Lu Miao wanted to stand quietly by the roadside and recite sutras silently, but when she suddenly heard the words "Zeng Yu is polite", she couldn't help but trembled and raised her head. Although Zeng Yu was dusty, he was still full of heroism and had a gentle smile in front of him. It is very contagious, especially those eyes, which make people feel sincere and trustworthy - Lu Miaoxiang lost his mind for a moment, and then his face was as frosty as ice. He turned his back to Zeng Yu and others, chanting Buddha continuously, making it clear that he did not want to pay attention to Zeng Yu. . Si Xi also recognized this beautiful nun. When he saw the young master coming up to greet him, he quickly sang after her: "Long blessing and peace, Master Lu. Little Si Xi is so polite." Lu Miaoxiang is a kind-hearted and polite woman. Zeng Yu was resentful, but Si Xi, the book boy, had never offended her. He turned around and recited the Buddha's name, nodded to Si Xi, and then turned away. Zeng Yu and Sixi's master and servant arrived at Jichang Garden in the afternoon and sent some local rituals from Guangxin Mansion to Yan Shaoqing's mother, Cao. Cao told him that she had informed Lu Miaoxiang about his engagement. So Zeng Yu had already been mentally prepared, and then said: "Sister Lu, are you going to Yuqing Hall to pick up Miss Yingzi? Xiaosheng is going to visit Mr. Fangtang. The setting sun is shining, the evening breeze is blowing, and Lu Miaoxiang's large silk robe is slightly fluttering. , the slender and delicate body looked weak, and the white and long neck exposed by the black round collar still did not look back, but said lightly: "Mr. Zeng, let's go our separate ways. "Standing there motionless means to let Zeng Yu and the others go first. "Following Zeng Yu from Jichang Garden to Jieqiao were Yan Shaoqing's confidants Yan Jian and Fan Huyuan. Seeing Zeng Yu in embarrassment, the two of them were inevitably embarrassed. Yan Jian Said: "Mr. Zeng, let's go first. " Zeng Yu also knew that he couldn't explain anything to Lu Miaoxiang at this time, so he could only say: "Sister Lu, I'm going to the village first. When I passed by Jinxi Qingtian Village in Fenyi this time, I went to the village to visit several Lu clan members. He also brought some local products from Jinxi to send to Sister Lu later. "After that, I led the horse and walked slowly, feeling quite uncomfortable. After walking through the stone bridge at the entrance of the village, the afterglow of the setting sun was blocked by the towering ancient camphor trees in the village. The dusk was like a jackdaw flying down with its wings. Villagers kept coming. After bowing to Zeng Yuzuo and saying hello, some villagers followed Zeng Yu and asked him carefully about Zeng Yu's encounter with a thief last year. They were amazed when they arrived at Yuqing Hall, the school of the Yan clan. The school had dismissed, and the students heard that Mr. Zeng was there. When they arrived, they all gathered under the camphor tree outside the gate and waited. When Zeng Yu came, they swarmed around him and greeted him with great enthusiasm. Yan Shaoqing, who was sixteen years old, was more reserved. Although he was very happy, he did not talk to the others. The Yan family's children crowded in front of Zeng Yu. He and his uncle Yan Shifang stood on the steps in front of the hall, smiling at Mr. Zeng being surrounded. Yan Shifang finally said: "Okay, okay, don't pester Zeng anymore. Sir, you all go to your own homes. " The students and villagers dispersed a little. Zeng Yu then exchanged greetings with Yan Shifang and Yan Shaoqing's uncle and nephew. Yan Shifang ordered his servant to rush back to Ruizhu Hall so that the family could prepare two more dishes. He wanted to have a drink with Zeng Yu. Zeng Yu looked around, but didn't see the baby's figure, so he followed Yan Shifang to Ruizhu Hall and walked past the big camphor tree. He noticed Yan Shifang's young daughter, Yan Wan'er, looking back while walking, so he turned around and looked back. Just when he saw a beautiful girl's face peeking out from the door of Yuqing Hall, it suddenly disappeared like a glimpse of a giant. It was Yingzi. When Zeng Yu arrived, she was still unharmed by the bandits. Her appearance was even better than before. She was very happy in her heart. She did not resent Zeng Yu because Zeng