The Sweet Little Fulang

After returning home, Lan Xiang and the others asked Shen Yan what she meant. Even if she was her own mother, she was very embarrassed. In the end, she just nodded slightly to express her opinion. After the family members laughed, she was so ashamed that she simply went back to the room sewing.

In this way, the marriage finally came to an end.

There was only such a daughter, and Wei Lanxiang was still reluctant to part with it. When discussing with her two sons during lunch, she even said that she wanted to keep Shen Yan at home for a year.

"The Gu family turned around and I went to the matchmaker and said, our family can't be sloppy in marrying our daughter. No matter how they are in the town, they can't be ambiguous. It will be a year, and the geese and geese will be at home this year."

If you say that the mud-legged people in the country can marry the scholars in the town, the scholars who are good at school are more respected by others, and they can teach at the worst after being admitted to the scholar, it is true that they have climbed to Gao Zhier.

Even Ji Qiuyue and Lu Gu have been thinking these days that their family may have a scholar relative in the future. After seeing Shen Yan nodding in the morning, they were all happy for her.

Moreover, Gu Chengyue is not a poor scholar, and his family background is good, but their family married a daughter, how can they be weak in momentum.

Shen Yaoqing saw that his old lady was still unwilling, and continued with a smile: "It is the end of the year, and I am busy around the New Year's Eve. If there are various etiquettes for marriage, there will be a year and a half. 16 years old, not too young."

"It's only sixteen." Wei Lanxiang wiped her eyes.

Shen Yaoqing, who is the eldest brother, watched Shen Yan grow up from a young age, and was equally reluctant. He sighed softly, and then smiled and said: "This is easy to handle. I will delay them in various book gifts, and when it is time to count the marriage , I will arrange a later date with them, so that I can stay for more than half a year, it will be fine."

"I see that the Gu family is anxious to marry their eldest son, and they are sincerely talking about marriage. In the face of it, I can't say that we have to stay for another year, so that people will hear that we are not sincere."

Wei Lanxiang learned from Shen Xuanqing that Gu Chengyue had encountered several setbacks when seeing his wife before, and it didn't go well, and the Gu family could figure it out even if they were anxious to marry him, otherwise the neighbors would talk about it in various ways, which would be annoying.

"Jixing Town is far away from us. Yanyan can walk a few more steps, and then he will reach the second brother's side. He can go to Guzi whenever he sees the sky." Shen Yaoqing comforted her.

Wei Lanxiang nodded: "Yes, it's just two streets away. It's good to marry into Gu's family. Erqing is over there, so she's close. I'm not afraid that she will suffer."

Because of the embarrassment, Shen Yan ate in the room and didn't come out at all. The youngest daughter has a thin skin, and everyone in the family knew it, so she didn't deliberately tease her in front of her.

Ji Qiuyue heard that they had finished discussing, and said with a smile: "We met Gu Chengyue before, and last time I went to Yanyan to sell handkerchiefs, I met him at the gate of the embroidery workshop. After seeing him for a while, today I look much better."

Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing were all taken aback, they never thought that Shen Yan had met Gu Chengyue earlier.

"Yes, I was there that day." Lu Gu fed Brother Ling a mouthful of custard, and said casually, "I saw that he looked familiar at that time, but I remembered that I had bought meat in the shop a few times when I went to buy cloth."

Shen Yaoqing patted the table: "This kid, I don't know if he is willing after seeing Yanyan, or he doesn't know that Yanyan is the one who wants to see him. If he knows, he will be tight enough."

"He may recognize you, so maybe he really knows it's Yanyan." Shen Xuanqing turned to Lu Gu and said.

When doing business in the town, the shopkeeper sometimes can't remember the customer, but he has bought things several times. Generally, as long as the customer pays more attention, he can remember the boss.

"We've seen each other a long time ago, it's fate. If he really knows, he's really asking for marriage when he sees the Gu family, that's all." Wei Lanxiang thought for a while and said, it's time to see each other, besides, Shen Yan nodded, what? If the woman is willing, it will not be easy to cause trouble.

