Chapter 7 Chapter VII The Prefect of Suzhou
Mao Pijiang rode a fast horse, full of the joy of freedom like a bird out of the cage, and ran to the old pine trees outside the city in one breath. The old robe that he didn't want to take away stood at the corner and looked at him.
Every time she travels far away, she keeps nagging about this and that, as if Mao Pijiang is a child who is going out for the first time.However, this warmth also moved Mao Pijiang.
Just when he was trapped at home and disturbed by his own thoughts, he was depressed and unbearable, a text message dragged him out of the predicament. Chen Zeliang of Fushe asked him to rush to Suzhou to help solve some matters of Fushe. It was a godsend. By chance, both the old lady and Su Yuanfang supported him to go, a man should serve the country loyally.How did they know that he hurried to Suzhou for a woman named Dong Xiaowan.
He was on horseback and had a panoramic view of the scenery along the way.The golden cauliflower and green wheat seedlings on both sides of the road divide the field into green and yellow strips, and the fragrance of plants floats in the spring breeze.From time to time, there is a farmhouse surrounded by trees between the fields, with blue smoke rising from the flower branches, and light swallows flying around above the house.
Mao Pijiang felt that he was a different person, full of pride, as if Dong Shangwan was galloping beside him on a fancy horse, and he even hallucinated to touch her cold hand.The long-lost poetic interest was lingering, so he simply followed the looming thoughts and read a poem: The spring breeze is like dyeing cauliflower yellow, and he immediately recited the poem "Youth Maniac".
The beautiful woman's dream is that the bosom friend is rare, the swallow flies north and I fly south.
After reciting the poem, he reined in the horse's head, looked up to the sky and smiled, then took out a pen and paper from his luggage, and copied it on the saddle.
Dong Xiaowan saw Aunt Chen leading a man in.The languid sunshine of spring crouched over her and the flowers behind her like exhausted animals, and the flowers threw their shadows onto the ground.She recognized this man, he was a member of the prefect of Suzhou who sent her back that day.The man looked at Dong Xiaowan with a vague smile on his face.
"Miss Dong, my master wants to see you, so he sent me to greet you first."
Dong Xiaowan knew that the magistrate's appointment could not be refused, so he said: "Please go back to the magistrate, Xiaowan is not inconvenient, and I can help you at any time."
"In that case, I would like to thank Miss Dong first."
"Why thank me?"
"When I came, the master told me that I must invite Miss, so I would like to thank Miss Dong for agreeing."
"Please go back to the magistrate, I will be there in the evening."
"No, no, Miss Dong doesn't know something. My master, Miss Simu, has been around for a long time, but my wife has a tricky personality, and the master can't bear to make her sad. Therefore, the master can't recruit in the mansion. Please forgive me. Tonight, the master has to go out for a visit in a low-key manner due to business. , I was specially ordered to meet you at Tongqiao, what do you think Miss would like?"
Dong Xiaowan thought to herself, there are such fearful people in the world, what kind of dog officials, pretending to be public servants for personal gain, visiting in disguise is just an excuse to avoid their wives.But in the dust, I can't help myself.
"Please go back to the magistrate, the little girl will attend the appointment on time."
"Thank you miss."
Dong Xiaowan sent the man outside the door, saw him get on the saddle and go back to the house, when a prodigal son came up to him with a smile.
"Wulong, Suzhou County knocked on Miss. The boy has long admired Wanjun's beauty, and he is unwilling to eat all day long. He always shuts the door when he visits every day. He only hopes to impress the lady's heart one day. Forgive me for being infatuated and give me a cup of nectar. My lady is both talented and beautiful. It is absolutely impossible to make friends with unknown people like me, who would have thought that the person Miss today would be so nasty. The boy also dares to ask for luck, how about it?"
"Shut your crow's mouth, who will my lady meet today?" Xixi said while chasing him. "Isn't that the man just now? You little girl is really ignorant."
Seeing that this man was so hateful, Dong Xiaowan was about to have a fit, and suddenly he had an idea, and said to him with a smile: "When I first arrived in Guizhou, I have to take care of many things, please forgive me for not being able to express my difficulties. How about meeting in Tongqiao tonight?"
"That's great, boy, thank Miss Dong first. But, don't play tricks on me, otherwise, I will make you look good."
"Don't miss the appointment." Dong Xiaowan pulled Xixi into the door and turned to Wu Hualong.
Wu Hualong happily replied: "I'm sure Miss Gonghou, see you soon. Hehehe, hehehe."
After closing the courtyard door, Xixi stomped her feet in anger. "Sister, what's the matter today, this kind of prodigal son still ignores him. Sister is really going to Tongqiao today?" Xixi didn't know what the prefect's family and Dong Xiaowan said just now, so she didn't know what it was.
"Of course I have to go to the appointment." Dong Xiaowan said to Xixi with a smile.Seeing her smiling secretly, Xi Xi knew that there must be a way to deal with it, so she didn't say much, just pretended to be angry, turned around and went to do her own business.
When it was time to light the lanterns, Xixi took a lantern and sent Dong Xiaowan into the sedan chair in front of the door.
When she turned around and stepped into the courtyard gate, she saw a person emerging from the shadow of the willow tree.This person is Wu Hualong.Seeing Dong Xiaowan getting on the sedan chair and heading towards Tongqiao, he was ecstatic: this beautiful woman gave in to him anyway.He blocked a sedan chair in the middle of the road, and the young lady who was sitting in the sedan chair had no choice but to feel unlucky and get out of the sedan chair.He got on the sedan chair and told the bearer to "follow the sedan chair in front".
Dong Xiaowan got off the sedan chair at Tongqiao, and saw a book boy holding a red lantern at a stone table under several weeping willows, and two men in green shirts were playing chess.When the book boy saw Dong Xiaowan, he slowly danced the red lantern in a circle in the air, so that Dong Xiaowan recognized that the chess player was the prefect of Suzhou and his personal guards.Not far around, there are still some soldiers.Dong Xiaowan turned her head and saw the sedan chair carrying Wu Hualong approaching slowly.
The magistrate walked over happily, Dong Xiaowan was about to say Wanfu, he hurriedly waved his hand to signal not to reveal his identity, Dong Xiaowan pretended to be an old acquaintance and talked to him, the two of them looked like lovers with smiles that only two people could understand Walk slowly towards Tongqiao.
The prefect still wanted to tell her the beautiful love story hidden in the melting night, but before he could say it, a strong hand pulled his shoulder, and he turned back involuntarily, He saw a furious and ferocious face, so close that he could even see clearly the quivering black hairs in the big nostrils that protruded.Dong Xiaowan let out a terrified scream behind him, and the scream scared away several crows on the tree, and they flew past the shadow of the lamp by scraping the water surface.Wu Hualong didn't panic, he was only angry, and he punched the prefect hard in the face.The magistrate didn't expect such a catastrophe, and he was about to collapse slowly from the pain, but the hero's courage to save the beauty made him stand on the bridge that seemed to be rickety, but he was actually swaying.
