When class resumed in the afternoon, A Sui followed Zhou Ziyan.
Zhou Ziyan raised his hand and she began to sharpen the ink.
When Zhou Ziyan was giving a lecture, she went to get hot water so that Zhou Ziyan could have a sip of warm tea when he was thirsty.
Zhou Zi said...
In short, Ah Sui is like Zhou Ziyan's third hand. He can keep up with Zhou Ziyan's rhythm without Zhou Ziyan saying anything.
This is a tacit understanding.
Song Weifeng saw this and almost broke his teeth.
Brother Zhou, what kind of wood is this?
Now I am talking and laughing with this woman, and the iron tree is blooming.
Come to think of it, it's just that it doesn't bloom in his place. It's really hateful!
Chapter 74
Zhou Ziyan wanted to leave Song Weifeng alone after class and explain A Sui's existence to him.
But Song Weifeng seemed really angry and left early before get out of class ended.
In the past, I would sit on the small bench under the tree, holding my sleeves and waiting for Zhou Ziyan to finish class, but now all that is left is his back as he turns the corner.
Zhou said to himself: "..."
Hey, if you talk too much, you will make mistakes. Just say that if you talk too much, you will make mistakes!
Zhou Ziyan had no choice but to write down a note, fold it and give it to Song Douding, "Don't peek at it. Go back and give it to your brother, be good."
"Is this a love letter?" Song Douding turned the note over and over to check, "What can you write on such a small amount! Master, please write more!"
"Too many words may not necessarily be useful; if there are few words, it may not be shallow." Zhou Ziyan kicked Song Douding and told him to go home quickly.
Song Douding rubbed his butt and buttocks, made a face, and ran home quickly.
A Sui rolled up her sleeves and went to work in the kitchen.
Wang Xiaoniu tugged on Zhou Ziyan's sleeve, "Master, who is this Sister Asui?"
"He is the master's former friend." Zhou Ziyan touched Wang Xiaoniu's bun and saw the familiar hairpin on her head, pursed his lips and smiled, "I used to take care of the master's daily life, but now I come to play with the master again."
"So that's it, but Brother Song seems to have misunderstood." Although Wang Xiaoniu was confused, she could see the unusual atmosphere between Master Zhou and Brother Song.
"Don't worry, your brother from the Song family is not that unreasonable person." Zhou Ziyan knelt down and looked at Wang Xiaoniu at eye level, "Do you think the master is the kind of person who has different ideas and is carefree?"
"Definitely not!" Wang Xiaoniu shook her head like a rattle, "Master and Brother Song are both the best people! They are also the most compatible people!"
Zhou said to himself: "I will help in the kitchen. If you are bored, just clean the table."
Wang Xiaoniu immediately found the rag and said enthusiastically, "Okay!"
A Sui has been in the palace school for three years, and her cooking skills are even worse than those of ten weeks.
It was the first time that Wang Xiaoniu saw the fairy bird that seemed to be about to take off at the dinner table, and it was also the first time that she knew that rich people had so many rules when they ate.
You should wash your hands and smoke incense before eating; use different chopsticks for different cuisines; and for the same dish, there are different rules on where to eat first, where to eat, and how many bites to eat.
Even the posture when picking up food must be correct and elegant...
"There are so many rules." Wang Xiaoniu felt that she was not eating now, but in class.
After eating for so long, she only took a dozen bites, and she was so hungry.
Zhou Ziyan saw this and waved his hand to A Sui, "Okay A Sui, now is not the past, so there is no need to have so many rules."
"...But..." In A Sui's heart, Zhou Ziyan was always the high official in the capital, and he must have the necessary rules.
Zhou Ziyan was well aware of A Sui's mentality and was not in a hurry to ask her to change immediately. He only said: "With so many rules, the little girl can't even eat. And there are only three people in our family now, so why do we need so many rules? Since you follow I am the Lord, so listen to me."
"...Yes." Although A Sui didn't want Zhou Ziyan to fall down, since Zhou Ziyan said it, she would listen!
Wang Xiaoniu was finally able to eat as much as before, but when she saw Ah Sui taking small bites and slowly twisting the rice, she felt very beautiful.
If I could do what Sister Asui did, would she look so good?
Unknowingly, Wang Xiaoniu had begun to imitate A Sui's every word and action.
A Sui is in her twenties, the age when she is most youthful and beautiful. The rules and upbringing she has received since elementary school have given her, apart from her appearance, a magnanimity that is incomparable to others.
There is charm under the forest and elegance in the show.
Wang Xiaoniu is now short and small, and she doesn't understand what rules and family etiquette are. She just thinks that what sister A Sui does is very beautiful, so she wants to follow her example.
In Zhou Ziyan's opinion, it was like a child learning to talk, which was quite fun.
But if Wang Xiaoniu can really learn some manners from A Sui, in this era where etiquette is very important, it will be a good thing for her to grow up in the future.
After dinner, Zhou Ziyan asked Wang Xiaoniu to sit at Song's house for a while, while he took A Sui to the street to find temporary accommodation.
Wang Xiaoniu ran to Song's house and opened the door, just in time to see Sister Wenxiu practicing her manners in the courtyard.
With a white porcelain tea bowl on his head, he stood in the courtyard with his head held high.
"Sister Wenxiu, why are you practicing this too?" In Wang Xiaoniu's heart, Sister Wenxiu is the sister she thinks is the most beautiful.
Sister Wenxiu is already so good-looking, why do you still need to practice?
