Aspirations

Chapter 63

"Can you write down the articles you wrote in the examination room verbatim?" This matter is related to the success or failure of the matter. Seeing Wang is also worried, so he raised his heart in his throat.

Who came up with the clever plan? It was the same as what he had thought before. Xia Xiang secretly rejoiced. Could it be that besides Gao Hai, among the three examiners, there is someone else who can secretly support it?He didn't have time to think about it, and hurriedly said: "Every word is accurate, half an hour is enough."

"Okay, that's great." Seeing Wang clenched his fists, he was beaming with joy, "During the palace exam, you can just dictate the article you wrote on the academic field word for word, and you don't need to think about the rest."

"Follow your orders." Xia Xiang didn't ask much about why it was so, what was the purpose of it, and just responded.

Seeing that the king was very satisfied with Xia Xiang's attitude, he put his hands behind his back and returned to his arrogant look: "This king will leave now, Xia Xiang, you can do it yourself. Remember, this king has never been to the inn, and you have never seen it before. The king."

Xia Xiang smiled secretly. Seeing how young Wang was, he made a point of emphasising it, but it was superfluous.

After seeing the king off, Lian Ruohan couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked, "What is the purpose of seeing the king?"

Xia Xiang spread his hands, shook his head and said, "I don't know either, but since I see Wang Xiangxiang, it must be a good thing, I just do it."

"Don't lie to me. With your cunning, if you don't have full confidence, how can you agree to it? Xia Langjun, do you think I'm so easy to bully?" Lian Ruohan looked at Xia Xiang with a half-smiling smile. Although she and Xia Xiang are not actually engaged, they have the name of being engaged, and they feel that the relationship between them is much closer.

"Cunning? The term is inappropriate, is it witty?" Xia Xiang smiled, "What I worry about is who entrusted the king to see the king, and what the king confessed is definitely not his idea. But if it is King Jing's intention also seems far-fetched, could it be King Qing's intention?"

Seeing that Xia Xiang still refused to tell the real intention of meeting Wang, even Ruohan didn't ask any more, and asked Ling'er to call someone to pack Xia Xiang's luggage and move it to Guanxin Pavilion.Xiao Wu was not idle, so he came to help.Mantuo, on the other hand, just stood by, neither approaching nor moving away, just holding his sword and watching coldly.

Although Cao Shujun was dissatisfied with Xia Xiang and Lian Ruohan's "private life-long appointment", he still helped Xia Xiang pack his luggage.Fortunately, Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu didn't have much stuff, they couldn't even fit a car.

Knowing that Xia Xiang was about to move out, Zhang Hou, Shi'er and Shen Bao all came to see him off.Shi Er was reluctant to give up and insisted on asking Xia Xiang where he moved, but Zhang Hou just asked casually.Shen Bao was also a little reluctant to give up, but he just saw Wang's intention to find Xia Xiang, and he knew that Xia Xiang was now the fulcrum of all forces, and he couldn't climb high, so he didn't say anything.

However, Xia Xiang saw Shen Bao's loneliness and wanted to invite Shen Bao to stay in Guanxin Pavilion, but he was afraid that Zhang Hou would think too much. "The little girl has an unkind request. There are several landscapes in Guanxin Pavilion that have not yet been completed. The little girl intends to imitate the gardens in the south of the Yangtze River. Shen Langjun is a southerner, can you come to Guanxin Pavilion for a few days and give some pointers?"

Shen Bao Zhengchou didn't know how to open his mouth to follow Xia Xiang, now he no longer wanted to spend time with Zhang Hou, and when he heard this, he immediately said happily: "I don't dare to give advice, I would like to give all of what I have learned and heard in my life. Guanxin Pavilion."

"Will the lady of Mantuo also go with him?" Lian Ruohan wanted to make friends with Mantuo. Seeing that Mantuo was not leaving Xia Xiang, he opened his mouth to invite him.

"I'll follow Xia Langjun wherever he goes." Mantuo's face was calm, "I just need to live in the room closest to Xia Langjun."

If outsiders heard this, they would think that Mantuo was Xia Xiang's concubine.It is not surprising that taking a concubine first and then marrying a wife is a common practice.Lian Ruohan knew about Mantuo's martial arts skills, and when she moved, could it be that Xia Xiang encountered some danger?Madam Mantuo followed Xia Xiang's steps, clearly wanting to protect his integrity.

