On the eighteenth day of the lunar month, Cao Yin took Cao Yi and set off to return to Jiangning.

Ning Chun said that because he was busy with the preparations before his marriage, he had not been able to come to the door to meet Cao Yin, so he specially pulled Yongqing to see Cao Yin off.

After sending away the Cao family's father and daughter, Ning Chun took Cao Hao and Yongqing to his private house in the city for a reunion. Because the wedding date is imminent, he wants to take them to the recognition door, so that he can entrust Qiu Niang to them.

Ning Chun's private house this time is in the southwest of the capital Eggplant Hutong, an extremely ordinary two-entry courtyard, and the flowers, trees, mountains and stones in the courtyard are also very simple, not as exquisite as Xingmei's courtyard. However, the tables and chairs in the room are very different, from the materials to the workmanship are extremely fine, elegant and practical.

Yongqing really praised it, but Ning Chun smiled and patted Cao Hao: "I have the same mind as Xiao Cao, I don't want people to pay attention and think about my own comfort." ”

The second monk of Yongqing was confused, but Cao Hao knew that he was talking about his Zhuangzi, who was extremely low-key on the outside and had a hole in the inside, so he couldn't help but laugh with "haha".

This time, Ning Chun didn't invite Ge Ji to come, and most of the meals were from Qiu Niang's hands, which was more like a family banquet. Because Ning Chun will go back to the house to continue preparing for the wedding in a while, everyone will not open up to drink, drink a few glasses, and talk about it all over the world, but they are also full of interest.

After the three of them finished eating and leaving the house, Ning Chun said to Cao Hao and Yongqing: "I will entrust this to the two brothers." Twenty-two is my son, and the wedding card will be sent to the house in these two days. ”

Cao Hao and Yongqing both said: "There are us outside, don't worry about it." ”

The three of them parted ways, Cao Hao rode his horse while thinking about these busy things, Ning Chun's wedding gift had not been prepared, and he had to discuss with Amethyst as soon as possible when he went back.

Cao Hao thought about the congratulatory gift to Ning Chun all the way, and when he walked to the door of his house, he suddenly saw a blue-curtained carriage parked on one side, and the coachman was sitting on the wheel in a regular manner, but his eyes were looking at the people coming from Cao's mansion gate.

Cao Hao couldn't help but be stunned, it stands to reason that if someone visits, if the host's family is not there, the porter will persuade him to go back, but it is rare to wait at the door, and such rude stalking is even rarer.

Cao Hao dismounted in front of the door and asked the little guy who came up to take the reins who was it.

The little girl replied: "She claimed to be the official media, and she wanted to see the master, and we said that the masters were not at home, so she said that she was waiting in front of the door." Uncle forgives sins, it's really the little ones who can't get rid of them, and it's not good to be rude......"

Cao Hao nodded. At this time, the coachman over there had already noticed that Cao Hao, the master, had returned, and said something to the car, picked up the curtain of the car and lowered a little maid with a double bun, and then put down the small bench and helped a middle-aged woman out.

The woman walked up to Cao Hao and saluted, saying that she was an official media and came to the house to propose marriage.

The woman who claimed to be an official media subverted Cao Hao's perception of matchmakers. Influenced by previous film and television works, when Cao Hao heard the word "matchmaker", the first thing that came to his mind was the image of an old woman with heavy makeup, who could speak well, wearing a big red flower on her head, and holding a dry smoke pot in her hand. And the woman in front of her was in her forties, with elegant makeup, proper dress, and polite speech, like a decent housewife.

Cao Hao was a little allergic to the word "propose", and immediately told the official media that his relatives were not here, and he couldn't decide everything, so he asked her to go back.

The official media said: "The old man is entrusted by others, and he must do his best, how can he return in vain?" Although the old man of the Cao family is not in Gyeonggi, it is the same with the eldest son, and first look at the old body to bring this red post, whether it is successful or not, the eldest prince will make a decision, okay? ”

Cao Hao thought that she had waited for most of the day, which was dedicated, and it was not good to talk to a matchmaker at the gate, so he told the little maid to invite her to the side hall.

Cao Hao first went back to the courtyard to change his clothes, and then instructed Amethyst to go to the side hall together, and help him if the situation was not good. He really doesn't have a good impression of the matchmaker, although he thinks that this matchmaker looks good, but in case the other party is entangled, he is a manly husband, and he doesn't want to fall to the point of fighting with a matchmaker, he really can't afford to lose that person.

When he returned to the side hall and sat down, the official media took out a red note, handed it over respectfully, and said with a smile: "The old man was entrusted by Mrs. Zhenghuang Qijue Luo to propose marriage to the third lady of your mansion." ”

Cao Hao was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but smile a little more in his eyes, someone proposed to Ping'er, which really made him, an elder brother, feel a kind of pride that "my family has a girl who has just grown up". Later, he reflected which house this "Zhenghuangqi Jueluo Family" was. Sure enough, he took the red note, on which Seshtu's name, flag name, age, and even the name of the three generations, his place of origin and official rank were clearly written.