Wenxiu kept her posture unchanged and said warmly: "Only when I met Miss A Sui today did I realize the gap between me and the maids in the capital. What's more, Miss A Sui was also selected as a female official in the palace. There is a huge difference between me and her. Never let up."
Wang Xiaoniu lay on the stone table and raised her head, "Indeed, Sister A Sui can shape pasta into various small animals when cooking, and her posture is very beautiful when eating. I followed suit, and my arms are still sore now."
"Miss A Sui's manners must have been practiced since childhood. Little girl, don't force yourself to practice, or you may hurt your body." Wenxiu sat down slowly with the tea bowl on her head, her back as straight as bamboo and pine, "Miss A Sui It's a pity that he is so outstanding but still failed to be selected as a female officer because of his appearance."
Wang Xiaoniu didn't understand this, and after a while she found it boring, so she went to play with Song Douding.
Wenxiu rested for a while, then stood up again with the tea bowl in her hands and whispered silently: "Walking must be steady, sitting elegantly, and the heart must be kind..."
When Wang Xiaoniu found Song Douding, Song Douding and Song Weifeng were lying on the floor in the backyard, watching the stars.
When Song Weifeng saw Wang Xiaoniu coming, he made way for her to lie down too.
There is a thick layer of quilts for cushioning, so you are not afraid of catching cold.
Song Douding gnawed on the snack in his hand, and the crumbs fell all over him, "Brother, don't be angry."
"I'm not angry." Song Weifeng put his hands behind his head, and it seemed that he didn't mean what he said.
Song Douding took out the small note given to him by Zhou Ziyan and put it on Song Weifeng's chest, "This is what the Master wrote to you. I didn't peek at it."
"He wrote it?"
Song Weifeng unfolded it and took a look, the corners of his mouth gradually rose, and finally he chuckled, and the ice and snow melted.
"What's written on it? Let me see it. Let me see it too." Song Douding clung to Song Weifeng, wanting to take a look.
Wang Xiaoniu couldn't help her curiosity and wanted to follow and take a look, just for a moment.
Song Weifeng put the note into his arms, "Children, look at what these are doing, go back, go back to sleep."
"Tch, I know even without looking. They must be some embarrassing words." Song Douding is a brat, and he has learned a lot of messy things at a young age. "It's a matter of love and concubine. You and I, it must be!"
When Song Weifeng heard this, he was really anxious, "Song Douding, where did you learn this from?"
Song Douding blinked, "I read it from the book, brother, I'm a scholar now, there are other books that I can't understand. But I've read all the books that dad bought, and there's nothing good to read recently... eh, Brother, is there a small box in your room specially designed to hold books? I probably haven't read the books in it yet, so let me take a look!"
"..." Song Weifeng thought of the small box in his room and immediately refused, "No!"
The books in his box are not serious books, they are all love stories about little brother!
Because of his secret thoughts, he still bought books about young brothers such as "The Pretty Scholar and the Pretty Brother", "A Sprig of Red Apricots Full of Spring in the Garden", and "The Overbearing Master and the Little Brother's Evening Meeting Under the Peach Tree". The story of son and wife.
If Song Douding sees these books, he will never be a human being again!
Song Douding didn't expect that he would be rejected so decisively, "Stingy, stingy! Song Weifeng, you stingy!"
"What did you say?" Song Weifeng picked up Song Douding and tickled him, "Who is the stingy one and who is the stingy one."
"That's it, giggle, it's you, it's you!" Song Douding giggled after being tickled, unable to resist.
Wang Xiaoniu, who was already seven years old, looked at Song Douding's silly appearance and shook her head.
They are no longer three years old, but Douding is still so childish!
After Song Weifeng sent Wang Xiaoniu back to Zhou's house, he went to the kitchen and made two snacks with chef Li.
Early the next morning, the Zhou family took a bath.
Song Douding was curled up in bed and sleeping with his arms stretched out.
Song Weifeng took his own snacks and knocked on the door of Zhou's house.
Under the tree in the courtyard, Zhou Ziyan was playing a game of black and white chess with himself.
And that girl A Sui was combing Wang Xiaoniu's hair and applying facial makeup in the courtyard.
Song Weifeng felt that he had arrived early enough, but he did not expect that Miss A Sui was also there.
Could it be that... Miss A Sui didn't leave yesterday?
As soon as Song Weifeng thought of this possibility, he wanted to turn around and leave immediately.
But I also feel that this kind of myself is far from this and too petty.
Love, love, love, can't be seen or touched, but it is full of worries, which is really tormenting.
Song Weifeng picked up the food box and walked into the courtyard, "Brother Zhou."
Zhou Ziyan was about to play black chess when he heard a familiar voice. He quickly put down his chess pieces and stood up to greet him, "Wei Feng."
Asui held the wooden comb in his hand and bowed slightly as a salute.
Song Weifeng glanced at Miss A Sui quietly, without saying anything, and said to Zhou Ziyan: "This is a newly made snack in the kitchen. Let Brother Zhou and Xiao Niu have a try... If Miss A Sui also likes sweets, let's try them together." Have a taste."
"She's not very interested in sweets." Zhou Ziyan has been with A Sui for many years and has a deep understanding of A Sui's taste, so he immediately responded casually.
Unexpectedly, when Song Weifeng heard this answer, he immediately closed the lid of the food box he had just opened.
"..." Zhou Ziyan realized that he had said the wrong thing.
