Chapter 22 Chapter Twenty Two
During the first five days, Qin Guan was in great spirits; when he took a few local chronicles with him in the car, and went to the Jiansu store, he would always find time to visit historical sites or inquire about local conditions and customs.His companion was Wang Dachen; Qin Guan and Tang Guan both called him "Second Brother Wang".
Although Wang Dachen was young, he traveled from south to north more than ten times. Not only was he familiar with the mountains and rivers along the way;Every night, Xia Yun always came to remind him three or four times before the little brothers agreed to go back to bed.
On the sixth day, I lived in Xuzhou; Qin Guan wanted to stay one more day to see the remains of Xiang Yu and Guan Panpan, and Mrs. Ma agreed.Knowing that the search for seclusion is not enough, and she wanted to stay for one more day, Mrs. Ma sighed and said:
"You should also know something! A catastrophe is about to happen—"
It's too late to shrink back; Qin Guan inquired, and finally knew the reason for going north.Thinking on the pillow all night, he couldn't sleep all night; when he woke up the next day, he couldn't see his smile anymore.
Xia Yun learned the truth from the groom's mouth as early as the first day on the road; he persuaded Qin Guan, "Second Master Qin, don't be sad! Madam is not feeling well at all, seeing you like this, You are getting more and more worried. After all, you are a man, so you have to cheer up and stand up."
"Not bad?" Qin Guan replied, "I was thinking in my heart, I have to go back to Nanjing and be with everyone."
"You're crazy!" Xia Yun was shocked: "Why did you come up with such an idea?"
"I'm not crazy at all. I've got to grind, grind; this is an opportunity to grind."
Seeing if he could not wake up, Xia Yun ignored him, but quietly told Mrs. Ma; after discussing it, he had to ignore it for the time being, anyway, as the road got farther and farther, he gradually gave up.
However, they wanted it, and of course Qin Guan also wanted it. The farther the road went, the harder it was to return to Nanjing.Therefore, after thinking about it for a while, he first went to Wang Dachen to discuss this matter.
"Second brother Wang, if I want to go back to Nanjing now, can you think of a way to find someone to give me a gift?"
"Huh!" Wang Dachen was very confused, "What's going on with Second Master Qin?"
"This, please don't ask."
Wang Dachen didn't ask any more questions; he thought for a while and replied: "If you want to smoke, you can only smoke the boy. I don't worry. The second shopkeeper of the Qingcheng Escort here is my good friend, and I can ask him to appoint a suitable candidate. However, this has to be done." Madam, tell me."
"Of course, of course! I can't sneak around in private either."
So, after dinner, avoiding Xia Yun, he confided in his mother slightly; Madam Ma pretended not to understand, but just changed the subject.
This made Qin Guan very troubled; he had no choice but to say, "Mother, I think I'd better go back to Nanjing. No matter what, it's better to have one more person." Wang Laoer has discussed it, he can ask the Xuzhou Qingcheng Bodyguard Bureau to send a suitable candidate."
"Xia Yun talked to me about it. I thought you were just saying something casually; it turned out that you really meant it." Mrs. Ma said calmly: "It is not necessary to be in one place to share troubles; when you go, no one will take care of you, only two will be given to you." Sister-in-law is causing trouble."
"Will not."
"You don't want to cause trouble for her; you want to help her, but your second sister-in-law doesn't think so." Mrs. Ma said again: "I heard from Qiuyue that the second sister-in-law once tried to persuade you to study and improve; The future hope of the Cao family rests on you. You can listen to her words, which is better than anything else."
Qin Guan couldn't continue; but he didn't understand that he gave up his original intention, but just waited for Madam Ma to relax.
To make demands on Madam Ma, but not to allow it, in the end it is a mother's concession. There have been countless times like this; but this time, Madam Ma will not waver in the slightest.
"Besides, I'm getting older. The further north you go, the colder the weather will be. Frost, rain, snow, thousands of miles of long distance, you have the heart to let me go alone?" Then he reached out to his armpit and took out a handkerchief to rub eyes out.
Hearing these words, Qin Guan felt like a thorn in his back; he quickly replied: "Mother, don't be angry, let alone be sad; I'm just thinking about it for a while. I'll just listen to what Mother has to say."
"Okay, after all, it's my wife." Xia Yun, who had been standing outside the door for a while, lifted the curtain and came out; deliberately said in a dissatisfied tone: "We are girls; no matter how good the words are, they will only fall on deaf ears."
Qin Guan only responded with a wry smile; he stood up and said, "I'm looking for Wang Laoer."
Wang Dachen was still drinking with the guys; when they saw Guan Qin, everyone stood up, vacated the upper seats, and let him drink.
Although Qin Guan is a poor man "raised in a deep boudoir", he has read a lot of poems after all; after five or six days of travel experience, his experience has confirmed his imagination, and he has a great understanding of the world and human feelings.Knowing that humility at this time is meaningless.
Suddenly Xia Yun appeared, but refused to enter the house, and only waved to Guan Qin. When he reached the door, she said in a low voice: "Second Master Zhen sent someone to drive overnight and delivered a letter. Madam is waiting for you Go write a reply."
Hearing this, Qin Guan said to Wang Dachen: "I'm sorry, I can't drink with you anymore."
"It's easy to say, easy to talk! Second Master Qin, please feel free. However," Wang Dachen asked, "I have something to ask Second Master Qin; back to Nanjing——."
"Oh," Qin Gong didn't wait for him to finish speaking, and immediately replied: "Let's let this matter go."
"Then," Wang Dachen hesitated, "shall we leave tomorrow?"
In order to arrange for Qin Guan to return to Nanjing, he naturally had to stay for a day; at this time, the original proposal was cancelled, and if he continued on his way, he would have to prepare chariots and horses overnight.
Qin Guan understood what he meant, and resolutely made a proposition: stay for another day.
So I met Mrs. Ma and first declared the matter; then I read the letter from Cao Zhen, saying that after receiving the letter from Beijing, I had received a decree to lose my official position;However, Cao Fu's other case has been closed, and it's just a fine.He decided to go south within the year, also by dry road; please pay attention to Mrs. Ma along the way, so as not to miss it.
"I've figured it out. It's impossible to rush to Beijing within the year; it's better to find a place to celebrate the New Year."
"Yes." Qin Guan asked, "Where is Mother going to celebrate the New Year?"
"I have to ask Wang Er: Can you make it to Jinan?"
"Then, I'll ask him."
"Just get him here. I have something else to ask him."
When Wang Dachen was called to tell the story, he carefully calculated the distance and expressed that he was sure that he would be able to arrive in Jinan for the New Year, and then asked: "My wife is going to stay in a hotel for the New Year in Jinan, or is there a relative who can borrow me? "
"There are relatives, they are busy all year round, so it's inconvenient to disturb them; let's stay in the hotel!"
"You have to send someone to notify you to stay in the hotel. There must be vacant rooms next year; but the food must be prepared first."
"That's right. Otherwise, every family will close their doors for the New Year, and even if they have money, they won't be able to buy food." Madam Ma turned her head and said, "Xia Yun, give Second Brother Wang a big ingot first!"
Wang Dachen had a sum of money that Cao Zhen handed over to him, and there was no need to pay it from Mrs. Ma; but because he came all the way, he fell in love with Xia Yun, but Xia Yun always avoided him. Unwilling to give up the opportunity to receive money, so he kept silent.
Xia Yun didn't expect him to have such thoughts, and in front of Madam Ma, he didn't dare to express anything, so he opened the box and took an official treasure weighing fifty taels, and handed it to Wang Dachen .
This time Wang Dachen was both nervous and curious; Xia Yun had never spoken to him before, but now that he pays money, there is always something to say, I don't know what she will call her; and what should I call her.
Just as her heart was fluttering, Xia Yun said, "Boss Wang, this is for you." She spoke quickly and moved even faster, and handed over the money, and when Wang Dachen took it, she let go.
