Although it is only the second day of the lunar month, and it is after the morning, the weather is extremely cold today because of the snow yesterday. Cao Hao galloped on his horse, only feeling that the cold wind was like a sharp blade. The official road is sparsely populated, only Cao Hao and the Wei family brothers.

Originally, I planned to rest in Xiaotangshan Zhuangzi today, and then set off for Beijing tomorrow. However, at noon, the capital sent someone over, saying that the master had arrived in Beijing, and Mr. Zhuang asked the uncle to return to the house quickly.

Cao Hao told everyone the reason, and said that he would go back to Beijing first, everyone could play here at will, and then return to Beijing tomorrow. After playing for two days, everyone decided to return today.

Cao Hao was in a hurry to go back to see his father, so he entrusted the convoy to Seshtu and Ning Chun to take care of, and he took the Wei brothers to take the lead.

It is sixty miles from Xiaotangshan to Andingmen, even if it is a fast horse, Cao Hao and they have walked for more than an hour.

When I returned to Caofu, it was already the beginning of Shen Chu (three o'clock in the afternoon).

As soon as he entered the mansion, the old housekeeper Cao Zhong greeted him. Cao Hao hurriedly asked, "Where is the master?" ”

"I just finished dinner, and now I am talking to Mr. Zhuang in the study. Did the uncle change his clothes first, or did he go directly to say goodbye? The old housekeeper saw that Cao Hao's face was a little haggard, and he couldn't help but be a little worried: "Uncle, what's the matter?" Look at the reduction compared to two days ago! ”

"It's okay, I'll say hello to my father first, and then change my clothes!" Cao Hao simply sorted out the collar and cuffs and went to the front hall.

Waiting outside the door of the front hall was Cao Yuan, the steward beside Cao Yin. He is the eldest son of Cao Fu, the great housekeeper in the southern mansion, the elder brother of Cao Fang, and the uncle of Xiaoman. In his forties, he was slightly blessed, and when he saw Cao Hao coming, he hurriedly saluted: "The slave greets the uncle!" ”

"What are you doing with all this nonsense? The lord is in there? Cao Hao stretched out his hand to help him, and was very polite to him.

Cao Yuan replied respectfully: "Back to the uncle, the master is inside, do you need a servant to help you report?" ”

"Hmm!" Cao Hao nodded: "Report it, I'll say hello to my father!" ”

The sound of talking at the door had already reached the study, and when Cao Yin heard it, he asked loudly, "But Hao'er is back?" Come on in! ”

Cao Hao responded and entered. The moment he saw Cao Yin, he immediately felt sad.

It has been less than a year since the father and son separated in March, but Cao Yin already has gray hair and a thin face, but it is very different from the past. If it weren't for the fact that his waist was still straight and his eyes were still a little sharp, it would be difficult for people to associate the old man in front of him with the Cao Weaving who had been talking and laughing about Jiangnan officialdom for decades.

After Cao Hao came forward to greet Cao Yin, Mr. Zhuang withdrew.

Cao Yin asked Cao Hao to sit down and asked a few casually, but they were all things mentioned in the previous family letters. Cao Hao asked about his mother's body and some recent conditions in Jiangning Mansion. Then, there was a silent silence.

Thinking of his young brother who died young, Cao Hao had a little more pity for Cao Yin. This stubborn old man is used to putting his father's pedigree in front of his eldest son, and now he doesn't know how to get along with his son. At the same time, Cao Hao couldn't help but review himself, since he was a child, he didn't act like a child, he still cared for his mother, but he really didn't get close to this father a few times.

It was Cao Yin who broke the silence, he glanced at his son slightly, coughed a few times, and then said: "The tea garden has been handed over to the Internal Affairs Office, and it will be in September." Originally, I said that I would ask your opinion, but since your little brother went, I have understood that only saving your surname is important. I'm old, and now I only have a son like you, and as long as you can be safe, I have nothing else to ask for. "In the end, it was very lonely.

Cao Hao had no greed for the tea garden, and he had long known that his father had the heart to hand it over, so he was not reluctant, but he thought of the Cao family's debts and couldn't help asking: "Father, if you hand over the tea garden, then the deficit is ......?"

