The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Chapter 249 What is the meaning of the word love (Second update! Ten thousand words are achieved!)

This time when I return to my hometown, ancestor worship and flowing water mats are indispensable. Because they were in a hurry, all the young and old of the Chen family went out together. On the first day after arriving, after cleaning the ancestral house, Mr. Zhou was busy preparing things for ancestor worship.

The next morning, Chen Gaishan led the men in his family out and walked along the muddy path towards the ancestral hall. Chen Heng had walked this road several times before, but Qingyue and Yindi had not walked much.

A group of them carried poles, baskets, plaques and other items. As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the ancestral hall, I saw all the men surnamed Chen in the village standing here. As soon as everyone meets each other, there is a warm exchange of pleasantries.

The process of worshiping ancestors is presided over by the clan leader. Chen Beishan led his children and grandchildren, held incense, bowed three times and kowtowed nine times to comfort their ancestors. In the ancestral hall, there is lingering smoke, the smell of incense, and the mist of the firecrackers that have just dispersed.

Chen Gaishan couldn't help but choked up and muttered something: The ancestors of the Chen family have spirits. Sun Mingheng, the second eldest son of the fifth generation of the Chen family, was lucky enough to win the first prize, so I would like to express my condolences to the ancestors.

The old man was illiterate, so he had to ask others for advice. If it's a more elegant family, they will also add the words No. 1 Scholar and Ji Dai Yiying.

But in the face of Chen Heng's huge glory, these etiquette words are just for embellishment, and there is no need to go into detail. The climax of the sacrifice was to hang up the plaques with the words Win three yuan in a row and The number one scholar with the help of the tribe.

Along with the covering ribbon, it was torn off. Seeing the plaque erected in front of the memorial tablets of his ancestors, Chen Heng was also touched in his heart. In hundreds of years, as long as the incense of the Chen family continues, future generations will see it here and recall the deeds of the ancestors of the Chen family every time they worship their ancestors.

In the solemn and solemn atmosphere, Chen Qingyue and Chen Yin suddenly understood why their brother said that after the initiation ceremony, his desire to learn became deeper and deeper.

After this matter is done, consider that Chen Heng will return to Beijing to get married soon. The Chen clan decided to hold the Flowing Water Feast on the next day, and the place was still in the ancestral hall.

That’s the good thing about rural areas, the ingredients for banquets are everywhere. The tribesmen came out in full force and quickly prepared a flowing water mat for Chen Heng that was sufficient for the occasion. This is a big happy event, and not only people from the same village will be invited, but also people from neighboring villages who come to celebrate the occasion, and they must also be entertained.

Ding Xingwang, a member of the Chen clan, can handle it completely with their help. During the dinner, everyone couldn't help but talk about erecting an archway at the head of the village. Li Zheng immediately said that the village would pay for this to make Chen Heng and the village famous.

When Chen Heng took the county examination for the first time, this little old man once joked, Go to the examination room and fart, and you will be able to speak for your ancestors. Who could have imagined that Chen Heng would strive to become the number one scholar in one breath, which was really unexpected.

Chen Heng, on the other hand, was grabbed by a few drunken uncles before he could give Li Zheng instructions to pay for it. Taking advantage of the wine, they brought their juniors to Chen Heng. At one time they talked about how smart and sensible their children were, and at other times they talked about the past friendship between the two families.

The underlying meaning behind the words was nothing more than the hope that Chen Heng could take their child with him. There were even distant relatives who had drunk too much. When they heard that Chen Heng was going to marry the daughter of a second-rank official in the imperial court, they directly asked Chen Heng if they could get a small official position for themselves.

Chen Heng was really dumbfounded. Fortunately, Chen Gaishan had anticipated that this would happen and stayed with Chen Qi to protect the child from the beginning to the end. After hearing this, he made some lukewarm taunts, which made the distant relative retreat in difficulty.

At the end of the day, the Chen family, who had finished throwing the banquet, returned to their ancestral home to rest. Once these two things are done, the Chen family will not have to stay in Shanxi Village for a long time. During the break, everyone was discussing how to go to the capital later. Mrs. Gu even pulled Mrs. Zhou to discuss Chen Heng's betrothal gift.

This time Chen Heng will marry two wives. Naturally, you need to prepare double copies of what is needed. Among them were high-ranking officials from the imperial court, and Gu couldn't figure out how to handle them. The Chen family has a weak foundation, and it only took a few years for them to make their fortune.

Although I have some business in hand, I am frugal on weekdays and still have some savings. But if we continue like this, we have to deal with the scene, which is inevitably a stretch. We cannot favor one over the other, resulting in a situation where the Lin family has many and the Zhen family has few. Being sandwiched like this, Gu couldn't help but feel a little worried.

