The river flowed leisurely. When the ripples on the canal rippled, the summer insects chirped on both sides of the river. The yellow-green fireflies were like fog floating on the two sides of the river. When the boat passed by, the green fog was dispersed and then gathered again.
The pleasure boat stopped by the river bank. The boat's bow was lit. It was not bright, but it still formed a small space in the middle of the river. This was the boat that Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had taken to travel south. At this time, there were not many people left on the boat. This was because, including Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, a group of servant girls, and stewards, they had all been invited to eat on another pleasure boat.
In the evening, the two boats met. The scholars on the other side spoke warmly. In everyone's eyes, the main character could be considered to be Lin Tingzhi, who had not attracted much attention since boarding the boat. After greeting each other, the other side invited the people on this boat to stay and play in Jiaxing for a few days.
Lou Shuwan's goods were waiting to be delivered, so it was naturally impossible to stay. However, out of some unknown consideration, Lou Shuwan suggested that they could stay for a night. The reason was that the other side's invitation was not unreliable. Today, they had taken the pleasure boat of Fangqing Garden. Although Fangqing Garden was a brothel, the dishes cooked by the chefs there, especially the all-fish banquet, could be considered the best in Jiaxing. Therefore, they had invited everyone to that boat to eat fish.
Ning Yi and Su Tan'er had originally come to play. Jiaxing was not far from Hangzhou, and the two places had close ties. Lou Shuwan could also be considered half a landlord here. Since she had said so, the other side naturally readily agreed. They called Wen Ding, Wen Fang, the accounts manager, and the others to eat together. There were not many people left on this pleasure boat. The captain, the families of the families, and a few servants were naturally not presentable in this kind of gathering. They stayed and ate hastily, chatting and cooling off in various parts of the boat.
The adults went to eat, and the children were naturally left behind. They could not help but ask about the whereabouts of the adults, especially the master's son-in-law, who liked to tell stories. The accountant and the housekeeper's wife had nothing to do. She explained that they had been invited by some powerful people.
Thinking back to the scene just now, there were scholars and scholars on the boat. According to the introductions, they all had great backgrounds. Maybe there were even Elementary Scholars or High Scholars. In the eyes of the women of the merchant family, these people were naturally very powerful. They could not help but teach their children that if there was a chance, they should work hard to improve themselves. In the past, when they were in the Su family, although they knew that the master's son-in-law was also a powerful figure, they naturally couldn't compare with these orthodox scholars.
The people from Jiangning didn't have much of an idea of what was going on in Jiaxing. They also didn't know the status of those scholars, but from the looks of it, it wasn't bad. There were a few waiters on the boat who had followed Lou Shuwan all the way here, so they knew a bit about her. They talked about Wen Duqing's poetry and literature, and Du Ruohan's reputation in Jiaxing and Hangzhou. They also talked about their own Miss and Lin Tingzhi. In the past, they did not think much of Lin Tingzhi, but now that they talked about him, they realized that he was a great scholar. There was a Su family waiter named Dong Zhu who listened to them, but he did not think much of it.
"So what? Our master's son-in-law is not someone these people can compare to. Everyone in Jiangning doesn't know about his talent. Even if there was a high official like the Prime Minister who recently invited him to the capital, he still did not go. "
"Liar."
"The Prime Minister?"
"Uh, in any case, it's a high official like the Prime Minister."
Dong Zhu was actually a bit uncertain about this matter. A few days ago, he had heard Chan 'er, Juan' er, and the other servant girls mumble a few words. They said that the Prime Minister or some other high-ranking official had invited the son-in-law to the capital, but the son-in-law had not gone. It was hard for him to imagine such a high official like the Prime Minister. Now that others were asking, he did not have much confidence, but he still put on a strong front.
In reality, Chan 'er and Juan' er were not very clear about these things, so how could they explain it clearly in a discussion? Qin Siyuan was just about to go to the capital, and his official position had not been decided yet. Ning Yi only mentioned it briefly, and only gave a general idea. Although Chan 'er and Juan' er were clear about the positions of the Six Ministers, Left and Right Ministers, and so on, it was still difficult for them to understand these things.
Lou Shuwan's husband was also a son-in-law, and the waiters could see it clearly. After boarding the boat, they saw that both parties were in similar situations, and they naturally had their own opinions about Ning Yi's position. At this time, they were shocked by Dong Zhu's words, but they still found it hard to believe. They talked for a while, and Dong Zhu, who only knew that his son-in-law was very powerful, gave a few specific examples, but it was not convincing enough. The others, on the other hand, were inspired and also talked about what they had heard about the son-in-law of the Su family.
Although the words spoken by the women and children were not able to describe Ning Yi as awe-inspiring as a "high-ranking official", it at least sketched out a simple outline of his power.
On a summer night, the lights in the distance converged into the outline of Jiaxing City. Occasionally, pedestrians and carriages passed by on the road in the forest, and the lights weaved a simple path. The people on the boat also spent time chatting. When the children asked about how long the adults would take to return, the women said with certainty that this kind of gathering would most likely end late at night. However, not long after this conversation, a few lanterns came from the road in the distance. The lanterns lit up among the willows by the river embankment, and the people walking over were vaguely Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, and the others. In front, Xing'er carried a lantern, and Chan'er carried a round fan. Occasionally, they would jog along the river embankment to chase away the dancing fireflies. Then, there was the faint sound of laughter.
