Chapter 22 Chapter 22 The Lustful Hong Chengchou

It was the seventh year of Shunzhi that Mao Bijiang ran away from home.On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, he and Wang Xiong carried a burden, boarded a boat from the water pier in the south of Rugao, and headed for Yangzhou.When they arrived in Yangzhou on the third day, it was almost the end of the year. As soon as they landed, Mao Bijiang and Wang Xiong went straight to their old friend Zheng Chaozong.Zheng Chaozong was at the mansion, and when he heard that his friend was coming to visit, he was very happy, so he hurried out to welcome Mao Pijiang and the two of them in, and immediately prepared wine to entertain them.

During the meeting, Zheng Chaozong asked Mao Pijiang if he had something to do when he went to Yangzhou and whether he needed help. Mao Pijiang sighed: "Brother Zheng, I came out to take refuge!" "Are you hiding? Brother, don't be joking." Zheng Chaozong put down his glass and said, "You have always been a lucky star, and you are a good person. Where is the disaster?" "Brother Zheng, you don't know," Mao Pijiang sighed and said, "I don't know which god I offended. A few days ago, Brother Wang Xiong suddenly came to Mao's mansion and said that someone filed a complaint with Rugao Yinzhi County, saying that I had privately This is a big case of extermination!"

Wang Xiong also confirmed: "I have a good relationship with a writer master in the Rugao county government. He told me that he knew that I had something to do with the Mao family. This person usually respects that the Mao family is talented, courageous, and generous. , specialize in helping people. So let me tell Mr. Mao, try to avoid it quickly." "So the problem is still very serious. You should stay here for a while and make sense after the limelight passes." Then he asked Mao Bijiang and Wang Xiong: "Do you know who told the secret?" "I don't know." Mao Pijiang said.

"I heard that there was a conflict with the Mao family. That person had a lawsuit with the tenant of the Mao family because of the land use problem. Later, the Mao family came forward to help the tenant, and the man lost the lawsuit." Wang Xiong continued: " That person may want to vent his anger and rectify the fake family." "Do you have such a thing as rebellion?" Zheng Chaozong asked. "What's the matter? Brother Zheng still doesn't know who I am. Although I hate the Manchus, when the Qing soldiers came to the south of the Yangtze River, my whole family of the Mao family went out to seek refuge."

"In this way, the problem is not as serious as imagined. Sooner or later, the truth will come to light. You can stay here for a few days with peace of mind." However, it was said that the day after Mao Pijiang and Wang Xiong left Rugao for Yangzhou, the officials of Rugao County came to Maofu with an invitation from Yinzhi County to ask the young master to talk to the county.Dong Xiaowan received the visitors with a calm expression, and gave a red envelope, asking them to reply to Mr. Yin, Mr. Mao went to Yangzhou to visit friends three days ago, and when he came back, he immediately went to see the county magistrate.

Yin Yingyin, the magistrate of Rugao County, is a tactful seventh-rank magistrate. He was an ex-minister of the Ming Dynasty. Because of his timid and flexible character, he was not in a hurry to deal with the matter of rebellion. so as not to take unnecessary risks.He clearly knew that the Qing court attached great importance to all kinds of treason cases, and once the case was filed and handled, the nine clans would be implicated.The Mao family is a well-known family in Rugao. There have been people who served in the imperial court in the past dynasties and were familiar with the general criminal laws of the Qing Dynasty.Whistleblowers are different from signed accusations in that it is not convenient for the whistleblower to confront them face to face.If there are falsehoods and act presumptuously, causing disputes, the magistrate will be punished.

Yin Yingyin knew that if he wanted to keep the blue and white plume on his head, he couldn't act presumptuously. He came up with a plan, first lured Mao Pijiang to the county government office, pretended to have a chat with him, then checked his appearance, and if there were any flaws, he would follow up and question him.As long as something suspicious is found, it will be investigated and dealt with without hesitation.At this time, you can let go of your old face and solve this reverse case. When the officer who went to Maofu came back, Yin Yingyin was drinking tea under the shade of a tree in the backyard. The officer reported to him: "Three days ago, Mao Pijiang went out to visit friends." Yin Yingyin did not expect that Mao Pijiang had left Rugao.He said "Oh" expressionlessly, and then saw the guard leave happily.He guessed that these servants must have received red envelopes from Maofu. He heard that Maofu was the richest gentry in Rugao, and he was quite generous.The wealth of the Mao family is enough to buy hundreds of lives, and besides, it is not sure whether the Mao Pijiang will be rebellious.Yin Yingyin was a little hesitant.

In the evening, Yin Yingyin sent someone to call the informer surnamed Huang and question him carefully.The informer Yue said: "When the Qing soldiers came to Rugao, Chen Junyue led the rebels to defend the city and sent people to live in Maofu, and no one was allowed to disturb him. What is the relationship, but I don’t know.” Yin Yingyin was afraid that the man would lie, so he asked him to sign his name and asked him if he could accuse Mao Pijiang at that time, otherwise he would be reversed. Yin Yingyin didn't plan not to pursue further investigations as long as he couldn't find any flaws. If he wanted to gain a firm foothold in Rugao, he had to rely on the support of a big family like Maofu.But when he heard about the rebel Chen Junyue who had protected Mao's family when the Qing soldiers attacked Rugao, he was afraid that the Qing court would hold him accountable if they found out.But Mao Bijiang has already gone far away, so now he has no choice but to find Mao Songgong, the master of Mao Mansion.

After Dong Xiaowan sent away the servants sent by the county magistrate, he hurried to Jixianli and kowtowed to his father-in-law, Maosonggong.After reporting this matter to him, Lord Maosong nodded and said, "Xiao Wan, you have done a good job, you should let Pijiang go out first to avoid the limelight." Dong Xiaowan said to her father-in-law: "Do you want someone to go to the Yamen to hear the news?" Duke Maosong nodded again, and said: "Okay." Then he called the housekeeper Mao Quan, who is a very capable housekeeper. He has been in Mao Mansion for many years and has won the appreciation of Mao Mansion.Mr. Mao Song asked Mao Quan to go to the yamen to find out about the master.

After taking the whole trip for a short time, he came back.He told the master the ins and outs of the matter.Mao Songgong pondered for a moment, then turned his head and asked Dong Xiaowan: "This Chen Junyue and I have never met, do you know if Xiang'er is related to him?" Dong Xiaowan felt that the matter had already happened, and she could no longer hide anything from the master, so she told her father-in-law everything truthfully.After hearing this, Lord Maosong felt that the problem was serious, so he said, "Xiaowan, you should live in the mansion, and sooner or later there will be someone who can discuss it." He pondered for a while and then asked: "In your opinion, if Yin Yingyin really wants to How should I answer this question?"

