In the garden, Cheng Mengxing is the most proud, in addition to the lake stones, grass and trees, pavilions and pavilions, is the beauty dotted among them, but Cao Hao is in filial piety, Cheng Mengxing is not good to let the beauties in the garden show their hands, and the focus of this banquet is on the banquet. Plates, dishes, and chopsticks, all of which are fine; Stir-frying, cooking, and frying, all of them are beautiful.

Even the chef who uses the imperial food in Cao Hao's house can only praise the authentic Huaiyang food in front of him, "good".

Wang Lusheng is used to eating Lu cuisine, and his taste is heavy, and he doesn't like Huaiyang cuisine as much as Cao Hao. Holding the wine cup, Tong Cheng Mengkun pushed the cup and changed the glass.

Speaking of which, the ancestors of the two families still have in-laws to deal with.

This time he intercepted Cheng Jiabiao, Wang Lusheng was afraid of accumulating old grudges, so he promised with his heart, Cheng Mengkun's side, he had the heart to make friends with the Wang family, get involved in Nanyang commerce, and chat with Wang Lusheng.

Because Cao Hao did not drink, Cheng Mengxing also accompanied him with tea. At the table, Cheng Mengxing asked about the recent situation in the old capital or something, and Cao Hao went back one by one.

Speaking of his niece Han Jiang, Cheng Mengxing had to pick up the teacup, replace the wine with tea, and thank Cao Hao for taking care of him all these years.

Cao Hao smiled and picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile: "Although it is said that my niece is a righteous daughter under the knee of my mother, Brother Wu Qiao should not think about performing the gift of elders in front of me. ”

When Cheng Mengxing heard this, he couldn't help but wonder: "That's natural, if you talk about the relationship between the two families, it's really hard to say who will be the elder." ”

Cao Hao only heard his father mention that the Cao family had an old relationship with the Cheng family, and he really didn't know anything else, so he couldn't help but be curious: "Oh, our two ancestors have been married?" ”

Cheng Mengxing nodded and said, "My great-grandmother was born in the Gu family, and she is a cousin with Mrs. Ling Zuru. I heard that Ling Zun married Mrs. Gu in his early years, and he was an iceman made by his great-grandfather. ”

If it is said in terms of blood, Cao Xi's concubine Gu is Cao Hao's own grandmother. Maybe it's because he hasn't seen him since he was a child, and Cao Hao doesn't have much feeling when he mentions this grandmother.

Earlier, he was also strange that according to the rules, the official's biological mother could also ask for a seal.

Even if his father was an official and made an earl, only Cao Xi and the Sun family were posthumously sealed, and there was nothing to do with the Gu family.

Later, several living old servants in the same house asked about it, and only then did they know a rough idea.

The Gu family, although she is the daughter of a famous family in Jiangnan, is not the concubine of Cao Xi after he went to Jiangnan, but in the war, he was separated from his family, was plundered into slavery, and was transferred to the Cao family as a maid.

Even if Cao Xi later went to Jiangnan and brought the Gu family, who was already a concubine, to recognize the Gu clan, it would not be able to erase the fact that the Gu family had been exiled.

Besides, he also has to take care of the childless Sun family, and Cao Xi is even more unlikely to raise the identity of the Gu family.

Gu is the cousin of Cheng Mengxing's great-grandmother, and from this side, Cheng Mengxing is a generation lower than Cao Hao, and he wants to call him "cousin".

When Cao Hao heard this, he was a little curious about the Gu family in Jiangnan. It was my father's uncle's family, and it was closer to the Cao family than the Sun and Li families.

Xu was concerned about his grandmother Sun's family, and in Cao Hao's memory, his father had limited contact with the Gu family. When he took care of Gu Na's father, it was also because he took his wife and son to Jiangning to take refuge.

"It's really unthinkable that the two families still have such a relationship......" Cao Hao sighed and said with a little emotion.

Cheng Mengxing said: "Yes, I didn't know earlier. This time, when my mother returned to her hometown to guard the system, I heard about it by chance. ”

Both of them are smart people, and when they talk about it, they are a little puzzled when they think that the elders are silent about this matter, but they don't look like the two families have any grudges.

At this time, Wang Lusheng and Cheng Mengkun have already used a lot of wine, and both of them are a little superior.

"I can't drink anymore, I'll get drunk if I drink again." Wang Lusheng said with a bit of alcohol.