Song Weifeng put the food box in front of Wang Xiaoniu and A Sui, and whispered softly: "It's full of hot snacks. You can eat it. Brother Zhou said he ate too much in the morning and can't eat it now."
A Sui glanced at Zhou Zi and said, "But Mr. Zhou, he just -" this morning
Just drank a bowl of gruel.
"That's right, I'm full and not hungry at all!" Zhou Ziyan watched the snacks go away from him. He had to admit that he had eaten too much in the morning and was not hungry. Life was simply difficult.
Zhou Ziyan gave face to him, and Song Weifeng felt a little better. He lifted his robe and sat down, taking the white piece, "Brother Zhou, playing chess alone is boring, let's play a game?"
"Of course that's good." Zhou said to himself, putting the black chess away and starting over.
Guessing the order, Zhou Ziyan came first. He placed a sunspot on the small eye in the upper right corner.
Song Weifeng followed closely and put it down, coming menacingly.
"It's not like your chess style to play so aggressively at the beginning." Zhou Ziyan twisted the black piece and made another move. No matter how Song Weifeng strangled him, he moved forward steadily according to his own layout.
Song Weifeng calmly put down Bai Zi, but said: "She is not as gentle and gentle as Miss A Sui."
"...Look at you." Zhou Ziyan was sitting across from the chessboard and seemed to smell a smell of vinegar. He glanced at Asui and said, "Asui is actually my maid in Beijing. She has served me for many years. She is like a sister."
"..." Song Weifeng was finally willing to look at Zhou Ziyan, and took back Bai Zi who was about to put it down, "Maitress? Why are you chasing her to Maminggou?"
"Of course you can't bear to leave me." Zhou Ziyan raised his eyebrows and looked at Song Weifeng, who had just calmed down, and put down another white piece.
"Well, they say that she and I are like brothers and sisters. My return date has not yet been determined, so she can't let me go. Isn't it normal?" Zhou Ziyan told him frankly, "Although Ah Sui and I have known each other for many years, we have no personal relationship at all. Compared with Xiaoyi Gentle red sleeves add fragrance, but I still prefer something more fierce."
"Master Zhou's taste is really unique." Song Weifeng patted the white chess piece with such force that it almost broke into pieces.
Zhou Ziyan raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but sit up straight, fearing that he would be killed on the spot like the white child, "Asui's family has been doing business in Beijing and is considered a big local businessman in the capital. A girl from her boudoir is willing to be mine. Maid, I can't neglect her."
"Since you feel sorry for her, a prostitute, and traveled all the way from Beijing to find you, why don't you return to Beijing?" Song Weifeng stopped playing chess. At first, he just played randomly, so now Bai is at a disadvantage and it is difficult to save him. "Although I haven't taken the provincial examination yet, where can I take it?"
"This... I can't let Douding and the others go." Zhou Ziyan put down the black stones and ate Song Weifeng's five white ones. "It looks like you are going to lose."
"I have lost a long time ago. I have never won." Song Weifeng spoke like a layer of fog, making it understandable but not understandable.
Zhou Ziyan obviously understood. He smiled and returned the five white stones from outside the plate to Song Weifeng, "Then why does Brother Zhou have the heart to ask you to keep losing?"
"You haven't said it yet. Are you really not going back to Beijing because of Dou Ding and the others?" Song Weifeng is not a fool. There is no way he didn't see the difference between Zhou Ziyan and Zhou Ziyan. It's just that Zhou Ziyan didn't tell him, so he pretended not to know.
But when something really happened, he couldn't help but try to figure out Zhou Ziyan's thoughts.
Perhaps deep down in his heart, he hoped that Zhou Ziyan would not leave.
"I won't go back. It's not that I can't go back, but I don't want to go back." Zhou Ziyan lowered his head and said, "There are too many things on my body, which are tangled up."
"I have never seen a person like Brother Zhou, who can't see through and can't catch him." Song Weifeng looked at Zhou Ziyan's drooped head and gently expressed his truest thoughts, "If Brother Zhou can be like this Just like chess, I can see the outcome at a glance, and it doesn't matter even if I lose. At least, I can understand it."
"..." Zhou Ziyan stopped what he was doing, looked up, stared at Song Weifeng's small chin and smiled, "Is Brother Zhou the only one who can't see through it?"
Song Weifeng was instantly stopped by the question, and the two became silent.
Everyone wants to be able to see clearly, but there is more than one person who carries a secret?
Watching flowers in the mist, fishing for the moon in the water, lighting up the lamp at night, alone and silent.
A Sui combed her hair and Song Weifeng also lost the game.
Wang Xiaoniu jumped over, "Master, brother Song, what are you doing?"
Zhou Ziyan laid out the chess pieces and counted them, "I'm playing chess with your brother from the Song family."
"It's amazing." Wang Xiaoniu is now learning to play chess, but she is still learning to score and doesn't understand what a real game of chess is.
Zhou Zi said that he was good at chess, but Song Weifeng lost to him by several eyes.
Song Weifeng didn't care about winning or losing a game, so he asked A Sui, "Miss A Sui, have you found a place to live?"
"Back to you, young master, I found it. There is a house for rent just across the street." A Sui replied with a smile.
After understanding the relationship between A Sui and Zhou Ziyan, Song Weifeng no longer had any hostility towards A Sui.
On the other hand, Ah Sui understood the young master's identity when he saw the punch marks on Song Weifeng's earlobe.