"That's right." Shen Yaoqing sighed softly after finishing speaking, the girl's family seldom went out, and as the eldest brother, he couldn't help but think more about his sister.

The Gu family came back to discuss with Wei Lanxiang. The parents of the Gu family and Gu Chengyue drove two carriages. Needless to say, drinks and pastries, they directly took Wei Lanxiang and him to the big restaurant in Fenggu Town to discuss matters. I won't spend so much money, just for a meal that I don't know if it will be successful.

He also heard from the matchmaker from Jixing Town that the Gu family was willing to pay a full 30 taels of silver for the bride price. When Shen Xuanqing was married, the dowry was agreed to be 20 taels. Not to mention the countryside, even in the town, there are very few people with such a high price. .

It's not that they are greedy for the 30 taels, it's just that the Gu family values ​​Shen Yan.

After being busy for a while, a major family matter has finally been settled, and it goes without saying that various contacts with the Gu family have gradually increased.

In the early winter, Shen Xuanqing was still busy in the shop. He got up early this morning and the sky was covered with heavy lead clouds. The sun was blocked, and there was no warmth in the day. He killed two rabbits in the backyard, went to the front, threaded them with rope, and hung them on a wooden frame. superior.

There was still half of the pork that was slaughtered yesterday, and he hung it up after he opened the shop door. There were chickens and ducks in the cage. He moved the table to the door, and the knives and meat pies were all set up, just waiting for customers to come to the door.

Someone wanted to buy an old hen, he tied it up and handed it over, took the money and said: "Auntie, go slowly."

The sky was still gray and it was windy again, so he covered the meat on the wooden rack with a cloth to avoid dust and debris.

Even though he was dressed thickly, it was still cold to sit in the shop. He warmed his hands with Mrs. Tang that Lu Gu had given him when he went out, and when he looked up, he saw scattered snowflakes floating outside.

He looked at the first snow in early winter, thinking that it would be big later, and wondered how their brother Ling would react when he saw the snow. Last year, the child was too young, and he didn't go out of the room a few times when it snowed, so naturally he didn't see it. Pass.

There are not many people on the street, but there are some people who go out to make a living. From time to time, ox carts and mule carts can be seen passing by, and white steam is blowing out of the noses and mouths of animals.

He was thinking about having a good meal when it was snowing today, when suddenly someone riding a horse stopped in front of the shop with a yell, and he raised his head subconsciously.

"Second Brother Shen."

A rough voice sounded, but it was Luo Biao.

Shen Xuanqing put down Mrs. Tang and stood up, said with a smile, "When did you come back?"

In autumn, Luo Biao came to bid farewell to him again, saying that he was going to sell horses again, and came back before winter, and he really did.

Although Luo Biao was just a little guard, he did well in the cavalry team and had physical knowledge. The trip he made in the first half of the year earned nearly ten taels of silver. He was a loner. Two denarii are enough to eat and drink for a year.

Luo Biao said with a loud smile: "I came back the day before yesterday. The horse team sold horses in Fucheng. Today I came to look for business at the market at the east end of the town. I thought you were here. Come and have a look."

The horse he rode was in good condition, so Shen Xuanqing came out to have a look.

Luo Biao kept his beard unshaven, covering half of his face.

"It's a good horse." He patted the horse's back and asked with a smile, "Can Second Brother Shen know how to ride it?"

Shen Xuanqing touched the horse's mane, smiled and said, "When I was studying art, my master taught me to ride other people's horses, but I haven't touched them for many years."

Horses are precious things, ordinary people can't afford them, Luo Biao also went to sell horses this time, and Qiu Laosan taught him on the way.

He is reckless and courageous. He is not afraid of being beaten, so he can learn faster. He can't subdue a fierce horse, but he can still ride a horse with a good temper.

What's more, in this winter, ordinary people who have nothing to do to go to the martyrdom, he is not full, and if he falls and breaks his arms and legs, he will have to spend money to treat the injury. It's not that I'm about to go out without covering the heat.

