Xu Xuzhi

Chapter 37 Mid-Autumn Festival
Even though it was a holiday, Ning Zheng had no choice but to go to the military headquarters for an afternoon to deal with official business. At six o'clock in the evening, he hurried back and dressed up with Feng Jiu and went to the banquet hall of Daqinglou.

Fengjiu met a lot of people that he had no chance to meet, such as his old classmate Ning Hongsi.

Hong Si graduated from high school in July this year, and was supposed to take the university entrance exam, but he proposed to travel to Japan and other East Asian countries to increase his knowledge. The old man has always been very fond of this eldest grandson who lost his father when he was young, so he immediately agreed, so he just returned to China.

He originally came in wearing a Chinese tunic suit that fitted him well and looked vigorous, but the old man's face darkened when he saw it, and he sternly asked him to go back and change it.

This is also one of his favorite children, plus the old handsome is getting older and his temper has become calmer. If it were someone else, I'm afraid he would have been taken care of by the family earlier.

Hongsi's move also shocked Fengjiu. After all, no one in China knows that the old man disagrees with the founding father's philosophy of governing the country and never agrees with the "New Three People's Principles."

Many soldiers and male students like to wear black tunic suits every day. To show generosity, the old man will not publicly ban wearing tunic suits, but if he understands a little bit, who would deliberately touch this kind of bad luck.

What is Hongji thinking?
Hong Si remained silent despite his sister-in-law's anxious eyes and whispered advice. At this moment, he saw Feng Jiu and Ning Zheng enter the banquet hall from the corner of his eye.After Fengjiu came in, he stood next to the second sister-in-law. While chatting with the second sister-in-law, he couldn't stop his inner concern, and looked at him with uneasy eyes. When she was by her side, she couldn't help showing a warm smile to her, and said in a low voice, "I brought you something good, and I'll send it to you tomorrow."

Before Feng Jiu could react, he had already stepped out the door.The second sister-in-law didn't say anything, but her expression changed slightly.

Ning Zheng stood next to his second elder brother who was always stationed in Beijing and Tianjin and came back after a long time, talking affectionately, while looking at Feng Jiu from time to time, when he saw Hong Si's expression when he was talking to Feng Jiu, he couldn't help frowning Wrinkled slightly.

The old man looked at the heirs all over the floor, and couldn't help being in a good mood. After much deliberation, he took out a large number of commemorative silver coins that had just been released in June this year. The next one is even more silvery and dazzling, and it is distributed to the young children one by one.

The old man thought about it, beckoned Feng Jiu to come over, and took out another sample coin to Feng Jiu. This sample coin will not be issued on the market, and the number is less than [-], which has a high collection value.He watched the third daughter-in-law happy to receive the sample coins, with eyes full of appreciation and love, while the decent children of Ning Cheng, Ning Zheng, Qiao Zhi, Qiao Xin and the like at the side didn't pay attention.

She may be the daughter that every father wants. Seeing this scene, the second sister-in-law Yan Leling thought ironically: She is beautiful, lively and delicate, and she will not suppress her nature in front of a traditional Chinese strict father. She is quite confident in her heart. of.This kind of self-confidence probably comes from her own excellence and the love of the Tang family, so no matter what kind of characters she encounters, she can deal with them calmly and calmly, and she is only 17 years old now.

The old man looked at Feng Jiu, and suddenly felt a little regretful. His eldest daughter, Shoufang, was "lively" enough, no, that was called insanity, and she behaved wildly. She was just like herself in a young woman's body. No one has any objections, and she doesn't have the self-consciousness and quality of a noble girl. Thanks to her self-knowledge, she chose a husband who can bear her.

As for the two older daughters, Qiaozhi was frightened by herself since she was a child. According to her nanny and concubine, Qiaozhi was actually quite lively by nature, but when she came in front of her, her expression became stiff and she didn't even say a word... It's also possible that it's not just fear, but also hatred. After all, Ning Zheng and her biological mother, her first wife, did pass away because of being too cold.

