Chapter 19 Western Paintings and Posthumous Portraits

After Lidong passed, the Kang family invited a painter. Du Yunqing heard from the housekeeper, Lao Xia, that this is a painter in the capital with excellent skills, especially good at painting portraits.In order to avoid the boxing chaos and came to Shanxi, the wealthy families competed to hire him to paint the portrait of the Venerable. Du Yunqing asked: "Who are you going to paint?" Lao Xia said: "Everyone wants to paint, especially San Niang and Si Niang, who are the most enthusiastic. They ask me every day: When can I paint? Among the men, the eldest master ignores this matter, and the third master has gone out. The fourth master didn't say a word, but the second and sixth masters are willing to draw. Even He Juren from the family hall wants to draw, how can he be the turn!"

Du Yunqing said: "Isn't the old man the most respected teacher! He Juren wants to draw, just draw one for him." Lao Xia said: "How can I get him! I can't even get the second and sixth masters, so how can I get him?" Du Yunqing asked: "The artist's frame is so big, he still has to pick and choose?" Lao Xia said: "This painter is really arrogant, but he can't choose who to paint and who not to paint. It was the old man who saw that he was vying to paint, so he sent a message: "This year, there have been natural and foreign disasters, and the outside business has suffered greatly. Let’s all be frugal. For this portrait, it’s just me and the old lady! Others will talk about it when they get better.’ After the old lady said this, the gentlemen and ladies dared not say a word. ?”

Du Yunqing said: "The old man wants to paint, but he paints, but I don't want to paint! You tell the old man, I don't want to paint, save a share and give it to He Juren." Lao Xia hurriedly said: "How can this be done? This time, the old man invited the painter, it is really just for the old lady!" "For me?" Du Yunqing smiled wryly. Lao Xia said: "This is the truth. Ever since the old man went to Xugou to meet the empress dowager and the emperor, he came back feeling refreshed and interested in everything, and often talked about the many benefits of the old lady."

Du Yunqing couldn't help but snorted coldly. "I often say that I have been too worried about outside business these years, and neglected the old lady. Half a month ago, when I heard that such a painter was invited by the Cao family, I told me: After the Cao family is done, quickly invite the painter back. No matter what you get! The old man said bluntly, these years have been too negligent, and he should have hired a painter for the old lady to draw a portrait, why didn't you take care of it? None of you reminded me? A few years ago, the old lady She has a good appearance, so it is time to draw a portrait, why did she neglect it? So, this time, the painter is really just for the old lady."

Du Yunqing snorted coldly again.However, since the old man met the current emperor and empress dowager, there have been some changes: he has some regrets for her, and even has some respect for her.But it's too late!Now, she is neither worthy of his confession nor his respect.Portrait of someone like her?Haha, aren't you afraid of losing your Kang family?She said: "It was hired for me, and I don't want to draw it either! If I draw my current appearance, won't I be afraid of humiliating the Kang family?" Lao Xia smiled and said: "The old madam is now more and more dignified as a nobleman!"

Du Yunqing glared at Lao Xia, and said: "If you want to flatter, you can come here casually. I don't like to hear it!" Lao Xia said: "I didn't say that, everyone said that." "Who said that?" Lao Xia said: "The third master, the fourth master, the sixth master, the third mother, and the fourth mother all say the same. Du Mu and Song Yu often say the same in front of the old man. Even He Juren said the same." Hmph, do you really say that?It's fine for others, how can I say what I like, the third and sixth masters will say the same?Especially the third master, who has become half of the family now, would you say that?What he said was just an act of politeness.But she couldn't help asking:

"The third master also said so?" "That's not true! The third master has always respected the old lady. Since he took over the foreign affairs in the first month, he respects the old lady even more." Who knows what Lao Xia said is true! Du Yunqing said: "They say that I look like the empress, and I don't want to have a portrait. Whoever wants to paint, paint for them as soon as possible!" Today, Lao Xia also had patience. She sneered and refused again and again. He didn't seem to care, and still smiled and said: "Madam, I haven't told you yet! This painter in the capital is not an ordinary painter. He is like a foreigner. I have studied painting. I use Western techniques to draw portraits. The hair is fully visible, and the flesh and blood are palpable. It is almost like a real person! Look, old lady..."

Only then did Lao Xia unfold the roll of canvas in his hand: a small portrait of a woman.This is the sample brought by the artist. When Du Yunqing looked at it, he immediately recognized that it was a Western oil painting.When my father was on a mission to France, he brought back this kind of Western oil painting.The first thing he brought back was, of course, his own portrait.Seeing this kind of Western painting for the first time, it can shock people.From a close look, it looks lumpy; from a distance, the father on the canvas is even more realistic than a real person!My mother was fascinated by it, and asked my father to draw a picture for her when he asked my father to go on a mission again.As for my father, I most want to draw a portrait of my grandfather.But for the portraits of foreign painters, real people must be present, and every stroke is imitated by the real thing.How could mother and grandfather come to France in person?Besides, my grandfather had died by then.

My father had no choice but to bring an old Chinese portrait of my grandfather, and asked a painter in the capital to draw a portrait of my mother, and took it with me.A Chinese-style portrait drawn with pen and ink, even if it can be vivid, is only roughly uniform, and it is difficult to see the subtleties, and it is even more difficult to have a sense of flesh and blood.My father really hired a French artist to paint foreign portraits of my grandfather and mother based on the Chinese portraits.When I took it back to look at it, I didn't know if my grandfather looked like it. Anyway, my mother was out of shape, and she didn't look like her at all.But the woman on the canvas is beautiful and graceful.Mother said that was her.

Now, my father and mother have also followed my grandfather and passed away. When Du Yunqing saw this western oil painting, she not only thought of her deceased parents, but also thought of the old days, and also found that the woman in the painting seemed to be affected by something?This is also an exceptionally beautiful, exceptionally elegant woman who just hides something deep in her eyes.what is that?It's not something satisfying, and contentment doesn't need to be hidden.Not too much pain.Is it bleak?Is it depression?Most likely it was depression.The melancholy always wanted to hide, but it was difficult to hide it cleanly, revealing some imperceptible traces.But it is this trace of melancholy that is hard to hide, that really touches people.

