The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Just after nightfall, I had a lively dinner with my family. Chen Heng was left alone by his grandparents, parents, and the rest of the family tacitly exited, leaving time for the five of them.

After a brief chat, the topic of grandpa Chen Gaishan inevitably turned to the marriage between Chen Heng and Yinglian. The six rites that should be performed in the early stage have been completely prepared, leaving only the last step of asking for permission.

In this matter, because Chen Heng was an official in the capital before, he had to focus on his eldest grandson's time. Yangzhou is the home of Chen Heng and Yinglian, but Chen Heng cannot rely on His Majesty's favor and frequently asks for marriage leave for himself.

Everyone originally wanted to wait, but Chen Heng took the time to make arrangements. Now that the real master has arrived at his door, it saves the family boss a lot of trouble.

Listening to his grandma's emotion, Chen Heng wanted to laugh for a moment, and then asked his family about the nearest suitable time. It seems to be a coincidence that Chen Qi found a knowledgeable old man and combined the zodiac signs of Chen Heng and Yinglian to choose a suitable day for the two of them to get married every month.

Taking the blank paper and looking at it, Chen Heng found that there were two recent days, September 15th and October 3rd. The other days are at the end of November and December. At that time, Chen Heng himself didn't know how busy he would be, so he directly put these two days on the list.

Did the court say when you should arrive at Songjiang Mansion?

That's fine before the end of this month. After hearing Chen Qi's question, Chen Heng raised his head slightly to reply, then lowered his head and began to think.

October is naturally the most generous and suitable month for weddings. After all, getting married is no small matter, and guests from all parties must take their circumstances into consideration.

But thinking that he also had the title of magistrate of Guo County, which was the most cumbersome and troublesome position, Chen Heng was deeply afraid that he would not be able to escape it once he arrived in Huating County.

How about choosing September 15th?

Chen Heng frowned and said, time is tight. But there are still a lot of things waiting for him in Songjiang Mansion. Not to mention the port matter, the court's 200,000 taels of disaster relief money are also on their way. This winter, I not only need to be familiar with the affairs of Songjiang Prefecture, but also the situation of various yamen, and make arrangements for spring plowing in Huating County next year.

State affairs come first, so there is no reason for Chen Heng to put private matters first. After hearing this, Chen Gaishan also realized that his eldest grandson had another difficulty. He immediately said: Now that you have become an official in the court, you should put your affairs first. Ask Grandma You to go with your mother tomorrow morning. Let the two families talk clearly, and don't let others think too much.

The family made up their mind, and Chen Qi also comforted his son and said, Don't worry, we have already fulfilled all the etiquette that we should have. On the day of the collection, the betrothal gift carried out from our house had to go around two streets before being given away. When you come to their house, the neighbors will see it and won’t say anything.”

This was the best result at hand. Chen Heng nodded, thanked his family for their busy work during this period, and then stood up to leave.

When we came to the courtyard, it was a good night when the moonlight entered the house. Chen Heng raised his head slightly and looked sideways, and saw that the door panels on Yinglian's window had been removed. Only the wooden window was still closed, with some candlelight shining through.

He paused for a moment, thinking that Yinglian still didn't know he was back. Suddenly, a plan came to my mind and I called Xinda from the side and whispered to him.

After a while, Chen Heng sat in the house and saw Xinda coming in with a few fireworks, and said excitedly: Brother, where are we going to put these things?

Let's go to the courtyard. Chen Heng ran downstairs happily.

The two of them had just laid out their things in the yard. When they saw a strange Xianglian upstairs, she ran over excitedly and said repeatedly: Why did you buy so much? Buy more and have fun.

You can do it. If you put too much, it will easily disturb the neighbors. Chen Heng cursed with a smile, then took the lit sandalwood and put it next to the sparks.

In a moment, bunches of silver flowers bloomed in the night sky. The sound of fireworks, not too loud or too small, sounds very lively in the silence. When this sound reached Yinglian's boudoir, it also caused the woman who had just laid down to get up curiously and put on her single clothes.

Today is not a big day, and the Mid-Autumn Festival has passed a long time ago. Why did the Chen family suddenly start setting off fireworks? ? Before Yinglian could think about the situation, she opened the window and saw a smiling face facing her, so bright that it seemed to compete with the bright moon in the sky.

