Chapter 19 empty door search

However, Hu Daotai is not in charge of Ah Xiang's affairs at this time, and is worrying about another Ah Qiao. Sister Aqiao stayed out all night last night and didn't come home until nine o'clock this morning.When asked about her whereabouts, she said that she was depressed and had a night of talking at a little sister's house yesterday. Her "little sisters" are also in their thirties, and they are either conscientious, or they are in the same family - the old bustard.If she was a good "family member", she would not be allowed to spend the night alone, and someone must have sent her back the night before.From this point of view, the whereabouts are very doubtful.

So Hu Xueyan quietly sent Ah Xiang to inquire.Although Sister Aqiao didn't take the sedan chair at home when she went out yesterday, she was expected to not be able to walk, so Axiang took orders to ask the bearers waiting to be hired at the entrance of the alley.Sure enough, I got the question, Sister Aqiao went to Zhaorong Lane in the north of Baoshan Street yesterday, and the bearer still remembered that she got off the sedan chair in front of a Shikumen, the penultimate house. The so-called "There are Li Zhaorong and Zhaofu, and they are close to Gongxing, all of which are Pingkang Road." Zhaorongli, Zhaofuli, and Gongxingli in that area are famous places for luxury and money.Sister Aqiao refused to follow others and visited Pingkang privately. What was her intention?Really suspicious.

To solve this mystery, there is no one other than Grandma Qigu.Hu Xueyan did some calculations, and this day was the fourth day she agreed to visit when she arranged the new house, so she didn't arrive at Gu's house in a sedan chair, and went straight to Rijinli. Sure enough, the house has been completely repainted, and Grandma Qigu is directing her servants to place the brand new mahogany furniture.The weather at the end of March was bright and sunny, and it was quite hot. Grandma Qigu's face looked like she had been drunk, with sweat on her forehead and fluffy hair, which showed that she was tired.

Hu Xueyan was overwhelmed, bowed his head and expressed his deep gratitude.Qigu's grandma answered beautifully: "Young uncle doesn't need to thank me, the old lady and aunt are coming, we are juniors, we should show some filial piety." As she said that, she led Hu Xueyan to see one room after another. Not only the upper room was well-arranged, but also the lower room was not negligent, with everything you need.With such care, the master can't say anything except praise. After going around in circles, he went back to the living room to drink tea and rest. At this time, Hu Xueyan began to speak, telling about Aqiao's whereabouts all night, and asking Grandma Qigu for advice.

What happened suddenly, where did she have an idea?After thinking about what Hu Xueyan said, he felt that there are a few things that need to be clarified first. "Grandpa," she asked, "How did Sister Aqiao treat you when she came back? Did you complain?" "No, it looks very cold." "Have you packed your soft clothes, as if you are going to move out?" "No." Hu Xueyan replied, "Sitting there peeling off his nails and thinking about things, as if he didn't see me there at all." Just asking these two sentences is enough.Grandma Qigu nodded her head slowly, and said to herself, "That's right! She must have such an idea!"

Since the question and answer just now confirmed the memory, Hu Xueyan also had a sense of it.However, he would rather guess wrong, "Seventh Sister," he asked painfully, "Could it be that she has discussed it with her little sister, and she wants to show her face and go to 'make the room' by herself?" "Bitch!" blurted out a curse. "Uncle! Here, I want to dissatisfy sister Aqiao." Grandma Qigu revealed her true nature, and said righteously, "A person always has to find a home. She doesn't want to be humble, just for I feel that I am not from a good family. I have always been used to being free. I can’t stand the constraints of a big house. It’s not too much to say that I want to live outside. Since I can’t do it at this level, I have to find another way out. I can go where I came from. , Isn’t it a matter of course? Even if you are a good person, you can’t call a matchmaker to say: “I’m getting married, you can find a husband for me!” , Self-determination for life, it is being done."

Hearing her quarrel, Hu Xueyan calmed down and said with a smile: "Actually, if she wants to do this, she should discuss it with Seventh Sister first." "I didn't discuss it with me! I don't object to her doing this in my heart, and I don't agree with the reason why she will fall into the fire again. Sister Aqiao is a smart person, how can she show her mouth? I am worried about one thing now, I am afraid that she will hate you in her heart , will intentionally destroy your platform in the future.” "How to collapse?" Hu Xueyan smiled wryly, "As long as she falls into the water again, my platform will collapse her foot."

"That's not a broken foot. Tomorrow she will hang a sign of 'Hangzhou Huyu', that will look good!" One sentence made Hu Xueyan stunned.He has also heard people say that in the past two years, the "Flower Market" has been extremely prosperous, and there has been a kind of trick in the hall to prey on the wrongdoers. Find someone who is new to the flowers, dazzled by pearls and emerald greens, and drunk by pink powder. Zhixiang, a wealthy landowner whose ears are addicted to the groaning strings, before the banquet, under the quilt, has done enough tenderness and infatuation. It's just because of how many debts "Borrowing Waves" have, as long as they pay off the debts for her, she will belong to his family.Nothing else is required.

So he took advantage of her to pay off her debts and "offloaded the brand", and since then she has been in good health.Once she became a woman of a good family, she gradually became restless in the house, demanding all kinds of needs, greedy and greedy, and she would change her face if she was not satisfied. There was a small quarrel every three days, and a big quarrel every five days. disturbed.Only then did the injustice realize that he had been cheated, but it was too late to regret it!You have to spend another sum of money to ask her to walk. This pattern is called "淴浴".If you have cleared your debts and begged to go to court, the two have nothing to do with each other, and you still have a conscience.Some demon foxes who have been ruthless for many years come back after marriage, but they can't let go of being taken advantage of. They accept Zhang Shuwei under his surname, and even tell how her life after marriage is like at a feast, or the family's secrets and ugliness are indispensable. It takes money to be fine.

However, Sister Aqiao would not be so heartless.Hu Xueyan asked: "What good does it do for her to do this? She is a person with very clear reasoning. Why would she do such a thing that harms others and does not benefit herself?" "Uncle's words are very true. Sister Aqiao is not the kind of person. The matter has come to this stage, but it is easy to handle. Uncle, you leave it to me, and I will take care of you." Grandma Qigu then said , "Uncle, don't go back these two days! Live with me, or live in the bank, it's up to you, just don't meet Sister Aqiao."

