Xu Xuzhi

Chapter 3
"Third Uncle, is that little Junting beautiful without makeup?" Unexpectedly, Ning Hongsi came over suddenly, and although his voice was not high, he still asked firmly.

In fact, the Fengtian newspaper also likes to write about the young marshal's lace news, such as the young marshal hugging a certain socialite lady, a certain movie star to dance all night, and a certain pillar Huadan to spend the spring night together, but who in the family would be so blind in front of him? What about when the house is full of women?
He just asked, the best boy in the third generation of the Ning family, he asked.

Ning Zheng narrowed his eyes, feeling a little angry.

"Really want to know?"

"No, just curious." Ning Zheng found that the child in his eyes was already almost as tall as himself, but in fact he was only four years younger than him, and one year older than Feng Jiu.He has a long face unique to men from the Ning family, fair skin, twinkling black eyes, and a straight nose bridge. He is simply the same as himself a few years ago... It cannot be ignored that he naturally exudes a strong masculine charm.

The old lady was keenly aware of the undercurrent in the world between her uncle and nephew. She looked at Ning Zheng, looked at Hongsi, and turned her head to look at Fengjiu seemingly unintentionally.Although Feng Jiu was listening to them, she couldn't hear clearly. She had a smile on her face, mixed with a hint of confusion.The old lady didn't say anything.

Ning Zheng took a deep breath, ignored him, turned around and told the elder sister and the second sister to take them to the US consulate at night, and then accompanied the old lady into the back room, and the grandfather and grandson went to talk about themselves.

Feng Jiuchong's ancestor smiled, and went out to talk to the female relatives very interestingly.

The old ancestor looked at his beloved grandson, how proud he looked.

"Have you bought anything for Feng Jiu? She is young, and you throw her at home every now and then. It's rare for her to stay in the house peacefully. She is a good girl."

Ning Zheng said that he had bought a large cashmere shawl, which was ground-length and made in England, and had a very special pattern, which was a crochet pattern of blossoming lisianthus flowers.Because there is only one piece left, I will buy it for my grandma next time. The color is very good, it is wine red, and it will match her skin tone very well.

The old lady was very happy, but she said like a proud grandma: "Our Fengjiu's complexion, what will we wear?", and then told him to let Fengjiu wear it for himself to see next time.

Ning Zheng's two younger sisters, one was born to Ning Zheng's deceased mother Zhang, named Ning Qiaozhi, her mother passed away when she was four or five years old, and she has been raised by Mrs. Ning's side all the time. With short hair and fluffy bangs, she really looks like her name, full of childishness and the most lively personality.She looks very similar to Ning Zheng. She is 17 years old, two years younger than Fengjiu. She has been studying for a medical degree at Peking Union Medical College for eight years. She has just been on winter vacation and has always been interested in Western medicine.

Another concubine's younger sister, Ning Qiaoxin, was born to the fourth concubine. She is about the same size as Qiaozhi, with a beautiful appearance, a twisted braid on one side, and a pair of big eyes that smile before she speaks. Feng Cai, also 17 years old, is a few months younger than Qiaozhi. After graduating from high school, she randomly found a university in Fengtian to study, but she is not so obsessed with continuing her studies.

The two younger sisters surrounded her, one on the left and the other on the right, and talked to Feng Jiu.

When they heard that Fengjiu was going to wear a white evening dress, they sneered and said that they must avoid wearing the same color as their sister-in-law, otherwise they would be greatly inferior.

The three girls gathered their heads together and discussed in a low voice for a while, then Qiaozhi Qiaoxin cheerfully carried them back to their room to prepare to go.

Their room was on the second floor. Looking at the youthful and slender figures of these two girls, and hearing their brisk footsteps going upstairs, Feng Jiu felt mixed thoughts in his heart, and he sighed unconsciously.

"Bong Jiu." A clear voice called her name.

Feng Jiuyi turned around, and Ning Hongsi was smiling at her.

Ning Zheng's sister-in-law Li Juanjing seemed to stiffen when she heard her son calling Feng Jiu. She was getting up to go back to her courtyard.

Turning around, she took a fixed look at Feng Jiu, Feng Jiu seemed to have noticed it, turned around and saw her sister-in-law looking at her, a little confused, so she subconsciously smiled at her sister-in-law.

This smile could be called Guangfeng Jiyue's frankness, so Li Juanjing smiled back at her, and walked away holding the hand of the girl Yuegui.

Yuegui said softly: "The third young lady is so pretty when she smiles."

