Blissful Days After Widowhood

    Master Wen was flustered when he saw his father smiling.

    The old man used to look like this when he calculated political enemies in the court.

    But what about panic? This is his own father, and he ran into it in a hurry, so he can't turn around and leave.

    Master Wen walked into the room with heavy steps, and saluted the old man slowly.

    The old man still smiled and asked him enthusiastically: "Have you eaten it? I remember that you like spicy food recently. Girl Gu is working at our house on the last day today, do you want her to give it to you again? Do something?"

    This is the purpose of Mr. Wen's coming here, but Mr. Wen really asked that, but he didn't dare to agree.

    "I have eaten, I have eaten." Mr. Wen said hesitantly, "Father speaks directly, but son follows his compulsion."

    "Hey, you kid, it's like I care about you for the sake of using you." Mrs. Wen looked at him kindly, "It's really a good thing that will help you, you don't mean to be bored at home, Do you want to accept students?"

    Master Wen: Where can I get it?

    "Hey, it just so happens that the girl Gu has a child. I heard that she is a very smart and a good seedling that is rare in a century. Do you think it is..."

    Although Gu Yin also thinks that Wu An is really talented in reading, and the memory that many people can't keep up with in their lifetime. But she hasn't mentioned this to the old lady yet! Why are you still talking about yourself?

    The old man said and looked at Gu Yin again, "Although my eldest family has a low official position in Beijing, he is also a serious two-rank jinshi, and he was born as a Tanhua Lang. When it comes to being a scholar and a gentleman, he is Really better than me."

    The old man reads, that is to become an official. After entering the office, his mind was no longer on learning.

    Master Wen is different. He is not as talented as his father, but he really likes reading. He likes to read not only the Four Books and Five Classics, but other books. Two days ago, the old man saw that he was reading a book like "Young Learning Qionglin", and asked him how he read such a book. He said that he suddenly remembered that he hadn't read it for a long time. Although this book is a children's book, But it's fun to read now.

    Is there a more suitable teacher than someone who likes to read, is young, and has plenty of time?

    The old man's two sales promotion is not unsuccessful, anyway, Gu Yin was moved, and immediately laughed: "Then I have time to bring the child here? I just don't know what time tomorrow the grand master will be. relatively free.”

    Master Wen is now an idler in the family. Although the old man has assigned a few shops to them, he does not know how to do chores, and he is not interested in those, so he handed over a few shops to Wen Lang. Managed by Wen Peifeng, he looked at the old man, "Father, when will I be free?"

    The old man said in his heart that I think you are very free now, but in front of Gu Yin he did not say this, only said: "It is better to choose a day than to hit the sun, it is better to do it today. You have nothing to do in the morning. If anything, bring people here."

    Gu Yin naturally should be okay. Regardless of whether Wu An can be selected by Master Wen, she still thanked the old man and the master for giving them this opportunity.

    After thanking her, Gu Yin left the house and went back to Zhenyi Lane.

    When Gu Yin left, Mr. Wen lowered his crotch and said worriedly: "Father, why am I going to accept students? During the Chinese New Year, you said that you were sick and no visitors, but hundreds of students were all I helped you meet!"

    Although Mr. Wen is middle-aged, he may have been studying for many years. After entering the officialdom, he only worked in places like the Hanlin Academy. There are some literati in the Hanlin Academy. Yes, but still a lot less than outside. But there is an old man, the head of the civil service, sitting in the court, and of course no one will touch the bad. Therefore, Mr. Wen's heart of a child has not faded, and he is still serious in front of people, but in private he has a youthful heart.

    Mr. Wen was holding a tea cup on the ground, "You have helped hundreds of them, what's wrong with one?"

    "Actually it's nothing," Mr. Wen lowered his voice, "But that kid...is he really as smart as his father said?"

    Master Wen did not think about accepting students before, but during the Chinese New Year, he saw so many students who were eager for knowledge, and he actually had the idea of ​​accepting a student.