It's nothing more than Xia Xiang being favored by Mrs. Cao, even Man Tuo cares for him a lot, he is really a kind of love.Lian Ruohan was angry for no reason, and thought again, why should he care about Xia Xiang's affair, what does it have to do with her?What she valued was only Xia Xiang's talent and ability and insight into the situation, as for the others, she didn't care too much.

Guanxin Pavilion is located on the Anding River, with private houses on the left and right. Within a radius of [-] zhang, there are no shops, traders, and government offices. It is located in a prosperous place without any noise. It is really a rare paradise.Xia Xiang was overjoyed at first sight.

The red lacquer gate, the tie-horse stake, and two lions guard the gate. The outside of Guanxin Pavilion is the same as an ordinary mansion. In its low-key and subtle, it reveals a hint of hidden luxury.The pillars on both sides of the gate are inscribed with a pair of couplets, the upper couplet, for the sake of learning to know the taste of the book, the lower couplet, the light of the mind and the room of enlightenment.

The shadow wall that greets the door is made of white marble, with a fresco of "Songzi Asking a Boy" carved on it. The painting style is simple and quite Zen.The inscription is Jia Dao's poem: Panasonic asked the boy, and the teacher went to collect medicine.Only in this mountain, the depths of clouds do not know where.

Bypassing the shadow wall, there is a square courtyard, with the living room in the center and the guest rooms on the left and right sides.Go through the corner door and come to the backyard, suddenly enlightened.It is a courtyard of nearly three acres, with tall or short, sparse or dense green trees and flowers, which embellish the courtyard with beautiful flowers.Then there are small bamboo forests and rockery slopes, like a garden.

Going forward, there is a willow tree.Willow trees cover the sky and the sun, and at least they are a hundred years old.On the side of the willow tree, there is a clear spring rushing away. Looking along the clear spring, there is a small pavilion not far away.There is a pool of water around the pavilion. The pond is not big, but it just surrounds the pavilion. There is a small bridge flying over the pavilion.

There are stone tables and chairs in the pavilion, which can accommodate four or five people sitting opposite each other.People in the pavilion, looking up and looking around, there are flowers and water, floating in the air with the meaning of being out of the dust.

Above the kiosk, there is also a flying bridge leading to an arch.Passing through Gongshou, there is a larger courtyard behind, about ten acres in size. In the middle of the courtyard is a pond with lush water and grass, clusters of reeds and layers of lotus flowers.In the middle of the pond, piled up with soil to form a mound, is a small island with a radius of hundreds of feet. On the small island, some rockery wood is scattered and piled up.Sure enough, it's not finished yet, it's still under construction.

There is no bridge to the island in the pool, only boats can pass.Around the pond, all kinds of trees are planted, lush and lush, a lush scene.

What a good place, Xia Xiang was full of admiration.A rough calculation, Guanxin Pavilion is worth as much as one million kangaroos.Not to mention the value, just to have such a large house in such a prosperous place in Shangjing, you can only get it if you have money, you must have power.

As an official of the imperial court, Cao Yongguo, although he was only a [-]th rank Shaoqing, was also a Beijing official after all. Compared with Cao Yongguo, not only was it more than half smaller, but its location and luxury were far from the same.Needless to say, it takes a second-grade officer to enjoy such a luxurious and spacious house in such a location.

Who is Lian Ruohan?Xia Xiang was even more curious about Lian Ruohan's origin. Could it be that she really came from one of the four great families?Although the four great aristocratic families are no longer as grand as they used to be when even the emperor had to give way to three points, they are still existences that people look up to and fear.

"Is Xia Langjun still satisfied?" Lian Ruohan smiled sweetly, three points pretty and seven points proud, just like a woman showing off her extraordinary achievements to a man she loves, in a way of asking for credit, "If you are not satisfied, there are two more There are houses for Xia Langjun to choose from."

"Satisfied, thank you Miss Lian for your kindness and kindness. I don't know what to do in return?" Xia Xiang took advantage of the situation and followed Lian Ruohan's request for credit.

"No, no, since even the little lady and the husband are engaged, the husband should call him the little lady, and even the little lady should be called the gentleman..." Xiao Wu smirked, "The official and the lady are in the same bed. Pillow couple, what else are you talking about in return?"

Shen Bao blushed so hard that his neck was thick, but he didn't laugh. Xiao Wu sometimes looked naive and seemed to be lacking in heart.