"In my daughter-in-law's opinion, it's not a big deal if you admit it, my lord." Duke Maosong found this remark unexpected: "Ask me to admit it? Where did you start?" Dong Xiaowan said: "If Yin Yingyin asked about Chen Junyue, my father-in-law can say that when my father-in-law was in office, Chen Junyue was under your command as a military officer, so he was your former subordinate. It is not surprising that he came to Rugao to live in the Mao family The point is, our Mao family had already fled outside at that time, so of course there was no suspicion of collusion. There is no corroborating evidence for this matter, so my lord can rest assured. "Dong Xiaowan paused for a while and said: "In my wife's opinion, it is not difficult to solve the matter by simply bribing Yinzhi County secretly. " Just as Dong Xiaowan estimated, Yin Yingyin came to Maofu again soon.In the afternoon of this day, Yin Yingyin came to Maofu in a soft sedan chair.Lord Maosong ordered Mao's mansion to receive him warmly, and first served a good banquet.During the banquet, Duke Maosong told Dong Xiaowan what he said, and Yin Yingyin really had nothing to say, so he ended up selling his favors and said to Master Mao: "Senior, please forgive my county for taking the liberty. Someone has reported this matter, so I have to come forward in person. Come to ask the boss for clarification. Since he is Wu Bian who was under the old man in the past, please write an explanation, so that our county can do business." After Maosong waited for the magistrate of Yin County to leave after drinking and eating, he came to the study non-stop, praised Dong Xiaowan a few words, and then discussed and wrote a post so that Yin Yingyin could take it to a business. "From this point of view, it's all right." Dong Xiaowan said with a smile: "But this post is just a formality. According to my daughter-in-law, money is the most important thing." Duke Maosong asked Dong Xiaowan to handle these matters, and then he walked out of the study and walked towards the rockery.Dong Xiaowan called Maoquan, told him to seal a thousand taels of silver in big red, and took the post to thank the magistrate of Yin face to face. Yin Yingyin seemed to know that Mao's family would come soon. He was sitting on the stone in the back garden picking his teeth with a toothpick, and there was a delicate brown teapot on the stone table next to him. He saw Mao Quan hurried in, spit out the dirt from his mouth in the grass, and stood up to invite Mao Quan into the study.Maoquan put the things on the stone table and said, "Please accept this gift, my lord." Yin Yingyin looked at the red envelope, and his mouse eyes were like broken yellow flowers: "Get up! Let me tell you, you don't have to be so polite, Mr. Mao." Maoquan kowtowed again and stood up, standing aside with his hands down.Yin Yingyin opened the red envelope and saw that it was a silver bill of a thousand taels. He was overjoyed, threw the post aside, and said to Mao Quan: "Housekeeper, you go back and tell your master that this matter is over in this county, so he can rest assured." ” After thanking Mao, he hurried back to Mao’s mansion to inform the master and wife.When Dong Xiaowan saw the matter was over, he sent someone to tell Mao Bijiang what had happened, so that he could rest assured. Mao Pijiang and Wang Xiong stayed at Zheng Chaozong's place for a few days, and felt a little restless.Three days later, Mao Pijiang left Yangzhou full of melancholy.After arriving at Yanguan with Wang Xiong, they went directly to Chen Zeliang's residence.Chen Zeliang received Mao Pijiang and Wang Xiong with great joy, and persuaded them to stay in Yanguan for the New Year before leaving. At this time, Dong Xiaowan sent people to Zheng Chaozong's place in Yangzhou, and heard that the young master had gone to Yanguan.He hurried to Yanguan again, and met the young master at Chen Zeliang's mansion. After Mao Bijiang got the letter, his heart was full of joy, and he felt much better.Chen Zeliang was also very happy to learn that the lawsuit against Mao Pijiang had been settled.So he set up a banquet specially for Mao Pijiang. During the banquet, Chen Zeliang and others persuaded Mao Pijiang to drink a few more glasses.Mao Bijiang was originally too strong to drink, but because the lawsuit was over, he was in a good mood, and he was with his best friends, so he drank a few more glasses unceremoniously.They drank and talked about the situation.The mood of being a subjugated slave immediately permeated the entire banquet.Chen Zeliang didn't want to break the mood, so he advised everyone not to talk about state affairs and drink more.Before the banquet was over, Mao Pijiang had already passed out drunk on the chair.Chen Zeliang helped Wei Pijiang into the study to rest, and personally took care of him to sleep, and then left to have a drink with his friends. Slowly entered the land of tenderness in a sound sleep.He returned to the Water Painting Garden, walked hand in hand with Xiao Wan, and came to the Plum Garden, chatting love words endlessly in the fragrant forest.Dong Xiaowan is wearing a red satin sable cape, and her high temples are like rainbows.She stood in the snow, with the breeze blowing by her side, she looked charming and moving. The two cuddled each other, talking and laughing, a sense of tenderness and sweetness rose in Mao Pijiang's heart, and suddenly a gust of north wind blew, and the cold plums on the tree fell like snowflakes, falling to the ground one after another. Mao Pijiang woke up and couldn't help laughing.He suddenly felt a severe headache. He thought it might be a headache caused by a