A Thousand Hills

Chapter 88

This new year has a little bit of turmoil due to the matter of the third house. Xie Shangshu feels that he has to pay more attention to the education of the family's children. The education is still secondary, and the character education must not be left behind.These matters are decided by the men. Mrs. Xie received a letter from her second son some years ago with some New Year's gifts, she looked at it happily, and distributed the New Year's gifts from her second son to each room. Some, in addition, there is a gift from Princess Yi'an to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Mrs. Xie brought it into the palace on the day of greetings, and sent Xie Zhong to the Princess's mansion to ask about the New Year at the Princess' mansion. Yi'an The princess went to Xining Prefecture, and the princess mansion still needs to be guarded.Housing and the like cannot be ignored.

Years ago, Xie Moru received an annual gift from brothers Li Xuan and Li Qiao, Xie Moru discussed with Mrs. Xie, prepared two gifts in return and ordered his servants to send them to each of the brothers.

The New Year is still lively and exhausting, but there are two things that have attracted the attention of the imperial capital. One is that the princesses of the clan are ordered to enter the palace for a banquet during the New Year, and Mrs. Shou'an brought Princess Ningrong into the palace; the other is that Princess Yongfu Returning from Jingxin Nunnery to pray for blessings.Anyone with a discerning eye knows that His Majesty is going to choose a son-in-law for the princess.

The Xie family still pays some attention to the former, but they don't care about the latter. The Xie family already has Lord Xie Bai, and it is impossible for His Majesty to marry the princess.

The new year is busy, Xie Moru and Xie Moyou are 13 years old, and they have reached the age when Xie's family has a daughter.Li Xuan's birthday was in March. Li Xuan gave Xie Moru a birthday gift last year. Xie Moru couldn't pretend not to know Li Xuan's birthday. Only continue to prepare gifts.

Mrs. Xie discussed with her husband, "Tell me, is Li Shizi interested in us?" After several years of getting along, Mrs. Xie's address now is "We are better".Although Xie Moru is not particularly likable, she is sharp and alert. Internally, she can help Mrs. Xie with housekeeping, and externally she is very politically intelligent. Mrs. Xie will never hate Xie Moru. Sages, who can be ruthless, only intimacy.

Xie Shangshu twitched his beard, worrying, "It's nothing, after the Jiji ceremony, I will find out what your majesty says." If your majesty has any opinions, he will listen to your majesty.If His Majesty has no objection, he has to prepare to arrange a marriage for Xie Moru.

"You see a lot of promising boys outside, pay more attention, Mo You has reached his age." Mrs. Xie sighed, "The grandma of Jinning Hou's family has praised Mo You for being outstanding several times, it seems to have that meaning , we Moyou are still young, I thought, we have to pass Jiji before we can talk about relatives. I don't know much about the sons of Jinninghou's family." Jinninghou is Xie Moyou's great-grandmother's family, if married When you arrive at the Marquis of Jinning, you don't have to worry about Xie Moyou being wronged or anything.

Xie Shangshu sighed, "The son of Jinning Marquis has been the Shaoqing of Dali Temple for many years, and he can't be promoted. His official career is just like this. Since he is proposing a marriage, he must be the grandson of the son. I haven't heard of any outstanding grandchildren in his family. Today, Keqiu Wei In that year, there were quite a few outstanding youngsters."

After being married for many years, Mrs. Xie hurriedly asked, "So, do you know it well?"

Xie Shangshu said, "The eldest son of the Marquis of Yong'an, the third son of Su Xiangshu, although they are all descendants of concubine, you have seen them, they are a hundred times better than those of ordinary concubines, I have seen their articles, they are full of energy and talent .It will not be difficult for Chunwei next year. Besides, they are all children of Ming Shili. How do you feel?"

Mrs. Xie nodded, "These two have a good relationship with Mo Ru."

Xie Shangshu choked, "I ask you about Mo You's marriage." Although they are all granddaughters, in Xie Shangshu's heart, the eldest granddaughter is after all a descendant, and she is of the same quality. It's hard to understand.

Mrs. Xie thought about it carefully, "There is nothing wrong with the family, I have seen all the children, it is the same, if you talk about the Yong'an Hou Mansion, a mother-in-law like the eldest princess is not easy to serve. Let's talk about the Su family, Su Buyu is outside Quite a bit of a romantic reputation." If it was Xie Moru, Mrs. Xie would not have to worry about it, and with Xie Moru's methods, getting along with Princess Wenkang is not difficult, but Su Buyu's romantic affair probably fell into Xie Moru's hands You can also ask him to change it.But Xie Moyou is a normal lady, and she is looking for an honest child from a normal family, Mrs. Xie is not at ease.