Ning Yi and the others had finished their meal, and walked all the way back. After boarding the boat, it was lively. Juan'er and the others even brought a few takeaway dishes on the boat for everyone to taste.
"The taste of the fish is really not bad. It's different from the taste of Jiangning. Later, I'll make some food, and everyone can try it."
Only Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, the three servant girls, the accountant, and the shopkeeper returned. Su Wending and Su Wenfang stayed on the boat. They had always liked these kinds of literary gatherings. Ning Yi and Su Tan'er also let them sit there for a while, because Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi were also there. Honestly speaking, when Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, and the others finished their meal and left, Lou Shuwan's expression was really quite surprised.
In reality, although they were invited this time to entertain their old friends for a meal, the people at the table really had an ulterior motive. In the eyes of the Jiangnan scholars, Lin Tingzhi was famous for being dissolute. Although he was quite talented in poetry, he was even more dissolute. They didn't know much about Lou Shuwan, but after Lin Tingzhi's introduction and the hesitation of those in the know, they more or less understood this woman's background.
She had a strong personality, a husband who married into her family, a wealthy family, and such a beautiful woman. Perhaps Lin Tingzhi had already become her guest, and that Su Tan'er who came from outside also had a similar background. In short, they didn't have to worry too much about her husband. The area around Suzhou and Hangzhou was a romantic place. This group of people didn't have purposely dirty thoughts in their hearts. It was just that under the framework of eight-legged Confucianism, it was romantic to talk about the matters between men and women. On the boat, amidst the candlelight, flirting, and flirting were all part of the romantic life. Since the other was a woman of the Shang family, there was no need to worry too much. Therefore, they used the reason of inviting Lin Tingzhi to gather everyone together. The method was actually an ordinary and well-mannered banquet.
Of course, if the invited person really had some thoughts, and then both parties were willing, then naturally they could only admire this person's methods. In the eyes of the crowd, there would be another romantic anecdote that could be written about and discussed.
It was a bit impulsive for them to invite a guest to a banquet on a pleasure boat in a brothel, but firstly, the guest was Lin Tingzhi, and secondly, the banquet here was really good. Su Tan 'er was already someone's wife. She could have directly refused to go, but since Lou Shuwan had spoken, Ning Yi didn't want to be too concerned about dampening the mood. He went to the pleasure boat and chatted with the crowd for a while. Then he had a good idea of the situation, so he happily enjoyed the banquet. After the banquet, he stood up and bade farewell before the group of scholars had their poetic moment. He packed a bag along the way.
Lou Shuwan was a little startled. This time, she invited Ning Yi and Su Tan'er over with complicated intentions. Firstly, she wanted to show that the Lou family had a wide circle of friends. Secondly, she felt that she had the same experience as Su Tan'er. However, she couldn't directly say what had happened to her and Lin Tingzhi. This time, Lin Tingzhi was in the limelight. She also wanted to let Su Tan'er see the literary talent of Lin Tingzhi and these scholars. In her opinion, Su Tan'er had married an unreliable scholar. Even if she didn't say anything about these literary and romantic people, she would definitely yearn for them. As long as she somewhat yearned for them, if they knew about her in the future, they would first be envious and restless. They wouldn't look down on her.
She tried to persuade her, but Su Tan'er also adopted a simple negotiating attitude and gently rejected her with a few words. Lou Shuwan originally wanted to follow them back. However, seeing how Ning Yi and Su Tan'er left so easily, she would seem a little lonely if she followed them.
She thought that perhaps Tan'er wanted to stay too. However, since the son-in-law was there, she was used to having a sense of propriety. In fact, she had the same thought a few years ago. She wanted to maintain a passable situation with her husband. She wanted him to be simple, and they would live like this for the rest of their lives. Later, she started to look down on her husband's various useless actions. It was only then that she gradually grew tired of it. At this time, she realized that there were a few people among them who were old friends with the Lou family. She used the excuse of staying. Su Wending and Su Wenfang also stayed. This more or less saved her some face.
On the other side, Ning Yi, Su Tan'er, and the others returned to the boat. They lit up the lights at the bow of the boat and set up tables and chairs to talk and cool down. There was still some distance from here to Jiaxing, but Ning Yi did not intend to go to the downtown of Jiaxing to play. He instructed the accountant, the manager, and the others to make themselves at home. If they wanted to bring their families to play, they could also go. Sitting at the bow of the boat with Su Tan'er, they waited for Xiaochan and the others to serve them fruits. Watching the fireflies dance, it was a little like when they were young in the village. However, there were a lot of mosquitoes. After a while, they took a basin and lit some mugwort and other things to repel the mosquitoes. The few of them took a fan and sat there fanning themselves.
"Will it be a little boring? Do you want to go to the market? "
Ning Yi tilted his head to ask. Su Tan'er smiled and shook her head, "No." The three servant girls sat side by side at the bow of the boat and watched the fireflies fly. Juan'er turned around and said, "The scenery here is very good."
