Fragrance Returned

Ding Xiang looked at the fence next to Tao Weng, and a poem floated in her mind: Picking chrysanthemums under the east fence, leisurely seeing the Nanshan Mountain.

This image is somewhat like Tao Yuanming in previous life history.

The old lady is nearly sixty years old, with a fair face, a slightly plump face, and kind eyes. She was dressed very low-key, with a ginger-colored dark floral silk jacket, and only wore a hosta on her head and a string of wooden beads on her wrist.

Today, Dingxiang knows many luxury goods with shopkeeper Gong. She could see that the old lady was low-key and luxurious. The clothes are fragrant cloud gauze, the hostas are the finest mutton-fat jade, and the wooden beads are red honey-fat fragrant.

The taste of the old lady and that of Tao Weng, who was born in a farm family, are two extremes. Judging from her appearance, she would not be willing to follow Tao Weng to settle in the countryside.

But looking at the old lady's expression, her eyes were calm, and she didn't seem to dislike this place at all. Tao Weng smiled and waved to them.

Ding Xiang pulled Ding Zhen over.

Tao Weng smiled at Ding Xiang and said, You are Ding Zhuang's granddaughter, Ding Xiang?

Such a good talent, you don't need to guess to know that she is Ding Zhuang's granddaughter. Before he came to Beiquan Village, his servants had already found out about the situation in the village.

Ding Xiang let go of Ding Zhen's hand, bent her knees and saluted, Weng Tao, old lady, I am Ding Xiang.

In modern times, it is impolite to call someone old lady in front of an old lady, but in ancient times it was considered an honorific.

Ding Zhen also quickly bent her knees and saluted, Tao Weng, old lady, I am Ding Zhen, sister Xiang's sister.

Mrs. Tao praised, What two beautiful ladies.

Tao Weng glanced at Ding Zhen and nodded, then moved his eyes to Ding Xiang. Asked, They say you like reading, what books have you read?

Ding Xiang always wanted to attract Tao Weng's attention, but she was not modest. She talked a long list, including all the books Ding Liren had read.

So many? Tao Weng was surprised.

Ding Zhen boldly said, Sister Xiang is good at reading and painting. Second Grandpa said that if women can take the scientific examination in that era, Sister Xiang will definitely win the top prize among women.

Ding Xiang blushed, giggled a few times and said modestly, My grandpa was just joking, I'm not that powerful.

This person is a Jinshi, so he is so good at doing what he does best.

Tao Weng took a short passage from The Great Learning, The Analects of Confucius and The Book of Songs and asked Ding Xiang to recite and analyze it.

Ding Xiang recited it smoothly and analyzed it moderately.

Although the analysis was not perfect, Tao Weng liked and appreciated the fact that such a young girl was so articulate and generous.

There can be such a little girl in the countryside.

This child is as talented as Sihai and Mu'er. It would be great if he was a boy.

Tao Weng asked about the nearby scenery again. Although he had lived here for several years, he had always been immersed in studying and was not familiar with it at all.

Ding Xiang pointed to Beifu Mountain and Nanfu Mountain and introduced them. She also specifically introduced how picturesque the mountains at her grandfather's home were, and even talked about the special snacks in Gu'an Town.

Tao Weng was very happy and felt that this little girl was more interesting than everyone here.

A girl came over and said, Tao Weng, old lady, the medicine is ready. It's time for the old lady to go back and take the medicine.

Tao Weng said to Ding Xiang, The little girl is not very old, but she has a very happy conversation with me. We have been friends for a long time. From now on, we will often come to my house to chat with me and the old woman.

Finally getting the invitation, Ding Xiang was as happy as a flower in full bloom on the roadside.

She smiled happily and asked, Tao Weng means that I became your little friend?

Tao Weng nodded.

Ding Xiang smiled again and said, I will definitely come to visit Tao Weng and the old lady someday.

Mrs. Tao smiled and said, Girl Zhen is also a well-behaved girl. If you have nothing to do, girl Xiang will come with me to relieve my boredom.

Ding Zhen’s little head is as nodding as a chicken.

Looking at their backs, Lilac was very happy.

Has your relationship with them been established?

She is over sixty years old. Old people of this age were still dancing square dances in their previous lives. However, the old lady's health seems to be not very good. She coughs a few times from time to time and has difficulty walking. Tao Weng did not let the girl support him, but supported his wife himself and walked forward hobblingly.

Supporting each other in old age is enviable.

This kind of old life makes Ding Xiang envious. This is what Grandpa Ding Zhuang has been dreaming of all his life.

On the way back, Ding Zhen said, I heard people talking privately. Judging from the way Tao Weng is dressed, his official rank is not very big. When I saw them today, it was true. Tao Weng wore commoners, and the old lady only wore It’s just a string of wooden beads, not even a silver bracelet.”

Ding Xiang smiled and said, Good wooden rosary beads are more valuable than jade and gold bracelets, let alone silver bracelets.

Ding Zhen's boudoir has undergone new changes. The tea cup on the table has been replaced by blue and white porcelain. There is also a wooden flower stand with a pot of narcissus placed on it. The quilt and mattress have been replaced by silk.

Ding Zhen smiled brightly, My father bought it. He said that Sister Xiang should use the best at home, and I should also use the best at home. He also said that it is delicious to keep my brother close to school and easy to wear. If it’s useful, stick to me.”

Dingshan looks more and more like Ding Zhuang. When he has money, he wants to spend it on his granddaughter.

Xiao Nizi is lucky.

The business of Ding's Cloth Shop is very good, with smooth purchase channels and guaranteed quality. Shopkeeper Gong will also introduce customers to them. And because he is Ding Hong-nosed’s younger brother, the local gangsters don’t dare to mess with him.

Ding Zhao was paid ten to fifteen taels of silver every month, and the family's life was very easy.

Now his family is ranked ahead of Jiang Tofu.

Ding Zhen took out the things Dingshan brought for her and placed them on the table one by one.

Ding Xiang opened the book and taught Ding Zhen how to read the poem and explain the meaning of the poem. Then he wrote a few big characters on a piece of paper and taught her how to write them stroke by stroke.

Two soft children's voices floated out of the small window, making Ms. Xie narrow her eyes with a smile.

Xie left the cloves for lunch at home, Today I went to the town to buy Liangpier. I have already made brown sugar and mung bean soup in the well. I also made fried eggs with minced meat and leeks.

Ding Zhen said, You should add more courgette shreds and vinegar to the cold skin.

Ding Xiang wanted to eat it as soon as she heard it, and asked Ling'er to go back and tell Mrs. Zhang.

Mrs. Xie then ordered, Ling'er will come back as soon as you go and tell her. I'll do your part too.

Ling'er smiled and thanked her.

After dinner, Ding Zhen proposed to buy lanterns from Brother Hong.

I like lotus lanterns.

Ding Xiang had never thought about buying lanterns, but seeing Ding Zhen's interest, she agreed to buy them together.

Ding Zhen opened the cabinet to get some private money. In the small box, there were two small silver coins, which amounted to about a hundred cash.

She came out with fifty cash.

Ding Xiang joked, Sister Zhen is quite wealthy.

Ding Zhen smiled again and narrowed her eyes.

The two went hand in hand to buy lanterns.

Ling'er reminded, There are only three men living in that house. The two sisters will buy it at the door. Don't go in.

Ding Zhen said, We know.

Ding Youshou's small courtyard is behind Ding Xiang's house, about fifty steps away. Standing here, you can clearly see the trees, pavilion and roof in Dingxiang's backyard.