After Chen Wenqi and Weng Junding left Chenjiazhuang, they did not directly cross the Dabie Mountain to the north, but traced up the Yangtze River, first went to Wuchang City to fulfill the contract, and then took the Daodao'an Mansion into Henan.

After last year's township test, Chen Wenqi promised Shen Lingshan to visit on the way to Beijing for the examination, although he does not go to the provincial capital to take the "bus" to Beijing, even if he fails to make an appointment, it is not a loss, but Chen Ruishan is a moral ruler and a son of faith, Chen Wenqi has been exposed to it since he was a child, and attaches great importance to honesty and trustworthiness. What's more, the two strong enemies of Shen and Han are on the side, and they must not stay out of the matter, so even if they go around, they will not hesitate. He gave an explanation to Weng Junding, and Weng Junding naturally would not object.

"Brother Chen, your righteous brother looks like Pan An, handsome, and very righteous, and he is indeed a dragon and phoenix among people. But please forgive me for taking the liberty of saying that the fat powder is too heavy. If the old brother gets along with him for a long time, don't wear down the heroism of manhood. Weng Junding was bold and kindly "reminded" Chen Wenqi.

"How can it? Walking with Brother Weng Nian all the way, I'm afraid that Top Gun will be arrogant. Chen Wenqi played "haha" and did not tell the truth.

Chen Wenqi arrived as promised, and Shen Lingshan was relieved. Because Chen Wenqi secretly informed a friend first, he changed into a man and came out to meet. After many previous events, Chen Wenqi is already very familiar with Han Mei and Han Ming, so naturally he has to go to meet him.

With Weng Junding by her side, Shen Lingshan couldn't tell the "big brother" a lot of things, so she could only say something insincerely, such as "the title of the gold list" and "take care of your body", and insisted on sending Chen Wenqi and Weng Junding to the dock. When Chen Wenqi was about to get on the boat, Shen Lingshan quietly pulled his sleeve and stuffed a soft object into his hand with a crimson face. Chen Wenqi didn't look at it immediately, and hurriedly stuffed it into the package with his backhand, then waved goodbye to Shen Lingshan, and jumped on the ferry last.

When the boat arrived at the center of the river, Chen Wenqi looked back and saw that Shen Lingshan was still standing on the south bank in the cold wind of hunting, and suddenly there were ripples in his heart. He untied the scarf around his neck and waved it frequently at Shen Lingshan, urging her to turn around quickly.

When the boat arrived in Jiangbei, the two left the boat and went ashore, asked for the direction of going to Xinyang Prefecture, Henan, carried their luggage, and headed north.

On this day, the two traveled to the boundary of Xinyang. It was almost noon, I was hungry and thirsty, and I saw a small town in front of me, so I sped up my pace and walked into a restaurant called "Drunken Immortal Building" in the town. As soon as the shopkeeper saw the guests entering the door, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet them warmly, led the two to a table near the window on the second floor and sat down, then brought a pot of tea, poured a bowl for each person, and then asked, "Two sons, are you eating?"

Weng Junding nodded and asked, "What's delicious in your store?"

When Xiao Er heard this, he immediately came to his senses, and said like a few treasures: "Son, you want to ask the famous food of the shop, there are really a lot: stone cold powder, high pile bun, fire dragon claw, pig skin silk, Xinyang plate duck, stuffed glutinous ba, fish head tofu, Yangtze River fish, and Huangchuan Hu spicy soup, cheap and good, you can eat satisfactorily." Passing by our Xinyang, we can enjoy Xinyang's special snacks, which is worth the trip. ”

Weng Junding said with a smile: "Yangtze River fish is also a famous dish of your store?"

"Of course. Yangtze River fish grow in the Yangtze River in Xinyang, and the annual output is less than 1,000 catties, which is not available elsewhere. ”

"I see, it's not the 'river fish' in the Yangtze River, but the fish in the 'Yangtze River'. Weng Junding said self-deprecatingly.

"Otherwise, isn't this 'Ten Thousand Miles Road' walking in vain?" Chen Wenqi said jokingly.

Xiao Er didn't know what to do, and looked at them with puzzled eyes.