      Unknown. Therefore, the vast majority of those students are still coming for Mrs. Wen.

    Secondly, Mr. Wen has a high vision. Although I didn't expect to accept a student as talented as the old man, I couldn't be worse than him, right?

    Two factors and one card, hundreds of students were rejected by Master Wen.

    Now that I have been instructed by the old man to really consider accepting students, Master Wen has to ask carefully about the child's qualifications and learning progress.

    He really liked Gu Yin's craftsmanship - although she always said that her skills in the red case were poor, and the old lady also praised her for doing better in the white case, but the peppers were in her hands, Being able to change many completely different foods, the whimsy can't even match the master chef of the Beijing restaurant, which is really eye-opening.

    If you don't accept her child, I'm afraid it will be a bad relationship.

    So it is best if her child is really talented, and he can also receive a satisfactory student, everyone is happy.

    The old man coughed unnaturally, and said after a while, "Girl Gu looks so smart, his children will definitely not be bad."

    "The little lady looks so young and already has children."

    The old man said no, "The child's name is Wu An, and Wu should be her husband's surname."

    Master Wen shouted: "Can her husband's children go with her?"

    The old man took out his ears, "What are you shouting? Your father is not deaf! I didn't force you to accept him, but just gave the child a chance. You have been eating and drinking with me before, right? The girl is here to be a cook for me by myself. It is reasonable to say that you only need to take care of my food. They still cook so much for you, and they don't charge you extra money. Why do you give your children a chance? "

    Master Wen lowered his voice again, "Alright then."

    Before noon that day, Gu Yin brought Wu An and Gu Ye over together.

    Originally, she just wanted to bring Wu An over, but these two children are used to it in a series, and they are inseparable.

    After she took Wu An away, Gu Ye followed them from a distance.

    She couldn't leave him alone, so she had to bring him together.

    "Both are your children?"

    Gu Yin said no, and introduced: "The older one is my uncle, named Wu An, and he will be six years old in less than two months. The younger one is Gu Ye, with my surname. It's my child. The two children were inseparable at home, so we had to bring them together."

    The old man went to see Gu Ye first when he heard the words, thinking that even if the big one doesn't work, this little one looks weird and clever, he must be able to follow his mother, right?

    Unfortunately, what disappointed the old man was that although Xiao Gu Ye was fair and delicate, his eyes were very bright, and he was not stage fright when he was looked at from head to toe by the old man. It's a pity that when I asked, I found that he couldn't even answer the basics.

    Afraid of hurting the child's self-esteem, the old man called Gu Yin to him, lowered his voice and asked her what was going on, there would never be such an old child who couldn't speak.

    Gu Yin gently explained the origin of Xiao Gu Ye to the old man.

    The old man nodded and said, "So that's the case, so don't be in a hurry, this kid looks smart. It's going to be a long time in Japan, and it can be educated."

    Then it was Wu An's turn. He was shy, and was suddenly taken to an unfamiliar environment. When he saw a stranger again, he subconsciously wanted to hide behind Gu Yin.

    Gu Yin squatted down and said to him: "Don't be afraid of Wu An, this old man is very nice, and my sister-in-law has been working in his house. During the Chinese New Year, my grandfather gave it to my sister-in-law. The older one has a red seal, and my sister-in-law bought you new clothes, do you remember?"

    Wu An naturally remembers it. He wears the new clothes with love for the whole New Year. Unfortunately, the weather has been hot these two days. Said to wear it again next year.

    And Wu An also remembered that during this time, my sister-in-law would bring all kinds of delicious food home after work every day, all of which were given by the owner, that is, the old grandfather in front of me.

    Sure enough, he wasn't so scared anymore, he let go of the hand holding Gu Yin's skirt, and wringed his hands, he stepped forward to greet the old man.

    The old man waved his hand dismissively, saying that it would be okay.

