"Yes, I only saw someone I used to know …"
The sun was setting. In the room by the river, the brush in the woman's hand paused for a moment before she started walking again.
In the early years, she had placed some of her subordinates' children in that alley to learn about music and singing. They had been there for two years, so Li Yun had some impression of that place. Now that she heard about an old acquaintance, she thought of Yu Ho-chung and frowned. "An old acquaintance? Who? "
"A child who used to live in the middle of the alley and only knew how to read. His father was a pedantic scholar and often quarreled with his family. Now that I think about it, his surname is Ning … "
"Oh." Mama Lee remembered. "That child wasn't good at studying. He was always scolded until he became stupid. When we left, I remember that his father had passed away. Is he still living there? How did you recognize him? "
"I couldn't recognize him. He was very different from before. But I saw him sitting at the entrance of the courtyard with a book in his hand, so I went to ask and found out it was him." The woman looked at the drawing on the paper. She had already completely described the alley that day. Her drawing style was beautiful, and the artistic conception was fresh. However, it was more realistic. Compared to the traditional painting style that focused on artistic conception, her drawing skills could not be considered to have reached a higher level. Perhaps it was because she had not been taught by a master and had to rely on her own talent to slowly comprehend it. But to be able to understand it to this extent, it was enough to prove that she was talented.
Although the alley was clean and tidy, one of the three people who were talking was a little blurry. In the end, there were only a few random strokes. It was hard to tell whether he was an adult or a child. "Look at how he speaks. He is completely different from the child who only knew how to sit at the door and read. But I can't think of what is different. Maybe I saw wrongly. Today, it was all Big Brother Yu who was talking. He didn't say much … "
Mama Lee was a little shocked. "Shishi, don't tell me … you're thinking about the old friendship again …"
The woman smiled and shook her head. "There were so many people I knew when I was young, but how could there be so many friendships? It's fate that we met in a different place and knew each other in the past. There's no need for me to look for him by myself … Moreover, I heard that he married into a local merchant family. Big Brother Yu is also happy that I am in contact with him. If I am in contact with him, I will be causing trouble for others for no reason. Today, we have met once, but in the future, we probably won't be able to meet again. "
"That's good …" Mother Li patted her chest, "Don't get involved with those people who can't climb up to you. That Yu He, since I've already met him, I can only blame it on my bad luck. If I don't roll my eyes at him, then wouldn't our Fanlou Building be doing good deeds … That Ning Family boy has married into our family … Hey, I knew that boy was a good-for-nothing. What's his name again?"
"I don't know. When I met him today, I only said that my surname was Wang. It was not convenient for me to tell him my real name, so he didn't say anything. Later, when Big Brother Yu came over, we didn't introduce ourselves."
"It's fine if you don't know. By the way, recently, the news of you coming to Jiangning has spread. There must be someone behind the scenes adding fuel to the fire, but there are always some people who can't be pushed away. I think we should set a time or two for a banquet and let them see the sights of the capital. You can also free up the rest of the time. Mother will accompany you for a walk and relax. " Mama Lee smiled, then furrowed her brows. "Hmph, if there are really people who want to use you to become famous, you don't have to be courteous with them. Just show them what's good for them."
"I'll offend people. They'll say I'm arrogant …" Li Shishi tilted her head and thought about it. "Jiangning is a big place. I might not be able to compete with them."
"You just want to do everything well. It's clearly a competition, but you're still trying to please everyone …"
"It's the same in Bianjing."
"They know they can't compete with you, so if you treat them well, they'll treat you well too. The women in Jiangning don't appreciate it. I went to see Yang Xiuhong today. She said that this year, half of the top four in Jiangning have left. It's the worst year. Qi Lan and Luo Miaomiao can't make it at all. Tsk, Yang Xiuhong was also in a difficult situation. Last year, her most popular girl had actually run away. It was not a big deal to say that she had redeemed herself and married someone else, but she had been forced to open a tavern. Previously, there was also a woman who was extremely talented in both folk arts and literature, but she had also redeemed herself and left. Now, the two of them had opened a tavern together, which made her very angry. These two girls don't know how hard life is. They were coaxed by a playboy to marry them, but they refused. They just ran out to show their faces in public … "
Today, when she saw her sisters at Golden Wind Restaurant and heard what Yang Xiuhong said, Li Yun immediately thought of her daughters. She hurriedly nagged them to prevent Shishi from leaving like this one day without a good home … Beside her, Shishi found it interesting. "These two sisters are really admirable."