Weng Junding couldn't help laughing, and hurriedly said to Xiao Er: "Oh, are we saying that if you don't eat this Yangtze River fish, won't you come to Xinyang for nothing? ”

"Okay, one Yangtze River fish, one stuffed glutinous cake, and one stone jelly-" Xiao Er shouted loudly.

After a while, Xiao Er served steaming Yangtze River fish and stuffed glutinous ba, which was really good in color and flavor. The two of them ate river fish, ate glutinous rice cakes, and when they ate it was slightly hot, they ate a few bites of stone jelly, which is indeed unique.

There are not many guests, Xiao Er doesn't have much to do, seeing that the two of them are eating very comfortably, they came over and talked again: "Two sons, the taste of the dish is good, right? Such a good dish, don't you have a little wine? Our fragrant rice tribute in Xinyang is a tribute to the emperor's wine, why don't you drink two glasses and try it?"

Weng Junding shook his head and said, "No, we still have to hurry after eating." After speaking, he asked curiously: "Xiao Er, the taste of the dishes in your store is quite good, why haven't you seen many customers come to the door?"

Xiao Er hurriedly said: "Please don't get me wrong, it's not a small nonsense, the business of the small shop is second to none in our Liulin Town, but there are some special things in the town in the past two days, and there are a lot fewer guests." Once today's is over, tomorrow will be hot again. "Originally, this place was called Liulin Town.

"What can affect your business?" Weng Junding became more and more curious, and Chen Wenqi also stopped his chopsticks to listen to what he had to say.

Xiao Er was originally very talkative, and when he heard the guest ask, he moved the bench and sat down on the horizontal head, cleared his throat and said, "If you want to talk about this, it can be regarded as a major event in this town." The rich gentry in the town is the pearl of the master's hand, and now it is the year of breaking the melon. This woman is not only very beautiful, but also very good at piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is known as the eyebrow sweeping genius of Liulin Town. Master Yun has no children under his knees, only this baby daughter, so Master Yun discussed with his daughter, looking for a young talent to enter the door and inherit the incense of the Yun family. Miss Nayun Fei Yanyun did not object, but only said that this future husband must be chosen by herself. Master Yun dotes on his daughter, so he naturally agrees. I thought that Miss Yun's condition was that the matchmaker's introduction should be approved by herself, but she was ingenious, and her future husband did not need to be a matchmaker, and a single man within the 'year of establishment', no matter what his appearance was and his family situation was good or bad, as long as he could pass the 'three passes', he would be allowed to enter the door empty-handed and get married. ”

Xiao Er seemed to be a little thirsty, lifted the teapot on the table, looked at Chen Wenqi and Weng Junding as if asking for advice, and saw Chen Wenqi nodding, so he took an empty bowl, poured half a bowl and drank it all, and then crossed his sleeve to wipe the tea stains on his mouth, and continued: "It doesn't cost a tael of silver to be able to sit on a wealth of thousands of dollars and the color of the city, which is a good thing that is rare in eight lifetimes, so single young people from all over the country are flocking to it, and they all want to become the Yun family's fast son-in-law." In this way, young people want to go to 'pass the customs', and those who have become families are busy watching the excitement, and the business of the small shop is naturally much worse. ”

Weng Junding interjected: "You just said that your store's business has passed today, and it will be hot again tomorrow, that is, someone has already passed Miss Yun's 'three levels'?"

Xiao Er shook his head and said, "How can there be?" Up to now, there are very few people who can pass one level, and it is said that there are no people who can pass two levels, let alone someone who can pass all three levels. ”

"If someone colludes in advance, and the person who has not passed the level before tells the people behind him about the three levels, and the people behind him will find the master to ponder together, will they break the three levels?" Weng Junding questioned.

Xiao Er pursed his lips and said disdainfully: "Little Son, don't be surprised, since Miss Yun is known as 'Eyebrow Sweeping Talent', it is not my such knowledge, she still can't think of this? It is said that Miss Yun has prepared several questions for each level, which are written on letterhead, and those who go to break through must take one of these letterheads and pass the level according to what is written above. Each letterhead is used only once, and once it has been drawn, it cannot be put back in. Guest officer, think about it, how do others collude in private?"

Weng Junding smiled dumbly, lifelong events are not child's play, since Miss Yun wants to set up a relationship to choose a son-in-law, she must think carefully in advance, and will never leave any flaws.