Hu Xueyan really couldn't figure out what kind of medicine was sold in her gourd, so it would be useless to ask. For the current plan, he had no choice but to leave it alone and let her take care of it. So he said, "I'll live in the bank. I've invited Fatty Zhang to be my clerk, and I'll spend the next two days with him in the store to discuss future business." "Fatty Zhang is a reliable person. That's it! You go to your business, and I will come to Fukang to discuss things." That afternoon, Grandma Qigu went to see a person, the second child of Youwu's old acquaintance Yiqing.Back then, when the Songjiang Cao Gang was in trouble, the brothers had a hard time making a living. As the leader of the gang, You Wu, how could he be a golden house?Therefore, even though Yiqing's second child talked repeatedly, You Wu was still unwilling to "take the blame" for her.In a fit of anger, Yiqing's second child chose someone to do things, and married a child from a dilapidated family. He was frail and sick, and it was a pity that he had been less than two years old.Yiqing's second child has no need to keep the chastity for him, and in fact, he is not allowed to be a big wife, so she puts on her flag again, first as a "sir", and later as a "family", and she has broken ties with You Wuou, which continues to this day. Sister Aqiao was originally the person in Yiqing's second child's room. Grandma Qigu went to visit Yiqing's second child, first to find out what happened to Aqiao's plan to come back.What's more, he wanted to use the old relationship between her and Sister Aqiao to mediate.However, I am a woman from a good family, for the sake of Gu Yingchun's reputation, it is inconvenient to step into a prostitute's house, so I specially go to a restaurant where I am acquainted, and ask the servant to invite Yiqing's second child to meet. The two haven't seen each other for more than half a year.Since the relationship between each other has always been very good, they hold hands attentively and talk endlessly about warmth and warmth.Yiqing's second child questioned Qigu's grandma's family, and besides Youwu, she also asked about Hu Xueyan, which happened to give her a chance to tell. "I'm here today to discuss with you about our little uncle." Grandma Qigu said, "Sister Aqiao and Master Hu are breaking up." "Why?" Yiqing's second child asked in surprise, "Why don't you get along?" "Actually, there is nothing we can't get along with." Qigu's grandma rescued the Hu family and went to Shanghai. When talking about Aqiao's true heart, she kept emphasizing in her tone that the divorce was a foregone conclusion, and the marriage was irretrievable. After Yiqing's second child listened intently, her face became confused, "Sister Aqiao and I always meet once a month or two, why doesn't she come to talk to me about such a big matter?" She asked, "She and Mr. Hu What should we do after we break up? Suzhou can’t go back, and she can’t get used to living in the countryside.” "Yeah!" Grandma Qigu said, "No matter what she is, we all have a bond, and even Mr. Hu cares about her very much. A girl who is lonely must have a proper place to settle down." That's good. She seems to have made up her own mind. However, I don't think this idea is very wise. Second sister, do you know if she has any good sisters in Zhaofu?" The second child of Yiqing thought for a while and replied: "Yes. Before she came to my place, she wanted to help the sixth child, and she got along very well with Ah Jin who was in the same room. I also know Ah Jin. Now Just live in Zhaofu, with a little boy." "Ah Jin, what are you doing now?" "It's also a room now." "I'm afraid it's a good guess." Grandma Qigu recounted in detail Aqiao's private visit to Zhaofuli, and deduced that she was discussing with Ajin and wanted to go this way. "Strange! Why didn't she come to discuss with me?" "Second Sister, you are right. However, I would like to ask you, if Sister Aqiao wants to go this way, do you agree or not?" "Why would I agree? It's better not to eat this bowl of rice!" "That's right. She knows you won't be enthusiastic, why should she come to discuss with you?" "That's true." Yiqing's second child was still confused, "I don't understand. Why did she come back to 'touch sacrifice' this bowl of life-killing rice?" Grandma Qigu thinks that this is exactly what needs to be discussed.There are no more than three kinds of motives for Sister Aqiao's plan to fall into the dust again: the first is to make a living; the second is to take revenge on Hu Xueyan; The home of the whole life. "I'm thinking," Grandma Qigu talked about her own opinion after the analysis, "First, she doesn't have to worry about a hard life. She told me herself that she has a private house of twenty to thirty thousand silver in her hand, not to mention the time of breaking up. Mr. Hu always wants to give her a sum of money. As for revenge, after all, there is no deep hatred. If you want to be ugly, you must first ruin your reputation and make yourself ugly. She is not that kind of foolish person. After much deliberation, the only way One reason: I want to pick a good guest to marry!" "In order to get married, go into the water first? I've never heard of such a thing." Yiqing's second child shook her head greatly, "Unless you pick a little boy to keep in a small