Chapter 6 Chapter Six

Ling Yang himself did not expect that seven years would pass in a flash. This year, the biggest matter in the Tang family's mansion is naturally to arrange the big event of the third girl leaving the cabinet in March.After struggling on their backs for half a year, they finally sent the now slim and handsome third girl to the county magistrate.Ordinarily, it is no longer the magistrate's prefecture now—the magistrate of Wu county was promoted to the co-prefect of Qingzhou prefecture, and he went to Shandong alone to take up the post after the marriage was completed, and his family members were still staying in Xiuning.In this way, it is not considered a distant marriage, but it relieved a lot of Huiniang's sadness.The third girl grew up, and naturally she was not as naughty and domineering as she was when she was a child. She was much quieter, but this quietness was too quiet, even gloomy.Boxes for dowry were piled up in an empty room below the embroidery building—flat-topped official suitcases and thick-topped official suitcases piled up under the feet of accompanying screens and bright lattice cabinets like densely packed mushrooms. There are two layers of smaller treasure chests and jewelry boxes stacked on top of it—Ling Yang doesn't quite understand whether those boxes are rosewood or huanghuali.In short, the husband's family sent more than a dozen people to carry the dowry, and it took half a day.The people in the clan were speechless, saying that they didn't realize that the Tang family still had such a foundation-a county magistrate, whose annual salary was only 90 shi of rice, married a daughter-in-law who was so ostentatious, so he couldn't take it lightly.

Ling Yang's current personal maid——Xiao Ru—also curled her lips when combing Ling Yang's hair: "People outside say that our house is willing, but I don't know that Aunt Hui asked Madam for the cost of the dowry." Do you have any instructions? Madam has a generous temper, but there is one level that needs to be paid attention to. How much the third girl’s dowry costs now, will be doubled when it is bought for Sister Mu’s son in the future. Our sister is the only one who is born Miss, if it gets out, people will laugh at the rules of our house. Madam said..." She watched Ling Yang turn her face away, looked at her without saying a word, and then stopped.Ling Yang still stared at her without changing expression, until the hand holding the comb felt uncomfortable because the hand was hanging in the air. Ling Yang looked at her like this for a while, fixed her eyes firmly, and said slowly: "Take care of your own mouth." Xiaoru lowered her eyelids and whispered, "What hairstyle would Madam want to wear today?" "Whatever you want." Ling Yang said flatly.

Xiaoru came to Ling's seedling house the summer before last, and in all fairness, Xiaoru felt that his wife was not mean, and sometimes greeted Xiaoru with greetings, but even when she was smiling, she felt cold for some reason.In short, Xiaoru dare not think about the things that the master and slaves in other people's houses are talking and laughing.She silently put the comb back on the dressing table, and carefully inserted a few small white pearls next to Ling Yang's bun - that was the only decoration Ling Yang allowed herself. No one knows that at times like this moment, Ling Yang misses Forsythia the most.

But the forsythia has gone. I thought that the house would be quiet for a few days after the third girl left the pavilion—but shortly after the third girl returned home with her new son-in-law, she would start preparing for the old lady's 70th birthday again.However, the busier she was, the more radiant Hui Niang looked at, and her whole body seemed to look radiant.Everyone said that when they returned home, seeing the new young master being very considerate to the third girl, Hui Niang felt relieved, gained face, and naturally became more refreshed.The old lady's birthday is a little different from the usual birthday celebrations.This time, the Tang family greeted the clan. For the old lady’s birthday, all the widows in the clan and even the big clans in Xiuning County will be invited to the banquet, no matter young or old; Widows who have given a letter of approval, or who have some reputation in the neighborhood, are also invited to hold a "Hundred Widows Banquet" with great momentum and battles.

Needless to say, this was naturally Xie Shunhui's idea. In recent years, Xie Shunhui often came to Xiuning because of Eleven’s love, and spent at least three or four months in the Tang family in a year—if something important happens, such as the young master Chuan The concubine's little brother's full moon wine, I'm afraid it will stay longer.The mansion has long regarded Mr. Xie as a member of the family, and no one needs to tell him. The kitchen has already learned that Mr. Xie does not like fungus and prefers salty soup. It was just a brainstorm to make the old lady's birthday a "Hundred Widows Banquet".Young Master Yu Chuan tried to bring it up to the Eleventh Lord, but the Eleventh Lord was overjoyed when he heard it, and praised him repeatedly, saying "Hundred Widows Banquet". The Tang family can take advantage of this opportunity to spread the reputation of their family's emphasis on women's morality.So the decision was made at the moment to undertake most of the expenses of the "Hundred Widows Banquet", and Tang Pu was also asked to be in charge of supervising the bank transfers.