Thinking of this, the old man wiped his eyes by lowering his head to pick up silver dollars in his pocket again. His wife, if she lived to this day, she would only be 55 years old.

Even if this is the case with the prostitute daughter, let alone the other concubine daughters, who don't see each other a few times a year, seeing him is like a mouse seeing a cat.The eldest daughter-in-law and the second daughter-in-law are both gentle and self-restraining people, and they were not too young when they married, so they behave like mature women.

Only the three daughters-in-law Fengjiu are different. They can say what they have to say when they see themselves, and do whatever they want. This kind of freedom and magnanimity makes people feel comfortable.

In fact, of all things in the world, the most difficult thing to grasp is a "degree", which is completely dependent on one's own understanding to figure out and comprehend.

When Feng Jiu does things, he can be said to have a degree of advance and retreat.

After counting the number of people in each room, the old man helped his mother and led the family members out of the banquet hall and into the spacious atrium.

The custom of celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival is that after nightfall, every family sets up an altar table in their own courtyard. In addition to putting moon cakes, they also have some simple food such as edamame and Shanlihong. First worship the moon, and then the family sits together , "You should invite the moon with round cakes", and enjoy the moon while eating moon cakes by the bright moonlight.

Of course, there is no need to worry about whether it will rain or not to disturb the festive mood, because there is very little rain in Fengtian in autumn. Since Fengjiu can remember, it has not rained on Mid-Autumn Festival, but Qingming Festival is very suitable, basically every year all down.

At this time, a long table had already been set up in the atrium, and the Mid-Autumn Festival altar table in the Shuai Mansion was naturally extraordinary: in the center was a large moon cake weighing ten catties and more than one foot in diameter with the words "Yuyi Palace" printed on it. The variety is the "zilaihong", which is recognized by all Fengtian people as the favorite, that is, the red "moon cake with pulp" made by adding red yeast rice powder to the noodles and kneading the noodles with sesame oil. People, so this is an authentic imperial mooncake.

There is a three-pound mooncake on the left and right of the big mooncake, but it is the "Cantonese-style mooncake" that is very popular with children at home. It has a thick skin and full of Wuren fillings, and then there are various small mooncakes on both sides. There were several plates and cups of various wines and teas.

Fengjiu's favorite is the unique "Double Crispy Salt and Pretzel Mooncake" based on the "Su-style Crispy Mooncake" in Fengtian area, and the "Fresh Meat Mooncake" from Shanghai's "Lao Dachang".

There are also many seasonal flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables on the altar table: crab claws, Yulouchun and other autumn chrysanthemums that are in full bloom, of course, purple grapes, pomegranates that grin and reveal teeth, yellow chrysanthemums Big persimmons, maple-red Gaixian forest fruit, plus pumpkins and pumpkins are full.

Among them, what attracted Fengjiu's attention was the white lotus root with only buds, a section of snow lotus root that bullied frost and snow, and was supported by lotus leaves. Ning Zheng, who was at the side, couldn't help but think of his wife's lotus root arm that he gnawed last night, and his eyes were unconscious. It was a little dark.

How could Feng Jiu think that he could think of some nasty things at this time, and was about to ask him why he wanted to offer a lotus root, but Ning Zheng had already shaken Feng Jiu's arm, which she was wearing tonight It was a moon white sleeve with big sleeves, and the snowy arms were already exposed. Taking advantage of no one's attention, Ning Zheng quickly put Fengjiu's arms in his mouth and sucked a few mouthfuls. Similarly, the Mid-Autumn Festival is used to make offerings, and it is said that it can bless school-age children with exquisite Qiqiao and wisdom.

Feng Jiu was terribly annoyed at being attacked, but with so many people around, he could only bear it, but taking advantage of the darkness of night, he secretly rubbed his arm on the sleeve of his crimson gown, Ning Zheng let it go with a smile. she.