While chatting, Ms. Zhou said that many distant relatives took the opportunity to send gifts and money this time. This money is different from what people in Yangzhou gave me. It is a normal transaction of favors. Chen Heng returned everything from Yangzhou. However, Mrs. Zhou deliberately accepted the money and used it to make betrothal gifts for her children.

It happened that Chen Gaishan came back angrily from outside. Hearing Zhou's gossip, he immediately got angry and directly slapped the table and said: You ignorant woman, what are you talking about? Heng'er got the honor for nothing. Why? To be able to bear such humiliation.”

Mrs. Zhou was shocked, but Chen Gaishan ignored her and directly summoned the whole family, old and young, and ordered Xinda to close the door before sitting in the main hall with a sullen face.

The most indispensable thing in a farmhouse is a bench. In addition to Chen Qi and Gu, Chen Huaijin and Li are sitting on chairs. The two brothers-in-law's family and several grandchildren all sat together on a bench.

Chen Heng held his eldest sister's daughter Yuanyuan and sat between his two younger brothers. The whole family fell silent, waiting for the head of the family to calm down and have good thoughts. Only then did Chen Gaishan speak up: While your mother and I are still alive, let's settle the separation of our families today.

What? Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin were both shocked. Although the two brothers often quarreled, their relationship was indeed very good. They all said anxiously, Dad, no. If your child has done something wrong these days, just say it.

Yes, there is no reason for brothers to separate their families without parents. This is against the rules, and our family is no longer what it was before. Dad, if this matter spreads, it will not be good for Heng'er's reputation.

After Chen Huaijin finished speaking, Chen Gaishan's anger rose again and he immediately cursed, Heng'er, Heng'er. If you really have Heng'er in your heart, you should consider it for him. Success is achieved by children who work hard day and night. , you elders just want to take advantage of it and raise your tail to the sky.

Look at you, during this period, you were either going to the Wang family to have a drink, or listening to a play with the Li family. Before Heng'er won the first prize in the exam, did these people pay attention to you? Chen Gaishan was so angry that he couldn't help but slap the table, You Dad, I don’t know how to read, but I do understand the truth. People like us are afraid of getting rich.

The wealth that God can give you today can also be taken back to you tomorrow. I see you all dreaming of wealth when you go to bed, so why not come here and let you wake up.

When Chen Gaishan became angry, his two sons did not dare to say anything. Although their father's health has improved over the years, he still feels uneasy thinking about the scene where he was knocked unconscious before, fearing that the old man will get angry again.

Dad, I know what you're worried about. I really can't avoid going out to drink, but when I eat with them, have you ever seen me drunk? My son knows it well and will never cause trouble to Heng'er.

Chen Huaijin patted his chest and said sincerely. He was telling the truth. During this period, when he went out to eat, he rarely drank too much.

You have made progress over the years. Chen Gaishan nodded, but still said worriedly, But as the old saying goes, if you are not afraid of thieves, you are afraid of being missed. Heng'er will go out to be an official in the future, and he can't stay here every day. They are all around you, staring at you. How many people's wealth has been ruined by their own family's good deeds.

You have seen the banquet at home this time. The distant relatives in the fifth house don't move around much during the holidays. This time I have the nerve to ask Heng'er to take up an official position. Chen Gaishan sighed.

Families like ours are afraid of poverty, and even more afraid of wealth!!!

Everyone who heard these powerful words fell silent for a while. However, Chen Gaishan intended to use this to wake up the confused family, When Heng'er is not at home from now on, others will come to you and tell you one, two, three. When you go out, you will say that you have the instructions of the Number One Scholar. If trouble is caused then, who of you will Come to prove Heng'er's innocence? Have you ever thought about Heng'er's difficulties as a junior?

I have made up my mind. Chen Gaishan waved his hands and said without any doubt, When Heng'er is consummated this time, I will go back to the village with your mother. We are both in good health and we don't need you to wait on us. I went with you last time. The clan leader also said that if any relatives act in the name of Heng'er in the future, they will be arrested and brought to see me immediately. If the family is not in peace, disaster will come from itself. I only hope that you can really listen to what I said today and keep it in your heart. .”

Both sons did not dare to speak, so they could only look at their mother, hoping that she would say something to persuade Chen Gaishan to change her mind. Unexpectedly, the old woman said: Your father is right. The richer you are, the more cautious you must be. She looked at Gu and said, I was wrong about your mother just now. The Lin family can take a fancy to her. Chen Heng naturally knows the details of our family.

How much money we have, we can buy as much betrothal gift. There is no need to flatter ourselves, even if it's less, it's okay to gossip. People who are innocent will use their own hands to get everything. We will do our best. If you follow your own will, you don’t have to look at other people’s eyes to do things.”

She looked at Chen Heng apologetically and said, I just want to wrong my eldest grandson. If you had married a few years later, maybe our family would be better off.

