Yan Cigui

 New buds sprouted on the trees, and winter turned to spring in the capital.

Two days ago, Uncle Chengyi received a letter from Duan Zhihuai, saying that he would arrive at the ferry in the suburbs of Beijing in the near future.

Someone from her mother's family came to discuss her granddaughter's marriage. Mrs. Duan paid special attention to it and urged Lin Xun to go to the ferry to arrange an inn.

 It’s also a coincidence.

As soon as the boy ordered the meal, he heard that ships from the south of the Yangtze River had entered this section of the river and were queuing up to dock.

He was so happy that he sent people back to his home to report and went to the shore to wait.

At noon, Lin Xun and Chen arrived with Lin Yunding and Lin Yunfeng.

 Duan Zhihuai, his parents, and Duan Zhiyu were resting in the inn, filling their stomachs with hot dishes and rice.

 Hand salutes and greetings from both sides.

The Duan family is scholarly, and Duan Zhihuai’s family is not considered prosperous, but the family’s magnanimity is there.

The facial features are gentle and kind, which makes people feel good.

Lin Xun was relieved as soon as he saw it.

 Phases come from the heart.

Mrs. Chen was not worried at first. There were many rules in the Duan clan. She had heard the old lady say a lot. Some of them were small and insignificant. To her, it was a bit unhuman. But in such a family, unless a child was born, Bad embryo, otherwise it won't go anywhere.

 Furthermore, Duan Zhihuai’s upbringing is here.

After Duan Zhihuai introduced each other, Lin Xun said: "My grandfather's relatives are coming to Beijing, and there are elders accompanying them. Originally, my eldest brother also wanted to come to welcome him, but he was on duty today and could not leave the Yamen at night. I made a toast to the old lady to apologize."

Mrs. Chen also smiled and asked: "Speaking of which, how come you haven't seen the old lady?"

Duan Zhihuai’s grandfather also came.

 He is a younger brother of the Xiao Duan family. They are two or three years apart in age, and they used to have a good relationship.

The two sisters living next door married into the capital one after another. One died of illness early, and the other followed her. Although they exchanged letters all year round, they never had the chance to visit their hometown in the south of the Yangtze River.

In the past few decades, those who came to Beijing to visit the clan were all younger generations. They spoke a few words of hometown dialect, but they were never as good as those who recognized them when they were young.

 Therefore, the old man will come together no matter what he says this time.

It's easier to take a boat than a carriage. While his body is still strong enough, he can take a look at the capital and his clan sister.

If nothing unexpected happens, this may be the last time they see each other, and it is also the last time the clan sister will see her "recognized" relatives.

"Grandpa is a little tired and takes a nap in the guest room." Duan Zhihuai said.

 After the old man recovered, the group of people returned to the capital.

Sitting on the carriage, Mrs. Chen smiled and said to Duan Zhihuai's mother: "The princess and the Duke have been away from the capital for two months. They can't meet each other this time. But they said they wanted to go to Jiangnan. When the time comes, It also troubles the clan.”

"How can it be trouble? They are all members of our own family. To tell you the truth, the elders in the clan are looking forward to meeting their relatives. Some of the family members have taken root there when they went out to become officials, and some have married far away. Yes, we only know the situation through letters. The mountains are high and the roads are far away, and it is not easy to meet. How great it is to have the opportunity to go back to Jiangnan to see and talk about home affairs! This time, the elders who are familiar with your old lady are very envious when they know that our old man is coming to Beijing. If everyone had their own conditions and their bodies couldn’t bear it, they would all want to come.”

 Ms. Chen felt soft in her heart after hearing this.

 She could tell that this was not a show.

Sure enough, those who believe in the princess cannot be wrong. It is very reliable to choose people from the Duan clan and Duan Zhihuai.

The only thing that makes her reluctant to give up is marrying far away.

But these can be discussed. Duan Zhihuai will come to Beijing to study in the future, and maybe he will be an examiner. Who can say for sure whether it is far or near.