"Madam, is this a rare painter?" Du Yunqing couldn't help feeling a little tempted, and said, "Is it time-consuming to paint this kind of Western painting?" Lao Xia hurriedly said: "This painter is very skilled. He only made a draft according to a real person, and he finished it in a day or two. For fine work, he does it at home behind closed doors, so the old lady won't be tired. It's too time-consuming and tiring. , who wants to invite him?" Du Yunqing said: "Then let's paint for the old man first." Lao Xia said: "The old man told me to ask the painter to paint for the old lady first. He has been worrying about the business in Xi'an and Jiangnan, as well as the recent situation in Beijing and Tianjin, so he can't calm down. The old man meant that the painter should concentrate on painting for the old lady first. painting." The old thing really has regrets?It's a pity that everything is too late. Du Yunqing said coldly: "Then call the painter Ming'er to see me." Lao Xia obviously breathed a sigh of relief and left with satisfaction. On the day Kang Hunan came back from Xugou, he set up a banquet in the old courtyard.He also didn't invite others, saying that it was just to sit down with the old lady and talk about the scene of meeting the current emperor and empress dowager.There are only three masters and four masters who are called to accompany.He also said that the banquet was all cooked by Song Yu, and it was Yangzhou style. This surprised Du Yunqing.old stuff what does that mean? It is not surprising that the old man who always liked to describe himself as an emperor finally saw the current emperor and empress dowager with his own eyes. He was ecstatic.Ever since he heard that the emperor and empress dowager had fled to Taiyuan, he had been thinking about how to see the holy face in person.Now, this great wish has finally been fulfilled. When you set up a banquet, you should also set up a few more tables, and invite some dignified guests, right?What is the intention of only inviting her, an old lady who has been like an abandoned woman for a long time? Du Yunqing wanted to refuse, but was attracted by this inexplicable abnormality, so she agreed coldly: What kind of medicine is in the old thing's gourd? After entering the table, the old man seemed more excited than usual, but on the surface he still seemed to be quite peaceful.He said: "It is the first time for our Kang family to meet the emperor and empress dowager in Xugou this time. It is a pity that the current holy face is too disappointing! Therefore, it is not worth publicizing. I just shut the door and tell you about it." .” The third master said: "It is a great event to meet the emperor after all. The old man was summoned in the name of a business, especially a great event! A monument should be engraved in the ancestral hall to remember this first-class event." The old man immediately glared at the third master, and said: "Don't talk too much! I said today that I had an audience with the emperor, and it was just for the old lady. If you stay with me, just listen to it, so don't talk too much. What kind of monument should you erect! Seeing this kind of The emperor who abandoned Beijing and fled deserves a monument?" Exclusively for the old lady!It was too harsh for Du Yunqing to hear the old man say such things in front of the banquet.She couldn't help but interjected: "The third master also has good intentions. He escaped from the capital, after all, he is also the emperor." The old man didn't care about her interjection, so he changed his high-spirited tone, and said, "You don't know how wretched the emperor is, how wretched he is! Sitting there like a fool, he can't say a word." .The queen mother asked him to ask questions, but he couldn't answer a single question. Just sitting there in such a foolish and stupid way, there is really no holy image!" The third master couldn't help but interjected again and said, "I heard that once the New Policy of 1898 was abolished, the emperor was put under house arrest by the queen mother. After suffering this kind of crime, how can he recover?" The old man was very upset, and said with a low face: "You know everything, then we will listen to you!" Seeing this, Du Yunqing was very happy, and deliberately said: "I've heard what the third master mentioned. The current emperor is only carrying a name, and he has long since become an abolished emperor." The old man really gave her face today. As soon as she spoke, he stopped being angry, his face and tone changed, and he still said high-spiritedly: "I look at his appearance, and he is really not worthy of occupying the most holy and supreme dragon court! Abandon the emperor's Empress Dowager Xi, what holy figure does she have? Not to mention! During the audience, she asked a lot of questions, all like a village woman, only focusing on small things! This is riding on the emperor's head for many years. The Empress Dowager who overshadows the sky with one hand? Show it to someone, isn’t it that kind of mediocre woman? There are women like this all over the world.” The third master wanted to say something again, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he stopped. Du Yunqing saw it, and asked, "Third Master, what's your opinion? Tell me!" The third master hurriedly said, "Didn't you want to say anything?" The old thing said: "The old lady told you to tell me, so hurry up and tell me!" Only then did the third master say: "On the way to escape, how can the Queen Mother have the majesty of the Golden Temple?" The