Chapter 20 2. Mrs. Bai

The sudden and slow sound of silk and bamboo is like the autumn wind blowing leaves, gently swaying in the air, and like a thousand weeping willows, entangled and intertwined for a long time in this mottled world.The maids playing the music were either kneeling or standing, all wearing half-sleeved blouses, with rouge on their lips and thick ink between their eyebrows, holding delicate shengxiao flute pipes, their slender and white fingertips touching the thin round Back and forth on the sound hole. Facing the small window covered with eight-petal lotus flowers, He Yan felt a little chilled by the frosty wind.The robe he was wearing was very loose and not close to the body, it was as loose as the shriveled withered lotus covering the pond outside the window; the inside was empty, like a huge and flashy mansion of a famous family, Behind the door is the gray broken bricks and tiles, but it is just a near-empty ruin, exuding a beautiful decadence.

"Goodness has its origin, and things have their meeting. The world is different and returns to the same goal, and all concerns are the same. If you can know its origin, then everyone will do good deeds. Therefore, you don't need to learn more, just know it." He Yanfu wrote this in the letter, put down the pen, and was attracted by the silk music of the maids: the sound of the flute and flute is euphemistic, like the moaning of a woman in the Cuixiang courtyard, faintly dripping with romantic love obscene.He doesn't really like this kind of music, but compared to those honest and grand elegant music, he is more willing to drown in this kind of decadent music.To be romantic in life and suave in death is the secret desire in his heart.

He squinted his eyes and struck in time, sometimes without any confusion, sometimes deliberately slow or half-beat, just for fun, but his heart was always a little cool.It's a pity that the sound of the flute is not as gentle and charming as Shen Liniang's playing and singing... That is really a beauty that can overwhelm the country and the city!Every time I do that thing, I feel that she will always relax like a virgin to herself gorgeously... It's a pity that she was forced to death by Ding Mi and Cao Shou, two guys who don't understand the love of romance!Thinking of this, He Yan felt a little resentful.

Someone came in from outside the door. He was in his forties, with a sharp beak and chicken breasts, and he was full of obscene aura. He messed up the beat of the music, and pulled a evasive person behind him, sprinting towards him like a mouse. Through his drunken eyes, He Yan, who was leaning on the desk, raised his head and smiled: "Zhang Dang! You kid—I've been waiting for you for a long time!" Zhang Dang also smiled coquettishly: "He... Mr. He, I have a humble job to find a beauty for you, so there is a little delay." "Oh? Stunner?" He Yan squinted at him, "Is it funny? Can you tell what a stunner is just by your eyes?"

"My lord, please take a look first!" Zhang Dang smiled sinisterly, and gently pushed the person behind him.The man took a step timidly, but still lowered his head and hid his face. A lock of long hair hung on his slightly sweaty forehead, bent like a mysterious and seductive question mark. "Virgin?" He Yan straightened his body, "raise your head!" Like a little rabbit in the wilderness who was frightened by a thunderstorm, its hair drooped and trembled, and then revealed a white face, like a girl's skin that can be broken by blows.A pair of bright eyes are like two spring waters, overflowing with a strange charm, but this person is a boy in his teens.

He Yan's eyes lit up: "Where did you find it?" "Report to Mr. He, he is a young eunuch who has only been recruited by the palace." Zhang Dang said with a charming smile on his face. It was a waste of money, so I sent it to you secretly. Oh! Master He, you don’t know how much danger the humble official took to get him out of the palace! Fortunately, Sima Shi of the Central Guard Army escorted Sima Tai these days Fu went back to his hometown in Wen County. Otherwise, no matter how diligent the humble official is, you may not be able to eat this 'tender food'!"

He Yan didn't listen to his nagging, and suddenly clasped the boy's wrist with his right hand, as if pinching it on a tender rose petal, which made him gasp in comfort: " Good! Good! Good! It really is a stunner!" The boy trembled, his face turned pale as snow from fright, and he didn't dare to struggle. The great humiliation and fear made his tears well up. He Yan dragged him to the case and knelt down on the other side of the case, continued to pinch his white and smooth face with his left hand, and said with a smile: "Old Zhang, you are really interesting—tell me! You gave me such a piece of paper!" Baby, how should I thank you?"