After Wu Hualong made one punch, he threw a second punch without hesitation.But this punch didn't hit the man who was close at hand, because more than a dozen strong men rushed out from all corners of the surrounding area. These people were just the generals of the prefect hiding in the dark admiring the majestic appearance of the magistrate.Wu Hualong felt that there were at least ten pairs of hands grabbing him, and at least ten pairs of fists hitting him one after another.He was dizzy, struggling desperately, and yelling loudly: "It's not a good man to fight more with less." He was pushed to the ground, and several family soldiers quickly tied him up.He heard everyone call that person "Master Zhifu", and only then did he realize that he had caused a huge disaster, and his whole body went limp from fright.
This commotion attracted a lot of onlookers, the magistrate wiped the blood on his face while remaining angry, he ordered his family soldiers to drag this unruly man back to the mansion, and gave him a heavy cane.A teacher said to the onlookers, "It's okay, it's okay, everyone, go away. The magistrate came here privately tonight in private, just in time for the troublemakers to harass the daughters of the people, and the troublemakers have been subdued. Everyone, go away, it's okay." The onlookers all praised: "What a good official, we Suzhou people are blessed."
Another teacher pulled Dong Xiaowan aside and said: "Miss Dong is shocked. What happened tonight became serious, and the magistrate is also worried that it will reach Madam's ears, so he can't continue to accompany Miss. Please forgive me, Miss Dong."
Seeing Wu Hualong being punished, Dong Xiaowan felt bad, and was unable to think of a way to get rid of the magistrate's entanglement. Hearing what the master said, he stepped forward and wished the magistrate a blessing: "My daughter, thank you magistrate." Thank you for saving my life, sir."
The magistrate also swept away the interest in the tryst at this moment, but fortunately he still left the impression of a good official to the common people, he couldn't imagine that there would be good talks about him in Suzhou at noon tomorrow, and he was very proud.He ordered several followers: "Escort this civilian girl home, and make no mistakes on the way." In his eyes, it seemed that he didn't know Dong Xiaowan.
Mingyan hires a boat on the Longyou River and waits for Mao Pijiang to arrive.It was still early, and he followed the golden cauliflower bushes on the bank that seemed to be drunk in the spring sun, and looked at the reddish official road three times. There were only a few scattered pedestrians on the official road, but there were many people on the sunny hillside. People are burying pots for a picnic, and a few women are drawing water from the Longyou River.Those brown pottery pots were put into the water, opened the hard mouth of the pottery, and spit out big bubbles. After filling, the women picked up the pottery pots and walked past Mingyan.Mingyan felt that they were not as charming as the women of Qinhuai River, and when the young master brought Dong Xiaowan back in the future, these women would be even less attractive.
Mingyan was complacently reminiscing about the Qinhuai River when she suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes.As soon as he turned his head, Mao Pijiang rode his horse up to his eyes.He stepped forward to take the reins, and flew off the horse in a presumptuous manner.He felt that the young master was extraordinarily radiant today, and he also noticed that several women drawing water stopped and looked at the young master not far away with earthen pots, and there was something in Ming Yan's eyes that Ming Yan could not understand.
The boatman pushed some wide planks down from the cabin, and the planks left several holes in the sand.Mao Bijiang led his horse up from the plank.Mingyan slipped on the soles of her feet and almost fell into the river, breaking out in a cold sweat.The sail was raised slowly, and the boat broke through the flowing water and headed towards Wuxi...
The ship sailed through the fog and arrived in Suzhou four days later.Mao Bijiang is very familiar with Suzhou, and this spring atmosphere still excites him at this moment.Tianjie is his friend who has been with him for many years, and he is also a member of the Fushe.When the two met, they had a lot to say.Wang Tianjie is a careful person. He specially prepared a courtyard for Mao Pijiang, and also sent Wang Lu and Wang Shou to serve him, and also prepared a cook.
Mao Pijiang wanted to go to Sha Yufang to inquire about Dong Xiaowan right away, but he didn't forget that this trip was for this beauty, but because of his friend's face, he could only play patiently with Wang Tianjie for two days.
At dusk that day, he changed into a lake blue gown, and walked into Sanmao Pavilion Lane with a folding fan in his hand.There are many prostitutes living in this alley. When he saw a few bright red lanterns sticking out of the wall, he had the feeling of red apricots coming out of the wall.These inviting lanterns divide the alley into a red stepped corridor.A coquettishly dressed woman, with seasonal flowers all over her head, leaned against the door and looked at Mao Pijiang. When he approached, the woman suddenly opened her chest to reveal a breast, with a hissing sound at the corner of her mouth.
Mao Pijiang ran over in a few steps, and he heard the woman behind him swearing, "Dog thing".The alley turned obliquely, and he saw a woman sitting on the wooden sill eating melon seeds. The black melon seeds were all over the ground. He went to inquire, but before he opened his mouth, the woman jumped up. He got up and grabbed her with a smile on his face, saying: "Master, you have good eyesight. My lady is a famous flower character in Suzhou." Mao Pijiang hurriedly broke free from her and said, "I'm not looking for your lady, I want to know about Sha Yufang How to go home."
"They're all women. Why does she have a better business than ours?" The woman angrily pointed towards the depths of the alley:
"That's the fourth red lantern in front."
Mao Pijiang saw the words on the lantern: "Sha Jiuwan Apartment", so he knocked lightly on the door.After a while, he was about to knock a second time, when the door opened suddenly, and a woman stretched out her head, and his hand was hanging in front of the woman's face. "Hey, my son. It looks like a distinguished guest, please come in, please come in."
Mao Pijiang didn't dare to step into the fireworks yard rashly, so he cupped his hands in front of the door and asked, "May I ask if this is Sha Yufang's house?"
The woman said in amazement: "The little woman is Sha Yufang."
Mao Pijiang said: "Aunt Sha, Rugao Mao Pijiang is here to visit."
"It turned out to be the man in Wan'er's dream, come in, come in."
Mao Bijiang entered the front hall.Sha Jiuwan also ran down from upstairs, and offered tea by the way.Seeing that Pijiang is a good-looking talent, I am happy for Sister Wan.Sha Jiuwan had some gossip with him in the hall, and he knew that he had an extraordinary background.
When Mao Pijiang asked where Dong Xiaowan was now, Sha Jiuwan happily told him, and volunteered to take him there right away.Sha Yufang hurriedly stopped her. After all, Sha Yufang is a person who is used to wind and rain in the field of love and moon. She saw Mao Pijiang appearing suddenly, and she was afraid of some fraud, not to mention that he had no proof, so she insisted on keeping him: "Tonight is here. Go again tomorrow morning."
Sha Yufang thought to herself, she can test Wan'er for him!Mao Bijiang refused Sha Yufang's enthusiasm to stay, thinking that today is too late, and it will not be too late to go tomorrow, so he agreed to stay overnight.Sha Yufang brought some side dishes, and the mother and daughter drank two glasses of water and wine with him, and Sha Jiuwan told Mao Pijiang all the intimate things Dong Xiaowan and her had said.Mao Pijiang was grateful for Dong Xiaowan's longing for him, and couldn't help feeling sad.
