A Thousand Hills

Chapter 60

What is the perfect plan for Master Ning? Xie Moru is not clear about the outside situation. Without accurate sources of information, she can't guess the means of Master Ning.

Since he couldn't guess, Xie Moru simply didn't guess.

February Erlong raised his head.

The weather is still cold, but the small garden is full of spring buds, the new bamboo shoots are fresh and tender, and the branches of the rhododendron tree are turning green and sprouting new shoots. Xie Moru likes the tender greenness of spring, full of vitality.Looking at these flowers and grass, it makes people feel that life is really a wonderful thing.

When the maid came to ask Xie Moru to go back to have breakfast, the time was exactly the same as in the past, she had strict rules, and she had her own rules for daily life and three meals, but, on such an ordinary spring morning, she unexpectedly felt a little lingering for no reason.

Breakfast is spring pancakes.

Dragon raising its head is a festival to eat spring pancakes. A plate of jade-colored pancakes, a plate of fried mung bean sprouts, a plate of mixed vegetables, a plate of shredded pork with chives, and a plate of scrambled eggs are set on the table.The mung bean sprouts should be fried crisply, and the mixed dishes are fried with shredded pork, spinach, vermicelli, yellow flowers, and fungus.Wrapped in spring pancakes, the taste is not bad.In fact, I heard from Madam Zhang that in order to eat spring pancakes properly, in addition to these four hot dishes, there must also be some cold dishes, such as shredded tripe, shredded ham, shredded smoked elbow, shredded pork with sauce, coix seed, sausage, and roast meat , Smoked chicken shreds and the like, and then paired with sweet noodle sauce and Ludi's scallion, it is fragrant.However, Xie Moru has never liked to eat meat that is marinated or sauced, so cold dishes are omitted.

After eating spring pancakes and eating a bowl of pearl rice porridge, Xie Moru got up to rinse his mouth, after dressing up, he greeted him outside the small courtyard, and then went to Songbaiyuan.

Mrs. Xie has been in a good mood these days, the second son is going to go to Ximan, so it can be seen that the emperor favors him.Today is the festival day again, seeing Xie Moru asking An, she couldn't help but smile, "Sit down." She already knew that the reason why the second son was able to go to Ximan as an envoy was reminded by the eldest granddaughter.Aside from the fact that Xie Moru has been relying more and more on him lately, Mrs. Xie saw that Xie Moru was really pleasing to the eye, and asked with a smile, "Have you eaten spring pancakes?"

"Eat." Xie Moru took the tea held by Su Lan, took a sip and said, "I can't think of eating this on weekdays." It's actually quite delicious.

Xie Moyou said, "Yes, especially this year's smoked shredded chicken, I can't get enough of it."

Mrs. Xie couldn't help laughing, "It can be seen that it suits our second girl's taste."

"Big bang bang." Xie Moyou shook his head, making Mrs. Xie amused.

After joking around, the two sisters went to Huazhangtang to go to school.

Today is a big day when the dragon raises its head. After eating spring pancakes, the folks are about to prepare for farming. The imperial court also held a grand ceremony for farming and silkworms.In the evening, Xie Bo brought Princess Yi'an back to his residence for dinner.

Princess Yi'an was also happy to come to thank the family. When she was in the palace in the past, Princess Yi'an really hoped to open a mansion by herself and be the master of the house, wouldn't it be uncomfortable.Now when the mansion is married, the people who come and go are the three places in the palace, Princess Wenkang, and Duke Cheng'en's mansion, and the Xie family.

Naturally, Xie's mansion can afford high-quality noodles, Xie Moru also couldn't go back to Dujuan Courtyard to have dinner with his mother.Ever since the New Year's wine incident, Princess Yi'an has treated Xie Moru with a bit of politeness.Now, unless it is absolutely necessary, she is not willing to deal with Xie Moru.When it was Chinese New Year, she sent a message on behalf of the queen mother, but in the end, the old mother who was next to the queen mother was folded in.She invited her to eat the New Year's wine together, and Princess Yongfu entered the Jingxin Nunnery... These two incidents, if it is blamed on Princess Yi'an, Princess Yi'an is a little bit wronged, but well, it is more or less related to her. relation.The trouble made Princess Yi'an really panic, and she was trembling when she entered the palace to greet her. It was the queen mother who comforted her and said that she was not to blame for the matter, so Princess Yi'an felt better.And made up his mind to stay away from Xie Moru as much as possible in the future.