Chen Heng shook his head and said seriously: Everything goes well with the family. Grandma, the family tradition of our family is worthy of rare treasures. The teacher will be happy if he knows.

Seeing that everyone had reached an agreement, the two sons looked helplessly at Chen Gaishan. The latter smiled cheerfully and said: I'm not dead. If you miss me, just go back to the village and see me. Otherwise, there is no need to persuade me.

Master Qing'er, Master Xian'er, as well as Qingyue and Yin'er, grandpa will sort out all the things in the house in front of you today. You all have a share, and you are not allowed to go back on your word afterwards.

How could the grandchildren dare to talk too much. Nodding no, no, shaking head no. He could only freeze in place, like a few chickens in a daze.

We live our lives with the door closed. We just go out to do things and talk, and think about today's family separation. Don't think that you can do whatever you want if you have brothers and sisters who are officials. As long as I still have breath, I can beat him back then. Chen Gaishan pointed at Chen Huaijin, which made the latter blush, I can use sticks to deal with you in the future.

Only then did everyone dare to nod. The scene back then was still fresh in everyone’s memory. Only Chen Yin, who was young at the time, looked puzzled.

After Chen Gaishan finished speaking, he asked everyone to come out one by one, and then waved the juniors to leave and exit. He, an old man, and Mr. Zhou were the only ones left in the huge room.

The two couples had been together for decades, and now they were facing each other. The old man smiled cheekily and stepped forward, holding Zhou's hand and saying, Xiaoyun, don't blame me for being cruel to you just now.

Why are you talking about this? Old Zhou shook his head and sighed, I also have my own mistakes. Sigh... I feel uncomfortable when I think about the separation of our two children.

It's not like we can't see each other. Chen Gaishan chuckled, They are all good children and will remember what I said today. How many rich families have failed because they don't know how to deal with things. Neither of us has read a book, so we can't help. Heng'er, what? I just hope that my children and grandchildren can live in harmony and flourish in the future. Do you think so...

I saved it. Old Zhou nodded, In the future, if outsiders have any ideas, I will also say the same thing when I go out.

That's right. At our age, we can't enjoy any wealth for a few years. It's better to settle them down and keep their relationship alive.

The elders in the room were rubbing their hair together, but Chen Heng was holding his niece in his arms and sitting in a daze in the yard. Yuanyuan was still young, so he only knew that his great-grandfather spoke so loudly that he was a little scared.

Liu Xianglian had just returned from hunting birds outside. When she heard about the Chen family, she rushed to Chen Heng, threw the newly obtained bird eggs to Yuan Yuan to play with, and smiled directly at Chen Heng: Zhi Xing, I really want to congratulate you. You. No wonder the old saying goes that a family with an elder is like a treasure. If your grandfather does this today, your family will be able to live on for a long time.

Yeah. Chen Heng nodded.

Seeing that he was not in a good mood, Liu Xianglian thought she was feeling sad about it, so she tried to comfort him, but she made Chen Heng laugh. The latter said: I'm not thinking about this anymore. Even if we separate our families, our family is still our family. I was thinking just now that we need to provide better ethnic education for the children in the village.

This is a great thing. Liu Xianglian said in surprise, What do you want to do?

Chen Heng also nodded, I can still put some tax-free land in my name, and I have more than ten acres of land at home. Let's wait until I get married and have a year and a half of money to buy some acres. Then I will buy some land. All the proceeds are used in the village school so that children from nearby villages can come and study.”

Okay, okay. Liu Xianglian couldn't help but clapped her hands and said with a smile, But you still have to accept this bunch of repairs. If you don't borrow the book, you won't read it. People's hearts are like this, you can't just think about being a good person. The clan knowledge of a wealthy family in the capital , the bad thing is that there is no distinction between good and bad, as long as they all have the same surname, they are all accepted, it is not a place for good people to study at all.

Chen Heng nodded, he also had this idea. It happened that Chen Qingyue, Chen Yin, Xinda and others were passing by, so he simply gathered the brothers together to discuss the matter, in order to give everyone some advice and broaden their horizons.

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In Yangzhou City, the Zhen family also has many things to worry about. The matchmaker invited by the Chen family has been gone for a few days. Feng Shi still hasn't made a decision yet.

Many people in the neighborhood had heard the news. During these days, whenever they met Feng, they would inevitably congratulate her and envy her for getting a son-in-law who would ride a dragon for nothing. But Feng knew her own difficulties, and Yinglian was not disrespectful to her superiors, so why did she marry into the Chen family and become a subordinate wife.

As long as they broaden their horizons, find a decent family to marry, and the couple can live a peaceful and smooth life behind closed doors. The Feng family didn't understand the Lin family, so they were worried that the Lin family's legitimate daughter would bully others, and she even regretted her hesitation and obstruction that day.