Now looking at the intimate atmosphere between the young master and Zhou Ziyan, A Sui smiled secretly, as if he understood something.
Song Weifeng helped put away the chess pieces and suddenly asked: "How did Miss A Sui know Brother Zhou?"
"Before, I was stripped of my name in the palace. I was so angry that I didn't want to go home just like that. I happened to meet Master Zhou looking for slaves, so I went to answer the question." A Sui thought of her decision at that time, and now she also thinks that she You did the right thing, "Fortunately, I stopped two more steps at that time, otherwise I still wouldn't have seen Master Zhou."
Zhou Ziyan couldn't help but think of the scene at that time.
At that time, he had just completed his first promotion in his life and was given a mansion.
Although the mansion is large, it is also very empty.
He is a modern man and has no idea how to take care of such an ancient house.
There is no other way but to recruit experienced people to be his right-hand man.
I happened to catch A Sui, who had just been voted out of the palace.
Zhou Zi said that when recruiting people, the most important thing is good character.
Ah Sui fully met the criteria, and Zhou Ziyan didn't care even if he had no real management experience.
Anyway, there won't be many people in his family in the future, as long as there is no trouble.
Zhou said he didn't have high hopes, but it turned out that he was born in the palace. Although A Sui had no management experience before, she picked up the skills very quickly.
Within a week, Zhou Ziyan's mansion was fully staffed and began to operate normally.
Not only are hot soup and rice provided for three meals a day, but also the concierge and waiter are all provided.
As long as someone comes to visit now, they will not be treated coldly.
From then on, Zhou Ziyan began to admire talents from all walks of life in ancient times.
The only bad thing is that A Sui always calls him "Sir", or else Mr. Zhou.
But the first one sounds too formal, and the second one sounds like someone from the street.
In the end, Asui compromised and became a master.
To be honest, Zhou Ziyan was only a young man, so he naturally didn't like the title 'Master'.
But after Ah Sui changed it many times, he said nothing.
Zhou Ziyan could only carry the title of 'Master' until now.
"Brother Zhou can hire an unsuccessful female officer in the palace, so Brother Zhou must be very human." Although Song Weifeng doesn't know Zhou Ziyan's identity yet, but he can hire an unsuccessful female officer, his identity must be intriguing.
Zhou Ziyan was not afraid of Song Weifeng's investigation at all. He asked: "In the final analysis, he is just a small person in Beijing. He has never even been seen outside Beijing. Let alone the scenery of the border desert. Are you right, Wei Feng?"
"...Naturally." Song Weifeng gritted his teeth as his army was turned against him.
Zhou Ziyan picked up the tea cup at hand, blew away the mist, and drank slowly.
They both understand now that each other has secrets.
In this case, it depends on who can't hold on and is exposed first.
Only Wang Xiaoniu listened for a long time and asked: "Master, brother of the Song family, what is a female official? Is it very powerful?"
"The female officials in the palace...just like the officials you know, they are all a kind of official." Zhou Ziyan touched Wang Xiaoniu's head, carried her to the chair, and slowly explained to her, "The female officials in the palace, He is in charge of everything in the palace. There is an election every three years, and the number of people required is only thirty or forty. But as long as he is elected, he will start at the eighth level. "
"The eighth grade...it's so amazing." Wang Xiaoniu bit her finger, full of envy.
"Yes. And the girls in charge of these eighth-rank female officials, ranging from the fifth-rank to the third-rank," Zhou Ziyan continued, "They are in charge of all matters in the palace and maintain the operation of the entire palace. . When the concubines and concubines of the harem see them, they must also discuss it in a friendly manner. No one dares to bully others based on His Majesty's favor."
"But most of the time, we don't see each other with our heads down, and each other will take a step back, and peace is the most important thing."
Ordinary concubines had no access to female officials, but none of the concubines who could have access to female officials were stupid.
There will definitely be no quarrel with these female officials who have been working in the palace for many years.
And female officials are even less stupid.
Life in the palace is naturally more harmonious and comfortable.
In the confrontation, they are the only ones who are unlucky.
It was the first time Wang Xiaoniu heard such a thing, and she was full of curiosity, "Then how can I become a female official?"
A Sui knows better than Zhou Ziyang about this matter.
Ah Sui took over Wang Xiaoniu's question and said: "First of all, your place of origin must be clear and clean. There must be no criminals in the three direct generations of the family. And you must be unmarried and have no engagement contract. Finally, your knowledge must be assessed. You must have read some I need to read books and be sensible and sensible. This way I can enter the palace and receive instruction from the girls, and then take the final entrance exam."
"It sounds... so difficult." Wang Xiaoniu's initial curiosity was instantly dispelled.
"Do you think you are entering the palace to play house?" Zhou said with a smile, "The female officials in the harem are also real officials with rank, but they are not acting in the previous dynasty."
"Female officials are different from other slaves who are sold into the palace. They are often sent out to solve His Majesty's problems."
"For example, when one of your Majesty's princes reaches the age to leave the palace and open a palace, your majesty will send two trustworthy female officials to follow the prince out of the palace for a period of three years to take care of various matters in the palace for the prince and ensure that the prince can be safe. He will gain a stable foothold outside the palace. After three years, he will return to the palace to resume his life."
"If there are officials who have just been transferred to Beijing, there will be female officials in the palace to help when they set up a government."
"The things they have to take care of are far more than just the arrangements for the residence. They have to help them adapt to life in the capital as soon as possible so that they can fulfill their duties for His Majesty."