house like Ah Jin, choosing a good guest is a matter of choice." not reach." This can be heard from two aspects. On the one hand, it can be heard that Yiqing's second child always does not believe that Sister Aqiao will make such a bad move.And no matter from which side you listen, it can make Grandma Qigu feel relieved. "Second Sister, I don't believe that Sister Aqiao will go on this path. However, to open the skylight to speak frankly, I am helping my uncle on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is also for Sister Aqiao's benefit. Second Sister, In this matter, you have to help me for the sake of my fifth brother!" Yiqing's second child smiled embarrassingly, "Grandma Qigu, you should be punished for saying this! Is there anyone who refuses to listen to your order?" She questioned, "Why did you move out Fifth Young Master? " "It's my words that are wrong, don't get angry. Let's discuss seriously, I had an idea—" Grandma Qigu was planning a plan to transfer flowers to others, so she specially entrusted Mr. Qin in the cell to write to Langzhong Zhang in Ningbo, hoping to match him and Sister Aqiao to make a marriage.It was a very long story, Yiqing's second child listened to it from the beginning, and learned how Zhang Langzhong met Aqiao sister, and how he had fallen in love, flowed ruthlessly, and returned in a state of disappointment, and felt deeply sympathetic to him. "Grandma Qigu, I agree with your idea. However, it's hard to say whether it will succeed. The relationship between a man and a woman depends entirely on fate. It seems that sister Aqiao has no destiny with him." "No! At the beginning, it was because my young uncle was in the middle, and all my heart was on him. No matter how good Zhang Langzhong was, he would not like it. On the other hand, seeing that Sister Aqiao was in charge, she retreated in spite of the difficulties. In fact, in my opinion, since Sister Aqiao doesn't want to be someone else's concubine, it would be best to marry Langzhong Zhang. First, Langzhong Zhang's wife has passed away recently. In terms of his infatuation with Sister Aqiao, it's better to marry her. I am willing to go back to fill the house; second, Mr. Zhang is not very old." Grandma Qigu asked, "How old is Miss Aqiao?" "She is a sheep. This year—" Yiqing's second child counted with her fingers, and exclaimed, "This year is forty!" "She looks young, and you can't tell that she is forty. But she is always forty!" Grandma Qigu paused and said apologetically, "Second Sister, let me tell you, don't be angry, a forty-year-old is another With such a background, I'm afraid it's not easy to be the main wife of a family!" "It's not easy? It's hard to find it with a lantern." Yiqing's second child asked solemnly, "Grandma Qigu, how sure are you about Mr. Zhang?" "There is always a six or seven." "Sixty to seven points are quite sure. I will go to see sister Aqiao today and ask her what she means. If there is no such plan, it is naturally the best. If there is, I must stop her. In short, no matter what Whatever she plans, I must be a matchmaker." "You are the matchmaker of the woman's family, and I am the matchmaker of the man's family. It is a good thing that we must succeed with it." "Of course it's a good thing. However, it seems that Zhang Langzhong has been wronged." Speaking of this level, Grandma Qigu remembered the past when she was arranged by Hu Xueyan to worship Wang Youling's old lady as a foster daughter before she married Gu Yingchun, and she suddenly had inspiration again. "Second Sister, since you said that, let's discuss it, how can we raise Sister Aqiao's identity?" Grandma Qigu's arrangement was to ask Mrs. Hu to adopt Sister Aqiao as a foster daughter, so Hu Xueyan sang "Marrying a Sister" as "Uncle".This is what the ancients used to do, but at this time and this place, it seems very reasonable and thoughtful, Yiqing's second child naturally agrees, and is also happy for Sister Aqiao, thinking that by doing this, she has "achieved a positive result". Qigu's grandma was also very proud of her plan. She was in a hurry, but when she was in high spirits, she wanted to invite Yiqing's second child to see sister Aqiao together, gong and drum face to face, and thoroughly explained.On the contrary, Yiqing's second child is more prudent, thinking that she should meet with Ah Jin first, find out clearly and invite her to talk with her, it will be easier for sister Aqiao to be persuaded. "That's good!" Grandma Qigu asked, "Let's go and see Ah Jin." "This—" Yiqing's second child knew that Ah Jin was taboo against strangers because of his handsome face, but it was inconvenient to say so, so he lost his gun, "Grandma Qigu, it's inconvenient to go to her because of your status. I'll send someone to go Call her." So she called the young lady she had brought, and rushed to Zhaofuli to invite Ah Jin, and especially told him to take a "pheasant carriage", and urged Ah Jin to come with him. While waiting here, it is necessary to talk about homework again.In the words of Yiqing's second child, there was a sense of being tired of the world, but she never said that she would choose someone to be a good person. Grandma Qigu was quick in thinking and quick in speaking. "Second Sister, don't be single-minded and don't turn around, that's too stupid! You