would naturally be blamed by my father. ”

That's why!

Ning Xiu hurriedly said, "That's fine, my aunt can rest." ”

"You!"

Qi Ling'er was speechless by Ning Xiu's squeeze, so she simply smashed a burst of powder fist towards Ning Xiu's chest.

Ning Xiu pretended to have pain in his chest, and his body fell stiff.

"Oops, what's wrong with you?"

Qi Ling'er believed it and hurriedly went to investigate.

......

......