It's too troublesome!
In particular, if something happens, Xie Moru is always very reasonable, and the ones who suffer are others.

It is said that Xie Moru is like the eldest princess, regardless of whether this statement is true or not, although Princess Yi'an grew up in the court since she was a child, she is really not familiar with the eldest princess.However, Princess Yi'an still felt that if the Eldest Princess was as powerful as Xie Moru, it would not be because she had been in power for many years.

Princess Yi'an is somewhat alienated from Xie Moru, but Xie Bai and Xie Moru are very close.After the dinner, Princess Yi'an and Xie Bai went back to the Cangbai Courtyard to rest, and Xie Bai also specially instructed Mo Ju, "Tomorrow, someone will go to the Dujuan Courtyard to say something, and then I will take a rest and ask Mo Ru if you are free, and go out together." Stepping into the spring."

Mo Ju respectfully complied, and the maid beside Princess Yi'an helped the princess' son-in-law wash up.After washing up, Princess Yi'an said, "Didn't you go to congratulate Mr. Li on his birthday?"

"Yes, Mo Ru also recognizes Li Qiao, so we just go together." Xie Bai smiled leisurely.

Princess Yi'an was sitting in front of the makeup mirror and was being served by a maid. She couldn't help asking, "Don't you just bring one? Don't you go?" She prefers the innocent Xie Moyou.

Xie Bai said, "Mo You doesn't recognize Li Qiao either."

Princess Yi'an looked at her husband in the mirror, and said angrily, "You are an uncle, that's all, you can take Mo Ru there." With Li Qiao's reputation, her husband took Xie Mo Ru there without any scruples. She said it was always inappropriate.However, her husband made good friends with Li Qiao again, and she also felt that Li Qiao was really wronged for what happened at the beginning, but Li Qiao has already blamed Li Qiao, so she should be more careful when dealing with him.However, Xie Moru was involved, so she should keep her mouth shut.

On the second day, it was already noon when Mo Ju went to Dujuan Courtyard to send word, mainly to serve the master in the morning, she was free in the first noon, but Xie Moru was going to Huazhang Hall to attend class.When he came to the Rhododendron Courtyard at noon, Mo Ju felt that it was a bit late, but Xie Moru didn't say anything, but asked, "Will you go, don't worry?
Mo Ju said, "Second master didn't tell the servants to go to Shaoyaoyuan, and second girl would not go if I think about it."

Xie Moru immediately understood that tomorrow's success must have something to do with Li Qiao.Nodding her head, she sent Mo Ju down to have tea.Mo Ju was afraid that Xie Moru might misunderstand, so she deliberately explained to Wisteria, "In theory, what the second master told me last night, I should have come here this morning. It's just that I don't have time in the morning, so I asked the little girl to come over, and I was afraid that I wouldn't understand. In the afternoon, the eldest girl is studying in Huazhangtang, so she was delayed until now."

Zi Teng had a straight temper, and said directly, "Sister Mo Ju, don't worry, our girl can't be more good-tempered."

Mo Ju smiled, "Yes." It doesn't matter whether the eldest girl has a good temper or bad temper, but the eldest girl has always been kind to Cangbai Courtyard, but the more so, Mo Ju, as the chief maid of Cangbai Courtyard, is more and more determined to treat Cangbai Courtyard well. It's good to do things well.

Xie Moru didn't worry about this trivial matter, she always thought that Xie Bo was going to use her as a cover again, but she didn't expect that the fourth day of February was Li Qiao's birthday.

Xie Moru asked, "Do you want to prepare a birthday gift?" It's not easy to come to eat for nothing.