"Oh! My lord! You can't say the word 'thank you' in your mouth--the humble job is cheap, and it can't afford it. I don't want you to give money or silver to the humble job. I just ask you to reward the humble nephew Zhang Han. A half-time official is fine!" Zhang Dang fell to his knees with a "plop", "I, Zhang Dang, have nothing to do as an eunuch, and the only thing I can do is to earn more fame for the members of the family, and then I will be punished when I die. Enter the ancestral hall to enjoy incense and sacrifices..." "Okay! I will send you a certificate of quality tomorrow, and you can ask Deng Yang to sign it, and say that I ordered you to let your nephew go to Anyi County, Hedong County to become a county magistrate!" He Yan's eyelids also Without blinking, he agreed without thinking, "How is it! How does this seat treat you?"

"Oh! Mr. He is really a great kind person! There is nothing to say about my Zhang family!" Zhang Dang kowtowed down, and raised his head after eight or nine "bang bang bang" bangs, reminding timidly He said, "No... However, I heard that the qualification post needs to be approved by Da Zhongzheng of the state and Lu Yushangshu before I can be appointed as an official. The hometown of the humble official is Yecheng, Jizhou, and the Dazhong of Jizhou is Mr. Pei Qian. He My lord, I'm afraid you have to talk to Mr. Pei, Lu Shangshu and the others first." "What are you going to do to cheer them up? This seat tells you to do this, so you do it! This seat is now the person in charge of the official department. Whether it is Lu Shangshu or Pei Dazhongzheng, it doesn't count. !" He Yan rolled his eyes at him, still stroking the boy's face without letting go.

"This... I am very grateful to Mr. He..." Zhang Dang knew that what he said just now touched He Yan's taboo, so he hurriedly murmured his thanks with an apologetic smile. He Yan ignored him, just watched the boy shaking his head happily, let go of his hands, raised his sleeves and waved to the maids on both sides: "Take him down!" Then he lowered his voice, his voice was soft It was almost dripping water: "Take a bath, change clothes, and then dress him up for me!" Then a maid stepped forward and took the boy away.The boy was still terrified, biting his vermilion lips tightly, the bean-sized teardrops still poured down, and the curvy hair was stained with tears, sticking to his face and outlining his panic.