"Be sure to remember." Xie Shunhui told Ling Yang, "This 'Hundred Widows Banquet' is said to be for the old lady's birthday, but it is actually for the old lady." That day, Ling Yang ordered someone to open the master's study that had been locked for many years, and sat alone in it.When Xie Shunhui came in, she wanted to avoid it, but then she gave up - no one in the house should care about her talking to Mr. Xie alone.She smiled and said: "Mr. Xie, but we heard that Master Chuan mentioned some rare books hidden by the master. Would you like to see what happened?" Xie Shunhui also laughed, and before he could answer, Ling Yang saluted, "I just want to come in and sit down Sit down and look at the old things of the master - now that the third girl is married, the master should be happy to know. Mr. Xie can read whatever books he likes. It's too lonely to keep those books for nothing. I'll go back first. After seven years, her words became more and more soft, and she was no longer the same as before, always with an expression of "knowing that she would say the wrong thing" on her face-she just made sure of it lightly. The books people read are very lonely.

Xie Shunhui also bowed slightly to her back, and said slowly: "Please remember, this 'Hundred Widows Banquet' is said to be for the old lady's birthday, but it is actually for the old lady." She stopped before the threshold, and quietly dropped her hand on the doorknob.She was wearing a peacock blue horse-face skirt, and as she gently straightened her back, the folds on the skirt fluttered faintly.She didn't look back: "Mr. Xie is exaggerating. It's just that our house took the lead to gather all these widowed women in the neighborhood, so that we can have a good time..."

"If it's really just to make your old lady have a good time, wouldn't it be convenient to invite a troupe? Why invite a group of widows with sad faces?" The idea of ​​the "Hundred Widows Banquet" cost the mansion——I naturally have my reasons. When the birthday comes, the old lady’s body can’t last long, and it’s the lady who deals with those widows, so it’s better for the lady to deal with it calmly——Ten Yigong has already promised that the "Hundred Widows Banquet" will be held every year by Tang's family—Madam just wants all these people not to forget..."

"Don't forget that the Tang family in Xiuning is still guarded by me, the widow, right?" Ling Yang slightly raised the corners of her mouth, her tone sarcastic. "Madam must be patient and calm. One day, people will think of you, Madam, when they mention Xiuning and even the chaste women in Huizhou. At that time, Madam, whatever she wants, I'm afraid it will not be difficult. Anything in this world No matter how big or small, it is just the general trend, and what Xie wants to do for his wife is to create this 'general trend'." "I just remember what Mr. Xie asked. I will do as Mr. said." She opened the door obediently, and stepped out with a slight sideways body.

Xiao Ru was still waiting for her in the room, came up to her and said with a smile: "Madam is back, let me find it easily. The tailor will come in half an hour. For the old lady's birthday, I have to buy two pieces for my wife." Top clothes. What kind of style does Madam want this time?" A look of tiredness appeared on Ling Yang's face: "No matter how good a tailor he is, I can only wear those few colors. It's a waste of money if I do it." "Madam's words are not right." Xiaoru smiled, "We don't want bright colors, but there is always a way to put some thought into the small parts of the clothes. I remember that Sister Lianqiao embroidered a silver thread dark flower for Madam before." The bijia is rolled with silver thread. Although it is plain, it looks exquisite. Let's ask the tailor to make another one as it is... and this skirt, the same color and different materials look bad A lot, I'll make a few more beautiful nets on Madam's skirt. I can't wear other jewelry, and I can't wear the jade pendant that the master gave Madam. The color of the nets can be slightly different from that of the skirt. If the skirt is lotus root If the color is dark green, I will use dark green for the net, and it will make the jade pendant more clear..."