However, Feng Jiu remembered what he said, but then he thought about it, his family didn't have this rule, how could everyone in the family study well, so there was no certainty.

There are seasonal melons and fruits on the altar table, but there are no pears that are born in autumn, not even a single one. After thinking about it, it is true, because the Mid-Autumn Festival is a reunion festival, so naturally there cannot be "leaving". Looking at it this way, it turns out that it is handsome People in the mansion also like to flatter their lips.

The most conspicuous thing on the altar table is the Rabbit Lord, who is also the favorite of the children present - the rabbit head is made of clay, sitting upright, and there are more than a dozen of them. Some of the exquisite clay puppets are dressed as military generals, some are dressed as emperors, civil servants, scholars... and even various shapes of ladies in the boudoir.

After the monthly offering was finished, Mrs. Ning and the old handsome sat down first, and the servants came up and lit incense. The children came one by one to worship the moon and express their wishes, praying for the blessing of the moon mother, and then each received a gift from Hong Fu. Master Rabbit happily went to the side to play.

Adults don't need to, just silently make a wish in their hearts and it will come true.

Feng Jiu doesn't like this kind of smell similar to the Buddhist incense in the temple, it's far less pleasant than the fresh vegetables and fruits on the table.

At this time, Ning Zheng was called by Qiaozhi and went there, not knowing what to do. Several children took out the silver coins given by their father and grandfather, compared and argued with each other. Jiu had nothing else to do, so he also took out the silver dollar, and suddenly found that the bright moon and the silver dollar in his hand, which was engraved with the old man's face with Dongxiang Heihachiro's mustache, could be regarded as complementing each other.

She suddenly became playful, and held the silver dollar to face the light of the moon and flicked left and right. At this moment, Hong Si, who had just been reprimanded by the old man to go back to change clothes, came back at some time, changed into a moon white gown, with his hands behind his back. Standing beside her, seeing her holding the silver dollar in her hand, he knew what she was thinking without having to communicate, because he thought so too, he burst out laughing, and said in a low voice, "Naughty."

There was a trace of connivance in this voice, but Feng Jiu didn't hear it clearly at all, but seeing him coming, he raised his head and smiled at him.

At this time, they were all wearing moon-white clothes, and they were about the same age. Looking at them from a distance, there was a kind of seductive aura exuding from them.

Ning Zheng saw it not far away, squinted his eyes, and thought to himself, this wife of mine, no matter what outstanding man she is with, she is a good match. It used to be Wei Yuanhua and Bao Buqu, and now it is her nephew. .

He walked over slowly, chatted with Hong Si, and then took Feng Jiu to stand in front of the incense table, watching her bow her head and clasp her hands in silent prayer, while he retreated one foot behind her, silently making a wish in his heart.

"Men do not worship the moon, and women do not worship the stove", this is the custom in most parts of China.

Most of the other female relatives have already finished worshiping the month, Fengjiu is counting down, Qiaozhi and Qiaoxin also followed her to worship, which is a bit perfunctory, or as long as they have attended a new-style school, they will be in the middle of the old and the new. People who are strongly impacted by this culture are a little bit disapproving of such traditional customs. In fact, isn't this also a kind of ignorance?
After worshiping the month, the family banquet officially began.

Trays of steamed crabs wrapped in cattail leaves were on the table, and the three-pound mooncakes were cut into small pieces and served on the table. As for the ten-pound mooncakes, they had to be reserved until New Year’s Eve. And eat it.

The people were divided into several tables and sat around, the men drank white wine, the women and children drank the sweet fruit wine brewed in the kitchen of the handsome mansion, some did it themselves, and some with the help of the servants who served them, picked out the fat crab meat , dipped in vinegar and ginger juice to taste.

Since ancient times, appreciating chrysanthemums and eating crabs has been a matter of elegance. Although the old handsome himself has nothing to do with elegance, he still wants to attach it from time to time.