keep guarding my fifth brother, and you won't succeed until your hair turns gray. The reason for this, fifth brother must have told you. He took a Help, you have to be convincing when you do things, brother is so poor that he has no food to eat, and he has to set up another door, how do you think this is justified? Second sister, you should give up your heart!" Yiqing's second child had no words to answer, she was silent, and could only wipe her tears on her back.Grandma Qigu also felt sore and uncomfortable, but she was a little regretful, she shouldn't have spoken so bluntly. "To be honest," she said out of words to cover up the unnaturalness that both of them felt, "Mr. Zhang is a good man, and his family is decent. Why didn't I think that I should be a matchmaker for you long ago." "Thank you, Grandma Qigu! My life is not good. After eating this bowl of life-killing rice, I can't even think about being a kid. What are you talking about?" There was still resentment in the words.It made Grandma Qigu, who was always good at eloquence, unable to speak. Fortunately, Zhaofuli was not far from here, and a carriage quickly went back and forth, and brought Ajin.She had already heard from the little elder sister on the way, so when she saw Grandma Qigu, she didn't need to be introduced by Yiqing's second child, and asked very politely: "Is it Grandma Qigu from the You family? She is so decent!" "Don't dare to be it! This," Grandma Qigu asked Yiqing's second child, "I think it's Sister Ajin?" "Yes!" Yiqing's second child was the host, first asked for food and drinks for Ajin, and then said straight to the point, "Grandma Qigu specially invited you here to care about Sister Aqiao, and wanted to ask you, these two days, Aqiao Did sister go to your place?" "She used to come to my place." "Sister Ah Jin," Grandma Qigu said, "We are the first meeting, the second elder sister knows me, and she is straightforward. If I can't speak, please don't get angry." This is because when Ah Jin and Yiqing's second child talked about Sister Aqiao, they immediately confronted each other. Grandma Qigu was afraid that her words would be stiff, which would not help the matter, but would hurt the friendship, so she greeted her first. Ah Jin is also a person who has experienced the world for a long time and is well-versed in the world. He knows that the answer "she often comes to me" has a blunt tone, which implies hostility, and becomes a slip of the tongue.So I apologized and replied: "Grandma Qigu, you are serious! My mouth is stupid. The second elder sister is a good sister, so you don't have to be polite. You must not give my heart too much!" Since both of them are humble, there is no need to explain more, but it seems that there is a real opinion.However, there are some things that Qigu's grandma is inconvenient to ask because of their first friendship, so it is more appropriate for Yiqing's second child to speak.So he responded with a smile and threw a wink to the side. Yiqing's second child nodded, and then explained the reason to Ajin in a calm tone: "Sister Aqiao had a disagreement with Mr. Hu. 'It's hard for an upright official to decide on housework', so there's no need to talk about it. All in all, I'm afraid we're going to break up. Grandma Qigu and Sister Aqiao have always had a good relationship. It was Grandma Qigu who made their marriage in the first place. Anyway, she can't help but care about Sister Aqiao. I just asked me specifically to ask, I really don't know. I haven't seen Miss Aqiao for a long time. I heard that she has been to your place in the past two days. She must have talked with you. What is her plan?" "Oh," Ah Jin answered immediately after listening, but turned to Qi Gu's grandma, "How is the relationship between Sister Ah Qiao and Master Hu?" "Not bad!" "That's strange!" Ah Jin said in confusion. "Every time she comes, she always blames her life for suffering. I asked her: How is Master Hu treating you? She always shakes her head and refuses to say anything. It seems——" Although she didn't say the following sentence, she could guess it.This time, it was Grandma Qigu's turn to be confused, "Why did Sister Aqiao make such an expression?" She asked, "It's a recent thing that they want to break up, just because Master Hu's family is coming to Shanghai , the eldest wife does not allow the master to set up another house outside, and Sister Aqiao refuses to enter his house, so that a stalemate has arisen. Speaking of the past, I can't see any disagreement between them!" Ah Jin nodded, "I don't want to talk about it." Her face was gloomy, "Maybe it's my fault. I have a cousin, who is now the head teacher of Baiyi Nunnery in Fahua Town. , I always come to see me, and sometimes I meet Aqiao sister, and the two of them talk very enthusiastically. Our teacher's wife is nothing more than "the past life should not cultivate the suffering of the present life", and persuades her to practice the next life. This is nothing more than It's a cliché of the monks, but I don't know that Sister Aqiao is a little fascinated." After saying this in one breath, Grandma Qigu realized that her guess was completely wrong!According to this passage, sister Aqiao's visit to Ajin may have something to do with that teacher, not because she wants to make a room.So he hurriedly asked, "How