Perhaps like Yun Jing, her husband is retained as a capital official?

 Speaking of which, the second sister-in-law has been suffering for so many years, and Yun Jing is the only one she looks forward to, so she stays in Beijing and takes care of each other.

 Ten days ago, Yun Jing was diagnosed with pregnancy, which made her second sister-in-law extremely excited.

 “I was so excited to eat that I could eat half a bowl more!”

 That's what the second sister-in-law said, making the old lady laugh.

 The lanterns were lit when we entered Beijing.

 The door of Chengyi's Mansion is opened to welcome guests from afar.

Little Duan and the old man held hands, with tears in their eyes and nothing to say.

The juniors advised them to take care of their health, and said that since they were staying for a short time, they could finally say everything on their minds, and then everything would be stable.

 At the Jie Feng Banquet, several Jiangnan dishes were served.

Xiao Duan sighed with emotion: "I have already grown up with the taste of Beijing, but there are always times every year when I really miss the taste of Jiangnan. I have also hired several Jiangnan cooks, and the food tastes the same, but there is always something missing..."

What is missing is nostalgia.

Duan Zhihuai’s mother is looking at Lin Yunfang. The more she looks at her, the more she likes her.

The little girl is generous and well-behaved. Her face turns red when she talks about things, which is really cute.

 Thinking about it, this girl who was raised by an aunt who married in Beijing is not bad at all.

It is said that it is difficult to be a stepmother. When the family chose their own girl to come to Beijing, they did not want the eldest son left behind to get into trouble, so they felt more at ease with their own family.

 And this aunt did not disappoint anyone.

 Stepson, concubine, and parent-child, she is careful about each one, and the whole family is harmonious and united. This answer fully shows the character and the character of the house.

 There is no troublemaker.

 This is the most important thing. No matter how big or small the family is, who would like to stir up trouble?

Mrs. Chen whispered: "Yunfang has an innocent temperament. In the past two years, she was almost framed and slandered by jealous people. Fortunately, her sister protected her and she didn't let anyone plot against her. Now that she has grown a few years older, it looks like she is I am much smarter than before, and I don’t suffer from being bored and don’t know how to explain myself.”

　　　 Mrs. Duan’s wife was very distressed.

 The Duan family came to Beijing not only to visit relatives and friends, but also to discuss marriage matters.

 Things that are mutually agreeable and belong to one's own family are not complicated to discuss.

Because of the long distance between the two places, the previous arrangements can only be settled in Beijing, and we can only wait for the wedding in Jiangnan in the autumn.

Ms. Chen took care of the nieces twice, and this time she was very experienced and experienced.

At the end, she said to Lin Yunfang: "Autumn is beautiful, the air is crisp and clear, and we sailed all the way south. I heard that the scenery on both sides of the bank is very beautiful."

Lin Yunfang murmured: "What's better? Time is so short, wouldn't I not be able to see my little nephew born?"

"I will get married in the autumn, spend the New Year there, and return to Beijing with my uncle in the spring to prepare for the exam with him," Mrs. Chen calculated clearly, "I have made an agreement with Chen Gui to leave a feng shui set in Lao Shi Alley for those who are good at it." You live here." The houses in Laoshi Lane are in short supply, so there is no need to worry about renting them. There are still many people trying to buy them from Jingdong's family.

Of course, the house would not be sold, so the house-seeker wanted to squeeze out others at a high price. He occupied the house where Enkeshi Sanjia lived, but the Jingdong family refused on the grounds that the rent would not increase randomly.

 If business is done in an orderly manner, there will be less criticism.

 This year is another imperial examination year. Many houses were vacant years ago, just waiting for the government to arrange for candidates to live in them.

 Not long after, when the royal list was unveiled, there was going to be excitement again.

When everything is over and Laoshi Alley is open to rentals again, I will leave one set behind, which will be painted and decorated, so that when the couple returns to Beijing next year, they will be able to live in it.

“You live in Laoshi Alley?” Lin Yunfang asked curiously, “Aren’t you afraid of others gossiping?”