Emperor Jingxuan also wanted to send Zhou Ziyan a female official at that time, but Zhou Ziyan didn't think it was necessary.
I had enough food for myself and the whole family was not hungry, and I didn't plan on having many people or accomplishing many things, so why bother a fellow female official, so I refused.
Unexpectedly, I ended up running into A Sui - the female officer who was not selected...the female officer reserve.
"When they reach a certain age, female officers can apply to be banned and leave Beijing. It is also commonly known as retiring and returning to their hometown." After Zhou Ziyan explained the matter about female officers, Wang Xiaoniu admired her.
"It turns out... besides the reading test, there are so many choices." Wang Xiaoniu gained a lot of knowledge.
"That's natural, let's not talk about the distant female officials. Let's just talk about this game of chess." Zhou Ziyan pointed to the brown chessboard in front of him, "Aside from the imperial examination, there is also a saying of chess in the world, which means specializing in chess and using chess as a tool. born."
"Such a person is respected as a chess player. If he achieves some achievements, he is a chess player. If he reaches higher level, he will be a chess master, a national player."
"Similar to playing chess, painting, music, and dance skills all have their own way. The saying that everyone in the world has their own way is what it means. However, no matter what way it is, its root is the same. It's reading, do you understand?"
"Little girl understands." Wang Xiaoniu nodded, "Reading is the foundation of everything. Only when you understand books can you understand other things."
It was just the first time she knew that there were so many things in the world that she had never heard of.
I really hope that one day she can travel throughout Daqing to see things she doesn't know.
Zhou Zi said he was very satisfied with Wang Xiaoniu's transparency, but he suddenly thought of something, "Hey, Wei Feng, I am not Xiu Mu from the academy today, why did you come here?"
"Dad had some problems with his business and was too busy, so I stopped class to help." Song Weifeng said, "I'll go back in a few days."
Zhou Ziyan nodded, "Don't delay the provincial examination."
"Don't worry, I know." Song Weifeng said.
Zhou Ziyan thought Song Weifeng was telling the truth, but in the following days, Song Weifeng did not return to the academy.
He didn't say he was going to help Song's father in his shop, but kept running to him.
I would often move a stool, sit under a tree, listen to his lectures, and sometimes do some exercises along with him.
"This doesn't feel right."
Zhou Ziyan knew very well how serious Song Weifeng was about studying, so how could he not go to class for so long.
The most important thing is that he went to Song's father's shop. There were originally three shops, but one was closed due to bandits outside.
Now there are two shops left, and there is no hot business. They are deserted and deserted. Father Song can be in charge of them alone, and there is no need for Song Weifeng at all.
Zhou Ziyan wrote a letter, intending to ask Liao Weian about the situation.
Liao Weian's reply was very quick and hurt Zhou Ziyan very hard.
Liao Weian said that Song Weifeng dropped out of the academy and would never return to the academy to study again.
Zhou Ziyan felt as if his heart was weighing heavily when he received such a reply.
He didn't quite understand why Song Weifeng dropped out of the academy when he was already preparing for the provincial examination.
Wouldn't dropping out of school at this time cut off your own future? !
He really wanted to ask Song Weifeng face to face why he did this.
But he didn't know what identity he should use to ask, for fear that he might say something wrong and hurt Song Weifeng.
In the past, he would have answered the letter and gone straight to the door to ask him why he dropped out of school and whether he didn't want to take the imperial examination or study.
But now he was timid and submissive, and did not dare to treat Song Weifeng with the same attitude as before.
In the end, we could only start with Song Douding to find a breakthrough.
Song Douding seemed to have expected that Zhou Ziyan would come to him, and immediately said: "Hey, Master, please persuade my brother. He said nothing and refused to go back to study. It seemed that he was afraid of adding pressure to the family and that his father would spend too much money on him. That's a lot of money. What kind of words are you talking about!"
Chapter 75
Zhou Ziyan frowned, "Too much money? What do you mean?"
"Hi!" Song Douding jumped on the stone bench and shook his feet, his expression a little depressed, "Dad said there were too many bandits outside, and many supply lines were cut off, so he closed one shop. The situation in the remaining two shops was not very good either. Well, we can only wait for the imperial court to suppress the bandits before we can slowly recover."
"I don't know where I found out about this. I dropped out of the academy and gave all the money I got from being a scholar to my father."
"My father was so angry that he wanted to hit him with a rolling pin. My brother was beaten seven or eight times, but he still didn't want to go back to study."
When Song Douding said this, he started to shed tears, "Master, my money, my money is almost spent. I can't give dad any money. I, am I useless, I can't help dad." A little busy!"
"Nonsense, does Uncle Song still need your little baby to help?" Zhou Ziyan felt sorry for Song Douding's sensibleness, wiped away his tears, and patted Song Douding on the back like a baby, "Have you forgotten what Uncle Song's greatest wish is? ? I want you two brothers to be successful. As long as you study hard, you will be the greatest help to your father."
"Really? Dad won't blame me... will I only spend his money?" Song Douding raised his face, crying until his eyes and nose were red.
Zhou Ziyan sighed: "Dou Ding, remember, children are born to be debt collectors. Your parents have already made preparations before giving birth to you. They will never resent you because of trivial things. When you grow up, you will be fine." Just be filial to Uncle Song. You don't have the ability to help now. This is a fact that cannot be changed by humans. Don't put these reasons on yourself, do you understand? "
"...Well!" Song Douding was in a better mood, but he still remembered his disobedient brother, "Master, my brother will definitely listen to you, go and persuade him."