did you become obsessed?" "It's really unexpected. She came to ask me the address of Baiyi'an that day. I told her, and then asked her why she asked for the address. She refused to say it at first, but was forced to tell the truth: she wanted to go to Baiyi's nunnery. Monk!" Grandma Qigu turned pale with shock: "A nun?" "Who knows?" Ah Jin replied melancholy, "I persuaded her all night, but she never said a single word. Whether she changed her mind or not, no one can guess." "I guess not." Yiqing's second child had a calm expression, "Sister Aqiao has been used to eating and drinking for many years, and has never lived a hard life. She can't survive a day of the hardships in the nunnery. .In my opinion--" She refused to go on, and the words would be harsh. According to Qigu's grandma, sister Aqiao may not go on this road.In addition to comforting herself, she has other things on her mind. She doesn't want to fall into the world again, which can be a relief, but this kind of determination is actually a sign that she is holding on to Hu Xueyan.Looks like there's more trouble than that. "What should I do now?" Grandma Qigu sighed, "I don't know what to do anymore." Yiqing's second child has been with her for many years, and she has never seen her look so helpless.Half for her, half for Sister Aqiao, she felt it was her duty to do her part at this time. "Sister Aqiao won't be able to become a nun if she loses her hair. It's nothing but discouragement! We all think of a way for her!" Yiqing's second child said to Ajin, "She is forty years old this year. With age, what else is there to mess with? Grandma Qigu is going to be a matchmaker for her..." After hearing her talk about Zhang Langzhong, Ah Jin was also quite excited: "With such a fate, why do you still want to be a nun!" She said, "It's rare that Grandma Qigu is enthusiastic, we and Sister Aqiao are little sisters, so we should work harder. The success of this matchmaker is really a good thing of your hard work. I think we are useless to talk here, why don't we go to see her now, I don't believe that three mouths can't talk about her." Because Yiqing's second child and Ah Jin were very active, Grandma Qigu's confidence also recovered, she thought for a while and asked, "Sister Ah Jin, Second Sister, are you determined to help Sister Aqiao?" "Naturally." Yiqing's second child said, "As long as I can help." "Okay! Then listen to me, you two. Everything can be done slowly, and as long as you work hard, you can grind an iron pestle into a needle. From today on, we simply ask Mr. Hu not to meet Aqiao again. Her mind was diverted to make her forget that there was a person surnamed Hu. Of course, this is not a matter of three or two days, so I will ask the two first, if I really want to help her, I must work hard. From today onwards, the three of us will cling to her, watch plays, listen to books, eat big dishes, drive in carriages, watch foreign circuses, and go with her wherever there is fun. She refuses to go, so she says we want to play. People always She is too shy to say no to people who value affection, and she's too shy to spoil everyone's happiness by crying. At night, we live with her in different shifts, keeping an eye on her and chatting with her to relieve boredom. After a month and twenty days, her mood will be different. At that time, if you mention Langzhong Zhang to her, things will be easy to succeed! As for the expenses spent playing outside these days, let me put it bluntly, I still need it Come on, it's all mine!" "Second Elder Sister!" Ah Jin took a deep breath, "Grandma Qigu is so bloody, we have to follow her after all. However, it's not good for Grandma Qigu to spend alone." "Of course." Yiqing's second child said to Grandma Qigu, "Everything is up to you, only this one, please don't fight, everyone takes turns. Today is me. Let's go, invite her to come out to watch 'Yang Houzi' .” So Yiqing's second child settled the bill, and the waiter brought the bill, on which she drew a monogram that only she could recognize.This was originally a Western rule, called "signature", which means acknowledging the existence of this account.Originally I wanted to write my name, but if I can’t read, I can just paint it casually, as long as I follow the rules. The three of them took the little eldest sister with them, squeezed into two "pheasant carriages", and drove them straight to Sister Aqiao's apartment.When I got out of the car, I felt something strange. The door was half opened, but no one answered. Grandma Qigu then raised her voice and shouted: "Ah Xiang, Ah Fu!" Ah Xiang and Ah Fu were missing, and a person hurried down the stairs, with long braids dangling, and a panic-stricken face, it was Aqiao's girl, Suxiang. The three of them looked at each other, and they all guessed what was going on.Grandma Qigu was very calm when she encountered this situation, and reassured her: "Suxiang, don't worry! Speak slowly if you have something to say." "Grandma is gone!" Suxiang said in a crying voice, "I don't know where she went!" Tell her to speak slowly, but she still speaks without thinking, Grandma Qigu had no choice but to ask: "How do you know your grandma is missing? When did she leave the house?" "As soon as the master left, she asked me to buy silk thread at the Xiangfen Lane, and sent Axiang