A Thousand Hills

Chapter 24

The courtiers have a bath every ten days, and on the holidays, as long as Xie Shangshu has dinner at home, he always likes his children and grandchildren to have dinner together.In fact, it was cheap. Now that Xie Bai is not married, Xie Song is married, but Mrs. Fang has not gone out for a long time, and Aunt Ning is just a concubine. She never shows up on such occasions. We are not very old, we can still sit together and talk or something.

When Xie Bai and Xie Moru passed by, Xie Song had already arrived with his three sons and one daughter, and everyone sat down after greeting each other.Xie Bai laughed, "What is mother talking about?"

Mrs. Xie smiled, "I was talking about you, but your elder brother thought you didn't come back."

Xie Bo smiled, "I want to take him for a stroll. This child is sensible, and he is afraid that his family will miss him, so he told me to come back earlier, so he came back. Otherwise, I have already reserved a seat upstairs in Haoran."

Hearing this, Xie Song had a pleasant face, and nodded slightly, "What age are you, and you still want to play."

Xie Bai took the tea from Su Lan, took a sip, and said, "Brother, what is the purpose of Huo Mu? It's not just for people to rest. Playing is also a kind of rest. Even if you are on an errand, you have to work and rest. That's good."

Mrs. Xie asked with a smile, "Where did you go today?"

Before he could say anything, Xie Bo laughed first, put the teacup on the table at hand, and said, "Today, Mo Ru has opened his eyes, tell me, second uncle, the one with long ears is bigger than a horse The shorter ones are donkeys, right? The ones with ears shorter than donkeys and longer than horses are mules, and the ones with long horns are cows. When we looked down from the Taiping Building, we saw sheep.”

Xie Bo was always funny, and he was also a joking person. Now that he learned it, Xie Shangshu was amused. Mrs. Xie said to her husband, "The children used to be young, and they didn't go out much. Now that they go out, see It's rare to wear anything."

Xie Bai said, "Yeah, I made an agreement with Mo Ru, next time I take a rest, I will take her to see the green hills and rice fields outside the city, otherwise, when we talk in the future, our girl has never even seen the mountains, wouldn't it be a shame?" lost face."

Mrs. Xie smiled, "Go, go, you and I are not at ease. Fortunately, there is nothing better than prudence. I am most at ease."

Hearing this, even Xie Moru was a little flattered.In the past, she was fine in the translucent state, anyway, she was used to it, now Mrs. Xie repeatedly gave her face to make her appear in front of others, while Xie Moru was surprised, she also responded calmly.This is due to the fact that she adjusts her facial expressions following the conversations of the people from time to time. Although she doesn't feel happy, everyone in the room is smiling, and Xie Moru keeps the corners of her lips upward. With a slightly downcast mental outlook, when Mrs. Xie mentioned her, Xie Moru could say in a cheerful and humble tone, "I have benefited a lot from getting along with my second uncle."

You know, speaking is an art, and everyone can say good things, but why do some people say it sincerely, while others say it flatteringly.There are many mysteries in it. Do you think speaking is just a few short words?That's short-sighted.When speaking, it is necessary to cooperate with the corresponding expression, appearance, and body language. For example, when a wealthy lady like Xie Moru sits in a chair elegantly and yet politely talks to the elders, of course you cannot expect her to have any violent body language. , born in this kind of family, you have to be graceful in everything you do, and pay attention to expressing thousands of meanings with every gesture, every gesture, every frown and smile.Xie Moru has not received any training in this area, but Xie Moruyue is definitely talented in this area.Moreover, Xie Moru has practiced it for many years. For example, her invisibility method is quite good.Now, she doesn't want to hide it anymore, and this talent has once again been perfectly interpreted: this ordinary humble remark made her say it so sincerely and beautifully, that even Mrs. Xie Shangshu believed in her own judgment: Let Mo Ru and the second son It is indeed beneficial to get along more, and this child is also much more lively.

Feelings need to be cultivated by the family, even family members.

This is the common viewpoint and cognition of Xie Shangshu and his wife.