    After all, although there is an old saying that three-year-olds look eighty, but in fact, such things as character are the most changeable.

    Afterwards, the second elder of the Wen family, who was still alive at the time, felt that his knees were empty, and sent a letter to ask the old man to send his grandson back to live for a period of time.

    The old man packed his two sons and sent them back. The result was that although the eldest was the eldest grandson, he was too sluggish, so he knew that he would stay out of the house with a book in his hands. Although the second child is a few years younger, he is constantly witty. He is always under the knee of the second old man, making the second old love him so much.

    A few months later, Mrs. Wen brought back the two children. The boss is fortunate to finally be able to come back and study hard. He said that after a few months, the books he brought back have been read long ago. The second child was sullen. After he came back, he became more and more uneasy about reading. He couldn't finish a page of the book in three days. The angry old man beat him up. Turning his head, he wrote to his grandfather and grandmother, saying that he still wanted to go back to Hanshan Town.

      Since the second child can't read, but his brain is flexible, wouldn't it be good to go back to inherit his ancestral property?

    Of course the grandfather and the wife are reluctant to have children, but if the grandfather is an official outside the country and his parents refuse to leave their hometown, they will indeed send a child back to fulfill their filial piety on their behalf.

    The second child is also willing, so the couple sent the child back.

    In the beginning, he was asked to live in Hanshan Town and the capital for half a year each year, but after half a year he was unwilling to go back and launched the two mountains of the Wen family, and Mrs. Wen could not help him.

    When Mr. Wen noticed that the second child was crooked, it was too late to correct it.

    In the blink of an eye, the second child of the Wen family has become the second master of the Wen family who can't get out of the money.

    So the old man believes that the environment can shape a person's character.

    After speaking and seeing the ceremony, it was time for the exam.

    Because Wu An was only over 300,000 years old, Master Wen let him memorize it first.

    This is Wu'an's strength, so he slowly let go-

    "In the beginning of man, nature is good..."

    "Zhao Qian Sun Li, Zhou Wu Zheng Wang..."

    "The sky and the earth are yellow, the universe is wild..."

    Wu An memorized the three books one by one in a clear childish voice, and Master Wen picked up a few words, and Wu An responded fluently.

    Master Wen nodded and said, "It is true. I heard that you have never invited Mr., but just learned it from the scholar next door?"

    Wu An looked at Gu Yin, but Gu Yin did not speak, patted him on the shoulder encouragingly, and let him speak for himself.

    Wu An summoned up the courage and said, "If you say back to the eldest man, I have never invited Mr. Qingchuan, but Brother Qingchuan has read it to me several times and taught me to recognize it, so I have learned."

    "Is it possible to memorize it only after hearing it a few times? Then I have a copy of "Young Learning Qionglin" here. Come, come to me, and I will read it for you."

    "The chaos begins, and the universe begins to build. The light and clear air is the sky, and the heavy and turbid air is the earth..."

    "Cough, this will do?" Master Wen whispered to the old man.

    The old man was also surprised in his heart, but his face did not show, he squinted at him, and whispered: "I said that the children of Gu girl's family are smart, you calm down, they all want to be a gentleman. people."

    Master Wen sat up straight again, and after a while, when Wu An had memorized each word correctly, he nodded slightly and praised implicitly: "Yes." Then he asked: "Can you write it too? "

    "It will."

    The pen, ink, paper and inkstone are all ready-made, and Master Wen asked Wu An to write it on the spot.

    Wu An usually used charcoal pen to write and play at home, and he was a little nervous when he first touched the brush.

    Looking at his sister-in-law's gentle eyes full of encouragement again, Wu An let out a long breath, first recalling Xu Qingchuan's gesture of holding a pen, then holding the pen dipped in ink, and began to write on the blank rice paper.

    The first time I took a brush, Wu An's words that had never been practiced became more and more crooked.

    Fortunately, he was careful and proper, and there was no ink stain on the white paper.