Wang Dachen was looking up at her, and he didn't expect her hand to loosen so quickly, and he didn't catch it; a fifty tael ingot of official treasure just hit his toe, causing him to grin his teeth in pain, and almost jumped out of his chest. Voice.
Xia Yun also realized that his actions were somewhat reckless; he felt sorry, but he still refused to speak, but Qin Guan came to express his condolences: "Why, did you hit your foot? Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!" Wang Dachen naturally pretended to be a hero: "This is nothing!"
"Then please sit down!"
Official Qin insisted that he sit down; Wang Dachen still obeyed the rules, he should stand up and answer, finally Madam Ma said something, and he leaned over and sat down at the entrance.
"Dachen! I want to ask you one more thing." Mrs. Ma said, "My fourth master left Beijing, and he also took the dry road; can we meet on the way?"
"That's not for sure. If the fourth master doesn't stick to the station in order to come back for the New Year, he will probably miss it."
"Is there any way. Can you teach me to miss?"
"Only the shops along the road." Wang Dachen asked, "When did the fourth master leave Beijing?"
"It wasn't mentioned in the letter, only that it was on the way."
"Oh!" Wang Dachen thought about it and said, "It seems that we will not have passed Xuzhou; we will meet you all the way up, and we may meet you in Jinan."
"That's good." Mrs. Ma said again, "Anyway, I entrust this matter to you."
"Yes." Wang Dachen paused and asked, "What else can I order?"
"It's these two things, please go back!"
So Wang Dachen stood up and greeted Ann before he turned around; he could already see that he was not very neat in his actions, so Mrs. Ma blamed Xia Yun.
"I'm afraid the hit was not light, and I don't know if I hurt my tendons? It seems that he is a little limping when he walks. You are too! Why don't you wait for him to catch it before letting go?"
Xia Yun had never been reprimanded all the way, so at this moment his face was flushed and he dared not make a sound; Qin Guan couldn't bear it, so he said: "They walk the darts, and they have a secret gold-chuang medicine, even if they hurt their tendons. , once you apply the medicine, you’ll be fine.”
"I hope it's okay, otherwise I won't be able to ride a horse; wouldn't it delay the journey?"
Hearing Mrs. Ma's words, Xia Yun was very disturbed; this night, he was troubled by dreams and could not sleep well.At dawn, he got up, woke up Tangguan, dressed him, and asked him to go and see Wang Dachen.
"I smashed his foot yesterday. I don't know if he is injured?" Xia Yun immediately explained the reason for her concern: "My wife said that his foot was injured and he couldn't ride a horse. Isn't it my fault for delaying the journey?" .You just go and have a look, come back and tell me; don't say anything more?"
Tang Guan agreed to go; after a while, he rushed to the door and yelled: "Oops! The bone on the second brother Wang's foot is broken!"
Hearing the last few words, Xia Yun suddenly felt that the stars were exploding in front of her eyes, and the fear of causing a catastrophe arose in her heart, which made her lose her mind.But Mrs. Ma in the other room had heard about it, and asked loudly, "Is the bone broken?"
"Yes!" Official Tang agreed; when he went to Mrs. Ma, he greeted Ann first, and then talked about Wang Dachen's injury, "The back of his foot was swollen very high; Second Brother Wang felt it himself, and said that the toe in the middle of his right foot was a bone. Broken."
"Have you invited the doctor yet?"
"Go and invite."
At that time, Qin Guan also heard the sound and came, saying: "Let me have a look!" He took Tang Guan and walked out together.
Mrs. Ma was quite annoyed, and she was a little angry; but seeing Xia Yun's tearful expression, she couldn't bear to speak of her, so she sighed silently.
"Doesn't Madam bring any medicine for knife wounds?" Xia Yun said timidly.
"It's for the unknown swollen poison. Anyway, you can look for it, and if you find it, send it to him." Madam Ma said, "Tell Wang Er, just find a good doctor, don't waste money."
Xia Yun agreed, found the medicine and went to the lodgings of the guards in the front yard; she saw a room full of people, she was too timid to go in, but luckily she met He Jin, she grabbed him and said, "Uncle He, this is The medicine given by my wife; I also said, just find a good doctor, don't save money." Then she asked again: "How is the injury?"
"I don't understand traumatology. It looks serious." He Jin asked, "What is this medicine for? Is it taken internally or applied externally?"
"Cure nameless swollen poison."
"That doesn't work." He Jin said: "Okay! You go in first; how is the injury, I will go back and forth with my wife later."
Soon, Tang Guan came to report, it doesn't matter; I found a Mongolian doctor at the post station.After speaking, he ran out again; after a while, he came back to report again, Wang Dachen was so painful that he almost fainted; he just ran in and out like this, reporting the healing process at any time.When it came to report the time for the fourth time, Xia Yun couldn't bear it anymore. He grabbed Tang Guan and asked, "What did the Mongolian doctor say? Did you catch it well or not?"
"He didn't say whether the connection was good or not. But I think it's a bit troublesome; the Mongolian doctor is sweating profusely like the second brother Wang, and he's probably more anxious than you are."
Xia Yun blushed, "I'm anxious because his injury is not good, and he will delay the journey." She said, "It's not because of any other anxiety."
Mrs. Ma felt amused when she heard her unnecessary explanation, of course she understood Xia Yun's feelings; she comforted her and said: "As long as it is a real Mongolian doctor, it will be a good one."
"It's true." Tang Guan said, "It's a real Mongolian doctor; he said he came down from Beijing."
"That must have been a job in the upper fourth courtyard——"
In order to relieve boredom, Mrs. Ma talked about the Mongolian doctor in the Siyuan; she said that the Mongolian doctor is not necessarily Mongolian. Among the soldiers of the three banners, those who can set bones can be selected. There are ten in each banner. "One person; two "Deputy Chiefs" belong to Shangsi Academy.My job is to treat horses, but if the deacons in the palace suffer from trauma, they are all diagnosed and treated by Mongolian doctors from the Shangsi Hospital; of course, they are best at bone setting.
"The bones are inside the flesh, and they are so broken that you can't see them. How do you join them?" Mrs. Ma said, "They taught the disciples a way to cut them into pieces with a bamboo pen cover; wrap them in tissue paper, and ask the disciples to separate them Fumbled with paper. At first, I had no clue, but when I got the hang of it, I could connect the bones with a few strokes, and then I could set bones for others.”
"Since they can be connected together in a few clicks," Tang Guan asked, "Why haven't they been connected after a long time?"
"It's done!" Someone under the door answered; it was He Jin's voice.
Xia Yun suddenly felt his shoulders lighten, and happily went to open the door curtain; let He Jin in.
After greeting Mrs. Ma, He Jin said: "The injury is really serious; it seems that I can't move for ten days or eight days."
After saying this, Xia Yun became anxious again; he asked in a voiceless voice, "Then what should we do?"
"Wang's second child is also very anxious; let me ask my wife for instructions, and I plan to let the second shopkeeper of the Qingcheng Escort Bureau escort him to Jinan." He Jin then said: "I don't know if my wife is planning to go to Jinan for the New Year."
Judging from his tone, it seemed that he didn't think so; Madam Ma immediately asked, "What do you think?"
"In my opinion, it is better to celebrate the New Year in Jinan than in Xuzhou. First, it is close to Nanjing, so it is easy to take care of anything. Second, if the wife waits for the master to meet, Xuzhou is better than Jinan."
"Oh, tell me why and I'll listen"
"The fourth master doesn't know which way to go—."
The original avenue from the north to the south, starting from Dezhou, is divided into two roads, east and west, from Jinan, Tai'an, Linyi to Suqian, Jiangsu in the east, and from Zhenjiang to Nanjing along the canal; in the west, it runs from Luxi through Gaotang, Donghe, and Ziyang Enter Xuzhou.If Cao Fu goes south from the west road, he will definitely meet him in Xuzhou; if he passes through the east road, although he does not pass through Xuzhou, he might as well send someone to wait at Honghuabu in the west of Xuzhou. This is the only way to enter Jiangsu from Linyi and Tancheng. , not far from Xuzhou, and easy to meet.
