In the backyard, there is a pavilion between the flowers and trees, leaning against a rockery, which looks very quiet.

Liu Dahu, who led the way, said: "Do it, it's stuffy in the house, you sit in the pavilion first, I'll go in and call Qiu Niangzi, and then come to worship tea." ”

After saying that, he walked a few quick steps into the house.

Gao Daquan followed the path between the flowers, came to the pavilion, and saw a stone table inside, surrounded by four stone benches, clean and clean, thinking that someone would clean it every day, so he sat down.

After a while, a little girl about ten years old came out with a cup of tea, went to the pavilion, and saluted Gao Daquan: "The official worships tea, and the lady will come out in a while." ”

Putting down the tea, the little girl did not leave, but stood by the pavilion and looked at Gao Daquan curiously.

Gao Daquan was not fluent in Chinese when he heard her, he knew that she was a barbarian girl, seeing that she was delicate and not afraid of people, her expression was full of curiosity, and she thought of Liu Xiaomei for no reason.

"Where are you from? Are both parents there? ”

The girl heard Gao Daquan ask, and replied happily: "I am from Chungju, and my father and mother are good." ”

"Then how did you come here and not be with your parents?"

"I've come here to work, and I'll get some money for my family, so that I can marry my brother's daughter-in-law."

The girl's voice is crisp, and although she doesn't speak fluently, it's very comfortable to listen to.

Gao Daquan sighed in his heart, sure enough, he was sold for his brother, there are thousands of people in the world, and all kinds of things are strange, but this kind of thing is the same all over the world.

"And how are you doing here? How is it better than at home? ”

"It's better than at home, with new clothes to wear, enough to eat, and no farm work, which is much better than at home."

In the end, he is still a child, he only knows how to eat and dress warmly, and he is easily satisfied.

Gao Daquan asked again: "Then if you do something wrong, will the master beat you and scold you?" ”

"Why don't you get punished for doing something wrong? Even at home, there are also parents and brothers in charge, and they beat and scolded as if they were slow. The host made money and took care of the food, shouldn't he be beaten and scolded? ”

The girl's expression was innocent, tilting her head to look at Gao Daquan.

Gao Daquan originally wanted to say that the master should not be beaten and scolded, and the vicinity of Taipingzhai was managed according to the laws of the imperial court, and the female envoys hired had a contract period, which could be punished but not abused. But after listening to the girl's words, but she couldn't speak, she herself felt that everything was reasonable, what else could you say? Besides, not to mention Taipingzhai, a place far away from Emperor Gao, that is, in the capital, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, there are fewer people who beat, scold and abuse slaves and maids?

"It's rare to come to the cold house once, so slack, the concubine is really a sin and deserves death!"

With the words, Qiu Niangzi came out of the room and walked into the pavilion with a smile on her face.

As soon as I entered the pavilion, a faint fragrance of fat powder wafted over, revealing a soul-hooking smell.

Living and moving, raising and moving the body, and in a few months of pampered life, Qiu Niangzi has already changed as if she was a different person. Yinyue face, white skin, and a well-tailored emerald green Hunan skirt set off a beautiful figure, without the previous wind and dust, but it added a bit of the charm of a mature woman.

Liu Dahu followed behind, smiling all over his face, carefully paying attention to Gao Daquan's eyes when he looked at Qiu Niangzi. He wasn't afraid that Gao Daquan would beat his mother's idea, but he wished that the two could hook up, and he could also get some benefits from it. As for the love between husband and wife, the way of the couple, in the eyes of this guy who can even sell his parents and sisters without frowning, he should not eat or wear, and he should only care if his brain is confused.

It's a pity that the tall and full eyes don't squint, and he got up and saw the salute, and he didn't pretend to be Qiu Niangzi.

The three of them sat down, and the little girl next to them ran into the house to serve tea to Liu Dahu and Qiu Niangzi, and then jumped and ran to play somewhere.

