Chapter 1: Seongnam (6)

He knew that his cousin and father-in-law would not receive his mother's affection. Although his mother and he are his own uncles and brothers. When his father didn't have an accident, his cousin Zhu Wanzhang was not so ruthless. Cheng Xiaojiu remembered that his cousin and his cousin Xiao Xinghua would travel thousands of miles to visit relatives in the capital almost every year, and each time they stayed in their own house for three or four months. Although he was tired of playing with a little girl who loved to cry, his cousin still forced him to change the eight characters with his father and promised him the little apricot blossom.

And since his father was implicated by General He Ruo, he was deprived of his position as a lieutenant of the chariot and cavalry, and was assigned to the side plug. My cousin never came to the door again. Although his family moved back to Ping'en County from the capital at that time, his cousin's family lived in Guantao, and the distance between him and Ping'en was less than 100 miles.

The thief Zhang Jin said that he had broken Ping'en, and he and his mother went to Guantao to join his cousin, the closest relative. As a result, nothing was found except a cracked iron pot and a few old clothes. Even the broken yard of Donkey Hutong was rented from his cousin's house by his mother with her last savings, and the rent was collected for three years, and the price was not less than others.

"Your father-in-law is also doing this to force you to be motivated. Think of the good in everything, don't think too badly of people! Cheng Zhu handed the rice bag to his son and babbled instructed. Apricot blossoms are not small this year, and after next year, they will reach the age where they can pass the door. Tell her a few words, and don't ignore them. She's a good boy, and she came to see me several times when you weren't there! ”

"Hmm!" Cheng Xiaojiu was helpless to cope. When it came to the doll kissing Xiao Xinghua, he was confused again. It stands to reason that he should be satisfied with this family business. Xiao Xinghua is not as snobbish as his father, and her appearance is also eighteen, and she can no longer see the appearance of the slug. It has long been like a bud in spring, and as long as the warm wind blows, it can bloom in brilliant colors. But deep down, Cheng Xiaojiu couldn't find the slightest sense of closeness to Xiao Xinghua. Maybe it's because of his father.,Hate the house and the black.。 Maybe it's because of the incompatibility or some other reason. Anyway, he didn't have the desire to marry Xiao Xinghua urgently, whether his family was rich or embarrassed. Even in the countless gorgeous daydreams about the future, they can't melt into the shadow of each other.

But he couldn't refuse the marriage. Although he knew that as long as he proposed to withdraw from the marriage, Zhu Wanzhang's seniors would definitely not have the heart to agree. will even get rid of his own poor god, and will return the dowry as it is. Similar hints, the latter have said more than once, and even the more they pick, the more they understand. But Cheng Xiaojiu didn't dare to agree, he was afraid that his mother would be upset about it. The help of the Zhu family, which cannot exist, is the hope of the mother's life. If this last glimmer of hope is also broken, he doesn't know if his mother's body and bones will survive the next winter.

Donkey Hutong is in the most dilapidated area in the south of the city, but the gate of the Zhu family is located in Chengxian Street in the north of the city, close to the Confucius Temple, where incense is flourishing. It is said that the children and grandchildren of the people who live on this street will be promoted to the rank of jinshi and become big officials. Although Zhu Wanzhang has lived here for more than 30 years, he has not even been able to pass the first wave of selection in the county.

From the south of the city to the north of the city, it took Cheng Xiaojiu half an hour. In this half hour, he finally forced his smile to look less stiff to be worthy of the status of a future son-in-law. But as soon as I met my father-in-law, all my efforts collapsed in an instant. Old Master Zhu's best skill may be to make people angry. Although he can always maintain a polite appearance in front of people with higher status than himself.

"What does it smell like on you?" The old master twitched his nose and asked dissatisfiedly. From the time Cheng Xiaojiu entered the house to the present, he didn't even order the servant to serve a bowl of tea, but unceremoniously judged his future son-in-law.