old man sneered, and said: "I see it with my own eyes, and it's no better than you! She just dresses up again, can she have the majesty to look down on the world? Let me see, this woman's appearance and charm are really not as good as the old lady." These words frightened Du Yunqing even more!The Empress Dowager's appearance and charm are not as good as hers?How can this be compared?The old man regards himself as an emperor, so compare her with the queen mother?She didn't want to have such a daydream.I don't want the third master to say: "We believe this." When the old man heard this, he said, "You interrupted me all the time, just this sentence, I didn't get away with it!" These words made Du Yunqing feel inexplicably abnormal. The dishes cooked by Song Yu have been served one after another.The old thing pointed out attentively and advised her to taste it.It is really Huaiyang style.In particular, there is a "three sets of wild game", with wild pheasants, turtle doves, and sparrows in exquisite suits, which are crispy, rotten, and full of fragrance.Du Yunqing remembered that her mother only made this dish once in the next year.She has not tasted this dish for many years.Of course, the old man loves to eat wild game, Song Yuping may often use this kind of food to curry favor with him.But Song Yu has been here for almost a year, and this is the first time an old lady has invited her to taste southern cuisine, and it is so grand! Why did the old man suddenly become so attentive to her? The painter is still very young, only in his twenties.Asked him, he said that he was already thirty-two, which is really not the same.His surname is Chen, and he is actually from Hangzhou. Du Yunqing couldn't help but said: "My mother is from Songjiang, Songjiang is not far from Hangzhou, right?" The painter said, "Not far." Du Yunqing said: "I heard that you are from the capital?" The painter said: "In recent years, I have made a living in the capital, just doing portraits for officials and officials." Du Yunqing couldn't help but said: "I grew up in the capital when I was young, and my father was an interpreter for the French envoy before his death." The painter said: "No wonder, the old lady is extraordinary. When I was studying Western painting, I learned from a French painter." "Where did you learn to paint?" "In Shanghai. It's just that I'm dull, and I can only scratch the surface of western painting. I'm afraid it will be difficult to show the true face of the old lady." "You can paint as much as you want, I won't be picky." "The old lady is so magnanimous, I am even more frightened." "Don't be polite. When I was young, I heard from my late father that Western painters are not so noble, they are more straightforward and open-minded, and don't avoid the world. The old man and I have seen your paintings and are satisfied." "Your family is so generous, I really dare not show my shame." "Have you learned painting from the French, and learned some French?" "I'm dull and stubborn, and I really haven't learned a few words." "Western dialect is difficult to learn and not pleasant to listen to." Although this cautious painter has no western charm, he still has some good feelings from Du Yunqing.His background in the south of the Yangtze River, his profession as a painter, his connections with the West, and his earning a living in the capital all reminded Du Yunqing of the old days.Since entering the Kang family, this painter is also one of the very limited people she has seen outside of businessmen.Therefore, it made her feel a lot of emotion!She has been imprisoned in Kang's family for more than ten years, and the outside world is so far away from her.The old yearning for France is hardly like a dream.Even the capital city that he was familiar with when he was a child is already out of reach. In Xia Tian, ​​when she heard that the imperial court had lost the capital, she was not surprised at all.What does the capital have to do with her!When her parents passed away, she didn't even have anything to worry about.And in this world, who would care about her?there is none left.Sanxi, the driver, probably really died. Naturally, painters were not allowed to enter the forbidden area of ​​the old courtyard.His portrait is arranged in a hall in the guest room courtyard.Lao Xia has furnished this hall magnificently.The early winter sun shone obliquely on the window paper, and the room was very bright. The painter asked Du Yunqing to sit on a Ming-style armchair in front of the window, and looked left and right, and there seemed to be something wrong. Du Yunqing asked, "Is there anything wrong?" Painter Chen hurriedly said, "No, no." It was obviously inconvenient for him to say something, Du Yunqing pressed: "If there is anything wrong, just say it! I have to listen to you." The artist continued to say: "Very good, very good. If the old lady doesn't want to dress up, then I will draw up a sketch." Du Yunqing said decisively: "I don't like to dress up! Everything is piled on the body, as if the things that are at the bottom of the box are afraid that the world will not know." The painter hurriedly said: "It's also very good for the old lady to wear regular clothes. The housekeeper Xia of your mansion told me to draw the grandeur of the old lady." Du Yunqing even said decisively: "Don't listen to them!" "Of course, I will follow the old lady's orders." The painter quickly agreed. When the light in the room dimmed that day, the painter really drew a sketch for her.When I came to look at