I'm just a dude

In the next two days, Qi Yuan became particularly energetic.

The other two little maids came back from visiting relatives, and they both brought some delicious food, and the master and servant shared the food.Qi Yuan mixed two more simple face powders for them to use.

The same is a rose fragrance made of clove bark, magnolia, nard pine, sandalwood and other materials.The same is made of clove, sandalwood, nard pine, peony bark and other materials, and then a little frankincense is added.

These two are the favorites of the maids in the Qi mansion, even Mrs. Qi praised the scent as charming and lovely, but the scent is not meaningful enough.

The little maids in the small courtyard naturally didn't mind this, they dipped tissue paper in incense powder and put them in brocade bags to wear with them.

For a while, the scent of flowers floated in the courtyard, and several people were overjoyed, running around, and when the smell was gone, they came back to fight for some more.With a thought in his mind, Qi Yuan simply made some more and put them in a porcelain vase, intending to let Hu Fu Na to attract customers at the Flower Festival.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Huachao Festival was almost here.Counting the time, Qi Yuan and Hu Fu dug out a few jars of incense pills, tried to smoke a corner of various types of incense pills, some of the several kinds of incense pills were either charming, or quiet and elegant, and all of them were very successful.

It was Qi Yuan's first homemade incense, and he felt very satisfied, so he named the pots according to the four seasons, namely Fentao, Qinglian, Jinju and Baimei, and also named Yangzhou Qifu. Xiang's formula came, and I changed it a little, so that the three of Hu Fu could remember it easily.

During this period, Mrs. Qi approached him once.He babbled nonsense for a long time, but asked him to bring his cousin Qi Kun to Dongchi meeting.

Qi Yuan also heard that at the Dongchi meeting, it was inevitable to guess the right one, and was thinking about how to get it wrong, when he heard this, he hurriedly asked Qi Kun what books he had read.

Qi Kun has a wide mouth and a square nose, copper bell eyes, thick black one-line eyebrows, and is fully two heads taller than Qi Yuan.Before this, he had passed the examination for a scholar for six or seven years, and failed every time. He blushed when he heard Qi Yuan's questioning, and stuttered a few books with his fingers.

Qi Yuan immediately agreed with his eyes shining.

Mrs. Qi and Mrs. Cai didn't expect this, they looked at each other in blank dismay, how could they have thought that this Qi Yuan has changed his core, and now he is worse than Qi Kun.Qi Kun has already read the "Four Books" thoroughly, and studied the "Spring and Autumn" three biographies with his teacher, but Qi Yuan's core is that he can memorize even the "San Zi Jing".

The two people reached an agreement on this matter with their own minds, and they took each other as their hope.

On the morning of February 25th, before dawn, preparations were made inside and outside the uncle's mansion.

Qi Yuan also got up early in the morning, put on the new clothes and shoes and socks sent by Mrs. Peng, put on the Confucian scarf neatly, and also took out a small folding fan with calligraphy and painting inscribed on it, dressed himself up properly, and went to In his sleeve was a small can of Qinglian Xiangwan.

Hufu and the others couldn't enter the East Garden, so they could only stay outside Pixiang Palace, so Qi Yuan planned to sell it in the East Garden by himself.Those official sons are not short of money, and if they raise the price appropriately, they may be able to sell some.

He planned well, and looked in the mirror again, and saw that although his face was more than handsome, there was always a chill in the corners of his brows and eyes, which was not pleasing enough. After thinking about it, he asked Hu Fu for the rouge cream they used, After patting two blobs of blush on his face, he went out with satisfaction, and first got into the carriage of the uncle's mansion with Qi Kun.

Qi Kun obviously also put a lot of emphasis on dressing up, and also hung a heart-shaped engraved silver silk fragrance bag on his body.After Qi Yuan sat down, he sniffed lightly, and looked at the aromatherapy bag a few more times in surprise.

Qi Kun hurriedly explained: "It was my mother who asked someone to go to the shop to fight, and there was not much money."

Qi Yuan shook his head: "I didn't ask you this, but whose family is that Xiangwan?"

Qi Kun lowered his head and looked: "I don't know either. I heard from my mother that it is from some prefecture in Yangzhou. It's called Huihunmei."

Qi Yuan raised his eyebrows, thinking it was no wonder, it really belonged to his family.