Qiu Niangzi saluted the tea and asked Gao Daquan: "Why do you have time to come over today?" ”

Gao Daquan saw Liu Dahu sitting on the side, looking at Qiu Niangzi with a blank eye, like a subordinate, sighed in his heart, and said, "There is nothing official in the promotion department today, so I will come over to take a look." Besides, I also have something to discuss with Brother Liu. ”

Liu Dahu was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly smiled and asked, "Is there something to find me?" What is there to do and what is told, what is there to discuss! ”

Gao Daquan said: "A few days ago, thanks to the completion of the officials, the marriage between me and Ling Mei was decided, and we will get married on the 26th of next month. This is a major event in life, and I dare not tell my brother. ”

"Want to get married? I've been looking forward to this for a long time! You and my sister have become relatives, we are legitimate relatives, from now on when you go out, who will dare to look down on me? ”

Liu Dahu was overjoyed, his waist straightened, and he was in high spirits.

Qiu Niangzi shook her head secretly, this rammer couldn't even say a word, she only thought about what benefits she could get, so how could she not be looked down upon by her future brother-in-law?

After straightening her sideburns and black hair, Qiu Niangzi said softly: "Congratulations on the great joy!" My sister is getting married, I don't know what we have to prepare here? Now that there is no shortage of food and clothing at home, I have to buy a decent dowry. ”

"No need." Gao Daquan refused, whether it was Liu Xiaomei or himself, he didn't want to have any close contact with this relative, and even sacrificed face. "When the day comes, you just have to go to the lifting division to eat and drink, and you don't need to bring any gifts, we are ready!"

"The cadre is right, what is there in the lifting department, will our little thing be scarce? The lady just has to wait for the day, let's go to a banquet, and this family will be married! ”

Gao Daquan's answer is exactly what Liu Dahu wants, the flowery sister marries out, and she has to build things by herself as a dowry, why? It would be good if he didn't ask Gao Daquan for a dowry of hundreds and ten. Of course, if he didn't know that Gao Daquan would not give him a dowry, he might have been forced by Liu Xiaomei to cut off this family business, and he really wanted to take this opportunity to knock on it. This brother-in-law is in charge of so many people in the lifting department, and he has been by his side with the general judgment for many years, and he can always take out hundreds of yuan.

Qiu Niangzi didn't care about Liu Dahu, and said in a low voice: "Life events, why are you so hasty? It's too polite to do it, even if you don't want a dowry, you always have to put a few pieces of decent jewelry. ”

Liu Dahu listened to the blame woman for talking too much, what is Gao Daquan's identity? Decent jewelry should be at least gold and silver, how can it not be distressing to spend so much money for nothing?

At this embarrassing time, Director Yao came over with a small servant, he took two bottles of wine in his hand, and the little servant held a food plate with four plates of dishes on it.

When he arrived at the pavilion, Director Yao instructed the little servant to put the wine and food on the stone table, and said to Gao Daquan: "Some less wine and food, it is not a respect, and it is slow to use." There is also food and drink that you want to eat, despite the command. ”

"The director is polite, it's hearty enough."

Director Yao smiled all over his face, secretly looked at the faces of several people, and secretly made up his mind in his heart.

Seeing Director Yao leave with the little girl, Qiu Niangzi poured wine, Liu Dahu raised his glass and said: "I am overjoyed, I drank this cup!" ”

After speaking, he raised his head and drank it all.

Gao Daquan couldn't say anything, so he had to drink with him.

After drinking two glasses, Qiu Niangzi poured wine again and again, Gao Daquan was a little reluctant, and said to the two: "Why is it so troublesome for the lady to pour wine, isn't there a female envoy at home?" ”

Qiu Niangzi said softly: "A girl from a barbarian family, who is young and ignorant, how dare she call her over to hinder her eyes?" We eat and drink in our own family, and we don't need to be polite. ”

After two glasses of wine, Liu Dahu began to go up, blushing and holding Qiu Niangzi's hand and said: "It's rare to have such a good wine, and the lady also drinks two glasses!" ”

Qiu Niangzi frowned slightly, shook off Liu Dahu's hand without a trace, picked up the wine glass and said: "On a rare happy day, the slave family broke the vows and made two glasses." ”

"What ring to break? You're a better drinker than me! ”

Qiu Niangzi smiled brightly, but she didn't hear Liu Dahu muttering, but just toasted Gao Daquan.