Seeing Xiaoru talking to herself excitedly, not caring whether she was listening at all, Ling Yang couldn't help laughing secretly.This child is so cute, it is uncertain when, a small reason can make her dance inexplicably - many times, it is this point in her that makes Ling Yang forgive her love countless times Chew your tongue. Forget it, Xiaoru has the advantages of being small, in short, it is impossible for Forsythia to come back. That should have been three years ago. Usually at night, Ling Yang would send the little maid in the room to go to bed early, and spend the rest of the time with Forsythia.She is not a person who is good at words, and what comforts her is that compared with her, Forsythia is not much better.Two people who are not good at talking sit together, staring at the needle and thread in their hands most of the time - the two little people, Sister Wei and Danggui, have been running around the room, often for several months After a while, the clothes on the top of the body feel too small again-these tasks are enough to keep Yang and Forsythia busy.The Tang family can't compare with those rich families in the family. They can hire a group of people to do needlework, but they can't afford the expenses.That's fine, doing needlework makes time as viscous and quiet as lamp oil. In this kind of quietness, no matter which of the two of you, just raise your head and say something insignificant to the other, it will also make you feel better. There was a halo of warmth between the two of them in an instant. Ling Yang had never traveled far, but when she was threading needles, she suddenly said something to Forsythia, and heard the same unhurried answer——she would feel as if they had been on the road together for a long time.Sometimes she would fall into this silence, wishing that she would never be sleepy and the sky would never be bright.So, when she looked up and found that Lianqiao was kneeling in front of her at some point, she seemed to be caught off guard and heard thunder.The needle was stuck on her finger, and she didn't bother to put the blood-oozing fingertip into her mouth, "You want to scare me to death." She scolded, "What's the matter with the good ones, but it's not a festival, You can’t ask for a reward.” Having said that, her heart sank, she knew that Lianqiao was not a person who made a fuss, and it would not be a trivial matter to make her like this.Over the years, Ling Yang had gotten used to bad things happening, she could smell the smell in the air, but it calmed her down—it wasn't the first time she had encountered it anyway. "Ma'am." Lian Qiao looked into her eyes quietly, "Lian Qiao has caused a catastrophe, to tell Madam, I originally planned to die these two days, but I am afraid that after I die, the disaster will still remain." , That's why I thought I'd better tell Madam to ask for an idea. Then let Madam beat and scold..." Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Ling Yang: "Say it straight, it's - which man is it?" After speaking, she herself felt hot on her face.She took a deep breath to keep her voice from trembling. Lianqiao bit her lip and said cruelly, "Doctor Luo." "God." Ling Yang seemed to be whispering, "I should have expected it a long time ago. He came in and out of our house all day long, and the prescriptions were directly handed over to you—Forsythia you——I said that I would assign you to a doctor in the future. It was a joke, and you took it seriously—how long has it been? Wait a minute, have you already—” Lian Qiao smiled miserably: "I don't know, I haven't seen a red tide this month, but... But he said that he still can't get a happy pulse right now." "It's really convenient for you! There will be no shortage of people who will give you your pulse in the future!" Ling Yang was furious, "Ask me to tell you what is good about you. You are such a smart and steady person, what reason do you not understand...you " She threw the needle and thread back onto the kang table heavily, but unfortunately it was too light to make a sound, so she clenched her fists and thumped the table hard, but her mouth was discouraged, "You, you should go first Get up, what can you do if you kneel down?" Forsythia didn't move, she raised the back of her hand and wiped the tears on her cheeks, "It was the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, madam, do you still remember that old madam suddenly fell ill? Our family called Dr. Luo overnight, and he happened to be killed that day. Please go to have a drink, drank a few more glasses, and barely managed to finish the prescription for the old lady. On that day, the sedan chair at home seemed to be borrowed by someone, and the two boys on horseback were sent out to search for Sichuan. Young Master—In any case, there is no way to send Dr. Luo back, so Aunt Hui said, let Dr. Luo rest overnight in the guest room... That night I was making medicine in the kitchen, and everyone in the family was asleep. I