Cao Yin saw that Cao Hao didn't care too much, his expression softened a little, and he rubbed his brows: "Long live Lord knows the difficulties of our family, so he specially gave grace and allowed our family to operate for another three years, and the Internal Affairs Office will send someone to receive it after three years." In addition, 200,000 taels of silver were also allocated, which was regarded as the cost of buying a tea garden. If you look at the income of the first two years, even if you can't pay off all the deficits after three years, there won't be much left! ”

Speaking of this, both father and son breathed a sigh of relief, carrying millions of debts on their backs, like a sword hanging over their heads, and now they finally have some hope.

The atmosphere is no longer as silent as just now, Cao Hao thought of the pearl from the tea house, and saw that the pearl was about to make some progress, and the income would be very considerable, even if it was not as good as the tea garden. It's just that it hasn't attracted the attention of the world yet, and if it is known in two or three years, will it still be impossible to give it away? Unconsciously, he spoke out of his confusion.

Cao Yin was not very worried, smiled and comforted Cao Hao: "The pearl side is very different from the tea garden. Salt tea and the like are related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and if they are held in their hands for a long time, they are guilty of the taboo of the imperial court. But no matter how good the Taihu Lake pearl is, it is only a quick thing, and it can be better than the East Pearl? Our kind of pearls are not very useful, but they are just some boudoir ornaments, so you don't have to take care of a lot. And our Cao family, it is understandable to buy the next two industries. Therefore, you don't have to worry! Speaking of this, he paused again and glanced at his son: "It's just that this method of raising pearls is a top secret, and outsiders must not be allowed to get it." That Zheng family's daughter......"

After listening to Cao Yin's words, Cao Hao naturally understood his intentions, which was nothing more than to accept Zheng Woxue and prevent the method of raising pearls from flowing out. However, there is not much technical content in the artificial pearl farming, no matter how the Cao family prevents it, as long as the scale of pearl farming is expanded, the outflow is inevitable. As long as the Cao family's pearls are listed and attract the attention of connoisseurs, there will naturally be people with a heart.

Thinking of these, Cao Hao suddenly thought of a once and for all method, that is, technology transfer. Inviting large pearl divers from the north and south to transfer the technology to ten families for eight years at a time is not to earn the profits of pearl farming in the next few years in the short term. I became one of the pearl farmers, although the profits in the future will be thinner, but it is not so eye-catching, and it will not become a target.

Cao Hao told his father what he thought, and Cao Yin looked at his son and muttered for a long time. Although he didn't know how to operate, he heard that his son's method was indeed a good way to eliminate the disaster. Seeing that the long-lived lord is said to be old, if he waits for the new emperor to ascend the throne, the Cao family may not have the status it has today. When the time comes, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no red-eyed industries in your hands. I really didn't expect my son, at a young age, to be so transparent about the world. Cao Yin didn't know whether to sigh or be happy in his heart, his son had become a responsible man.

Through this long conversation, both father and son felt much closer to each other. From the very beginning, after Cao Yin mentioned Cao Shun, who died young, neither father nor son mentioned this matter again. After chatting about the deficit and officialdom, Cao Yin also specially asked Cao Song's studies and Cao Yi's body. Obedient to the meaning of the words, after meeting Kangxi this time, he will take his daughter back to the south.

* When Cao Yi, Cao Song and others returned home, it was already dark.

Listening to what Cao Song said, this is still everyone hurrying and hurrying Ba to the city at the gate of the city.

The two sisters and brothers went together to greet Cao Yin, and they were all startled when they saw Cao Yin's thin appearance. Cao Song is okay, after all, he is a boy, and he is careless, thinking that his uncle is tired from the journey. Cao Yi couldn't help it and burst into tears. Cao Yin's love for his young son, Cao Yi knows everything. Although she was a little mentally unstable after the accident in August, she still remembers her father being bedridden when he came home with the bad news. Thinking of the scene at that time, and seeing her father's old age, how could she not feel guilty and blame herself?