It was late at night, and Sha Yufang specially arranged for Mao Pijiang to live in a side room.The room was very clean, and Mao Pijiang was still satisfied, but he regretted that there was no door bolt in the room. A sparse bamboo curtain was hung on the door frame, and everything in the hall could be seen clearly.But the guest did what he wanted, and it was inconvenient for Mao Bijiang to say anything, so he took off his clothes and went to bed to rest.The candlelight in the balcony is still there, coming in through the door curtain and casting thin shadows of bamboo strips on the floor of the room.
Suddenly, Sha Yufang's voice came from the hall: "Jiuwan, come and take a bath while the water is hot."
"Mother, why don't you stay for a while, Mr. Mao is not asleep yet?"
"I see Mr. Mao is very tired, he should have fallen asleep early, let me see."
Seeing Sha Yufang's shadow protruding from the ground, Mao Pijiang quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. He didn't want to delay the rest time of the kind mother and daughter because of him.He heard the rustling sound of the bamboo curtain, and Sha Yufang called softly, "Master Mao, Mr. Mao."
After calling three times in a row, Mao Pijiang pretended to be in a deep sleep, but Sha Yufang saw that he was not asleep.He heard Sha Yufang go up the stairs. "Jiuwan, you can come and wash. Mr. Mao has already fallen asleep, maybe he is dreaming of Duke Zhou."
Mao Pijiang didn't open his eyes.He heard the footsteps of two women coming into the balcony, and then heard the wooden basin being placed gently on the floor.As soon as the sound stopped, the splashing sound of water being poured into the tub was heard.Mao Pijiang felt that his surroundings were filled with hot water vapor.
He heard the rustling of silk silk as he undressed.
"Jiuwan, look at your tender body, mother feels that I am really old. Alas, poor years."
"Mother, don't be sad, you go out first." The door was not closed.
Hearing the sound of Sha Yufang's footsteps going out, Mao Pijiang couldn't help but opened his eyes and took a look, just in time to see Sha Jiuwan stepping into the tub naked, and the tub was steaming.
It turned out that the wooden basin was just opposite to the door, so he quickly closed his eyes again, but Sha Jiuwan's beautiful naked body just now was printed on his eyelids, and he felt a rush of heat rushing to his forehead.The bursts of water stimulated his eardrums, and he couldn't get rid of it, thinking that it would be no harm if such a charming woman looked at her.Simply opened his eyes.
Sha Jiuwan was sitting in the bathtub facing the door. She raised her head and closed her eyes. The candlelight painted her whole body with an orange hue.Mao Pijiang looked at the beautiful Sha Jiuwan, swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva, and let out a few long breaths.A weird thought popped up, maybe she is Dong Xiaowan, this illusion became more and more real, and then captivated his heart.He was about to sit up when he suddenly heard Sha Jiuwan's voice, "Mother, come and rub my back."
The hallucination of Mao Pijiang was suddenly dispelled, no, she couldn't be Dong Xiaowan.Thinking about it this way, he suddenly guessed the intentions of these two women, trying to see if he pretended to be a swinger.Thinking of this level, he was so shocked that cold sweat broke out on his back, so dangerous that he almost lost his generosity.At this time, he saw Sha Yufang walking to Sha Jiuwan's side.He closed his eyes, but his heart felt at ease, and he simply let the two women perform in the hall, and he simply fell asleep.
While rubbing her daughter's body, Sha Yufang said: "Jiuwan, look at you, you are so soft and strong, I really can't figure out how such a beauty like you fell from me."
"Mom, I'm so ashamed."
Sha Yufang looked at Mao Pijiang's face in the faint light from the corner of her eye. He closed his eyes and looked very peaceful. She listened with sharp ears, but there was no movement on the bed. It is really a blessing from her predecessor that Wan'er has to be paired with this young master.Sha Jiuwan also whispered into his mother's ear, "He hasn't moved at all."
Early the next morning, Mao Pijiang resigned from Sha Yufang's mother and daughter, and wanted to go directly to Bantang to visit Dong Xiaowan, but thinking that prostitutes have a bad habit of sleeping in, maybe Dong Xiaowan didn't get up yet, so he went back to the apartment first.
Mingyan waited in the middle of the night last night, but he didn't see the young master returning to his apartment, so he was anxious and worried, so he got up at dawn and looked around outside the gate, waiting for the young master.At this time, seeing that Mao Pijiang's spirit had returned in good condition, a stone fell from his heart.
"Mingyan, have you fed the horse?"
"Hey, what you feed is all high-quality food." Then he asked with a smile, "My lord, did you have a good time last night? How is Dong Xiaowan?"
Mao Bijiang slapped his head hard with his folding fan and said, "Midget your own business and bring the horse here." Mingyan rubbed his scalp to lead the horse, and said, "You should save some energy, what are you doing riding a horse?"
Mingyan brought the horse, and Mao Pijiang told him that if anyone came to look for him, he said that he had gone to visit friends, and then he got on the saddle and galloped away.Mingyan looked at the four flying horseshoes, felt that the stone slabs on the street were being planed and rushed towards him, and the houses on the street seemed to be rushing towards him, so he couldn't help but feel a false alarm.Mao Bijiang went far away and disappeared from Mingyan's sight.
Sitting on the back of a galloping horse, Mao Pijiang saw a cloud in the sky. This cloud may turn into a horse. Once the wind blows, it will run all over the sky, just like he is passing through the city of Suzhou at the moment. It's like visiting the beautiful Dong Xiaowan.
After crossing Tongqiao, it is Caiyun Bridge.The scenery in this area has its own refined beauty, but it is unintentional to pay attention to it.After seeing the Caiyun Bridge, you can inquire about Dong Xiaowan. Just as you were about to get on the bridge, an official sedan chair and a carriage running from the opposite side met on the bridge. On the surface, there are many sedan chairs, horses, porters and tourists on both sides of the bridge.Mao Pijiang leaned slightly on the horse and praised: "Suzhou is really prosperous." He crossed the bridge, and there were seven or eight courtyard houses with attics between a few miscellaneous trees and weeping willows. He didn't know which courtyard house Dong Xiaowan was, so he asked Two gray-haired old women holding brooms on the side of the road: "Excuse me, old people, where is Dong Xiaowan's residence?"
The two old women stood up abruptly, holding the broom more tightly. They looked Mao Pijiang up and down for a while, and one said to the other, "I don't think he looks like a prodigal son." The other affirmed nodded.Only then did the two old ladies point him to Dong Xiaowan's apartment.Mao Pijiang felt that the two old women were a bit strange, and he didn't mind, so he led the horse and knocked on the door of the house.
Hearing a knock at the door, he waited with trepidation. He had tasted the feeling of timidity.
The door creaked and opened in two directions.The big-footed single mother came out and saw that he was a flirtatious son, and she thought she was a prodigal son in Suzhou.
Then he smiled carefully and said, "What's your business, my lord?"
"Xiaosheng took the initiative to pay a special visit to Miss Dong."
"Young Master came at an unfortunate time. My young lady has been away for seven or eight days. I'm sorry."
Shan Ma said and closed the door.
Mao Pijiang put his foot against the door frame and asked, "I wonder when Miss Dong will return?"