didn't expect him to He sneaked into the kitchen and said he missed me for a long time." Ling Yang thought she had closed her eyes, but in fact she didn't, she just couldn't bear to listen any longer, so her heart dimmed with pain, but her eyes could clearly look at Forsythia's face. "He also said." Lian Qiao said softly, "If I don't agree, he will tell the matter - he knows that Madam's sister Wei is not the master's child, and he said that it was Aunt Hui who gave him money back then. If Madam has a happy pulse, I have no idea. I can't let him go out and talk nonsense. Madam has worked so hard until now, and our house has finally improved. I can't, I can't... With this time, Every few months, he would think of a way to come back a second time, and then..." She hugged Forsythia's head to her chest.She hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face: "The Mid-Autumn Festival of the year before last...God, it's been almost two years, Lianqiao, you are so wronged." "If it weren't for the evil seed, I wouldn't say it out to trouble Madam. I just ask Madam to decide, let me go out, and just follow the joke at that time, and assign me to Doctor Luo. Besides, he comes and goes with us all day long. I can often come in to deliver medicine to the old lady when I go to see a doctor in the mansion - from then on, the lady will have me outside, and it will be more convenient than now to send me to give orders if there is anything to do." Forsythia rose from Ling Yang's arms There is anticipation in the face and eyes. "You girl!" Ling Yang laughed, "Listen to what you are talking about, the girl made her own decisions and assigned herself out, so shameless. And you know that Dr. Luo has a wife and children in his hometown No, besides, just such a treacherous and shameless person, how can you make me feel at ease?" "He made an oath. As long as I can really go out and follow him, he will have nothing to do with our family from now on - he is not from Huizhou, and he has a first wife in his hometown, but he has no heirs. Now I am with him It’s not a shame to live a life.” "Why don't you feel wronged? I originally thought that I would find you a man of the same age. Even if the family is poorer, I have to be the main house anyway. Now it's good..." "It's good for Madam to tell me this, but don't say it in front of other people - Aunt Hui and Aunt Qiao listened to it, it's inevitable." Lian Qiao's eyes were flushed with tears, and she looked crystal clear. It became much brighter, "Madam, please remember, for Madam's sake, Forsythia will never frown, let alone get married, even if she goes to the mountain of knives or goes to the frying pan." Forsythia married Dr. Luo just one month later, and during the past three years, she gave birth to a son and a daughter. In the past few years since Forsythia left, Ling Yang has two more habits in her life.First, she began to visit the old lady's room frequently. In the Tang family's mansion, since the time when she was a master, the old lady's morning and evening schedules are no longer so strict.Everyone didn't expect that it was at Ling Yang's place that the rules were restored.Every morning, she got dressed and went to say hello to the old lady—to say hello, but in fact, the old lady's daily life was also out of order. Many times when she arrived, the old lady was still asleep, just with the guards The mother-in-law just chatted a few words.One of them prepares a cup of freshly boiled red bean and barley soup for Lingyang every morning-in autumn, this soup is also replaced with red dates and pears.The woman just quietly put the lid cup in front of Ling Yang's eyes, without raising her head, as if deliberately hiding her right eye, which was covered with a layer of frost and covered with yellow spots, and she didn't know where to look.That's right, she is the old lady in the ancestral hall. Back then, it took Hui Niang a lot of thought to transfer the family's wife and wife to the Tang residence.After some inquiries, it was found that the couple originally belonged to Tang Pu's family brochure. At first, Hui Niang still had a headache, how should she ask Tang Pu to let these two people come out? Tang Pu readily agreed to the mother-in-law's words, and she didn't even have time to say the reasons she made up before. Ling Yang picked up the cover cup and asked the old lady: "Did the old lady sleep well?" The old lady replied briefly: "Very good. I took a rest after dinner yesterday." Ling Yang nodded: "Anyway, you bother a lot. If there's anything wrong, please invite Dr. Luo over. Don't be afraid of trouble." "Yes." The door lady replied, "The daughter-in-law of Dr. Luo's family will come in today to deliver the latest pills to the old lady. When she arrives, I will ask her to go up to the lady's room to talk to the lady." "Did the old lady tell you anything on weekdays?" Ling Yang took a deep look at the old lady. "The old lady was sober for a while before, and asked