The fourteenth day of the first lunar month, an auspicious day on the yellow calendar. Xu Qili invited two friends who were also Hongwensheng to bring gifts, gifts and dowry gifts to the woman's house as messengers and deputy messengers to pay the levy.

The specific ceremony is that the messenger and the deputy messenger read the gift book at the woman's house, and ask the woman's family to count the gifts brought by the gift book. Then, the woman will return the salute and the man's messenger will bring it back.

Naturally, there is no problem with the gift money and the dowry, but the two mirrors, according to the market price, are worth thousands of yuan.

Not only was the Chen family surprised by this, but also proud, this is a very face-saving thing, which shows the excellence of their own girl.

The two messengers were also surprised, and turned to look at Xu Qili with admiration. They also knew some of Xu Qili's situation, but they didn't expect that his family was so rich.

Chen Laocai is not stingy, and the return gift is also quite decent. The dowry is for the daughter, that is, the girl. Even if she marries into her husband's family, the wife has the right to control and use her dowry.

Even if you divorce in the future, that is, divorce. If the woman is not at fault, the dowry can also be taken by her.

After sending off the messenger, Chen Laocai was excited, but he was a little sad. The levy has passed, and nominally, the daughter is already a member of her husband's family.

Unlike poor families who are eager to marry their daughters, they can't afford to support them. Chen Laocai thought that a woman would marry far away and go to Xiangzhou after getting married, he was really reluctant.

Chen Mengwei's life is hard, her mother died early, and she lost her heart again. Thinking about those days, Chen Laocai couldn't help but feel sad.

"Father doesn't have to be sorrowful." Chen Mengwei was also thoughtful, saw her father's sorrow, walked over obediently, fanned her father, and said slowly: "Xiangzhou is not too far, if the father wants his daughter, he can go there to live for a long time." ”

Besides, Xu Lang may not be there for long. There is Xu Chongrong, there is Xu Xiaolang, and His Majesty personally gave him the golden saber, and it won't be long before he comes back to be a Beijing official. ”

When Chen Mengwei talked about Xu Xiaolang, she had a strange feeling for no reason. This sentiment is not new, but has been there for a long time. For Xu Qilin, she always had a feeling that she couldn't say clearly.

Maybe Xu Xiaolang cured his madness, or maybe Xu Xiaolang and himself have known each other for a long time. Listening to my father, in Chang'an, she hit Xu Xiaolang's horse on the street; was lost on the mountain, and Xu Xiaolang also sent it back.

Therefore, Chen Mengwei regards this emotion as gratitude, as a good feeling, but it is by no means a love. She was a thirteen-year-old, and she rightly thought it wouldn't be like this.

As for Xu Qili, the contact between the two is not short. has literary talents, good temper, and good looks, and his family background is incomparable. Such a family affair can be regarded as her Chen family's high climbing, how can there be anything dissatisfied.

Chen Laocai listened to his daughter's persuasion, smiled bitterly, bowed slightly, and said: "Wei'er can have such a good family affair, and she is happy to be a father, but she is reluctant!" Okay, okay, don't worry about being a father, you go and prepare to clean up, the family matters are important! ”

"What does my daughter have to pack up?" Chen Mengwei said with a smile: "I just want to talk to my father, and I can go out for a walk." ”

Chen Laocai was so relieved that his eyes became a slit with a smile, and he said with a smile: "The Xu family has no elders, and Wei'er is not so troublesome when she passes the door." The Xu family Xiaolang doesn't seem to pay attention to any hypocrisy, and invites our family to enjoy the fireworks tomorrow. Don't you know that before men and women get married, it's not easy to meet? ”

"The Xu family doesn't pay attention to these red tapes, if we refuse, it seems that we have picked other people's etiquette." Chen Mengwei said: "Besides, to celebrate the Zhengyuan Festival, who will say that you met on the street? ”

"Well, that's right." Chen Laocai nodded again and again, and said: "If you are engaged, there is no reason not to let you go out, let alone the Zhengyuan Festival." ”

Chen Mengwei was overjoyed when she saw that she had moved her father, and she forgot what she had just said about chatting with her father and forgetting it, so she hurried to the back to choose the clothes and jewelry to wear tomorrow, and to appear in front of her husband with the most beautiful posture.

…………..

In Xu's mansion, a banquet was held, celebrating the successful completion of the major event of the two envoys, and all present were Xu Qili's classmates and friends.

"Getting married, going to work, Brother Xu, this is a double happiness, congratulations!"

The wine glass was raised, and the toast was enthusiastic, and Xu Qili had to drink the glass to win, and he smiled happily on his face.

"Qi Li, for my brother, I wish you to marry a beautiful wife, and your career is open." Another enthusiastic face.

Drink to win! Xu Qili laughed and toasted again.