hangover, so he fell down again, thinking about the sweet dream, and slowly fell into a deep sleep again. In the sixth year of Shunzhi, since the Qing soldiers entered the customs, most of the Central Plains belonged to the Qing regime. Only the areas of Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and remote Sichuan and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau still had the remnants of the Ming Dynasty and various volunteer soldiers. After Li Zicheng's death, his generals Li Guo, Gao Yigong and Hao Yaoqi led the rest of the rebel army to unite with the Ming Dynasty anti-Qing generals He Tengjiao and Du Yinxi's troops and gathered in Huguang to resist the Qing soldiers.At the same time, Li Dingguo, Liu Wenxiu, Sun Kewang and others from Zhang Xianzhong's remaining troops also cooperated with the government of King Gui of the Nanming Dynasty in Sichuan and Yunnan and Guizhou to continue to resist the Qing Dynasty. In this year, Prince Yu Duoduo led the Qing army across the Yangtze River and began to attack the government of King Fu in Nanjing.Duduo's Qing army was invincible, and the Ming army fled like stragglers. At this time, fierce party and civil wars were going on within the King Fu's government, and Ruan Huocheng and Ma Shiying finally took control of the government.The rest of the elites, such as the Donglin Party and Fushe, were excluded and attacked. Mao Bijiang only heard rumors about these changes in state affairs. When he was at Chen Zeliang's house, Chen Zeliang also mentioned this matter to him, and said that Hou Chaozong, Fang Mizhi and other recovery elites were unwilling to curry favor with Ruan Dacheng and others for the sake of fame. Ma Shiying and his eunuchs left Nanjing. The next day, Mao Pijiang rushed to Yangzhou and went straight to Zheng Chaozong's place. It happened that Wu Ciwei, Gong Zhilu and Du Yuhuang were meeting in Zheng's mansion.When Zheng Chaozong saw so many friends coming, he felt very happy, so he asked his family to host a banquet. Mao Pijiang also heard sporadically about the martyrdom of Shi Ke and Fa Shige.During the banquet, Wu Ciwei told him about Master Shi's heroic deeds.He remembered that his father could not help lamenting when he heard about Shi Kefa's heroism: "One tree can't support the world, the general situation is over." Mao Pijiang listened to Wu Ciwei's sentimental tone about Shi Kefa's loyalty in a hazy drunk. "...Duoduo led the iron armored army of the Qing Dynasty to attack Yangzhou. Due to the fierce party struggle and civil strife within the government of King Fu in Nanjing, after Ma Shiying seized the government, he used the eunuch Ruan Dacheng and his like. Liu Zeqing, Gao Jiang, Liu Liangzuo, and Huang Degong, the commanders-in-chief of the four towns in Jiangbei, fought for power and profit with each other when the enemy was in front of them. They hated each other deeply and did not take state affairs seriously. At this time, Shi Kefa was restrained by Ma Shiying and other eunuchs, and the commander-in-chief of the four towns in Jiangbei did not listen to his command and was trapped everywhere. After the Qing army surrounded Yangzhou, Shi Kefa was trapped in the isolated city and vowed not to surrender. Duoduo once gave Shi Kefa five seals Letter, urging him to surrender, claiming that he could not only save his life, but also protect his official position. Shi Kefa tore up the letter without even reading it. After the Qing soldiers broke through Yangzhou, they massacred the people in the city. The dead were countless. Shi Kefa was defeated and captured. Resolutely not to surrender, and finally heroically sacrificed.” Mao Pijiang got drunk for another night. In the intoxication, he vaguely felt that he was helped to sleep in the study by Zheng Chaozong with tears streaming down his face.In his drowsiness, Wu Ciwei's description of the fall of Yangzhou and Nanjing kept appearing in his mind: the Qing army was like a flood sweeping towards the south of the Yangtze River, and the trampled Ming army and civilians were like fish on the beach, tumbling in despair , a miserable scene. He knew that his night was not easy, and he was disturbed by some strange scenes in his dream all night.At first, he dreamed that Shi Kefa told him in his room in the Shiyin Garden that he didn't need to go back to guard Yangzhou.When Mao Bijiang looked carefully again, Shi Gebu's face was hidden in the dark, not very clear. He wanted to shout, but Shi Kefa spoke again in the dark, his voice was intermittent, and it sounded farther and farther away.When he saw Shi Gebu riding a black charcoal stallion by the river bank, he suddenly felt that he had returned to Rugao's home.He saw the housekeeper Mao Quan and the servant Mao Lu coming out, he asked: "Where is your young lady?" Mao Quan and Mao Lu kept their faces livid and did not answer, he asked again: "Where is Su Yuanfang?" There was still a moment of silence. Mao Bijiang didn't think that something happened, but felt a little surprised.He didn't have time to pay attention to them, so he rushed to Dong Xiaowan's room in a hurry, but there was a mess in front of him.The box and cage were overturned, and Dong Xiaowan's favorite bronze mirror was also scattered on the ground in pieces.He hurriedly turned around and ran out of the room, shouting, "Where did Xiao Wan go?"There was no one around, and he sensed that something had happened in Maofu. Then he woke up. The army led by Prince Yu Duoduo had almost swept across the entire south of the Yangtze River, but in Fujian, Guangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan, the remnants of the Ming Dynasty