It's great to have a good start now.

Xie Shangshu twisted his beard and asked the eldest granddaughter, "Where did your second uncle take you?"

"I went to Taipingju for breakfast in the morning, and I used it in Taibailou at noon. I saw the market, and went to Wenwan shop, bought books and two paintings." Xie Moru said.

Xie Shangshu asked with a smile, "Oh, what books did you buy?"

Xie Moru said, "A set of "Records of the World", the shopkeeper of the bookstore said that this is the most popular book in the imperial capital, and it has been changed into an opera, and I have heard of it."

Xie Moyou couldn't help it anymore, and asked with bright eyes, "Big sister, did you buy back "Records of the World?"

"Yes." Didn't she just say that, why do you still ask.

Xie Moyou would ask such a question, so she naturally had her own reasons, she said, "Big sister, after reading it, can you lend me a look?"

Xie Moru was very generous, "My sister wants to see it, I will send it to you later."

"No, no, it's better to wait for my sister to read it before lending me." Xie Moyou was also very humble.

Mrs. Xie said, "It must be the play where the scholar meets the Peach Blossom Fairy."

Xie Moru nodded, "Yes."

This "Records of the World" is very popular, not to mention the novels, even the eight-year-old Xie Zhi knows it, and she sighed in a certain way at a young age, "It is really touching, especially the "Farewell". When the fairy leaves, Uncle Jie cries every time he hears it." Xie Jie, the eldest son of Xie Nu's Li family, is three years older than Xie Zhi, eleven years old this year, and the Xie family's children are all studying ethnology.

Mrs. Xie was funny, "You are so young, but you are sentimental."

Xie Song said to Xie Zhi, "Your sisters seem to be just joking, you are not allowed to watch this."

Xie Zhi hurriedly stood up and answered with her hands down.

Xie Bai smiled, "I recognize Su Buyu who wrote "The Story of the World". After all, he is the brother of Sister Feng's family. I don't know that you are so obsessed with "The Story of the World". When will I invite him to sit at home?" How are you?"

Xie Moyou was so pleasantly surprised, Xie Moru smiled slightly, and said, "This is the second uncle's business, but the second uncle met that talented Su, you might as well ask him, Mr. Su in "Records of the World" is also surnamed Su, Is it Su Caizi's own dream, or did he really meet the Peach Spirit Tree Monster?"

Xie Bo laughed loudly, "Yuemo is his own dream."

The meal was quite pleasant, and after dinner, Mrs. Xie sent her children and grandchildren to rest after a few words.Don't say Mrs. Xie Shangshu and Mrs. Xie's old couple ate half a bowl of rice watching their children and grandchildren live in harmony, even Xie Song felt a little relieved seeing his eldest daughter's vigor during this trip.

After returning to the Peony Courtyard, Aunt Ning ordered the children to go to rest, and took care of her husband herself, and said with a smile, "Seeing how happy the uncle is, what do you want for dinner?" Aunt Ning asked casually.

Xie Song laughed, "Listening to the children chattering for a long time, the childish talk is quite cute."

Concubine Ning waited on her husband to take off the gauze robe and left the middle order, and ordered the maid to bring warm water. After Xie Song washed, Concubine Ning smiled, "Mo You must be mischievous again."

"That's not true. It's better to buy a cliché book called "Records of the World" at a bookstore outside. I see that the children all know this play, and it's very lively." Xie Song never liked listening to plays. The method is just pretending, so I don't know much about the buzzwords in the imperial capital.

Aunt Ning brought a cup of lotus dew with a smile, and said, "You are always impatient to watch dramas, of course you don't know, this drama is really good. Don't say that the children like it, I like it too."

Xie Song took a sip of lotus dew leisurely, pulled Aunt Ning to sit beside him, and asked with a smile, "What story are you talking about?"