us if we had heard the story of the lamp grass turning into a spirit—" The old woman smiled and shook her head, "But after only a stick of incense, I became confused again. Don't worry, madam, the old man will understand." Please take care of me." Ling Yang smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.Talking to smart people saves a lot of effort, and everyone knows everything well.Ordinarily, with the lady-in-law, she didn't have to come to the old lady's room every day to get some advice, but for some reason, it was precisely because the lady-in-law was here that she didn't feel flustered when she stepped into the threshold. "Has anyone else been here?" Ling Yang asked. "No more. Doctor Luo was invited by Hou Wu a few days ago, and then he waited on the porch—he didn't let him in." "This Hou Wu is really close to Dr. Luo now. Every time Hou Wu goes to invite him to see him off. I heard that he often goes to drink with Dr. Luo in private. So Lianqiao is very afraid that Hou Wu will go to their house." "This Hou Wu is the celebrity in front of Aunt Hui's eyes now." Another woman passed by them and smiled mockingly, "He is the comprador on business trips, welcoming and seeing off distinguished guests, he is everything—I am afraid that after a few days Today, we have something to do in our room and we can’t handle him.” "Look at what your old man said." Ling Yang put down the cover cup, "Since the housekeeper slumped on the bed, Hou Wu is the only one who can hold those shameless boys in the room, don't expect Hou Wu Which one to count on. As for things that cannot be manipulated, let’s not talk about it. The old lady’s room is the biggest thing, if he doesn’t understand this, I would have kicked him out a long time ago.” I saw the old woman bent down and smiled apologetically: "Ma'am, what you said is very true." At this moment, young lady Chuan Lan Xin helped her maidservant step into the threshold, and Ling Yang stood up with a smile: "I will wait for Sichuan daughter-in-law Come pick me up." The old woman also laughed and said, "Madam, what post will Madam Chuan make today?" This is the second habit that Lingyang developed after Forsythia left.One morning, she stepped into the room of Young Master Chuan and Young Mistress Chuan, and said to Lan Xin straight to the point: "From now on, teach me how to read a few words, okay?" "Here there are lofty mountains, luxuriant forests and bamboos; there are also clear and turbulent streams, which are reflected on the left and right, leading to the flowing cups and curved waters, and sitting next to each other. Although there is no flourish of silk and bamboo orchestras, one cup and one chant are enough to narrate the quiet feelings. It's the day, The sky is clear and the air is clear, the wind is gentle and smooth, looking up at the vastness of the universe, looking down at the abundance of categories, so wandering eyes and bosoms are enough for extreme audio-visual entertainment, and I believe in Coke. My wife will be with her, look up to her life, or take her arms, Meet and talk within a room; or because of entrustment, let the waves out of the body. Although there are many choices, calmness is different, when you are happy with what you meet, you get it for yourself for a while, and you are happy and self-sufficient, and you don’t know that old age is coming. ..." In fact, Lan Xin is a good Mr. Enlightenment.At first, both of them thought that the other party was just acting on a whim and wouldn't last long.But after more than three years, no one expected that although Lan Xin taught casually and without rules, she gradually enjoyed it; "Lanting Collection Preface" - "Learning" is indeed not as hard for Ling Yang as she thought.Every time, when cleaning the ink stains accidentally rubbed between the fingers, there is always a faint pride.What's more, Lan Xin would often smile lightly and say sincerely: "Madam is very sensible." But Yun Qiao always curled her lips in disapproval: "Well, she is just trying to please her mother-in-law, and only you, Madam, can do that." Seriously." Ling Yang was not convinced: "She is usually so cold and arrogant, so she won't please anyone easily." Yun Qiao smiled and said: "Madam is now at home reading and writing all day long, why did she forget 'this moment, that moment? For a while, is this a common saying? Has she ever given birth to a boy and a half girl after she has been in our house for a while? It’s not that Madam doesn’t know that Mei Xiang in Master Chuan’s room is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Okay, but in the room, because of the birth of a little brother, she is extremely insane—she is about to climb onto the head of our Young Mistress Chuan. If she is not busy trying to curry favor with Madam, is there any other way to survive?" Ling Yang had no choice but to say resentfully: "Once you say something, it really doesn't mean anything at all." She likes this moment of being alone