Hearing what he said was reasonable; at the same time, although the second treasurer of the Qingcheng Escort was Wang Dachen's best friend, after all, he was separated by a layer, so he could command Wang Dachen as he wished, so Madam Ma immediately made a decision: "Okay! Let's Just stay in Xuzhou and talk about it later."
"Since we are planning to celebrate the New Year here, we have to make a calculation." Mrs. Ma said to Xia Yun: "I have to build a small kitchen; take a look, what should I buy? Make a list and leave it to Lao He to do it."
"I think so too." Xia Yun replied, "Besides, Mrs. eats vegetarian food; cleanliness is the most important thing."
So Xia Yun "grabbed" Tang Guan's job, asked him to fetch a pen and inkstone, and listened to her read the bill.Halfway through the writing, He Jin came to ask for an interview again, saying that Wang Dachen wanted to invite Mrs. Ma to move to the Qingcheng Escort.His reasons were: firstly, it was more comfortable; secondly, the owner of Qingcheng Escort Bureau was also Huihui; lastly, he could rest assured that his luggage was moved to Qingcheng, otherwise he would not be able to take responsibility for any negligence.
The reasons were more than sufficient; but Mrs. Ma had other concerns, "No!" she said, "People are celebrating Chinese New Year, why should we bother?"
"It doesn't matter if you disturb me—" He Jin didn't say any more; obviously, he had realized Madam Ma's original intention, so there was no need to say any more.
"I asked Xia Yun to open the order, and we will open the meals ourselves."
"Yes. My wife set up a small kitchen on the porch; we can still eat the food from the store." He Jin said again: "The house should be changed, and it must be rigorous."
"That's right. You go and do it. Also, you report to Wang Er and ask him to send a competent person back to Nanjing to deliver the letter; we are waiting for the fourth master in Xuzhou for the New Year, and we have to let the second master Zhen know."
"Yes!" He Jin said, "When will the letter be finished?"
"I'll ask Qin Guan to write it right away. It will be ready tomorrow morning."
He Jin agreed to go; but it took only a cup of tea, and he went back and forth, followed by Wang Dachen, who couldn't walk, and was carried by a young man.
"I can't say hello to my wife." Wang Dachen didn't wait for someone to help him sit down, and said, "I've been so useless on this trip, I can't let my wife, Qin Erye, and Tang Guan stay in this shabby shop again." Suffer. Qingcheng Escort Bureau is the head of the second treasurer, he and I are friends who can survive our lives, please don't worry about it at all, my wife."
"It's no wonder you're so enthusiastic!" Mrs. Ma replied, "I think it's good to be here."
"No!" Wang Dachen said again: "I am responsible, so I really can't rest assured. I am like a useless person now, and I need to send two more capable men, one to return to Nanjing to deliver the letter; the other to wait for the fourth master at Honghuabu, No one can stand it anymore, if a little thief comes and loses something and surprises his wife, how can I explain this matter?"
This is indeed something that has to be worried about; Madam Ma also knows that this is also related to Wang Dachen's reputation. If something happens, the world will not say that Wang Dachen is injured, and he will have to be supported by others; Not by your side, just talking about Wang Dachen's bodyguards, they can't even stop a small thief!Once this reputation spreads, he doesn't have to think about getting ahead in his line of work.
So Madam Ma had no choice but to ask He Jin: "What do you think?"
"Wang Er's worry is undeniable; Madam's thoughts are for others." He Jin asked meaningfully: "Did you tell the truth to Wang Er, and then make sense?"
Mrs. Ma nodded slightly, and looked around; Xia Yun was very clever, and deliberately touched Tang Guan's hand, "Look at you, your hands are cold, don't get sick from the cold. Let's go! Add clothes." The officer pulled away.
Those who should be avoided avoided; He Jincai said softly to Wang Dachen: "Once the new year is over in our house, there may be troubles. The wife is afraid that if Qingcheng gets tired, it will be bad; even you will be sorry for my friend at that time. My wife doesn't want to live in Qingcheng, half of it is because of you."
Wang Dachen suddenly realized, and was momentarily frightened and worried; he was in a daze for a long time, unable to speak.
However, He Jin has already made up his mind, "The only thing we can do now is this: first, move to a secure place; second, ask Qingcheng to help and send two good men to guard the hospital."
"Ah, ah! Okay, okay!" Wang Dachen said repeatedly: "It's very appropriate to do this; I'll do it right away."
After a whole afternoon of busy work, it was considered a stop.First of all, we moved in, and before we moved to the third east courtyard, we had to clean it up first, and paper the windows to make them white inside and out, before redecorating them. The courtyard faced north and south, and there were six rooms in total, with two dark and one bright, and Mrs. Ma occupied the north and the north. In the south room, Xia Yun took Tangguan to live in the east room, and Qinguan lived in the west. There was an old tent desk that could be used as a desk. He Jin bought a bamboo bookshelf for him, and opened the box to put books, pens and inkstones. put out.Xia Yunfu made fun of it again, and found a Boshan stove; a Ru kiln vase, filled with wintersweet and bamboo;
Just after he stopped, before he could sit down and drink a cup of tea calmly, the second innkeeper of the Qingcheng Escort came and said he would "greetings" to Mrs. Ma.
Mrs. Ma only said, "I don't dare to do it; stand in the way"; but because I was in the sect, she still received her; she said a few words in front of her, and was extended by Qin Guan to his "study" to entertain her.Xia Yun is very good at scheduling, and he made up for the tea, food and dried fruits he brought on the road, and set out eight tall plates; the tea was brewed in Kangxi colorful kiln tureen.Qingcheng's second shopkeeper was really flattered to treat each other with the courtesy that officials and eunuchs treat distinguished guests.
His surname was Wei, and his name was Shibao, so the official Qin called him "Second Brother Wei";Wei Shibao then introduced the two people he had brought with him, one surnamed Shi and the other surnamed Bao.
"These two are good hands in my bureau; from tonight onwards, I will let them serve here. You are welcome to Erye Qin, and you can send me if you need something."
"Don't dare, dare not!" Qin Guan cupped his hands again and again, "Second Brother Wei is serious."
"Actually, nothing will happen." Wei Shibao said: "Xuzhou is the hub of the five provinces, and there are many heroes from all walks of life in the five mountains and three mountains. It has always been the most troublesome dock. Talking about his light is really a lot.”
"Oh, please tell me," Qin Guan asked, "it's the big man."
"Li Futai from Zhejiang." Wei Shibao said with a smile on his face.
Qin Guan was at a loss for an answer; Wei Shibao then explained that he was referring to Li Wei, the governor of Zhejiang.There are only three of the most favored officials in Xinjiang today: Governor Ertai of Yunnan and Guizhou; Governor Tian Wenjing of Henan; and Governor Li Wei of Zhejiang.The three have their own strengths; Li Wei is good at fighting robbers, and he was allowed to cross the border to hunt him down. Li Wei is from Xuzhou. It was much more stable before.
"That said, it's the right place to spend the New Year in Xuzhou." Qin Guan said again: "Especially with the friendship between Second Brother Wang and Second Brother Wei, I can rest easy. I will tell my mother later, so that she can rest assured .”
Qin Guan really told his mother Wei Shibao's words; Madam Ma was naturally very pleased. "However," she said, "that being said, we still have to rely on others; he will come to watch the night for us in the year to guard the courtyard. This kind of favor is too heavy. I don't know how to repay him?"
"There's also Wang Lao Er." Qin Guan said, "It's a good thing that he himself suffered an accident, so he planned so thoughtfully."
"You caused the trouble," Mrs. Ma said to Xia Yun, "You should go and see him too; is the injury better?"
"Yes." Xia Yun lowered his head and agreed; his body did not move.
"go!"
"Wait." Xia Yun replied, "Old Mama Yang has cleaned the dishes and let her accompany me."
"I'll accompany you." Tang Guan immediately volunteered.