to call Mi for firewood. When I came back with Axiang, she didn't know when she went out, and even the door was closed. I don't know. Looking at the back door, it was half open. I didn't come back until three o'clock in the second half of the day. I went into the room to check, and a small jewelry box was gone, and there were fewer changes of clothes. This--this ——" Suxiang was anxious, not knowing how to express her thoughts. Needless to say, it is natural to go to the teacher's wife.Grandma Qigu gasped and stared blankly at her companion.Yiqing's second child asked, "Suxiang, does your master know?" "I don't know." Su Xiang replied, "Ah Xiang and the sedan chair troupe went to find the master." "Your master is in the bank." Grandma Qigu said, "Look, who else is there in the sedan chair class? Hurry up and tell me, please come here, I have something urgent to say." At this moment, Hu Xueyan had already arrived, along with Xiao Jiaji.Hu Xueyan is familiar with Yiqing's second child, but it's the first time he and Ajin have met, but at this time, he has no time to ask in detail, and because there are strangers, he must be extra calm, so as not to make "family ugliness" public, so he just nodded and asked calmly: "Why are you two here?" "We met." Grandma Qigu replied, "If you have something to say, go inside and talk." After entering the living room, she introduced A Jin to Hu Xueyan.The words were about to reach an important point, but it was not appropriate for Suxiang and Ah Xiang to hear them, so she asked to talk to Hu Xueyan alone. "I know where Sister Aqiao went. It's in Fahua Town, a nunnery. It's not too late. I'm going to look for her now. I think," Grandma Qigu said hesitantly, "Sister Ajin and I have to go. Go alone, you should not meet her." Hu Xueyan was puzzled, "What's going on?" He asked, "Why do you know her whereabouts again? What happened to that Sister Ajin?" "I can't go into details at this time. Uncle, you can just arrange for us to go to Fahua." "The area around Fahua is full of Huai troops from Anqing. I don't know if it's easy to go or not!" "It doesn't matter!" Xiao Jiaji said, "I'll go there." "Excellent! It's best for you to go." Grandma Qigu said happily, because Xiao Jiaji knew the generals of the Huai Army very well, so going here must be very convenient. "Seventh sister, I think I should go." Hu Xueyan said, "It doesn't matter if we don't meet, at least let her know that I don't care about her. What do you think?" "I'm afraid that when you meet, you will quarrel and the situation will end badly. Since my uncle said so, it doesn't matter if you go." When we arrived in Defahua Town, it was dusk.Xiao Jiaji went to find a battalion officer under Cheng Jiaqi, a general of the Huai Army. His surname was Zhu, and he was very hearty and enthusiastic.Ask them why they came here, treat them to a meal, and then order one of the subordinates to find the general, Bao Laohu, and tell them what happened. "Okay, okay! I'll lead the way." Lao Hu said, "The three of you please follow me." So facing the moonlight, I headed eastward, and after a short walk, I turned into an alley. There was a house at the bottom of the alley. There was a whitewashed wall, and the flowers and trees in the wall were flourishing. The rich scent of "Pumber primrose" makes everyone feel refreshed, but a heart is wandering for no reason, and there is an indescribable feeling of melancholy. This feeling was especially felt by Xiao Jiaji, and he couldn't help asking: "What kind of place is this?" "Here?" Dibao replied, "It's Baiyi Nunnery. Come at night, you have to go through the side door." The side door is a thick wooden door, above which there is an unnoticed oblate iron ring.Dibao stretched out his hand and pulled it twice, only to hear the sound of "clang, clang".Soon, footsteps were heard, and then the door opened a little, and someone asked, "Who is that?" "Xiaoyin, it's me!" "Oh!" asked the little voice inside the door, "Old Hu, what are you doing here?" "Have you seen any guests?" Dibao pointed to the people behind and said, "You tell Master Chen that I brought them here." The door opened with a bang.Where the light shines, Xiaoyin is a girl with hanging hair dressed in secular clothes.After all the guests have entered the door, close the door, and then walk forward without saying a word, through a flower path, across two corridors, and arrive at a Zen room, which seems to be a place for guests.She stopped and looked at Di Bao Lao Hu. Old Hu hesitated a little, "Master!" He bent down and asked, "Should I sit here with you all the time?" What's the point?Do it naturally.So Lao Hu whispered a few words to Xiaoyin, and then motioned Hu Xueyan to follow Xiaoyin. Passing through the meditation room is a large courtyard, winding to the west corridor, but the shadows of people and flowers are reflected on the white powder wall, and the shadow of a cat, with its back arched, is "calling spring" on the east roof ridge.Xiao Jiaji gently bumped Hu Xueyan with his elbow, and at the same time he was saying: "'The winding path leads to a secluded place, and the meditation room is deep in flowers and trees'!" Hu Xueyan also saw something strange about this Baiyi Nunnery.But Xiao Jiaji's behavior was close to sloppy, not the way of worshiping Buddha, so he coughed and signaled