    As early as when he was holding the pen, the old man and Mr. Wen knew that most of the child had never touched a pen before - he had a posture but didn't know how to use force.

    So in this case, it is not easy for him to write clearly and clearly.

      I wrote it personally, and it really works!

    The father and son looked at each other and both had a good impression of Wu An.

    This is a pass for Master Wen, but there is another problem with the old man.

    "The first glass of water, after adding a drop of ink, the whole glass becomes muddy. A glass of dirty juice will not become clear because a drop of water is added. You are this drop of water, what should you do? "

    Afraid that the child would not understand, Mrs. Wen used two teacups, one for water and one for ink, to demonstrate to him.

    Gu Yin heard that this question was alluding to officialdom, but since it was a test of Wu An, she didn't say much.

    Wu An also let go a lot at this time, saying: "Clear water and sewage are all water, since I can't change it, then I will make a drop of clear water, and don't be permeated by sewage."

    After speaking, Wu An's face also turned red. In fact, he understood that the old grandfather in front of him was using water to test his other things, but he only touched a little bit vaguely, in fact, he didn't know the end. What are you asking, so I don't think I answered well.

      , make a handful, a puddle of clear water... Day after day, year after year, one day, he will be the one who will determine whether this glass of water will be cloudy.

    He did so, after three dynasties, perseverance.

    When I look back, I realize that, from the beginning to the end, no matter how strong he is, he is just a cup of water, and it is ridiculous that people who can't argue with the cup.

    In fact, there is no so-called correct answer to this question, but the old man and the eldest man know Wu An better.

    So Master Wen nodded and said, "He is indeed a good boy. From tomorrow you will come to study with me in the mansion, are you willing?"

    Wu An is naturally willing. In fact, he also likes to read. Although he still knows a little bit about it, it is not clear what he likes.

    He nodded hurriedly, "I do!"

    The apprenticeship ceremony will be held on the second day.

    The old man smiled and watched Gu Yin lead the two children out.

    Master Wen couldn't help but say, "Why is my father happier than me?"

    The old man refused to reveal it, but said sternly: "Isn't I happy for you if you accept a good student? We should also make plans for the future. As long as we are in office, there is no possibility for us to recover. Although Wen Lang's aptitude is better than yours, he has no one to help him, and it will be difficult for him to become an official every day. There is always a need for help."

    Speaking of this, Master Wen also bowed and saluted, "Father is far-sighted, my son will live up to your expectations, and raise this child well."

    Let's talk about Gu Yin and the others. After leaving Wen's house, Wu An was jumping up and down, even though he had repeatedly emphasized that he now has a nephew and can no longer call him Xiao Wu'an, Gu Yin still bears it He couldn't stop laughing: "Xiao Wu'an, why are you so happy?"

    Wu An blushed and smiled, and then began to be honest.

    Gu Ye was being held by Gu Yin's other hand and muttered.

    Gu Yin listened carefully, only to hear him say to himself: "The water is muddy... Drain it all! A cup is not good... Change a cup!"

    Listen to this, it's crazy!

    Gu Yin couldn't help rubbing his little head.

    When she returned to Jinyi Alley, Mrs Wang had already stretched her neck and waited at the entrance of the alley.

    "How is it? Did our family Wu'an pass the exam?" Wang's voice trembled.

    Gu Yin patted Wu An lightly, and Wu An herself said, "Passed! Sir, let me go and study with me tomorrow."

    "My God!" Wang shi couldn't help shouting, then quickly covered his mouth and pushed the three of them back home.

    For the apprenticeship ceremony, there are six things to prepare, such as dried meat, longan, and lotus seeds. Fortunately, Chef Xu only gave Gu Yin a copy two days ago.

    When Gu Yin left Wen's house, she asked him where he bought those things.