"Since no one has passed the three levels so far, how do you know that your store's business will be booming tomorrow?" Weng Junding was a little puzzled.

Xiao Er pursed his lips again, and said teasingly: "You say that Miss Yun will set up a customs for you to pass at any time every day?" She agreed with Master Yun that it would be limited to seven days to welcome the applicants to pass the customs in a centralized manner. After the 7th day, it will not be accepted. ”

Weng Junding was suddenly surprised and asked, "If no one passes the test in seven days, won't she get married?"

Xiao Er gave Weng Junding a thumbs up and said, "Guest officer, you guessed correctly this time." It is said that Miss Nayun has a strong temperament, and she said that if no one can pass the three levels in seven days, she will accompany her father for the rest of her life and never get married. ”

Weng Junding slammed the table and said, "Ah, I understand, today is the last day to pass the level, right?"

"That's right, whether anyone can pass the test or not, it's over today. Alas, if a girl with such excellent character as Miss Yun is really lonely for life, wouldn't it be a pity?" Xiao Er sighed, glanced at Chen Wenqi and Weng Junding, and suddenly pouted: "The little one looks at the two sons and gentlemen, like a talent who reads poetry and books, why don't you try your luck too?" Then Miss Yun said that as long as she can pass her 'three levels', there are no requirements for appearance, origin, or place of origin. ”

"Hmm? yes. ”

Weng Junding stopped talking, picked up the chopsticks and devoured them, and found that Chen Wenqi was looking at him with strange eyes, and asked puzzledly: "Why does Brother Chen look at him like this? ”

"Brother Weng Nian shouldn't have to go through any passes, right?" Chen Wenqi asked tentatively.

"Yes, of course, the opportunity is rare. Weng Junding readily admitted.

When Chen Wenqi heard what he said, he quickly shook his head a few times to prove that he was indeed not in a dream, so he asked suspiciously: "Brother Weng Nian, isn't he tempted by the 'wealth of thousands of dollars and the appearance of the city'?"

Weng Junding waved his hand again and again, and said with a smile: "Brother Chen misunderstood. I'm just a little curious about Miss Nayun's 'three levels', I want to see its wonders, try how many levels I can pass, and I don't think anything else. ”

Chen Wenqi has been with Weng Junding for some time, and knows him a little bit, this person is honest and bold, not a person who is greedy for wealth and nobility, but just loves novelty and likes to hunt. But today's joke can't be made, the lifelong event of the yellow flower girl, how can you say that you can do it, and if you can't leave, you must stop him!

"Brother Weng Nian, this matter can't be a child's play, if you pass the three levels and don't marry that girl, won't you tarnish the name of other girls? ”

"Brother Chen, before we left, we said, 'It is better to travel thousands of miles than to read thousands of books', and now I want to add, 'It is better to read countless people than to travel thousands of miles'. With such a good opportunity to increase knowledge, how can you miss it in Xia? Please rest assured, Brother Chen, if you can't pass the first and second levels, you will naturally have nothing to do with Miss Nayun, and if you can get lucky enough to reach the third level in Xia, you will pretend that you can't pass at the last moment, and everything will be fine?" Weng Junding said slyly.

He could figure it out. Chen Wenqi couldn't, so he had to agree silently.

Since they decided to break through, the two of them finished the rest of the meal, and after settling the account, they asked Xiao Er about the way to Yunfu, and walked out of the "Drunken Immortal Building" one after the other, and went straight to Yunfu.

After walking about half a stick of incense, I saw a house with red walls and gray tiles and four-cornered cornices in front of me from a distance, and there were many people around in front of the door, who were pointing and talking there, obviously some spectators who joined in the fun. As soon as those people saw Chen Wenqi and the others coming, they took the initiative to get out of the way. The two of them crossed the crowd and approached the front of the house, only to find that a temporary shed had been set up on the right side of the gate, and in the shed there was a screen-like plaque with pink drawing paper full of words pasted on it, presumably as the rules for passing the test; next to the plaque was placed a large bookcase, behind which sat an old man who looked like a pedant wearing glasses, and several light blue letterheads were stacked on the bookcase.