it, this draft drawn on paper with charcoal was very detailed: Is the woman on it her?It was a noble and beautiful woman, even more noble and beautiful than the woman on the sample brought by the artist. "Does this look like me?" Du Mu, who had been waiting by the side, said repeatedly: "Like, it's so similar! The more you look at it from a distance, the more it looks like!" Du Yunqing took a few steps back, she looked more like a living person, but the light was dim, so she couldn't take any further steps back.Is she really that beautiful? The painter said: "The winter has become shorter. After being tired all day, the old lady only made a draft. This is sitting sideways in front of the window, and the light shines from one side. Tomorrow, the old lady will be tired and draw a picture. The draft is illuminated by the light in front of your face. The old lady is extraordinary, so I don’t dare to be careless, so I need to write more drafts to facilitate my consideration. Maybe the old lady will take a rest tomorrow, and invite the old lady to come out another day?” Du Yunqing said: "I'm sitting idle, how can I be tired? Painter Chen, you have worked hard. Tomorrow, I'll listen to you and don't worry too much." The painter hurriedly said: "I am grateful for the understanding of the old lady. Then tomorrow I will work hard for the old lady again?" Du Yunqing said, "I'll just listen to you." Sitting in one place for a whole day, saying that you are not tired is a lie.It's just that you can talk while sitting, and it's not boring to ask the painter some gossip.Although Painter Chen was concentrating on paper and brush, he was absent-minded and cautious when answering, but after all, he could hear some fresh breath from outside.The current situation of Jiangnan and Beijing Normal University, she is really alienated.During the question and answer, sometimes she made some mistakes in answering questions that were not asked, which could make her laugh. On weekdays, how could she have such fun! As soon as she arrived at the guest room on the second day, Lao Xia hurried over and scolded Painter Chen: "Didn't it be agreed, I just ask the old lady to work hard for a day, why is it endless? Our old lady can keep you busy like this?" Before the painter opened his mouth, Du Yunqing said: "Lao Xia, I can't blame Master Chen for this, I agreed." Lao Xia said: "I'm afraid he also saw that the old lady is too easy-going, so he didn't rush to work and made one day's work into two days!" Du Yunqing smiled and said: "Lao Xia, you are talking in layman's terms! I know western painting before you! The kung fu of western painting is all based on real people and real scenes. Make a draft according to you, and go back to the He draws very fast, but I don't know who he looks like when he draws it! I see that Master Chen is willing to work hard, so I said, don't rush too much, one day is not enough, two days. It should be a few days, a few days." Lao Xia hurriedly put on a smile and said, "I'm afraid I'll tire the old lady!" Painter Chen said: "One day plus today is enough. The old lady has an extraordinary appearance and knows Western painting. I am afraid that my skills will not be good, so I have to work more stupidly." Lao Xia said: "Then I should rest for a few days before painting, how can I make the old lady spin around?" Du Yunqing said: "I agreed to this too, so you don't need to say more." Lao Xia had no choice but to order Du Mu and the other two male servants to take care of them carefully and retreated. Lao Xia's extra flattery also made Du Yunqing feel abnormal.However, she didn't think deeply about it. Anyway, if the old man's attitude changed, he would naturally change too. Today I sat facing the door and window, so I had to sit a lot farther back.Painter Chen looked left and right again, refusing to start work.Du Yunqing asked what was wrong again. This time, the painter made it clear: "This hall is too deep and the light is poor. But it's okay." Du Yunqing said, "I'll just sit in the front." Painter Chen stepped back, looked at it, and said, "That's it. If you move forward, I have to retreat outside the door." Outside the door, the early winter sun was shining brightly, and there was no wind at all.Du Yunqing suddenly had a whim: sitting under the eaves of the porch outside the house, basking in the sun, asking him to paint and gossiping, it must be interesting.So he said: "I think the light in the house is not enough, so I'll just sit outside the house. It's sunny and sunny outside today, and it's refreshing to bask in the sun." When the painter heard this, he hurriedly said: "It's winter, how dare you ask the old lady to sit outside! No, no. Poor lighting is also good, and the picture will look softer." Du Yunqing wanted to find new interests outside the house, so he asked, "Can I paint while sitting under the sun?" Painter Chen said: "It's possible, and it can show people's fresh skin under the sun. But it's absolutely impossible in winter!" Du Yunqing smiled and said: "It's so hot, it's not feasible! Sitting under the poisonous sun on a hot day, I asked you to paint. If you can't paint, you've already done it. Du Mu, go back and get me that silver fox cloak!" The painter and Du Mu tried their best to dissuade him, but how could Du Yunqing listen?In the end, she followed her wish and sat outside in the sunshine under the eaves of the porch.In addition to wearing a silver fox cloak, the male servant also put a brazier at her feet.So, it doesn't feel cold. It's just that Painter