Xie Bai said, "Don't worry, I've prepared everything, it's ours."

Xie Moru didn't say anything more.

This trip went smoothly, since Princess Yongfu went to the nunnery, Mrs. Xie didn't care if Xie Moru wanted to go out with Xie Bai, and Xie Moyou didn't feel jealous anymore.Now she is praying to gods and worshiping Buddha and is unwilling to go out with Xie Moru, she is too worried.Her second uncle wanted to take Xie Moru out, so he just went, that was the second uncle's courage.

Xie Moru changed into a men's spring shirt made of thick material, and wore a man's hair bun, and rode out of the city with Xie Bai.In spring, by the roadside, willows are sprouting, birds are singing, and farmers are busy in spring. Even if the spring breeze is still cold, it can't stop the unique prosperity of spring.

The horse doesn't run fast, one is that Xie Moru's riding skills are still inexperienced, and the other is that the spring is so beautiful, how can I bear to move fast.

Shilipu is not far away, and it takes only an hour to ride a horse to reach the place ten miles out of the city.The uncle and nephew left the city early, and when they arrived at Li's Manor in Shilipu, they were only Sizhong.Li's manor is not big, the three-entry house is the size, but it is only built into a large courtyard, so it looks spacious.In the courtyard there are flowers, bamboos, tall trees, a thatched pavilion, a new well, and a small vegetable garden surrounded by fences. The construction is not as exquisite as the imperial capital, but the blue bricks, gray tiles and white walls set off the surrounding green mountains and green waters. There is also a sense of quaintness.

Li Qiao was busy in the courtyard, when he saw Xie Bo and his party coming in, he quickly got up to greet him, and said with a smile, "I didn't hear anything at the door, Han Qiao, I'm not far away to welcome you."

Xie Moru saluted and smiled, "Mr. Li is good."

Li Qiao returned the courtesy and smiled, "Miss Xie, you don't need to be too polite. I met you last year. Please come to the uncle and nephew." Lead the way.

Seeing that Li Qiao's hands were covered with dirt, Xie Bai asked him with a smile, "What are you doing?"

"The spring bamboo shoots in the yard will grow old if you don't dig them out." Li Qiao gave Xie Moru a candid look, and said with a smile, "I met the girl in Suiyuan last year. If I hadn't come with Han Qiao today, I would hardly have recognized her."

Xie Moru smiled, "Mr. is still the same." I haven't seen him for a long time, Li Qiao is still dressed in the same casually seen Nanshan, blue cloth clothes, black cloth shoes, compared with last year, only one bamboo stick is missing.

Li Qiao asked his nephew and uncle to sit in the Maoting. He washed his hands and brought tea with his servant.Xie Moru saw that there were a few bamboo leaves soaked in the pottery cup, and smelled it, there was a fragrance of bamboo leaves, which was elegant.Li Qiao smiled, "Morning tea hasn't come down yet, I've finished last year's tea, and I think the plain water is tasteless, it's bamboo leaves fried the other day, let's make do with it."

Xie Bo smiled, "Jiujiang Zhenya is also a native."

"Drinking bamboo leaf tea is an elegant person. The most elegant person in the world must be a panda that eats bamboo."

Xie Moru chuckled, thinking that Li Qiao was very funny, not like the aloof person that Xie Bai said in the past.

Li Qiao smiled, "I've already told you, there are new bamboo shoots, river prawns, spring vegetables and fat duck, let's have a drink."

Just as they were talking, Su Buyu also came on horseback. Everyone stood up to greet Xie Moru in the thatched pavilion. Su Buyu greeted Xie Moru, "Sister Mo Ru, long time no see, how are you?"

"I'm fine." Xie Moru saw that Su Buyu was dressed in rich clothes and wanted to go to another courtyard with Li Xuan last time, but Su Buyu didn't dress so brightly, it seemed intentional, so he couldn't help laughing, " It's Talent Su, who's haggard over the Chinese New Year."

"The Chinese New Year is like a spinning top, when there is no free time, can you not be haggard?"