At this point, Yinglian still didn't understand Chen Heng's evil idea, and knew that the other party wanted to tell her about his return.

Considering that the appointment would be due tomorrow, Chen Heng only nodded at the other party and was not bold enough to ask Yinglian out for a hangout at this moment.

The two looked at each other tacitly, and smiled tacitly.

Yinglian has always been very courageous. Although I have memorized some secular etiquette over the years, I still have the same innocence as when I first met him when it comes to dealing with people. When I saw the fireworks that I usually like most, I didn't shy away from it. I just put my chin in my hand and sat by the window to watch the fireworks rain.

The two men played riddles, which annoyed the Gu family. The old lady just opened the window and saw that it was her son who was causing Qingmeng. She ignored the love in her heart and directly scolded: You are already an uncle, why do you still remember to mess around all day long? Heng'er, hurry up and stop The fireworks were put out for me.

Yes, yes, the sky is big and the earth is big, my mother is the biggest. Chen Heng quickly extinguished the remaining fireworks, and then took Xinda to his mother's window to plead guilty.

Go away. Mrs. Gu waved her hands repeatedly, obviously unable to understand the young man's tacit understanding, and scolded her with a black face, If a neighbor comes to the door tomorrow to question you, I will hold your ears and go to make amends.

When Chen Heng heard this, he laughed and nodded. Following Gu's instructions, he quickly went upstairs to his room to rest. When he returned to the house, he couldn't wait to open the window. Yinglian was still sitting at the window, her beautiful eyes twinkling slightly, looking at her intently.

I'm back. Chen Heng said.

Yes. Yinglian nodded, looked around curiously, and asked proactively, Where is Sister Lin.

There are still some things at the capital, and she will come over later. But she asked me to bring you a message... Chen Heng said with a smile, She liked the things you gave her before.

It's good if Sister Lin likes her. Zhen Yinglian was still a little shy when she said this. She felt that she had no strengths and was only a female celebrity who could not get on the stage. When Chen Heng returned to Beijing that day, she specially made some sachets and other items for her daughter's home, and asked Chen Heng to bring them back to the capital for Daiyu.

Grandma and mother will come to visit tomorrow. Remember to tell aunt not to go to Qiupu Street yet.

good.

I have been transferred to Songjiang Mansion...

The night was getting long, and Chen Hengda had many things to share with his beautiful lady. Most of the time he was the one talking, while Yinglian just nodded silently. She has never left Yangzhou, and she has no understanding of the capital thousands of miles away. Thinking that after getting married, I would go to Songjiang Mansion with the other party, I felt nervous and scared for no reason.

But there is no need to worry too much in this long night. As the saying goes, if you marry a chicken, follow the chicken, if you marry a dog, follow the dog. Only when the fate of two people is on the same line can they be called birds in the same forest.

…………

…………

The next day, Chen Heng got up early. It's not like he went to Zhen's house with Zhou and Gu. But as a student, I want to visit the elders in Yangzhou again.

Wang Xianming will naturally want to meet, and he will attend as Yinglian's elder. After going to Wang's house, Chen Heng went to see Xu Jinhou. Chen Heng intended to ask Xu Jinhou to be his officiant, and the latter readily agreed upon hearing this.

Later, he went to the Yangzhou government office and met with Zhang Shangxian in the name of future advancement. I am from Yangzhou, so it is unreasonable and inconsistent with officialdom not to come and meet the local governor when passing through my hometown.

Zhang Shangxian was a little surprised by Chen Heng's appearance. The two talked for a while in the government office. When they heard that Chen Heng was going to take a job in Songjiang Mansion, he also took the initiative and said: If you have any difficulties, you can ask someone to send a message.

On these occasions, Chen Heng always took Xinda with him. Firstly, I can continue to cultivate my cousin's knowledge, and secondly, I can become familiar with him.

In the future, if it is difficult for me to show up, Xinda will go there for me, which will save me a lot of trouble.

After walking around a few places, Chen Heng turned to a restaurant in the city. Xue Biao had been waiting here for a long time. When the two of them met, Xue Biao joked: If you come back another month later, my sister and I will go south to Guangzhou.