"Qi Li is proud of life-" At the other table, a young man sighed with envy and sigh, "I missed the opportunity, but I have to wait for three years before the imperial examination!" ”

"There's no need to go through the imperial examination!" Another man turned his wine glass and said lightly: "Qi Li's little brother has become famous, and he has been promoted to a knighthood. ”

"It seems that he is only thirteen years old, he is already a fifth-grade official, and he is the son of the Great Wall County." Someone else sighed and praised: "You and I are incomparable." But people also have the ability, so they can find another way and not take the road of entering the imperial examination. ”

"Brother Pei also has to go to high school, and he gave Zuo Wuwei Cangcao the position of joining the army, which is gratifying." Someone raised a glass to Pei Xingjian.

Pei Xingjian raised his glass in return, toasted it, smiled bitterly, and said: "It's a pity that a certain can only test the Ming Sutra, if it is a Jinshi, it will be powerful." Can you see the future measures of the imperial court? This Jinshi is more and more valued, the real protégé of the Son of Heaven! ”

"There's a real trend." A young man nodded in agreement and said, "For Hanmen, this should be good news, right?" ”

"A noble son from a poor family?" Someone pouted and said disapprerovingly: "Except for Ma Zhou, who else is from a poor family?" In terms of heritage, talent, or the Shi family has the advantage. Unless the court doesn't take people by talent, otherwise, how many talents can the poor family produce? ”

This is true, even if His Majesty Li Er values the Hanmen, how can it be done in a short period of time if there are many talented Hanmen disciples emerge?

"More than ten kinds of books have been printed in Dayingku, and the prices are low." Some people are still worried, saying: "There is also the establishment of the library, which is conducive to the rise of the poor." In time, it may not be impossible to stand in the court. ”

There are so many official positions, and if there is one more poor family, there will be one less child of a scholar, which is indeed a crisis.

"As long as the imperial court is still meritocracy, how can we be buried if we study hard and have real talent and learning?" Pei Xingjian could see it, and said with a smile: "Come, don't talk about messy things." It's rare to have such good wine and good food, let's have a good drink. ”

Pei Xingjian was born in the "Hedong Pei Family" family room, and became a Hongwen student by virtue of his ancestors' merits, and was selected in the Ming Jingke examination this year, and was appointed to join the army as Zuowu Wei Cangcao.

But who would have thought that a liberal arts student was assigned to the army and engaged in logistics management, but he could be valued by Su Dingfang and passed on the art of war strategy, so as to become a generation of famous generals and known as the heroes of Confucian generals?

This is the creation of people, and in response to that sentence, gold will always shine. Pei Xingjian must have a smart mind and a good talent, so he will be able to pass on the mantle to Su Dingfang.

Everyone was eating and drinking, Xu Qilin quietly came in, found the elder brother, and asked about Na Zheng. I heard that it was going well, so I decided on the date of the invitation and the date of the welcome.

The invitation period is also known as the begging day, that is, after the man chooses a good day to welcome his relatives after divination, he prepares gifts to the woman's house to discuss the date of marriage. After the woman accepts the gift and agrees to the date of the wedding, the date of the wedding is set.

It is said to be a discussion, but it is just a way of respecting the female family. In fact, after the man is optimistic about the wedding day, he will fulfill the obligation to inform and let the woman's family prepare quickly!

Xu Qili was already a little drunk, and after answering slurred, he pulled his little brother again, insisting on introducing him to the friends present.

Xu Qilin couldn't help it, although he didn't want to know these people. But the old brother has drunk like this, so it's better to follow him.

Walking over table by table, Xu Qilin and these big brothers were noisy, but they were just polite and polite, and they didn't even remember their names.

It's just that when he arrived at Pei Xingjian's table, hearing Pei Xingjian's name, Xu Qilin couldn't help but be taken aback. This is the one who made the countries of the Western Regions tremble when they are famous, and the Turks call him Dad?

It's just a scholar with crepe! Xu Qilin was still unsure, and came back after a circle.

"Brother Pei is still studying at Hongwen Pavilion?" Xu Qilin sat down on the empty seat on the table, raised his glass to Pei Xingjian, and asked with a smile.

Pei Xingjian returned a glass and said: "In the next year's Ming Jingke Championship, I will go to Zuo Wuwei to serve as Cangcao's army membership. ”

Zuo Wuwei?! Su Dingfang?! Well, that's a bit of a match.

Xu Qilin nodded with a smile and said, "I see Brother Pei as a thing in the pool, although he was born in the imperial examination, he will make contributions to the military in the future." ”

Pei Xingjian looked at Xu Qilin, smiled for a while, and said: "I think that Yu Jianren is quite good at it, and I don't want Xu Cheng to be good at it." ”

Connoisseurs? Oh, it's to see acquaintances, right? You are an idealistic master, how can I have great foreknowledge.