"It's rare to drink at the same table, and the seventh master shouldn't hide his secrets." Cheng Mengkun personally poured the lamp for Wang Lusheng and persuaded him.

When Wang Lusheng heard this, he added a little pride, glared at Cheng Mengkun and said, "Does Cheng Dangjia look down on Wang Laoqi?" Then if you don't get drunk today, will Cheng Ye dare to accompany him? ”

Cheng Mengkun picked up the wine cup, and also said with a bit of wine: "The wine is less than a thousand cups of confidants, and Cheng Mou is now saying that he will sacrifice his life to accompany the gentleman!" ”

They are all the heads of a century-old family, whether they are really drunk or fake drunk, only they know it, anyway, they are drunk hot on the wine table. People who don't know see it, and they think it's a brother who changed the post.

Cheng Mengxing is the most elegant, listening to their noise, he was a little impatient, and when he saw that Cao Hao used it almost, he said: "Fu Ruo, they drink theirs, if Fu Ruo uses it well, let's go out and walk around the garden?" ”

In front of the two drunkards, where there is an outside scenery that is pleasing to the eye, Cao Hao is naturally willing to accompany him.

Cheng Mengxing asked people to add a few refreshing side dishes for the two of them to drink, and then got up and led Cao Hao out to visit the garden.

It wasn't until he left the near guest hall that he asked what he had been thinking about in his heart, and said, "By the way, can the Amethyst girl still worship the Buddha now?" My mother left behind a lot of Buddhist books and classics during her lifetime, many of which are rare books. I didn't believe in this, and I'm a pity that I'm on the shelf. When Fu Ruo comes back from Guangzhou, I will pack up a copy and bring it back to Beijing for Fu Ruo. ”

Although Cheng Mengxing's face was as usual and pretended to be casual, Cao Hao had been in the officialdom for many years, and he still had a little bit of eyes. From his somewhat stiff smile, it was already clear that his heart was stirring.

Cao Hao sighed in his heart.

If Amethyst had chosen to marry outside, what would have been the situation? If you let go of your worries and be the hostess of this garden, maybe you won't die of illness in your thirties.

"Wu Qiao is kind, and the little brother has thanked Amethyst. It's just amethyst...... Amethyst had died of illness the winter before last......" Cao Hao said with a little gloom.

"Huh?" Cheng Mengxing was surprised when he heard this.

Because of the difference between men and women, over the years, Cheng Mengxing and Cao Hao have exchanged letters, but it is not easy to inquire about the news of Amethyst.

Today, he still hears about it.

When the seemingly gentle and resolute woman appeared in his mind, he was really a little sentimental in his heart.

Cheng Mengxing asked urgently, "Where are you buried?" After asking, I realized that I was out of shape, and said: "Speaking of which, if she hadn't suffered a family change and married into the Hu family, she would still be my relative...... If you have a chance in the future, you should also worship one or two......"

"She has no father, no mother, no husband and no children, except for the Cao family cemetery, where else can she be buried? Brother Wu Qiao, rest assured, I have always regarded him as a sister, and my children and daughters regard him as an aunt, and I will not cut off the incense offerings. Cao Hao was grateful for Cheng Mengxing's sincerity, but he didn't mean to be picky, and said indifferently.

Cheng Mengxing pulled the corners of his mouth and didn't speak again, and there was no smile on his face.

Seeing him like this, Cao Hao knew that he was not interested in visiting the garden, pointed to a pavilion in front of him, and said, "The scenery over there is quite good, how about we go over and sit down?" ”

Cheng Mengxing was just about to nod, remembering what her daughter had just said, she hesitated for a moment, and said, "Fu Ruo, just before the banquet, the little girl came to look for me, saying that my aunt wanted to see Fu Ruo." She also said that she didn't need us to go over, she wanted to come and meet. You see, this ...... When to arrange ......"

When Cao Hao heard this, he said: "Of course, the younger brother went to visit him, where is the reason to let the elders move?" They all complained about Brother Wu Qiao, who should have visited him earlier, but now that he has been full of wine and food, he is really rude. ”

Cheng Mengxing is a free and easy person, although he was sad for the death of Amethyst in his heart, he calmed down at this time, his face regained his calmness, nodded, and led Cao Hao to the Dangui Hall where Cheng's family was located to ...... * Dangui Hall and go to the room.

There was a table on the kang, and Cheng Zihe persuaded him a few times, but Cheng only drank two mouthfuls of mushroom soup and put down the spoon.