"Don't go!" Mrs. Ma found a reason to stop her: "Tomorrow someone will go back to deliver the letter; you should also write a letter to your mother."
"That's right!" Qin Guan echoed, "You come to my room first and use my desk; I'll write after you finish."
In this way, Tang Guan was sent away; Mrs. Ma said with a smile: "Tang Guan and Wang Er are destined; spending a day with him is not enough."
"He still wants to worship Wang Er as his teacher and learn boxing!" Xia Yun replied, "It's really whimsical."
"Actually, it's not too far-fetched! It's a way out for the children of the Banner family to abandon literature and become martial arts. Tang Guan will be able to make up the name of the military academy in the future. If he is outstanding in martial arts, he will be an upright military officer if he is selected by the guards. It's too strong to work in these places." Madam Ma said, "It's a pity that Wang Er's bodyguard travels all over the world, so he doesn't have time to teach him."
Xia Yun didn't think Tang Guan was on the road, he didn't like to study, but only liked to play with Wang Dachen; now that Mrs. Ma's words made sense, he couldn't help thinking about Tang Guan's future, even if Wang Dachen couldn't teach Tang Guan, Why not let him find a way to practice martial arts for Tangguan.
"My wife is worried about your injury, let me ask, but I feel better." "It's better, it's better!" Wang Dachen said repeatedly: "Thank you Madam for thinking about it; please thank me for me." Xia Yun nodded, seeing that the instep of his right foot was red and swollen; the toe was more than one size bigger, so he couldn't help apologizing, and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to miss yesterday." "It's easy to say, easy to say! It's my fault." Wang Dachen said, "Please sit down, girl." Xia Yun sat down; Wang Dachen didn't know what to say, and the atmosphere seemed a little stiff.Xia Yun thought that since he sat down, he had to find something to say; after thinking about it for a while, he asked, "Wang Biaotou, how many times a year do you go?" "Miss, call me by my name, or you can just call me Wang Laoer." Wang Dachen replied, "It doesn't matter how many times a year I go, it's okay to be idle for a month or two; I'm busy, I just came back the first day, and the first day It’s not uncommon to have to go on the road again the next day.” "Isn't it too hard?" "A dart walker only hopes to get to the ground safely; a little hard work is nothing." "Could it be that there is only suffering and happiness?" "There's no such thing as a job that's only about suffering and happiness! If it was the case, I'd have given up on this job a long time ago." "Uh, what's there to be happy about?" Xia Yun asked, "It's probably when the bodyguards come back and reunite with Mrs. Wang's second wife?" As he spoke, he glanced at him and lowered his head again. "That's nothing! The most gratifying thing is that I met a generous and considerate boss; just like my wife." Wang Dachen changed the subject and asked Xia Yun: "Miss busy?" "Just like you, I have nothing to do when I'm free; when I'm busy, I wish I had more hands." "Maybe it's always busy?" "Yeah." Xia Yun asked after a pause, "When you arrive in Beijing, where do you live?" "At Dashilan outside the front door, Sihaitong Escort Bureau, that's our joint number." Xia Yun nodded, and asked again: "Who did you learn your martial arts from?" "Well, it's a long story." Wang Dachen said: "I don't have any serious masters; I walked darts with a few old seniors, secretly learning every move and a half, and slowly figuring out the way. To practice martial arts, you have to Rely on yourself; if you are close to your sex, pay attention at any time, as long as you have perseverance, you will always have something to do." This is a very good topic. Wang Dachen talked about how since he joined the bodyguard agency as a boy, he spent sleepless nights and forgot to eat and eat hard to learn the art;But there are also good things that the sincerity touched the famous masters and voluntarily taught them.They talked vigorously and listened interestingly; it was not until the sound of firecrackers that their chat was interrupted. "Why set off firecrackers?" Wang Dachen asked his little follower. "Send the stove today." "It's the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month!" Xia Yun exclaimed, "I don't think it's almost New Year's Eve!" "Naturally!" said the old mother sitting at the door smoking a dry pipe: "In the mansion, once Laba is over, I am very busy. Just 'swiping dust' and making New Year's dishes can make people tired Feeling dizzy; tired after tired, the excitement is really lively. Now there is no sense of the New Year, how can I feel that the Chinese New Year is coming soon? Oh, I really didn't expect it." Xia Yun was sad; Wang Dachen thought of Mrs. Ma, and put himself in her place to think about her, which was really embarrassing.If I can make it to Jinan, I will have many close relatives here, and I will not be lonely during the Chinese New Year. How desolate it would be to sit in this Xuzhou inn all day long, only listening to firecrackers and laughter! Seeing that he was silent, Xia Yun felt that he had been sitting for too long, so he got up and said goodbye: "Please settle down! Take care." "Yes, yes." Wang Dachen said, "I'm sorry, but I can't see you off." "You're welcome." "Oh, girl, please go back with your wife. The person you send to deliver the letter will be back within the year when he leaves tomorrow. Let him bring whatever food and things your wife wants to bring in Nanjing." "Okay!" Xia Yun replied, "Since celebrating the New Year here, you might as well bring some New Year's goods; I'll ask Qin Guan to make it clear in the letter." "What about the girl herself? What do you want?" "Me?" Xia Yun thought for a while and said, "I want salted duck." "That's easy." "Look, for so many years in Nanjing, I have never thought about eating salted duck once; when I leave home for a few days, I will think of this thing that I usually don't even bother to look at! Isn't it strange?" "It's rare for a girl to leave home, so she thinks like this. People like us who are on the go all year round don't have such thoughts." So before going back to stay, we chatted for a while before saying goodbye.Nazhi had already left the house, but Wang Dachen called her back. "Girl, please tell Erye Qin to hand in the letter as soon as it is written; the people here will leave at five o'clock." "Oh," Xia Yun said casually, "It's so early!" "It must be early! Otherwise, I won't be able to make it back in the year." Speaking of this, Wang Dachen suddenly showed a secretive smile. Xia Yun thought he had something to say; after waiting for a while, he didn't see any further words, so he left, but he was very surprised in his heart, and he still couldn't figure out why he had such a smile?