"Come back in a few days, maybe we can meet again." Shan Ma said as she closed the door.
Mao Pijiang stood in front of the door and shook his head.fate!What can I do?He couldn't help sighing, and turned around slowly, with a dim look on his face, he was confused by the five or six old people with brooms standing behind him, Suzhou people are really strange.The old men nodded and smiled at him strangely.He stepped on the saddle and left sadly.Looking back, those old men stood guard in front of Dong Xiaowan's door like old and weak guards holding knives and axes.
Shan Ma closed the door, walked into the lobby, sat down, picked out a few green and fresh vegetables, and started to get busy.Xixi poked her head from the stairs and asked, "Shan Mom, who were you talking to in front of the door just now?"
"What do you call a young master who pretends to be a Pijiang?"
"Mao Bijiang?" Xi Xi screamed, "It's the young master we often talk about."
Shan Ma said "ahhh", threw the vegetables, and ran to open the courtyard door, but there was no sign of a ghost outside the door.
Xixi ran upstairs in a panic and told Dong Xiaowan who was composing a poem.Dong Xiaowan hurried to the window to look around.But seeing a lot of people galloping away on the official road, which one is the impostor?
Xixi said behind her: "Just pick the most handsome one. Anyway, he will come again in a few days."
For several days in a row, the continuous spring rain drenched the whole of Suzhou as if it had entered autumn. The thick clothes that had just been taken off to be washed were picked out of the basin and worn on the body, which still could not stop the cold of spring.Dong Xiaowan was woken up from the cold again and again, and Mao Pijiang was still as thin and pretty in her dreams, often floating outside the window in the cool wind.Did Mao Pijiang leave Suzhou?
Dong Xiaowan thought, Mao Bijiang must have heard about his residence from Aunt Sha, maybe Aunt Sha knew where he lived.
Dong Xiaowan agreed with Xixi and went to Sanmao Pavilion Lane under the cover of darkness.Sha Yufang opened the door.Seeing that her eyes were red as if she had just cried, Dong Xiaowan asked in surprise, "Aunt Sha, what made you sad?"
"It's still your sister Jiuwan." Sha Yufang cried again.Yesterday Sha Jiuwan offended two outlaws, and the two outlaws came to make trouble, but fortunately Sha Yufang invited a rudder to mediate and the matter was settled.Unexpectedly, the rudder master stepped in again, and now he is asking Sha Jiuwan to drink with him in Zifang Pavilion. "I don't know how good or bad Jiuwan is." Sha Yufang went on to say, "It would be great if Jiuwan had Wan'er's blessing."
Dong Xiaowan comforted her and said: "Jiuwan is also a person who is good at socializing, so I don't think he will suffer a big loss. Where is Xiaowan's blessing?"
"Did Mr. Mao see you a few days ago?" Sha Yufang wiped away her tears and said concernedly: "Mr. Mao is really a gentleman, and he will not mess around in his arms."Sha Yufang went on to talk about the situation that day, and she was full of admiration.
Xi Xi hurriedly asked: "Does Aunt Sha know where Mr. Mao is staying? It's a pity that my young lady didn't meet him."
"What?" Sha Yufang asked, "He didn't go looking for you?"
Dong Xiaowan said: "I looked for it, but I didn't meet it."
Sha Yufang sighed and said, "I don't know where he ended up. It's a pity, but you are better than your sister Jiuwan. She doesn't know how difficult it is at this moment." After saying that, she began to cry again.
Seeing that she was so sad, Dong Xiaowan said, "I'll go and help sister Jiuwan." Sha Yufang knew that Xiaowan had many ways to solve problems, so she didn't stop her, so she took her to Zifang Pavilion.
Dong Xiaowan went upstairs alone.The restaurant is quite elegantly furnished.I saw a man in his forties at the table, his face was swollen, and he looked like he didn't have enough sleep, obviously his body was emptied by alcohol and sex.He was touching Sha Jiuwan upstairs, groping her chest with his hands.Sha Jiuwan was pushing his hand with her lips closed.Next to it, two other men were silently drinking with their heads down, pretending not to see anything.Dong Xiaowan looked around, the other wine tables were empty, and there was no one else in the shop except the two waiters.It must be that the rudder master has booked the restaurant to show off.Dong Xiaowan went straight to sit between the other two men, and signaled Sha Jiuwan not to say hello.Master Tuo suddenly saw a fairy-like beauty sitting opposite him, and hurriedly let Sha Jiuwan go.He asked, "What's the lady's name?"
"My little girl's surname is Bai. I saw some of you drinking happily, so I came here to join in the fun." Dong Xiaowan winked at Sha Jiuwan.
Lord Tuo shouted: "Miss Bai is really a wonderful person. Boss, bring a pair of bowls, chopsticks and wine glasses."
"Master, drinking from a cup is not pleasant, let's drink from a bowl." Dong Xiaowan suggested.
She felt that the man on the left was leaning his leg on her thigh, and she didn't back down, it was just a sign of a timid man.
At this time, the man on the right also leaned his leg up.
"Okay! Boss, change to a bigger bowl."
Big bowls were placed in front of the five people, and the bartender happily filled the bowls with the watered wine.Out of the corners of Dong Xiaowan's eyes, she saw the hands of the two men on the left and right put down the table, and hurriedly carried the bowl with both hands and said: "Drink this bowl first." The two hands had to be obediently put back and picked up the wine bowl.A few people raised their necks, and they drank a few bowls of wine.In this way, one after another, I drank fourteen bowls of wine in total.
Sha Jiuwan also drank nine bowls, and Sha Jiuwan became Sha Jiuwan.When the fifteenth bowl of wine was picked up, the two men leaned on Dong Xiaowan's shoulder with their mouths crooked.Dong Xiaowan spread her hands to the sides, and the two stinky men rolled on the ground, unconscious from drunk.Master Tuo's eyes were also dim, and he saw two or three Miss Bai toasting himself.Dong Xiaowan drank the last bowl with him, she raised her neck and drank the wine, took the bowl away but didn't see Master Tuo, and looked at the bottom of the table, the big man was already limp by the table legs.At this time, Sha Jiuwan was also very drunk.Dong Xiaowan saw that everyone was drunk, the bartender praised her drinking capacity, she opened her mouth and spit out most of the wine.It turned out that when she debuted, Su Kunsheng taught her the unique skill of holding wine in her chest and not drinking it down.
Dong Xiaowan supported Sha Jiuwan to go downstairs, hired a bridal sedan chair and went back to Sanmao Pavilion Lane.It was getting late, so I handed Sha Jiuwan to Aunt Sha, and brought Xixi back to Bantang.
Sha Jiuwan suddenly drank so much wine that his whole body became hot like fire.As soon as Sha Yufang helped her into the courtyard gate, she started to vomit, and a black dog came running from the alley to snatch the wine.The next day the dog was found drunk in the straw at the entrance of the alley.Sha Jiuwan was in a frenzy, scratching his body with both hands.The long nails scratched out many bloodstains.Seeing this, Sha Yufang knelt beside her and wept loudly.