and many peasant rebels scattered everywhere to resist the further southward advance of the Qing army.This caused the Qing regime a big headache.Fan Wencheng persuaded Hong Chengchou to be used in front of the regent Dorgon, and sent him to the south to destroy all volunteers to assist Prince Yu Duoduo. In the second half of the sixth year of Shunzhi, the Qing soldiers gradually moved to the south. By the end of the year, there were not many wars from Suzhou and Hangzhou to Fujian.Duoduo's residence and Hong Chengchou's residence were both moved to Suzhou.Hong Chengchou was extremely flattering to the emperor's uncle. He knew that Duo Duo, like the emperor's brother and regent Dorgon, was a well-known womanizer and had always been greedy for women. While stationed in the south of the Yangtze River, Hong Chengchou recruited beauties from all over the Suzhou and Hangzhou area to present Duoduo to match his preferences. Duoduo never refused, and he trusted Hong Chengchou even more, enjoying the beautiful Jiangnan beauties he had dreamed of in his mansion all day long.Hong Chengchou also took advantage of this to get some beauties for his own enjoyment.Duoduo spent most of his time enjoying beauties, and since then handed over the military power to Hong Chengchou. After Prince Yu Duoduo left Suzhou, Hong Chengchou went to visit Huqiu once, and suddenly remembered hearing from Suzhou people that Dong Xiaowan, a famous Jinling prostitute who used to live in Bantang, was now married to Rugao Maopijiang.This peerless beauty is the youngest of the eight beauties in Jinling, so she is considered to be in her prime. Hong Chengchou was meditating quietly in the dim light of the afternoon, which also reminded him that many years ago, when he was a guest at Wu Sangui's home, he met Chen Yuanyuan, a famous prostitute who was once famous in Jinling.At that time, Chen Yuanyuan was Wu Sangui's favorite concubine.When drinking with Wu Sangui, Chen Yuanyuan played the piano and flute for them.Hong Chengchou still remembers to this day that he kept drinking to the sound of the zither, and the dim candlelight made him appear drunk. After his hooded eyes stayed on Chen Yuanyuan illuminated by the candlelight, he never left.Even though Wu Sangui kept persuading him to drink, he didn't look back. Hong Chengchou still hasn't figured out whether he was really drunk that day, or whether he was intoxicated by Chen Yuanyuan's beautiful figure in the candlelight.He seemed a little careless towards Wu Sangui.He answered irrelevantly and said: "The general is really blessed. To get such a beautiful woman is really a good relationship in the previous life. If I can have this blessing, even if I am not an official, I am willing!" Hong Chengchou didn't know that such a beautiful woman existed in the world until he met Chen Yuanyuan.Later he heard that Chen Yuanyuan was taken captive by Li Zicheng's subordinate Liu Zongmin, and he couldn't help sighing that she was a poor girl.After surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, he became a minister of the Qing court and was busy helping Duoduo to pacify the southern rebels, but this matter gradually forgot.It was only later said that after Li Zicheng was defeated and left the capital, Chen Yuanyuan became a nun. However, now Hong Chengchou feels that although Chen Yuanyuan's life is lamentable, it is already a thing of the past.He unconsciously sighed again. In the afternoon that was close to dusk, Hong Chengchou stayed in the beautiful Bantang, not wanting to move, wanting to see far away without thinking about the edge.At this age, he was still full of curiosity and enthusiasm for pornography, and he couldn't help but find it a little funny. When his subordinate Asi Zhen walked towards him, he was still immersed in an indescribable emotion. "My lord, it's getting dark." Asi Zhen continued, "Should I go back to Suzhou directly, or should I find a family here to rest and leave tomorrow?" Hong Chengchou woke up from a daze.He looked at Asi Town, then at the river wind blowing from the Yudai Bridge, and said, "Let's go back, directly to Suzhou." Hong Chengchou sat in the eight-carried sedan chair, enjoying the comfort brought by the up and down bumps. A gust of wind blows past, and he fell into the imagination of Dong Xiaowan again.He remembered that Dong Xiaowan was still young, and couldn't help sighing in the sedan chair: I was considered an important minister in the Ming court, and now I am also a high-ranking official in the Qing court, with a lot of power.But in terms of the enjoyment of this beautiful blessing, it is far inferior to that of a small literati in Mao Pijiang.He looked at Asizhen's back on the horse, and immediately had an idea.Asizhen is a bannerman, he used to work under Prince Yu Duoduo, and he can understand what his boss wants to do.Hong Chengchou thought that he was the most suitable person to handle this matter. The noon when Dong Xiaowan was carried into the Rugao county government office in a sedan chair covered with thick gauze was at the end of the seventh year of Shunzhi.It snowed heavily that day, and many branches were bent over by the night's auspicious snow.Dong Xiaowan was admiring the heavy snow on the window lattice.She suddenly saw a few bouquets of bright wintersweet flowers, and felt extremely pleasantly surprised. She was about to put on her cloak and go downstairs to pick a few, when the housekeeper ran upstairs staggeringly... "Young...Young Madam!" Mao Quan panted heavily, the mist that he exhaled hit the icicles on his beard, his face turned pale with panic. "Young Madam, it's too bad, Lord Yin, the