"This horse has a good temper. If you don't dislike it, it's very comfortable to ride around." Luo Biao smiled and said: "I used to stay in a small town, but this year I went out to see the world. There are rivers, which are different from us, and the northern city of the prairie is even more open, and now you can even ride a horse, and it’s really a joy to run."

Shen Xuanqing's heart was moved, so she no longer hesitated, took the rein from Luo Biao's hand, and then got on the horse.

He was handsome and neat, Luo Biao laughed loudly, threw the whip to him and said, "Sure enough, Second Brother Shen knows it."

"Stay here, and I'll come as soon as I go." Shen Xuanqing still remembered the time when she learned to ride a horse. At the beginning, she was a little unfamiliar with kicking and swinging the whip. After running across a street, she gradually got used to it.

The cold wind was blowing head-on, and he didn't feel cold at all under the excitement. He thought that he was really happy, but it's just that he has a bad reputation for riding horses in the street. After running for a few steps, he slowed down quickly, trotted and turned around.

If you really want to ride on the flat road outside the town, or the northern grassland mentioned by Luo Biao, it must be extremely enjoyable.

Shen Xuanqing reined in the trotting horse with a cry, and stopped again in front of the shop.

Luo Biao took the reins and said, "This horse is for sale. I just ride it out to show off to you, so I'll return it first."

Shen Xuanqing smiled, and said: "Come over for lunch at noon, eat stewed meat at home, and have a jar of good wine. Since you are back, I will welcome you."

"Okay, I'll definitely come." After Luo Biao finished speaking, he rode away on his horse.

It's snowing today, in the past few years in my hometown, whenever it snows, the family will take a rest for a day and a half, and then cook a good meal, Lu Gu is used to it.

He fed the mules at home, and then came out with the tightly wrapped child in his arms. He had finished eating the meat the day before yesterday, let's see what Shen Xuanqing wanted to eat today.

It was cold and there were fewer pedestrians on the street, Guaizai ran ahead, stopping from time to time and turning around to wait for him.

Brother Ling could say that it was the first time he saw falling snowflakes. Lu Gu slowed down as he walked, reached out and caught a few flakes of snow with his sleeve, and handed them over to the child.

Xiao Lingjun's big black eyes looked at his sleeves, and after seeing the snowflakes melted, he turned his face and opened his eyes wide and let out an "oh", as if surprised.

"This is snow, snow flakes, snow." Lu Gu smiled happily, and walked forward, teaching Brother Ling to speak and recognize things.

"Snow."

He was even happier when he heard the word Xiao Ling uttered clearly and accurately: "That's right, it's Xue."

After arriving at the shop, Shen Xuanqing was cutting the flesh of a husband. When he came in, he put the child on the ground and let him stand. Brother Ling wore thick clothes in winter, and he also wore a lot. His arms were restrained, so he hugged another child The chubby milk doll couldn't bear it any longer.

"father."

"Get it." Shen Xuanqing had just handed over the wrapped sling of meat, and when she heard her son calling him, she quickly agreed: "Hey, our brother Ling is here, isn't it?"

Xiao Lingjun laughed, stretched out his little hand that was originally tucked into his sleeve, and grabbed Lu Gu's trousers.

After the husband who bought the meat left, Lu Gu put his hands on Mrs. Tang to warm him up. Looking at Shen Xuanqing who was hugging his son and coaxing him, there was a light smile on his face.

He couldn't hold back, went to the shop door to catch a few snowflakes, turned his head to let Brother Ling see, and asked, "Tell me, what is this?"

"Snow." Brother Ling was smart, because he knew this thing, his voice was full of pride and joy.

Shen Xuanqing smiled all of a sudden, and boasted: "Oh, it's incredible, I even recognize Xue."

Brother Ling was even happier, and stretched out his arms in his arms, imitating Lu Gu to catch snowflakes.

The two big ones were playing in the shop, and they learned that Luo Biao was back, and they wanted to eat stewed meat at noon. After Shen Xuanqing chopped the pork, Lu Gu went home to cook with the basket. It smells good.

It was just the three of them and one child during the meal, Lu Gu did not avoid suspicion.