He Yan looked at the handsome back of the boy who had become his child molester with relish, grinning happily as if admiring a canary locked in a cage by himself. "My lord, the lowly position will not disturb your taste..." Zhang Dang was about to say goodbye and left, but He Yan called out: "Don't worry! Old Zhang, I heard that the talented man Shishi from the late emperor's harem She is also a lively and fragrant stunner, and Xia Houxuan was so fascinated by her that he lost his position as a general in the middle of the tiger... How about it? When will you get her out for me to play with?" "Well... Master He, this matter, I'm afraid it's a little difficult to handle this matter..." He Yan's eyes turned cold, and he approached him straight: "What? Lao Zhang, do you have to bend around when answering in front of me?" "Humble... How dare you be humble! Mr. He, you misunderstood the humble!" Zhang Dang turned pale in panic, looked around at the maids who were bragging, playing and singing, and leaned closer to He Yan's ear and whispered as low as he could. The voice said, "You don't know—General Cao has already taken a fancy to her! In the past few days, Sima Yi and his son have both left Beijing and returned to Wen County, and they have already brought the quartz to his General's mansion... ..." The Xiaoyao Pavilion in the back garden of Sima Mansion in Xiaojingli, Wen County still looks so exquisite and exquisite. Tears. "Father..." Seeing Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, they became a little confused. Sima Yi, however, acted as if there was no one else present. He looked at the Xiaoyao Pavilion for a long time, and then said slowly: "Picking hibiscus in the river, the orchids are full of fragrant grasses. Whoever you want to leave behind is thinking about the long way. Looking at the four villages, the long road is long." Haohao. Concentric and separated, sad to end old age." Sima Shi and Sima Zhao looked at their father reciting this Yuefu poem so forgetfully, with mixed expressions of joy and sorrow, mixed with joy and sorrow, as if they had infinite emotion welling up in their hearts and couldn't help themselves—this was the first time they had seen a When the stern and resolute father was so tender and tactful, he couldn't help being secretly stunned. The clear and bright sound of the zither poured out of the pavilion like a quiet spring "ding ding dong dong", gently diffused into the state of mind of Sima Yi and his son, and suddenly there was an inexplicable sense of emptiness and harmony. feel. Sima Yi listened quietly with his ears sideways, and after a long time, he waved slowly.A young servant girl stepped forward.Sima Yi didn't turn his head back, he just asked in a low voice, "How is Mrs. Bai?" The servant girl replied with a respectful salute, "Madam is in good health." Sima Shi and Sima Zhao brothers watched from the sidelines and were stunned. Since when did my father take a side concubine to "golden house" in Wen County's hometown!Seeing Father's expression, it seems that he cares a lot about this "Ms. Bai"... Sima Yi slowly raised his eyes to the tip of the golden gourd on the top of the Xiaoyao Pavilion, and said leisurely: "Then you go and tell her that I am finally back today. I will come to see her later." The servant girl responded lightly, then moved away. "Shi'er, Zhao'er, you two will go with the father, let's go to a place to take a look." Sima Yi didn't finish his sentence, and walked slowly into the deepest part of the back garden. Sima Shi and Sima Zhao looked at each other, and hurriedly followed closely. The three of them walked for about a stick of incense, and stopped before the last secret place in the back garden of Sima Mansion - the mysterious rockery at the foot of Fuxi Mountain. Under the surprised eyes of Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, Sima Yi walked forward alone, and led them to turn behind the majestic rockery. After opening the two huge black granite cave doors, Sima Yi led them into the "top secret cave" of the Sima family! "Father... Father! The children really did not expect such a mysterious place in the back garden of this old house!" Brother Sima was full of emotion. While walking slowly along the wide bluestone corridor, Sima Yi introduced them in detail: "This grotto was built by your grandfather and uncle back then. The corridors here extend in all directions. There are exits in every neighboring county... In front are the caves for storing soldiers and grain storage, and thousands of dead soldiers from our Sima family all over the world were trained from here." "My lord father! Unexpectedly, you, my lord grandfather, and lord uncle have worked so hard and planned everything to build our Sima family's strong foundation of 'emerge suddenly and dominate the world'!" Master Sima sighed, "My children are very moved. " "Hey... this is what my Sima family should do. Don't you two brothers have to do the same thing from now on?" Sima Yi waved his hand, as if speaking very calmly and naturally, he went straight to an engine room in the middle of the cave hall. Stand still under the sky lantern.In an instant, the kind smile on his face seemed to be gradually covered by dark clouds, and slowly faded silently from his cheeks.The torch was shining brightly, making it appear that half of his face was hidden in the thick shadow, and the other half of his face was protruding in the faint light.He said slowly: "Then, from now on, Shi'er and Zhao'er will hand over this 'top-secret cavern' to you to take over for my father--Shi'er, you can let Shi Bao claim sickness and take leave anyway, anyway, he is with you." Cao Shuang, Ding Mi and the others have already torn their skins and vowed to be incompatible, and there is not much room for maneuver if they stay in the court. Simply, you can tell him to live in seclusion in Xiaojing with Uncle Niu Heng, and be responsible for managing this In the 'Top Secret