Seeing that the food was cold, Cheng Zihe had no choice but to ask someone to remove the table, and he was afraid that Cheng would be hungry, so he ordered someone to prepare a bird's nest cup and wait.

She saw that before seeing the uncle of the Cao family, her aunt and grandmother really didn't have the heart to eat.

Thinking of this, she called another mother-in-law and commanded in a low voice: "Go to the near guest hall to see how they are using it, father." ”

The mother-in-law answered, Cheng Zihe turned his head, and saw that Cheng had already gotten up from the kang and sat down in front of the dressing mirror.

She looked in the mirror, touched her sideburns, and asked, "He'er, have I been so old in the past two years?" ”

Cheng Zihe stepped forward, stood behind Cheng's, and said crisply: "Mrs. Gu is just dressed up a little cleaner, where is she old?" Outsiders saw it, who would have thought that Mrs. Gu was my father's aunt, and it was almost the same as my sister. ”

Cheng Shi listened, but he smiled bitterly and said in a low voice: "I am the same age as your father, and it is not bad to say that I am like a sister and brother." ”

When Cheng Zihe heard this, his face was dumbfounded, and he didn't know what to say.

Although Cheng's face can vaguely see the charm of the early years, his sideburns are white, and he looks like a person who is more than half a hundred. Cheng Mengxing is only 43 years old this year.

Seeing the sadness on her aunt's grandmother's face, the little girl couldn't bear it, squeezed out a little smile, and said, "If you want to see a guest, can your granddaughter help your aunt dress up?" Mrs. Gu is dressed so plainly, and it is not good to see outsiders. ”

Cheng was wearing a pale blue cardigan, a navy blue straight skirt, a bun on his head, and only a white jade comb.

"Forget it, let's see you at that. It's just that there are a few words to ask, it's too solemn and makes people uncomfortable......" Cheng stood up, took Cheng Zihe's hand, and patted it.

Before the words fell, I saw a maid come in and said, "Mrs. Gu, the master is here, saying that he is bringing guests to ask Mrs. Gu for peace, and he is waiting under the porch." ”

When Cheng heard this, his face had changed color, his body staggered, and he almost fell.

Cheng Zihe hurriedly stepped forward to support him, Cheng swallowed hard and spat hard, pushed Cheng Zihe's arm away, and walked out quickly.

Outside the door, Cao Hao stood beside Cheng Mengxing and looked at the plaque hanging outside the room.

The end is the dragon and phoenix dance, which has a unique charm, and the payment is "Xiangxi", which is Cheng Mengxing's number. The name of this Jiangnan genius is indeed well deserved.

It's just that I don't know what happened to the Cheng family in later generations, and it seems that the curatorial garden that cost Cheng Mengxing's hard work has not been passed on, which is really regrettable. Otherwise, it should also be among the famous gardens in the south of the Yangtze River.

In Cheng Mengxing's heart, he was thinking that his aunt wanted to see Cao Hao, but he couldn't guess it for a while.

At this moment, Cheng had already rushed out of the back room, went out of the door, looked at the figure standing behind Cheng Mengxing, stopped his steps, and did not dare to step forward.

"Auntie, this is the friend my nephew made when he was in the capital, the eldest son of the late Lord Cao Weaving." Cheng Mengxing saw her come out, took two steps forward, turned sideways and pointed at Cao Hao and introduced.

After speaking, he turned around again and said to Cao Hao: "Fu Ruo, this is my aunt, you call me as you are." ”

Cao Hao took two steps forward, bowed down and said, "Senior Cao Hao sees Aunt Cheng, please Aunt Cheng." ”

Cheng Shi grabbed the door frame fiercely before he allowed himself to stand firm, nodded, and said with a trilling voice: "It turned out that Cao Gongzi arrived, and he invited the hall to watch tea." ”

Cao Hao didn't have anything, so he answered, and followed Cheng's aunt and nephew into the house to watch the seat; Cheng Mengxing had already seen that Cheng was wrong, and asked with concern: "Auntie's face is not good, but her body is not comfortable?" Or should someone call the doctor to ask my aunt for a pulse? ”

Cheng shook his head hurriedly and said, "It's okay, it's just that I got up early in the morning, and my spirit is a little lacking, so it's okay." ”

Cao Hao leaned over to salute just now, but he didn't see Cheng's appearance clearly, but now in his seat, listening to the conversation between their aunt and nephew, he saw Cheng's appearance clearly.