Chen is nervous.He made a rough sketch like a sketch, and then took out the paint, trying to capture the color, texture, and expression of the old lady's face.The bright sunshine in the early winter really made this lady shine, making her look like a different person from the room.Such an opportunity is too rare.But he really can't wait too long.When the old lady spoke, he almost didn't have time to respond.In this way, it was not until the afternoon that I sketched the old lady's unique and charming face.He quickly quit the job. Back in the room, Du Yunqing asked for a drawing, but saw a face, and was about to ask a question, but was attracted to her: such a radiant face, is it hers?The hair hasn't been painted yet, but the eyebrows and eyes are too realistic, and the black eyes seem to be bottomless, everything can be hidden... Du Mu asked strangely: "Did you draw a face for most of the day?" Painter Chen hurriedly said: "The portrait is all on the face, other places, I can easily make up the painting with my memory. This also means that the old lady has been sitting outside for too long!" Du Yunqing asked Du Mu: "Does this look like me?" Du Mu looked back, and said, "Like, it's even more like the one from yesterday. It's painted, and the person is really alive! It's a pity that it's just a face." Painter Chen asked: "Madam, you don't look too dazzling, do you?" Du Yunqing pondered for a while, and said, "You don't have to draw me so well." Du Mu said: "The old lady is always like this." Painter Chen said: "If the old lady has anything, I will tell you. From now on, I won't dare to trouble you anymore." Du Yunqing said: "I've said it before, I won't be picky. Painter Chen, you've worked hard too." Du Yunqing didn't say anything more, called Du Mu, and left first. Painter Chen breathed a sigh of relief.When he painted portraits of rich officials and officials, almost all the masters wanted you to paint realistically, but they refused to sit for a long time and asked you to sketch.Therefore, he also practiced a kind of kung fu, painting by memory.According to the real person, it takes half a day to draw a draft, but in fact it is just some notes for memory.There is much more in mind than in sketches.Furthermore, even if you are an official in Beijing, most of them are new to Western painting, so it is easy to explain.But this old lady in the Kang Manor, her youth and beauty are beyond expectation!The old man is over seventy, and the old lady is so young?In particular, her fun and generosity, and her indifference to the West are even more unexpected.As soon as he saw her, he wanted to paint her well!This noble lady is actually willing to ask him to sketch for two days, and even willing to sit in the sun.In the winter sun, she is really charming, making you more interested in painting. How lucky. He will also make the lady lucky: paint her an excellent portrait. After returning from the guest room, he rested and had a meal, and then the old man came to talk again and asked about the painting situation.After the old thing left, Lao Xia came to condolences again, complaining in a fuss that he shouldn't be at the mercy of the painter and sit in the courtyard to suffer from the cold.Du Yunqing was in good spirits at that time, and said that she wanted to bask in the sun, so she couldn't blame the painter.Until the night was getting dark, she sat down with the light on and chatted with Du Mu, she didn't feel any discomfort.It was only in the middle of the night that I woke up from the cold, followed by a fever, and felt uncomfortable all over. Is it really freezing during the day? She endured it and didn't disturb Du Mu and the others.But the sudden cold and hot weather has refused to stop, and the ups and downs have taken turns, and the intensity has intensified.Only then did Du Yunqing become convinced that she was frozen during the day. Is she already this weak?She didn't sit outside all the time during the day. After sitting for half an hour, the painter and Du Mu urged her to go inside to warm up for a while.Come out again when it's warmed up.Perhaps, it was the cold and heat that caused her to catch the wind and cold? If she is sick, she will be sick, and she will not regret it.After all, the past two days have been pleasant.In the eyes of this strange painter, she was still so beautiful, a beauty that even she herself had long forgotten.The beauty is still there, so what!The old man's sudden hospitality also reminded him of her beauty?He remembered again, so what!She doesn't care for the old man's hospitality.Maybe she should tell him clearly about her infidelity! Accompanied by the illness, Du Yunqing rummaged through the pain in his heart, and could no longer sleep peacefully.My throat looked like it was on fire, and it was already dry. I really wanted to drink some water.But she endured and didn't wake Du Mu up.If Lu Bu was here, he might have been awakened.But she tossed and turned like this, Du Mu actually slept peacefully as usual. Early the next morning, Du Mu found out that the old lady was ill.Soon, the old man came over, followed by Lao Ting, Lao Xia, Fourth Master, San Niang, and Fourth Niang.The fourth master consulted a doctor and said that he had a cold.But the old man ordered sternly: "Hurry up and go to the city to fetch a doctor."Lao Xia even complained about the painter. Du Yunqing really didn't know what happened, she suddenly became so noble.Headache and brain fever are also common, but it has never been so earth-shattering in the past.When