Mantuo did not smile at all, she stood behind a few people with her sword in her arms, her eyes were not squinted, and her face was indifferent.Cao Shujun was indignant and accused Xia Xiang of changing his mind from time to time. Thinking of Xia Xiang's special identity, he swallowed his words again. Who asked his sister and even the little lady to take the initiative to admit that they were engaged to Xia Xiang? It's not that Xia Xiang first said he was engaged to them, so can you blame Xia Xiang?No, Xia Xiang got it cheap and sold it well and thought he was a victim.

Lian Ruohan's face blushed slightly, if it was someone else, she would definitely be unhappy, but the other party was Xiao Wu, a young man who didn't know everything, if she had the same knowledge as him, wouldn't she be out of style?He had to give Xia Xiang an angry look: "Xia Langjun, don't let Xiao Wu talk about it, this matter should not be spread."

Xia Xiang's face changed, and he looked solemnly: "Xiao Wu, don't be rude in front of Miss Lian from now on, no matter whether I marry Miss Lian or not, you have to treat her like a disciple."

Xiao Wu and Xia Xiang had the same mind, and they heard Xia Xiang's implication, and immediately took a step back and bowed: "Yes, sir, Xiao Wu will obey." , I don't dare to say anything presumptuous in front of my mistress."

"Mistress?" Lian Ruohan didn't realize where the name of Mistress came from for a while, and then he understood a bit after thinking about it. Xiao Wu always insisted on the etiquette of disciples rather than the etiquette of servants in front of Xia Xiang. Xia Xiangwei called her a mistress and was immediately embarrassed and annoyed, "Xiao Wu, you... go down!"

"Yes." Xiao Wu very obediently turned around and left. After walking a few steps, he suddenly jumped into the pond.

"What are you doing?" Lian Ruohan was stunned. Seeing Xiao Wu plunged into the water and his head came out again, she couldn't help laughing, "Let you go down, not let you go into the water."

"My wife has my life, so I don't dare to refuse. When my teacher goes on, you have to go down to the lowest place. Here, only the bottom of the water is at the lowest point." Funny and hilarious, "What else is there to order from the lady?"

Even Ruohan's proposal to the sons of princes and nobles, the molesting of Deng's disciples, and the lecherous Meng Lang are all handled with ease, but she is helpless against Xiao Wu's ignorance and dementia. She caused her to feel regretful and annoyed, stomped her feet hatefully, turned around and left: "Xia Langjun, if you have something to do, instruct the housekeeper to ascend, and I will retire first."

Xia Xiang wanted to send Lian Ruohan off, but he was a step too late. Lian Ruohan didn't wait for him to speak, but he walked as fast as he could, and walked away in a blink of an eye.

Shen Bao and Cao Shujun looked at each other, and they laughed together.

Xia Xiang and several people lived in Guanxin Pavilion.The Guanxin Pavilion has everything you need. In addition to having a housekeeper and stewards, you also have all the handymen, cooks, and housekeepers.Xia Xiang was naturally very satisfied, and Shen Bao and Cao Shujun were also very happy. Cao Shujun was very happy and didn't want to think about Shu.

Xia Xiang didn't want to live in the main room. The main room was where the master lived. The housekeeper, Lian Shengfei, said that the little lady had instructed him to ask Xia Langjun to stay in the main room, otherwise he would be punished.Xia Xiang was helpless, so he had no choice but to be respectful rather than obedient.

The left and right wing rooms of the main room, Mantuo on the left and Xiao Wu on the right.Cao Shujun and Shen Bao each lived in a guest room.Although there is a separate guest courtyard and a main room to choose from, Cao Shujun and Shen Bao chose to live in the guest room in the same courtyard as Xia Xiang, in order to be closer to Xia Xiang.

It is night, the moon is in the sky, it is very complete, and it is a good season for enjoying the moon in autumn.Xia Xiang and the others sat under the grape arbor in the courtyard, raised their glasses to invite the bright moon, and laughed and laughed for a while, spilling over the Guanxin Pavilion.

Besides, Lian Ruohan left Guanxin Pavilion and returned to his house in the capital, Lianxuan.No matter the size or layout of Lianxuan, it is not inferior to Guanxin Pavilion, but although the house is full of lanterns, the lights are bright everywhere, people come and go, there is no lack of popularity, but there is always a trace of fireworks in the world.