She took a peek at the young mistress, but the young mistress didn't say a word, and the master and servant left quietly.

"Hongji, have you decided where to go to university?"

"I still want to go to Peking."

Ning Hongsi was also surprised that he should have been admitted to university after graduating from high school two years ago, but for some reason he entered the Northeast Lecture Hall and studied in the military academy for almost two years; As a result, he had to go to college again.

"It seems that I don't want to go abroad anymore. What major should I study?"

"Probably mechanical engineering. I kind of like the ordnance stuff."

"That's great, your grades are so excellent, you must come true." Feng Jiu looked at the calm and energetic man in front of him, and whispered, a trace of envy leaked out in his lowered voice.

"What about you? Are you so willing to be your commander's wife? What about your Harvard dream, Third Young Mistress?"

Faced with Koji's rare aggressiveness, Feng Jiu couldn't help but tremble in his heart.

Kouji's words aroused thoughts that she had deliberately ignored.

"Third Uncle." Suddenly, Feng Jiu noticed that Hong Si, who was smiling at first, stopped laughing, and became serious. It was only later that he realized that Ning Zheng had finished chatting with his grandma and stood beside her.

"Hong Si, I know that you and your third aunt used to be senior sisters and younger brothers, but should we call you third aunt or third aunt."

Kouji pursed his lips, his eyes became darker, he glanced at Feng Jiu, and answered yes politely.

Feng Jiu wanted to say something, but he held back after thinking about it.

When Feng Jiu was studying at Tongze Girls' Middle School, Tongze Boys' Middle School was next door. At that time, she didn't know anyone from the Ning family, except Ning Hongsi.

Hong Si was one grade lower than her, but a year older than her. It is said that he had a reputation of being precocious since he was a child.

Probably because he had a serious illness when he was a child, the old lady was worried, and observed for a whole year. By the way, he studied a lot of ancient books from Fengtian's great Confucianism in the private school at home. The teacher found that he was articulate, and his speech logic was clear. It was nothing different, and it was only when he was twelve or thirteen that he was sent to a new-style school.

The two schools originally belonged to the same department and are close to each other, so they often have some joint activities, such as winter long-distance running competitions, ballroom dances, and drama festivals. Get to know each other slowly.

The two of them got along very well. Hong Si had good grades and was handsome. He was very popular among the girls in Tongze.

They danced together a few times, and planned several large-scale joint activities between the two schools together. They cooperated very well and felt that the other party was a good friend.

"It's almost time, let's go back." Ning Zheng put his hands on her back without any need, supported her firmly, said goodbye to the others, and walked out the door.

Feng Jiuzheng had a very warm conversation with Hongsi, and he couldn't help but understand Ning Zheng's order, but he couldn't save his face, so he had to follow him, and before leaving, he turned around and gave Hongsi a comforting look. .

Kouji originally had his hands behind his back, frowning, watching their leaving backs, but when he caught her eyes, his face immediately changed, and a relieved smile floated on his lips.

Feng Jiu also smiled, turned around and stepped out of the threshold of Rongshou Hall.

The winter in Fengtian is long, the sunrise is very late, but the sunset is very early. Fengjiu recalled the calendar and knew that the New Year is coming soon.

She glanced at Ning Zheng, a little puzzled that he still maintained the expression he had when he was talking to Hong Si just now, his expression was indifferent and a little silent.

"After a while, it will be the New Year. Can you spend it at home this year?" At this time in the Republic of China, every household had to send the God of Wealth to the New Year, which was still highly valued by the Chinese people.

Ning Zheng didn't respond.

Feng Jiu couldn't help turning his head to glance at him, what was he thinking so engrossed in?

Suddenly Ning Zheng stopped, his face looked colder than the thick snow all over the garden.

"From now on, stay away from Hongsi." He moved his thin lips with a beautiful shape, but the words he said were very unpleasant.

"What do you mean by that?" Feng Jiu felt something was wrong just now, and he wanted to have a good talk with Hong Si, but now the only classmate who can get in touch with occasionally is Hong Si, and other good classmates, Except for Melanie, who either married out of town, or is in school. Although Feng Jiu herself is studying at Feng University, she still seems to be far away from her dream of Harvard... How can this not work?She just felt a wave of anger burning from the bottom of her heart to her throat.

While the two were talking, the hot air they exhaled turned into steaming white mist, lingering around them.

Ning Zheng thought about it.

"I don't want to blame you. However, although you are about the same age, after all, you are the elder and he is the junior, and men and women are different. If you get close, someone in the house will gossip."