It's just that this returning soul plum is not too rare, it belongs to the fragrance that every family has.In terms of differences, Wanjia's Huanhunmei has a more serene scent, and Wanjia has a branch in Beijing, unlike their Qijia who only do business in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Mrs. Cai has always been responsive to Qi Kun's requests, food and clothing are all the best, why did she mix such an ordinary fragrant pill?

Qi Yuan couldn't figure it out, leaning on the soft cushion, he caught a glimpse of the elegant silk and satin robe Qi Kun was wearing today, which was very pretty.I can't help secretly envious, thinking about what it would look like on my body.Qi Kun's complexion is dark, and he has a square head and big face. He must not be as good-looking as himself, nor as elegant as Zhou Rong.

Thinking of this, I thought about it again. After returning to Yangzhou, it is easy to say that I will recognize my relatives at home. My parents can always recognize them, but how should I explain to those cronies?Although those friends are worthless, they are very good to me. I don't know if anyone has cried for me these days?Two sticks of incense?

He thought farther and farther, and fell asleep again without knowing it.After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly heard someone calling his name, Qi Yuan stared and opened his eyes, and saw Qi Kun pointing to the outside and saying: "Second brother, the car will not be able to get in any further, we have to leave to the pier."

Qi Yuan woke up, opened the curtain and looked outside, but outside was a spacious avenue along the river, with green willows and weeping poplars on both sides, stretching for several miles.

It turns out that it has entered the Pixiang Palace now, and the end of this avenue is the Dongyuan Wharf, where the officials set up a barrier, and all the cars, horses and sedan chairs stop here.

Qi Yuan hurriedly got off the car with Qi Kun, checked the invitation card here, and walked north along the road until he reached the pier.

There was a group of children in Chinese costumes boarding the ferry, and the two of them followed behind and got on the boat together.This ferry boat is actually a three-foot-long painting boat, and the three cabins are separated by bead curtains.Qi Yuan didn't know anyone, so he stood at the stern of the boat with Qi Kun to watch the scenery.

The few people in front of them obviously knew each other well, chatting and laughing together.Qi Yuan faintly heard the laughter of a woman, turned his head to look, and sure enough, he saw a few well-dressed singing girls mixed in, all of them had outstanding looks, and they were grabbed by their waists and pecked at their ears.On the other side, there were two young schoolboys, who were also handsome with pink faces and peaches, surrounded by people, but their expressions were indescribably weird.

Although Qi Yuan likes to swim in lakes and listen to operas, he has never been on a flower boat. The dandies who used to play with him thought he was too young, so they never took him to seek pleasure with prostitutes in the Cangou area, so it was the first time he saw this kind of thing.I don't even understand what the two bookboys are doing in it.

Someone over there noticed his gaze and looked back at him.Knowing that he had lost his composure, Qi Yuan was about to turn around, but saw the man's eyes brighten up, and then he stared straight at him, stretched out his hand and pulled a bookboy over, and kissed him on the neck.

Qi Yuan was only stunned for a moment, but when he understood, his face suddenly became hot, and he turned his head hastily.

Someone behind him seemed to chuckle and mutter something.Qi Yuan's face was hot, and when he thought about the bulging eyes of that person just now, the small round and yellowed eyes were always staring at him, and he felt a little inexplicably annoyed.

Not long after the ferry docked, Qi Yuan hurriedly dragged Qi Kun and jumped onto it. Seeing that group of rambunctious boys going to the right, he turned to the left to avoid those people.

Qi Kun has been dazzled since he got on the boat, so he didn't notice his abnormality at all.At this moment, seeing a two-story octagonal building in front of it, just facing the water for a view, I walked in excitedly.

Qi Yuan felt inexplicably upset, so he also strolled in.There is an embroidered pier at the entrance of the small building, with a water bag on it. It seems that someone is on duty, and I don't know where he went at the moment.Inside is a row of Jin calligraphy and Tang paintings copied by the Painting and Calligraphy Bureau.

It's a pity that Qi Yuan and Qi Kun are very different. When they look at the painting, they always look at the small seal first. If they recognize the name, they say yes, and if they don't recognize it, they just ignore it.

Qi Yuan became impatient, and went up to the second floor after seeing a few pictures.On the second floor, there is only a small painting, one foot square, on which two big horses are painted, their ears rubbing against each other.

