"Oh, not bad, not bad. You have the ability to comprehend and have a good foundation. You are indeed my disciple."
"Master, if that's the case, why don't you help me wash some clothes?"
"You're asking for a beating!"
— —
Huting County in Gangnam-do was not famous for its plump Lotus Peony, but for a dissolute widow with the surname Xu. She had married from Beiliang and had cursed two of her husbands to death. Both of her husbands were top notch nobles in the area. One of them was ranked second in the imperial examination and had passed away in the imperial examination. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but he had died an unnatural death. The other one was not bad either. He was ranked third in the imperial examination and had also passed away suddenly after marrying the widow surnamed Xu. Therefore, people in Gangnam-do jokingly asked if the next top scorer would be the one to suffer.
However, this widow had recently hooked up with a scholar from Jiangxin County next door. That man was the son of an elegant official in Gangnam-do. His father's generation were all literary heroes. This man's surname was Liu Liting, also known as Mr. Chengzhai. At the age of fourteen, he could compose beautiful poems and was proficient in voice and rhythm. He was especially immersed in playing the zither and was famous for his culinary skills. He had a unique style among the scholars in Gangnam-do. His first wife was also from a big family and had both integrity and talent. However, after meeting the widow, Liu Liting went crazy and wanted to divorce her. Originally, it was just a matter between two families. At most, it would be a joke in Gangnam-do. However, for some reason, Liu Liting's wife had an inextricable relationship with an imperial concubine in the capital. That imperial concubine was extraordinary and the "Precepts for Women" that all women in the world had to read was written by her.
When such a scandal reached the ears of the imperial concubine in Gangnam-do, she naturally flew into a rage. This imperial concubine was extremely favored in the imperial palace and was even treated as a sister by Empress Zhao. Therefore, when she frowned, it was not too far off from the anger of the emperor. Therefore, the high-ranking officials in Gangnam-do no longer dared to have any thoughts of watching the drama and braced themselves to denounce her. Although Liu Liting wrote a moral essay that made people want to slap the table in praise, it did not seem very manly. When he saw that even the imperial concubine in the palace was angry, he immediately sobered up. First, he wrote a poem to break off all relations and sent it to the widow's door. Then, he went to his wife and bitterly complained to a group of scholars that he was on good terms about how the seductive widow had seduced him. For a moment, the pitiful woman surnamed Xu was besieged on all sides. If it were not for her family's strong background, she would have drowned in the spit of saliva. Liu Liting's wife even specially went to Baoguo Temple to burn incense and slapped her, calling her a slut. That seductive widow was not angry at all and only smiled faintly. It was unclear whether it was a bitter smile or a sneer.
At that time, the scholars who were present to watch the drama were all moved.
The peonies of Baoguo Temple were the best in Jiangnan. According to the study of geography, the earth veins of Huting County were the most suitable for peonies. That was why they were able to cultivate such beautiful flowers. At that time, Huting County's two unique peonies, Yao Huang and Wei Zi, were sent to the capital as tributes. The flowers bloomed and withered for twenty days. The entire capital was in a frenzy. There were no less than a hundred types of peonies in Baoguo Temple. Other than the Yao Huang and Wei Zi that were known as the queen of the peonies, there were many other treasures such as Green Dragon Crouching Lake, Zhao Fen, Flesh Hibiscus, and so on. The biggest pilgrim in Baoguo Temple was the Widow Xu who was currently being condemned by everyone. Every first and fifteenth day of the month, she would come to burn incense and worship, rain or shine. She only loved the peonies, Zhao Fen. In the backyard of the temple, there was a Zhao Fen that was as big as a bucket. Its branches and leaves were scattered, dripping and clustered, and it was staggered out of the eaves. Due to her illustrious family background and eccentric style in Huting County, this unique peonies had almost become her exclusive ornamental attraction. Today was the fifteenth day of the month, the first day of the month was the day she was slapped in the face by Mrs. Liu. She brought a personal maid into the backyard. When she left home to get married, she brought many servants and maids with her, but she was not close to any of them. Only this maid, who came from a poor family, liked her very much for no reason. She was strict and strict in governing her family. There were few servants in the residence who did not harbor fear in their hearts. Only this maid, whom she named Qiao Er, knew how to repay kindness and protected her master in all respects. Today, when she got off the horse and walked into the temple, countless people were secretly pointing at her. The little maid was angry. Now that there was no one around, she bitterly defended the injustice and said, "Miss, these pilgrims are really hateful. If they want to burn incense, then they should burn incense. Why are they secretly laughing when they see Miss?"
The widow, who was not yet thirty years old, pinched the maid's face and said with a charming smile, "You still have a conscience."
The little maid said indignantly, "Miss, that Liu Liting is too much! During those days, he was the one who pestered Miss like a dog skin plaster. In the end, the villain complained first. Are those scholars who are well-read and well-read all blind? Why are they all speaking up for him? "
The pretty widow could not help but laugh. She bent down to look at a gorgeous peony. She pinched off a small petal the size of a fingernail with her fingers and sniffed it. She squinted her eyes and said with a smile, "Aren't most men in the world like this? What's there to be angry about? It's not worth it to be angry about it."
The little maid said timidly, "Miss, let's talk about something."
The widow was amused and said, "Oh, are you thinking of love? Which scholar have you taken a fancy to? Tell me, if he's really not bad … "
The little maid shook her head desperately and bit her lips. She looked up with a determined face and said, "Miss, the shrew in Liu Liting's house is too hateful. I heard that she often goes to Mount Qing Temple to worship. I want to slap her in the face. I beg Miss not to plead for Qiao Qiao. If I'm beaten to death, I'll be beaten to death. I want to help Miss vent her anger! I know Miss is not having a good day today, so please don't worry about me anymore. "
She was stunned for a moment. She gently pinched the petal with two fingers and laughed involuntarily, "I didn't feel sorry for you in vain. But you're just a little girl, why are you involved? If you're slapped in the face, then you're slapped. "
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