"I've only seen him once in seven or eight days, and I only met him when I was paying my grandma's greetings. You have something to say? I can sit up straight, how should I pay attention? I'm not going to say hello anymore."

Can you still remember how long we haven't seen each other?
Ning Zheng's eyes became more and more cold and hard.

Feng Jiu didn't think so at all.The mouth also pouted unconsciously.

The black calfskin boots also kicked the snow resentfully, creating a hole in the snow in a short while.

Ning Zheng pressed his temples, and didn't add fuel to the fire.

"You can't believe me so much, next time you go out, just make me smaller and put me on your belt." Feng Jiu muttered.

Ning Zheng raised his eyebrows, as if he really saw the shrunken Feng Jiu like an old object, tied to his belt, jolting around, couldn't help laughing, showing a mouthful of white and neat teeth, standing in the snow. Against the backdrop of the sycamore pine and the icy blue northern sky, it looks absolutely elegant.

"That's a good idea."

Feng Jiu took a look and simply shut up.

"Do you still want to go abroad to continue studying?" Feng Jiu turned around abruptly, his eyes were wide open, filled with longing.

"That depends on your performance."

Feng Jiu immediately lowered his head, and his shoulders were not as straight as before.When Ning Zheng looked at it from the side, the corners of his mouth that were originally upturned drooped down.

Ning Zheng thought, she usually looks like a cunning kitten, but if she showed her original shape, she would look like her ears and tail drooping down now.

"Give me a baby first, and then consider letting you go abroad."

Feng Jiu: "..."

After Ning Zheng went back, he went into the study. Zhi Changsheng was already waiting there, and told him that the governor of Heilongjiang Province and the Beiping government had called a few more times just now, and there were a few things waiting for his reply. just go.

Qiu Sheng was already waiting at the door, the girl couldn't hold back, she always hoped that the master would dress up quickly so that she could feel at ease.

Under her repeated urging, Feng Jiu reluctantly sat down in front of the dressing table. Although she had just cut her ear-length hair short a month ago, of course Ning Zheng was unhappy for several days after seeing it, but who Who cares?

But this is not difficult for Qiu Sheng, the little hair combing expert. She still tied a beautiful bun for Feng Jiu with ease, and then turned to the front to look at it. She pulled up all her bangs and combed her hair brightly. Feng Jiu's hair It's very neat, without any broken hair, just like this, revealing the full forehead, which makes the eyebrows look picturesque and noble and correct.

After finishing his work, Ning Zheng went upstairs and changed into a navy blue suit with a silver-gray tie. He put some pomade on his neat and clean hair, thought for a while, and stuffed a wine-red handkerchief.

When he came over, he saw Qiusheng holding a ruby ​​hair ornament in the shape of a lily, and said, let me come.

Qiu Sheng walked out in a hurry.

Ning Zheng took the gemstone flower, looked straight at Feng Jiu in the mirror, and slowly inserted the jewelry into the bun on the back of her head. A lily of the valley bloomed obliquely in her thick black hair. On the hair, it is really simple and prosperous.

The neck was still empty, so he first took a pair of ruby ​​earrings and inserted them into her pierced ears.

This is Ning Zheng's hobby: whenever he can attend a party, as long as Feng Jiu is with him, he will patiently choose and wear jewelry for her, as if dressing her up is his greatest enjoyment.

This set of ruby ​​jewelry is a darker shade of red and includes a necklace.

Seeing that Ning Zheng picked up the necklace again, Feng Jiu quickly refused, "Don't wear it all, it's too grand to hold back."

Ning Zheng ignored her, picked up the necklace and put it on for her, and then looked in the mirror. Feng Jiu looked at him with a smile and didn't speak.

Ning Zheng paused, then took off the necklace she had just put on as if nothing had happened—indeed, after all, she was too young, her face was a little immature, and her aura was not strong enough to wear such a large set of rich and noble jewelry. When going out, there is a kind of embarrassment of a child stealing an adult's clothes.

Feng Jiu touched the water-green jadeite bracelet on her wrist and stretched it out consciously, while Ning Zheng fastened a diamond and diamond bracelet on her.

Taking a few steps back, looking at Feng Jiu who stood up, he nodded.

The two walked to the gate of the mansion, and outside, two shiny black cars were parked.Ning Zheng prefers American Buicks, so most of the cars in the house are Buicks.However, Feng Jiu also knew that under Ning Zheng's leadership, Fengtian also opened a car factory. I heard that the first domestically produced car in Chinese history was about to be born.