Xu Qilin smiled and said: "I don't look at the eight characters of the criticism, but I know people and talents, but it is quite accurate." ”

Pei Xingjian blinked his eyes and said with a smile: "I don't believe in physiognomy, I only see people from temperament and measurements." ”

Yes?! This guy is also full of confidence, Xu Qilin stretched out his finger and pointed at himself, and said with a smile: "Then Brother Pei, what will happen in the future?" ”

Pei Xingjian shook his head and said: "I have no contact with Xu Cheng, I don't know my temperament and behavior, but I don't dare to say anything." ”

Xu Qilin laughed and said: "Brother Pei and remember a certain word, there will be noble people to guide him in Zuo Wuwei, and he will achieve Brother Pei's civil and military skills." With that, he got up and bowed his hand, and took his leave.

Pei Xingjian was inexplicable, but he didn't dare to underestimate Xu Qilin. I all know that he has a powerful master, didn't he learn divination and physiognomy from his master?

There are as many famous generals as dogs! Xu Qilin sighed as he walked, this is the early Tang Dynasty, full of martial arts and pioneering atmosphere, so many famous generals will emerge, and the great name of the Tang Dynasty will be established.

It's a pity that in the era of Wu Zetian, Cheng Wuting, Zhang Qianqiao, Wang Fangyi, Li Duozuo, Heizhi Changzhi and others did not die in the battlefield battle, but died tragically at the hands of Wu Zetian and the cool officials.

Although the history books evaluate Wu Zetian's reign as "inheriting the concept of Zhenzhen from the top and Kaiyuan from the bottom", there are also opinions that Wu Zetian's reign was the beginning of the decline of the Tang Dynasty.

Because of the chaos in the court and the brutal political struggle, it will not be calmed down in a hundred and ten years. Behind the prosperity of the Kaiyuan Dynasty is also a mess, and an Anshi Rebellion has no chance for Datang to regain its strength.

In any case, Xu Qilin has already strengthened his determination. The scumbag Li Zhi can't be on the throne, Wu Meier is honest, and there is no one else who leads the Tang Dynasty to glory except him.

………….

The next day is the fifteenth day of the first month, and the Tang Dynasty is called "Shangyuan Festival", "Yuan Xi Festival" and "Yuan Night Festival".

At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, the Shangyuan Festival was only a day of excitement, and after that, it was the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth day of carnival. In the Song Dynasty, it was five days, and in the Ming Dynasty it was ten days, and the later generations seemed to be endless.

And the end of the Shangyuan Festival also means that the year is over. Collect your heart, go to school when you should go to school, go to work when you should go to work, and if you want to be so lively, you will have to wait for the next year.

The curfew system in the Tang Dynasty was very strict, and it was only canceled on the Shangyuan Festival. The citizens who are choking enough, of course, have to come out and hang out blindly, and even in front of the palace can sing and dance, do you say it's cool, is it a national carnival?

To what extent the Lantern Festival is lively, you can refer to the Great Wall and Jiuzhaigou during the golden holiday in later generations.

According to the records in the history books: the floats in the city parade, hanging lanterns, the lights illuminate the night as bright as day. Men, women, and children flocked out, rubbing shoulders and feet, and when crowded, they could float up a dozen steps without touching their feet.

Youmu has the feeling of squeezing the bus and subway early, and it is so crowded that it is suspended in the air, and Ling Bo Weibu's magic technique does not need to be practiced.

Without waiting for the lights to come on, Xu Qilin, Xu Qili, Xiao Zhao took the upper and lower maids, and Chen Laocai's family also rushed to the city to live temporarily, and made an appointment to go out together, by car, on horseback, to the Vermilion Bird Gate of the palace.

Out of the gate, Xu Qilin and Li Wuzhong, Wei Chihuan, Cheng Chubi and others opened the way in front.

Fortunately, I ate early and came out early, and although there were already many people on the streets, they were not particularly crowded.

"Hehe, that little lady looked at Qi Lin and laughed!" Cheng Chubi grinned, as if it was true, and as if it was a joke, "Why don't Qi Lin go to meet with him?" ”

Xu Qilin didn't look at it at all, and said with a smile: "If Brother Cheng can see it, just go." It's also a beautiful thing to make an appointment to watch fireworks together. ”

"The little lady is looking at you, why is it offering?" Cheng Chubi shook his head, "I don't understand the customs, I won't have a chance after tonight." ”

The Shangyuan Festival in the Tang Dynasty was also the Valentine's Day of young men and women, and it was far more popular among the people than Qixi Festival. Men and women really have the right eyes, but they don't include Xu Qilin.

Li Wuzhong spent the Yuan Festival for the first time in the metropolis of Chang'an, but he saw that the lanterns on both sides were all kinds and colorful, and the streets were full of people, mixed men and women, and there was no distinction between men and women.

There are also nomadic musicians dressed in fancy clothes, which attract the attention of many men. It dazzled him, and he longed to have a few more pairs of eyes.

Along the wide Vermilion Bird Avenue, Xu Qilin and others stopped and stopped, and when they came to the Vermilion Bird Gate, Chang'an City was already full of lights, becoming a brightly lit city that never sleeps.