He held a pot of "Laolongkou" wine in his left hand, and began to speak with a pair of chopsticks in his right hand. Of course, his words usually started with "thinking about the past", and the content was mainly reminiscing about suffering: "When I think about the past, I first worked as a waiter in a Chinese medicine shop. How could it be my turn to eat crabs when I was young? This is only eaten by the host. Later, it was the mother of six children who gave me a crab, and I didn’t know that there are such delicious things in the world. .”

Feng Jiu understands that the crab is not just a crab, but a symbol of the old man's yearning for a better and rich life.Feng Jiu expressed his appreciation for the old man who reminded himself not to forget his roots, because occasionally he would eat with his husband, and he would often have a bowl of sorghum rice instead of good-quality japonica rice. survival wisdom.

Next, the old man began to show everyone how to avoid wasting a little bit of crab meat. It can be seen that he also went through a lot of hard training: first fold the crab legs, and then open the crab bucket. The crab claws can be used as a tool for picking meat In this way, even the joints on the feet and the flesh in the navel can be removed cleanly.

At the end, the old handsome proudly assembled the dismantled crab bones into a lifelike butterfly on the dining table.

Although the old man was not big but his sharp eyes glanced around, everyone expressed their admiration in a timely manner, and the compliments continued to ring out, but the old man was still not satisfied. Feng Jiu was at a loss. Could it be that he still wanted to Should there be applause here?

Ning Zheng drooped his eyelids, as if he hadn't seen it, staring intently at the pair of ivory chopsticks on the table, as if a flower suddenly bloomed on the chopsticks.

Fengjiu's sympathy suddenly arose, and he flattered his father-in-law with a few words, "Father, your crab bone butterfly is so exquisite and lifelike, haha, lifelike."

She had long discovered that this well-known warlord throughout the country actually had a child-like naughty quality, and in this regard, she was very close to her.

When the old man heard this, his eyes lit up immediately, as if he wanted to be a confidant, he graciously handed the crab meat that had been taken out and put it in the crab bucket to Feng Jiu, and Feng Jiu immediately took it with both hands respectfully.

Ning Zheng watched from the side and regretted again. After all, the whole family hadn’t celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival together for several years, and he had forgotten about his father’s troubles. It seemed that he had never had the opportunity to show off his life-long skill——the kung fu of "dismantling crabs and fighting butterflies". He was suffocated.

... But as long as he is with his father, his son's face will be humiliated in front of his wife?

After this set of formations, the moon has risen to the middle of the sky, and the moonlight is flowing down like water, shining on Mrs. Ning who is sleepy on time. The old man saw that his mother was tired, and immediately announced that the family banquet could be over. .

If there are other family gatherings of the heirs of poetry and books, I am afraid that the juniors have already started to compose poems to the moon.

That night, the old man took the special train back to Peiping without anyone noticing it. It wasn't until the next morning that most of the people in the mansion knew about it, but the family had already gotten used to it.

Feng Jiu respectfully said goodbye to the smiling Mrs. Ning and the old man, and said good night to the others, and then followed Ning Zheng back.

Ning Hongsi didn't find a chance to talk to Feng Jiu again, and now he was staring at Feng Jiu's graceful back as he left. His mother was watching him from behind, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

The Little Red Building is on the west side of the Shuai Mansion. They have to pass through a square courtyard on their way back. There are dense hosta flowers and Xifu Begonias planted in it. They are far away from the incense table just now. The fragrance here is delicate and refreshing.

Ning Zheng hugged her waist, wandering in the bright moonlight.

Ning Zheng smiled slightly and said to Feng Jiu, "I never thought that my girl Jiu is a natural matchmaker."

Feng Jiu was slightly surprised, where did he say this?
Ning Zheng said: "You don't know that Ke Weili used to be most afraid of going to Peking with me on business. Now it's fine, I won't go for a week, and he is anxious to urge me to go quickly. He can't wait to arrange all the errands to Peking .”

