When night fell, the mountain village was lit up. On the threshing ground by the pond, a group of children were running around chasing each other. An old farmer sat by the house and chatted. He held a tobacco pipe in his hand and occasionally knocked on the bluestone steps beside him. Dong Zhu and Bodyguard Geng also sat under the big tree by the pond for a while and chatted for a while.
"… Originally, I also thought that the son-in-law was as weak as the rumors said, but the more I looked at him, the more I felt that something was wrong. Of course, a scholar is still a scholar, but he should be like this. Nowadays in Jiangning City, everyone knows that the son-in-law is called Ning Liheng. My son is also studying in school now. Last year, he was praised by Song Mao, Zhizhou Song. Tsk … My Geng family has always been illiterate. If it wasn't for the Su family, how could the boy have the opportunity to study? If it wasn't for the son-in-law, how could the boy be praised by someone like Zhizhou Song … "
Not far away, the mourning hall was noisy. Bodyguard Geng slapped his thigh and talked about these things to the driver named Dong Zhu.
"You don't know, but the son-in-law is really modest. He doesn't like to be in the limelight, and he never goes out with those fame-seeking scholars to visit prostitutes or drink with them. He's also really good to the Second Miss. Look at the kind of people he hangs out with. Li Pin and Li Dexin, these are real great scholars … How does he teach in class? He never loses his temper, and he doesn't say anything harsh. Those boys are also a little unruly, but they are good at reading. Even so, they are better at reading than the boys in the past … "
"I, Geng Lie, am illiterate. At first, I only thought that the teacher was strict. Last year, I was even praised by Zhizhou Song. I was so happy. Then one day, that boy came back and talked about what happened in class. Only then did I feel that something was wrong. The teacher has a good temper and doesn't argue with you boys, but you boys can't help but be self-conscious. You hung them up and gave them a good beating. Later, the son-in-law specially told me that there was no need to do that. This is the bearing of a big shot, to win people over with virtue, to win people over with talent … "
"In the past, the teacher was strict, and those kids studied while shaking their heads. It was useless. Now, that bunch of brats might be messing around, but they're really convinced by this son-in-law. Every day, he talks to people like what the teacher says, and what our teacher says. Haha, there were a few times when that brat even ran to me and said such things. Tsk … thinking about it, it really makes sense. You see, when you came to this village this time, when you visited this house and that house, the way you spoke, the way you handled things, the way you handled things, the way you handled things, the way you handled things, you were no worse than the Great Master. Perhaps I couldn't see it at first, but slowly, I realized that this is the benefit of being educated. There aren't many in the family who can compare to you … "
Geng Lie looked bold and fierce on the outside, but he was modest to his own people. He did not speak quickly when he spoke. Dongzhu sat next to him and looked like his nephew. At this time, he was a little silent. Then, he said, "I heard that the son-in-law was beaten when he first entered the fu, is that right?"
"Yes, that Xue Jin from the Xue family probably hit him with a brick when no one was around … Damn, no one saw it at that time. If I caught him, even if he had the Xue family behind him, I would have beaten him half to death and reported him to the authorities … But later, the son-in-law also severely humiliated him, hehe … Oh, right, you should have already entered the fu at that time …"
"Yes." Dongzhu nodded. "I just entered the fu and heard people talk about it, but I'm not very clear. But … Uncle Geng, since the son-in-law is so powerful, why did he marry into the family? "
Geng Lie thought for a moment. "This matter is a little complicated. First, the old grandfather and the son-in-law's grandfather had an agreement. Second, the foundation of the Su family is relatively strong. Second Miss is also capable and has a strong temperament. I don't know how they talked about it at that time. In fact, we think that the more likely reason is … Hehe, before the marriage, Second Miss had privately visited the son-in-law. Second Miss' appearance and temperament are all very good … I don't know what happened between them, but anyway, the son-in-law agreed … Not to mention Second Miss, just look at the maids around Second Miss. Chan 'er is so sweet, Juan' er is also good, and that girl Xing 'er … She is beautiful, but too shrewish … "
Among the three maids, Chan 'er is sweet, Juan' er is lively, and Xing 'er is one year older than the eldest sister, so sometimes she would quarrel with others. She also quarreled with Geng Lie several times because of some small problems. They didn't take it to heart, but it was naturally a little funny and annoying to talk about. After a while, Geng Lie patted his shoulder.