If I had known that Chen Hengzhong would become a Jinshi so quickly, I should have made an appointment to get married that day. But who would have thought that Chen Heng could be so successful, and who would have thought that Chen Heng would suddenly go to Beijing and stay there for three years. The two families wanted to get married, but the rightful owner was not there, so they couldn't make a deal rashly.

Feng was so hesitant, thinking that it would only take one day. The Chen family hadn't returned from their hometown yet, so she still had some time to think about it.

But while she was still waiting, a caring person already came to the door with gifts. Baoqin knew the situation of the Zhen family and would definitely not be able to come up with a good dowry. Taking advantage of the absence of the Chen family, I called a few porters to come to deliver gifts. She prepares everything in advance, which can not only give the Zhen family a strong impression, but also not be too exaggerated.

Mother and daughter Feng are now helping out in Baoqin's shop, and they didn't turn away customers when Baoqin came to the door. Only when Baoqin smiled and congratulated, did Fengshi show some hesitation.

Baoqin's intelligence can guess at a glance that something will happen. She first took Yinglian to find out the situation in the girl's boudoir, then got up and went to Feng's room to sit around and act as a lobbyist.

Auntie. Baoqin still pretends to be a man. In early spring, her folding fan has not been unfolded.

In recent years, their family has received a lot of care from Baoqin. Mrs. Feng asked Baoqin to sit down and asked Lvshui to bring a pot of tea. The two of them were both friendly and sophisticated, and after chatting for a few words, the topic fell on Yinglian's marriage.

Baoqin's ability to deal with things has been developed outside. She only looked at the problem from the perspective of the Zhen family and asked, If you ask your aunt to find someone else for your sister, have you ever thought about what kind of person you want to find?

Feng thought about it distressedly, and then said: When her father was here, our family was also a scholarly family. Naturally, I want to find a family for my child who can study, have fame, and have a bright future.

Parents' plan is all about their children. Xue Baoqin nodded, spread his hands and said, Then what's wrong with me, my eldest brother?

Feng was speechless for a moment and couldn't find the words to refute. Xue Baoqin then persuaded: Auntie, I know you are worried that the Lin family will put pressure on sister Yinglian, and you also feel that your sister's appearance is just that of a lowly wife.

But I have been walking around a lot in these years. Those men said that they treated their first wives as if they were guests. They either kept concubines outside, or they hung out in brothels all day long. I don't need to say more about my eldest brother. He doesn't even listen to many songs. He doesn't like the so-called scholarly romance. A man with such a temperament is also rich in fame and talent.

Now, for the sake of Sister Yinglian, he went to His Majesty to ask for his will, and also asked his mentor to accept his sister as his adopted daughter. Does the aunt know that the eldest brother, the wife of his mentor, will be called by Sister Lin when he comes to the Lin family? Auntie. Sister Yinglian has these two by her side, so what does aunty have to worry about?

Baoqin's words left Fengshi speechless. The latter took a long time to say: Because I blocked Yinglian for so many years with one thought back then. I put her in the dilemma she is in today. I just... I just blame myself and feel ashamed, so I want her to marry a better one.

Saying this, Feng burst into tears.

Thinking about what happened back then, she still feels guilty even now. If he hadn't stared at the wooden board on the window, would he have been able to propose marriage when Chen Heng passed the Jie Yuan exam?

At that time, I seemed to be worried that my family would be accused of being high-ranking by outsiders, so I just waited for the Chen family to come. As a result, Chen Heng was immediately called to the capital by His Majesty, and was never heard from again.

Baoqin stepped forward slowly, took the handkerchief from the green sailor, handed it to the sobbing Fengshi, and said comfortingly: Auntie, the past is a foregone conclusion, you should have mercy on the people in front of you.

She said this with unspeakable emotion in her heart. No one can predict how difficult things will be in this world, but the word love is the most unexplainable. It can be said that I have opened my eyes to look down on the world of mortals, and I am pitiful for the people in my eyes.

Who isn't?

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Five days later, the Chen family returned to their hometown. When they arrived at their home, they heard the matchmaker came to announce that the Zhen family had approved the marriage. Not only Chen Heng, but also the whole family breathed a sigh of relief.

It would be great if Mr. Feng could nod in agreement. The family is now more diligently preparing for the wedding gift, and has chosen a date to go to Beijing, first to prepare for Chen Heng and Daiyu's marriage.

On the other side of the palace, they were also making preparations at this time. There was still a surprise waiting for Chen Heng.

The new keyboard is very easy to use, hahahaha. Thank you Capricorn Xiyun for the reward, and I promised you to add more updates. It’s done.

Originally they planned to hold the wedding together, but then a book friend said that he wanted to give Daiyu a separate wedding. Let me state the word count openly. When I thought about it, there is such a good thing, huh, then it’s up to me.