How did you figure out where to go? Chen Heng asked as soon as he sat down.

Escape from the winter. Xue Tadashi shook his body. The winter in Jiangnan is really too cold. Compared with Yangzhou, Guangdong and Guangxi in winter are simply a wonderful place in heaven and on earth.

Chen Heng heard both envy and jealousy, and said angrily: Where will you stay in Guangzhou? You can't always stay in an inn.

Xue Biao glanced at Chen Heng with a strange expression on his face, thinking very hard: Buy it, it only costs a few dollars for a house.

Chen Heng gritted his teeth and only asked the waiter to add two extra dishes before he gave up. Xue Biao made him laugh, and then said to the waiter: Make another portion of the dish he ordered and send it to Chen's house in the east of the city.

The waiter was nodding his head. Hearing this, he suddenly raised his head and said, The Chen family in the east of the city? Sir, are you talking about the No. 1 Scholar's Palace?

Seeing Xue Biao nodding, the waiter hurriedly said jubilantly: Don't worry, sir, I will make sure the kitchen prepares this table well, and I will never neglect the family of the Number One Scholar.

After the waiter walked away, Xue Biao winked at Chen Heng and said, Are you feeling better?

Hahaha. Chen Heng couldn't think of anything to say, so he could only shake his head and pour the wine for the other party. The two turned the topic to Chen Heng again. When he heard that his friend was going to take office, Xue Biao exclaimed: Brother Qian and Brother Jiang are both magistrates in Songjiang Prefecture. Now the three of you can come together. .”

That's right. If you had been willing to queue up at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, you could have joined us. Chen Heng laughed. Now that the people in Songjiang Mansion are still in trouble, normal people are not willing to come to this place.

But Chen Heng knew that as long as the sea transportation continued, the future of Songjiang Mansion would only get better day by day.

So when Jiang Yuanbai came to ask Chen Heng, he did not recommend his friend to go to Liubu Lishi, but instead transferred to Songjiang Prefecture to serve as the county magistrate.

Instead of being a low-ranking official in the capital, it is better to work as a chicken head in the local area to train yourself.

I knew this... Xue Biao shook his head regretfully, Zhi Xing, if I go to the capital to seek an official position now, do you think I still have a chance?

Chen Heng glanced at Xue Biao strangely, What are you thinking about? You'd better prepare for the exam in three years' time with peace of mind.

If you go to the capital at this time, except for the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works, other departments may not even look at Brother Xue.

Xue Biao quickly understood and waved his hand casually and said: Forget it, let's go sightseeing around. You three are all in Songjiang Mansion, so it saves me the trouble of visiting you everywhere in the future.

Chen Heng smiled and said: Eat quickly and come with me to Qiupu Street after eating. I heard that Futai has built Qiupu Second Street. I didn't have a chance to see it last time I came back.

Did you have any other plans? Xue Biao really understood Chen Heng and asked immediately.

Hahahaha. Chen Heng just ate the food and smiled without saying anything.

When Chen Heng returned home from playing outside, he received good news from Zhou and Gu. Mrs. Feng understood Chen Heng's difficulties in being an official, so she directly nodded and agreed to the wedding arrangement without making any embarrassment.

…………

…………

On September 15th, the Chen and Zhen families were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Everyone in the neighborhood knew that the No. 1 Scholar was getting married. Some came to help last night, and some came before dawn this morning.

The two families were so close that Xinda, who was responsible for holding Chen Heng's horse, was following the etiquette officer to reconfirm the wedding route. After they go out for a while, they have to walk half a circle around the city to pick up the bride at Zhen's Mansion. After that, we have to take a new road and make a half-circle back to Chen's house.

Liu Xianglian was still checking her clothes. When the time came, he would hold the imperial edict and walk in front of everyone to show that Li Zhi personally granted the marriage.

Chen Heng's mentality was more relaxed. His groom's clothes were made by female workers on Qiupu Street. Yes, it was the one that went to Beijing with him but was delayed by the ceremonial dress given by His Majesty.

This set of clothes is so beautifully made that it would be a pity to leave it alone. It just so happened that Yinglian was also from Qiupu Street, so she just inherited this good intention. So prepared, Chen Heng rode a tall horse and circled around the city surrounded by relatives and friends.