Luo Biao is fine with drinking today, after all, at Shen Xuanqing's house, the child is in front of him, and there is meat to eat, so it's fun to have a few glasses of wine.

He went out twice this year, selling horses and goods. In spring and summer, it was fine. In autumn, he made more money this trip. In winter, it was cold in the north. Yanba cloth and tea were sold well, and even children played. Many items have also been sold.

He jokingly said that Qiu Laosan and his group were actually general merchandisers, and he sold some goods from them to the north. Because there were few carts and horses in the past, they didn't bring many things with them each time, but they could make a small fortune, and then sold the horses. When I come back with the fur trader, I can make money every time I go there.

fur.

Shen Xuanqing, who was pouring wine, heard these two words, and asked him: "Does fur earn a lot?"

Their family has been killing rabbits and sheep in the past few years. The sheepskins are okay, not so much, but they have saved a lot of rabbits, excluding those sold to the brush workshop. Since the autumn is cold, some customers come to the shop to buy meat. Gu, they all told others that they also sell rabbit skins here to keep out the cold and wind, even if they only need one or two, they will sell them all.

Dozens of copper plates are also money, who would think that money is too little.

Luo Biaozi finished drinking the wine in the glass, grinned and said: "I haven't sold it, but I heard him mention a few words when I was drinking with Qiu Laosan. I was collecting leather in the north. When it was cold, I came back and sold it to us. There is also Yuqing Mansion City here, which can at least double, and there are more cattle and sheep in the north, and the leather is cheap."

He put down his wine glass and chewed a piece of meat in his mouth, and said: "But this is a horse dealer. Although horses can pull carts and goods, the goods are too heavy for the horses if they are tired. There are also food for them on the road. For food and grass, you have to prepare some, so you won't get much fur."

"It's not easy to come back this way. Not to mention the bandits and robbers, the money has been taken care of. If Ma Ruo is thin and injured, the foundation has been shaken, and there is no way to sell more."

It was so.

Shen Xuanqing didn't say much after listening, she smiled and picked a piece of meat for Lu Gu, and asked again: "Then where do you live in winter? Or go back to Fenggu Town?"

Luo Biao followed the caravan to sell horses, and when he came back, he yelled and sold horses. These days, Boss Qiu was in charge of food and lodging, but when the horses were sold out, he had to find a place by himself. In the town, he went back there with the caravan and rented a house for a few months.

Seeing Luo Biao hesitating as if he didn't know where to go, Shen Xuanqing smiled and said: "I have a few houses here. You don't run the business in winter, you fetch water and firewood, and then go to the shop to help out when you are free. When the rent has been paid, how about it?"

"Second Brother Shen..." Luo Biao suddenly became agitated and didn't know what to say.

Shen Xuanqing said with a smile: "Guzi is at home and takes care of the child and has to wash and cook. The child can't do anything when he cries, but I'm at the shop. You can help us. You don't need to buy firewood. Go back to your hometown in the mule cart, and go to the mountains to chop, and then you will have to work hard."

"We are not strangers, not to mention those nonsense, if you stay here, you will have to do the work of pulling rabbits when you go home, so that when I am here, the shop can always be open, so that customers will not be able to buy things when the door is closed. .”

He was not confused, smiled and then said: "Don't blame me for being open-minded. You live here for a few months, and you will be in charge of food and lodging. You don't need to spend money. After two years, you will save money. , you can buy a house by yourself, and get married and marry a wife easily."

Temporary accommodation and long-term accommodation must be made clear, otherwise if there is anything in the future, it will be troublesome.

"Where is it?" Luo Biao quickly replied, "I can't blame you, it's a great thing for me, and I don't even have time to thank you."

The two clinked glasses again, and after drinking, Shen Xuanqing gave Lu Gu a reassuring look.

In fact, he has selfish motives. He has been in the town for almost a year. He and Lu Gu are the only ones here. Sometimes they can’t let go. Wei Lanxiang thinks that his grandson will have to come all the way. If you want to take Lu Gu home for a few days, someone will watch at the butcher shop.

Luo Biao is a man, so it is no problem to kill chickens, ducks and rabbits.