Everyone jokingly talked about Mr. Beiling, who is about to come to the imperial capital. Li Qiao said, "Nan Xue Beijiang, Jiang Beiling has a great reputation. I wonder when Jiang Beiling will arrive in the imperial capital? How many times will we talk?"

Su Buyu said, "Mr. Beiling has come all the way, I think, no matter what, he has to stay for half a year."

Xie Bai said, "Jiujiang, do you want to listen to Mr. Beiling's lecture?"

Li Qiao said, "Of course."

Su Buyu chuckled and asked, "Do you have a certificate?"

Li Qiao still doesn't understand what's going on, how can he still use his voucher to listen to a lecture?Su Buyu smiled, "You don't know, Mr. Beiling hasn't come yet, the Imperial College has already arranged the place where Mr. Beiling will give a speech. With Mr. Beiling's reputation, who wouldn't want to listen. The Imperial College wants to Come up with such a way to enter the arena with the certificate of attendance, so as not to be overcrowded when there are too many people."

Li Qiao was stunned when he heard this, and said, "If this is the case, wouldn't it mean that those without certificates will never be able to hear Mr. Beiling's lectures?"

Su Buyu said, "I guess it's just like this at this stage, and I will definitely let it go in the future." He took out a lecture certificate from his sleeve and handed it to Li Qiao.Li Qiao took it, Xie Moru looked at it, Li Qiao handed it to her, Xie Moru just didn't see it before, he was surprised, saw that the seal of the Imperial College was printed on the ticket, and even the seat was clearly written.

Su Bai's fingertips lightly pressed on the voucher, Xie Moru raised the corner of his lips imperceptibly, returned the voucher to Li Qiao, and said, "Does Second Uncle have such a voucher?"

Xie Bai said, "If you want to go, let's go together then."

Xie Moru was not very interested in listening to the banquet, but she wanted to meet Mr. Beiling, so she nodded, "Okay."

Xie Moru asked again, "Nanxue Beiling. I heard from you that Mr. Beiling is already very famous. Could it be that there is another Mr. Xue who is above Mr. Beiling?"

Su Buyu always spoke quickly, and said, "Could it be sister, you don't even know Xue Yishan?"

Xie Moru glanced at Xie Bai, and said with a smile, "I've never heard of it." It seems that Mr. Nan Xue has something to do with her.

"It's not your fault. You're a young girl, and you don't go out often. It's normal if you haven't heard of Nanxue." Su Buyu said, "Xue Yishan is also a generation of scholars. It is regarded as a classic of the imperial examination by scholars. Xue Yishan was originally the number one scholar, he is relatively young, and he is only in his thirties now."

Xie Moru became more and more puzzled, and said, "I heard from my second uncle that Mr. Beiling is almost seventy years old. This Mr. Xue is only in his thirties and younger than my grandfather. How can he be equal to Mr. Beiling? The reputation is still higher than that of Mr. Beiling?"

"It's also simple. Xue Yishan has been the emperor's teacher, and now..." After a pause, Su Buyu said, "Now I'm in charge of the government smoothly, and Xue Yishan has made great contributions."

Xie Moru had no expression on her face, she even smiled and said, "I think Mr. Xue is no longer in the imperial capital."

"After His Majesty came to power, Mr. Xue resigned and returned to his hometown. He couldn't stay here today. I heard that he is now living in seclusion in Mount Qingcheng." .

Xie Moru nodded, "So that's how it is. It's only natural that Emperor Xue lives on the Jiangbei Ridge." He picked up the tea and wanted to take a sip, but when he reached his lips, he realized that there was no more tea in the cup.Xie Moru had no choice but to put down the pottery cup again, Li Qiao continued to serve tea for Xie Moru, Xie Moru took a sip and thanked him.

After everyone had a conversation, it was time for lunch. Li Qiao lived in the country, and the cook only cooked some rough food, which was not as good as the drinks in other families.

After lunch, everyone went to enjoy the early blooming of the apricot blossoms.