Cao Yi was not the only one who felt guilty and blamed herself, Cao Yin looked at her daughter with more concern: "Speaking of which, it's not for the father, I was sick at that time, and I didn't take care of you, which made you feel wronged." During the months you have been going north, your mother has missed you very much. Here in the capital, although your brother is here, after all, there are no elders, and it is not easy for you to stay with a daughter. After seeing Long Live Lord for my father, you can go back to Jiangning with me! ”

Cao Yi responded with tears, happy and sad in her heart. Rejoicing that the father still recognized himself as a daughter, and that he would be able to go home to her mother; It's sad that I have to leave the capital, I have to be separated from my brother, and I can't see Baoya, Yongjia, Mrs. Jueluo and others.

* Shijuma Street, Pingjun Palace.

Knowing that Bao Yagege was back, Cao Jiashi was a little surprised, it was all night, how could he rush back. Thinking about her sister-in-law's temper, she was afraid that she would quarrel with someone, and only after asking did she know about her father's arrival in Beijing.

Bao Ya was a little surprised when she saw that her sister-in-law didn't know about it: "Didn't you say that you arrived in the morning?" Why, didn't you send us a letter? ”

Cao Jiashi smiled bitterly and nodded, his father, is the most rigid and polite, afraid that in order to avoid suspicion, he is reluctant to move around with the palace. Although she really misses her father, she is really afraid to see him. Otherwise, the father will follow the etiquette and want to greet her with a big courtesy, how can she, as a daughter, afford it?

Seeing that her sister-in-law didn't speak, Bao Ya remembered something and asked casually: "Sister-in-law, what does 'Pear Blossom have thoughts and leaves' mean?" ”

"'Pear blossoms have thoughts and leaves'? This is the first sentence of "Pear Blossoms on the River Bank" written by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi, which is the poet who saw the pear blossoms and leaves accompanied by flowers and leaves, and thought about his family. This poem has the meaning of missing his wife, and Cao Jiashi is not easy to explain in detail. Because she knew that her sister-in-law was the most impatient to read, she couldn't help but be a little curious, and asked, "Why did you think of asking this?"

"Last night we drew lots, Sister Amethyst drew orchids, Sister Yongjia drew lilies, and I drew pear blossoms. There is this sentence on the sign, and there are four words, what is it? Bao Ya frowned and thought for a while: "Ah, yes, it's the four words 'spring twilight of the window', the text is crepe, but I don't know what it means!" My sister-in-law's knowledge is praised by my brother, and it just helps Baoya to explain! ”

Cao Jiashi was influenced by his father Cao Yin, and liked to read poetry and books since he was a child, and he never left the scroll, thinking that whether it was 'trivial window spring twilight', or 'pear blossoms have thoughts and leaves', they were not auspicious words, so he smiled and said: "Pear blossoms, naturally white and tender, but not in line with our character." ”

Bao Ya smiled and nodded: "I think that's what I mean!" Sister-in-law, you don't know, it was lively yesterday! Five or six people drew flower sticks, but there were no Cao Hao, Cao Song and the third sister, I was still waiting for Cao Song to draw peony flowers! ”

* Earl Yongwu's Mansion, the inner courtyard Wan Jiha and his wife Fuhui County Lord have finished washing and are ready to pack up and settle. Suddenly, someone from outside reported that the second master and the girl had returned.

The county lord of Fuhui was stunned for a moment, waved his hand and asked the two maids who had removed her hair and jewelry to retreat, walked to the side of the kang, and pushed Wan Jiha, who was already lying down: "Eh, did you hear that?" The kids are back! ”

Wan Jiha was already in a semi-confused state, closed his eyes and said: "Well, tell them that we are asleep, and ask Ming'er to come back in the morning to say goodbye!" After saying that, there was no movement again, and the snoring began to start.

The county lord of Fuhui was angry and anxious, and pushed him twice, only to shake so much that Wan Jiha opened his eyes, and Fang said angrily: "Are you confused? I'm talking about Yongsheng and Jia Girl are back! ”

"Hmm...... Well? Wan Jiha came to his senses and frowned: "The second year of junior high school today, you came back so early?" ”

"Isn't it!" Lord Fuhui muttered, "Originally, when they could stay a few more days, they also said that they would come back on the third or fourth day of the new year...... Didn't you have an awkward relationship with someone? He couldn't sit still when he spoke, so he stood up and said, "I'd better go and ask, it's good, don't make a fuss about the little things......"

Wan Jiha hurriedly shouted to Madame: "What are you anxious about! What time has it been? People are back, you just ask what, can you still send them back? ”

The lord of Fuhui County listened to what her husband said, but he was still very unwilling, and he walked around the ground twice, and finally sat on the edge of the kang and sighed for a long time.