Cave', the training of dead soldiers, secret work and other confidential tasks..." "Yes!" Sima Shi replied loudly. Sima Yi said again: "This time we have selected and trained the most capable, alert, and clever soldiers. They are the sharpest daggers that our Sima family can use to stab Cao Shuang's throat fortress from the dark! Zhao Zhao Son, after you return to Beijing, you should have a good discussion with Uncle Niu Jin and ask him to come forward and contact Murongba, the righteous king of Xianbei in Liaodong, and ask Murongba to secretly select a group of loyal and capable Xianbei righteous men to send here. Physical strength and martial arts are enough to make one out of ten, and he is the best candidate to be the dead soldier and secret agent of our Sima family..." "Father, is this Murong Ba...reliable?" Sima Zhao asked cautiously. "His personality is absolutely reliable - he is a brother of the same school who married Jinlan for his father!" Sima Yi said firmly, "The friendship between my father and him was firmly established under the test of blood and fire in the Battle of Liaodong. built!" "That's good. After the boy returns to Luoyang, he will definitely settle this matter with Uncle Niu Jin." Sima Zhao promised with confidence. Sima Yi said earnestly to his brothers: "During the time when your father is going back to his hometown to recuperate from his illness, you two must restrain your sharpness and be cautious in Luoyang, the capital, and be honest with your tail between your legs. Knead into the sand, sit firmly on the stove under your buttocks, no matter how provocative, reckless, or reckless Cao Shuang's faction is, you have to hold back for your father. We must wait until the most suitable time before we can make a decisive move. Kill them all with one sword!" ... Coming out of the "Top Secret Cave" in the back garden, the three of Sima Yi and his son had just walked to the full moon-shaped door, when they heard a series of clinking ring pendants gradually approaching, as if they were shaking in the wind under the corner of the eaves. Bell Duo in. Sima Shi and Sima Zhao looked at the reputation, only to feel that the bright streamer suddenly hurt their eyes.When the pupils got used to it, there was a woman standing in front of her, tall and tall, her hair was pulled into a double snail bun, as if a blue cloud came out of the mountains, her complexion was so bright that people dare not look directly at it, like a beautiful pearl and jade, and then Even in the dust and dirt can also glow youthful!She wears an agate bracelet on her bright wrist, against the ivory-like skin, it looks like an inadvertent drop of Liudan on the freshly condensed suet jade! The two of them turned their heads to look at the foolish smiling face of their father, and suddenly understood in their hearts: this woman must be the extremely mysterious Mrs. Bai who has been loved by her father for many years in the golden house in Xiaoyao Pavilion in his hometown! The fragrant mist slowly drifting out of the copper furnace is as hazy as tulle. The glamorous Mrs. Bai is dressed in a feather dress, dancing with the accompaniment of the piano and among the fluttering flowers—she is like a nine-day fairy flying down to the sky, with a beautiful complexion, snow-skinned cherry lips, and an indescribable charm It's hard to describe; the hair is piled high in a bun, curved like a spirit snake, and two purple gold hairpins are inserted obliquely, and the light shimmers when shaking; a pair of pupils are as clear as autumn water, clear and flowing; There was a trace of blood-like coquettish red marks, which made her charming in her beauty and refinement, making people want to embrace her immediately!Her delicate body is graceful and graceful, and when she unfolds her dancing posture, she is as graceful and ethereal as the flying swallows of the Han Dynasty. In mid-air, she is like riding the wind to shape the clouds, or cranes dance and swallows soar!The movements are sometimes gentle and light, like a butterfly picking flowers;It really is "flying and turning back to Xueqing, Yan Ran sends You Long in shock. Jade hands sway and the sound of swaying, and the slanting long skirt clouds gradually grow!" Sima Yi leaned on the soft sheep felt couch, watched Mrs. Bai's dancing posture, and smiled at the new Henan Yin Li Sheng (Sima Zhi had passed away at the beginning of this year) sent by Cao Shuang to ask for peace and politics: "General Cao is really It’s too polite—if there is any military affairs, please let him decide by himself in the capital of Luoyang! Why bother Li Jun, your boss, to come to Wen County for this trip!” Li Sheng used to be the prefect of Nanyang under the command of Sima Yi when he was in Chijie Wancheng. Later, he was appointed as the army sacrificial wine by the former great Sima Cao Zhen, and now he has become a confidant of Cao Shuang's mansion.Therefore, in terms of his background, he was considered one of the people that both the Sima family and the Cao family could accept.Cao Shuang sent him to Xiaojingli to ask for advice, because he wanted to use his relationship to get more and deeper insight into the real situation of Sima Yi's recuperation and bed rest in his hometown.Hearing Sima Yi's question, he replied respectfully: "Master Tai Tuo, you are highly respected, resourceful and decisive, and experienced in running the country. How can General Cao dare to make arbitrary judgments in the capital? This time, General Cao sent Li I came here just to ask you about a suitable candidate to succeed the late Sikong Zhao Yan." Zhao Yan was promoted to Sikong after Xia Houxuan was transferred to Guanzhong more than a year ago.He was old and sick, and died suddenly within a few months in the position of Sikong.In order to prevent Sima Yi from using his confidants to take up this important position, Cao Shuang tried his best to put it on hold.Today, he asked Li Sheng to consult this question on