Men and women always look at things differently, Xie Shangshu didn't take it seriously, and said, "It's not that the eldest princess is unreasonable. Besides, Li Jiujiang lives outside, and he might live outside with his family when he gets married. As for Are you romantic, young master, you are famous for your talents, but it is difficult not to be romantic. As long as you are not obscene and know how to make progress, you will be promising in the future, don't worry about living a stable life, and you will definitely have a commandment."

"That's fine too. Please take a look, sir." Mrs. Xie easily persuaded her husband.Both granddaughters are facing this problem, whether they are high or low.Xie Moru has a problem with his mother's family, and Xie Moyou has a problem with his birth, so Mrs. Xie can be so worried.

Mrs. Xie was worried for a while, and then started to prepare something for the second son and the princess.Although the second son was released farther away, fortunately there were enough servants at home, so it was cheaper to send someone to send something or send a letter.In the first few hours, Jiang Xingyun sent someone to send a post, asking the sisters from the Xie family to enjoy the peach blossoms at the Zhuangzi in the suburbs.

Xie Moyou was not feeling well, so he couldn't say it. Xie Moru, as a female friend like Jiang Xingyun, naturally wanted to go to the appointment.Jiang Xingyun has always been riding a horse when going out. If other people have such a beautiful girl, they might not dare to ask her to go out like this. Jiang Xingyun is different. One is that her family is in charge of her own decision; the other is that the guards around her are tough; The third is to use Jiang Xingyun's words, she has always been like this, so she doesn't go out when she comes to the emperor.

Jiang Xingyun is not afraid of being seen at all, not to mention that she is so good-looking, especially Jiang Xingyun likes to be popular. As a result, whenever there is Jiang Xingyun, ladies from other families have to change their colors if they don't want to be passively turned into green leaves.

Xie Moru prefers purple, so there is no such trouble.Xie Jing is young, short, and still in the cute stage. Seeing Xie Moru coming, Xie Jing put down the half-eaten glutinous rice dumpling, and greeted Xie Moru with a smile, "Moru sister."

Xie Moru patted Xie Jing's head, seeing Xie Huan, Xie Pei and Xie Qi, asked, "Just the three of us?"

Jiang Xingyun waved his hand chicly, "They don't know how to ride a horse, so they don't go."

Xie Moru glanced at Xie Jing, Xie Jing was young and short, but she was a small sportsman, capable of horseback riding and archery, of course, this was all taught by Jiang Xingyun.Su Clan is really discerning, Xie Moru thought.

Although the three of them were all riding horses, they still prepared a carriage, mainly to bring Xie Jing's things. Xie Jing had a lively temperament, but she spoke slowly. Introducing the various snacks, preserves, and fruits she brought, "Originally, I wanted to bring a few fish. Sister Xingyun said that there is a pond in her village, and we can catch it fresh, so I didn't bring it. I wanted to grill the fish." After getting along with each other gradually, Jiang Xingyun was not used to Xie Jing calling her cousin or wife. She was only related by blood to the third wife of Xie's family. Xie Jing was born in the second wife, so Jiang Xingyun asked Xie Jing to call her elder sister. up.This also shows Jiang Xingyun's informality.Xie Jing asked, "Sister Mo Ru, what do you want to eat?"

Xie Moru said, "The river prawns in spring are just right."

"I also want to eat shrimp." Xie Jing had a round face, big eyes, flickering, and a serious face, "It's good to boil it, peel off the shell, it tastes sweet."

Xie Moru smiled, and Jiang Xingyun asked, "Who is this?"

Jiang Xingyun pointed at a group of people with a whip. The leader was a young man with a middle-class appearance, exuding a strong smell of books, riding a white horse, surrounded by hundreds of armored guards, and a number of carriages behind him. , but did not play the flag.This group of people are dressed differently from the imperial capital, especially the guards, they are different from the soldiers in the various government offices of the imperial capital, and also different from the imperial guards and the inner guards, Xie Moru suddenly felt blessed, and said, "They are from the Jingjiang Palace."