The people who carried the big bags on the dock for a long time naturally had a strong smell of sweat on their bodies, and no matter how they were washed, they would not be washed easily. Cheng Xiaojiu was embarrassed by the question, lowered his head, and replied with anger, "Don't hide it from my uncle, I found some strength to work today, so I earned some rice." My mother said I would send some, it's not a thing, but it's fresh. ”

"Well, if the heavens want to descend on the people, they must first work their muscles and bones and suffer their minds. It's also a good thing that you can go out and work to subsidize your family! Zhu Wanzhang moved the stool slightly into the distance, avoiding the suffocating sour sour air on the young man's body, and said in a deep voice. For the sake of the rice bag at the foot of the house, he didn't want to drive the other party away immediately, but he couldn't raise much interest in talking, so he had to break it without a word.

"Thanks to my uncle's call recently!" Cheng Xiaojiu gritted his teeth and responded in a low voice.

"I can't talk about it, if you understand my good intentions for you!" Zhu Wanzhang smiled and waved his hand, unceremoniously taking flattery as gratitude, "The alley where your mother and son live now was originally called Lishi Hutong. It is taken from the meaning of Corporal Lixian. It is the ignorance of the idlers in the market who can't understand the original intention of the ancients to persuade the younger generations to be motivated, and they insist on misunderstanding the good manners and the lishi as donkey. It's really an insult to Sven, an insult to Sven! ”

Cheng Xiaojiu didn't believe it in his heart, but he admired his cousin's eloquence, raised his head, and responded with a smile: "No wonder since I moved there, my nephew has felt that reading has become more and more energetic." A lot of things that originally felt jerky became smooth when I read them. It turned out to be the secret blessing of the sages. I will definitely tell my mother about this matter when I go back, so that she can also understand my uncle's intentions! ”

"There's no need to tell your mother this. It's all one family, no need to talk about two families! Zhu Wanzhang was very impressed by Cheng Xiaojiu's sycophant, his hands stroked his beard, and his already small eyes smiled more and more blurred, "You study hard, and your uncle is optimistic about you." Once one day the fish jumps into the dragon gate, it will not be in vain for your mother's hard work over the years! ”

"Yes, uncle, don't worry!" Cheng Xiaojiu smiled and bowed his hand. "As long as the imperial court reopens the imperial examination, I will definitely go to the county to try it."

"Actually, you're the best fit to be a fruit. It's a pity that when the imperial court ordered troops, Ping En was besieged by thieves, and you didn't see the Di newspaper! Zhu Wanzhang saw that Cheng Xiaojiu never mentioned the marriage event, and wished that the other party had forgotten, so he pulled the topic farther and farther.

"Well, I also think it's a pity to have a chance!" Cheng Xiaojiu smiled and replied along with Zhu Wanzhang's words.

Such a dry topic naturally didn't last long. After barely coping with a few words, Zhu Wanzhang got up to see off the guests. Cheng Xiaojiu had no intention of not leaving, and said goodbye to his cousin with a smile. Before going out, he cautiously looked at the soles of his boots, and was sure that he had not stepped on any of the wealth of his cousin's family, so he took a step.

Zhu Wanzhang saw all the small actions of his future son-in-law, but he couldn't catch the other party's handle, and he couldn't have a seizure. Just as the fire was burning, a stout figure chased out of the main room, caught up with Cheng Xiaojiu in three steps and two steps, and greeted enthusiastically: "It's Xiaojiu." It's hard to come once, why don't you sit for a while? Xing'er went to her best friend's house with her personal girl, and it is estimated that she will be back in a few moments! ”

Just listening to the movement behind him, Cheng Xiaojiu knew that it was his concubine Zhu Dushi who was speaking. Hurriedly smiled and looked back, and replied thoughtfully: "Don't sit down, my uncle is very busy." I also have to go home and study. It was too late for the sun to set. ”

"You kid, every time you are in a hurry, the stool is not hot and you leave!" Zhu Dushi blocked her husband and stepped on the latter's feet with seven-inch embroidered shoes, her face full of regret. "Xing'er said a few days ago to make you a dress. I saw that it was hot, so I let her do it again in the autumn. You won't be able to wear it in the summer anyway. ”

"Thank you, Sister Xinghua. Thank you too! Cheng Xiaojiu clenched his fists again, "I came in a hurry this time, and I didn't bring any gifts to Sister Xinghua, don't blame me for being negligent!" ”

"Hmm!" Zhu Wanzhang just wanted to speak, but his feet hurt and he grinned.