"Second Miss and the son-in-law are indeed a match made in heaven. In the future, the Su family will definitely be taken over by Second Miss. You are still young, work hard, and if you can become a steward in the future …"
With such encouragement, Dong Zhu nodded in agreement. Not long after, the night fell. There were people coming in and out of the mourning hall. The farmers who had nothing to do at night gathered, and it became even more lively. As time passed, the number of people gradually decreased. Dong Zhu would occasionally go over to take a look. The girl named Xiaochan was inside, and the son-in-law was sometimes there, and sometimes not.
Dong Zhu only entered the Su mansion last year. For him, who was originally from the countryside, to be able to enter the city and work in such a prestigious family, he felt that everything he saw was "very powerful, very novel".
Each courtyard, each rule, those stewards seemed to know everything. The rest of the people, regardless of their age, seemed to be very powerful. Occasionally, he heard them talk about who this was, who that was, how high their status was, or heard about the legends about scholars in the city. In short, he felt that they were all existences that he could not reach.
He often heard from the people in the fu that Second Miss was the most powerful person in the fu. Of course, this was excluding the few masters. He didn't have many opportunities to meet the powerful Second Miss. However, he had seen the few maids by Second Miss' side a few times.
The girl who often smiled and looked good when she scolded people was Chan 'er. Although she seemed to be younger than him, he still had to call her "Sister Xiaochan". This was also reasonable, because she was so powerful. The girl named Juan 'er, when she gave orders, seemed quiet and serious, expressionless, and didn't smile much. But when she was angry, her gloomy face was a little scary. When Sister Xing 'er gave orders, she was usually gentle, but occasionally when she had some conflicts with others, she was very scary. Once, he saw her arguing with a steward of the third branch. She said one thing after another and didn't give in … She was obviously also a maid, but she dared to argue with such a powerful steward and won in the end. This matter made Dong Zhu feel that she was really powerful.
Relatively speaking, the one who attracted Dong Zhu's attention was that Sister Xiaochan. In fact, he didn't talk much. Several times, she came to give orders and then left. But when he was in the mansion, he often saw her. Sometimes, he saw her walking and stretching, muttering something. Sometimes, he saw her jogging, and sometimes, he saw her jumping beside the son-in-law. He felt that … Sister Xiaochan's smile was really beautiful. Of course, other than that, he didn't have many other thoughts.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he drove the carriage to send her out, but he didn't say much, only told her his name. Later, she still remembered that they met several times in the mansion. She greeted him and called him "Brother Dong Zhu". These times, he didn't answer her properly and was very upset afterwards.
There were also some servants in the mansion who pursued certain maids, but this kind of thing wasn't within his consideration. The status of Second Miss's three maids in the mansion was similar to that of a steward. Right now, he wasn't used to the word "pursue" and didn't feel that he had this status. Of course, this time, when Xiaochan was coming back, he was assigned to drive the carriage. That morning, he originally wanted to say a few words of comfort, but he wasn't good with words. In the end, when it was time to set off, he couldn't say it.
After arriving at Nanting Village for a few days, his heart always felt empty. In fact, there weren't many things he had to do. He only had to feed the horses and maintain the carriage. Occasionally, he would accompany the son-in-law to visit various households with Guard Geng. The son-in-law was really amazing. If it was him, he definitely wouldn't say those words. It sounded simple, but it felt so natural. Just like what Guard Geng said, it was natural for a learned person to be respected.
Older Sister Xiaochan seemed to like the son-in-law. This matter itself was natural, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. However, it was always difficult to suppress some empty thoughts. Time passed and the sky became dark. When he went to look again, the son-in-law and Xiaochan were no longer in the mourning hall. Thus, he went back to his resting place. When he passed by the son-in-law's courtyard, he saw that it was lit. He stood outside and looked for a while. The shadow of the son-in-law was sitting in front of the window, probably writing something. However, Older Sister Xiaochan's figure didn't seem to be inside.
He turned to the side of the small courtyard that was arranged for him and Guard Geng to stay in. Only then did he discover that there was movement from the carriage. He went over in puzzlement. Xiaochan, who was wearing a plain white dress, climbed out from inside. She was holding something in her hands. When she saw him, she nodded, "Brother Dong Zhu."
"Uh, Older Sister Xiaochan … Ah, I was wondering who it was …"
"The son-in-law hasn't been eating well these past few days. I prepared some food before coming here to give it to him." Xiaochan nodded and smiled. In her hands were a few long-lasting pancakes and dried fruits. She then handed one over. "Brother Dong Zhu, are you hungry? Eat one too. "
"Uh, I, I …"
"Take it." Xiaochan smiled and placed the pancake in Dong Zhu's hands. Then, she waved her hand. "Then I'll go back to my room first. Brother Dong Zhu, goodbye. I'll have to trouble you tomorrow."