"I will." Zhou Ziyan nodded, looking at the big tree that was gradually withering in the courtyard, not knowing what to think.
Song Weifeng still came to Zhou's house every day to 'check in for work'. When he saw Zhou Ziyan's complicated eyes, he immediately understood that Brother Zhou already knew.
With something hidden in his heart, Song Weifeng couldn't face Zhou Ziyan.
Whenever he caught Zhou Ziyan's eyes, he would immediately turn away, preferring to count the ants on the ground rather than see Zhou Ziyan's disappointed look.
Zhou Ziyan also felt that Song Weifeng and himself were gradually becoming alienated, but he still didn't know how to speak.
Although Song Weifeng cut off his retreat, his reasons were legitimate and he was quite filial.
As an outsider, why should I ask a son to give up his old father who is in trouble and continue studying?
Too condescending, Zhou Ziyan couldn't say it out loud.
Song Douding and the others slowly discovered that the Master and the Song brothers seemed to have stopped talking!
"Douding, do you know why this is?" Wang Xiaoniu poked Song Douding.
Song Douding crossed his arms and sighed like an adult, "Oh, it's a long story!"
Song Douding Luo Li explained the matter between Zhou Ziyan and Song Weifeng.
He talked about Song Weifeng and his family again and again.
The five children sorted it out for a while before they figured out what was going on.
The second stick hit Song Douding hard, "You actually made such a simple thing so complicated! I really admire you."
"Hmph." Song Douding covered his forehead, "What should I do? Master doesn't seem to know how to speak now."
"As long as Master can persuade me, Brother Song will definitely listen." Wang Xiaoniu also imitated Song Douding's posture, folding her arms and thinking.
Song Douding came up with a bad idea, "I have an idea..."
As soon as Song Douding waved, the other children immediately came over, head to head, discussing with each other to perfect this thought-provoking method.
A few days later, Zhou Ziyan caught Wang Xiaoniu wiping tears in the woodshed.
Wang Xiaoniu sat on the ground and cried loudly, "Master, Master, I can't find my hair. It seems to be in the woodshed, but I can't move the firewood."
"Hey." Zhou Ziyan stood there, looking at the small amount of firewood in the woodshed, and then at the door that kept shaking next to him, and the small shoes lined up under the door.
The light blue embroidered pair belongs to Jiang Qingqing.
Navy blue two-thread cloth shoes are two sticks and a big mountain.
Oh, why didn't you see Song Douding?
"Are you sure your hair fell into the woodshed?" Zhou Ziyan put his hands behind his back and bent slightly, intending to see what these children were going to do.
"Really!" Wang Xiaoniu raised her four fingers and swore with a painted face, "I swear."
Zhou Ziyan looked at Wang Xiaoniu's four fingers, raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Okay, you have sworn, then I will help you take a look."
As soon as Zhou Ziyan entered the woodshed, several children rushed out of the door, and the door was closed and locked.
Listening to the voice behind him, Zhou Ziyan stood there and pretended to shout, "Girl, what are you going to do!"
"Why is it still closed? Let Master out quickly."
The tone was dry, emotionless, and entirely perfunctory.
Wang Xiaoniu leaned against the door, selling Song Douding without mercy, and apologized in a low voice, "Master, I'm sorry, this was all Douding's idea."
At this time, Song Douding was dragging Song Weifeng to run towards the woodshed, "Brother, I didn't lie to you, there is really a big snake in the woodshed! We can't get rid of it, so we have to let you come."
"We are not in a deep mountain. Where did the big snake come from..." Song Weifeng frowned, always feeling that Song Douding was lying.
Song Douding raised four fingers, "I swear, if I lie to others, I will never be able to eat candied haws again!"
Song Weifeng looked at Song Douding's four fingers and helped him press one, "Three fingers are what you call an oath."
"Hehe, come on!" Song Douding smiled "hehe".
When Song Weifeng walked to the door of the woodshed, he saw Wang Xiaoniu, Ergun, Dashan and Jiang Qingqing lying on the door, as if there was something really inside.
"Is it possible that something really went inside?" Song Weifeng frowned, turned aside a few children, and kicked them.
The newly installed copper lock was kicked open by Song Weifeng.
After kicking open the door, Song Weifeng hurried in to check.
As a result, as soon as the person entered, the door behind him was locked again.
It turns out that Song Douding was aware of Song Weifeng's martial arts skills and specially prepared two locks!
In the woodshed, there was no big snake, and there were not even a few piles of firewood.
There was only one Zhou Ziyan, who was wearing plain clothes, sitting on the firewood, playing with branches with his hands crossed, and he was enjoying himself.
"Brother, it seems that the Master wants to see you for something, please stay for a while!" Song Douding lay outside the door and said loudly, "By the way, don't use violence. This is the Master's home. You have to feel guilty if you kick something." of!"
Song Wei was very angry and laughed. He threatened Song Douding through the door, "Song Douding, wait until I come out. See, I don't need to beat you with a rolling pin!"
"Ouch!" Song Douding instinctively covered his butt/butt, but then he thought, if he could get his brother to go back to school, he would be beaten!
At the worst, he could just lie down for a few days and wait for his brother to return to the academy!
Zhou Ziyan patted the empty pile of firewood next to him and said, "Sit down."