The two younger sisters were dressed in splendid attire, one was in light yellow and the other was in apple green western-style evening dresses, and they were both carrying a small colorful evening bag full of beads and sequins, standing at the side door, talking in a low voice, looking It is very pleasant to look up.

Seeing Feng Jiu and the others coming, they all greeted each other affectionately, then trotted over and took Feng Jiu's arms from left to right.

Feng Jiu turned his head to the left and first praised Qiaozhi's earrings for their beauty, and then turned his head to the right to praise Qiaoxin's lip color to complement his complexion. Three women play a show, chirping like a little sparrow that you can often see in winter, This side of the cold world has been stirred up to heat up.

Ning Zheng stood down and looked at them thoughtfully.

His personal adjutant Zhi Changsheng respectfully gave a military salute and opened the car door for them.

Qiaozhi said narrowly: "Third Brother! We're going to ride in the same car with Third Sister-in-law!"

Ning Zheng smiled and nodded, without speaking, he turned around and walked towards the car in front.

Zhi Changsheng is an old man in the General's Mansion, the son of Zhi Laojiu, who has been by Ning Zheng's side since he was a child. The relationship between the two is closer than his relationship with his brothers and sisters. It is really liked by ladies and wives."

A smile appeared on the corner of Ning Zheng's lips, and he leaned back comfortably on the back seat. Zhi Changsheng quickly sat in the passenger seat and ordered, "Drive."

After driving for more than ten minutes, we arrived at the American Consulate on Erjing Street. This is a plain gray brick and tile three-story Greek-style building with white gateposts.

In conjunction with the festival, the consulate was brightly lit inside and outside, with one post at ten steps and one post at five steps, and the security was tight. After all, many important figures from the three eastern provinces came, and even more hated ones.

There are many cars of various brands and colors parked in the huge parking lot. When the door of each car is opened, all the gentlemen in various evening dresses and their female companions in fancy dress come out.

On the right side of the gate of the consulate, stands a tall fir tree covered with small colorful light bulbs, flickering, and faintly melodious music, which forms a sharp contrast with the cold winter moon in the sky.

The servants, wearing white gloves and covered with brass buttons, stood on both sides, seeing guests coming to inspect the invitations before opening the door to let them go.

As soon as the door opened, a strong smell of perfume wafted out first.

Feng Jiu said in a low voice: "Oh, every time I deal with Westerners, it's just this smell that really makes me uncomfortable."

Qiaozhi Qiaoxin also laughed, and Qiaoxin covered her mouth, "No, these Westerners can't suppress the smell even if they don't spray a little more."

The two of them stopped and asked Ning Zheng to step forward. Ning Zheng bent his forearm, and Feng Jiu obediently held it. He took a deep breath, with elegant and decent smiles on his face, they looked at each other, and both stepped into the hall .

I saw that the hall was resplendently decorated, full of rich clothes, waiters in black tuxedos, white shirts and white ties wearing white gloves, holding champagne trays. During the shuttle, gentlemen and ladies gathered together in twos and threes, enjoying It's a lively scene.

All the guests were looking forward to it, and they all applauded when they heard the doorman announcing the arrival of the commander-in-chief and his wife from the three eastern provinces.

Dewey, the US consul in Fengtian, and his wife stepped forward to warmly welcome Commander Ning and his wife.Dewey is a China hand. He has been immersed in Chinese officialdom for a long time, and he already knows the principle of following the Romans when he goes to the country, so he will not force himself to do any kind of kiss.

The young lady who has not left the court can come out to participate in the dance party, and she is brought out to socialize when she is at the age when she should choose a husband. The dance party is carefully selected, and there are very few, but how can Commander Ning's younger sister lack such an opportunity? They are purely for fun.

Qiaozhi was wearing a bright yellow evening dress with a square collar, a small string of white pearl necklaces, white pearl earrings, and long white lace gloves that went all the way to the elbows, saying that it was to prevent some men from saying nothing. Listen, I have to kiss hands. She mainly likes the atmosphere of Western festivals and wants to experience it; Qiaoxin is wearing a light green evening dress and a string of emerald necklaces. The two younger sisters are pure and delicate, and the other is strong. Gorgeous, quite representative of the high standard of Ningfu's famous appearance.

Now that the couple had arrived, the American consul announced the start of the Christmas ball and kindly invited Ning Zheng and his wife to dance the opening dance.