with Lan Xin. There are no children in Lan Xin's room, and Master Chuan won't come here for a long time—every corner of the room seeps out a kind of real tranquility and coolness. Tattlers naturally resent such places.Although deserted, Lan Xin dresses up exquisitely every day, brews two cups of new tea, grinds ink well, and sometimes burns a stick of incense.Ling Yang would feel that, no matter what, the feeling of being waited on by others is good. "When I die, I will leave this inkstone to my wife for consideration." Lan Xin gently put down her pen, "When I brought it from my mother's house, I never thought that it would have such a relationship with my wife. fate." "When you're young, you always say these unlucky things." Ling Yang rolled her eyes at her, and after being a "mother-in-law" for a long time, she forgot that she was actually only two or three years older than Lan Xin. "I didn't joke with Madam." Lan Xin smiled, and then lightly read the sentence on the copybook, "Madam be with her, look up to her for the rest of her life, or hold her in her arms, and talk in the same room; or because of Entrusted, let the waves go beyond the body..." "Although you told me what it means," Ling Yang was a little embarrassed, "but I still don't seem to understand." Lan Xin sighed: "Actually, this sentence is talking about how comfortable their men are. They also know that life is short, but for them, different ways of living have different tastes. Restricted A little crazy, a little crazy, they can speak with pen and ink, and there is a reason for them in any way of life-no wonder Madam doesn’t understand, there are so many articles in the world, and few of them are written for us .” Ling Yang covered her mouth and smiled "chichi": "From what I see, you have a lot of reasons." After a moment of silence, she decided to say it out, "Lan Xin, it is said that you are such a smart person, Why can't you figure out Brother Chuan's temper - I'm not blaming you, I'm just not worth it for you. Or, after so many years of husband and wife, you just can't like him?" "Ma'am." Lan Xin's eyelashes curled up slightly, "Do you think today's tea still tastes good?" She had no choice but to keep her mouth shut. After hearing this, it seemed inappropriate not to pick up the cup.The fragrance of tea is indeed provocative, so she could only laugh and said, "There's nothing wrong with your tea here." A cloud of green in the teacup blocked her eyes, and she only heard Lan Xin's quiet voice: "Madam, don't use it." Worry about me. In the past few years, I have been very content. My wife is willing to come to me to write every day, which is already the happiest thing for me; My husband's family is going smoothly, let me know that she is doing well - with these two thoughts, I will never think about anything else." Ling Yang had no choice but to sigh: "It's rare, you and the third girl are really destined." Ling Yang is twenty-five years old.Thinking about it, it has been nine years since she married into the Tang family. She often tells people with a smile that she is finally old.But in fact, when she looks in the mirror, she never feels old.The wear and tear of giving birth to Sister Wei has recovered a little over the years, at least the whole person looks moist.The jade bracelet on her wrist that she had worn for many years seemed tight now—she was a little fatter than when she was sixteen or seventeen, but the expression between her brows also eased. She looked leisurely, as if she was listening to a piece of music from afar with her breath held. The so-called "Hundred Widows Banquet" is just a saying, and it sounds like a lot of battles.In fact, according to statistics, there were only forty or fifty people attending the banquet.On the day of the meeting, the weather was fine.The gift-giver has long been in an endless stream, and Master Chuan is alone in the middle hall dealing with the gift lists of various families, making arrangements to give rewards and meals to those who carry the gifts-fortunately, there is a competent manager in the mansion-Hou Wu, beat the housekeeper's wife from front to back, left and right.Ling Yang finished dressing early in the morning, and went to the old lady's room to kowtow and pay respects to her birthday.She was very careful and knew how to measure. Naturally, rouge could not be applied, so she lightly applied a thin layer of gouache.That powder was brought by Madam Hui, and it is said that it is also in short supply in the capital.Just put a little on, and the complexion will feel fair and even, without any visible traces.The old lady was helped into the grand teacher's chair, and she sat in a daze. She was wearing a maroon jacket with the pattern of "Ruyi" carved in silk, with silver trim, and a stone blue skirt, with a silver hair and a pair of emerald earrings. It looks more and more luxurious.Ling Yang knew the color that the old lady was going to wear in advance, so she deliberately put