him to be careful. So silently followed Xiaoyin into another courtyard, a courtyard of trees, three jacarandas, and the fragrance of sandalwood flowers.Xiao Jiaji couldn't help but praise: "What an elegant place!" "Please sit inside." Xiaoyin opened the door curtain to be silent, "I went to invite Master Chen." After she finished speaking, she let herself go. The two entered the room and saw that there was a white porcelain Guanyin at the top of the room, a row of natural-colored cypress chairs on the east, and a huge wooden couch on the west, covered with Shu brocade cotton mats.The flowers in the vase are blooming, the incense is curling up, and it is accompanied by a Guqin, which is elegantly arranged.But all of this is nothing compared to a horizontal drape hanging above the wooden couch, which attracted Xiao Jiaji's attention even more. "Mr. Hu!" Xiao Jiaji looked excited, "Look!" There are three poems on the horizontal drape, and Hu Xueyan finally managed to read the sentences: Leisurely knocking at the Zen Gate to visit Su'e, the altar of altar medicine is covered with pineapple, a courtyard of osmanthus welcomes people, and there are many books on the wall to offer Buddhas. I should be ashamed of Song Yu for writing Fu, and Nianhuaqing is with Vimalakirti.The heart of dust is gone here, and the front edge of fine taste is always the devil! It is said in the old days that Chang'e flew to the moon to count, and now she knocks on the cloud house and locks Siluo. The mystery of talent should not be let go. There are too many Sun Chuojue, who is half divided into upasaka?Waiting to realize the three vehicles Aguma.When will Yipu set up food together, and send poetry demons to cool the world. There are a lot of laughs on the group flower list, Zili Yunfang lives today.You left a good sentence for your self-pity. I once hit the festival and listened to the high songs.Decorate the chrysanthemums under the fence in the autumn light, and devote your thoughts to the Zen demon. Hu Xueyan is not as good as Xiao Jiaji in terms of writing and ink. He doesn't know who Song Yu and Sun Chuo are, and he doesn't know that Xuanji refers to the female Taoist priest Yu Xuanji of the Tang Dynasty.The references in the Buddhist scriptures are even more inexplicable.However, the tone in the poem is not like that of a female monk with strict discipline, but it can be seen.So he asked in amazement: "What kind of hall is this?" "Just watch it." Xiao Jiaji replied softly, "This Master Liaochen is either from Jiaxing or Kunshan, or from Zhenze or Shengze." Hu Xueyan doesn't know what is different about the nuns in Kunshan, but the nuns in Jiaxing have personally learned.The customs of Zhenze and Shengze, when he was in Wujiang Tongli, he also heard people say that these two places are rich in silk, the place is rich, and the customs are extravagant.Shengze pays attention to banquets in a nunnery, and a table of vegetarian banquets is more expensive than a banquet of swallow dishes.It is said that it is seasoned with fat chicken and high-quality ham, so it is delicious.The cooking of Zhenze Nunnery is also famous, with both meat and vegetables, which is not inferior to Wuxi's boat dishes.Of course, in addition to delicious food, there are also delicious beauty. Reminiscing in this way, when I first met Lao Hu and said that there was "no inconvenience" in visiting Baiyi Nunnery at night, I thought of it all the way to the scene in front of me. I felt that Xiao Jiaji's opinion was confirmed everywhere, so I became curious and eager to see it. See what the dust looks like. Xiao Jiaji seemed calmer than him, "Mr. Hu," he said, "I'm afraid I made a mistake! Sister Aqiao won't be here." "How did you see that?" "Here, where is the place where Zhu Fa practices?" Just as Hu Xueyan was about to answer, he caught a glimpse of a white gauze lantern slowly approaching outside the glass window, so he kept silent and got up to wait at the same time.When the door curtain opened, I saw Xiaoyin first, and then I saw Chen—if I hadn’t predicted it, I wouldn’t believe that what I saw was a monk. Of course, she is not dressed in a purely secular way, she has never "combed her hair in three locks and dressed in two", her hair is shoulder length, and she is wearing a round neck gown.说它是僧袍固然可以，但僧袍不会用那种闪闪生光的玄色软缎来做，更不会窄腰小袖，裁剪得那么得体。 看到脸上，更不像出家人，虽未敷粉，却曾施朱。她的皮肤本来就白，亦无须敷粉。特别是那双眼睛，初看是剪水双瞳，再看才知别蕴春情。 是这样的人物，便不宜过于持重拘谨，胡雪岩笑嘻嘻地双掌合十，打个问讯：“可是了尘师太？” “我是了尘。施主尊姓？” “我姓胡。这位姓萧。” 于是了尘一一行礼，请“施主”落座，她自己盘腿坐在木榻上相陪，动问来意。 “原是来见当家老师太的，听地保老胡说，宝庵其实是由了尘师太当家。有点小事打听，请我这位萧老弟说吧！” 萧家骥点点头，不谈来意却先问道：“听了尘师太的口音是震泽人？” 了尘脸上一红：“是的。” “这三首诗，”萧家骥向她上方一指，“好得很！” “也是三位施主，一时雅兴，疯言疯语的，无奈他何！”说着，了尘微微笑了，“萧施主在震泽住过？” “是的。住过一年多，那时还是小孩子，什么都不懂。” “意思是现在都懂了？” 这样率直反问，有些咄咄逼人的意味，萧家骥自非弱者，不会艰于应付，从容自若地答道：“也还不十分懂，改日再来领教。今天有件事，要请了尘师太务必帮个忙。” “言重！请吩咐，只怕帮不了什么忙。” “只要肯帮忙，只是一句话的事。”萧家骥问道，“白衣庵今天可有一位堂客，是来求当家老师太收容的？这位堂客是闹家务一时想不开，或许她跟当家师太说过，为她瞒一瞒行迹。倘或如此，她就害了白衣庵了！” 了尘颜色一变，是受惊的神气，望望这个，又望望那个，终于点点头说：“有的。可就是这位胡施主的宝眷？” 果然在这里，一旦证实了全力所追求的消息，反倒不知所措。萧家骥与胡雪岩对望着，沉默着，交换的眼色中，提出了同样的疑问：阿巧姐投身在这白衣庵中，到底是为了什么？ 若说为了修行，诚如萧家骥所说：“这里，哪是祝发修行的地方？”倘使不是为了修行，那么非杨即墨，阿巧姐便是另一个了尘。这一层不先弄明白，不能有所决定，这一层要弄明白，却又不知如何着手。 终于是胡雪岩作了一个决定，“了尘师太，我请这位萧老弟先跟敝眷见一面。不知道行不行？” “有什么不行？这样最好。不过，我得先问一问她。” 由于了尘赞成萧家骥跟阿巧姐见面，因而可以猜想得到，所谓“问一问她”，其实是劝一劝她。反正只要了尘肯帮忙，一定能够见得着面，胡雪岩和萧家骥就都无话说，愿意静等。 等了尘一走，萧家骥问道：“胡先生，见了阿巧姐，我怎么说？” “我只奇怪，”胡雪岩答非所问，“这里是怎样一处地方，莫非那个什么阿金一点都不晓得？” “现在没有工夫去追究这个疑问。