Feng Jiu took a look at Qiaozhi Qiaoxin, they nodded at her, so Feng Jiu slid into the dance floor with Ning Zheng, who extended her hand to invite her, amidst the applause of everyone.

The white skirt flutters, rippling and rippling under the illumination of countless crystal lamps on the ceiling of the tall flower hall, and the rhinestones on the skirt reflect colorful light.

The two danced beautifully and were about the same age. The man was tall and handsome, and the woman was pure and elegant. They were so beautiful that everyone praised them.After a while, the song ended, and everyone went down the dance floor one after another. The wide and luxurious silk skirts bloomed on the dance floor like flowers, like the ice melted and the snow melted, spring has come.

Feng Jiu looked at it with cold eyes, surrounded by graceful dancers, restrained laughter, and low-pitched conversations. Everyone seemed to be polite and polite. How could anyone imagine how many foreigners there were red-eyed and holding butcher knives to slaughter the plump Chinese bodies? butcher.

After dancing, Ning Zheng sent her back to the two younger sisters. Feng Jiu held a glass of soda water in his hand, put aside his thoughts just now, and talked softly with them.In this era, when the west wind is advancing eastward, apart from the famous figures from the three eastern provinces, most of the people attending the ball are the angels and their families stationed in various countries. One's own taboo is not allowed to be touched by other countries.

Qiao Zhiqiao has outstanding temperament and appearance, and soon young boys come to ask them to dance.

Bong-koo plays the role of protector discreetly.

There are people with good eyes nearby, such as Mrs. Peng, the director of the Security Bureau, who is already familiar with her, and whispers to her which family she is from. If she looks frivolous and glib, she will say that the ladies are a bit tired. No, don't let them out.

Qiaozhi Qiaoxin trusted her sister-in-law very much, and after a while, the two girls ended up with the young man.

Qiao Xin was beating smoothly, Qiao Zhi was a little lacking, but both of them laughed happily with their dance partners.

After the two young men sent them back after dancing, they kept chatting around them, Feng Jiu was relieved.

Ning Zheng saw that she was not a few years older than the two younger sisters, but she looked like a protector, so she couldn't help thinking that it was interesting for her to pretend to be an adult.

After a while, Feng Jiu fell into a routine communication, following Ning Zheng and other officials, diplomats from various countries smiled gracefully, exchanged pleasantries, and circled around.

Feng Jiuji is good at communication and speaks very well, which is also a kind of talent.After all, the majority are those who don't know how to praise others. It is definitely a skill to be able to praise people to the point, neither too much nor too little.In addition, the voice is crisp and soft, which is the inherent "girly voice" of Fengjiu's mother, that is to say, no matter how old she is, her voice is still delicate and beautiful, which is a plus.

But if you are good at what you do, you may not necessarily like it.After a while, Feng Jiu had turned around the audience, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the door opened and someone entered.

"Ah, isn't that Shanghai's big star Yunge? Why did he come to Fengtian..." A sharp-eyed young lady saw a pair of young men and women coming in. She wanted to say something excitedly, and peeked at Ning Zheng, looked at Feng Jiu again, and stopped talking.

But the eyes around him have become weird.

Fengjiu was sensitive to discover that many people were secretly looking at him, and the meaning of their eyes was unclear.

"Commander Ning, long time no see, how have you been?" This young woman wearing a strong Western perfume is now the most popular star Yunge, she came straight to Ning Zheng, she looks elegant and beautiful, and she has an inexplicable kindness Strange familiarity.

She was wearing a black hollowed-out evening dress. After the waiter followed up, she lightly shrugged and took off the black fox fur on the outside. The guests standing behind all gasped, and she went straight up. Some people saw the scenery behind her: the back was designed in an inverted V shape, exposing a large area of ​​skin, the most conspicuous are two pieces of extremely beautiful butterfly bones, the tip of the V is just below the waistline, just right There are two round waists exposed on the ground, which makes people's eyes busy - want to see the butterfly bones on the top, and want to see that pair of attractive waists.

A slender waist is surprisingly slender, but it is ups and downs downward.In this day and age, especially in winter, it is probably the only one in China who dares to dress so revealingly.But there is a face that is extremely pure, the heart-shaped little face always has a sense of ignorance and ignorance, it looks beautiful without knowing it, but there is a strange harmony, no wonder women all over China call her a vixen, but her reputation is hard. Does not fall.

Ning Zheng didn't speak, but just raised a tulip-shaped champagne glass at her.

(End of this chapter)