When Dong Xiaowan returned home, she felt that she could no longer bear the interference from the outside world, so she said that she would go out for a walk.Aunt Chen knew what she was thinking, so she agreed to accompany her to Huishan to see Huiquan the next day.The next day, the mother and daughter hired a boat in Bantang and left Suzhou.
Mao Pijiang accompanied Wang Tianjie to deal with several matters of social restoration, which was delayed for a few days.Woke up early that morning, seeing red falling everywhere in the yard, Fang Zhichun was gone.So he knocked the folding fan on his forehead three times. He wanted to recite poems but he didn't enjoy poetry, and his heart was restless.Dong Xiaowan, Dong Xiaowan, are you as elusive as those clouds in the sky?
After breakfast, he asked Mingyan to prepare the horse, but no one agreed.Mao Bijiang had no choice but to pick up the book and read it.After a while, Mingyan stood in front of him as if he had emerged from the ground.Mao Pijiang saw that his face was pitch black, only his eyes were white, and his clothes were covered in black and ash, so he almost didn't recognize him.Mingyan said in embarrassment that he and a few children went to the roof to dig out bird eggs just now, and accidentally slipped into a big chimney.
Mao Pijiang laughed happily.Unexpectedly, Mingyan also grinned, showing two rows of white teeth, he said: "I finally made you laugh." Hearing what he said, Mao Pijiang thought to himself, haven't I smiled these days?Then he sighed.
Dong Xiaowan is so fascinating.He threw away the book, drank the cold tea in one gulp, and asked Mingyan to get the horse ready.
Mao Pijiang once again rode his horse towards Bantang.This time, I don't need to inquire about the familiar road, I just feel that the trees on both sides are blown backwards by the wind, and there is no willow shadow floating into the corner of my eyes along the way.Dong Xiaowan in his mind became more and more real.
When they came to the door, the prodigal sons had gone away, and the old men stood there.Taking Pijiang off his horse, he was about to knock on the door.A woman said to him: "Dong Xiaowan is not at home. What are you men doing to bother her, poor girl?"
Another woman said: "Have you seen "Xiaoyangchun", what a tragic fate, let her be quiet for a while!"
Mao Pijiang was about to explain, when the courtyard door opened suddenly, and Shan Ma came out with a vegetable basket.
Seeing Mao Pijiang at a glance, he hurriedly turned around and ran into the door, shouting: "Xixi, Mr. Mao is here." Then he ran out again and said, "Mr. Mao, please come in quickly."
Mao Bijiang entered the courtyard gate, and Shan Ma struggled to bring the horse in.Xixi ran down from upstairs and looked Mr. Mao up and down head-on. He was indeed a man of talent, elegant and unrestrained, with an air of elegance that should not be offended.Mao Bijiang also took a look at Xixi.This woman has a pair of water-cut bright eyes, and her body is slightly thin.Mao Pijiang sees that Xixi also has a refined aura, which is obviously influenced by Dong Xiaowan, so Dong Xiaowan's demeanor may exceed his imagination.
"Sir, please sit inside." Xixi led the way, and Mao Pijiang followed.The slanted sunlight cast his shadow on Xixi's feet, and Xixi stepped on the shadow and stepped into the living room.Mao Bijiang sat on a carved pear wood chair, and there was a faint fragrance of red sandalwood in the hall.He saw a wisp of blue cigarette lingering between the calligraphy and painting, and a few wild flowers in the vase trembling slightly.Hanging on the main wall is a painting of plum blossoms, which at first glance is a masterpiece of spiritual thought. He couldn't help but take a second look, and saw that there seemed to be a unique feeling between the strokes of that inscription, so he read aloud: "Binghua They are all as round as jade, and the laughing flute can't blow it off." Suddenly recognized that this is the famous "Ice Flowers Like Jade", it seems that Dong Xiaowan's appreciation is extraordinary.Those who can use ice flowers to describe themselves, of course, have the heart not to be in the same spring as Qunfang.
Xixi came over with tea and listened to him read the poem title on the painting, so she smiled and said, "My lady likes this painting the most." Hot, he hissed.I thought: "Why hasn't Dong Xiaowan come downstairs yet?"
Xixi guessed his thoughts from his puzzled expression, and smiled slightly: "My lord, do you know? My young lady expects you to come every day, and she calls your name every day in her dreams!"
Mao Bijiang said: "I have admired Jun Wan's name for a long time, but I have no luck. It is a blessing to be able to meet her face today! Fortunately!"
"Young master can't see her today."
"Why?"
"To tell you the truth, my young lady went to Huishan for a spring outing a few days ago because she was tired of being pestered by the prodigal son in Suzhou. In fact, she was only forced to go out to escape, and she was extremely helpless."
Mao Pijiang let out a long sigh, and the hand holding the lid of the cup couldn't help shaking. The lid of the cup slipped down on the table and rolled around. He hurriedly stretched out his hand to hold it down, "No chance again!"
"Where does the young master live now? How about this, when my sister comes back, we will visit you, okay?"
"I'll come back in a few days."
He walked out of the door resentfully, and saw an unknown blue flower blooming in the flowerbed, with two crystal drops of water on the petals, whose tears did they look like?
Dong Xiaowan and Aunt Chen supported each other and climbed halfway up the mountain, already sweating profusely from exhaustion.Aunt Chen was out of breath, and the green fields in her panoramic view swayed like a reflection in the water.The two sat on a large bluestone to rest.
"The seventy-two rocking curves are really powerful." Aunt Chen said to Dong Xiaowan while fanning the wind with her handkerchief: "My dear girl, if you continue to be so tired, you may lose all your good spirits."
"Mom, let's walk slowly, there are still a few feet of stone stairs to climb."
The mother and daughter walked up the mountain again.Dong Xiaowan was in high spirits. In addition, there were not many people visiting Huishan in the past few days, and it was very quiet. The higher the altitude, the more excited Dong Xiaowan felt. body.
The mother and daughter went to Shimen and saw that there were snacks in front of the mountain, so they ate some.A little flower seller brought a bunch of small cauliflowers that had been withered in the sun and said to Dong Xiaowan: "Good sister, buy a bunch of flowers, this is the last bunch of flowers in spring." Dong Xiaowan suddenly heard what she said. Cherishing the feeling of spring, yes, when I went out, the pomegranate tree in the yard sprouted small bright red flower buds for no reason.Dong Xiaowan paid a few pennies to buy the bouquet.She wanted to kiss the little girl on the face, but the little girl bounced away after taking the money.She carefully placed the bouquet on the big bluestone and did not take it away.She doesn't like yellow flowers.
When they arrived at Longhai Temple, the mother and daughter worshiped a few pillars of incense in front of the Buddha statue, made a pious wish, and then wandered around.
Walking among the rows of vigorous ancient cypresses, I met a thin Taoist who wanted to tell their fortunes.Aunt Chen looked at the Taoist and said:
"Didn't you subdue demons in Bantang last month?" The Taoist was startled, looked carefully at Dong Xiaowan, turned and left.Dong Xiaowan saw a bit of desolation and a bit of trembling in his bleak back, but in short, there were also unforgettable things, as if they shared a common destiny.