The young man on the white horse turned his head slightly, first glanced at Jiang Xingyun in amazement, then fixed his gaze on Xie Moru's face briefly, and then led his guards away in a mighty way.

Jiang Xingyun also noticed the man's eyes, looked back and smiled, and said to Xie Moru, "You are really guessing." Xie Moru has such an ability, she seldom goes out, but she can guess right at a glance.

Jiang Xingyun smiled like a flower, and Xie Moru also smiled, "The guards of the imperial capital have their own regulations, and it is easy to guess if it is unfamiliar at first glance."

Xie Jing still looked serious, looking up at her round bun face and said, "If you want me, I won't be able to guess."

Xie Moru looked gentle, "Pay attention, and you will know that the clothes of the guards of this group are different from those of other government offices in the imperial capital. Since they are not from the imperial capital, they must be from other places. People from other places can have such a pomp , very few."

Xie Jing nodded half understanding.

A group of people went up to Zhuangzi without rushing. It is now late spring in March. When the grass grows and the warblers fly, they look up and see that under the blue sky is the freshest greenery in spring. In the early warmth of spring, Xie Moru quickly forgot about the people in Jingjiang Prince's Mansion, and discussed with Jiang Xingyun and Xie Jing about the outing in Taohuazhuang.

Jiang Xingyun didn't live in the imperial capital for a long time, but all the properties that should have been set up. Jiang Xingyun introduced this village. The reason why it is called Taohuazhuang is because the village is full of peach blossoms. Jiang Xingyun took Xie Mo Ru wandered in the peach blossom forest with Xie Jing, and said, "I have taken a fancy to this house. Although it is on a mountain, it is not considered a high mountain. In fact, it is at most a small hill. There are about ten hectares of land outside. I plan to There—" Jiang Xingyun pointed to a depression, his eyes narrowed slightly in the sunlight, "dig a lake there, plant lotus, and come to enjoy the lotus in summer and autumn."

Both of them agreed, and Xie Jing said, "There will be a lot of lotus roots to eat in autumn."

Jiang Xingyun smiled, "Yes, you can also raise fish, shrimp and bastards inside."

Xie Jing laughed.

The pond that Jiang Xingyun mentioned earlier is in the village. The pond is half an acre in size, and the small lotus is already showing its sharp corners. The servants have already prepared fishing tackle and fish food. This fish is very easy to catch. In Xie Jing's words, "Like a fool, you get one when you catch it, and you get one when you catch it."

Xie Moru said, "This is a domestic fish, so it's easy to catch. I know there is a stream outside, and there are fish. You won't be able to catch one in half a day."

Xie Jing was quite moved, Jiang Xingyun did not resist going out for a walk, Xie Moru took them there, this stream is called Xinghuaxi, surrounded by a huge apricot forest, but at this time the apricot blossoms have fallen, and there are small green fruits on the tree , the stream is clear, and you can see the fish swaying and swaying. Xie Jing suddenly became interested, and immediately asked for a fishing rod and fish food from the maid. She threw out the fishing line and sat by the stream waiting for the fish to catch. She also asked, "Could it be sister, have you been here before?"

"Well, Second Uncle brought me here once." Xie Moru pointed to the wild flowers and vegetables on the ground and introduced, "This is mustard greens, this is dandelion, this is amaranth, this is bitter herbs, and this is wild chrysanthemum."

"Are these all vegetables?"

"Wild vegetables are not much eaten at home. But you should have eaten mustard greens. Wontons wrapped in mustard greens, or cold salad are delicious. Medical books say that it clears away heat and cools blood, and is suitable for eating in spring."

Xie Jing shook her head, she was surprised to see it.

Jiang Xingyun ordered the maid to pick some and bring them home to cook.

Xie Jing caught only two inch-long small fishes in half a day, depressed, "I can't even drink enough soup." She found it difficult to catch again.

Jiang Xingyun waved his hand, untied the scimitar around his waist, chopped off a few bamboo sticks, sharpened one end, stood by the stream, held the bamboo sticks with both hands, stretched his arms and body upwards, aimed at the swimming fish, raised the sticks and dropped them, The stream was dyed a blood red, and the bamboo spear was swimming in the middle of the fish.This skill is simply astonishing.Xie Jing was dumbfounded, she clapped her hands and applauded again and again, and ran over to applaud Jiang Xingyun.