    But Chef Xu was tempted to apprentice before the Chinese New Year. He specially made some more during the New Year, half of which was given to Gu Yin, and half of which he kept for himself to eat slowly. I heard that she wanted to Using it, Chef Xu didn't ask much, and immediately said that he would go back and ask his little apprentice to send Gu Yin home.

    After Wang Shi calmed down, he and Gu Yin went to buy other things. In the evening, Chef Xu's little apprentice brought dried meat over, and everything was ready for work.

    Seeing how busy she is, Mrs Xu next door couldn't help but inquire.

    Don't look at Wang's usual can't stand things - during the Chinese New Year, Gu Yin gave her the hairpin, and she stayed there throughout the New Year. It is the honor of the daughter-in-law!

    But at this time, she knew that she could not speak up, that is, Xu Shi asked, she lowered her voice and told her that her family Wu'an was accepted as a student by the eldest master of the Wen family! Going to do the apprenticeship tomorrow!

    The Xu family still doesn't know the specific background of the Wen family, only that the old man asked Gu Yin to hand over two books before, and his son's precious is not good, read it carefully first, and then copy it down, Return the original book to others.

    "Is it bad for Mr. Wen? There are still two days before Mr. Wen recruits students. Don't do it to save money. If it's not enough, let's make it together. "

    Wang shi smiled and waved his hand, "It's not like that, this Wen family... It's the kind of people we heard in the play before! The old man of the Wen family was dismissed at that time, so I was upset, so I started quarreling with people when I saw the content of the drama!"

    Xu sighed in shock, and then Wang went to work.

    Xu went back to the house thoughtfully, and Xu Qingchuan came back not long after, with a smile on his face, he entered the room and said: "When I first came back, I met the Wu family aunt, he and I Speaking of Wu'an, I don't need to take him to Mr. Wen's place in the future. This kid is very talented, I didn't expect better luck, and he will definitely do something in the future!"

    Xu sighed when he saw his son's sincere happiness for Wu An.

    Xu Qingchuan asked her what was wrong, she hesitantly said: "Son, you say that Wu An is smart, but you are not worse than him. The old man we met on the same day next door, Mr. Wen, How come..."

    Why not you.

    Xu Qingchuan smiled disapprovingly, "Why do you think so? Everyone has their own fate, and I already have a husband. If I feel that the two gentlemen of the Wen family are more illustrious today, I will Change to Mr. Bai, I will meet someone more powerful in the future, should I change to Mr.? What kind of person have I become?"

    "Oh, my son is right, but I'm..."

    Xu Qingchuan warmly comforted: "When the old man was in the town, he was only studying with Master Juren. You can see that he has become an important minister of the three dynasties. Since he resigned from office, his status is impossible to be shaken. It can be seen that famous teachers are important, but what happens in the future depends on the students themselves."

      It must be higher than Mr. Wen, Wang Baoyun, the idiot, patronizes the music, and I don't know if the money is enough."

    …

    In the middle of the night, Gu Yin got up to make steamed buns and porridge. When it was dawn, Mrs. Wang went to set up a stall first, and she took things to Wu An to Wen's house.

    Wu An and Gu Ye were both rushing to help her carry things, but only asked her to carry a bag of dried longan.

    The group arrived at Wen's house, and Mr. Wen and Mr. Wen were waiting for them in the study.

    The six-color apprenticeship ceremony was placed on the table, Master Wen drank a cup of tea from Wu'an, and led him to worship the portrait of the most holy master, held a pen-opening ceremony, a simple apprenticeship ceremony Even if it is done.

    After the ceremony was completed, Gu Yin took out another small bundle made of red silk and put it together with the ceremony.

    Master Wen naturally doesn't care about these customs, it's just a passing scene. Therefore, he also noticed that there were too many rituals for apprenticeships, and people took things away, and he led Wu An to his study.

    The old man watched the whole process with a smile, and when the new teacher and student were sent off, the old man watched Gu Yinfu resign, the smile on his face stagnated, and he was busy calling people to stop.