After a while, Su Tan'er said softly, "The silver candle illuminates the cold painted screen. The light and small fan flutters the fireflies. The night sky is as cool as water. Looking at Morning Glory and Vega. It's quite similar. " Actually, this poem was talking about the Double Seventh Festival. It was only the beginning of summer at the end of April. Naturally, it could not be said to be strictly appropriate. However, since one or two of the lines were appropriate, Ning Yi nodded happily. In the past, Su Tan'er liked poetry. When she had nothing to do, she liked to read and recite it. However, ever since she knew that her husband was a "great scholar", she did not recite it much. Perhaps the mysteriousness and sublimity of poetry had slightly diminished in her heart.
In the distance, they could see the lights of some pleasure boats. After a while, there was also a cargo boat that stirred up waves and headed north in the night sky. Su Tan'er probably remembered the pleasure boat that Lou Shuwan and the others said they were at. She thought for a while and laughed softly, "Actually, Lou Shuwan somewhat looks down on Husband."
Ning Yi smiled noncommittally, "Her husband also married into the family."
"I'm afraid we don't get along well."
"There aren't many people who get along as well as we do."
Ning Yi's words were somewhat boastful, but Su Tan'er only felt that it was the truth. She smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because Husband is a strange person. Even if it's a normal couple, I'm afraid it would be difficult for them to be like this." She thought for a while and said, "If you want to do well in Hangzhou, the Lou family will always be a help, so..."
"If you care about this, I'm afraid you won't be able to do business in the future."
"I do care a little, but... if I think about how they would feel when they really know Husband's identity, I... heh, I, am a bit evil. And those people just now... "She waved the fan in her hand to fan away the smoke in front of her. She reached out to stroke her hair," I find it strange. Husband's poems have clearly spread from Suzhou and Hangzhou. Why didn't those people react after he introduced them? "
Ning Yi laughed, "There are too few poems. Besides … with such a long distance, the spread of news is not as developed. They might have heard of Ning Liheng's name one day, but as for how his family background is, how many wives and concubines he has, how his brothers and sisters look like, whether he is a cripple, who knows? There are some who talk about it. Perhaps there are some who say that Ning Liheng is eight feet tall and his waist circumference is also eight feet … In short, at this point, it is hard to tell what Ning Liheng looks like in their hearts. Last time when the group of students from the capital went to Jiangning, they also said that I wandered around the brothel, picking flowers everywhere, or that I was forty or fifty years old, steady and dignified. In their hearts, it seems that this image is more believable. "
"Heh, it must be that childhood sweetheart, Miss Li." Su Tan'er joked, then covered her chin with her fan and corrected herself, "Oh, it's Miss Wang."
"You remember it well."
"Since she and Husband are childhood sweethearts, if she really likes Husband as the outside world says and has a chance to marry into my family. As her sister, I naturally have to remember her surname. "
"How virtuous..."
Ning Yi murmured to himself. The two of them then chatted about the taste of the fish on the pleasure boat. Su Tan'er was actually more or less brooding over that bunch of people who did not know her husband's name and acted like they were favored by the heavens. Lou Shuwan did not know either. Lin Tingzhi did not know either. Perhaps it was not that they did not know, but they did not expect it or did not dare to think about it. As they spoke, another group of people came on the boat, chatting and laughing. It was Su Wending and Su Wenfang, who had already returned. The two of them seemed to have encountered something good, but they were very happy. After asking for their sister and brother-in-law's location, they went straight to the bow of the boat.
"What are you so happy about?" Su Tan'er glanced at them, then looked behind. "Where are Shu Wan and the others?"
Ning Yi laughed. "They must have composed a good poem and made a killing. That won't do. You came into a mood for poetry as soon as you arrived in Jiaxing. This is destroying the place. "
The two of them shook their heads and laughed happily. "No, they didn't compose a poem. That woman from the Lou family and her lover are still behind, but they should be back soon."
"Don't talk about people like that!" Su Tan 'er glared at them. Su Wending stuck out his tongue and covered his mouth, but he was still laughing. Su Wenfang said with a smile, "We didn't have the time to compose a poem, but they did compose a few. Later on, when they were discussing something, they came over to ask us. Then, they learned of Brother-in-law's true identity. You didn't see their awkward expressions. That Lady Qing'er … Haha, anyway, our poems are not good. We were there to explain Brother-in-law's identity. After explaining, we took our leave. Hehe, I don't know if they will chase after you later to challenge Brother-in-law. In any case, Lou Shuwan and Lin Tingzhi should be here soon … "
Su Wending and Su Wenfang couldn't stop laughing. Ning Yi also laughed when he heard it. Su Tan'er, on the other hand, was interested. She blinked her eyes and asked, "What happened? What happened? Tell me quickly … "On the other side, the three maids, Chan'er, Juan'er and Xing'er, were also listening attentively. At this moment, they leaned over with interest. They even brought chairs for Su Wending and Su Wenfang so that they could sit down and talk comfortably.
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