Cao Hao pinched this post and felt a little pity, his father only left today, if it was a day in the morning...... Of course, you have to ask Ping'er what she means. After thinking about it, he said to the official media: "I also told my grandmother that my family is not here, and I, as an elder brother, can't be the master." I left your red post, please reply to the Jueluo family, wait for me to go back and repair a letter to discuss with my parents, and then reply to that side. ”

The official media did not entangle, and when she saw that the other party had received the post, she was also considered "not dishonored", so she got up and said goodbye.

Amethyst has seen Seshtu, and often heard Cao Yi mention Mrs. Luo, and after thinking about it carefully, she also felt that this was a good marriage. Although Cao Hao has a good impression of Seshtu, after all, it is his sister's lifelong event, so he is still cautious and cautious. Although his own family affairs are not autonomous, his sister still hopes to find someone his sister likes. Therefore, he immediately put pen to paper, one letter to Cao Yi, mentioning the matter of the Jueluo family's proposal and asking her opinion; A letter to his parents, detailing Seshtu's character and family history, and finally mentioning that he hoped that the second elder would ask Ping'er's opinion, and if she was satisfied with the Jueluo family, she could consider marrying.

Cao Hao had just finished writing the letter, and Cao Song returned. Today, he didn't play with his cousins like he did a few days ago, but went home after school, and he didn't change his clothes outside, just walked around Cao Hao, and there was no gossip in a word, and his expression was a little twisted, which was very different from the cool and good of Ping.

Cao Hao looked at the rarity, what is the difficulty of this younger brother, is it because the silver is not enough to spend? I had already instructed the account office that Cao Song's monthly silver was thirty taels. This is not a lot of money, but it is definitely not a small amount for a teenager of fourteen or five. Thinking of this, Cao Hao felt a little guilty, he had been busy accompanying his father out of Beijing and returning to Beijing for half a month, and he seemed to be a little negligent about this younger brother.

After waiting for a while, seeing that Cao Song still refused to talk about the topic, Cao Hao waited a little impatiently, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, don't go around in circles, what are you talking to me about?" ”

Cao Song heard his brother's question, laughed twice, touched the back of his head, and blushed on his face.

Seeing Cao Hao's surprise, what can make this child shy? Could it be that you have a fancy for which cousin or cousin over there in Zhaojia Mansion? Cao Song's words surprised Cao Hao. He actually asked his brother for six hundred taels of silver, in order to redeem himself for a song called Xiangqin in Miaoxiufang.

"Miao Xiufang, Song Ji?" Cao Hao frowned slightly and asked, "You went to drink flower wine?" Whose idea was it? Although Cao Song looks strong, he is still a child after all, and he is really not at ease when he goes to that kind of unclean place.

Cao Song saw that his brother's expression was wrong, so he also smiled, and hurriedly defended: "It's just a few older classmates who took us to see the world and listened to a few songs!" ”

"Just to see the world and listen to a little song? Who is Xiangqin? Cao Hao naturally didn't believe Cao Song's words.

Cao Song's face was flushed, but he was not as twisted as Fang Cai, he turned his head slightly sideways, and said in a humble voice: "Xiangqin is Xiangqin, and she will be my woman in the future!" I don't want her to continue singing in the Qinglou, I want to redeem her back. If my brother doesn't give me the money, I'll pawn it!" ”

Cao Hao couldn't cry or laugh, and patted the back of his head vigorously: "Good boy, you are reasonable!" Tell my brother carefully, what kind of character is that Xiangqin, look at my brother who is fascinated! ”

When it comes to Xiangqin, Cao Song is a little uncomfortable: "Xiangqin's songs are sung well, people are good-looking, and they are also very good at speaking!" As he spoke, he rummaged through his purse, as if looking for something.

After rummaging through it for a while, but he didn't find it, Cao Song realized that he was afraid that he would lose it with him and rest it on the Baibaoge in the bedroom.

Cao Hao has no prejudice against the girl, but he doesn't have a good impression of it, but he heard that the other party is a song, and he hopes that his brother can meet a better one. I wanted to ask the other party about the specific situation, but I didn't expect this stupid brother to only say three "good". Tang Jiaojiao, whom Cao Haoqi saw last month, is full of calculations, and it is common for a girl who wants to stick to a rich son and get out. If this Xiangqin is like that, he doesn't want his brother to be coaxed. Thinking of these, Cao Hao thought of something and looked at his younger brother with a strange look.