"What's there to admire? Shishi, you can't be like this …" Chatter chatter chatter chatter.
Shishi nodded and said, "Yes, I won't be like this."
"Mummy also knows you. Oh, right, I heard that your Brother Zhou came to look for you today. It's a pity you weren't here. If you're in a good mood tomorrow, why don't you accompany him for a walk? At the same time, you can see if your Brother Zhou has any new poems. It's also good … let him suppress all the heroes and defeat all these arrogant scholars in Jiangning! "
Her tone sounded quite resentful. Shishi smiled and said, "What's wrong, Mummy? Why are you so angry? "
"I'm not angry. It's just that Shishi clearly came here to rest for a while and relax. Even if those bastards spread the news, the scholars of Jiangning wouldn't think too much about it. They said that Shishi came here to show off to the people in Jiangning. They even said that if you came, they would ignore you and only write poems for Qi Lan and Luo Miaomiao. Tsk, who do they think they are? If not for the great scholar Zhou coming along, Shishi, you would really be bullied. There are even rumors that the number one scholar will also write a poem for Qilan, so that Qilan will greatly overshadow your limelight. This time, although we have only met once or twice, and don't have the heart to compete, but we still have to prepare well. "
"Who exactly is the number one scholar?"
"There are all kinds of people saying that there is no number one scholar. Some say it's Cao Guan. There's also a Li Pin who writes poems, but she's not in Jiangning anymore. You've met a Gu Yanzhen before, but he's not in Jiangning either …"
The woman nodded. "I think I've met him before. It was two years ago. I was still young then."
Mama Lee thought for a while and said, "There are, there are also people saying that it's Ning Liheng who wrote Shui Diao Getou and Green Jade Case. However, I asked Yang Xiuhong today. He doesn't write many poems in Jiangning and doesn't usually attend literary meetings. He's very mysterious. It's hard to say if he'll do anything …"
The distance between Jiangning and Bianjing was, after all, quite far. Shuidiao Getou, Green Jade Case and Ding Feng Bo were also spread to Bianjing. However, the rest of the information was passed through mouth and ears and became vague. Li Shishi had sung these poems and heard some rumors, but in the end, she could not form a three-dimensional image of this person. At this moment, he slightly raised his head and thought for a moment before revealing a smile, "I heard that he doesn't usually write poems and doesn't participate in literary gatherings. If he can write a new poem for Shi Shi and let everyone see a good poem, it would be a joyous occasion …"
Previously, she had talked about the competition indifferently. Now that she was talking about the author of the poems, her smile revealed a slight sense of pride and confidence. Then, it was as if all that was left was anticipation for the poem.
Mama Lee knew this daughter's personality. She was usually indifferent. On one hand, she really had this kind of temperament. On the other hand, she had the natural arrogance that was cultivated over a long period of time. In her heart, she hoped that Ning Liheng wouldn't interfere. Naturally, she only told her daughter to interact more with Zhou Bangyan and get a good poem for him to have some assurance for this trip.
She knew this daughter's ability. When it came to performing on the spot, how could she be pure, beautiful, and cute? No matter how difficult the guests were, she wouldn't mess up the pot. For example, if she were to ask Zhou Bangyan for a poem tomorrow, she would feel that it was unnecessary. Perhaps if Zhou Bangyan came to look for her, she would just receive him for a while. She would then have to keep nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him, nagging him.
This daughter had been like this since young. As long as the people around her sincerely wanted her to do something, even if she didn't think it was important, she would still do it.
Therefore, although some of her words were a little strange, Mama Lee still liked this daughter very much. This was called being obedient …
While Mama Lee was nagging, the lights in the room in the small courtyard and the nearby streets were already lit. The boats on the river with the yellow light drifted past the window. In the courtyard of the Su family on the other side of the city, a small family banquet was also held in the courtyard where Ning Yi stayed. The main purpose was to entertain Qin Shaohe, who came to visit Ning Yi.
The eldest son of the Qin family was nearly forty years old. He had a square face and looked handsome. In fact, he didn't lose his gentle and humorous side. However, he mainly had the demeanor of a gentleman, which was quite similar to his father. Because Qin Siyuan was already old and had experienced some changes, he was no longer in the officialdom. When he was with Ning Yi, he was mostly humorous. But if it were twenty years ago, perhaps Qin Siyuan would also have the same appearance and style.