On a cool summer day, Aunt Ning gently shook the round fan in her hand, and said softly, "It is said that in a certain dynasty, there was a young master surnamed Su who loved peach blossoms the most in his life. His ancestral house had a century-old green peach blossom. He took good care of it every day and cherished it to the utmost. Once Mr. Su went to the mountains to collect medicine, unfortunately he was injured by a poisonous snake. When his life was dying, he happened to be rescued by a girl named Taohua. When the girl Taohua detoxified Mr. Su from the snake poison It was getting late, and it would be dangerous to go down the mountain again, so the two spent the night together in a nearby deserted temple. During the conversation, Mr. Su knew that Taohua girl was the beloved daughter of Lin, the shopkeeper of the medicine shop at the foot of the mountain. Taohua girl practiced medicine with her father since she was a child. , the medicine is profound, so it can detoxify strange poisons. The two got acquainted with each other, and when they talked carefully, Mr. Su found that Miss Peach Blossom was not only gentle and beautiful, but also very proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. In the early morning of the second day, when Mr. Su and Miss Peach Blossom were going down the mountain, Mr. Su said that he would come to propose marriage in a few days. Miss Peach Blossom waited at home for three days, but the news came that Mr. Su married someone else .”

Hearing this, Xie Song couldn't help saying, "Lonely men and widows staying together for one night will ruin the girl's reputation, and she has the grace of saving her life. I really should give an explanation to her, but why are her ears turned back?"

"Listen to me, what's the rush." ​​Aunt Ning said angrily, the candlelight shone into her beautiful eyes, the stream was shining brightly, and there was a hint of anger, although Xie Song never liked these things, he couldn't help but hear something at this moment , smiled, "Okay, let's talk."

Aunt Ning smiled, and Fang continued, "Miss Peach Blossom was heartbroken. She went to Su's house and found a strange thing. Mr. Su's new wife is also called Peach Blossom, and Mr. Su seems to have never known her before."

"Girl Peach Blossom was shocked when she saw it. It turned out that the fake peach blossom that married Mr. Su was transformed by a poisonous snake that bit Mr. Su in the mountains. , but was injured by Mr. Su who had been manipulated by the snake demon. Thanks to shopkeeper Lin's rescue, he saved his life. Mr. Su's newlywed Yaner lost weight day by day, his complexion was pale, and he was sick. On the contrary, the snake demon became more and more beautiful, People in the town felt ominous, so they quietly invited the eminent monk from the ancient temple. The eminent monk knew that there was a goblin. Naturally, the girl is not a mortal, and the eminent monk mistakenly thought that shopkeeper Lin and Taohua were also with the monster that caused trouble. During the battle between the monsters, shopkeeper Lin escaped by chance, but Miss Taohua was suppressed by the eminent monk into the Bodhi Pearl. Fortunately, the eminent monk will Mr. Su was rescued and regained his sanity, but at that time Mr. Su had been taken by the snake demon, and his life was dying. The peach blossom girl begged to use her own spirit to save Mr. Su's life, and the fragrance passed away. After the eminent monk killed the snake demon, Mr. Su came back to his house and saw that the peach blossom tree in his house was withered. Shopkeeper Lin told him that the peach blossom was the tree, and he had practiced for many years to transform into a human form. Mr. Su has a limited lifespan. She will die from the poison of the snake, and because of the love of the Su family for generations, Peach Blossom couldn’t bear to see Mr. Su die, so she rescued him as a repayment of your deep kindness.” Aunt Ning wiped her tears from the corners of her eyes after she finished speaking, “I’ve heard it many times before. Back, but every time I listen to it, I feel sad."

Xie Song was quite puzzled, and said, "What's so sad about this, the peach blossom tree seeks benevolence and obtains benevolence, and the kindness has been repaid. Even if there is no fate, if it is God's will, there is nothing I can do." Rao is that he and Ning have known each other since childhood , Xie Song sometimes can't understand a woman's heart.

Aunt Ning scolded, "My uncle is always like this. When I was a child, when I listened to operas, everyone else would follow the opera to be happy or sad, but you didn't react at all."

"It really doesn't sound that good." Xie Song told the truth, seeing that his concubine didn't like it, he laughed quickly, "Oh, this one is different, this one is good."