胡先生，你只说我见了阿巧姐该怎么样？” “什么都不必说，只问问她，到底作何打算。问清楚了，回去跟你师娘商量。” 跟阿巧姐见面的地方，是当家老师太养静的那座院子。陈设比不上了尘的屋子，但亦比其他的尼姑庵来得精致，见得白衣庵相当富庶，如果不是有大笔不动产，可以按期坐收租息，便是有丰富的香金收入。 阿巧姐容颜憔悴，见了萧家骥眼圈都红了。招呼过后，萧家骥开门见山地问：“阿巧姐，你怎么想了想，跑到这地方来了？” “我老早想来了。做人无味，修修来世。” 这是说，她的本意是要出家。萧家骥便问：“这里你以前来过没有？” "No." 怕隔墙有耳，萧家骥话不能明说，想了一下，记起胡雪岩的疑问，随即问道：“阿金呢？她来过没有？”这意思是问，阿金如果来过，当然知道这里的情形，莫非不曾跟你说过？ 阿巧姐摇摇头：“也没有。” “那就难怪了！” 话只能说这一句，而阿巧姐似乎是了解的，幽幽地叹了口无声的气，仿佛也是有好些话无法畅所欲言似的。 “现在怎么样呢？”萧家骥问道，“你总有个打算。” “我——”阿巧姐说，“我先住在这里。慢慢打算。” “也好。”萧家骥说，“明天，我师娘会来看你。” “不要！”阿巧姐断然决然地说，“请她不要来。” This is very strange!能见一个像自己这样渊源不深的男客，倒不愿见一向交好的七姑奶奶，而且语气决绝，其中必有缘故。 他的思路很快，想得既宽且深，所以在这些地方，格外谨慎，想了一下说：“阿巧姐，我晓得你跟我师娘，感情一向很好，你这话，我回去是不是照实说？” “为什么不能照实说？” “那么，我师娘问我：为啥她不要我去？我怎么答复她？” 问到这话，阿巧姐脸上出现了一种怨恨的表情。“我俗家的亲戚朋友都断了！”她说，“所以不要她来看我，来了我也不见。” 语气越发决绝，加上她那种脸色，竟似跟七姑奶奶有不解之仇。萧家骥大为惊骇，可是说话却更谨慎了。 “阿巧姐，”他旁敲侧击地探索真相，“我不也俗家人吗？” 这一问算是捉住她话中一个无法辩解的漏洞。她脸上阴晴不定地好半天，终于有了答复：“萧少爷，说实话，我是怕你师娘。她手段厉害，我弄不过她。再说句实话，做人无味，教人灰心，也就是为了这一点，自以为是心换心的好朋友，哪知道两面三刀，帮着别人来算计我。真正心都凉透了！萧少爷，这话你一定奇怪，一定不相信。不过，你也要想想，我三十多岁的人，各种各样的世面也见识过，总还不至于连人好人坏都看不出，无缘无故冤枉你师娘。你师娘啊，真正是——”她摇摇头，不肯再说下去。 这番话，在萧家骥简直是震动了！他实在不明白，也不能接受她对七姑奶奶这样严酷的批评，愣了好一会才说：“阿巧姐到底为了啥？我实在想不通！请你说给我听听看。如果是师娘不对，我们做晚辈的，当然不敢说什么，不过肚子里的是非是有的。” “如果，萧少爷，你肯当着菩萨起誓，什么话只摆在肚子里，我就说给你听。” “你是说，你的话不能告诉我师父、师娘？” "correct." “好！我起誓：如果阿巧姐对我说的话，我告诉了我师父师娘，叫我天打雷劈。” 阿巧姐点头表示满意，然后说道：“你师娘真叫'又做师娘又做鬼'。” 用这句苛刻的批评开头，阿巧姐将七姑奶奶几次劝她的话“夹叙夹议”地从头细诉。照她的看法，完全是七姑奶奶有意要拆散她跟胡雪岩的姻缘，七姑奶奶劝她委屈，入门见礼正正式式做胡家的偏房，看似好意，其实是虚情，因为明知她决不愿这么做，就尽不妨这么说，好逼得不能不下堂求去。 对胡雪岩，七姑奶奶在她面前一再说他“滑头”，“没常性，见一个爱一个”，听来是骂胡雪岩而其实是帮他。 “萧少爷你想，你这位师娘开口'小爷叔'，闭口“小爷叔”，敬得他来像菩萨。就算他真的'滑头'、'没常性'，又怎好去说他？”阿巧姐说到这里很激动了，“我先倒也当她生来爽直，真的是为我抱不平，所以有啥说啥。后来越想越不对，前前后后，想了又想，才晓得她的意思，无非说胡某人怎么样不是人，犯不着再跟他而已！” 听她对七姑奶奶的指责，实在不无道理。但越觉得她有道理，越觉得心里难过，因为萧家骥对他的这位师娘，有如幼弟之于长姐，既敬且爱。多少年来存在心目中的一个豪爽、正直、热心、慷慨的完美印象，此时似乎发现了裂痕，怎不叫人痛心？ 因此，他竟没有一句话说。这一方面是感到对阿巧姐安慰，或为七姑奶奶辩护都不甚合适，另一方面也实在是沮丧得什么话都懒得说了。 一见萧家骥的脸色，胡雪岩吓一大跳，他倒像害了一场病似的。何以跟阿巧姐见了一次面，有这样的似乎受了极大刺激的神情？令人惊疑莫释，而又苦于不便深问，只问得一句：“见过面了？” “见过了。我们谢过了尘师太，告辞吧！” 了尘又变得很沉着了，她也不提阿巧姐，只殷勤地请胡雪岩与萧家骥再来“随喜”。尼姑庵中何以请男施主来随喜？这话听来便令人有异样之感，只是无暇去分辨她的言外之意。不过，胡雪岩对人情应酬上的过节，一向不会忽略，想到有件事该做，随即说了出来：“请问，缘簿在哪里？” “不必客气了！” 胡雪岩已经发现，黄色封面的缘簿，就挂在墙壁上，便随手摘下，交给萧家骥说：“请你写一写，写一百两银子。” “太多了！”了尘接口说道，“如果说是为了宝眷住在我们这里，要写这么多，那也用不着！出家人受十方供养，也供养十方，不必胡施主费心。” “那是两回事。”萧家骥越出他的范围，代为回答，“各人尽各人的心意。” 接着，萧家骥便用现成的笔砚，写了缘簿，胡雪岩取一张一百两的银票，夹在缘簿中一起放在桌上，随即告辞出庵。 回营谢过朱管带，仍旧由原来护送的人送回上海。一路奔驰，无暇交谈，到了闹区，萧家骥才勒住马说道：“胡先生，到你府上去细谈。” 于是遣走了那名马弁，一起到胡雪岩与阿巧姐双栖之处。粉奁犹香，明镜如昨，但却别有一股凄凉的意味。胡雪岩换了一个地方，在他书房中闭门深谈。 听萧家骥转述了阿巧姐的愤慨之词，胡雪岩才知道他为何有那样的痛苦的神态。当然，在胡雪岩也很难过。自他认识七姑奶奶以来，从未听见有人对她有这样严苛的批评，如今为了自己，使她在阿巧姐口中落了个阴险小人的名声，想想实在对不起七姑奶奶。 “胡先生，”萧家骥将一路上不断在想的一句话，问了出来，“我师娘是不是真的像阿巧姐所说的那样，是有意耍手段？” “是的。”胡雪岩点点头，“这是她过于热心之故。阿巧姐的话，大致都对，只有一点她弄错了。你师娘这样做，实实在在是为她打算。” 接着胡雪岩便为七姑奶奶解释，她是真正替阿巧姐的终身打算，既然不愿做偏房，不如分手，择人而事。他虽不知道七姑奶奶有意为阿巧姐与张郎中撮合，但他相信，以七姑奶奶的热心待人，一定会替阿巧姐觅个妥当的归宿。 这番解释，萧家骥完全能够接受，甚至可以说，他所希望的，就是这样一番能为七姑奶奶洗刷恶名的解释。因此神态顿时不同，轻快欣慰，仿佛卸下了肩上的重担似的。 “原说呢，我师娘怎么会做这种事？她如果听说阿巧姐是这样深的误会，不知道要气成什么样子？” “对了！”胡雪岩矍然惊觉，“阿巧姐的话，绝对不能跟她说。” “不说又怎么交代？” 于是两个人商量如何搪塞七姑奶奶。说没有找到，她会再托阿金去找，说是已经祝发，决不肯再回家，她一定亦不会死心，自己找到白衣庵去碰钉子。想来想去没有妥当的办法。 丢下这层不谈，萧家骥问道：“胡先生，那么你对阿巧姐，究竟作何打算呢？” 这话也使得胡雪岩很难回答，心里转了好半天的念头，付之一叹：“我只有挨骂了！” “这是说，决定割舍？” “不割舍又如何？” “那就这样，索性置之不理。”萧家骥说，“心肠要硬就硬到底！” “是我自己良心上的事。”胡雪岩说，“置之不理，似乎也不是办法。” “怎么才是办法？”萧家骥说，“要阿巧姐心甘情愿地分手，是办不到的事。” “不求她心甘情愿，只望她咽得下那口气。”胡雪岩作了决定，“我想这样子办——” 他的办法是一方面用缓兵之计，稳住七姑奶奶，只说阿巧姐由白衣庵的当家师太介绍，已远赴他乡，目前正派人追下去劝驾了，一方面要拜托怡情老二转托阿金：第一，帮着瞒谎，不能在七姑奶奶面前道破真相；第二，请她跟阿巧姐去见一面，转达一句话，不管阿巧姐要干什么，祝发也好，从良也好，乃至于步了尘的后尘也好，胡雪岩都不会干预，而且预备送她一大笔钱。 说完了他的打算，胡雪岩自己亦有如释重负之感，因为牵缠多日，终于有了快刀斩乱麻的处置。而在萧家骥，虽并不以为这是一个好办法，只是除此以外，别无善策，而况毕竟事不干己，要想使劲出力也用不上，只有点点头表示赞成。 “事不宜迟，你师娘还在等回音，该干什么干什么，今天晚上还要辛苦你。” “胡先生的事就等于我师父的事，”萧家骥想了一下说，“我们先去看怡情老二。” 到了怡情老二那里，灯红酒绿，夜正未央。不过她是“本家”，另有自己的“小房子”。好在相去不远，“相帮”领着，片刻就到。入门之时，正听得客厅里的自鸣钟打十二下，怡情老二虽不曾睡，却已上楼回卧室了。 听得小大姐一报，她请客人上楼。端午将近的天气，相当闷热。她穿一件家常绸夹袄对客，袖管很大也很短，露出两弯雪白的膀子，一只手膀上戴一支金镯，一只手腕上戴一支翠镯，丰容盛鬋，一副福相。这使得萧家骥又生感触，相形之下，越觉得阿巧姐憔悴可怜。 由于胡、萧二人是初次光临，怡情老二少不得有一番周旋，倒茶摆果碟子，还要“开灯”请客人“躺一息”。主人殷勤，客人当然也要故作闲豫，先说些不相干的话，然后谈入正题。 萧家骥刚说得一句“阿巧姐果然在白衣庵”，小大姐端着托盘进房，于是小酌消夜，一面细谈此行经过。萧家骥话完，胡雪岩接着开口，拜托怡情老二从中斡旋。 一直静听不语的怡情老二，不即置答。事情太离奇了，她竟一时摸不清头绪，眨着眼想了好一会才摇摇头说：“胡老爷，我看事情不是这么做法。这件事少不得七姑奶奶！” 接着，她谈到张郎中，认为七姑奶奶的做法是正办。至于阿巧姐有所误会，无论如何是解释得清楚的。为今之计，只有设法将阿巧姐劝了回来，化解误会，消除怨恨，归嫁张宅，这一切只要大家同心协心花功夫下去，一定可以有圆满的结局。 “阿金不必让她插手了，决绝的话，更不可以说。现在阿巧姐的心思想偏了，要耐心拿它慢慢扭过来。七姑奶奶脾气虽毛糙，倒是最肯体恤人、最肯顾大局，阿巧姐的误会，她肯原谅的，也肯委屈的。不过话可以跟她说明白，犯不着让她到白衣庵去碰钉子。我看，胡老爷——” 她有意不再说下去，是希望胡雪岩有所意会，自动作一个表示。而胡雪岩的心思很乱，不耐细想，率直问道：“二阿姐，你要说啥？” “我说，胡老爷，你委屈一点，明天再亲自到白衣庵去一趟，赔个笑脸，说两句好话，拿阿巧姐先劝了回来再说。” 这个要求，胡雪岩答应不下。三番两次，牵缠不清，以致搁下好多正事不能办，他心里实在也厌倦了。如今好不容易有了个快刀斩乱麻的措施，却又不能实行，反转要跟阿巧姐去赔笑脸，说好话，不但有些于心不甘，也怕她以为自己回心转意，觉得少不得她，越发牵缠得紧，岂不是更招麻烦？ 看他面有难色，怡情老二颇为着急，“胡老爷，”她说，“别样见识，我万万不及你们做官的老爷们，只有这件事上，我有把握。为啥呢？女人的心思，只有女人晓得。再说，阿巧姐跟我相处也不止一年，她的性情，我当然摸得透。胡老爷，我说的是好话，你不听会懊悔！” 胡雪岩本对怡情老二有些成见，觉得她未免有所袒护，再听她这番话，成见自然加深，所以一时并无表示，只作个沉吟的样子，当作不以为然的答复。 萧家骥旁观者清，一方面觉得怡情老二的话虽说得率直了些，而做法是高明的。另一方面又知道胡雪岩的心境，这时不便固劝，越劝越坏。好在阿巧姐的下落明了，在白衣庵多住些日子亦不要紧。为了避免造成僵局，只有照“事缓则圆”这句话去做。 “胡先生也有胡先生的难处，不过你的宗旨是对的！”他加重了语气，同时对怡情老二使个眼色，“慢慢来，迟早要拿事情办通的。” “也好。请萧少爷劝劝胡老爷！” “我知道，我知道。”萧家骥连声答应，“明天我给你回话。今天不早了，走吧！” 辞别出门，胡雪岩步履蹒跚，真有心力交瘁之感。萧家骥当然亦不便多说，只问一句：“胡先生，你今天歇在哪里？我送你去。” “我到钱庄里去睡。”胡雪岩说道，“你今天还要不要去见你师娘？” “今天就不必去了。这么晚！” “好的。”胡雪岩沉吟了一会，皱眉摇头，显得不胜其烦似的，“等一两天再说吧！我真的脑筋都笨了，从来没有见过这种拉拉扯扯、弄不清爽的麻烦！” “那么，”萧家骥低声下气地，倒像自己惹上了麻烦，向人求教那样，“明天见了我师娘，我应当怎么说？” 这一次胡雪岩答得非常爽脆：“只要不伤你师娘的心，怎么说都可以。” 回到钱庄，只为心里懊恼，胡雪岩在床上辗转反侧，直到市声渐起，方始朦胧睡去。 正好梦方酣之时，突然被人推醒，睁开涩重的睡眼，只见萧家骥笑嘻嘻地站在床前，“胡先生，”他说，“宝眷都到了！” 胡雪岩睡意全消，一骨碌地翻身而起，一面掀被，一面问道：“在哪里？” “先到我师娘那里，一翻皇历，恰好是宜于进屋的好日子，决定此刻就回新居。师娘着我来通知胡先生。” 于是胡家母子夫妇父女相聚，恍如隔世，全家大小，呜咽不止，还有七姑奶奶在一旁陪