After climbing to Baiyun Cave, Aunt Chen was too tired to speak.Dong Xiaowan saw that the hole was normal, so she didn't bother to look at it, so the mother and daughter rested under a few cypresses.Under the sun, the shadows of the trees were mottled, and an old man with white hair was posing and playing chess alone, looking like a fairy descended from the mortal world.Dong Xiaowan fantasized about living in seclusion, she really wanted to escape the troubles of the world.
Going up is Sanmao Peak.The mother and daughter drank a few sips of Huiquan water excitedly.But seeing a lot of inscriptions on the cliff beside Huiquan, when Dong Xiaowan went to look at it, he found that there was a person writing poems with a big pen on the edge of the cliff, and there was a bookboy beside him who was studying ink.After the man wrote the poem, he stepped back a few steps, enjoying himself, and even recited it twice to himself.董小宛听得字字入耳：“狂花临风欲索扶，壮士饮泉独自哭，山河北望又心碎，无门请缨敌匈奴。”她怦然心动，好负气节的男子汉，此诗悲哉！nice!山风似乎也感应了这份报国之志，吹得愈加猛烈。那人在风中瑟瑟颤粟，只好将身转过来背对风势。这一转身董小宛和他都惊叫起来。 “小宛姑娘！”“张老爷！”他乡遇故知，分外惊奇和喜悦。
原来题诗人正是复社首领张天如。两人一阵寒暄之后，陈大娘也上前道了万福。此时天也不早了，再瞧崖壁上的诗，一块突兀岩石的阴影将它罩住了，但那题字却有着生动欲跃的样子。激情所至，自然入木三分。
众人一起下山，路上董小宛简略地叙述了自己的经历和遭遇。张天如万般怜惜，无奈却帮不上什么忙，叹着气下了山。张天如忽然想起冒辟疆，便问道：“见没见过冒公子？”
小宛道：“他来找我没找着。不知他现在可在苏州？”
“应该还在苏州。”张天如道：“复社有几桩事需要他办。”
“张老爷此行去何处？”
“回京城。今天顺便游游惠山。”
“张老爷，这次一别，不知何时能见，我想请你到苏州歇歇脚。不知张老爷是不是肯赏脸？”
张天如怜惜董小宛的遭际，不愿推辞，便答应绕道苏州呆半天。
于是，众人同乘一条船，从无锡顺风朝苏州来。一路绮丽风光伴随，到得苏州，夜已深了。船近半塘，董小宛见自家阁楼一片漆黑，想来惜惜和单妈也睡了。可是楼下的客厅中分明有一丝光亮，不会忘了吹灯吧？
船系在岸边的柳树上，众人始听到院宅中传来一阵笛音。
笛声在夜色中清脆、凄凉，传得得远。黑黑的柳枝上也挂满了音符。
张天如道：“此曲套用的调子，似乎更加哀怨，却没原曲纯净。吹笛人想来是乐籍高手。”
陈大娘却识得此曲，当年董旻就是凭这支曲子将她引出画舫的。她一听便知道是董旻那个浪子回家了。他一生就只改了，作了这一支曲于，美其名曰《梅花五弄》。
她心里喜滋滋地没有吱声。
董小宛一推院门，院门便轻轻开了，原来没有锁。只见厅堂之中坐了一个人，衣襟和头上的飘带在笛声中微微飞扬，她欢喜地叫了一声“爹”。
董旻听得小宛声音，扔了笛子，几步奔出厅来，搂住小宛，悲喜交集，父女俩都泪流满面。陈大娘也跟着呜咽，张天如也被引得悲从心来。
董旻述说那天赶着两辆大车出了南京，却不知该往何处，便只顾往前走。日落前遇到了苏昆生，说了董小宛的危难处境。苏昆生古道热肠就让董旻在艳月庄歇下。苏氏也还开明，未记挂当年旧事，还打听宛儿有无心上人呢。陈大娘此刻也想苏昆生毕竟未忘旧情。董旻在艳月庄躲了些时日，便独自寻到苏州来。因未遇到陈大娘和小宛，心里思念，便在厅中吹起笛来，不料众人竟踏着笛音来到了眼前。
惜惜和单妈本已睡下，听得院中声响，慌忙穿衣起来，于是，便在客厅中摆了酒席，一则宴请张天如，二则庆贺一家团圆。杯来盏去不觉已是天色微明，张天如乃告辞，踏着露水上了船，拔锚挂帆北上而去。董小宛等也醉意朦胧地睡去，一直到第二天中午方醒。听惜惜说冒公子又来过一次，还说冒公子如何风流倜傥，言谈之下又如何倾慕小姐等等，董小宛心里涌动相思之情，一句话都没说，只是默默地站在窗前。
冒辟疆默默地站在窗前。时光缓慢，他觉得人生很累。有几次，他独自走向半塘，走到半路，又动摇了，乃假装想起什么急事似的，用折扇敲敲脑门，突然转身朝回走。他觉得路上的行人都注意到他的存在呢。而此刻，他依旧犹豫去不去半塘，也许董小宛该回来了。但他没有动。一句诗却在不知不觉中晃进他的脑海：
春蚕吐千丝，成茧身先萎；阿侬怀一人，尽情心不灰。
自己反复吟颂几遍，把这二十个字推来敲去，韵味有了，平仄合了，自己一阵暗喜，便在书案上铺开纸，提了笔，摆了身架凝神悬腕，笔走龙蛇，一幅字便跃然纸上。冒辟疆自己都发觉那字里行间竟有许多愁和幽怨。走到窗前，唤来茗烟，吩咐他去买几令装裱的纸和木轴来。他自己则一边喝茶一边想着董小宛，他要把这首诗送给她。茗烟一会儿就买来了材料，又去厨房端来一盆米浆，两人就自己动手将字幅装裱起来。挂到壁上，分明是一件好作品，非常动人。