There is only a small window in the room to let in the sunshine from outside.
The position where Zhou Ziyan was sitting seemed to be hidden in the darkness, making it difficult for people to see his current expression clearly.
"..." Song Weifeng lifted up his robe and didn't sit in the seat Zhou Zi said, but sat farther away.
He feels that Brother Zhou is a bit scary now, so he should stay away.
"Why didn't you go to the academy to study?" Since Song Douding gave him this opportunity, Zhou Ziyan planned to take advantage of it.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't think of better words, but Song Weifeng couldn't delay the matter any longer.
He had to thank Song Douding, who gave them both a hard time with this bad idea.
"I can do it myself." Song Weifeng gritted his teeth gently.
"Is it the same for you to study behind closed doors at home as to study with your classmates in the academy?" Zhou Ziyan did not look down on Song Weifeng, but for Song Weifeng, studying alone at home was definitely not as effective as going to the academy.
Song Weifeng seemed to be stimulated by Zhou Ziyan's words, and he said indiscriminately, "What about me, does it have anything to do with you? Master Zhou, I am not your student."
"..." Zhou Ziyan was speechless. He had an answer in his heart, but he didn't dare to say it easily.
As soon as Song Weifeng finished saying this, he immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing, but he couldn't save face now, so he could only tilt his head and whisper: "I'm sorry."
"Nothing." Zhou said to himself that he was not angry.
After this conversation, neither of them spoke again.
In the dim woodshed, only a faint rustling sound could be heard outside the door. There were probably a few children sitting outside, waiting for them to go out.
"This bad idea must have come from Douding." Zhou Ziyan smiled and spoke again.
When Song Douding was mentioned, Song Weifeng relaxed a lot, "It must be him, no one except him would think of such a method."
"Actually, they are all worried about you." Zhou Ziyan turned the topic to the academy again, "So many people are worried about you. Even if you don't want to go back to study, you should clearly tell them the reason, right?"
Song Weifeng: "..."
Still silence.
Zhou said he would not rush him.
"The academy requires too many repairs. In addition to the repairs, there are also expenses such as pens, inks, paper, and inkstones." Song Weifeng finally began to explain his thoughts, "Douding is also going to take the provincial examination. What I need, he must also need. It's difficult for dad to pay two expenses alone, and now the business of the shop is not good, I don't want to..."
"Besides, Douding has a greater chance of winning the exam than I do. If we can help him with all our strength, he will definitely be able to honor his ancestors."
After talking about it, Song Weifeng seemed to let out a sigh of relief, and he could finally express his inferiority openly.
He held his hands tightly and his tone gradually became excited.
"I have always said that I want to study, I want to win the national examination, but I know that I have no talent in reading. When Douding didn't know how to read, I was the only scholar in the family. I couldn't see my father. He looked at me with earnest eyes, so I studied hard because I didn't want my father to think that there would never be a scholar in the family."
"But Douding is already a scholar now. He is already a scholar at such a young age, and his future is much brighter than mine. I...I can't compare to him, and I don't want to be a drag on him and the family."
Zhou Ziyan also fell silent after hearing Song Weifeng's heartfelt words.
He didn't expect that Song Weifeng would view himself and Song Douding this way.
But come to think of it, a little genius who passed the scholar examination at the age of seven is still his younger brother.
Not only am I a brother, but I am also a brother with little talent. When compared with my younger brother, I will inevitably have such thoughts.
Perhaps, every ordinary person will do this when facing a truly talented person.
Zhou Ziyan thought of himself and Lin Fanji, lowered his head and laughed at himself.
To put it bluntly, he relied on his status as a modern person to gain some respect from Lin Fanji.
If he was also a native of Daqing, how could he talk about being an official or ideal? He might still be hanging on his head and stabbing his buttocks now.
But Douding doesn't need any training now. As a master, he will try his best to relieve Song Douding's pressure from studying.
How did Song Weifeng achieve this?
Zhou Ziyan was silent for a moment, and then asked him: "Do you still want to study?"
"...I don't know." Song Weifeng answered honestly. He was very confused now.
"...But that's Douding!" Song Weifeng couldn't help but grab his head, and his voice weakened, "Douding is dad's lifeblood, I...why should I spend that money again..."
"Wei Feng, you are already very powerful." Zhou Ziyan looked at Song Weifeng sitting under the window, and saw his frown in the dim air, "When you were in the academy, so many people bullied you, but you could endure it. , enough to prove your belief and persistence."
"It's different, it's completely different." Song Weifeng didn't know what to say, "I don't care about all the bullying they do. But dad and Douding, I can't... I can't..."
"You're scared." Zhou Ziyan looked at Song Weifeng's shrinking figure and pointed out his problems mercilessly, "You're afraid that you can't compare to your younger brother, you're afraid that you'll become someone else's talking point after dinner, you're afraid that you won't pass the examination, and you're afraid that you won't be able to pass the examination. You will be jealous of Douding when you face him."
"It's not that you don't want to study, or that you don't want to be a drag on your family, it's just that you can't face the possibility of failure. As long as you think about it for a moment, you'll toss and turn and get upset."
"Yes, I'm just jealous, I'm just afraid, I'm just an incompetent coward!" Song Weifeng stood up suddenly and looked at Zhou Ziyan from a distance, "Are you happy? Are you satisfied?"
"I have no talent for reading. After reading for so many years, I am no better than a seven-year-old Douding. You are not me. How can you understand my thoughts?"