"No, no … It's no trouble …" Dong Zhu held the pancake. There were many things he wanted to say in his heart, but he couldn't say them. He just watched as the figure passed by the other side of the courtyard.
In fact, she didn't look like her usual smile. Her figure seemed to be somewhat sad. However, when she reached the door, he could see that she paused for a moment. The corners of her mouth pulled into an arc. Then, she pushed the door open and entered.
The silhouettes of the two people moved inside. Dong Zhu held the pancake in his hands and stared at it for a long time. Then, he took a small bite. This pancake might be delicious to him normally, but at this time, it didn't taste that good. He only looked at the figure in the light opposite him. It wasn't strong, but he couldn't get rid of the lingering feelings. Muddled love, lost in this summer night …
"This is what a landlord does …"
In the room, Ning Yi sighed. He divided the pancakes and dried fruits on the table into two halves and pushed one half to Xiaochan. "You can't get used to the food that others warmly prepared. In the middle of the night, a maid brought food over to secretly eat. What would happen if this behavior was known?"
"It doesn't matter if others know. Actually, son-in-law is really amazing. You clearly don't like it, but you can still keep eating while sitting there …"
"Uh, is it very obvious that I don't like it?"
"Xiaochan can see it, but others definitely can't." Xiaochan smiled. "I'm already full. Son-in-law doesn't need to give it to me."
He was used to living in the big city, so he didn't have much of an appetite for the food in Jiangning. Back in this small mountain village, even though the food was cooked by the best chef in the mountain, Ning Yi still couldn't get used to it. So, Xiaochan brought him some other food every day.
"It doesn't matter if it's delicious or not. In short, I'm full. Since you brought it here, it's your responsibility to finish it in half. Don't waste it. "
"Then I'll just take a small half."
Xiaochan picked up the pancakes and fruits and put them on Ning Yi's side. Ning Yi shook his head and negotiated. "No, no, I brought too much. This time I'm at a loss. We can calculate according to the ratio and divide it into five portions. Xiaochan, you have to share at least two portions. This can be a deal … This one is too big. Change it to a small one!"
The negotiation that was like a negotiation was carried out intensely on the table. Xiao Chan took the big fruit and put it together with the other two small ones to protest, "You can't count it like that. This big one is worth two …"
"Then come up with a more reliable way to divide it. I think these pancakes are not the same size. Look, the one on your side is obviously smaller, right … This is not good. You're deliberately taking advantage of others."
"Son-in-law, if you want to put the big one here, you have to take two small ones!"
"I have another way."
"Huh? What … woo … "
Xiaochan opened her mouth. Ning Yi threw the big one in. "Alright, now that the big one is gone, it's easier to divide it. We won't count the big one …"
"Woo, it's not sour when cooked. Don't eat it (How can it not count? I ate it) …" Xiaochan chewed with difficulty and protested.
"How can it be counted if you ate it? You ate it. Moreover, you can't even talk properly. You're trying to negotiate. What are you trying to say … Tsk, I don't understand. Alright, I'll continue to divide it. You have the right to give your opinion. I'll take all your opinions as a reference … "
With nothing to do, they could only find some boring things to entertain themselves. Just like that, the two of them ate in the room like a seesaw. After they finished dividing it, Xiaochan realized that she had eaten more than half of it. She was usually a smart and capable maid, but she was helpless when it came to Ning Yi. She could only mutter, "Son-in-law is bullying me." Not long after, she reluctantly left the room and returned to her own room to sleep.
It was already the fifth day since they returned to the village. They had basically visited all the people they wanted to visit. Next, they had to endure for another two days and wait for the next day to bury the coffin. On the afternoon of the sixth day, Nie Yunzhu, who had just returned from the shop, looked at the old man who had set up a chess stall not far away. She had greeted him a few times in the past, so they could be considered acquaintances. This time, the old man raised his head and smiled, waving at her.
She bowed respectfully, then stroked her messy hair. She trotted over to the chess stall, stood beside the chess stall, and spoke to the old man with a smile.
The old man also stood up with a smile. After a few words, he gestured to the opposite side, and then asked for a pot of tea from the tea stall next to him. After the two sat down, under the shade of the willow, they talked about the man named Ning Liheng who was in the remote mountainous area at this time. This was a good topic. The old man and the young girl who might become father and daughter could be considered to have truly known each other.
The chess piece, the first chess piece …
In the small mountain village, the night passed quietly. The dead were buried at dawn the next day. Originally, there was a lunch and dinner in the village, but considering the flood these days, the victims went to Jiangning to return to the city as early as possible. After the burial, Ning Yi and the others bid farewell to everyone and prepared to set off.
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