Counting the days and looking at the reply, Mrs. Ma and Xia Yun talked the most every day, guessing what Qiuyue would say in the reply—it was Guan Qin's idea, and he wrote a letter to Qiuyue in Xia Yun's presence. letter; in this way, we can talk about trivial matters along the way.In the letter, I paid special attention to Qiuyue, and hoped that she would not tire of telling the story of the farewell in detail, "to comfort the silence among the guests". Wang Dachen's foot injury was improving day by day; on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, he was able to get out of bed and came in to see Mrs. Ma with a cane.After some condolences, Mrs. Ma said: "Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year! I don't treat you as an outsider. Come here tomorrow night to 'spread blessings.'" Don't talk about "San Fu" when eating New Year's Eve dinner, because even if you are with the guests, the etiquette cannot be abolished; Mrs. Ma prepares for New Year's Eve. "This—" Wang Dachen said with some hesitation, "I'm afraid it's inconvenient." "What's the inconvenience? It's rare to celebrate the New Year with a guest. It's also fate. There is no distinction between men and women." "My wife said so, I can't be ignorant of flattery!" As he said, he wanted to get up to thank An, and let Qin Guan hold him down. "Second Brother Wang," Qin Guan asked, "Will the person you sent come back tomorrow?" "I told you again and again that you must come back before the New Year's Eve. God has helped me these few days, and the sun is shining every day. Logically, I will definitely make it back. However," Wang Dachen said after a short pause, "I will take care of the people who are going. If you do one thing, if it goes well, maybe you can come back this afternoon; if there is something trivial, maybe it will be a day late." Hearing this, Xia Yun recalled his secretive smile on the day he delivered the stove, and immediately asked: "Boss Wang, what do you want to do?" Wang Dachen replied with a smile: "I don't know if it can be done or not? Anyway, you will know when the time comes." Hearing that he was still playing tricks, Xia Yun couldn't help being a little angry; he didn't bother to talk to him anymore. Seeing this situation, Wang Dachen immediately explained: "It's not that I don't want to say it. It doesn't matter if this matter can't be done; if it succeeds, everyone will be happy. If I tell the truth in advance, everyone will feel disappointed if it doesn't work. Miss Xia Yun ,Do not be angry." "Where?" Xia Yun turned from annoyed to apologetic; she smiled and said: "I don't know why everyone is happy when you have accomplished this matter? Anyway, it will take half a day, just wait and see!" So, there was a new topic on this day, they were all guessing, what was the matter that Wang Dachen sent his buddy to do? "I guess I'm going to find someone!" Tang Guan said confidently. It was really surprising; Mrs. Ma asked, "Look for someone! Who are you looking for?" "Mao'er Guo." Tang Guan replied, "I'm looking for Mao'er Guo to make my wife smile during the Chinese New Year." "You are so whimsical." Qin Guan laughed: "You are crazy about Guo Maoer." "Don't say he is whimsical." Mrs. Ma said: "What Tang Guan said is really reasonable; but it doesn't have to be Guo Mao'er, maybe he brought some children from the theater troupe to make us lively." Because of Mrs. Ma's words, Tang Guan became more confident; but he still believed that he was looking for Guo Mao'er. In order to solve the mystery in a hurry, he went to Wang Dachen for verification in private. "Second brother Wang, what you want to do is to find someone, right?" Wang Dachen was startled: "How do you know?" He asked. At this moment, Tang Guan's face flew like gold, and he said loudly: "I guessed your heart, didn't I? You sent someone to Yangzhou to look for Guo Mao'er; Guo Mao'er may not come, so you can't tell the truth in advance. , so as not to disappoint everyone. Is it?" Wang Dachen laughed; he also knew Tangguan was a fan of Guo Maoer; after laughing, he said: "Not bad, not bad. I was afraid that Guo Maoer would not come; you would be the first to spoil the fun, so I don't want to say more. Since you guessed I won’t hide it from you; if you don’t come, don’t feel disappointed, I’ll find another one for you in Xuzhou. But it’s not as good as Guo Mao’er.” These words made Tang Guan very happy and elated; he hurried back and told Mrs. Ma.Since Wang Dachen personally admitted it; everyone naturally believed it. It is conceivable that Tang Guan is still calm; he stays outside all day, playing in Wang Dachen's room for a while; looking outside the gate for a while.Seeing that it was getting dusk, a horse and a mule cart arrived; the man on the horse was Xiao Liu, the assistant Wang Dachen sent to Nanjing. "Here we come, we come!" Tang Guan shouted as he ran. When Wang Dachen came out leaning on crutches, the cart had already entered the store, and the handlebar Shih and his assistant got out of the cart. One unloaded the mule and the other took the cart stool, so he knew there were people in the cart.Wang Dachen then asked Xiao Liu, "Here." "Here we come." At this time, Tang Guan had arrived in front of the car, opened the curtain, and saw a man coming down, wearing a gray cloth monk robe; wearing a black velvet "top bag" on his head, with long eyebrows on his temples, and a pair of clear water-like phoenix hair. Eye.棠官觉得好面善；却想不起来是在那里见过。 “棠官，你认不出是我？” 一听声音，棠官记起来了，“呀！”他失声惊呼：“你不是绣春吗？” “对了！”王达臣笑道：“是绣春，不是郭猫儿。” 这一来，棠官才知道让王达臣耍了。然而仍有意外的惊喜；奔到马夫人面前，气喘吁吁地笑道：“我猜到一半，是一个人：是绣春。” “是绣春！”夏云从里间奔出来问：“你不会看错吧？” “怎么会看错？一身姑子打扮。” 这就不错了！夏云笑道：“怪不得！” 说着便迎了出去，首先看到的是小刘跟他的两个同伴；搬来极重的两个篓子，一个网篮；然后是王达臣与绣春兄妹俩。 “绣春姊！”夏云紧握着她的手说：“真没有想到你来。” 这时上上下下都从屋子里迎了出来招呼；绣春应接不暇，只有先向噙着眼泪站在廊上的马夫人合十施礼。 "How did you come?" “我二哥派人来接我的；说太太在徐州过年等四老爷，问我愿意不愿意来陪陪太太？”绣春紧接着说：“太太动身我不知道；居然还赶得上来给太太送行。” 马夫人知道，绣春身在空门，肯远道跋涉到徐州来陪她过年，暗含着愿共患难之意；心里着实感动，眼眶越发润湿了。 “外面风大，”夏云说道：“请进去谈吧。” 到得堂屋，绣春才发现芹官；但只是匆匆叫应，他立即又退了出去，因为王达臣不肯进来，得陪着到他屋子去坐。 “王二哥，其实你先说破了也不要紧；害我们牵肠挂肚，每天都在猜你葫芦里卖的什么药？” “我怕我妹妹不肯来，让大家扫兴。” “不会的，”芹官答说：“绣春是重情义的人；何况她一向敬重你。” “是啊！”王达臣看一看窗外无人，低声说道：“芹二爷，不瞒你说，我把她找来，一半是陪大太过年，一半也是为了绣春；请芹二爷跟太太回一回，劝绣春还俗吧！” “是的，是的。”芹官一迭连声地答应：“大家都有这个意思；我来想法子，切切实实劝她一劝。” “重重拜托。”王达臣起身说道：“我不打搅了。” 等他一走，芹官随即赶往北屋；只见桌上大包小包，堆满了吃的、用的，绣春正在一一交代。 “这桂花鸭，是特为叫小刘儿到水西门马长兴去买的，太太也能吃。”她一眼看到芹官；立即又说：“我替你带来一样好东西。” 说着亲自网篮里去捧出一个长方木匣子，竖着摆在桌上，抽开屉板，里面是一球水仙，用只里白外红的大碗供养；根茎周围堆满了五色雨花台石子。 “太妙了！”芹官推一推棠官：“快去找清水来。” “这里有。”堂屋里原有一小缸清水；夏云兜了一瓢，芹官接到手中，小心浇在碗中，五色石子得了水色，越发可爱。 “谢谢，谢谢！”芹官也是合十当胸：“真不知何以为报？” “我带了一块绫子来，请你替我写一通心经；不知道赶得出来，赶不出来？” “行！'般若波罗密多心经'没有多少字；我陪你吃一天素，就赶出来了。”芹官又问：“你这是干什么用？” “我要绣一卷心经。” “那，”棠官又放厥词了：“以后不叫你绣春，叫你绣经好了。” “说得好！”绣春很高兴地摩着棠官的脑袋说，“越来越聪明了。” 于是又提到棠官迷郭猫儿的话。笑声喧阗，客边凄清，一扫而空；马夫人的兴致也好了，“今晚我大概能多吃半碗饭。”她问：“夏云呢？该开饭了吧？” “还得一会儿。”夏云恰好回来，在窗外接口答了一句，进门又说：“临时支的一个小厨房，倒有两副锅杓；如今又得现置一副，刚刚办来，把绣春姊的素菜做得了就开饭。” “其实也无所谓。”绣春说道：“敬佛敬在心里，不在表面上。” “这话不错。”芹官想起王达臣的嘱托，趁机说道：“绣春，你开了荤吧！” 这是劝她还俗；绣春没有想到会这样开门见山地说，一时竟无从置答。马夫人亦觉有机可乘，随即加了一句：“绣春本来就没有出家。” 这话更让绣春无法置答；只好这样说道：“咱们不谈这个。” “对！”马夫人向芹官使了个眼色，示意他不必操之过急：“咱们先不谈这些。” 于是只叙家常，随意闲谈；到得饭后，马夫人回卧室，绣春跟了进去，这才到了深谈的时候。 “我听说四老爷出了事。”绣春不胜黯然地：“怎么会弄成这个样子呢？” “唉！”马夫人叹口气，“三尺之冻，非一日之寒，如今也不必怪谁，只望抄了家就算了。” “也不必怪谁”这句话，自是指曹震夫妇而言，绣春在这方面自不便多说；默然半晌才问了一句：“二奶奶总留了退步？” “也不见得。”