"You will be the first in the county examination, and the provincial examination seems to be just a small hurdle for you, just get over it. But I am different. I don't know who you are, I don't seem to know you... ..."
Zhou Ziyan couldn't help but clench his hands and said in a deep voice: "There are so many people in the world who are better than us. If one by one is better than us, when will the end be over? You study not for others, but for yourself!"
"It's precisely because I study for myself that I can't be so selfish and continue to rely on my father's help to study!" Song Weifeng almost yelled this sentence.
Then he stood blankly under the window, smelling the smell of dry firewood in the woodshed, and his eyes drifted to an unknown distance.
"Okay, then how will you study in the future?" Zhou Ziyan sneered, "Don't tell me that you don't want to study. Don't let me look down on you."
He was initially attracted to Song Weifeng because he was attracted by his tenacity.
Even though there were millions of difficulties in studying, Song Weifeng never gave up. Why did he run away so easily now?
He can't accept it!
"I...Brother Zhou, can I come and listen to your class every day, okay?" Song Weifeng knew that this idea was very shameless, but he had no other choice, "I won't go to class in vain, it's a matter of money -"
Before Song Weifeng finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zhou Ziyan.
Zhou Zi said that he already understood Song Weifeng's idea. It wasn't impossible, but he didn't want to do it now.
Song Weifeng wants to come to his place to take classes. If it is for better study, then he is very welcome.
But what Song Weifeng did now was clearly to escape.
In this case, he can only say sorry.
"I don't know what's going on in your heart, but I know that if you don't want to go back to the academy and can't face your heart, then I will no longer welcome you here."
Zhou Ziyan looked at Song Weifeng and coldly issued an order to expel the guest.
"You came to my place to take classes before, did you still think you could learn a little bit from me? Then I will tell you clearly now, either go back to the academy or give me a reason, otherwise, you will never step into my house again."
Song Weifeng turned to Zhou Ziyan's direction, "Are you really going to be so cruel?"
Zhou Ziyan nodded, "You also said that you are not my student, why should I accept you? Wei Feng, people can't have such double standards."
Although Song Weifeng didn't know the meaning of double standards, he saw Zhou Ziyan's rejection.
Never before had Song Weifeng felt so cold at this moment.
Zhou said that he had always been gentle and courteous towards him. He thought he would get some gentle words of comfort from Brother Zhou.
But what he always got were words he didn't understand.
Brother Zhou is Brother Zhou from Qingjing Province. He is just a little boy from Maminggou.
That's it, let's leave it at that, they are not on the same road anyway.
After Song Weifeng seemed to understand something, he took two steps back and turned away.
He pressed the door and pushed it open with a slight push.
And the copper lock on the door fell to the ground lightly.
"The door is fine, it's just that the lock Douding bought is broken again." After Song Weifeng said this, without any other words, he lowered his head and left.
But when he left, Zhou Ziyan actually saw a few sparkles on his cheeks.
He cried.
The children waiting outside the door immediately rushed into the woodshed.
Song Douding jumped on Zhou Ziyan, "Master, Master, how are you? Is my brother willing to go back to study?"
"You guys are really good at thinking of such a bad idea." Zhou Ziyan held Song Douding down and slapped his butt twice hard.
Song Douding has been beaten since he was a child. Zhou said that for him, this amount of force is almost the same as tickling. He has no shame and no skin. After a few rubs, he will be fine.
He has more important things to ask now!
"Master, please tell me quickly!"
"I had a big fight with him, and he left." Zhou Ziyan looked at the empty door, thinking about the way Song Weifeng left just now, and the tears dripping from the corners of his eyes, and he felt bad in his heart.
"Ah!" Song Douding shouted, "Why is this a quarrel? It shouldn't be. After my brother listened to Master's teachings, did he go back to study immediately? He obviously listens to you the most!"
"What are you talking about? He is a human being, not a kitten or puppy. How can he completely listen to me?" Zhou Ziyan gave Song Douding a brain-shattering lesson and told him not to talk nonsense.
Seeing that the strategy didn't work, Wang Xiaoniu said, "What should we do now?"
"I don't know, just take it one step at a time." Zhou Zi said that he could use some unorthodox methods to get Song Weifeng to go back to study, but he didn't like the results of such calculations.
I don't want to get these things mixed up between him and Song Weifeng.
As he said, there is no need to calculate, just take one step at a time.
When class resumed, Song Weifeng sent Song Douding to Zhou's house.
Zhou Ziyan welcomed Song Douding into the door, and then slowly closed the door in front of Song Weifeng.
Song Weifeng was neither annoyed nor resentful, he just stood outside the door and watched with his own eyes as Zhou Ziyan's face was slowly covered by the vermilion door.
"..."
I didn't feel much in my heart, but my mouth felt a little bitter.
Song Weifeng stood at the door for a while and was about to go home.
I saw another child dressed in gorgeous clothes and wearing white jade, strolling over with his hands behind his back.
"Zhong Qiaoyi? You're here again." Song Weifeng knew this child as the grandson of Zhongzhi County.
Previously, I had been working hard at Zhou Ziyan's place just to get Zhou Ziyan to accept him.
It's almost half a month old. I didn't expect that after so long, he still hasn't given up.
Zhong Qiao looked at Song Weifeng's bitter face one by one and guessed something, "What, Master Zhou won't let you in? It's okay, he hasn't let me in either. Come, let's sit down and chat."