For the Cao family, at first, the lord of Fuhui was not in his eyes, but after listening to her husband's analysis, he paid attention to the Cao family. These two said that she remembered that when her husband was a general soldier in Jiangning, he had been to the weaving mansion several times, and it was really a good family of the first class, and the bearing of Cao Hao's biological mother Li was not comparable to that of ordinary noblewomen, and Cao Hao's appearance and character were not said, and it was also decent to have such a son-in-law. When things are taken into account, it is inevitable that they will begin to suffer from gains and losses.

Wan Jiha patted Madame's hand, closed her eyes again, and said in a muffled voice, "Sleep, Madam!" Ming'er will ask again. Sleep, ah! As he spoke, he rolled over and fell into a deep sleep.

The lord of Fuhui has something in his heart, where can he sleep? Tossing and turning until the second watch fell asleep in a daze, but it didn't take long to wake up again, and it took several times to stay up until dawn. She didn't wait for her daughters and daughters-in-law to come over to say goodbye after breakfast, so she came to her daughter's side by herself.

Yongjia had just finished breakfast, and the table had not been removed, when he saw the lord of Fuhui coming in, the maids and ladies in the room were busy asking for peace. Yongjia was also about to get down from the kang and was held down by the lord of Fuhui.

Lord Fuhui smiled and said, "Don't move, be careful about your arm." Seeing four small plates of vegetarian dishes such as mushroom and bean skin on the table, a plate of chestnut noodles and dumplings, and only a bowl of duck and japonica rice porridge with some meat, she couldn't help frowning: "How to eat these?" And eat so little, don't have a good appetite? ”

Yongjia hurriedly replied: "Don't worry, Eniang, it's that I've eaten too much wine and meat these days, and I'm a little tired." In addition, I came back a little hungry last night, and I slept after eating something, but I had accumulated food, and I couldn't eat anything in the morning! ”

Lord Fuhui nodded: "It's okay." He waved his hand to remove the table, then sat down next to his daughter, took her hand, and asked with a smile, "Have you had fun these two days?" Your second brother is a naughty one, how can you get along with them? Didn't make any trouble, did it? ”

Yongjia glanced at her mother: "E-Niang always thinks that the second brother is a child, and he is so old, where is there any awkwardness?" ”

Lord Fuhui smiled: "Well, it's good if you don't make a fuss......" said, and the words changed, "So what...... Came back yesterday? You are bored in the house all day and pitiful, it is rare to relax for two days, and you should play two more days if you have a good time......"

Yongjia saw her mother say such things, her eyes and smile were all full of deep meaning, she couldn't help but be ashamed and annoyed, pulled out her hand, bowed her head and said nothing.

Lord Fuhui didn't realize it, and took his daughter's hand and hurriedly asked this and that, but he didn't ask anything.

After a while, when it was time for the daughters-in-law of the deacons from all walks of life to come and go, the companion of the lord of Fuhui came to invite her. She had no choice but to let her daughter go and go back to the main house to take care of the housework.

After sending away the people who took care of the license, the lord of Fuhui took the time to call Yongjia's maid Xiaoxi and asked her how the two girls were, and why they came back early.

Xiaoxi replied: "It was the master of the Cao family who arrived in the capital yesterday, and the Cao Mansion sent a letter over, so Uncle Cao rushed back first." A few masters and young ladies discussed and came back together. ”

When the lord of Fuhui heard Cao Yin go to Beijing, he couldn't help but be stunned, and hurriedly sent Xiaoxi away, and hurriedly returned to the inner room to talk to Wanjiha.

Wan Jiha put down the tea cup in his hand, pondered for a moment, and said: "The holy driver went to Xiaoling, and it is expected that Cao Yin will rush over to see the driver in the next two days." Well, I'll send the next invitation to Cao's house. ”

The lord of Fuhui didn't react yet, so he asked what the post said.

Wan Jiha picked up the teacup, skimmed the tea leaves with the lid of the bowl, and said leisurely: "Our two sons and daughters have been bothering him for a long time, and we should also return the table to the table." By the way, wash the dust for Cao Yin. ”

(To be continued)