Feng Jiu understood immediately when he heard it, recalling the last time the two played tennis in Beiling, they couldn't help but smile, that scene was vivid in his memory.

In fact, she also realized later that Ke Weili was obviously giving way to her confused best friend.

She had a very good impression of Ke Weili, and if she and Weiwei could really form a couple, she would be happy to see it happen.

Suddenly, he thought again, could the second cousin and his best friend Lili be considered a good thing for him?

What about Melanie and Ji Songling a little further ahead?

No, how could Ning Zheng's contribution be missing here?
These couples are more like a man from Ning Zheng's side and a woman from his own side, and then they are matched as a pair and sent as a pile, which is also amazing.

Ning Zheng suddenly took out a heroic Rabbit Master Mu Guiying from his arms, and flashed it in front of Feng Jiu.

Fengjiu was pleasantly surprised, and he reached out to take it—when Hong Fu gave out the rabbit grandpa to the children at the family banquet just now, Ning Zheng noticed the greedy expression of his long-overdue wife.

He retracted it in a timely manner, and approached Feng Jiu with a smiling face. Feng Jiu kissed her without hesitation. Now it was Ning Zheng's turn to be surprised. He hugged Feng Jiu and brought her Watch her turn around several times.

Feng Jiu was very happy to be turned by him, and when Ning Zheng stopped, he urged him to do a few more turns.

Ning Zheng expressed surprise at Fengjiu's balance ability, and suddenly remembered that when we met for the first time, she was not wearing figure skates and turning round and round like a fire on the ice, since his wife likes it, He had no choice but to hold her around again and again, Feng Jiu laughed loudly, Ning Zheng stopped suddenly, staring deeply at her blushing face, under the moonlight Feng Jiu smiled happily, showing his eyes With a row of bright teeth, lined with rosy lips, a pair of deer eyes smiled crookedly, and he suddenly bent down and kissed her smiling lips.

After a while, they separated panting and walked back slowly. The cool night wind carried their soft conversation,
"I want to make a dress like yours too."

"Why?"

"I just want to dress like you."

"...I'm a woman's one, do you want it too? Okay, I'll make it for you tomorrow." There was a smile in the sweet voice.

"Don't be ridiculous. At least the color is the same."

"... May I ask how old is my little friend?"

"...Even if I'm a hundred years old, I still want to have a few clothes of the same color as you."

"Okay. You are really... well, I won't laugh at you... Come on, go home with aunt obediently, it's time to sleep baby."

Suddenly there was a "card" sound, and the voice of begging for mercy came over.

"I won't be idle anymore, don't tickle me, don't..."

The night is as cool as water, and the moon is bright, shining silvery white in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the bedroom in the small red building, making it difficult to tell whether it is the moonlight or the autumn frost entering the house.Tonight, the lantern above the water in the bedroom was not lit, and the water below was still gurgling. On the small table beside the bed was a new rabbit. Ning Zheng silently looked down at Feng Jiu who was sleeping soundly in her arms. She was wearing white silk pajamas, Against the quiet and beautiful sleeping face like the autumn moon, it is the white moonlight in my eyes and heart.

The next day, Fengjiu was working hard in the study when Qiusheng came in and reported that his nephew and master Hongsi had come.

Hong Si actually put on his Chinese tunic suit again, and was standing at the door of the living room with a smile on his face. Feng Jiu hurriedly invited him in to sit down.

He holds a beautiful long box in his right hand and a small bundle in his left.

Kouji sat down on the sofa, put down the small bundle, and opened the box inside directly, revealing a black-bottomed gold-sprinkled folding fan full of oriental style.

He unwrapped the furoshiki again, and inside was a log box with a golden tiger printed on it. Fengjiu recognized it as the signboard of "Toraya", an old wagashi shop in Tokyo with a history of hundreds of years.