on red, flower blue, and a gamboge skirt. After listening to Xiaoru's words, she wore the jade given by the master between the skirts. The net is dark green, and Xiaoru cleverly mixed a handful of pink silk threads into the net, which is almost invisible, but when facing the sun, I just feel that the net will be a little unspeakable. of gloss.Except for the jade pendant and the bracelet that could no longer be removed, Ling Yang didn't wear any jewelry, even her hair was combed into a simple plum blossom bun with the silver hairpin hidden in the hair.The snow-white neck quietly reflects the black hair that has not been disturbed by any decoration.It is because of this simplicity that she looks like a painting from the Tang Dynasty. Seeing Ling Yang smilingly helping the old lady to sit down, all the widows from all walks of life who were invited in the room were slightly surprised: It's not because this lady of the Tang family is born beautiful—if you talk about her beauty seriously, Come on, it's just a little bit more beautiful among ordinary people. In short, women's eyes are especially harsh, let alone a group of women who have to be pure and pure because they have no husbands.The widows looked at each other, when Ling Yang gave them a generous smile, because of their doubts, they had to be more courteous in returning the salute.After all, this is the etiquette of being a guest. Besides, the Tang family is a kind-hearted family after all.Among the widows who are guests, there are always one or two who can suddenly realize in silence: After all, this wife who is the head of the Tang family really doesn't look like a widow. To say that her attire is not beyond the norm, and her gestures are also impeccably generous and reserved.There was no trace of meng lang, but it was disturbing.Maybe it's the look on the face, leisurely, with the sparkling water; the eyes seem to be unintentionally staring at you, and the pebbles are thrown into the sparkling water with a "plop".You can't pretend that coziness and obsequiousness, and you can't pretend that she is soft and calm when she talks to people, which is strange, they are also widowed women—is it just for her, the house is full of people? Loneliness is precisely the fertile and suitable soil, can it nourish such various forms? Then everyone took their seats one by one, and the table started, only Hui Niang was left standing with Lan Xin, directing the maids and women to serve the dishes.Lan Xin was really clumsy about these things, so she had no choice but to follow Hui Niang step by step, with a rare timid expression on her cold and proud face.Ling Yang's eyes followed her from afar, and sometimes when Lan Xin turned her head and her eyes met, Ling Yang smiled quietly at her—in the eyes of outsiders, this smile was naturally inexplicable: What makes her happy?In other words, the situation in life has come to this point, what else can make her so happy? The guests who sat at the main table with the old lady and Ling Yang were naturally older widows in the family or nearby prominent families—for example, Su Liu of the Su family, fifty-three years old, not arrogant—she was twenty-two Widowed at the age of 10, he was just commended by the court last year.Her chastity archway was treed in the field half a mile away from the Su family's house, and that day was a festival for the entire Su family.I heard that Mrs. Su Liu knelt under the memorial arch that recorded her lifelong pride after kowtowing her thanks, suddenly vomited blood, let out a loud cry of grief, and kept calling her deceased husband's name, saying that from then on, her sincerity As loyal as heaven and earth can be, I will die and rest in peace.Fainted after speaking.The scene is so sad and heroic that the onlookers are all moved.Ling Yang was noncommittal after hearing other people's descriptions of this scene—in fact, she secretly thought that one day when her own archway was erected, she must deal with it calmly.In the public, depending on what reason you have, it's not good to shout the sky and grab the ground.Su Liu's legend is not limited to this point. Su Liu's late husband had an elder brother who also left early. Not long after the elder brother died of illness, the eldest sister-in-law followed him - the orphan left behind has always been Su Liu. Liu was brought up by the widow.Therefore, the first chastity archway of the Su family was won by the elder sister-in-law, and Su Liu's got the second one.I don’t know if it can be said that it is God’s beauty. Su Liu’s third son was weak since he was a child. He was infected with the epidemic four years ago and left at a young age. Su Liu’s daughter-in-law was 27 years old when she lost her husband. good age.People were waiting with great anticipation whether the third daughter-in-law of the Su Liu family could earn a third memorial archway for the Su family.If this is the case, it is true that the Su family is favored by the gods - the female