purpose, in fact, he used this to test Sima Yi's reaction, to see if he was really willing to return to his hometown to recuperate, and not to ask about court affairs.Sima Yi knew all this clearly, and he saw it clearly, so he casually smiled: "Oh! What can I ask you about this matter? General Cao himself appointed whoever will take over as the successor! This seat is right. There is no objection to any of General Cao's actions." "Master Taifu, don't be humble! Who in the world doesn't know that you use the virtuous and the right, and make the best of your talents?" Li Sheng still persuaded slowly, "You can give General Cao a lesson!" "I don't dare to teach you." Sima Yi declined for a while, then stroked his long beard and said slowly: "If I don't expect it, General Cao intended to elect Lord Wei Zhen as Sikong, right?" Li Sheng was taken aback—he didn't expect Sima Yi's eyesight to be so sharp, and even guess Cao Shuang's original intention so accurately!But he refused to reveal anything, so he said with a dry smile: "The general must have no candidate in his mind. He asked Li to come here to ask Tai Tuo for advice." "Appointing Mr. Wei Zhen as Sikong is not bad at all." Sima Yi ignored him, and said slowly, "But I think that the qualifications and ability of Senior Secretary Nong Huanfan seem to be more suitable for serving as Sikong Yi than Mr. Wei Zhen." Li Jun, what do you think?" "This... this, it's not good for Li to speak from the sidelines." Li Sheng replied hastily, "Li will definitely take your suggestion back to General Cao." Sima Yi chuckled: "Li Jun, if General Cao uses Dr. Huan as Sikong, you won't have to work so hard and toss around here to ask the old man for advice... Mr. Huan Assisting General Cao to deal with all kinds of opportunities, I can completely let go and retire to live in seclusion and take care of my life!" "Master Taifu, why do you say that? You are a veteran of the four dynasties of the Wei Dynasty and an important official who has been entrusted to Gu. You must not have such thoughts of retreating bravely!" Li Sheng lifted his glass from the table and said, "If the Wei Dynasty did not have you, Sitting in town, I don't know how rampant the Shu bandits and Wu bandits will be!" Sima Yi waved his hand lightly, and murmured: "I am sixty-seven years old this year... I am old, I am really old. This great Wei world, in fact, will continue to prosper as always without anyone! Li Jun, you will Let me recuperate from my old illness, and live happily for a few more years! This is my begging you..." Li Sheng tried his best to comfort him in a hurry, but at the same time he was secretly looking at Sima Yi—his hand holding the cup was already trembling slightly like a stroke like all elderly people! Sima Yi didn't seem to listen to any words of comfort from him, and continued to chant: Born less than a hundred years old, I often worry about a thousand years old. The days are short and the nights are long, why not swim by candle? It's time for fun, why wait for Lai here? Fools cherish money, but scoff for future generations. Fairy Prince Joe, it's hard to wait! After singing, he raised his glass to Li Shengjing again: "Come! Come! Come! Li Jun, let's have a good time with the old man!" As soon as Li Sheng left, the singing and dancing in Sima Mansion's living room stopped abruptly. "Ying'er, come and sit down." Sima Yi patted the brocade cushion beside him, beckoning Mrs. Bai to sit down. Mrs. Bai dragged two long colorful silk ribbons like that, approached slowly, and glanced at him quietly: "You are so tired from life—even when you go back to your hometown in Wen County to recuperate, you have to wear it." Mask acting!" Sima Yi looked at her and smiled slightly: "Ying'er, as long as I don't act in front of you, it's fine. Sigh, we did this to numb the gang of rats in Luoyang City!" "Who knows if you've ever acted in front of me? You're so consummate in disguise, you can act better than the world's most powerful actors..." Mrs. Bai sat down next to Sima Yi on the splendid cushion, " However, you let me sing and dance to show my face outside—won’t you be afraid that if someone recognizes my true identity?" "Hehehe, you are a little overwhelmed. The previous concubine Fang Ying, who was as beautiful as a fairy, passed away more than 20 years ago! That old empress Guo also sent the maids and eunuchs who knew you well. They've been hunted down to the ground... There are very few people who can really recognize your true face!" Sima Yi admired her face like a jade carving and snow sculpture intently, as if he could never get enough of it, " The beauty-retaining pill that Master gave you back then is truly amazing! Over twenty years have passed, and your appearance will always be as fresh as the morning dew and as clear as a rough jade! However, this senior brother Sima in front of you is already pale. Gray hair, wrinkled..." Mrs. Bai—that is, Fang Ying—heard Sima Yi's words, and couldn't help but smile: "I will grow old one day... However, if you can still be beautiful, you can always lie in the same posture as you did back then..." Died slowly in the arms of my mother, I feel that this is the greatest satisfaction in my life." Sima Yi held her ivory-carved palm, stared at the increasingly red sunset glow outside the window, and said slowly and softly: "Ying'er, wait a little longer for another three or four years, and wait until the time when you will be in Luoyang City as your husband." After the affairs of the Sima family are settled, they will hand over the important tasks of the Sima family to Shi'er and Zhao'er to take care of them. As a husband, he will have nothing to do at that time, and he will definitely bring Chunhua back here to accompany her. Watching the two of you clinging to each other and watching the sunset gradually go down every evening. Although it seems a little plain, my husband also feels that this is the greatest happiness for the rest of our lives."