Yu was engaged. She just felt sad when she saw other students laughing and laughing around Zeng Yu. She could no longer see each other as before. After Mr. Fangtang left, Yingzi slowly walked back to the back door of Yuqing Hall, where her aunt Lu Miaoxiang was already waiting. Yingzi said: "Mom, Mr. Zeng is back. Lu Miaoxiang nodded, helped Yingzi hold the book box, turned around and walked back, saying in a calm tone: "Mr. Zeng is here to meet up with Shao Qing and the others. He will go to Nanchang in the near future, and he probably won't come back in the future. "The girl said "Oh" and followed her aunt Lu Miaoxiang out of the village. The maple treetops not far away were still stained with the afterglow of the setting sun, showing a faint red. These two extremely beautiful women slowly Slowly walk into the maple forest. Zeng Yu and Yan Shifang had dinner in the dining room of Ruizhutang. Yan Shaoqing was also here. The uncle and nephew had to ask Zeng Yu about his experience when he returned to his hometown and encountered thieves. Zeng Yu gave a rough summary. Yan Shifang praised Zeng Yu for his resourcefulness. , Yan Shaoqing admired Mr. Zeng Yuzeng even more; when talking about Zeng Yu's engagement, Yan Shaoqing said with regret: "My father means that if Mr. Zeng wins the Jinshi next year, he can marry sister Xiaozi¡ª¡ª" " Let's not talk about this anymore." Yan Shifang interrupted Yan Shaoqing. Zeng Yu was already engaged, so what's the point of talking about it anymore. Zeng Yu said: "Miss Yingzi is beautiful and quiet. She is indeed a rare good woman. I just taught her poetry and calligraphy for a few days. She was still young when I first met her, so I had no feelings of admiration for her, but she was like a brother and sister. The warmth of my heart is just like how I fell in love with Young Master Shao Qing, and I was born in a humble family, but Shilang Yan allowed me to marry Miss Yingzi only after passing the imperial examination. This is like asking me to carry Mount Tai to cross the North Sea.??A talented person is trapped in a house and it is difficult to achieve his ambition. Who am I? I just want to take the provincial examination and win consecutively in the examination." How did Yan Shifang and Yan Shaoqing's uncle and nephew know that what Zeng Jiuli really admired was actually Lu Miaoxiang. Hear Zeng Yu say it. Yan Shifang was deeply touched by the difficulty of the imperial examination. He was not even qualified to take the provincial examination. Time was wasted. He couldn't help sighing: "Yes, yes, it is difficult to gain fame in the imperial examination. It is even more difficult to reach the sky." " Yan Shaoqing really wanted to be Zeng Yu's brother-in-law, and said: "Although my father asked Mr. Zeng to pass the Jinshi examination, as long as Mr. Zeng can pass the provincial examination this year, and with some kind words from my uncle and my mother, the marriage will be very promising. Hope - Of course, there is no need to say these now. The students would like to toast Mr. Zeng and congratulate Mr. Zeng on his graduation from the Provincial Examination to High School. " Since Yan Shaoting went to Nanjing, the intrigues in Qishantang have disappeared. Yan Shaoqing, who has been suppressed by Yan Shaoting for a long time, has become increasingly cheerful, and his expressions and words are much more lively. He is no longer the gloomy young man he was when he first met Zeng Yu. Speaking of going to Nanchang, Yan Shaoqing said: "Everything is ready, all we need is the east wind. As soon as Mr. Zeng arrives, we can set off at any time." " Yan Shifang said: "Zeng Sheng traveled a long distance from Xinzhou to this place. He was tired from the journey. Of course he had to rest for a few days before going to Nanchang. " Zeng Yu rested in Qishan Hall that night. It was really hard to travel for half a month. After taking a bath, he chatted with Yan Shaoqing for a while and then went to rest. He followed the routine of Ba Duan Jin kimono and the vitality method. When he took off his clothes and fell asleep, everything was silent. This quaint countryside also fell asleep under the thick night, but Zeng Yu was not sleepy. Looking at the few rays of moonlight leaking in through the window, he stood up and opened the window partition. The sparse stars were faint, and half of the bright moon was