Knocking all the way, by the time the sun sets and night falls, the entire street will be filled with guests attending the meeting. The Chen family is not big, and Chen Heng's reputation in Yangzhou is too high. Not only did a large number of people come from Qiupu Street, but also from various commercial firms in the city, scholars from the academy, officials from the yamen, and relatives from Shanxi Village.

The Zhen family didn't have many relatives, and Feng didn't want to invite Yinglian's grandfather and grandmother to attend, so she only left Wang Xianming and his wife, the Xue family brothers and sisters, and new friends from Qiupu Street as guests of the bride's natal family. But the two families were so close that no one could tell them apart as everyone sat together, just watching the fireworks one after another until the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber. (Note 1)

…………

…………

As soon as the three-chao return ceremony had passed, Chen Heng could not wait any longer in Yangzhou. He and Yinglian took care of themselves for a while, then said goodbye to their elders and rushed to Songjiang Mansion with Xinda and Liu Xianglian.

Liu Yanzhang, then the magistrate of Songjiang Prefecture, also waited for him for a long time. The government official told the news about the inn, and he estimated the time. On the day Chen Heng arrived in Songjiang City, he led the officials from each class to wait for Chen Heng's car at the city gate.

Xinda, who was driving the bus, saw the excitement at the door from a distance. He quickly let go of the reins and let the horse run slowly. He said to Chen Heng in the car: Second brother, there is someone at the gate of the city who seems to be waiting to greet you.

A voice of 'got it' came from inside the car. Chen Heng began to check his clothes. He was not wearing an official robe today and was still dressed like an ordinary scholar.

The bride Yinglian beside her was a little nervous, and she didn't know what to do next.

When Chen Heng saw it, he smiled and comforted her: Just sit in the car with peace of mind.

Okay. Yinglian, who was already dressed as a lady, nodded quickly and stretched out her hand to smooth her husband's clothes.

The person coming is the charioteer of Mr. Chen, the newly appointed magistrate of the state and the number one scholar.

Hearing someone asking a question loudly in front of him, Xinda quickly replied: That's my master in the car. Your Excellency is...

Mr. Liu, the magistrate of Songjiang Prefecture, leads the six divisions of officials and the six squads of yamen servants. The magistrate and chief secretary of Huating County are here to welcome you.

After exchanging each other's names so loudly, when Xinda stopped the carriage, Chen Heng got out of the carriage and walked towards Liu Yanzhang who was coming over. The other party had already led the people behind him to greet him, raised his hand and said with a smile: Master Chen, you finally let me wait for you.

Chen Heng was also a little surprised by the other party's enthusiasm. He returned the greeting with a smile and said: Thank you for your help, sir. I am very worried. I have caused trouble to all my colleagues.

As he spoke, Chen Heng returned gifts to everyone one by one. This caused a chorus of 'don't dare' to be heard in the room.

Seeing that Zhou Tongzhi, who has a deep understanding of the Sacred Heart, his attitude is not domineering. Liu Yanzhang felt a little more relaxed. He was an old man who was about to retire. I'm afraid that a flying Monkey King will come and cause unnecessary trouble to me.

After Chen Heng finished greeting the officials present, Liu Yanzhang took the initiative to extend his hand and said: The banquet has been prepared in the government office. Mr. Chen has had a hard time traveling a long way, so why not go to the government office first and let's talk while we eat?

You should obey your elders' orders.

Before officially handing over official documents and official seals to the government office, Chen Heng lowered his profile and only regarded himself as a junior. The crowd walked towards the government office chatting and laughing. When they arrived at the end of the field, Liu Yanzhang was already calling Chen Heng by his cousin's name very affectionately.

Come on, hold on, come on, sit down quickly.

The reception banquet for guests is held in the government office, the lights are lit and the door is closed. Chen Heng sat at the head of the banquet under Liu Yanzhang's hospitality. There was a group of officials in blue and green official robes surrounding him.

Note 1: The last time I wrote about wedding in the bridal chamber, Jin was scared. Novice drivers, let me omit it here. I’ll write a side story later and post it to the work-related section.

ps: My nephew caught a cold. I took him to see a doctor to polish and correct typos. Ahhhh, it’s not easy!