When he looked at the past, he was stunned, because the person in front of him looked a little familiar.

On Cheng's side, while talking to Cheng Mengxing, his eyes were also looking at Cao Hao.

No, the two are on top, looking at Cao Hao's stunned appearance, her eyes were a little flustered, and she hurriedly moved away from Cao Hao.

This look of concern and sorrow...... A shadow vaguely appeared in Cao Hao's mind...... When he looked at Cheng again, Cao Hao was a little determined.

I wondered in my heart, why was she in Cheng's family and became Aunt Cheng Mengxing again?

Seeing that Cao Hao had regained his clarity, Cheng's face became more and more pale, coughed lightly, and said to Cheng Mengxing: "I heard that the uncle of the Cao family is also a person who worships the Buddha, I just got a few boxes of good sandalwood, and I put it in the Buddhist hall, and Mengxing brought it for me." ”

Cheng Mengxing knew that her aunt was going to talk to Cao Hao alone, and although her heart turned a thousand times, she still got up and told Cao Hao about her guilt and went out to get incense.

Seeing him leave, Cheng waved his hand and sent the waiting maids out of the hall.

Only Cheng and Cao Hao were left in the hall, and for a while, neither of them spoke.

Cheng Zihe was in the back room, and he was still hesitating when to come out to pay a visit, when he heard his aunt and grandmother send everyone out, standing there with a handkerchief, and became more and more anxious.

This will go out, not proper; If you don't go out, in the back room, or it's not appropriate, what should I do?

The little girl was in a hurry, when she heard Cheng ask: "I heard that Master Cao died of illness the year before last, and you are worried about going south, but what is the important thing to do?" ”

Cao Hao didn't answer immediately, but paused for a while, and said: "The younger generation has a close friend, and he has lost news for several years, and now he is going south to Guangzhou, just to find him......"

"Ah, he went to Guangzhou?" When Cheng heard this, his voice was a little excited, and he hurriedly asked: "When did you go, okay, why did you lose the news?" ”

Cheng Zihe listened in the back room, still hesitating who this "he" was, so he heard Cao Hao say: "Should I call you the owner of the peony workshop, or should I call you...... Aunt Qiu? You misunderstood, although Zhiran abandoned the position of abbot of Qingliang Temple and went out to travel, he did not go south, but went north. A few years ago, the younger generation received a letter from him, and he went out of the customs and went to Mongolia......"

That's right, the person in front of him is the Ruyi Fang owner "Peony" that Cao Hao saw on the Qinhuai River more than ten years ago.

As for knowing that the surname of "Peony" is Qiu, it is because after his father died, Cao Hao followed his father's last words and sent people to Jiangning to visit his mother, and learned that a woman with the surname "Qiu" had lived near Qingliang Temple and had contacts with Zhiran; After Zhiran left Qingliang Temple, the woman was nowhere to be found.

It turned out that she didn't know that "Peony" was "Qiu's", but if she looked at her eyebrows, she did have the shadow of Zhiran, and she knew that these two were really one person.

Cheng looked at Cao Hao nervously, and when he heard Zhiran's name, he couldn't help leaning forward, and his eyes were already red.

It wasn't until she heard Zhiran's letter and the traces could be followed that she stroked her chest, took two deep breaths, looked at Cao Hao, and said softly: "Peony owner? Aunt Qiu? Neither of them is right, but when it comes to it, you should call me a cousin...... Or the righteous sister......"

Cao Hao listened, but it was unexpected.

From Zhiran's appearance and Cao Yin's suicide note, he can confirm that Zhiran is his half-brother.

Zhiran's biological mother, who is regarded as the Cheng family in front of her, how did she become her cousin or sister-in-law again?

At this time, I heard Cheng say slowly: "My surname is Cheng, Qiu is my mother's surname, my mother was born in the family of the former imperial eunuch, and was later burdened by the family, and was confiscated as a happy member." My father met my mother by chance, and with me, he was unable to accept her as a mother, so he had to be kept in an outer room. Later, when my mother died, my grandmother asked someone to pick me up, and instead of taking me back to Cheng's home, I was sent to my cousin in Jiangning. ”

Speaking of this, she paused and said, "My cousin is your father's wife, Mrs. Gu...... At that time, my cousin was married for several years and had no children, and after I went, she regarded me as my own daughter......"

* Ahem, it's bloody, it's bloody......

(To be continued)