"What are you afraid of?" Mrs. Chen said, "We believe in Feng Shui, and it's not like we don't pay the rent. Not only do we live in Lao Shi Lane, but I also have to go to the temple to pray more and ask for more. As an elder, I can't study for my uncle. Just praying to God and praying to Buddha can help, right?”

Lin Yunfang was stunned for a moment when her mother said: "Yeah..."

The more Chen talked about it, the happier she became: "The princess's letter a few days ago said that she had set off for Shu. They said that the road to Shu is difficult and difficult to reach the sky. I don't know if I will be able to come back in autumn to take you to Jiangnan. "

Lin Yunfang was delighted and said: "It's easy for the second sister to deliver the letter to us. Let's deliver the letter to her. It's a blue sky. We don't know where they have gone. I'm afraid she doesn't even know what's going on in Beijing."

"That's okay," Ms. Chen said with a smile, "Didn't I say I'd be back for the New Year? It's almost time for Yunjing to give birth. When spring begins, the princess will go to Jiangnan to pick you up back to Beijing."

 In the end, it’s either sending or receiving.

 How great!

In Cining Palace, the Queen Mother was also talking about Lin Yunyan.

I have only been away for two months, and I have received a lot of letters. Just like I said before I left, I will send them every now and then, and they will also be numbered to avoid any omissions when they arrive.

The Empress Dowager followed Lin Yunyan's letter and "went with her".

 Lately, her eyesight is not as good as before, but the Empress Dowager personally reads Lin Yunyan's letters over and over again.

It read, "Every other part of Dingguo Temple has been renovated. Only the old site has been preserved according to the wishes of the Holy One. It has been exposed to wind and sun all year round, making it look more dilapidated. I heard from the abbot that it may completely collapse one day." The Empress Dowager sighed, her eyes moist.

He also wrote, "Many weeds sprouted from the dilapidated floor tiles, which are green and full of vitality. Have the mother, the late empress and others who died here that day also been reincarnated and have a new life?" The Empress Dowager sighed again. I can't help but hope that they will be rich and prosperous in the next life and have a smooth life.

Later, "My father once asked me, 'If a person dies, will his soul remain in the world?' He said that he thought there was, and that my mother would look at us, maybe under the osmanthus tree in Bao'an Garden. If I had If you want to tell your mother, just stand under the tree and tell her. I think it makes sense. If my mother has been reincarnated, she won't be able to hear what I said." The Queen Mother couldn't help but wipe her tears.

In the letter sent two days ago, perhaps Lin Yunyan also knew that the previous writing was too sad and would make the Empress Dowager sad, so she added a lot more this time.

"Reincarnation is not a bad thing. Although my mother's life was short, she never did any harm to others and died to save others. She accumulated a lot of bad virtues. So many Bodhisattvas in the temple have seen it. I think my mother can cast a good one. Maybe one day she will come to me in my dream and tell me her whereabouts. Then I will tell you immediately and we will inquire about her quietly. "

Playful and heart-warming, the Empress Dowager caressed the letter and refused to put it down for a long time.

 The latest letter said that they were heading to Shu.

"If I go by land, I won't go very fast. I want to try all the fun and delicious food along the way. On the way back, I want to take the waterway to experience Li Taibai's saying, 'A thousand miles of rivers and mountains are returned in a day.' I know that when Sister Aqi sees me, she must have a lot of things for me to bring back, some for me, some for you, and there are so many relatives and friends in Beijing. My little carriage can't hold so much, so I have to The boat is sailing."

The Queen Mother smiled and said to Grandma Wang: "She is the only one who can plan, it's all about her heart!"



"Those fingers are not enough," the Empress Dowager laughed. "Get a booklet and write it down for them day by day. Then count how many days the Ai family has been waiting."

 Grandma Wang naturally said "Okay".

The Empress Dowager was full of conversation, and she could talk a lot with Lin Yunyan by her side. However, these days without someone around her, she felt uncomfortable all over.