Lian Ruohan sat alone in the study in a daze, his thoughts were lost, and he rose and fell suddenly.Suddenly someone reported that Xiao Jia came to visit.

Lian Ruohan's study room is clean and elegant.On the golden nanmu desk, there is a Yi inkstone on the left and a Duan inkstone on the right.Yi Yan and Duan Yan are as famous as the southern end and the northern end.Yi Yan is produced in Louisiana, Hebei, on the bank of the Yishui River, more than two hundred miles south of Shangjing. It produces a soft-colored purple-gray sedimentary rock, including purple, green, white, and brown. It is naturally decorated with blue and yellow patterns, and the stone is fine. , moderate softness and firmness, and bright color is quite good for inkstone.The carved inkstone is exquisite and simple, moisture-proof and durable, easy to ink, suitable for calligraphy and painting, and fluent in writing.

Yishui River, that is, Yishui where "the wind is blowing and the water is cold, and the strong man will never return when he is gone".

Duan inkstones are produced in Duanzhou, Lingnan.Duan inkstone is famous for its solid, lubricating, delicate and delicate stone quality. The ink is not stagnant when used with Duan inkstone, and the ink is released quickly.No matter it is sweltering heat or severe winter, when you press the inkstone heart with your hands, the inkstone heart is blue and dark green, and the water vapor will not dry for a long time, so there is a saying of "breathing the ink".

On top of the Duan inkstone and Yi inkstone, there is a pen holder.The pen stand is made of small-leaf red sandalwood and is exquisitely carved, with several writing brushes hanging on it.On the pen holder on the left is the Xuan pen, which is named after it was produced in Xuanzhou.The production of Xuan pens began in the Qin Dynasty, and began to use rabbit hair bamboo tubes as pens, which were called "Qin pens".Nine years after Sui Kaihuang, "Qin Bi" was also renamed "Xuan Bi".From the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Five Dynasties to the Great Xia, Xuan pens have always been famous for their strict selection of materials and fine production, and have been listed as "tributes" and "imperial pens".

On the pen holder on the right is the Sanzhuo pen, which was created by Zhuge's family in Xuanzhou, so it is also called "Zhuge Pen".Sanzhuo brush "Wuxin", instead of pillars, is made of one or two kinds of beasts in a staggered manner.Wuxin Sanzhuo pen is soft, solid foundation, long-term use, and smooth writing.

Both types of brushes are engraved with names on the lower end, from the hands of Sanjie and Yueguan, the famous brush makers in Daxia.Sanjie and Yueguan stopped making pens by themselves many years ago, and their disciples did it for them.The two were so famous that all the famous people in the court were proud to hold one of the brushes of the two.A brush is worth more than a hundred taels of silver, and it is hard to find a thousand dollars.On even Ruohan's two pen holders, there are as many as ten at least.

If people see it, they will definitely be very envious.

Of the four treasures of the study, besides brushes and inkstones, paper and ink are naturally top grade.

Lian Ruohan spread out a piece of frosted paper, picked up a Xuan pen, and used Hui ink to grind it in the inkstone.The frosting paper is white and delicate, and the quality is like frosting.Once Hui ink is researched and opened, the room is full of fragrance.The so-called world ink industry is in Jixi, and Hui ink has the reputation of "sweeping light, grinding clear, smelling sweet, firm as jade, silent grinding, a little like lacquer, and true for a thousand years", and because of the complex production process of Hui ink, adding Borneol, musk, gold foil, pearl powder, etc., are anti-corrosion and moth-proof, so when writing poems on the plaque, because of the penetrating effect of musk, the ink is brought into the wood, and the feeling of entering the wood is one-third.

Hui ink is known as one or two Hui ink and one or two gold.

Whether it is frosted paper, Duan inkstone and easy inkstone, or Xuan pen, Sanzhuo pen, and Hui ink, it is one of the industries that Haojing often has in its name.Lian Ruohan concentrated for a moment, his wrists relaxed, and wrote a poem from the Book of Songs on the frosted paper: The wind and rain are desolate, and the roosters croak.Now that you have seen a gentleman, is Yunhu not a barbarian?The wind is raining, and the chickens are croaking.Now that you have seen a gentleman, is Yunhu not?The wind and rain are dark, and the chickens are crowing endlessly.Seeing the gentleman, does Yunhu not like it?

I don't know when it rained outside the window, the wind and rain were mixed, and the sound was in my ears, which was in line with Lian Ruohan's inscription.

(End of this chapter)