    "The matter of your child's schooling has been settled, now let's talk about the shop. Now you can rent my shop."

    Gu Yin said no, "I'm afraid that the five taels of silver are gone now. Except for some cash left in the stall, the family has to earn cash for food and clothing."

    The old man said strangely: "Didn't I save fifteen taels for your family?"

    "Yeah, the fifteen taels that were originally prepared for Mr. Wen were saved. But such a noble Hanlin master, although our family has a weak family background, we must submit more It is rich in repairing, so I just put the twenty-two wages in the past two months into the repairing ceremony."

    The old man was stunned, "When did I tell you that the boss is going to ask for money from your family? If it's really for the money, he won't be able to take your family's Wu'an, and he will take the children of those wealthy merchants. "

    "It doesn't mean that, the eldest man naturally doesn't care about these common things, but it is our family's attitude to give or not. Wu An stays at your house for a whole day, and you have to eat and drink here for lunch. It is the child's expenses, and I have to give some. This means that my ability is limited, otherwise, as a master, I should not only submit this point. "

    The old man closed his mouth. He was embarrassed to say that he asked the eldest son to return the money, and he was also embarrassed to say that Gu Yin's heart of respecting the boss was wrong.

    But the development of this matter is too different from what he thought!

    Before and after co-authoring, it was a lot of work, the Wu family got a great gentleman, and the eldest son got a smart and well-behaved student, but he didn't get anything?

    It's so frustrating!

    Gu Yin actually knew what the old man thought.

    Yesterday, the Xu family came to the house with private money to ask if they wanted to help. Although it is a big deal for a child to study, it is not easy to borrow money for the child to study outside, so Gu Yin did not borrow her money, but only negotiated with the Wang family to give the twenty taels of the family to Mr. Wen first, and then wait for the family situation to improve. increase year by year.

    "Don't be unhappy, I know you are reluctant to bear me. Otherwise, I will send Wu An over every day, and then I will cook you a meal before going back to open the stall?"

    Mr. Wen snorted, "I really don't need to eat. Let's go."

    He stood up and took his hat, looking like he was about to go out.

    Gu Yin strangely asked him where is this going?

    The old man said angrily with his hands behind his back: "Where else can we go? Of course, it's your small stall to eat. I will detain you here for a meal, and then let you go to the stall. I can't do anything. Just went to see how your little stall is set up."

    Gu Yin hurriedly led Gu Ye to follow, "Hey, I still have fish and meat ravioli, vegetable buns and meat buns, and of course you like to eat preserved egg and lean meat porridge. Eat a meal, think back about what you want to eat tomorrow, I will make it for you alone."

      "

    Gu Yin was in a hurry, and the three of them walked to the pier.

    On the pier where people come and go, the stall in front of his house is crowded with people, Mr. Wang is standing on the bench, holding a large iron spoon for scooping porridge in one hand and akimbo in the other, boasting with high eyebrows Said: "You haven't heard of this preserved egg and lean meat porridge, have you? That's the kind of food that Mrs. Wen is full of praise! That is to say, my daughter-in-law has a good heart and sells this good porridge to everyone for two cents. , it's like giving away for nothing!"

    Although everyone has never seen Mrs. Wen, but after these few months, everyone knows that the old man who is extremely noble has returned to the town. I want to meet his old man.

    So when I heard that even his old man was full of praise, the number of people who paid for the porridge with black preserved eggs suddenly increased.

    Of course there are some people who don't believe it, and say: "What kind of person is the old man of the humanities, the important minister of the three dynasties, the two emperors, and the food made by your daughter-in-law? Be careful, don't be afraid. Tongue!"

    "A person like Mr. Wen can still come to a place like ours? You evil mother-in-law can joke!"

    The Wang family had to fight again. He looked up to see Gu Yin behind the crowd, and also saw the little old man following Gu Yin.

    Her face turned from red to white, and she almost fell off the bench!