It was the first time Xie Moru saw such a large apricot blossom forest, because the season was still early, most of the apricot blossoms were in bud, and few bloomed, but wandering among them was already refreshing.Xie Moru asked Li Qiao about the Western Barbarian, and Li Qiao cleared his doubts one by one, and then asked, "Did Han Qiao and the girl mention that I can speak the Western Barbarian?"

"Second Uncle will be sent to Ximan next month, and he mentioned to me that Mr. is proficient in Ximan language." Xie Moru's eyes stopped in the splendid apricot blossom forest.

Li Qiao knew the elegant meaning when he heard the string song, and said, "But if I have a chance, I would also like to visit Ximan."

Xie Moru looked at him sideways and smiled slightly.

Xie Moru is young, in fact her facial features have not yet developed, but her appearance is sharp, not like ordinary girls are soft and beautiful, when she smiles, the tails of her eyes are slightly upturned, which seems to have melted ice, Li Qiao heard Xie Moru said, "Mr. is not like someone who seeks fame."

At the beginning, Li Qiao thought that Xie Moru was saying that he went to Ximan to take the opportunity to cling to the Minister's Mansion, but then he thought again, this is not the level of Xie Moru's words.In a flash of thought, Li Qiao understood that Xie Moru was talking about his imperial examination.Li Qiao said lightly, "It doesn't matter to me whether I'm an official or not, or whether I have fame or not. But you can't let others mention Li Qiao and say, hey, this is a piece of shit." The best way to test your reputation is There is no more honor than this place in the imperial examination.

"Mr. That actually doesn't have to go to Ximan with Second Uncle. Mr. Beiling's chance is very rare."

Li Qiao laughed, "It's fine to go to Jiangbeiling for one or two encounters. If you succeed, you will succeed. If you fail, let it go. I don't plan to worship him as a teacher. I don't have to stay long. If Xue Yishan comes to the imperial capital to give lectures, maybe I have to stay longer. "

Xie Moru smiled, "It makes sense."

After admiring the apricot blossoms, it was getting late, Xie's uncle and nephew said goodbye, Li Qiao sent him to the entrance of the village, and said, "When Han Qiao is going to Ximan, don't forget to tell me."

Xie Bai was slightly surprised at first, then his eyes wandered over the faces of Li Qiao and Xie Moru, and he nodded, "Okay. Jiujiang, don't forget Mr. Beiling's lecture."

Sending Xie's uncle and nephew away, Su Buyu asked, "Are you going to Ximan with Xie Hanqiao?" He will not leave, but will stay with Li Qiao for a few days.

"I've always wanted to visit Ximan."

Su Buyu thought for a while, this matter cannot be said that Xie's family is taking advantage of this matter, and Li Qiao himself is not at a disadvantage, so he simply stopped thinking about it and said instead, "What are you and Sister Mo Ru talking about in the apricot blossom forest."

Li Qiao smiled, "Let's chat casually."

Su Buyu clicked his tongue twice, chatting casually, and he also wanted to chat casually.

After returning home, the uncle and nephew went to Songbai Courtyard. Mrs. Xie just asked a few words and sent them back to each courtyard to clean up and wash up.Xie Bo didn't ask Xie Moru how he talked to Li Qiao about his trip to the Western Barbarians. It was obvious that Xie Moru had already settled the matter.It's a foregone conclusion, so don't mention it.Xie Bo said, "Come talk to my study later." Xie Moru nodded.

After washing up, she changed back to her long skirt and put her hair up again, Xie Moru drank a cup of tea before heading to Cangbai Courtyard.

Xie Bai also changed into a homely robe, and when Xie Moru sat down, the servant girl offered tea and dismissed the servant girl. Xie Baifang said, "What does Li Qiao say about Jiangbeiling?" He could see Jiangbeiling's opportunity, Su If you can see it without saying a word, Li Qiao must also see it.Since he wants to go to Ximan together with him, seeing Li Qiao's appearance, I don't know what he is planning.