He tilted his head with his hands behind his back and glanced, somehow recalling the scene on the boat just now.

The book boy had a white neck and looked like he was no more than twelve or three years old, but the libertine was a full head taller, plump and greasy, with a pouted mouth, more and more like the long-mouthed horse in the painting.

He was unhappy, and the horse didn't please his eyes, so he snorted and cursed: "Ugly! You're so fat! You're just a meat bun on a firewood stick!"

As soon as the words fell, someone behind him laughed and said: "The famous horses and horses painted by Han Gan are indeed stronger and fatter."

Qi Yuan was taken aback, but when he looked back, he saw a young man in a square scarf and a shirt carrying a cloth bag on his back up the stairs.Seeing him turn around, the young man smiled and cupped his hands: "Brother is a great talent, don't you know your name?"

Qi Yuan's face turned hot, knowing that what he just said was overheard, and he must be ashamed, so he looked at the man and asked, "Why am I so talented?"

The young man said: "Brother, you can appreciate the sharpness of the painting, isn't he a great talent?" While talking, he had already stood beside Qi Yuan, but slightly taller than Qi Yuan, pointing at the painting and said, "This painting is by Han Gan. The work was too realistic, and it was also disliked by the poets, "I can only paint the flesh but not the bones, and I can't bear to make Hualiu's spirit wither." Brother Tai's evaluation today is exactly the same as that of the poets?"

Qi Yuan had never heard such a righteous flattery before, so he was stunned.

The young man smiled again, took out a scroll from the cloth bag behind him, and said to Qi Yuan, "How do you like this painting, brother?"

After unfolding, it turned out to be an old cow with loose skin and folds, but it was cute and cute.

Qi Yuan didn't know how to appreciate paintings, so seeing the cuteness of this old cow, he nodded: "This painting is not bad."

The young man praised: "Brother Tai really has a unique vision! This painting is the work of Han Huang in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Although the copy in the hands of my younger brother is a copy of the previous dynasty, it is no different from the real painting. This... only needs two taels of silver. "

Qi Yuan: "..." So it's a painting seller!

Qi Yuan realized it later, and looked at him strangely.

The young man rubbed his hands together, and laughed, "Famous paintings are given to gifted scholars, in exchange for some wine money."

"I don't have any money here." Qi Yuan felt a little embarrassed when the other party opened his mouth.However, after feeling all over his body, he only found a can of fragrant pills in his sleeve that he didn't have time to sell.

This person is really much better than himself in business, Qi Yuan thought to himself, he can learn from him when he sells incense pills later.

Thinking of this, and seeing that the man was dressed in shabby clothes, but his eyebrows were sparse and curving, his tail was brushing against the sky, his eyes were as black as jet and white as jade, and he was hiding his secrets, and he had the spirit of the sun and the moon. He bowed his hands, reported his name, and discussed the sequence of teeth.

That man was two years older than him, his name was Fang Chenghe, he was from Kuaiji, and he was going to enter the Imperial College in March.

Fang Chenghe put away the painting and said with a smile: "I have admired Brother Qi Xiandi's name for a long time, but I didn't expect to meet him here today. It is also fate."

Qi Yuan didn't know how to answer it, so he asked anxiously: "How is your painting selling?"

Fang Chenghe shook his head: "Although the children of the official family love to be arty, they are not willing to buy fakes. If I had known, I might as well set up a stall in the West Garden."

Hufu and the others should have arrived in Xiyuan by now, and I don't know if they have sold the incense pills.Qi Yuan was worried, so he asked, "Is it easy to sell in Xiyuan?"

Fang Chenghe nodded: "It's better than here, as long as it's cheaper, someone will take it." After he finished speaking, he took a look at Qi Yuan, a little surprised.

Qi Yuan said quietly: "To be honest, I brought some incense pills here, but I don't know if I can sell them."

Fang Chenghe was taken aback, looked at him, and burst out laughing.It is also interesting that two people who are about to enter the Imperial College are envied by so many students in the world, but now they both go to the Dongchi meeting to earn money.

The two chatted for a while, and Fang Chenghe wanted to sell fake paintings elsewhere. Before leaving, he did not forget to tell him: "The banquet hall is on the Juxian Building, which is a bit far away. Today is the official's housekeeping, and the two of you will have a table together." , if you go late, there will be no good seats, brother Xian, remember to go there early."