At this moment, when everyone in the palace and the harem has their own thoughts, it is not appropriate to summon a few girls who are close to each other. Therefore, Lin Yunyan mentioned "Zhu Xiang" several times before setting off, so the Queen Mother summoned her to speak.

“He is also a good boy,” the Empress Dowager and Grandma Wang commented, “Now he has experienced all kinds of hardships.”

It has been more than two years since Zhu Xiang talked about the past with a much calmer mood.

She was once dragged into the mire, stuck deep in it, and almost sank, but she finally climbed out, washed away the mud, and walked forward cleanly.

 What the Empress Dowager saw in Zhu Xian was the vitality that made her believe that she had done nothing wrong in leaving the child alive that day.

“I heard that the assistant minister of the Ministry of War worked well and happily with Miss Zhu’s uncle when they were in Jingzhou. I admire him very much and want to promote him to be in charge,” said Grandma Wang. “The official department should be the right one.”

The Empress Dowager commented: "Master Ren is very clever and has gained face everywhere."

 A donation official, from being the county magistrate of the eighth rank in the local government to the head of the sixth rank of the six ministries in the capital, this step is not a big one.

Before Ren Min went to Jingzhou to dispatch military supplies, Xu Jian mentioned to him that Chengyuan County Cheng Yufu was the prime minister. At the beginning of the year, the Baoan Hou Mansion declined all relatives proposed on behalf of Yu Chengan. Recently, he has had more contacts with the Yu family. A discerning person. Everyone knows what it means.

 Promoted to Fu, not only to the Fuguo Duke's Mansion, but also to the Baoanhou Mansion.

“Of course,” the Empress Dowager laughed, “Only if you are capable and do things well and steadily can you seize the opportunity!”

 He is a useful talent, and there are also some princes and princes who support him. Ren Min is not stupid, so why not do it?

"When the two families get married, the Ai family will also add gifts." said the Empress Dowager.

The Zhu family has such an ending. Zhu Xiang only relies on his mother-in-law. The Baoan Hou Mansion is naturally upright, but there will be people outside who stir up trouble.

The Empress Dowager expressed her attitude, which can make "careful people" restrain themselves a lot.

By May, it was getting hotter in Beijing.

Lin Yunfang passed Xiaoding, and the Duan family returned to Jiangnan to prepare for the wedding in the autumn.

Lin Yunjing's fetus was sitting very firmly, but she kept vomiting. Her appetite had been poor these past few days, which made Mrs. Huang very worried.

Although she was accompanied by her grandma, Yu Pu was worried about his wife and worried about the overwork of his mother-in-law, so he proposed that the couple go back to the uncle's house to live for a while, so that all parties could feel relieved.

 After two years of hard work in officialdom, Yu Pu has learned to face his "advantages" calmly.

He is the uncle of Uncle Chengyi's house, and it is precisely because of this that he can quickly establish himself in the capital. What he has to do is to live up to the support of his in-law family, put all his knowledge into play, harmonize with Yun Jing, and treat the elders of his in-law family Respect and filial piety.

 Yu Pu has this ability, as well as this confidence and determination.

 At the end of May, Yu Chengan and Zhu Chan got married, and the Empress Dowager rewarded many good things to Yu's house.

 Less than the father-in-law, who was ordered to go to Xuan.

First he said, "Old Yu's family got a good match, and everyone with the same surname has their faces shining brightly, which is a great honor." Then he said, "This is an engagement gift, and the Queen Mother will add makeup when the wedding is consummated." She was smiling and friendly. Qi, the words sounded very nice.

Yu Fugang had just been transferred and had not yet returned to Beijing to take up his post. Yu's uncle and aunt were so embarrassed that they were embarrassed by Yu's father-in-law, so it was Zhu Xiang who came to the rescue.

Eunuch-in-law Xiao gave another letter to Zhu Zhang: "The princess sent it back, saying that Miss Zhu is about to get engaged, and I wish to congratulate you."

Zhu Xian took it with a smile. (End of chapter)