马夫人又叹口气，“这一阵子闹得天翻地覆；你大概不十分清楚，我也懒得说。总而言之一句话：只有望将来了。” “是！”绣春深深点头，“到底有王爷在；芹官又不是没有出息的人。”她忽然又问：“我听说春雨走了；是——？” “是她自己不好。”马夫人答说：“如果她像你这样子念旧讲情义，我又怎么忍心撵她？” 绣春对春雨的事，原有所闻；但一直不肯相信，如今自马夫人口中证实，忍不住感叹：“真是知人知面不知心。” “话又说回来，到底还是有良心居多。像你这一次来，我实在很安慰。”马夫人忽然有个主意：“绣春，你跟我一块进京好不好？” 绣春大感意外；不由得仔细看了看马夫人的脸色，要辨别她这话是信口而言，还是真有此心？如果真有此心，目的又是什么？ 看她殷切的神情，不像是随口一句话，绣春便即问道：“我跟太太进京，不是一个累赘？” “怎么会是累赘呢？” “譬如说，这一路去，饮食上——。” “你不是说无所谓吗？” 一句话将绣春堵得开不了口。她这时已省悟了，她二哥把她接了来，名为陪伴旧主；其实是请旧主用情面压迫她还俗。既然如此，又岂是言语上耍些花巧，能够搪塞得了的？ 意会到此，随即说道：“太太的好意我完全明白。这件事我在菩萨面前起过誓，不是三言两语说得清楚的；反正我在这里陪太太过年，等几时闲了，我将下情，细细禀告。” “好！”马夫人是嘉许的神态：“只要你知道我是好意就行了。隔了这么多日子；咱们家如今又落到这步田地，你也应该饶了你们二奶奶！” “太太，太太！”绣春惶恐万分，不觉双膝跪倒：“这话我绣春怎么当得起！当初我也并不怨二奶奶——。” “我知道，我知道。你快起来；让人瞧见了不像样。” 说着，马夫人亲手来扶。绣春站起身来，见她眼圈都红了，不免既惊且疑，不大明白她因何伤心？ “你二奶奶也是自作自受。”马夫人很吃力地说：“我也弄不清楚她到底有那事没有？反正你二爷那个横劲儿，差点就动刀了！依她那么要强的人，忍气吞声，像个童养媳似地；我想想都替她难过。”一面说，一面真的掉泪了。 “太太别说了！这一场灾难，把一切都遮过去了；抬起头来往前看，就巴望芹官吧！” “你二奶奶也是这么个心思；也不知道芹官自己想过没有，多少人的希望寄托在他身上。” “他一定想过的。”绣春很认真地说：“从老太太去世以后，我看芹官一回比一回长进；如今很像个大人样子了。” 由此开始，话题便开始转到芹官身上。由芹官又谈到春雨；马夫人将她的行为都告诉了绣春，同时一再叮嘱，这件事要瞒着芹官的，务必当心，别在口风中露出真相。 这样一直谈到三更已过，方见夏云出现；马夫人这才想起，“你在那里？怎么一直不见你的影子？”她问：“绣春的床安在什么地方？” “跟我一房睡。”夏云答了又问：“包了饺子，还蒸了年糕；特为替太太蒸了一笼甜的，要不要尝一块？” "Also." “你也能吃。”夏云对绣春说：“我还替你包了素饺子。” “这一来就是三种馅。太太的肉是什么？” “羊肉西葫芦。”夏云笑道：“今天头一天，不找你帮忙；明儿个就不当你是客人了。” “本来就不是客人。”绣春一面说；一面走了出去，帮着摆桌子预备吃消夜；少不得要问起芹、棠兄弟。 “棠官睡了。”夏云答说：“芹官不知道怎么样，刚才我看他在写字；说是要替你写心经，得把字练一练。” “临阵磨枪，也好不到那里去。”马夫人说：“叫人去问问他，饿不饿？” “等我去。”绣春出了堂屋，绕回廊到了芹官窗下，悄悄张望，只见一大堆写坏了的废纸，心里不免感动，就在窗外说道：“息息吧！” “原来是你。来、来，进来坐。” “太太说你临阵磨枪，也好不到那里去。”绣春进了屋子笑道：“请你吃消夜去呢！” “太太还没有睡？” “一直在跟我聊天。” “聊些什么？” “话很多。”绣春急忙又加了一句：“不过都是闲白儿。” 这便有“此地无银三百两”的意味；芹官微笑说道：“回头也跟我聊聊。”
"My wife is worried about your injury, let me ask, but I feel better." "It's better, it's better!" Wang Dachen said repeatedly: "Thank you Madam for thinking about it; please thank me for me." Xia Yun nodded, seeing that the instep of his right foot was red and swollen; the toe was more than one size bigger, so he couldn't help apologizing, and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to miss yesterday." "It's easy to say, easy to say! It's my fault." Wang Dachen said, "Please sit down, girl." Xia Yun sat down; Wang Dachen didn't know what to say, and the atmosphere seemed a little stiff.Xia Yun thought that since he sat down, he had to find something to say; after thinking about it for a while, he asked, "Wang Biaotou, how many times a year do you go?" "Miss, call me by my name, or you can just call me Wang Laoer." Wang Dachen replied, "It doesn't matter how many times a year I go, it's okay to be idle for a month or two; I'm busy, I just came back the first day, and the first day It’s not uncommon to have to go on the road again the next day.” "Isn't it too hard?" "A dart walker only hopes to get to the ground safely; a little hard work is nothing." "Could it be that there is only suffering and happiness?" "There's no such thing as a job that's only about suffering and happiness! If it was the case, I'd have given up on this job a long time ago." "Uh, what's there to be happy about?" Xia Yun asked, "It's probably when the bodyguards come back and reunite with Mrs. Wang's second wife?" As he spoke, he glanced at him and lowered his head again. "That's nothing! The most gratifying thing is that I met a generous and considerate boss; just like my wife." Wang Dachen changed the subject and asked Xia Yun: "Miss busy?" "Just like you, I have nothing to do when I'm free; when I'm busy, I wish I had more hands." "Maybe it's always busy?" "Yeah." Xia Yun asked after a pause, "When you arrive in Beijing, where do you live?" "At Dashilan outside the front door, Sihaitong Escort Bureau, that's our joint number." Xia Yun nodded, and asked again: "Who did you learn your martial arts from?" "Well, it's a long story." Wang Dachen said: "I don't have any serious masters; I walked darts with a few old seniors, secretly learning every move and a half, and slowly figuring out the way. To practice martial arts, you have to Rely on yourself; if you are close to your sex, pay attention at any time, as long as you have perseverance, you will always have something to do." This is a very good topic. Wang Dachen talked about how since he joined the bodyguard agency as a boy, he spent sleepless nights and forgot to eat and eat hard to learn the art;But there are also good things that the sincerity touched the famous masters and voluntarily taught them.They talked vigorously and listened interestingly; it was not until the sound of firecrackers that their chat was interrupted. "Why set off firecrackers?" Wang Dachen asked his little follower. "Send the stove today." "It's the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month!" Xia Yun exclaimed, "I don't think it's almost New Year's Eve!" "Naturally!" said the old mother sitting at the door smoking a dry pipe: "In the mansion, once Laba is over, I am very busy. Just 'swiping dust' and making New Year's dishes can make people tired Feeling dizzy; tired after tired, the excitement is really lively. Now there is no sense of the New Year, how can I feel that the Chinese New Year is coming soon? Oh, I really didn't expect it." Xia Yun was sad; Wang Dachen thought of Mrs. Ma, and put himself in her place to think about her, which was really embarrassing.If I can make it to Jinan, I will have many close relatives here, and I will not be lonely during the Chinese New Year. How desolate it would be to sit in this Xuzhou inn all day long, only listening to firecrackers and laughter! Seeing that he was silent, Xia Yun felt that he had been sitting for too long, so he got up and said goodbye: "Please settle down! Take care." "Yes, yes." Wang Dachen said, "I'm sorry, but I can't see you off." "You're welcome." "Oh, girl, please go back with your wife. The person you send to deliver the letter will be back within the year when he leaves tomorrow. Let him bring whatever food and things your wife wants to bring in Nanjing." "Okay!" Xia Yun replied, "Since celebrating the New Year here, you might as well bring some New Year's goods; I'll ask Qin Guan to make it clear in the letter." "What about the girl herself? What do you want?" "Me?" Xia Yun thought for a while and said, "I want salted duck." "That's easy." "Look, for so many years in Nanjing, I have never thought about eating salted duck once; when I leave home for a few days, I will think of this thing that I usually don't even bother to look at! Isn't it strange?" "It's rare for a girl to leave home, so she thinks like this. People like us who are on the go all year round don't have such thoughts." So before going back to stay, we chatted for a while before saying goodbye.Nazhi had already left the house, but Wang Dachen called her back. "Girl, please tell Erye Qin to hand in the letter as soon as it is written; the people here will leave at five o'clock." "Oh," Xia Yun said casually, "It's so early!" "It must be early! Otherwise, I won't be able to make it back in the year." Speaking of this, Wang Dachen suddenly showed a secretive smile. Xia Yun thought he had something to say; after waiting for a while, he didn't see any further words, so he left, but he was very surprised in his heart, and he still couldn't figure out why he had such a smile?