the old man is attentive, the whole family is attentive? But why is the old man so attentive all of a sudden?When he went to Xugou to see the current holy face, he suddenly became kind?Or was he really dreaming of an emperor and found out that she also had a holy figure? Hmph, Holy See! A well-known doctor was invited, who took the pulse and said it was a cold due to exogenous infection, so it didn't matter.Du Yunqing drank two doses of medicine every day, and after four or five days, she was almost healed. During this period, the old man came to visit her every day, chatting and talking a lot.Du Yunqing didn't want to pay attention to it at first, but it happened like this every day, she finally couldn't help it, and said: "I'm used to being quiet here, and it's not a serious illness, so I don't need to make you worry about it. I heard that there is a riot outside, so you can worry about it. I'll be satisfied if I ask the servant to send me a message!" Kang Hunan laughed when he heard this, and said: "If there is any chaos outside, let it go. Even if the chaos reaches the door of the house, I don't care. Can I always bear this burden for them? When the burden is over, I won't bear it for them anymore." The sky is falling, let them do it themselves. I also want to, how can I worry about them enough? These years, I don’t even have time to gossip with you, I really can’t think about it! I don’t care about anything in the future, God It's collapsed, let them take care of it, we only enjoy our happiness!" Du Yunqing just sneered in her heart: Is there anything else you can't think about?But he still said: "The third master and the fourth master are also worthy of their duties. You don't have to worry about the inside and outside, and you can concentrate on your gold and stone inscriptions." Kang Hunan sighed and said, "Gold and stone are ruthless things after all!" Du Yunqing didn't expect him to say such a thing, so he said: "If the gold and stone inscriptions are living things, I'm afraid they will be annoying!" Kang Hunan said: "I'm really not speaking out of anger. I was surprised when I saw the embarrassment of the emperor and the empress dowager! I have been fond of gold and stones all my life, loving them, caring for them, and caring for them. For the children and grandchildren, it can be said that they are addicted to their lives. However, they are so addicted to it, but they forget a joint: can you keep it? Now the emperor and empress have abandoned Beijing and fled. What did they bring out of the treasures in the palace? Nothing They didn’t even bring out one or two of the capital’s salaries from the state treasury, not to mention the calligraphy and paintings of gold and stone? In today’s troubled times, with the honor of the imperial court, the capital cannot be preserved. I am a villager, how can I preserve those dead things! Disaster is coming! Yes, people have legs and can run; gold and stone inscriptions have no legs and are ruthless, and they can't avoid water and fire, and they disappear in a blink of an eye. You are hurting it for nothing! So, I also want to get rid of it." Did he think about it that way? "From this point of view, business, money, success or failure, profit and loss, what's not the case? In such a troubled world, and with such an incompetent court, no matter how much you worry about it, it's useless to worry about it! I'm getting old too, and I don't want to worry about anything anymore , I just want to stay in this old nest, and take care of my old age. I have already told Lao Ting that I carefully tidied up the houses on the east end and heated them up. I want to move here and spend the winter here. For many years, I am sorry for you. It's too cold." He's going to move over here for the winter? When Du Yunqing heard this, she was really surprised.In memory, since she married into Kang's family and became an old lady, the old thing has not lived here a few times.Now, I suddenly want to move here, why?It's really like what he said, after seeing the holy face in person, he was greatly disappointed, disillusioned with the world, and wanted to go home and find a job? Du Yunqing was too unwilling to believe it was true, but what the old man said seemed too true.However, even if he really, really regretted her, she would not be able to accept this kind of friendship. Therefore, Du Yunqing didn't say anything more, but just listened to Kang Hunan indifferently. About ten days later, Lao Xia sent Du Yunqing's portrait over. The frame is not large, it is of ordinary size, and it has not been matched with a photo frame, and it is only stretched on the wooden lining.But she in the painting still surprised the owner of the painting: in the finished portrait, she is more beautiful, more elegant, and more noble than in the draft!She was sitting on top of the magnificent hall, but all the grandeur was not bright, falling into a layer of darkness, only her face was illuminated, dazzlingly bright, like sitting under the bright sun.In this beauty, elegance, and nobility, her eyes are still unfathomable, but they are too distinctly rippling with a kind of melancholy.Yes, that is too distinct a melancholy! Lao Xia asked: "Madam, do you think the painting is complete?" Du Yunqing asked back: "Lao Xia, do you look like me?" Lao Xia said: "I think it looks like it! The old man saw it and said it looks like it." "He read it too?" "I saw it. The old man went to the guest room to see the painter's painting. The old man saw the old lady's portrait and