county magistrate, brought a team of Qing soldiers into the mansion, in order to see you." Dong Xiaowan stood numbly at the stairs, the cloak in her hand slipped silently to the floor, her heart sank: something happened to the young master again. When she took the letter from Yin Yingyin, she suddenly appeared calm and calm.She saw that it was written in the letter that Prince Yu wanted to recruit her to the Suzhou palace to instruct embroidery. She thought it would be fine as long as the young master was fine, but she didn't understand how a dignified master would know that there was such a lady like her. When she heard from Yinzhi County that Master Hong sent an officer to invite her, she somewhat understood Yes, it must be the ghost of the traitor Hong Chengchou in the middle. Dong Xiaowan frowned, thinking about what to say to comfort the elder.As soon as he walked to the back room, he met Su Yuanfang walking towards him. "Sister Wan, you can't agree to go to Suzhou, do you know what they are thinking about?" Dong Xiaowan suddenly felt a heat in her heart, she had been worried that Su Yuanfang would be prejudiced against her, but now it seems that worrying is unnecessary. Dong Xiaowan immediately said: "Sister, please don't worry about me. I'm going to discuss with my father-in-law. Please hurry up and call Aunt Liu to wait for me in my room. I have something important to say to her." Dong Xiaowan walked into her father-in-law's room and saw her father-in-law sitting on the grand teacher's chair. She was about to speak, and Mr. Maosong asked first, "Xiaowan, how can we do this?" Obviously, Mr. Maosong, like Su Yuanfang, knew about this matter. up.He stood up from the grand teacher's chair, paced back and forth in the middle hall, thinking of countermeasures, and kept rubbing his hands. Seeing this situation, Dong Xiaowan said: "Please accept this note from Yin Yingyin, it will be of great use in the future." Duke Maosong took it over and looked at it, and suddenly said to Dong Xiaowan: "There is no need to agree, this is a false order from the king." Dong Xiaowan nodded and said: "My daughter-in-law also knows that Bandit Hong is passing on the king's order in a false way, but if you don't make mistakes now, you will make mistakes in the future, and the falsehood will become true in the future, and then there will be no other way." Duke Maosong pondered for a while and said, "Although your words are reasonable, but this time you go..." Dong Xiaowan said resolutely without waiting for him to finish: "My daughter-in-law has come into a risky family, thanks to the elders who did not dismiss her as humble, and the son is very loving, my daughter-in-law has received such a generous favor, I should repay her gratitude, today is Xiaowan's opportunity to repay her kindness. Please rest assured that my daughter-in-law will not be chaste, secondly, she will not tarnish the Mao family, and thirdly, she will not implicate the son-in-law. At the time of birth and separation, the daughter-in-law will have nothing to say. Don't think about the poor life. The master has read thousands of books, traveled thousands of miles, and is familiar with ancient and modern stories. He must know that this refusal cannot be dismissed. My daughter-in-law is going to say goodbye to her mother-in-law, and I hope you will be kind and persuade her. Don't be sad, which will damage your body .” After Dong Xiaowan finished speaking, she bowed down with tears in her eyes, and Duke Maosong covered his face and sobbed, "It's unexpected that a man who has subjugated his country can't protect a daughter-in-law." Weeping and waving his hands, he said, "Go, my son." Ma Laogong was dozing off on a chair covered with dog fur, completely unaware of what had happened.Dong Xiaowan walked to Ma Laogong's chair, knelt down and said: "Mother-in-law, my daughter-in-law is called to stay in Suzhou for a few days, and will be back in a few days. I just made an agreement with my father-in-law. The visitor is waiting in the hall, daughter-in-law Just pack up and leave right away." Ma Laogong was suddenly awakened, and asked in surprise: "What? Who recruited you in such a hurry?" Dong Xiaowan didn't dare to talk to her, so she said: "The Empress Dowager has a decree, ordering the children to go to the palace to teach needlework. After this time, our family will be treated with great kindness." "Then my son is going, I don't know when I will come back? You'd better not go, anyway, our family is not honored by the Qing Dynasty, so you don't go." Dong Xiaowan became a little anxious, so she said: "If you don't go, you're disobeying orders, that's fine! I'll be back to visit my mother-in-law soon, please don't worry, old man." After speaking, she bowed four times, stood up, and endured Sadly said: "Mother-in-law take care, the baby is gone." Dong Xiaowan hurried into her room and saw Su Yuanfang lying on her bed, covering her face and crying.Mrs. Liu sat blankly in front of the desk. When she saw Dong Xiaowan coming, she stood up and hurriedly asked, "What? I just heard Mrs. Mao say it. How could you be so confused? You can't agree! You go , what happened to Pijiang when he came back." Dong Xiaowan didn't answer, just looked at her, walked up to her suddenly, knelt down with a bang, and said, "Sister, sister wants you to help me again this time." Mrs. Liu helped her up. "Is there anything to say, do you want me to go for you this time?" Dong Xiaowan couldn't stop the tears rolling down, and said: "No, I want my sister to accompany me." Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu said generously: "To be honest, I don't feel at ease if you go alone. It's better to go with you and have someone to take care of you." "Then ask my sister to hurry up and get some clothes, make a small package, and hurry up." At this time, Su Yuanfang burst into tears again on the bed. Ever since she and Dong Xiaowan got to know each other, they were as close as sisters, and they had to discuss all matters with Dong Xiaowan. Dong Xiaowan walked over, held back her tears and persuaded: "Sister Liu will go with you, I still hope to come back, and we will embroider together. When I leave, your husband is not at home, so the burden on your shoulders is not small. ! Don’t damage your body.” "But, you are throwing yourself into a tiger's mouth!" "Hey, sister, don't worry too much. I'm not conceited and smart. You know what happened in the past. Besides, this time with Sister Liu, there will be no major problems. Seriously, I have no means of self-defense. I'll play it by ear when I get there." At the same time, he bowed his head and said to Su Yuanfang: "Put the handle on Eunuch, and you can get away with it. Think about who Eunuch is? Will you agree with me?" Su Yuanfang said doubtfully, "Is this really true?" "What did I lie to you for?" At this time, Mrs. Liu came in with a small bundle. Dong Xiaowan wiped away the tears on her face with a handkerchief, and tried to remove the tears for Su Yuanfang, telling her: "Sister, my mother-in-law is old and kind, you have to take good care of her. I went." When she and Mrs. Liu went out, she said to Mrs. Liu, "Sister, I'm afraid I must wrong you." Aunt Liu stared at her, and Xiao Wan whispered to her, "I told them, you are Jia Ma by my side." "Whatever it is, if it's appropriate, I'll call it that. I'm like a mother with big feet." Aunt Liu suddenly asked, "Where's your burden?" Dong Xiaowan shook her head: "There's no need for that. Don't you worry about not having any clothes when you get there? Let's go, I'm afraid they will get impatient." She turned around and opened the drawer and took a pair of sharp scissors in her bosom. This is a pair of famous Hangzhou scissors.When he walked out of the room, he said to Su Yuanfang, "Sister, I'm leaving." After hearing Dong Xiaowan's lie, Su Yuanfang believed it to be true, and was not so sad, so she said, "I'll send you out." Dong Xiaowan walked out of the front hall, resigned from Su Yuanfang, and sat in the sedan chair.Yin Yingyin was afraid that something would happen, so he hurriedly ordered the sedan chair to be picked up.Aunt Liu followed behind and got into the sedan chair.Surrounded by large and small sedan chairs, all the people headed straight for the Rugao county government office. As soon as the sedan chair arrived at the county government office, the flag general Asi Zhen called him on board.Yin Yingyin was also afraid of long nights and dreams, so he asked the sedan chair to be carried directly outside the south gate to board the boat. Along the way, Yin Yingyin flattered Dong Xiaowan to the utmost.When the boat arrived in Jiangyin, Dong Xiaowan teased Yin Yingyin and said, "Looking at my shabby appearance, will your county be rude to Master Hong?" Yin Yingyin hurriedly murmured repeatedly: "Madam Dong is right, but our county has forgotten about it." Then he ordered the boat to stop and go ashore.First, I went to the jewelry store to pick out the best gold and silver jewelry, and then I went to the silk shop to pick out the best silk and satin. There were four large suitcases, and I called several first-class tailors in Jiangyin to help Dong Xiaowan catch up with the boat. It took a total of five or six hundred taels of silver to make a decent dress.However, he thought that this kind of investment would not be without returns, and he would definitely get it back a hundred times and a thousand times in the future, even though he knew that it was Dong Xiaowan's intention to wrong him. Hong Chengchou is waiting for the good news in his Xingyuan.After he came back from Bantang, he sent Asi Zhen to take the order from Prince Yu Duoduo, and wrote a private letter to the magistrate of Rugao, asking him to do so.He waited restlessly in the shaft for three days.he Knowing that these three days are at most enough for a round-trip mileage, but I still feel uneasy. Just when he came back from the back garden without thinking about food and tea that day, he suddenly heard a report from his servants that Asizhen and the magistrate of Rugao had come to ask for an audience. Hearing that the magistrate of Rugao had also come, it must be a good thing, so he hurriedly called them in. Seeing that Dong Xiaowan was indeed brought here, Hong Chengchou was overjoyed, and immediately rewarded the two of them, and made a wish to Yin Yingyin that there would be a higher reward in the future. Hong Chengchou immediately ordered Dong Xiaowan to be picked up in his own golden-roofed sedan chair, and lived in the Yancui Building in the back garden, where he sent four servant girls to take care of him.He thinks that he is very sure of dealing with people who love vanity. As the saying goes, nine out of ten women are greedy for glory, let alone Dong Xiaowan, a man in the world? When Dong Xiaowan arrived at Yancui Building, the four maids came to kowtow to her immediately and presented her with a makeup box and other things.Dong Xiaowan didn't even look at it, and told Jia Ma to take it away.Dong Xiaowan thought, in order to win favor, dignitaries and dignitaries always spend a lot of money at first, I have seen this kind of method a lot.However, she treated the maids with gentle words, asked Jia Ma to open the suitcase, took out four pieces of jewelry