Counting the days and looking at the reply, Mrs. Ma and Xia Yun talked the most every day, guessing what Qiuyue would say in the reply—it was Guan Qin's idea, and he wrote a letter to Qiuyue in Xia Yun's presence. letter; in this way, we can talk about trivial matters along the way.In the letter, I paid special attention to Qiuyue, and hoped that she would not tire of telling the story of the farewell in detail, "to comfort the silence among the guests". Wang Dachen's foot injury was improving day by day; on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, he was able to get out of bed and came in to see Mrs. Ma with a cane.After some condolences, Mrs. Ma said: "Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year! I don't treat you as an outsider. Come here tomorrow night to 'spread blessings.'" Don't talk about "San Fu" when eating New Year's Eve dinner, because even if you are with the guests, the etiquette cannot be abolished; Mrs. Ma prepares for New Year's Eve. "This—" Wang Dachen said with some hesitation, "I'm afraid it's inconvenient." "What's the inconvenience? It's rare to celebrate the New Year with a guest. It's also fate. There is no distinction between men and women." "My wife said so, I can't be ignorant of flattery!" As he said, he wanted to get up to thank An, and let Qin Guan hold him down. "Second Brother Wang," Qin Guan asked, "Will the person you sent come back tomorrow?" "I told you again and again that you must come back before the New Year's Eve. God has helped me these few days, and the sun is shining every day. Logically, I will definitely make it back. However," Wang Dachen said after a short pause, "I will take care of the people who are going. If you do one thing, if it goes well, maybe you can come back this afternoon; if there is something trivial, maybe it will be a day late." Hearing this, Xia Yun recalled his secretive smile on the day he delivered the stove, and immediately asked: "Boss Wang, what do you want to do?" Wang Dachen replied with a smile: "I don't know if it can be done or not? Anyway, you will know when the time comes." Hearing that he was still playing tricks, Xia Yun couldn't help being a little angry; he didn't bother to talk to him anymore. Seeing this situation, Wang Dachen immediately explained: "It's not that I don't want to say it. It doesn't matter if this matter can't be done; if it succeeds, everyone will be happy. If I tell the truth in advance, everyone will feel disappointed if it doesn't work. Miss Xia Yun ,Do not be angry." "Where?" Xia Yun turned from annoyed to apologetic; she smiled and said: "I don't know why everyone is happy when you have accomplished this matter? Anyway, it will take half a day, just wait and see!" So, there was a new topic on this day, they were all guessing, what was the matter that Wang Dachen sent his buddy to do? "I guess I'm going to find someone!" Tang Guan said confidently. It was really surprising; Mrs. Ma asked, "Look for someone! Who are you looking for?" "Mao'er Guo." Tang Guan replied, "I'm looking for Mao'er Guo to make my wife smile during the Chinese New Year." "You are so whimsical." Qin Guan laughed: "You are crazy about Guo Maoer." "Don't say he is whimsical." Mrs. Ma said: "What Tang Guan said is really reasonable; but it doesn't have to be Guo Mao'er, maybe he brought some children from the theater troupe to make us lively." Because of Mrs. Ma's words, Tang Guan became more confident; but he still believed that he was looking for Guo Mao'er. In order to solve the mystery in a hurry, he went to Wang Dachen for verification in private. "Second brother Wang, what you want to do is to find someone, right?" Wang Dachen was startled: "How do you know?" He asked. At this moment, Tang Guan's face flew like gold, and he said loudly: "I guessed your heart, didn't I? You sent someone to Yangzhou to look for Guo Mao'er; Guo Mao'er may not come, so you can't tell the truth in advance. , so as not to disappoint everyone. Is it?" Wang Dachen laughed; he also knew Tangguan was a fan of Guo Maoer; after laughing, he said: "Not bad, not bad. I was afraid that Guo Maoer would not come; you would be the first to spoil the fun, so I don't want to say more. Since you guessed I won’t hide it from you; if you don’t come, don’t feel disappointed, I’ll find another one for you in Xuzhou. But it’s not as good as Guo