said: the foreign painting is still realistic." After reading the old things, don't you think her melancholy is too obvious?Lao Xia doesn't mind it?Maybe, she's always been like this?That painter Chen tried his best to make her more beautiful, but didn't he hide the heavy melancholy for her?If you cover it up, you won't look like her, will you? Lao Xia still asked: "Madam, what do you think?" Du Yunqing said: "It doesn't look like it to me." Lao Xia hurriedly said: "Like, everyone will say it looks like it! The second master, the fourth master, the sixth master, the second mother, the third mother, and the fourth mother have all seen it and said it is similar. The onlookers can clearly see it, but they can't see themselves clearly. " Du Yunqing said, "If you say it looks like it, then it does." "Then find a good craftsman and set an exquisite picture frame for it?" "Put it here first, and I'll take a look at it calmly. Has the artist left?" "How can I go? I still want to paint the old man." Du Yunqing looked at her portrait day and night, and gradually took everything lightly. She gradually lost sight of her beauty, elegance, and nobility.Only the melancholy that was too obvious did not fade away, it seemed to become more and more clear. The old things haven't been moved yet, but the servants have been cleaning and tidying up there.Du Yunqing felt terrified at the thought of the old man coming to live.Even if he really wanted to come and stay with him day and night, it was hard for her to accept it.He is old, maybe no longer looks like a beast.But she herself is not the old lady she used to be. No one knew about her infidelity, not even a little gossip? After Sanxi disappeared suddenly, she cried and yelled at Lao Xia, and said clearly: She loves Sanxi and cannot do without Sanxi!But this old Xia is so dumb, can't hear anything?She went to Sanxi's house a few times by car to inquire about the news, Lao Xia didn't feel strange? She caused an earth-shattering disturbance, and no one in the Kang family was suspicious of her. On the contrary, she felt that she was too merciful, a great kind person, and felt so sorry for a servant!In fact, they felt that she would never dare to rebel against the old man. When the old man returned from his trip to the south, Du Yunqing also told him how he loves Sanxi, how Sanxi knows how to love others, she really can't do without Sanxi.The old man looked indifferent, as if he didn't pay attention.He was even more certain that she would never dare to do anything out of the ordinary? After the new year, fists are in chaos, disasters happen one after another, who can care about her?In the summer, the Gospel Church in the city was captured by the boxers. She was frightened and fainted when she saw the black heart of the teaching ghost Liu Fengchi with her own eyes.When she woke up, she shouted all the way: Who killed me?I have an affair with Sanxi, and you don't want to kill me?She knew what she was shouting then.The coachman, Du Mu, and a guarding martial artist listened all the way.Come back, can you tell Lao Xia?But there was still no rumors circulating. You want to annoy the old stuff once in a while, but you can't do it?Even if Sanxi died in vain? The old thing is going to be moved here, she must tell him clearly about her infidelity.He still doesn't believe it? After a few days, the housekeeper Lao Xia still asked for the portrait of the old lady.He told Painter Chen, the portrait, the old lady was very satisfied, and the old man was also very satisfied.Just like this, draw another big one.Don't feel sorry for the materials, the cost of work and gift money are indispensable to you.There is only one thing, don't tell anyone about adding a large painting.The same goes for the members of the Kang family, the old man didn't want them to know. Painter Chen agreed, but didn't think much of it. After Lao Xia settled for a painter, word spread that the painter should concentrate on making portraits of the old man, so don't bother to look at them.The weather is also getting colder, going in and out, the house is not warm, the painter said it will hinder the oiliness of the paint. Putting it this way, it really works: who wants to hinder the portrait of the old man? Lao Xia finally breathed a sigh of relief. This painter from the capital has been doing portraits for big households in Qi Taiping area for some time.When Lao Xia Chu heard about it, he told Lao Ting next to the old man.Lao Ting also passed on the news.But the old man was not interested in the painter.Lao Ting said: The old man didn't say a word at that time, as if he didn't hear about it. Lao Xia refused to give up, thinking that Lao Ting hadn't made it clear.He looked at an opportunity, and told the old man face to face: this painter is so skilled, and how the rich family rushed to hire him.You Qi said: Using Western painting methods, the master's family will never be painted as barbarians, with red hair, blue eyes, and old men, but more realistically, with a sense of flesh and blood. But the old man was still not interested, and said: "The sky is also falling, and you still have a portrait?" Only then did Lao Xia give up. He didn't expect that not long after the old man came back from Xugou, Lao Ting came to ask him: "Is the painter in the capital mentioned before still in Taigu?" “我哪知道！你问这做甚？”老夏当时没反应过来，随口说了这样一句。 老亭瞪了他一眼，说：“我稀罕你呀，我问你？是老太爷问你！” 老夏这才有一些醒悟，慌忙说：“我这就去打听。要在，就请回来？” 老亭说：“老太爷只问在不在，没说请不请。” “我立马就派人去打听！烦你给老太爷回话，我立马就去打听。” 打听的结果，是这位陈画师正在曹家作画。老夏往老院回复，老太爷交待说：“等曹家完了事，就把他请来。” 