When the two came to the plaque, they saw that the pink drawing paper read "Tips for Breaking the Level":

"To all guests,

Yun was happy to have a daughter when he was forty years old, and now he has reached the age of Lu, so he wants to find a wishful husband for the little girl. Today, Yun breaks the world, no need for three media and six certificates, as long as you don't care about the posture of the little girl Pu Liu, and meet the following three conditions, you can become the east bed of Yun's family:

A: Unmarried man aged 15 but under 30;

B: Those who voluntarily join the family;

C: The three levels set by the little girl.

And set in the third year of Hongzhi (Gengxu) from the 18th to the 24th of the first month of the first month for the day of passing, overdue will not wait.

Clouds harness the wind

On the fifteenth day of the first month of the third year of Hongzhi (Gengxu).

Attached: Rules for Passing Levels

1. The passer must be an unmarried man who meets the age requirements and is willing to join the family.

2. The first and second levels are optional. There are a number of letterheads placed on the bookcase in the color shed, and the cover of the letterhead is written with a sentence of ancient and modern famous couplets. The passer can choose one of them in the letterhead, if you can say the allusion of this couplet and the next couplet, you can follow the requirements put forward in the letterhead to break through, if you can't say the origin of the couplet or the next couplet, you will fail.

3. If the first level is successful, then choose a letterhead before the second level, and also say the allusion of this link and the next link, in order to break through.

3. After passing the first two levels, there will be a third level in front of the door of the little girl's boudoir, which will be known at that time. ”

After Chen and Weng saw it, they felt that the Yun family's choice of son-in-law seemed to have few conditions, but in fact, there was a mystery in it. For example, if you choose to pass the test, the passer must first go out of the upper and lower links, which makes it clear that only those who must read books are qualified to pass the pass, otherwise, like Miss Yun, a talented woman who is "good at piano, chess, calligraphy and painting", faces an illiterate husband all day long, isn't it boring? It seems that this Miss Yun Fei Yanyun is not only thoughtful, but also a little tricky.

Weng Junding couldn't hold back his curiosity, and was about to go to the bookcase to choose a letterhead, when a young man with clear eyebrows separated from the crowd, ran to the bookcase, looked through it a few times, picked up one of the light blue letterheads, and handed it to the old man sitting behind the bookcase.

Chen Wenqi secretly teased Weng Junding: "People have already taken the lead, it seems that Brother Weng Nian is out of play." ”

Weng Junding said nonchalantly: "I'm just curious, if this Miss Yun has a lifelong trust, I'm naturally happy." Let's see how he makes it. ”

The old man took the letterhead, approached his eyes and slowly read it from top to bottom, and said loudly: "Ten thoughts, thinking of his wife, thinking of his son, and thinking of his parents." ”

The young man paced slowly in front of the bookcase, bowing his head in thought.

Hey, didn't he choose it himself, wouldn't he not know?

Weng Junding knew that he didn't know the origin of this couplet, but he was just thinking about how to tell it more decently.

Sure enough, but after a while, the young man stopped and said in a man's voice: "This Shanglian University has a history, and it comes from the mouth of Emperor Taizong of this dynasty. In the first year of Yongle, Emperor Taizong promoted Xie Jin, who served as the edict of Hanlin during the Jianwen period, to serve as a scholar in Hanlin. Xie was Chinese New Year's Eve when he was thirty-four years old, his parents, wife and children were not around, and over time, he couldn't help but feel longing, and he wanted to return to his hometown to visit relatives but did not dare to say it, but his expression was inevitably revealed. Emperor Taizong saw what was on his mind, so he said to him, aren't you talented, that's good, I will make a connection, if you are right, right, I will allow you to return to your hometown to visit relatives. Bachelor Xie was thinking hard day and night about the plan to ask for leave, and now the emperor took the initiative to put it forward, and it was his best couplet, he couldn't help but be overjoyed, and quickly knelt on the ground, asking the emperor to give him a couplet. Emperor Taizong then came up with this couplet: 'Ten thoughts, thinking about his wife, thinking about his son, thinking about his parents'. This coupling is very unique, it is not only a split couplet, but also in a word, saying that it understands the mind of the bachelor. It is indeed difficult for the lower link to work steadily. But Mr. Xie is worthy of being known as one of the 'three great talents', and immediately made the following couplet: 'Thank you for your inch, thank God for the king'. This lower link and the upper link are integrated, not only extremely stable in the battle, but also revealing the gratitude to the emperor for allowing him to take a vacation. The later situation can be imagined, Emperor Taizong was happy, and he was allowed to visit his relatives for half a year, and returned to his hometown. Sir, I don't know if what I'm saying is right?"