Xie Moru said, "Mr. Li has been working hard to restore his reputation in the past few years since he came to the imperial capital. If the benefits Jiangbeiling brings to him are far greater than the trip to the Western Man, I think he will politely say goodbye to the Western Man." Jiangbeiling is indeed rare. Opportunity, but the key, this opportunity has too many variables.As Li Qiao said, if it succeeds, it will succeed, if it fails, let it go. He has no intention of worshiping Jiang Beiling as his teacher. It can be seen that Li Qiao is not willing to pay too much for Jiang Beiling.Li Qiao didn't intend to pay a high price. Unless Jiang Beiling was really a saint, how could he endorse Li Qiao's reputation.

It seems that Li Qiao's meaning is very clear.Xie Bo felt sorry for it, and said, "If you miss this opportunity, it may not be easy to find another good one." Fame, the higher you stand, the more important you will find it.Like Li Qiao, he was framed by others when he was young, and he was repeatedly frustrated in the imperial examination.

Xie Moru said, "I have an idea."

Xie Bai knew that Xie Moru never talked about things he was not sure of, so he hurriedly said, "Tell me."

Xie Moru looked into Xie Bai's eyes and said softly, "Second Uncle is already a son-in-law. Compared with the status of the second son of the Shangshu Mansion in the past, the status of the second uncle is very different. In the past, the Second Uncle would cover up a thing or two when he saw Mr. Li, so that his grandfather could not let him go. Grandmother knows. Now, Second Uncle can act as a son-in-law."

Xie Bai couldn't help thinking about his father's opinion, but Xie Moru said, "The second uncle is the second uncle, and the Shangshufu is the Shangshufu. It's not unusual for them to have different positions."

Xie Bai frowned, "You mean, just deal with Li Qiao openly and aboveboard."

Xie Moru smiled, "Why not?"

She said, "Many people like to read military books. The first sentence of the military book is, soldiers are deceitful. If you want me to say, there is kingly way above deceit. Just like conspiracy, there is also conspiracy. Identity Different people have different ways. The second uncle first thought of the family, so he could not express his relationship with Li Qiao. One is because of the filial piety of the second uncle; Why do you feel that Jiang Beiling is an opportunity? It's nothing more than Jiang Beiling's identity. People believe what he says, and people are willing to believe it. The second uncle is a son-in-law. Although what you say does not have the weight of Jiang Beiling, your identity We can already express our position on Li Qiao's case."

Xie Bai immediately understood what Xie Moru meant, it was the first time he looked directly at his son-in-law's identity like this.Yes, after Shangzhu, the road to officialdom is bound to be difficult, but the status of a son-in-law itself represents a great right to speak and immunity.What's more, the matter of opening eyes for Li Qiao is really not a right of immunity. After all, Li Qiao is also the eldest son of the Marquis of Yong'an.Xie Bai said, "That's not a problem, Mr. Beiling's banquet is an opportunity."

"Since Second Uncle is willing to take this risk, with two more people, this matter will be more than half."

Xie Bai said, "Su Buyu and Li Xuan." It's no problem for the three of them to help Li Qiao gain a firm footing.

"Yes." Xie Moru said, "Mr. Beiling is only white after all, he is not Xue Yishan, so he is doomed not to be the key to success or failure. This move should be played later to have the best effect." Like Emperor Taizu, when the mountains and rivers were brought down, Jiangbeiling was used as a memorial archway.Whether you like to be an official or not, I, as the founding emperor, will come to the door in person and invite you three times.You refuse to bow your head, and I won't kill you. If you want to leave, then let's go. Let's send the car to send the ceremony.Jiangbeiling became famous because of this, but the good reputation of Emperor Taizu's courtesy and corporal was also spread all over the world.How many courtiers who were not very virtuous in the previous dynasty bowed their heads and continued to serve the Eastern Mu Dynasty.

Xie Bai has always been good at making decisions, he said, "Let's do it this way."

In the past, when we were unable to do so, we would resort to external forces.Now that he has a good opportunity, he should take care of it, so why borrow someone else's hand.

(End of this chapter)