冒辟疆歪着头细品着自己的书法，茗烟也歪着头站在他身边。刚好此时王天阶和陈则梁跨进门来，俩人也站在他俩身后，将墙上的字幅品味一番。
陈则梁拍拍冒辟疆的肩头道：“贤弟，好诗。”冒辟疆这才发觉陈则梁和王天阶站在身后，他刚才正假想董小宛接受这卷字幅的情形。茗烟慌忙一溜烟跑去沏了茶端进来。
陈则梁拈着稀稀的长鬃须说道：“我早知贤弟已到苏州，本想马上赴来，无奈在南京和方密之多聚了几天，路上又遇上风浪，所以昨天才到。让贤弟久等，请多包涵。”
冒辟疆笑道：“自家人别客气了。”
王天阶道：“苏州这几件事全得冒公子协助使之办妥，陈老兄此来就多呆几日，好好玩玩苏州名胜，如何？”
“不必了，无锡还有件要紧事，不知冒公子能否同行？这件事得靠冒公子出面周旋。”
“复社之事，冒某在所不辞。”
“甚好。明天咱们就动身。”陈则梁道。
冒辟疆一听明天动身，便傻了，心想，看来这次是见不着董小宛了，今后不知多少魂牵梦萦，不知何年何日才能见到梦中佳人呢。但转念一想，此刻还不知董小宛意下如何，干脆就答应明日动身，今天抽时间再去半塘拜访，再访她不着，就是天意无缘了。于是对陈则梁道：“明日咱俩晚些时间启程，行吗？”
冒辟疆送走陈则梁和王天阶，匆匆卷了字幅，跳上马。出门时，头碰在门楣上，差点从马背上跌下来，待稳住身子，双眼还冒着金星呢。茗烟在马后惊出一头冷汗。
冒辟疆催动坐骑，快马直奔半塘。路上的游人、脚夫、商贾纷纷朝后退去。有个当道卖李子的小贩忙着躲闪，选好李子的顾客趁机一哄而散，那小贩，气得直跺脚，想破口大骂又不知骂什么，等想好怎么骂时，冒辟疆已跑得无影无踪了。
跑到董小宛的门前，他猛勒缰绳，那匹马猛一打挺，前蹄竖立而起，仰天一声长嘶，然后在原地跳了几下，才在双蹄惊起的灰尘中站稳脚跟。冒辟疆滚鞍下马，便把那扇门擂得咚咚响。远远站着的几个老妇人觉得此人像才从边塞跑来报告紧急军情的信使。
“报丧吗？急什么嘛。”门开了，一个男人伸出半个身子问道：“你找谁？”
“如皋冒辟疆久慕董小宛芳名，特来……”
“小姐出远门了，出远门了。”董旻不待他把话讲完，便截住话头。然后轰的一声关上门。
冒辟疆愣了愣，叹息道：“佳人难再得。”忽地上了马，三次拜访不遇红颜，他好不甘心，骑着马在门前溜圈子。马蹄声应和着他内心的强烈思念之情，使他徘徊难以离去。
惜惜端一木盆刚洗的衣裳上了楼，正要俯身去擦横在楼前的竹竿时，瞧见院门外有个熟悉的身影，便定睛一看，那人不是冒公子吗？她高兴得大声喊叫：“冒公子，冒公子。”不慎木盆顺着栏杆滑了出去，衣裳掉在地上。那个木盆则滚了几圈后碰到花圃才停下来。
冒辟疆正要策马而去，猛然听得惜惜的喊叫声，扭头看见惜惜在阁楼上招手，心里有了一丝欣喜。
单妈听到木盆摔落的声音中夹杂着惜惜叫喊声，忙跑去开了门。冒辟疆已从马背上跳了下来。单妈去帮他牵马，这次，冒辟疆没让她牵，而是自己牵马进来将它拴在一棵柏树上。
“小宛姑娘是否回了家？”
“回来了，回来了，刚起床呢。”
陈大娘此时正在西厢房中，听得院中声响，开门就看见冒辟疆一表人材，禁不住多瞧了几眼，好一位脱俗的公子。陈大娘朝阁楼上喊道“乖女，快来接客。”冒辟疆看见阁楼窗前一个美丽的人影闪了一下，心里怦然一动。
“冒公子请到客堂稍待。”陈大娘说道。
冒辟疆却没听见。因为他看见惜惜扶着那女一个人走下来，已到了曲栏边。董小宛昨夜陪张天如多喝了几杯，本来在闺房中迷糊着正要睡去，听说冒公子来了，来不及梳妆便下了楼，依旧醉不胜力，只好由惜惜扶着。
两个相互渴慕已久的人儿猛然相见，都有些慌张，一句话也说不出来。冒辟疆看着青丝蓬松略显羞色的董小宛，这般天姿国色梦中都没见过。董小宛看着如玉树临风、气度脱俗的冒辟疆，心都酥了，这么长久的相思真正值得，纵便为伊消得人憔悴也终不悔哩。
俩人痴痴地对视。时光像泉水在四周汩汩流淌，俩人浑然不觉。目光之中有许多许多宛若游鱼般的情景在空中相撞。
两根红线从眼中射出系住了对方怦怦跳动的心。风吹着院中缀着花蕾的石榴树，此刻，那枝条快意地指向天空。刹那间，董小宛觉得自己进入了朝思暮想的梦境。
董小宛牵着冒辟疆的手，引他进入自己的闺房。一股女人的温馨气息弥漫整个房间。心中的欢欣将笑容写在他俩的脸上，就荡起阵阵石子扔进一泓静水，荡起阵阵涟漪。
又像一对久别重逢的情侣，俩人都不觉得拘束。尽心倾述着自己最近的一些生活经历。
说到得意之时，两人笑声朗朗，说到不如意处，则陪着对方暗暗垂泪。惜惜在端茶送水之间，按捺不住内心的窃喜，总在楼梯拐角处独自笑一会儿。
姐姐的幸福当然也是妹妹的幸福。
两人语来话去，竟没说一个情字，而那相思之意，却表达得淋沥尽致。说到在苏州府为冒辟疆凭空添的一段佳话时，冒辟疆便要听《录台蜀妃》。
董小宛走到琴台边，先推开一排小格窗，风吹拂着她头上的青丝，她将发丝朝后理一理，然后缓缓从琴匣中捧出古琴放在长条几上。冒辟疆捧上青铜鹤嘴香炉，点燃一支紫檀香，就在一柱蓝悠悠的香雾升起之时，董小宛的琴声也悠悠响起来。这本是一支足以催人泪下的哀伤曲子，但在这对幸福的人听来却是轻快的，像从荆棘和林木遮挡之下流到阳光中来的一泓山泉，清澈、明亮、沁人心脾。一曲弹罢，冒辟疆抚掌叫好，董小宛娇声笑道：“这可是你的独创啊。”
两人又牵了手站到原先的座椅旁，轻言细语谈笑着彼此的童年趣事。渐渐两人都觉得饿了，忍不住咽了几口唾液，彼此听到对方饥肠鸣响，不禁相视一笑。今天，大脚单妈和陈大娘使出了平身绝学，将一桌菜肴精心烹制。整座阁楼弥漫着香味和欢乐。
待众人在餐桌边坐定，惜惜和单妈一下子就上了十二道菜。冒辟疆看了看，都是平常蔬菜，却做得色、香、味俱全。
五颜六色的佳肴，备上细瓷菜盘，经过镶边的名贵生漆染的黑圆桌一衬，更是美不胜收。于是脱口赞叹道：“绝妙的手艺。”
陈大娘和单妈，乐得脸上开花，斟酒时的动作都要恭敬得多。