already in the west. Slantingly, imagine that the wooden houses in Maple Bay under the moonlight should be extremely quiet. Lu Miaoxiang and Yingzi didn't know if they were asleep. It was so deserted to live away from the village - Zeng Yu rested his head on his head with both hands, thinking Looking at Lu Miaoxiang's indifference to him at dusk, he had mixed feelings in his heart. He really wanted to run to Maplewood Lodge to see Lu Miaoxiang at this time, but what was the explanation? He felt that he had done nothing wrong, and Yingzi was still young. Xiao, not to mention someone he could marry if he wanted to, because Yan Shifan obviously looked down on him. He would pass the Jinshi exam next year. That was just a daydream. Of course, dreams could come true, but it was a bit slim. His mother was worried about his marriage. In the Ming Dynasty, it was really wrong for a twenty-one-year-old man to be unmarried or engaged - He was not wrong, and Lu Miaoxiang and Yingzi were certainly not wrong. Who was wrong? It was the evil old society that was wrong. Zhong Zengyu smiled, regained his composure, and fell asleep slowly. As soon as the light came out early the next morning, Zeng Yu got up, washed up, practiced Baduanjin in the courtyard, and played a few ancestral Sanshou. At this time, Yan Shaoqing also stood up. After Zeng Yu finished practicing, he asked: "What is Mr. Zeng practicing?" Zeng Yu said: "My ancestors have always been Feng Shui geography masters who traveled around the world to make a living. This is a few ways of Sanshou passed down from our ancestors. If you encounter a small thief, you can run away." Yan Shaoqing said: "Then please teach me, Mr. Zeng." Zeng Yu said with a smile: "Why are you learning this? Mr. Fangtang and your parents will complain that I mislead my disciples. Just practice Baduanjin diligently and strengthen your body." " Yan Shaoqing said happily: "I was about to tell Mr. Zeng that since Mr. Zeng taught me the Ba Duan Jin Daoyin Technique, there was no progress in the first few months. Then one night after the New Year, I suddenly understood it. Recently, I feel that I am in good spirits and my diet is good. I have gained a lot of weight, and my mother says that I look better than before and that I have grown taller. Zeng Yu thought to himself, "Is this really the work of Baduanjin? It's normal for you to have an increased appetite, strong blood and grow taller in the new year when you turn sixteen." He nodded and said, "Very good. This needs to be done persistently." "As he spoke, he raised his head to look at the sky, and then said: "Master Shaoqing, please accompany me to Maple Bay. When I came to Fenyi and passed through Qingtian this time, I met the Lu clan. The Lu clan asked me to bring them a message. There are some local products from Jinxi for Madam Lu and Miss Yingzi, and there are some things I want to explain to them. " Yan Shaoqing also looked serious, nodded and said: "I will accompany Mr. Zeng, will you go now? Zeng Yu said: "Well, let's go now." "Instruct Sixi to bring those Jinxi earthenware items, including yellow gardenia, lotus root sugar, Magu dates, Qingbai tea Ruoyu, and a set of Baishe kiln tea sets. Yan Shaoqing called his confidant Yan Jian to accompany him. Going there, the four of them left Jieqiao Village and headed for Maple Bay. The morning sun had not yet risen, the sky was clear and blue, the spring breeze was blowing, the rapeseed flowers on the fields were bright yellow, and the clear water of Jiexi River flowed into Maple Bay. The four of them were very popular. Walking along the stream, we passed the Yan's Abandoned Temple, and there was a single-plank bridge in front of us. We saw Yingzi carrying a wooden bucket to carry water by the stream. It was still early, and Yingzi had not yet washed herself. Her long black hair was scattered around her waist and hips. Her movements were graceful and graceful, and the strange thing was that there were two butterflies flying around her. Yingzi was not busy carrying water back to the house, she pursed her lips and blew hard at the butterfly that flew in front of her, and the butterfly was blown away. It was about to fall, but it flew up again just as it was about to fall to the water - The smiling infant looked up and saw Zeng Yu and the four people coming out of the blue, and couldn't help being