After drinking a few glasses of wine and eating a few bites of food, Director Yao walked in with a small servant, placed a large soup bowl on the stone table, and said to Gao Daquan: "This is the bamboo chicken collected in the store today, the taste is really delicious, try it, and the usual chicken soup is really different." ”

Gao Daquan was busy and polite, so that if Director Yao was not busy, he might as well sit down and have two drinks.

Supervisor Yao said: "I have a heart, there are still customers in the store, and the small ones really can't leave." ”

Gao Daquan is not familiar with this Director Yao, and since he refuses, he will no longer persuade him.

Director Yao was not in a hurry to leave this time, and stood aside to rub shoulders.

Gao Daquan saw it in his eyes, so he had to ask, "Is there anything else in charge?" ”

"Xiao does have one thing to do, but I don't know how to speak." Director Yao stood there with a smile on his face, rubbing his hands constantly, as if he was very embarrassed.

"The director said bluntly, I don't know if I can help."

"A little thing, just do it and nod your head." Director Yao was overjoyed, "That's right, when I was in Qinzhou, I knew a Venerable Zhiyun, who had profound Buddhism and full of compassion, and was determined to promote Buddhism and benefit the world. A few days ago, he traveled to Yongzhou, and saw that there was a Buddha light on the mountain not far from our Taipingzhai, and he was determined to build a temple there, so that the good men and women in the vicinity also had a place to worship the Buddha. ”

Liu Dahu chewed chicken in his mouth, and nodded again and again when he heard this: "I have also seen this Master Zhiyun, who is kind and kind, but like a high-ranking monk." ”

Gao Daquan heard it in his ears, but he felt that this matter was a little abrupt, and asked with a frown: "Does this mage have a degree?" Don't be a wild monk from somewhere. ”

"Yes, yes." Director Yao nodded again and again, "The little one knows that the middle is powerful, and he has specially tested his degree, which was officially issued by Qinzhou." ”

From a young novice, you must have a formal degree to officially become a monk, otherwise you are a wild monk. There are a lot of wild monks in Lingnan, who marry wives and have children, drink wine and eat meat, and only go to the temple to preside over the Dharma when there is something to do, which is a major feature of Lingnan. So Gao Daquan asked carefully, and it was a joke to be deceived by a wild monk.

But even if there is a degree, nine times out of ten it is bought. The monks of the Song Dynasty were under the unified management of the imperial court, but there was no corresponding management body, not a monk, no matter where they were, they were all subordinate to the Kaifeng Mansion. Although the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture sounds like a local official, in fact, he also has the status of a central official of the imperial court, which is different from the ordinary prefect of the prefecture, otherwise he would not be qualified to become one of the four heads.

Guangxi is a remote place, and there are a few monks who can cross thousands of mountains and rivers to Kaifeng Mansion to take the exam, and most of them are just buying Taoism. No matter how expensive the blank is, it is cheaper than the cost of a trip to Kaifeng Mansion.

Thinking of this, Gao Daquan became more and more cautious, and said to Supervisor Yao: "I'm just a bad person, and I can't say anything in front of the officials." This Master Zhiyun doesn't know what to do, if he wants the government to donate money to repair the temple, I can't help with such a big thing. ”

Director Yao said: "Don't dare to bother to do the work of repairing the temple, this Master Zhiyun is a high-ranking monk, we believers will donate money to him, how can we repair the temple." However, the Master is merciful, seeing that we don't have a place to release the animals here, and we want to build a release pond next to the temple, please ask the cadres to say a few words to the lifting division. ”