另一个最快活的人是董旻，而对满桌美味，大家都没举杯时，他已自斟自酌干了三杯。
三杯两盏下肚，惜惜朝董小宛眯眯眼，用教训般的语气问冒辟疆：“冒公子，你打算什么时候娶小宛姐姐？”
这是个敏感问题，众人都停了杯筷，期待着冒辟疆的答复。董小宛心里怦怦直跳。她拿眼角瞟着冒辟疆，心里七上八下的，既担心又着急。冒辟疆则只看着面前那半杯酒，墙上一只挂钩的影子投入杯底，恍惚间像一条蛇。席间一片沉默。
陈大娘急了，试探地问道：“冒公子莫不是嫌弃我家小姐出生微贱，有辱家门？”
“不，小生绝无此意。实不相瞒，家中已有妻室，只怕宛君委屈。董姑娘妙龄佳貌，皇帝娘娘都做得。小生一片深情，却未敢奢望要宛君为侧室，故而不敢开口。”
董小宛眉头一皱，皱眉之下依旧悬挂着喜色。她含羞说道：“常言道'宁为君子妾，勿为庸人妇'，若今身得侍君左右，便做奴婢也可，何忧侧室呢？”
冒辟疆闻言欣喜道：“人生自古难得真情，辟疆不才，当铭心刻骨以报宛君浓情。”
众人俱皆欣喜，嚷着要他俩先喝一杯交杯酒。俩人也不推，站起身来，换了杯盏，待惜惜斟满之后，俩人缠了肘弯，一口喝干杯中酒，然后亮了杯底。众人一片欢笑。
酒足饭饱，天也黑了，就撤了酒席，董旻知趣地溜出门会他新交的一帮朋友去了。陈大娘和单妈自去收拾杯盘。惜惜点亮了四盏宫灯，厅中明晃晃的，洋溢着喜气，董小宛和冒辟疆坐在一边含笑品着茶。
惜惜忙了一阵，凑上来开玩笑说：“冒公子，你在这里私订终身，不怕大嫂骂你？”
董小宛朝惜惜一瞪眼，惜惜一吐舌头，知道问了不该问的问题，慌忙想走开。冒辟疆自信地说道：“苏元芳通情达理，绝无恶语。”惜惜边走边说道：“太好了。”
冒辟疆忽然一拍腿，说道：“差点忘了。”忙起身走到院子中，董小宛不知他忘了什么，茫然地看着他从马背上取了一件东西走进来。董小宛看着是一首情诗，不禁脸颊飞红，轻轻地敲敲他的肩头。
惜惜本来已走到楼梯口，这时也折回来看了看。她忽然说：“冒公子，这幅字虽有绝妙神韵，但作为定情之物却不妥当。你说对不对？”
“惜妹说得对。”冒辟疆抚额沉吟，却不知送什么好。手臂放下之时，触着胸襟一块硬物，心中一喜，说道：“有了。”
董小宛看他伸手从领口扯出一块深绿的玉佩来，他说道：“这是先帝赐给爷爷的游龙，此乃我家宝物，今送给宛君作定情之物，望要好好珍藏。”然后将玉佩对着宫灯举起。董小宛看见玉佩之中竟有流液像一条小白龙在游动，心知是稀世之宝。冒辟疆轻轻将玉佩挂在她的脖子上，她顺势温柔地将头靠在她的肩上。惜惜在旁边笑得嘴都合不拢了。
冒辟疆轻抚着她的发丝说道：“明年桃花开时，我就来接你同归如皋。”董小宛心花怒放，全身竟颤栗起来。
惜惜今天特别兴奋，总是想说话。这时插嘴道：“何必要明年，过两天就带姐姐走。”
冒辟疆抚着小宛的发丝，深深地叹了口气，他情意绵绵地说道：“宛君，我因复社之事要去苏州，有幸得遇心中佳人，我也想多呆几天，无奈社务紧急，我明天就要离开苏州了。”
董小宛一听，花容失色，呆住了。惜惜忍耐不住，呜呜地哭了起来。董小宛毕竟是非凡的女人，她深知只有以国事为己任的男人最终才会带给她幸福和安宁。
陈大娘听说冒辟疆明天执意要走，已无法挽留，便张罗起香罗锦被之类的床上用品来。
她本是秦淮河的脂粉养大的，深知“春宵一刻值千金”的道理。
恰在这时，有人在院门外一边叫着“陈大娘”，一边敲着门。她提着一盏纸糊的小灯笼去开了门，原来是撑船的刘二。
他为人憨厚诚实，靠一条小船维持生计，偶而卖点小菜，且他的船常靠在半塘的小码头，陈大娘因而认得。刘二因今天家中有事，请陈大娘帮忙留心一下他的小船。他朝水边一指道：“就是系在柳树上的那条船。”陈大娘爽快地答应下来。
董小宛和冒辟疆两情缠绵，正牵着手站在花圃边赏花。听见刘二有条空船，两人同时有个想法闪过脑际，相互望了一眼，会心一笑，却什么话都没有说。陈大娘送走刘二，冒辟疆便告诉他想到船上幽会。陈大娘笑着说道：“就你们读书人点子多。”
陈大娘和惜惜先上了船，将刘二铺在中舱中的破棉被卷起，用一条粗麻绳捆在船尾，重新铺上软垫和锦被，连舱口也挂了一条绣着孔雀图案的花窗帘，直到舱中看起来像一条画舫。陈大娘一边布置一边就想起在秦淮河那条属于自己的画舫中的风流青春时光，全身竟有些酥痒难耐。
惜惜挑着一盏灯笼引董小宛和冒辟疆上了小船，然后将灯笼挂在岸边的垂柳上。大脚单妈则端了一盆衣服到码头边假装清洗，实际是给冒公子和小宛望风，若有人误闯花区她也好阻拦一下，以免两人败了兴致。
冒辟疆脱了长衫，从船舷边取下竹竿，用力朝岸上一撑，小船就在一片水声中荡往湖心。月亮从云层中钻出来，洒下一片银辉。
湖中有个很小的岛，独独只长一棵柳树起来，像一位孤单的丽人站在水中央。冒辟疆站在船头，抛了三次缆绳均未套住树桩。董小宛看见他手中绳圈滴滴哒哒的朝船板上滴下水来。她也走到船头上，船一晃俩人慌忙相互挽扶，然后轻声浅笑，彼此的关怀都令人感动。
她想，这就是相依为命的感觉。
董小宛提着缆绳，站到船头的前沿，前倾着身子，右脚支撑，左脚则向后翘起保持平衡，冒辟疆顺手抓紧她的足踝。
她眼见要挂住树桩，船却突然一晃，人差点掉进水中。
河上回荡着她的惊叫声。
缆绳终于挂住树桩，挂得很稳。
冒辟疆在船头趁机拦腰抱起董小宛。她吊住他的脖子咯咯地娇笑着，不在乎惊动了笼罩在四周的漫漫长夜，船颠得很厉害，他摇摇晃晃将她抱进舱里。
她仰面躺在柔软的锦被上，满面红潮，长长地出着气，双眼亮晶晶的却又有些迷茫地瞧着他，期待着他……
他俩渴望着融为一体。世间的一切仿佛刹那间消失了，天地间只有两个合二为一的灵魂。他抚摸着她的头发，脸颊和脖颈，吞咽着她呼出的如兰香气，那脸上的细腻肤色使人如入梦幻。罗带轻分，香钗横斜，两人随船向天边飘去。
那船节奏均匀地晃荡着。水将一浪一浪波纹向四周传递。
单妈竟忍不住，她倚在一根倾斜的柳树上悄悄地流泪。全身也瑟瑟颤栗。
冒辟疆温柔地伏在她耳边，呢喃着，然后香美而又疲软地进入梦乡，董小宛依偎着他，心满意足，侧身瞧着他睡梦中的脸，用手轻抚着他的发丝，船