shocked. The wooden bucket that was already full of water slipped from his hands and rolled into the stream. Yan Jian quickly took off his clothesHe rolled up his trouser legs and stepped into the stream to pick up the barrel and walked to the other side. Zeng Yu, Yan Shaoqing and Sixi also came over from the single-plank bridge at this time. Yingzi saluted Zeng Yu and Yan Shaoqing, her pretty face was flushed, and she was a little panicked. She felt that Zeng Yu and the others were embarrassed to see her unwashed appearance, and she almost cried. Zeng Yu hurriedly said: "Miss Yingzi, please go back with the water first. We'll wait here for a while." Yingzi agreed and hurriedly carried half a bucket of water back to the wooden house. Yan Shaoqing said to Zeng Yu: "Mr. Zeng, Yan Jian and I were walking by the stream instead of going to the wooden house to meet Aunt Lu and Xiaozi." After saying that, he asked Yan Jian to cross the single-plank bridge with him and stroll towards the Yan family's abandoned temple. And go. Zeng Yuzhu's servant was waiting by the single-plank bridge. Less than a moment later, Yingzi came over quickly. The girl had already combed her long hair into double buns. She wore no makeup and was covered with water and lotus. She looked shy and said respectfully. "Mr. Zeng, my mother invites you to go - where is Young Master Shao Qing?" Zeng Yu said, "Shao Qing is taking a walk over the stream." Yingzi said "Oh": "Mr. Zeng, come with me. "It was as if it was Zeng Yu's first time to visit this maple forest cabin. Si Xi followed the young master with a large basket of Jinxi local products. He now understood the relationship between the young master and the beautiful girl in front of him, and thought to himself: "The young master is already engaged to Miss Zhang from Longhu Mountain. I cannot marry you." I¡¯m a wife, alas, it¡¯s a pity, I¡¯m afraid your Yan family won¡¯t let me be my concubine.¡± Arriving outside the firewood door of the wooden house, he saw Lu Miaoxiang standing under the eaves, without wearing a cloth hat, and his black hair was faintly glowing with green light. , with a beautiful bald head, an expression neither resentful nor angry, a little indifferent, Sixi stepped forward to salute first, put the bamboo basket under the steps, first retreated to the chaimen, and then retreated to the outside of the chaimen, standing under a locust tree, with his back Facing the wooden house, I wondered what the young master would say to Sister Lu and Miss Yingzi. Unexpectedly, Yingzi also walked out of the bamboo fence, nodded to him, and walked to the other side. In the small hall of the wooden house, Lu Miaoxiang invited Zeng Yu to sit down and make tea for them, but he didn't say much. He just asked: "Has my uncle come back from Raozhou? Are the other clan members okay?" Lu Miaoxiang's uncle I went to Raozhou in the early autumn of last year, and Lu Yuanwai's second son was appointed as the general magistrate of Raozhou. Zeng Yu said: "There is nothing else going on in the Lu clan in Qingtian. Your uncle is still in Raozhou. I just heard that he has suffered from wind paralysis and has difficulty moving." Lu Miao thought about the uncle who pushed her sister into the pit of fire. I no longer have any family affection to think about, and when I learned that my uncle was paralyzed, I just said "hmm" without much sympathy, and said lightly: "Master Zeng, please come back. Thank you Mr. Zeng for bringing the local products of my hometown and the news about my people. Thank you very much. "With that said, he saluted and saw off the guests. Zeng Yu sat still and said, "I have never forgotten my promise to Madam Lu." Lu Miaoxiang originally had an indifferent expression, a calm and soothing tone, and did not show any sullenness, but Zeng Yu's words were like firewood, making him Her emotions suddenly burned brightly, her two pretty eyebrows raised diagonally, her eyes as clear as autumn water widened, and her voice deepened: "Since you have let down my little girl, why do you still mention the promise you made?" Zeng Yudao "I will fulfill my promise." Lu Miaoxiang's slightly pale and delicate face suddenly turned red. He suppressed his anger and said, "What does Mr. Zeng mean by this?" Zeng Yu said: "That night in the introduction. Do you still remember clearly what I promised Madam Lu by the stream?"