Jiang Xingyun caught a few fish neatly, seeing that the sun was also high, it was strange, and said, "Let's go back and eat." He told his servants that half of the fish should be packed and grilled over charcoal, and the other half should be cleaned and made into soup.

Xie Jing heard that there were still bamboo shoots in the garden. She was young and very interested, so she told the two sisters and took the maids to dig bamboo shoots.Jiang Xingyun ordered two seasoned nanny to accompany him, Jiang Xingyun was talking to Xie Moru, "Didu has an advantage that Bianzhou doesn't have. Spring comes early here, and now in Bianzhou, but it's just getting warmer, and there are no such fresh dishes. Eat. I only ate dried bamboo shoots and sour bamboo shoots before, which were given by my father’s friends, and fresh bamboo shoots were only eaten after I came to the imperial capital.”

"Each has its own advantages..." Xie Moru was about to say more when Jiang Xingyun's maid, Xiangcao, came over to report, "A gentleman surnamed Li sent someone to send a basket of mulberry, saying that it was for the girls to taste. .”

Jiang Xingyun looked at Xie Moru, she didn't know Mr. Li.Xie Moru smiled, "It turns out that Mr. Li went back to live in the suburbs, but I didn't know." He told Wisteria, "Go with Xiangcao, and pick up six of the fish we caught from the pond just now and give them to the sender. He brought a message to Mr. Li, this fish was just caught from the pond, if you want to eat it, you have to raise it in clean water for three to five days, and the muddy smell will go away, and it will be delicious."

Wisteria and vanilla lead the way.

Xie Moru turned to Jiang Xingyun and briefly talked about Li Qiao. Li Qiao is also a famous person in the city. sir?"

Xie Moru nodded, Jiang Xingyun was very gossip, "I went out and met him once on the street. He is not very old, and he looks really good. In Bianzhou, it is easy to see a man who is eight feet tall and has a belt around ten. Li It's rare for Mr. to have such a face like a crown of jade, I just wish I couldn't get to know each other. Why don't you introduce me to each other, how about it?"

Xie Moru smiled, "It's not difficult, it's just that you put away your perverted face first, otherwise you won't have to scare people."

Jiang Xingyun laughed, "You still tease me, I don't believe it, you don't like beauties." Jiang Xingyun then summed up the beauty, saying, "Don't say it is a beauty, even a beautiful flower on the side of the road, we will also Take a few more glances. For example, in this room, there is a cup, a cup, a table, and a table. The rich and noble people want to be particular about it. What is it? Words—beautiful!"

"It's based on things, and it's the same with people. When people look at people, they always look at their appearance. Is there anyone who can see through the heart of others at a glance? Therefore, judging people by their appearance is the most reasonable thing in the world, and even saints cannot escape the vulgarity." Jiang Xingyun After giving a speech, he told Xie Moru, "Remember, when there is a chance, let me know this Mr. Li."

"Today we are all female relatives, so it's not easy to see him as a foreigner, wait for me to find a suitable time..." Xie Moru looked at Jiang Xingyun, "How is it?"

Feeling that Xie Moru didn't finish his sentence, Jiang Xingyun frowned, "Half the sentence?"

"I was thinking, the timing is hard to find, but it's a pity that the second uncle went to Xining Prefecture, otherwise it would be much cheaper to ask the second uncle to come forward." Xie Moru said, "I know you are not such a casual person, the atmosphere in Bianzhou It’s different than the emperor’s, but since you’ve come to the emperor’s capital, you have to live by the rules here. So, don’t worry.”

Jiang Xingyun smiled and blinked.

Xie Moru sighed, beauty has such power, she can act like a baby at any time without being annoying.

Jiang Xingyun approached with a smile, leaned on Xie Moru's shoulder, and asked her affectionately, "Have you thought about it?"

"You can build a library."

"Isn't it going to be repaired there in a while?"

"If it takes a long time to wait for the building to be completed, it will take more than ten years to complete the completion of the Dafeng Dynasty Emperor Wu. The building is a place for ordinary students to borrow books. Part of it can be repaired, and part of it can be opened for ordinary students. Feeling cheap and affordable can also make people understand the hard work Mr. Beiling and others have put in this year?" Xie Moru obviously has a plan in mind.

Jiang Xingyun quite agreed with this idea, thanking Mo Ru flattering, "Mo Ru, when we are together, let's talk about our beauty and wisdom."

Rao Xie Moru was always calm, and he couldn't help laughing out loud when he heard this.

(End of this chapter)