Cao Song was furious by his brother's eyes, and shook his neck very uncomfortably: "What does my brother do to see me?" ”

Cao Hao originally wanted to ask his younger brother if he had stayed in the hospital, and also wanted to put out his brother's score to reprimand him. However, on second thought, this society is different from what it was 300 years later. It is common for a man to put two people in the house at the age of thirteen or four. It's himself, after returning home from Qingliang Temple last year, his mother didn't deliberately pick Zhu'er and Cui'er to come up. It's just because I'm still a gentleman, and I really can't do anything to the little girls of thirteen and four, that everyone is so innocent.

Therefore, Cao Hao didn't say anything, but Zhengse asked a few questions: how old is Xiangqin, how did she end up in the Ji Yuan, do you know Cao Song's identity, did she take the initiative to let Cao Song raise money to redeem herself, and so on.

Although Cao Song was a little hindsight, he also heard what his brother meant, and was afraid that he would see Xiangqin as a bad woman who coaxed him with words, so he hurriedly defended her: "Xiangqin didn't let me raise money, that is, I took the initiative to help her redeem herself, and she also advised me not to mess around, saying that I would not go to those places to play in the future, and said that the words on the party should not be true." ”

Cao Hao nodded, just listening to these few words, he could see that this Xiangqin was a transparent woman, and she was not as sweet and coaxing as Tang Jiaojiao.

After Cao Song finished his defense, he replied to his brother Fangcai's question: "Xiangqin Eighteen, who was originally the daughter of a good family, because her father died of illness, and her mother had to pull two little brothers, so she couldn't enter that kind of place." She only knew that my surname was Cao, and I was the second, and she didn't know whose child it was. ”

Cao Song was hot for a while, but Cao Hao was very calm. In order to redeem the woman, it can be regarded as saving people from suffering, he does not object to it in his heart, but it is related to his younger brother and the woman's life, so he must be cautious. He asked Cao Song seriously, but did he ever think about the past. Cao Song nodded as if pounding garlic, and repeatedly said that he really liked Xiangqin, and he was willing to accept her as a concubine after getting married.

"Concubine" is a concubine, being a concubine in the Cao family is better than being sent to the Qinglou. Cao Hao saw that Cao Song had made up his mind, so he didn't persuade again, called someone to call Amethyst, took some silver tickets with her, and took Cao Song to Miaoxiu Fang.

* Miaoxiu Fang is in the rouge alley north of Xizhu City Street, because the sky is still bright, it looks a little deserted when it is not full of guests.

Cao Hao and Cao Song got off the horse, seeing his younger brother's happy face, Cao Hao felt a little uncomfortable, he was still a virgin, and this kid went to the Ji Yuan. It seems that he was too lax in discipline in the past, and it is better to be "stricter" in the future.

Unsatisfactory things in the world, ten of **, this is true. Cao Song was late, and Xiangqin was ransomed by a businessman from other places two days ago. Cao Songchu thought that the old bustard coaxed her, but he still didn't believe it, because he had been here four days ago. It's just that these days, because the uncle is in the house, he doesn't dare to be casual, so he didn't come over.

Cao Song shouted to help Xiangqin redeem herself, not once or twice. The bustard also knew him. Seeing that he brought an elegant son, and the two looked similar, she guessed that she had invited her brother to help Xiangqin redeem herself, and she couldn't help but regret it.

In Cao Song's place, the old bustard was offered a price of 1,000 taels of silver, and even if those sons helped to bargain later, they also agreed to 800 taels. The merchant who ransomed Xiangqin gave five hundred and fifty taels. Originally, when Cao Song was just a boy when he was resting in the Xiangqin house, the young man was enthusiastic for a while and didn't take it to heart. Although I don't know which house it is, but looking at the dress, it's not an ordinary house. It's not uncommon for everyone's son-in-law to remember it, but how many people have helped the girl redeem herself? Parents and family members have to be disciplined.

However, regret is regret, and the old bustard still greeted him politely and wanted to help the two brothers introduce the girl. Cao Song pulled his face, where did he have the patience to deal with her, and only asked about Xiangqin's whereabouts, and he was eager to chase after him and snatch the person back.

The old bustard was so worried that he couldn't do it, the one who ransomed the incense qin was a merchant, who knew where it went.

Cao Song saw that he really couldn't ask anything, so he went out hatefully. Cao Hao knew that he couldn't persuade him, his younger brother had a first taste of love, and his heart was hot for Xiangqin, so it would be good to wait for a little coolness.

When he returned home, Cao Song was still depressed, and he didn't eat anything for dinner, so he went to Wei Bai to drink. Wei Bai fell in love with Fangcha some time ago and wanted to marry her as a mother-in-law, but because Cao Yi returned to the south, Fangcha followed. Wei Bai also wanted to find Cao Yin to ask for someone directly, but was stopped by his brother Wei Hei. I don't know what to persuade, but in the end he let go, but today he drank half a day.

(To be continued)