family members of a family have made such a good story.In fact, people still have some secret expectations in their hearts: if Su Liu's third daughter-in-law can fulfill herself earlier, it would be the best, if everyone wants to accompany her and wait until she is fifty years old to see Seeing the happy ending is a bit disappointing.At today's banquet, almost all eyes were fixed on the emaciated third daughter-in-law sitting next to Su Liushi, and the widows exchanged knowing glances with each other—it seemed that they all agreed that this woman did not look like a woman who would make everyone happy. Enjoy the role. The audience has always been difficult to serve. If it is like Ling Yang, it would be too eye-catching; but if it is like the third daughter-in-law of the Su family, it is too out of character, and it will inevitably be ridiculed. Su Liushi finally got up slowly, held up the cup, like an order, and all the widows also stood up——Suddenly there was a mess of trees in the banquet hall, and the expression of the old lady froze on her face, suddenly He looked around in bewilderment, as if he didn't understand what was going on.The women who followed the old lady came up again as if they were facing a big enemy. The old lady pressed her hands lightly on the shoulders of the old lady, and then whispered a few words, making Yang stand up to return the salute, and then raised her own The cup smiled and said: "Please forgive me, our old lady is not in good health and has been ill for a long time, so it is inconvenient to get up to toast. I will drink this glass for the old lady first." Su Liushi smiled neither humble nor overbearing: "Lao Mrs. Tang. Today we have a total of three cups to toast. For the first cup, I will naturally wish the old lady a birthday first. I wish the old lady good health and a longer life than Nanshan; the second cup is toast to you Tang. We all see the blessings of the old lady, and it must be due to the kindness of the ancestors of the Tang family. Now there are such promising grandsons studying hard in the family, and there are also daughter-in-laws like Mrs. Tang who are dedicated to keeping the house. ..." "It's impossible, Mrs. Su, this will ruin my family." Ling Yang smiled embarrassedly, and had a drink with Su Liushi, and the rest of the women drank their cups one after another.The old lady also picked it up and took a sip hesitantly, continued to look around curiously, then became interested in the colorful cold dishes on the table, grabbed the chopsticks like a child, Ling Yang bent down to gently cover her hand, whispered Said: "Madam hold on a little longer, the toast will be over soon." The old lady may not understand Ling Yang's words, but she understands the meaning of this stop, stares at Ling Yang resentfully, and gently squeezes out two words between her teeth.个字：“淫妇。”如今，令秧对这种辱骂早已习惯，不用她给眼色，门婆子立刻就会加重按着老夫人肩膀的力道，老夫人像所有孩子那样，感知得到某种微妙的威胁。 “第三杯酒。”苏柳氏继续，“老身觉得，该敬一敬我们诸位的亡夫。在座诸位守节多年，谨遵妇德，含辛茹苦，今日托唐府的福，告慰一下亡夫们的在天之灵，也彼此告慰一下咱们大家的辛苦。”话音刚刚到这里，厅堂里的角落就响起了隐隐的啜泣唏嘘声。还真是应景——令秧远远地跟蕙娘交换了一个眼神，彼此都控制着自己脸上的表情，不能浮出讥讽的笑意。 众人都坐下开始吃菜，气氛也自然跟着热络起来。因为毕竟这“百孀宴”要以庄重为主，谢舜珲很早便建议蕙娘，只在席间安排了一个弹琵琶的，并没有人唱曲子。不过人声嘈杂还是很快就掩盖了淙淙的音乐。西南角那几桌坐的都是年轻些的孀妇，彼此认识的自然便聚在一处说笑，将两张桌子挤得爆满，却有一张桌子上，只剩下一个孤零零的女人。面容姣好，却是满身肃杀气。挤得很热闹的那几桌时不时地爆出来一簇笑声，她听见了，便微微皱一下眉头，好像那笑声似荆棘一般，扎得到她的皮肤。众人都叫她姜氏，她们热闹地聚拢在一起也是为了要谈论她。这姜氏丧夫已有五年，守节第二年的时候，公婆劝她改嫁给小叔子，她不吃不喝撑了五天五夜，鬼门关上被救回来，公婆也不再提改嫁的话。也正因为她身上背着这个典故，才会被列入“百孀宴”的宾客名单。可是三年之后的今日，众人都传说她最终还是同小叔子不清不楚——小叔子明明到了年纪也不再提娶亲的事情，她的公婆只是装聋作哑——孀妇们兴奋地暗中奔走相告，在她们眼里，当姜氏的桌子终于只剩下她一人的时候，她的孤独和沉默就成了她无耻失节的铁证。“看她坐着的样子。”有个女人向同盟窃窃私语道，“腰往前拱，准是新近才做过那种下流事情。”然后众人用心照不宣的哄笑来表示赞同。这众人当中，最近真的在跟自家小叔子偷情的那位，自然笑得最响。 令秧只好得空招手叫兰馨到跟前来，嘱咐兰馨去那个空桌子上陪着姜氏坐坐。无奈兰馨是个闷葫芦，也真的只是沉默地坐坐而已。 老夫人的精神支持不到散席时候，令秧也知道这个，这反而让她轻松，并且因着这轻松，更加周到地伺候着老夫人吃东西。那份细致殷勤，在满桌子的节妇眼里，也挑不出什么错处。于是主桌上的这群年长些的节妇便忽略掉她们二人，闲闲地话起了家常。一名被唤作刘氏的孀妇说自己最近总是胃口不好，尤其是到了晚上，吃些粥都勉强——当然没忘了炫耀一下自己儿子为了尽孝，让人天天晚上熬了燕窝粥给她端去。苏柳氏笑道，其实到了她们这个年纪，胃气上涌本是常有的事，她自己倒有个法子，每一年，到了亡夫祭日的那个月份，她便吃素斋，并且一天只进食一餐——这样既祭奠了亡夫，又清洁了五脏。众人便都道这个法子好。刘氏若有所思地愣了一下，即刻也跟着慨叹起来，说若不是因为这两三年有了孙子，让她倍加思念亡夫，她的胃气也不会如此不顺——看着这粉妆玉琢的小人儿，更觉得若亡夫有这福分看看他该多好。言毕，顺理成章地垂下泪来。满桌人便安静了。苏柳氏的三儿媳笨拙地拍拍她的手背，劝解道：“咱们今儿个都是来拜寿的，刘夫人怎么好端端地又伤起心来了。”于是众人便也跟着解劝，都道在座各位都是一样，谁没有暗自伤心的时候……令秧看到苏柳氏狠狠地盯了儿媳一眼，那眼神让三儿媳即刻将自己的手从刘氏的手背上缩了回来。 东北角的那桌已经开始行令的时候，老夫人已经退席被扶到后面去，戏班子开台了。不用说，又是借了唐璞家的班子，今天的戏有一折《三打白骨精》，图个热闹，另外就是。寿诞日又不宜太过悲情，所以只唱第一折，听听热闹，后面窦娥蒙冤入狱呼天抢地的场面自然是不会出现。其实故事都是烂熟于心的，只是正旦一亮相，念毕了念白，的调子一起，席间便有人开始抹眼泪。 “满腹闲愁，数年禁受，天知否？天若是知我情由，怕不待和天瘦。则问那黄昏白昼，两般儿忘餐废寝几时休？大都来昨宵梦里，和着这今日心头。催人泪的是锦烂漫花枝横秀闼，断人肠的是剔团栾月色挂妆楼。长则是急煎煎按不住意中焦，闷沉沉展不彻眉尖皱，越觉得情怀冗冗，心绪悠悠……” 然后又是一声荡气回肠的念白：“似这等忧愁，不知几时是了——”谁也没想到，苏柳氏的三儿媳就在此处大放悲声，顾不得婆婆的脸色。女人的伤心原本贱如野草，也正是因为贱，所以很容易便铺天盖地。“百孀宴”于是便淹没在眼泪与哭泣间歇的短促呼吸声中，渐渐地号啕一片。台上的正旦显然没遇上过如此投入的观众，一边唱一边手足无措地晃神——在后台候场的蔡婆和张驴儿也凑热闹地探头出来，看着这些孀妇畅快淋漓地集体吊丧。 令秧没有办法，只好把手帕从怀里抽出来，掩在脸上放了一会儿。这样便安然无恙地混迹于这恸哭的人群中。她觉得自己像是被丢进了一片寒鸦惊起的树林里，耳边听到窦娥又唱：“避凶神要择好日头，拜家堂要将香火修。梳着个霜雪般白狄髻，怎将这云霞般锦帕兜？怪不得'女大不中留'。你如今六旬左右，可不道到中年万事休！旧恩爱一笔勾，新夫妻两意投，枉教人笑破口！” 好了，眼眶里终于有了一点热潮，泪珠艰难地滚出来的时候她赶紧拿开手帕，生怕脸颊上存留的泪痕很快就干了。 她并不知道在那篇出自谢舜珲之手，写给新任知县过目的《百孀宴赋》里，是怎么描绘这个场景的。不过，她也能想象。