Qi Yuan nodded gratefully in response, and waved goodbye to him.

There were still people coming by boat from the pier, Qi Yuan watched Fang Chenghe go away, his mood finally improved, he said hello to Qi Kun, and then he wanted to take a stroll by himself.Since this East Garden is a grand sight in the middle of the capital, he had to watch and remember more, so that he could show off to others when he returned.

Qi Kun categorically refused to separate from him, and followed behind him step by step.

Qi Yuan said "Hey", and said impatiently: "You're kidding, we'll meet in Juxian Tower later, isn't it?"

Qi Kun shrank his neck, but whispered: "Mother asked me to follow you well."

Qi Yuan sneered, thinking that your mother didn't have a good idea.He was dissatisfied, and glanced back at Qi Kun, only to see that his face was flushed and embarrassed, and he didn't know if he was being honest or pretending.

Qi Yuan pursed his lips, twirling the sarcasm about his family, but he didn't say it in the end.

"Let me ask you," Qi Yuan said, "how much is our house worth?"

Qi Kun was stunned for a moment: "Are we loyal to Uncle Yuan's mansion?"

Qi Yuan: "Nonsense, do you have another house?"

"It's gone," Qi Kun hurriedly waved his hands, "But our uncle's mansion is an official residence granted by the emperor, not a private residence, so it cannot be bought or sold."

Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment, he had originally planned to let someone buy this uncle's mansion when he returned to Yangzhou, drive the old lady and Dafang's family out, and let Mrs. Peng live by herself.Unexpectedly, this uncle's mansion is actually owned by the imperial court, and they can live if the imperial court allows them to live. If the imperial court refuses to let them live, then they can only move out.

Looking at it this way, it is better to buy a private house.

Qi Yuan asked: "How much is the private house? It doesn't need to be big, it's about the same as entering the courtyard three times."

Qi Kun thought for a while: "Ordinary ones are about 200 taels of silver, and they are also divided into locations. Some have gardens and some don't. The ones near the water are more expensive than those without. The west side of the city is all government households, and it costs 500 taels." There are also silver ones. But these prices are all changing from time to time, so I still have to ask the middleman.”

Qi Yuan nodded, the prices in central Beijing are indeed higher. 200 taels of silver is enough to buy dozens of acres of land with a house elsewhere.

However, the Qi family is rich, and the hundreds of taels of silver are not very important.After he left, Peng's mother and daughter depended on each other, and they were not suitable for a big house. It would be nice to buy them a good three-entry courtyard in the west of the city, with officials' homes on both sides, clean and safe.

Qi Yuan pondered while walking.

But Qi Kun wanted to make trouble, and muttered from the side: "Second brother, no matter what, big brother will definitely not drive you out."

Qi Yuan was taken aback for a moment, only then did he realize that the two of them still have the matter of seizing the title.Qi Kun's tone seemed to have been replaced, Qi Yuan glanced at him with a half-smile, and was about to speak, when he heard the noise from the Bajiao Pavilion in front of him.

The octagonal pavilion is slightly lower, hidden among the vast smoke trees, connected by a curved corridor on the other side, leading directly to Juxian Tower.

Qi Yuan took a look from a distance, and vaguely recognized two beautiful singing girls and a few sluts on the boat, they formed a circle and laughed loudly at something in the middle.

Disgusted in his heart, he was about to turn around and leave, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of someone leaning over and snatching something, and threw it into the lake.The thing was blown by the strong wind, and suddenly scattered, it was like a picture scroll.

Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat, he quickly went down the stone steps for a few steps, leaned on the tree and looked carefully, who else could be surrounded in the pavilion besides Fang Chenghe?

Seeing his sudden change of face, Qi Kun also looked down.

However, at this moment, Fang Chenghe suddenly knocked a person away, took a large scroll, and threw it at the faces of the two schoolboys who were about to kick him. As soon as he was short, he threw away his luggage and ran towards Juxian Building.

Several people in the pavilion suddenly shouted, Qi Yuan was about to leave quietly, but he saw someone looked up and saw him.

That person was the chubby slut of the frivolous book boy on the boat, Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he saw that person shouting with bright eyes: "It's that little boy on the boat! Quick! Go catch him and play!"