Qin Shaohe had already learned of this young brother's ability from his father's letter. Later, when the flood happened, he was also a talented person. He first received the disaster relief plan that his father sent him. After making some changes according to the local conditions, the results were remarkable. In the disaster relief last year, he made the most outstanding achievements. Because of their father, he and his brother Qin Shaoqian had always had a harder time getting promoted than others. But this time, the results were out, and the higher-ups had no choice but to promote him to Zhizhou. He was grateful for Ning Yi's help. This time, he also saved his father's life. After asking his father about some things, he came to visit the Su mansion twice. He didn't mention his status as Zhizhou and only treated him as an equal. As soon as he saw Ning Yi, he first thanked him.
At this time, the two of them were eating dinner in the hall. Su Tan'er only came out to greet them a few times and then went back into the inner room. Only Chan'er waited on them. She knew more or less who Qin Shaohe was. In the afternoon, Ning Yi didn't return, and he only came to visit for personal reasons. She couldn't ask her father, grandfather, or other family members to receive him. After greeting them, she asked Xing'er to wait on them. Juan'er went out to look for him, but she was also a little nervous. Later, when Ning Yi came back, she showed up and talked with him for a while. Then, she became more normal. At this time, she was calmly looking at the account book in the room. Listening to the faint sounds of chatting and laughing, she felt a little excited and a little vain.
That was a Zhizhou!
In the past, the highest official the Su family had contact with was a Zhizhou. Every year when Song Mao came, the family attached great importance to him. But she also knew that Song Mao was close to the second branch. Although he would take care of them in business, she couldn't count on much. But now, because of her Husband, she also had a Zhizhou behind her.
Uh, it should be considered her … the one behind her and her Husband.
Although a few days ago, when Husband mentioned it to her, he only said, "I heard that he is also a Zhizhou." His tone was casual. At that time, she was only stunned. In the past, she knew that the Elder Qin she had visited was a powerful person. She had visited during the New Year. At that time, she felt that her Husband was very powerful. She had made friends with this old man through literature and didn't feel that it was too real. At that time, she felt that it wasn't easy for her Husband to have such a relationship. She shouldn't think too much and let such a gentleman's friendship be stained with the stench of money. But this afternoon, when he really came to visit her home, she really felt the meaning of the whole thing.
Su Tan 'er was used to seeing the world. It wasn't that she didn't have the opportunity to really interact with high-ranking officials. But in the end, it was purely an exchange of benefits. It wasn't very cordial. In the end, it was difficult for ordinary people to understand the Su family's yearning and desire for things like official positions and power. In the end, businessmen in this world were not popular. Su Yu had spent so much effort to establish Yushan Academy. In the end, it was a product of this desire. In the past, Su Tan 'er couldn't count on Song Mao. She only felt that he was a slightly closer protective umbrella for the entire Su family. But this afternoon, Qin Shaohe's attitude when he came to visit let her know that this was very different from a normal exchange of benefits.
Although he didn't show his official position today, this kind of attitude, coupled with the fact that he had saved her life, meant that they would become friends in the future. If they got along well, perhaps their children and grandchildren would be able to contact each other.
In the past, no matter what happened in the business world, or which connections she made, or which high-ranking officials she got to know, she only felt that she was a businessman. At most, she could lead the Su family to become a big businessman. But now, the feeling in her heart suddenly changed. She calmly sat at the table looking at the account book, but her heart couldn't calm down. Next to her, Juan 'er and Xing' er also vaguely knew the identity of the other person. At this time, at this time, they whispered, "Miss, that Elder Qin is the Zhizhou of Jiangzhou. The son-in-law chatted very happily with him."
"Yes." Su Tan 'er nodded lightly.
"If others know that the Zhizhou came to visit us like this and that the son-in-law saved his family, won't they die of envy? At least the second branch …"
"Don't gossip." Su Tan 'er lightly glanced at them. "Don't make a fuss about nothing. Husband and Zhizhou Qin are friends of gentlemen. There is no interest involved. If you flaunt it outside, it will taint their friendship. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"However." Su Tan 'er put the end of the brush to her lips and thought for a moment. "There is no harm in revealing a little to the second branch. But we have to be careful. We can't let people say that we flaunt it."
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