and rewarded the four of them, and the maids thanked them very much. When I was young, a banquet was served downstairs, and the maids arranged the tables, chairs, cups and chopsticks.Dong Xiaowan called "Jia Ma" into the room while the maids were cooking, and said in a low voice: "Sister-in-law Liu, I think Hong Chengchou will come up soon, if I tell you to go, after you go down, don't go far, pay attention The movement upstairs." Aunt Liu nodded knowingly, and after a while, she heard a loud shout from downstairs: "Master Jinglue is here." The servants hurriedly kowtowed to Dong Xiaowan and said, "Madam Qi, Master Hong has arrived downstairs." Then the sound of boots was heard in the stairwell. Dong Xiaowan squinted at the person who came, and saw that this person had fair skin, three short beards under his chin, a medium build, about fifty years old.Wearing a big red top, emerald flower feathers, wearing a sky-blue satin python robe, and powder-soled satin boots.Relying on past experience, Dong Xiaowan knew that the person coming was a pervert just by looking at that fancy goatee.All the servants had been signaled to leave by the visitor, and Mrs. Liu was also signaled to enter the back room by Dong Xiaowan.Dong Xiaowanan couldn't sit still, looking coldly at the lecher's distorted face. "Mrs. Jiumu is so beautiful, I only regret that I have never had the chance to see her beauty. It is indeed Hong's luck to be so close to her today. The phoenix hairpin is just now, I hope Madam will not find it obscene." Dong Xiaowan moved his eyes out of the window and said, "Is your Excellency Hong Jinglue?" He still didn't look him in the eye. "Xiaguan is exactly right. Madam has worked hard all the way, and Xiaguan is here to clean up the dust for Madam." Dong Xiaowan looked at the distorted face with a smile, and suddenly said seriously: "The order said that it was Prince Yu who summoned me, why did you take me here?" "To be honest, His Royal Highness Prince Yu went to Zhejiang, and the officials specially sent someone to meet him." After sitting down, Hong Chengchou continued, "Sure enough, it is true that seeing is worth seeing. Madam's face is truly unparalleled in the world." Dong Xiaowan said coldly: "Where, where, Puliu is cheap, how can it compare to the beauty of your lord?" When Hong Chengchou saw that she deliberately mocked him as "the hat of the Qing minister", his old face immediately turned red, but Hong Chengchou is not only a veteran in the battlefield, but also a veteran in love.He said cheekily: "Ma'am, she is really a strange woman. I have no choice but to be an official. This is the trend of the times, so I have to follow the law of heaven." "It's a pity, Governor Qiu, Governor Fan, and Shige Department, they are really stupid, what's the use of dying? Future generations will definitely say that they won't take advantage of opportunism." Hong Chengchou saw that she was eloquent, her tongue was like a sharp sword, and her words pierced through her heart.I couldn't help but get angry, and I was about to vent it, but I finally endured it.He thought, based on past experience, show more courtesy in front of a woman, and when her heart softens, it will be easier to say anything.Then he said with a smile: "Madam not only looks like a celestial being, but also has extraordinary conversation, and she is also very knowledgeable. I really admire this official. I will benefit a lot from teaching for a long time in the future. I hope my wife will not give up. If you wish to serve the dressing table, please invite your wife to the table." Standing up while speaking, he wanted to pull Dong Xiaowan to sit down.Dong Xiaowan immediately said sternly: "Come on, Mr. Hong's words are wrong. Mr. Hong has made great achievements, and he is powerful in the south of the Yangtze River. Why worry about Wu Wa, the daughter of Yue, who will not be able to fill Chen, why is he kind to Xiaowan? But I am already a woman It's already handed over, it's not worth looking forward to, besides, you falsely pass on the king's order, and things may come to light, which will be unfavorable to your lord, and will damage your reputation. Why don't you take this opportunity to let Xiaowan go back, so that your reputation can be preserved without affecting your future. , isn’t it the best of both worlds? May your lord think twice.” At this time, Hong Chengchou was shrouded in desire. Under the premise of misunderstanding, he thought that Dong Xiaowan's attitude had changed, so he salivated and said: "Madam is very right, and please listen to the elegant teaching at the table. As long as Madam agrees, next time Guan An has reasons not to follow." After speaking, he rushed forward to pull Dong Xiaowan to the table.Dong Xiaowan didn't answer either, but quickly stood aside, holding a silver jug, Hong Chengchou thought she was going to pour wine for him, and felt a sense of comfort flooding his body.Flatteringly said: "Madam is really lovely." Unexpectedly, Dong Xiaowan blushed, opened her almond eyes, pointed at Hong Chengchou and scolded sharply: "You have been favored by the Ming court, and you actually betrayed the country and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, captured the old master, killed the people, and lost all conscience! Today is shameless again!" ...I advise you to turn your back on the shore, it's not too late. If you want to be indecent, beware of your dog official's title!" 洪承畴被董小宛说得火冒三丈，心想这妇人是吃硬不吃软，便冷笑一声：“好个嘴尖的妇人，今天洪某怕你能飞上天去？进了这儿，就是插翅也难逃。” 他绕过一把椅子，拉住了董小宛的衣襟，董小宛虽有准备，但还是吓了一跳，情急之中，拿起那把银壶照着洪承畴迎面打去。洪承畴没有料到这一手。他以为他的手只要向下滑一点，就会抓住董小宛隐蔽处。所以，还没来得及低头，眼睛已被酒刺得生疼。酒壶从他头上落了下来。