老夏就大胆问了句：“请来，只为老太爷画像？” 老太爷反问：“曹家呢？” 老夏说：“听说画了不少，给女眷们也画了。” 老太爷就说：“请来，先给老夫人画，别人再说。” 老天爷，老夏想听的就是这句话！ 这句话可不是仅仅关乎画像的事，它是康老太爷发出的一个极重要的暗示。只是，在康家能听明白这个暗示的，仅两个人：一人就是管家老夏，另一人是老太爷的近侍老亭。 老夏在康家做总管也快三十年了，不称职，能做这么久？所以，老夫人与三喜有私，岂能瞒过他的耳目！但这件事简直似石破天惊，不仅把他吓傻了，几乎是要将他击倒。 老太爷在康家是何等地位，老夏是最清楚的。老太爷一向重名甚于重财，老夏也是深知的。这位失意的老夫人竟然做下如此首恶之事，简直是捅破天了！而出事当时，康家合家上下，连个能顶杠的人物也没有！老太爷南巡去了，说话有风的三爷正在口外，聋大爷、武二爷、嫩六爷，在家也等于不在。暂理家政的四爷，又太绵善，就是想顶罪，也怕解不了恨。此事一旦给老太爷知道，必是雷霆震怒，废了这个妇人，宰了车倌不说，还必得再寻一个出气筒，一个替死鬼！ 寻谁才能解恨？ 只有他这个当管家的了，还能是谁！ 何况，跟老夫人私通的，正是他手下管着的车倌！不拿他问罪，拿谁？ 在康家扑腾了大半辈子，也算是小有所成，家资不薄，就这样给毁了？ 所以初听此事，老夏也是决不愿相信的。 去年夏天，初来向他密报的，是康家的一个佃户。杜筠青与三喜常去的那处枣树林及周围地亩，就为这个叫栓柱的佃农所租种。 起先，栓柱只是发现枣树林里常有车辙和马粪，也并不大在意。枣林里未种庄稼，树上的枣儿还嫩小似豆，牲口也糟蹋不着什么。后来，发现是东家老夫人的车马，就更不敢在意了。 东家老夫人坐着这种华贵的大鞍马车，常年进城洗澡，他也早见惯了。大热天，进枣树林歇一歇，那也很自然。所以，知道是老夫人的马车后，遇见了，也要赶紧回避。事情也就一直风平浪静的。 但杜筠青做这件事，本来只为反叛一下老东西，并不想长久偷情，所以也没费多少心思，把事情做得更隐秘。三喜呢，开头还惊恐不安，后来也不多想了，无非是把命搭上吧。做这种石破天惊似的偷情事，两人又是这种心思，几乎等于不设防了，哪有不暴露的！ 那个栓柱本也摸着些规律了：老夫人的马车，是在进城洗过澡，返回路上，才弯进枣树林里，歇一歇。那也正是午后炎热的时候。所以，他也尽量避开此时。那一天，午后歇晌醒来，估摸着已错过那个时辰了，栓柱便提了柄镰刀，腰间挽了把麻绳，下地寻着割草去了。天旱，草也不旺，喂牲口的青草一天比一天难寻。枣树林一带，早无草可割，这天也只是路过而已。 本是无意间路过，却叫他大感意外：东家的车马，怎么还在呢？正想避开，就听见一声妇人的叹息，是那种有些沉重的叹息。栓柱不由生出几分好奇，就轻轻隐入林边的庄稼中，向那车马那头偷望了几眼。 这位卑微的佃农，实在也不是想看东家的隐私，无非想偷看几眼老夫人的排场吧。当然，也想窥视一下老夫人的尊容。老夫人的车马常年过往，但都是深藏车轿中，连个影子都看不见。可今日这大胆窥视，却把他吓呆了： 一个妇人虽坐在车轿中，但轿帘高掀着，妇人又紧倚轿口，腿脚便伸了出来；年轻的车倌靠近轿口站了……正奇怪这车倌咋与妇人靠得如此近，才看清车倌竟是在抚摸妇人的一双赤脚！他真不敢相信自家的眼睛，但怎么看，也还是如此，那个妇人真真切切是伸出一双赤脚，任车倌抚摸！ 那妇人是东家的老夫人吗？栓柱所听说过的，只是老夫人还年轻，没缠过脚。眼前这妇人，既还年轻，也不是小脚，而那辆华贵的马车分明是老夫人常坐的……老天爷！ 栓柱被眼前这一幕，吓得大气不敢出。这可是撞上晦气了！要真是老夫人，这不是撞死吗？他不敢再看，更不敢动，要能憋住，这可怜人真不敢出气了。但满头满身的汗水，却止不住地往下流。 幸亏没待太久，就见另一位妇人匆匆由大道赶来，远远就朝枣林喊了声。车倌听见，忙将轿帘放下了，车上的妇人也退入轿中，跟着，车马便驶出枣树林。 车马远去了，可怜的栓柱依然惊魂未定。老天爷，怎么叫他撞上了这样的事？这个妇人是东家老夫人吗？要不是，那还好些。要真是，那可吉凶难卜了！万全之策，就是快快把这一幕忘记，不能对任何人说，打死你也不能说。可这事，你不说，也难保不败露的。一旦败露，只怕东家也要追问：那片枣树林租给谁了？是死人，还是串通好了，也不早来禀报？ 真是左思右想都可怕！ 不过，此后一连许多天，再没有发生这样的事。老夫人的马车依然三天两头的往城里去，但再也不进枣林里歇凉了，来去都径直行进，一步不停。 What's wrong?事情败露了？不大像。老夫人的车马还是照常来往。也许，那天坐在车轿里的妇人，并不是老夫人，而是与车倌有染的一个女佣？要是这样，那就谢天谢地了。他真就可以闭眼不管这等下作事了。一个车倌，做这种偷鸡摸狗的事，即便败露，东家也不过将这孽种乱棍打走拉倒，不会多作追查的。 其实，栓柱并没有这么幸运。那天杜筠青与三喜在枣林多耽搁了时候，是因为吕布来迟了。吕布迟到，又是因其重病的父亲已气息奄奄。她刚返回康家不久，父亲便升天了。从此她告了丧假，代她跟随了伺候老夫人的，是个新人。跟着新女佣，杜筠青与三喜自然难再上演先前的好戏。 可惜，没过多久，老夫人就以新女佣太痴，撵走不用。撵走碍眼的，那石破天惊的大戏更放开演出了。 栓柱见枣林里祸事又起，惊恐得真要活不成了。他已经认定，这位妇人就是老夫人。不是老夫人，哪能三天两头坐了如此华贵的马车，不断往城里去？老夫人做这种事，要是在别处，他也是决不会多管闲事的。可在他租种的地亩上做这种事，那不是要毁他吗？ 如此惊恐万状，也不过只是熬煎自家吧，他哪敢去告密？即便去告，东家会信他？就是信了，东家还会不会留他？东家为了名声，会不会灭口？总之，栓柱一面目击事态发展，一面也只是在心里企盼：快不敢再造孽了，你们也有个够吧！要不想活，就挪个地界，我还得活呀！ 可人家哪管你活不活呀！这俩东西，倒越疯得厉害了。由城里回来，车马一进枣树林，车倌就抱起那妇人，钻进庄稼地。起先几次，还悄没声的，到后来，笑声哭声都传出来了。尤其是那妇人的哭声，叫栓柱听得更心惊肉跳！ 做这种事还哭？那是觉得羞愧了，不想活了？ 老天爷，要死，可千万不能死在这地界！ 人家疯完走了，栓柱不免要钻进自家的庄稼地。倒也不是满目狼藉，庄稼没糟蹋几棵。可你们就不能换个地界？老在一个地界，容易败露，懂不懂呀？ 人家不换地界，栓柱只能一次比一次害怕。即便这样，可怜的栓柱依然未下决心去告密。到后来，他甚至暗中给那一对男女放起哨来了。人家来以前，先把放羊一类的撵走。人家来了，又藏在大路边，防备有人进去。他也不大管枣林里是好事坏事了，只要不出事，就好。 但他把这一切憋在心里，哪又能长久？所以，到后来熬煎得实在难耐了，才悄悄对自家婆姨提了提。谁想这一提，可坏了事了！他知道自家婆姨嘴碎，心里又装不下事，就一直没跟她吐露半个字。你已经憋了这么些时候了，跟了鬼了，又跟她这碎嘴货提？ 婆姨听了，先是不信，跟着细问不止，末后就高声骂开了。栓柱慌忙捂住她的嘴，呵斥道：“你吼死呀，你吼？怕旁人听不见？” 婆姨倒更来了泼劲，扒开他的手，越发高声说：“又不是你偷汉，怕甚！明儿我就叫几个婆姨，一搭去枣树林等着，看他们还敢来不敢来？” 栓柱见婆姨这样发泼，心里多日的熬煎忽然化着怒火，抡起一巴掌扇过去，就将女人撂倒。 这婆姨顿时给吓呆了，歪在地上，愣怔了半天没出声。 栓柱见女人半天不出声，问了句：“你没死吧？” 婆姨这才哇一声哭出来，呼天吼地不停。 栓柱急忙怒喝道：“嚎死呀？嚎！还想挨扇，就说话！”跟着，压低声音吩咐，“刚才说的事，你要敢出去吐露半个字，看我不剐了你！” 婆姨还很少见男人如此凶狠，就知道那不是耍的，咽下哭嚎，不再吱声了。 婆姨虽给制服了，栓柱仍不敢太松心。他知道，自家女人心里肯定装不下这档事！平时屁大一点事还撂不住呢，老夫人偷情这么大的事，她能憋住不说？不定哪天忘了把门，就把消息散出了。摊了这么一个碎嘴婆姨，你后悔也没用。思前想后，觉得只有一条路可走：不能再装不知道了，赶紧告诉东家吧。与其叫婆姨散得满世界都知道，哪如早给东家提个醒？ 栓柱虽是粗人，但还是通些世事的。决定了去见东家，也未鲁莽行事。先经仔细思量，谋定两条，一是得见着东家管事的，才说；二是不能以奸情告状。只是说，给老夫人赶车的车倌，总到枣树林里放马。毁几棵庄稼倒不怕，大热天，就那么把老夫人晾半道上？进一趟城有多远呢，还得半道上放一次马？这车倌是不是欺负老夫人好说话？这么说，还稳当些吧。 只是，栓柱往康庄跑了几趟，也没进了东家的门。他这等佃户，把门的茶房哪拿正眼看待？张口要见管事的，又不说有什么紧要事，谁又肯放他进去？经多日打听，他才知道老东家出远门了，四爷在家管事。四爷常出来给乡人施医舍药，是个大善人。摸到这消息，栓柱就用了笨办法：在康庄傻守死等。真还不负他一番苦心，四爷到底给他拦住了。 可在当街哪能说这种事？ 栓柱看四爷，真是一个太绵善的人。原先编好的那一番话，对四爷说了，怕也是白说吧？于是，他急中生智，对四爷说：“小人因地亩上的急事，想见一见夏大管家，把门的愣不叫进。求四爷给说一声，放小的进去？” 四爷果然好说话，和气地问了问是哪村的佃户，就过去给门房说：“引他进去见老夏！” 门房不但不再拦挡，还给引路呢。老天爷，进一趟东家的门，说难真难，说易也易。 老夏初见佃户栓柱，当然没放在眼里。四爷发了话，他也不很当回事的。四爷在他眼里，本也没占多大地界。发了话叫见，就见见，几句话打发走拉倒。佃户能有甚事？无非今年天雨少，庄稼不济，想减些租子吧。 可这佃户进来，就有些异常，鬼鬼祟祟，东张西望。这是什么毛病？ “大胆！我这地界是你东张西望的？有什么事，快说！我可没空伺候你！”老夏不耐烦地喝了声。 栓柱立刻跪倒了，说：“夏大爷，小的真是有要紧的事禀报。” “少嗦，说！” 栓柱又四顾张望，吞吞吐吐：“我这事，只能对夏大爷说，只能对大爷你独自一人说……” “这么嗦，你就走吧，我可没空伺候你！” “大爷，大爷，真是紧要的事，关乎东家……” 老夏见这货太异常，才忍了忍，叫在场的佣人都退下。 “说吧，少嗦！” 栓柱就先照他谋好的那一番话，说了一遍。可老夏忍着听完，破口就骂道：“你活够了，来耍我？东家的牲灵啃你几棵庄稼，也值得来告状？还惊动了四爷，还不能叫旁人听见？我看你是不想种康家的地了，对吧？滚吧，康家的地亩荒不了！” 栓柱见老夏一点也没听明白自己的话，顿时急了，只好直说：“夏大爷，我实在不是心疼几棵庄稼，是枣树林里出事了！” “出事，出了什么事？” “小人不敢看，还是请夏大爷去看吧。” “狗杂种，你专跟我嗦？” “小人实在说不出口，小人实在也没敢看！” “你这狗杂种，关乎谁的事？” “老夫人的车马上，能坐着谁？” "Who else?" “赶车的吧，还能是谁！” 老夏到这时，才有些明白了栓柱密报的是件什么事。可老天爷，这怎么可能！他急忙将栓柱拉起来，低声作了讯问。栓柱虽遮遮掩掩说了些迹象，老夏已明白：老夫人是把康家的天捅破了！ 他厉声喝问栓柱：“这事，还给谁说过？” 栓柱慌忙说：“谁也没敢说，连自家婆姨也没敢对她说！这种事，哪敢乱散？不要命了？” “实话？” “实话！要不，我下这么大辛苦见夏大爷，图甚？” “看你还算懂事。从今往后，无论对谁，你也不能再提这件事！胆敢走漏风声，小心你的猴命！听见了吧？” “听见了，听见了！” 老夏把栓柱打发走，自己呆坐了半天，不知如何是好。这个女人，真是把康家的天捅破了。康老太爷是何等人物，哪能受得了这等辱没？康家又是什么人家，哪能担得起这等丑名？废了这个女人，宰了三喜这孽种，压住这家丑不外扬，都是必然的。还有一条，十之八九怕也逃不脱：受辱的老太爷一定要拿他这个管家开刀，一定要把他撵走！ 刚听明白栓柱密报的是一件什么事，老夏立刻就意识到：这位杜氏老夫人，是把他这做管家的也连累了。 保全自己的欲望，慢慢叫他冷静下来。不能慌张，也不鲁莽。他必须妥当处置，把这件事压下来！这不是对老太爷不忠，对康家不忠，倒正是为了你老人家不伤筋动骨，为了你康家不受辱没，当然也为了保全我自家。 老夏镇静下来后，正想传唤孽种三喜，忽然又觉不妥：先不能动他。想了想，就吩咐人去老院叫吕布来。跟前的小仆提醒他：吕布正归家守丧呢。 老夏这才明白过来：难怪呢，吕布奔丧走后，杜氏不要新女佣跟她！是嫌碍事吧？ 可吕布呢，她就不碍事？她被收买了？ 当天，老夏套车出行，秘密去见了一次吕布。在庄外僻静处，几句恫吓，吕布就说了实话。但只承认老夫人体抚她，进城时，常常准许她回家探望重病的父亲。伺候老夫人进了华清池，她就往家奔；到家见与老父一面，说几句话，又赶紧往回返。紧赶慢赶，老夫人在半道上也等半天了。她实在不是成心违规，一来思父心切，二来有老夫人应允。 再问，也问不出别的来。老夏也只好暂信她的话。也许，杜氏只是以此将吕布支走，并未太串通了？ 回来当晚，老夏就在一间秘室，提审了车倌三喜。 这孽种进来时，倒一点也不慌张，好像康家能长久任他瞒天过海似的。老夏已怒不可遏，举拳就朝案头擂去，响声不脆，却很沉重。紧跟这响声，怒喝道：“狗杂种，还不给我跪下！” 三喜乖乖跪下了，依然没有惧色。 老夏又朝案头擂出一声来，问道：“狗杂种，知道犯了什么罪？” “知道，是死罪。” 狗杂种，竟然说得这样轻快，平静，一点也不遮掩，更不作抵赖。难道已听到风声，知道有人来告发？ “谁说你犯了死罪？” “我自家就知道。” “知道今天要犯事？” “反正迟早有这一天。” 狗日的，还是满不在乎。真不想活了？ “犯了什么死罪？说！”<