Pull out the drawing board on the top and see that there are nine wagashi inside: a pure white jade rabbit with red eyes, pink and waxy five-petal cherry blossoms, yokan, and a full moon with blue in the white... I have to admit , It is extremely delicate.

"I bought this when I went to Japan this time, and it's for you."

Fengjiu could only approach with a look of surprise, but she also admired it carefully for a while. She is sensitive to the ubiquitous beauty in life, and can notice many foods that can be called works of art, and the painstaking efforts of craftsmen in daily utensils. those ingenuity.

Suddenly she raised her head, glanced at Hong Si, hesitated to speak.

Hong Si smiled slightly, "My grandma, second sister-in-law, and two clever aunts have also given them away." Forget about the concubine, he has always been unwilling to have any contact with the handsome concubine.

Feng Jiu was relieved, and opened the folding fan again to watch.The folding fan is an invention of the Japanese: after the Chinese round fan was introduced to Japan, they were inspired to invent this folding fan which is more convenient to carry.The handle in front of me is made of ivory, black plain silk as the base, sprinkled with gold powder, and painted with pink cherry blossoms falling freely, elegant and noble, very attractive.

But no matter how good-looking it is, it is a Japanese product. Because of what the Japanese have done in the Northeast since he can remember, Fengjiu has a natural resistance to this country and even the objects they produce.

Kouji watched Fengjiu play with the folding fan in order to be polite, the handle of the fan rolled silently and smoothly between her slender fingers, going in from one finger and coming out from the next... He couldn't help but move his throat.

Feng Jiu suddenly remembered something: "Don't wear a Chinese tunic suit at home, you know your grandpa's attitude."

Feng Jiuyu blamed her because she was already acquainted with Hongsi.

Hongsi smiled, and because of Fengjiu's concern from the bottom of his heart, "Didn't I put it on again after watching him leave?" Only then did Fengjiu know that the old man had returned to Peiping.

"You went to Japan, how do you feel?" Feng Jiu asked Hong Si very seriously.

Kouji smiled and said, "Impressions? My impressions are that although the Japanese are hateful, you are not guilty of using their good things."

Fengjiu didn't expect Hongji to see through her contempt for Japanese goods, and in fact occasionally felt that he was narrow-minded, so he lowered his head a little embarrassedly.

"However, their military equipment is developing very fast. In Yokohama, I saw that their 'Fengxiang' aircraft carrier battle group has taken shape, with a complete range of carrier-based aircraft, a large number, and a very sufficient reserve. In the not-too-distant future, Our Northeast is very dangerous, after all, they want to realize their original intention of establishing a country in the Northeast." When Hong Si said this, his face was serious.

Only then did Fengjiu know that in the past few months, at the invitation of the Japanese Consul General in Fengtian, Lin Quansuke, Hongji went to various parts of Japan to visit the advanced military facilities of the Japanese army and the arsenal with strong manufacturing capabilities. For the Japanese, this is a show of force in front of the old man, the direct descendant of the Northeast King, with the intention of both intimidation and win-win; but for the young man Ning Hongsi, he is more determined to vow The determination to resist the invasion of foreign enemies.

"By the way, you also came back from Japan, so do you still want to study in the United States?" Feng Jiuke still remembered that when he did not graduate from high school, Koji once said that he would study abroad in the future.

Hongji shook his head, "I don't want to go abroad anymore. In fact, domestic universities are very good...but I might want to go to the lecture hall first."

"...You have changed too much. Why did you suddenly change from going to an American university to becoming a soldier?" Feng Jiu was shocked by Hong Si's 180-degree turn in his academic choice.

"I can't tell, let's see. The Martial Arts Hall is only a two-year system. After two years, I'm still young, so I might think about other things."

"Joining the army is indeed a tradition in your family." Feng Jiu said.

"In this day and age, you have to have a gun in your hand to defend your home and country." Ning Hongsi said calmly.

Feng Jiu was speechless. Before, soldiers were so strange to her, but now, more and more soldiers were involved in her life circle.

(End of this chapter)