"You kid!" Zhu Dushi changed his foot to step on her husband, and stomped her husband's kind words back into her throat. "Why do you still call me a concubine, I don't know, I thought you and Xing'er didn't get married! It's time to change your tune, you're both the oldest! Let's kiss and kiss, this is what was said more than ten years ago! ”

Cheng Xiaojiu smiled and nodded, but refused to follow the other party's wishes. "I know, son. But I don't have any interest now, so I don't dare to wronged Sister Xinghua! Wait for two years, I will cheer up the Cheng family, and I will definitely use a sedan chair to carry apricot blossoms through the door! ”

"Then I can't wait!" Zhu Dushi pinched his waist with one hand and shook up and down in front of him with the other. shook the old master Zhu Wanzhang dizzy, and he couldn't say anything at all. "Since Xing'er has promised you, whether she wears silk or eats bran vegetables, it is her life, and she can't blame others. We parents can't drag her out and prevent her from getting married. The day before yesterday, I went to the old Wu family next door, and his son-in-law was also as old as you, but he married his daughter early and waited to hold his grandson. Hehe, the son-in-law is timid, and he looks like a man who knows how to be good to his wife. ”

Before Zhu Wanzhang and Cheng Xiaojiu could speak, she stomped her foot hard again. However, the old Wu couple is also very interesting, and they actually begged the man for 20 bride price. The neighbors laughed at their husband and wife for selling their daughters, but they were full of words. If you say that the gift money is less, you can't show the identity of your daughter, and your daughter will be looked down upon by her husband and neighbors. Phew! Bah! As far as their lotus leaves look, they are embarrassed to talk about their identity! (Note 1)

Cheng Xiaojiu's heart was bright, and even the last trace of good impression of the Zhu family disappeared. Nodding with a smile, he calmly agreed, "Of course I can't let Sister Xinghua wait for an old girl." Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely give you a letter in the lunar month of this year at the latest! ”

"That's good, that's good, I'll wait for you to change your words, you stubborn boy!" In the evening sunset, Zhu Dushi kept waving his hand, like an old bustard who had just made a business. It wasn't until Cheng Xiaojiu's back disappeared at the end of the street that he turned his head, pinched her husband fiercely, and whispered: "Useless old thing, seeing that my daughter is about to fall into the fire pit, I can't say a serious word." Go home, close the door and we'll settle the score! ”

"You should be lighter and save me some face in front of people!" Zhu Wanzhang frowned and protested in a low voice. In this home, his protests have never been effective. After a few more blows to his waist, he had to return home with his head down.

"Twenty times, their old Cheng family can come up with more than 200 yuan by the end of the year, and I won't be surnamed Du!" The husband and wife entered the house, and Zhu Dushi clapped his hands to show off. The daughter has become a flower, and countless rich and powerful people have come to the door to ask for help. Marrying his daughter to the poor boy of the Cheng family, is it crazy for his husband and wife?

Zhu Wanzhang also knew that from this moment on, he and his cousin's family might have broken off. Thinking about the help I received from my brother-in-law when I was down, my mood was relaxed, but I faintly added a little guilt. But he is such a pearl in his palm, and marrying into the Cheng family is indeed equivalent to jumping into the fire pit. So no matter how guilty you are, you have to end this undeserved family affair as soon as possible.

"Why don't you speak, isn't my way good?" After showing off for a long time but not getting her husband's support, Zhu Dushi asked with some annoyance.