The young man vividly told the allusion of this couplet in one breath, and the onlookers listened to it as if they were drunk, and they were still unsatisfied.

"Yes, yes, you can make it. The old pedant said in a loud voice, tearing open the seal of the letterhead in his hand and handing it to the young man.

The young man took the letterhead, and did not rush to pull out the letter paper inside, but pinched the letterhead and walked towards Yunfu, and when he reached the gate, the door opened without wind with a "squeak", and closed it again after the young man entered.

Everyone looked at each other outside, unable to guess what was going to happen inside the door. Of course, everyone doesn't want the same outcome. The person who had listened to the young man's allusions and had a good impression of the young man secretly wished the young man good luck, succeeded in breaking through the level, and finally hugged the beauty; the people who were belated to prepare to break through the pass and some Wang Lun's relics who hated being rich and suspicious of being poor wished that the door of the house would be opened at this moment, and the young man would be blasted out of the house.

Chen and Weng originally planned to go to Xinyang to stay today. Seeing that the sun was already westward, I didn't know how long it would take to break through inside, so Chen Wenqi urged Weng Junding to set off in a hurry. Chen Wenqi couldn't, so he said that even so, he would definitely not be able to catch up with Xinyang tonight, so it was better for you to wait here, and I would go to the inn to stay. Unexpectedly, Weng Junding held Chen Wenqi's package tightly, saying that there were not many guests staying in the town, and he was afraid that he would not be able to find a guest room if he went later? Chen Wenqi couldn't resist him, so he had to gossip with him without a match.

When he was bored, the door of Yunfu opened with a "squeak", and the young man who had just entered appeared at the door, he was not blasted out, but was politely sent out of the door by the official family of Yunfu.

The housekeeper smiled and said to the young man: "Son, please go, forgive the old man for not going far." ”

The young man turned around and hugged his fists, and replied with a smile: "Thank you for sending me, please stay with the old man." ”

There was a commotion in the crowd, and they all stepped forward to talk to the teenager, wondering if the teenager had successfully passed the level.

The young man turned around, the smile on his face instantly changed to a lonely face, and in response to everyone's inquiries, he just waved his hand, lowered his head and walked away quickly.

The housekeeper of Yunfu walked in front of everyone, arched his hand and said, "It's a pity that the son just now hasn't passed the second level. If there are any trespassers among you, please hurry. As soon as the unitary time comes, the main house will dismantle the colorful shed and no longer wait for each other. With that, he turned around and walked towards the gate.

"Butler, please stay, I'm willing to give it a try. Weng Junding couldn't hold back any longer and shouted to the housekeeper.

The housekeeper turned to Weng Junding, stretched out his hand and pointed to the bookcase in the colorful shed, and said politely: "Then please ask the son to choose the pass." ”

Weng Junding hurriedly walked to the front of the bookcase, took the top letterhead casually, and handed it to the old man behind the case without looking at it.

The old man did not stretch out his hand, but asked as if reminding, "Won't the prince choose?" If you can't even match this couplet, won't it ......?"

Without waiting for the old man to finish speaking, Weng Junding smiled slightly and said: "Old man, it doesn't hurt to read it, if you can't answer it in the next place, it means that you are unlucky, and you can't blame others." ”

The old man hesitated to take the letterhead in Weng Junding's hand, glanced at the cover carefully, and said, "Childe really doesn't choose anymore?"

Weng Junding nodded without hesitation and said, "Please ask the old gentleman to chant the upper link." ”

The old man raised the letterhead in his hand, and said five words in a loud voice: "The breeze supports the willows." ”

Weng Junding listened to it and said without thinking: "This couplet, where it came from, but there is no way to verify it......

When the onlookers heard this, they were shocked. He refused to persuade him to choose a couplet he was familiar with, thinking that he must be a well-educated person, and he refused to "choose" the couplet from his identity, but at this time he readily admitted that "there is no way to verify", it seems that this person is the worst one among the people who have broken through the level in the past few days. Everyone was immediately interested, and seeing that it was not early, they were ready to disperse and leave.