Mao’er.” These words made Tang Guan very happy and elated; he hurried back and told Mrs. Ma.Since Wang Dachen personally admitted it; everyone naturally believed it. It is conceivable that Tang Guan is still calm; he stays outside all day, playing in Wang Dachen's room for a while; looking outside the gate for a while.Seeing that it was getting dusk, a horse and a mule cart arrived; the man on the horse was Xiao Liu, the assistant Wang Dachen sent to Nanjing. "Here we come, we come!" Tang Guan shouted as he ran. When Wang Dachen came out leaning on crutches, the cart had already entered the store, and the handlebar Shih and his assistant got out of the cart. One unloaded the mule and the other took the cart stool, so he knew there were people in the cart.Wang Dachen then asked Xiao Liu, "Here." "Here we come." At this time, Tang Guan had arrived in front of the car, opened the curtain, and saw a man coming down, wearing a gray cloth monk robe; wearing a black velvet "top bag" on his head, with long eyebrows on his temples, and a pair of clear water-like phoenix hair. Eye.棠官觉得好面善；却想不起来是在那里见过。 “棠官，你认不出是我？” 一听声音，棠官记起来了，“呀！”他失声惊呼：“你不是绣春吗？” “对了！”王达臣笑道：“是绣春，不是郭猫儿。” 这一来，棠官才知道让王达臣耍了。然而仍有意外的惊喜；奔到马夫人面前，气喘吁吁地笑道：“我猜到一半，是一个人：是绣春。” “是绣春！”夏云从里间奔出来问：“你不会看错吧？” “怎么会看错？一身姑子打扮。” 这就不错了！夏云笑道：“怪不得！” 说着便迎了出去，首先看到的是小刘跟他的两个同伴；搬来极重的两个篓子，一个网篮；然后是王达臣与绣春兄妹俩。 “绣春姊！”夏云紧握着她的手说：“真没有想到你来。” 这时上上下下都从屋子里迎了出来招呼；绣春应接不暇，只有先向噙着眼泪站在廊上的马夫人合十施礼。 "How did you come?" “我二哥派人来接我的；说太太在徐州过年等四老爷，问我愿意不愿意来陪陪太太？”绣春紧接着说：“太太动身我不知道；居然还赶得上来给太太送行。” 马夫人知道，绣春身在空门，肯远道跋涉到徐州来陪她过年，暗含着愿共患难之意；心里着实感动，眼眶越发润湿了。 “外面风大，”夏云说道：“请进去谈吧。” 到得堂屋，绣春才发现芹官；但只是匆匆叫应，他立即又退了出去，因为王达臣不肯进来，得陪着到他屋子去坐。 “王二哥，其实你先说破了也不要紧；害我们牵肠挂肚，每天都在猜你葫芦里卖的什么药？” “我怕我妹妹不肯来，让大家扫兴。” “不会的，”芹官答说：“绣春是重情义的人；何况她一向敬重你。” “是啊！”王达臣看一看窗外无人，低声说道：“芹二爷，不瞒你说，我把她找来，一半是陪大太过年，一半也是为了绣春；请芹二爷跟太太回一回，劝绣春还俗吧！” “是的，是的。”芹官一迭连声地答应：“大家都有这个意思；我来想法子，切切实实劝她一劝。” “重重拜托。”王达臣起身说道：“我不打搅了。” 等他一走，芹官随即赶往北屋；只见桌上大包小包，堆满了吃的、用的，绣春正在一一交代。 “这桂花鸭，是特为叫小刘儿到水西门马长兴去买的，太太也能吃。”她一眼看到芹官；立即又说：“我替你带来一样好东西。” 说着亲自网篮里去捧出一个长方木匣子，竖着摆在桌上，抽开屉板，里面是一球水仙，用只里白外红的大碗供养；根茎周围堆满了五色雨花台石子。 “太妙了！”芹官推一推棠官：“快去找清水来。” “这里有。”堂屋里原有一小缸清水；夏云兜了一瓢，芹官接到手中，小心浇在碗中，五色石子得了水色，越发可爱。 “谢谢，谢谢！”芹官也是合十当胸：“真不知何以为报？” “我带了一块绫子来，请你替我写一通心经；不知道赶得出来，赶不出来？” “行！'般若波罗密多心经'没有多少字；我陪你吃一天素，就赶出来了。”芹官又问：“你这是干什么用？” “我要绣一卷心经。” “那，”棠官又放厥词了：“以后不叫你绣春，叫你绣经好了。” “说得好！”绣春很高兴地摩着棠官的脑袋说，“越来越聪明了。” 于是又提到棠官迷郭猫儿的话。笑声喧阗，客边凄清，一扫而空；马夫人的兴致也好了，“今晚我大概能多吃半碗饭。”她问：“夏云呢？该开饭了吧？” “还得一会儿。”夏云恰好回来，在窗外接口答了一句，进门又说：“临时支的一个小厨房，倒有两副锅杓；如今又得现置一副，刚刚办来，把绣春姊的素菜做得了就开饭。” “其实也无所谓。”绣春说道：“敬佛敬在心里，不在表面上。” “这话不错。”芹官想起王达臣的嘱托，趁机说道：“绣春，你开了荤吧！” 这是劝她还俗；绣春没有想到会这样开门见山地说，一时竟无从置答。马夫人亦觉有机可乘，随即加了一句：“绣春本来就没有出家。” 这话更让绣春无法置答；只好这样说道：“咱们不谈这个。” “对！”马夫人向芹官使了个眼色，示意他不必操之过急：“咱们先不谈这些。” 于是只叙家常，随意闲谈；到得饭后，马夫人回卧室，绣春跟了进去，这才到了深谈的时候。 “我听说四老爷出了事。”绣春不胜黯然地：“怎么会弄成这个样子呢？” “唉！”马夫人叹口气，“三尺之冻，非一日之寒，如今也不必怪谁，只望抄了家就算了。” “也不必怪谁”这句话，自是指曹震夫妇而言，绣春在这方面自不便多说；默然半晌才问了一句：“二奶奶总留了退步？” “也不见得。”马夫人又叹口气，“这一阵子闹得天翻地覆；你大概不十分清楚，我也懒得说。总而言之一句话：只有望将来了。” “是！”绣春深深点头，“到底有王爷在；芹官又不是没有出息的人。”她忽然又问：“我听说春雨走了；是——？” “是她自己不好。”马夫人答说：“如果她像你这样子念旧讲情义，我又怎么忍心撵她？” 绣春对春雨的事，原有所闻；但一直不肯相信，如今自马夫人口中证实，忍不住感叹：“真是知人知面不知心。” “话又说回来，到底还是有良心居多。像你这一次来，我实在很安慰。”马夫人忽然有个主意：“绣春，你跟我一块进京好不好？” 绣春大感意外；不由得仔细看了看马夫人的脸色，要辨别她这话是信口而言，还是真有此心？如果真有此心，目的又是什么？ 看她殷切的神情，不像是随口一句话，绣春便即问道：“我跟太太进京，不是一个累赘？” “怎么会是累赘呢？” “譬如说，这一路去，饮食上——。” “你不是说无所谓吗？” 一句话将绣春堵得开不了口。她这时已省悟了，她二哥把她接了来，名为陪伴旧主；其实是请旧主用情面压迫她还俗。既然如此，又岂是言语上耍些花巧，能够搪塞得了的？ 意会到此，随即说道：“太太的好意我完全明白。这件事我在菩萨面前起过誓，不是三言两语说得清楚的；反正我在这里陪太太过年，等几时闲了，我将下情，细细禀告。” “好！”马夫人是嘉许的神态：“只要你知道我是好意就行了。隔了这么多日子；咱们家如今又落到这步田地，你也应该饶了你们二奶奶！” “太太，太太！”绣春惶恐万分，不觉双膝跪倒：“这话我绣春怎么当得起！当初我也并不怨二奶奶——。” “我知道，我知道。你快起来；让人瞧见了不像样。” 说着，马夫人亲手来扶。绣春站起身来，见她眼圈都红了，不免既惊且疑，不大明白她因何伤心？ “你二奶奶也是自作自受。”马夫人很吃力地说：“我也弄不清楚她到底有那事没有？反正你二爷那个横劲儿，差点就动刀了！依她那么要强的人，忍气吞声，像个童养媳似地；我想想都替她难过。”一面说，一面真的掉泪了。 “太太别说了！这一场灾难，把一切都遮过去了；抬起头来往前看，就巴望芹官吧！” “你二奶奶也是这么个心思；也不知道芹官自己想过没有，多少人的希望寄托在他身上。” “他一定想过的。”绣春很认真地说：“从老太太去世以后，我看芹官一回比一回长进；如今很像个大人样子了。” 由此开始，话题便开始转到芹官身上。由芹官又谈到春雨；马夫人将她的行为都告诉了绣春，同时一再叮嘱，这件事要瞒着芹官的，务必当心，别在口风中露出真相。 这样一直谈到三更已过，方见夏云出现；马夫人这才想起，“你在那里？怎么一直不见你的影子？”她问：“绣春的床安在什么地方？” “跟我一房睡。”夏云答了又问：“包了饺子，还蒸了年糕；特为替太太蒸了一笼甜的，要不要尝一块？” "Also." “你也能吃。”夏云对绣春说：“我还替你包了素饺子。” “这一来就是三种馅。太太的肉是什么？” “羊肉西葫芦。”夏云笑道：“今天头一天，不找你帮忙；明儿个就不当你是客人了。” “本来就不是客人。”绣春一面说；一面走了出去，帮着摆桌子预备吃消夜；少不得要问起芹、棠兄弟。 “棠官睡了。”夏云答说：“芹官不知道怎么样，刚才我看他在写字；说是要替你写心经，得把字练一练。” “临阵磨枪，也好不到那里去。”马夫人说：“叫人去问问他，饿不饿？” “等我去。”绣春出了堂屋，绕回廊到了芹官窗下，悄悄张望，只见一大堆写坏了的废纸，心里不免感动，就在窗外说道：“息息吧！” “原来是你。来、来，进来坐。” “太太说你临阵磨枪，也好不到那里去。”绣春进了屋子笑道：“请你吃消夜去呢！” “太太还没有睡？” “一直在跟我聊天。” “聊些什么？” “话很多。”绣春急忙又加了一句：“不过都是闲白儿。” 这便有“此地无银三百两”的意味；芹官微笑说道：“回头也跟我聊聊。”