Zhu Wanzhang first sighed, and then nodded solemnly. "Good. Of course it's good. There are some things that I can't say for me, and if you say them, you should too. But I always feel that Xiao Jiu's child doesn't look like a poor child. When he was a child, I personally enlightened Meng, and no matter how difficult the words were taught to him, he would learn them as soon as he learned them, and I never had to repeat them a second time! ”

"Okay, okay, I can't bear your nephew, right? He is good, his character is good, his martial arts are good, and he can also learn well! Zhu Dushi kept sneering, "It's just that it's not fate." There is a father who plots to rebel, and a mother who is full of disasters and diseases. No matter how good your knowledge is, can you eat it? Anyway, don't expect to regret it, I have already made it clear today, either he will get twenty copper coins at the end of the year, or he will take the initiative to withdraw from the marriage, anyway, don't expect Xing'er to suffer with him in the past! ”

"I don't regret it!" Zhu Wanzhang said stupidly. Twenty copper coins, that's not a small amount. A few years ago, milled rice was only equivalent to five cents a bucket. Twenty copper coins, with Cheng Xiaojiu's income from selling coolies on the dock, he has no hope in this life. My backbone was poked by someone, but for the sake of apricot blossoms, it was worth being poked again!

"It's too late to regret it!" Zhu Dushi slapped the table hard, "What the old lady said, it is a nail in the coffin, and it will never be changed." What tastes so good! She snorted, quickly ran to the door, picked up the bag of polished rice sent by Cheng Xiaojiu, opened the rope, took out a handful neatly with her hand, and looked at the sunset carefully, "Scared, the best polished rice is still this year's new rice." Let's boil porridge and eat it at night, and we are guaranteed to be able to boil out a pot of oily rice porridge! ”

Escaping from the eyes of the Zhu family and his wife from afar, Cheng Xiaojiu couldn't help but look up to the sky and howl. The lonely and desolate howling alarm caused many neighbors to stand by the door of their homes, pointing at them from afar.

"Isn't that the old Cheng family's Xiaojiu, the one who just moved to Donkey Hutong?" Someone had sharp eyes, and immediately recognized the identity of the person who was disturbing the people.

The other neighbors looked at each other and muttered, "Isn't it stupid to be caught in the rain?" It's not just thunder. The scar on the street was drenched with madness today, and a few strong men couldn't hold it down! ”

"No, Xiao Jiu is a good boy, not like a scar, who has done all the things that lack morality." Someone shook his head in no. In everyone's impression, the newly moved Cheng Xiaojiu is calm, polite, and has a white and pure rich face. Such a good child should be blessed for a long time, and he will never be sent a disaster by God!

"Not necessarily, both blind people are blind when they build bridges and roads, and they are good people when they dig pits on the avenues!" There are those who continue to veto. looked at Cheng Xiaojiu, full of pity and sympathy.

I'm not going crazy! Cheng Xiaojiu gritted his teeth and said to himself, then forced himself to pretend to be a bland smile and clenched his fists at everyone, "I just learned Taoist Qi refining and messing around, don't blame the neighbors!" With that, he flicked his sleeves and swaggered towards the south of the city.

I see! The eyes of the neighbors were immediately relieved. Taoist priests refining qi, aren't they just chattering about gods? Cheng Xiaojiu, this kid is smart when he looks at it, maybe he can be ignited by the immortals. With his good heart, he is also a kind fairy who responds to requests.

I'm not going crazy, I'm not going to let you guys see jokes! I want to live well, live like a human being. Cheng Xiaojiu muttered silently in his heart as he walked. People are warm and cold, and it's not the first time I've seen it today. Let's just feed the two buckets of rice to the dog, but unfortunately, that's a day's and a half's wages!

pondering about his thoughts, he was unexpectedly bumped into by the oncoming figure. "I'm sorry!" He habitually clenched his fists and bowed to apologize to being hit. But I heard a crisp and delicate voice complaining in my ear: "Little Brother Jiu, why don't you walk without looking at people." I've shouted at you several times! ”

Looking up in surprise, he saw his fiancée, who was already doomed to loss, standing in front of him with a smile, frowning slightly, and her eyes fluttering.

Note 1: Twenty guan, that is, 20,000 copper coins. According to the purchasing power of the Sui Dynasty, it is close to about 100,000 yuan now.

Drinker's note: It's time for everyone to greet the New Year in advance. Sunday, Monday does not update, Tuesday continues.