Aunt Ning pursed her lips and smiled.

The two talked about "The Story of the World" for a while, and it was getting late, so they took a rest.

It is said that since Xie Moru bought this book, he read a few pages when he has time.One day, when Xie Bo came to visit, he saw that Xie Moru had "The Story of the World" in his hand, and asked, "Is it really so beautiful?"

Xie Moru ordered the servant girl to serve tea, and said, "The rhetoric is quite gorgeous, and the plot is also tortuous. It's average, and it's a bit reluctant to say it's good." Then he said to Jingwei, "I've finished reading this book, you send someone to give it to the second girl. Go, tell the second girl that you don't need to pay it back, it doesn't look very good, let her keep it."

Jingwei took the book and left, Xie Bai laughed, "You are too straightforward." It's not good-looking, I don't like it, so I'll give it to you.

Xie Moru said, "I don't like it, so it doesn't mean that Mo You doesn't like it. Giving the book to someone who cherishes it is considered a kind deed, and it doesn't matter if it's straight or not." As soon as she was tactful, Peony Court would treat her as polite and send her back.But in fact, she really doesn't like this set of scripts.

Xie Bai said, "I also asked Su Buyu to go to another courtyard in the suburbs of our house. It seems that you are not very interested."

Xie Moru said, "Second Uncle Jieshi just entertains guests, and it's the same for me to go shopping by myself."

Xie Bai rolled his eyes, "Just kidding, Su Buyu's cousin Li Qiao will also be there, don't you like his paintings and calligraphy very much?"

Xie Moru suddenly asked, "Is it Jiujiang Layman?" The two paintings she bought were signed by Jiujiang Layman.

Xie Bo sipped his fragrant tea and nodded with a smile.Xie Moru was ready to do things, so he asked, "Su Caizi is the second aunt's brother over there, is this Mr. Li also related to our family?"

Xie Bai laughed, "That's not true. I met him through Su Buyu's introduction, and we have some friendship."

Xie Moru glanced at Xie Bai, and said, "I think Second Uncle and Li Qiao don't have a deep friendship." After thinking about it again, "It's not that you specially invited me to another courtyard. I think Second Uncle has other intentions?"

Xie Bai raised his hands in surrender, and smiled, "Mo Ru, if you do this again, I won't dare to talk to you."

Xie Moru nodded, sternly, "Then I won't say it in the future."

"No no, please tell me, Second Uncle won't deceive himself." Xie Bai smiled and asked intentionally, "Tell me where is the flaw this time?"

Xie Moru said, "If you are very close friends, you wouldn't use the words 'some friendship' to describe it. Also, if Second Uncle hadn't got serious business to do, he probably wouldn't just take me to another hospital, don't worry about you I will also take them with me." The last time the two of them went to the street together, I thought Xie Bo did not like Aunt Ning and her daughter because of the incident with the three old ladies, but Xie Bai is not a stingy person after all, let alone Therefore, Xie Moyou was embarrassed by the truth, and Xie Moyou would be brought along no matter what this time.And Xie Boti didn't mention Xie Moyou, there must be another reason.

Xie Bo admired, "Could it be that you are the Zhilan Yushu of our Xie family." The name of his elder brother was obviously wrong.

For such words, Xie Moru never took it seriously, even if the person who said it was her second uncle who had a good relationship with her, so she just quietly filled the cup of tea for the second uncle without saying a word.

Xie Bai and Xie Moru told the truth, "It was Su Buyu who asked me to invite Li Qiao out. Li Qiao is the most solitary person, and I'm afraid it would be bad to invite others. If I go alone, I won't be able to get involved with their confessions." Brother's matter. You can go with me, and I will take you out to play at that time, and let them solve their cousins' problems." He didn't deliberately not take Xie Moyou with him, in fact, Xie Moyou's mouth was too Not strict anymore.In contrast, there is nothing more reliable and stable, which is reassuring.

"Success." Xie Moru responded immediately.

(End of this chapter)