他赶忙往后一退，绊倒了坐椅，松开手时，董小宛的衣襟已被撕烂，露出了黄色的夹袄，洪承畴心想，如果抓得更牢点，她的夹袄便会被撕开。 可是，在他后退的时候，却重重摔在地板上，翡翠花翎当场折断。他爬起来时，样子十分狠狈，心中大怒，拾起大帽歪戴在头上，大声叫骂起来：“贱人该死！来人呀！” 楼下的人听得楼上吵翻了天，可又不敢冒然上去。这时突然听得高喊来人，四名护卫蜂拥而上。那几个侍婢也一齐跟着上去。众人一到楼上，看见洪承畴一副狼狈相，不禁想笑又不敢笑。洪承畴见他们上来后，便大声喝道：“将这贱人捆了下去。” 躲在里面的刘嫂，听见吵骂声，心中一阵不安。接着又听见椅子倒地和人跌倒的声音，便不免着急起来，更使她心急的是一种不明显的金属声。她赶忙掀开门帘，却被董小宛示意以目光，叫她把头缩回去。她想小宛没事就好。 外面，那几个侍卫正要上前抓董小宛，董小宛突然手持利剪，厉声喝道：“住手，洪承畴你看此事如何了结！” 说完就手持利剪要朝自己的咽喉刺去，洪承畴冷不防董小宛来这一手。忙叫侍婢们赶忙拉住。 董小宛却紧紧抓住利剪不放，洪承畴怕董小宛死在这里，自己就要担当很大的干系。真是捏在手里怕烫，松了手又怕飞走。只好气急败坏地喝令侍婢们好生照料。 “如果这贱人寻了死，你们也休想活命。” 随即就带着护卫匆匆下楼去了。四个侍俾见洪承畴一走，就全部跪在董小宛跟前哀求：“董夫人呀，恳求你老人家保全我们这些做丫环的命吧，你要是有个三长两短，我们的命也不保了。” 这时董小宛已稍稍平息了些，不禁流出了眼泪：“你们起来吧，只要姓洪的不上楼来，我是不会寻短见的。” 说完就把那柄利剪揣进了怀里，用左手护着被撕烂的衣襟，转身到里屋去了。跪着的侍婢们连声说：“谢谢董夫人。” 起身后，忙去打水服侍董小宛净面休息。董小宛又掀开门帘说：“要我保你们的性命可以，但你们必须依我一件事。” “只要夫人不去寻短见，婢子们样样依你，决不违抗。”侍婢齐声答道。 “那好，以后送上来的饭食，都要你们当中一个先吃，然后我才吃。你们答应么？” “可是……”一个婢子停了一下又接着说：“怕洪大人晓得了，婢子有罪呀。” “不妨，你们明天在送饭食时，先去向洪承畴说知，就说我一定要你们先吃。” “那今天呢？” “今天我不想吃了，你们就和贾妈吃吧。” 刘嫂把董小宛换洗的衣服拿出来后说：“董夫人，我们大家先吃，等会儿，你就随便吃点吧。在这里怕不是一天两天的事。” “也好，你们就先吃吧。”董小宛接过衣服进了里屋。 洪承畴挨了董小宛的一顿辱骂，花翎折断了不说，被酒壶敲中的前额又肿起了一个大包，不时产生一阵疼痛感。他想，这翡翠花翎，乃御赐之物，如今折断了，这如何是好？ 第二天辕门早参后，他又回到书房。这时，跟着进来一个人，躬身说道：“大人，这花翎不可缺少啊。” 洪承畴一看，是亲信徐继志，便气恼地说：“都是那个贱人干的，实在可恶。可是一时又能从何处觅得相似之物呢？” 徐继志朝前走了一步：“卑职看那花翎断处离翎鬃不远，卑职认识一个巧匠。叫此人前来用金叶相连，包管没问题。” “这主意不错，你就去办吧。”洪承畴说完叹了一口气：“唉，可惜！” “不知大人还为何事叹气？” 洪承畴屏去左右后，低声朝徐继志说：“可惜你不认识这贱人，不然的话，你去开导开导或许还有望。” 徐继志一听此话，躬身说道：“不瞒大人，若是别人，我倒也不敢揽在身上，虽我与董小宛不相识，可家父却与她家有一段渊源，不妨试一试，凭卑职三寸不烂之舌，说得董小宛回心转意，顺从大人。卑职也正好趁此报答大人提携之恩，不知大人认为如何？” 洪承畴一向相信此人办事能力，听他这么一说，觉得有了希望，便问：“你父亲与那贱人有何渊源呢？” 徐继志信口开河地编了一段话出来，使洪承畴深信不疑。 洪承畴听后一拍椅子叹道：“早知你家与董小宛有这么个关系，该先让你去疏通一下，我也不会吃这番苦了。你明早就去办吧。” 徐继志离开后，洪承畴便觉得这事并不是没有希望，肿起的额头也不像先前那么痛了，肌肉里又开始注满了力量，一种从未体味过的紧张和新奇感正在悄悄弥漫他那深不可测的内心。 冒辟疆从扬州郑超宗家离开的那个早晨，天已放晴，他和王熊马不停蹄地往家赶，心情随着大雨过后天边露出的朝阳开朗起来，并和王熊一路上说个不停，想起又要和小宛重逢，便高兴得把马鞭摔得叭叭直响。 冒辟疆和王熊是在黄昏时分抵达如皋城的，他不顾路途的劳累，穿过已是万家灯火的县城，来到集贤里家中。冒裉 来开门，冒全接过马缰后，满面愁容地看着他：“公子您回来了？金大爷到盐官找你，遇见了吗？” "No." 冒辟疆似是而非地答道，便迈进门内，抬眼看见家里的侍婢们一个个脸上挂着忧伤的神色，不觉吃惊不小，他意识到家里发生了某种变故，而且一定是令人不愉快的事发生了。 他径直朝父亲的书房走去，知晓父亲和母亲的身体不错，不会出什么不测？这时他已感知谁出事了。 他在书房见到了父母亲，苏元芳也在一旁站立着，还没有来得及向双亲请安，马老恭人就颤声说：“儿呀，你可回来了，小宛她……她走了哇。”说时声泪俱下。 冒辟疆正待要问苏元芳，听见母亲这么一说，虽说他多少有些准备，但还是觉得一阵心酸，两膝一软，顿时天旋地转，昏倒在地。苏元芳赶忙上前扶着他，大声地叫唤着丫环，一时间全家上下手慌脚乱。把他扶到房中去时，冒嵩公和马老恭人也跟在后面。 冒辟疆完全苏醒过来是两天过后了。他的身体依然未完全康复，在苏元芳的搀扶下来见父亲。忽然冒裉进报：“有位操山东口音的僧人要见公子，小人问他是否化缘，他说不是。 小人就告诉他：公子正在病中，现在不能会客，请他改日再来。他说不行，他说他与公子是生死之交，公子有病他就更应该来看一下公子。 " “你有方外的朋友么？”冒嵩公问儿子。 冒辟疆想了一下说：“听柳敬亭讲起过：方密之出家当和尚了，法名无句，想必是他到此。” “既然是他，那就快去请他进来。”冒嵩公朝冒裉挥了挥手。 苏元芳见有生人来，就回避到自己房中去了。冒辟疆走出书房站在檐下，看见冒裉领着一个和尚朝这边走来。那人四十左右，白皮肤微红，脖上挂着佛珠，从远看是一个饱经风霜的人，走起路来异常敏捷。他不是方密之。 他会是谁呢？胃辟疆浑浊的脑子里，想不起这人会是谁，他不自觉地向前迎了几步。 “阿弥陀佛，”那和尚朝他双手合十说：“三弟别来无恙？怎地脸色如此憔悴？听说有一人与大哥同名同姓，几年前在如皋抗清时慷慨捐驱，愚兄此来，一是探望三弟，二是向你问明他是何人。” 冒辟疆张目结舌地看着那和尚，使他本来就浑浊的脑袋更加昏晕，半天才从遥远的想象中回到现实，才想起该问一下这人是谁：“师父，您是……” 那和尚见地不认识自己，就大笑起来。 冒辟疆脱口而出：“二哥，是你？” “正是愚兄。”那和尚点点头。 “二哥，快请到里面坐。”冒辟疆侧过身子让道。 和尚进了书房，一见冒嵩公，便合掌当胸：“阿弥陀佛，老施主，贫僧这厢嵇首了。” 冒嵩公连忙起身，正待要发问，冒辟疆早抢上前来，对和尚说：“二哥，这是家严。” 冒嵩公正惊疑不止，那和尚又行礼改口：“老伯大人在上，小侄龙兰参见。” “父亲，这就是我和你常谈起的一枝梅龙兰呀。” “噢，”冒嵩公恍然大悟，忙还揖：“贤侄快起来坐。” 冒辟疆亲自奉了茶，问龙兰：“二哥，你是何时出的家？这些年来，我一直惦记着你，可又没机会到山东东平府去找你，请二哥原谅小弟。” “哎，怪我这脾气不好，如果在山东道上，与大哥和你聚上三两天，该多么的好呀。”龙兰又睁大了双眼，问道：“我且问你，据如皋抗清兵的，是不是大哥？” 冒辟疆不禁眼睛也湿润了，低声说：“正是大哥陈君悦，小弟那时正往盐官逃亡，回来后才听说的。”说完眼泪就流了出来。 “三弟，大哥他被何人所害？”龙兰怒目圆睁，咬牙切齿地问道。 “被凤阳巡抚所杀。” “此仇不报，誓不为人！”龙兰愤慨地说道：“但不知大哥的坟墓埋在何处？” “唉，二哥，乱军之中，何人敢出面收尸呢？再说大哥已被毁得面目全非，怎么又分辨得出来？我只能每年的清明时节到郊外招魂祝愿，面对天空祭扫一番。” 在一旁坐着的冒嵩公，对龙兰千里迢迢寻找义兄尸骨的侠骨豪情深感敬佩，就对冒辟疆说：“明天就让襄儿陪你到郊外去祭祀一番吧，也不枉结义一场。”冒嵩公顿了一下后又问龙兰：“请问贤侄法号，是否持斋？” “阿弥陀佛，小侄法号严戒，自从受戒，恪守师门训告，菇素不饮。” 冒嵩公听后，连连点头不已。便命厨房准备一桌素斋，就在书房里用餐。 饭后，冒嵩公回屋休息，冒辟疆和龙兰在书房里述叙别后的经历。龙兰看着他苍白的脸问道：“三弟近来可曾生病，脸上的气色不大好，莫非是有什么不如意的事发生了吗？”对于国破家亡的事，龙兰见得太多了，但他觉得应该关心一下。 “唉，二哥哪知尘世间的事，小弟近来正遇上一桩头痛的事。不过二哥已是出家人了，对这尘俗之事，还是不说的好，即使告诉了二哥，二哥也无力相助。唉……”冒辟疆长叹不已，一副绝望的表情笼罩在他憔悴的脸上。 “兄弟说此话就太见外了，你我是结义弟兄，只要不是违常理之事，又有什么不好说呢？”龙兰顿了一下，又接着说：“是不是你遇了什么不测？或是有人想无辜加害于你。如果是这样的话，那就非问不可了。” 当冒辟疆用悲戚的语调告诉他有关董小宛所遭遇到的不幸后，龙兰霍地一下站了起来：“兄弟呀，你怎么不早说呢，亏你还有心肠陪我谈天说地，这么大的事，你早该告诉我了，古话说'救人如救火'嘛。” “唉，我也是为小宛吃不香，睡不着，可又无计可施啊。”冒辟疆不安地说道。 “唉兄弟，这就是你的不对了。我这就前去苏州营救董小宛，到时好歹我都有信给你的。”说罢，龙兰就站起身来，直往外走。 冒辟疆紧紧跟着他走出书房，心里既激动又有些不安。他深知龙兰是个侠义之人，武功又极高，难得有这样的人来帮助他。龙兰问了一下随董小宛同去的那个刘嫂的模样后，径直走了出去。 冒辟疆站在大门外，一直看着龙兰的背影消失，才回到屋里去禀告父亲。冒嵩公听后不住地点头：“此乃义士也。”从这以后冒家每天都派人到水码头去等候龙兰的消息。 徐继志在洪承畴面前主动承诺当说客，显然不合乎常理，他为什么没事找事？原来，他的父亲徐仁和母亲曾被董小宛搭救过，父亲和母亲经常对他提起董小宛的恩德。要他时常记住这份恩情，徐仁也曾准备亲自到如皋去登门拜谢董小宛和冒辟疆。这回他从阿司镇那里听到了有关董小宛的消息，起先他还不相信。又去问行辕里的一个小厮，证实了情况属实，那个小厮同时还把昨天洪承畴遭董小宛羞辱的经过，当成笑话告诉了他。 徐继志回家后便把这些情形告诉了妻子韩氏。韩氏对徐继志说：“这可是为徐家报恩的机会，你应该设法与董小宛见上一面，然后见机行事。不过千万要当心啊。” 第二天一早，徐继志绕过辕门径直往后面的艳翠楼走去。 来到楼下对一个侍婢说：“去向董夫人说一下，就说有她家亲戚徐某求见董夫人，有要事面谈。” 那个侍婢听后不敢怠慢，随即转身跑上楼禀告董小宛。董小宛听后皱着眉头问：“这徐老爷是何人？他见我做甚？” “噢，这位徐老爷可是洪大人身边的红人呀。他名叫徐继志。咦，他说和董夫人是亲戚，怎么董夫人不认识他？” 董小宛听后心里就明白了，此人一定是说客，他是洪承畴身边的亲信，想必一定是个能说会道的人，她暗想此人还是不见为好，就坐在那儿一言不发。 徐继志在楼下等了一会，见楼上没有一点动静，就高声咳了一声。坐在楼上的董小宛沉默了一会儿后，转念一想：先堵死来人，然后叫他传话，好叫洪承畴死了这条心，她是宁死不屈的。她抬起头来对那个侍婢说：“叫他上来吧。” “在下徐继志向董夫人问安。”徐继志双拳一抱，笑着说道。说完他抬头仔细瞧了瞧董小宛，心想果然是人间少有的美人。 董小宛嘴唇轻启：“我与徐先生素未谋面，何谓亲戚？” 徐继志也不先答话，只是笑着坐下来。等侍婢去奉茶时，便说道：“在下确未与董夫人见过面，不过家父徐仁，董夫人恐怕还记得吧？” “哎呀，你就是徐老的公子吗？” 董小宛惊讶地问道，正待还要说话时，看见徐仁含笑着点头，并朝她使了个眼色。 “家父经常对我提起夫人，对您称道不止。昨日听洪大人谈起董夫人在此，故而听命于洪大人来问好，顺便代洪大人向夫人致意。洪大人对董夫人是非常敬仰的，并无恶意。” 说完就朝董小宛不断递眼色。董小宛见徐继志多次暗示，心中多少有了数，便对他说：“既然没有什么恶意，就请徐先生代言一句，何不趁早把我遣送回家呢。” “董夫人的话，我一定转达。不过，以在下愚见，董夫人还是放宽心暂住几天，想妥了再说。” 徐继志说完后，趁侍婢倒茶之机，把折好的纸递给董小宛。站在董小宛身后的刘嫂忙伸手接过揣在怀里。 “洪大人的意思，是久慕夫人精于女红，无非是向董夫人讨教罢了，我看这没什么大不了的，至于说董夫人愿留与否，还得请您仔细考虑一下。”徐继志坐在椅子上，端着一盏茶，埋头喝了一口，这是产于江西的毛尖茶。徐继志微笑着又说：“在下还有公事，不便久坐，容来日再拜访。请夫人多保重，在下这就告辞了。” 徐继志下楼后，董小宛等那些侍女端走茶碗，就连忙和刘嫂把折起的纸条展开看，上面写道：其心未死，小心提防。禁卫森严，勿蹈危险。救父之恩，无时忘报。有何变故，定来通报。 董小宛看过这数行字，深知徐继志确无恶意，甚至有心想搭救她，只是心有余而力不足。这已使董小宛略感安慰了，说不定将来他一定会帮上忙的。 却说徐继志下了楼，来到洪承畴的书房，把经过大约说了一遍。洪承畴听完后，露出失望的表情。徐继志怕他狗急跳墙，就安慰他：“依卑职来看，大人不必操之过急，凡事欲速则不达，对于一个女人，我想也是同样的道理。” 洪承畴沉吟片刻说：“话虽如此，可我却如何等得了呢？” “请大人再耐些日子吧，卑职明早又去见她，相机进言，如何？” “好吧。”洪承畴叹了口气，把手一挥，就躺在椅子上闭目养神了。徐继志也不想再多说什么，离开书房回家，一到家就将发生的事告诉妻子韩氏。 “如能劝洪大人放董夫人回去就好了。”韩氏听后说。 “那再好不过了，恐怕没那么容易。洪承畴像是铁了心似的，除非发生异外……”