[Sword Three] Begonia is still

It is the end of February, the temperature is gradually warming up, and nesting swallows can already be seen in the villa. In a few days, it will be the annual "March [-]" Shangsi Festival.The ancients ① believed that taking a bath on the Shangsi Festival can drive away evil spirits. This festival has been passed down all the way to the present. It is not as simple as bathing and recuperating ②.

The Ye family naturally prepared early.Although the villa has not been built for a long time, and there are not so many disciples, but they are all educated and reasonable people, so they naturally attach great importance to such festivals.Ye Mengqiu is old and doesn't like to take care of things, so Ye Hui has been busy in the past two years.

As for the elder brother Ye Ying?Forget it, Ye Hui felt that his elder brother was already doing a good job of showing face by attending the ceremony.Originally, he was not a person who liked to be entangled in chores, and Yuan Ri and his father's birthday party all overwhelmed him. Ye Hui understood that although Ye Ying didn't talk about it, she still felt troubled in her heart.But those two things can't be escaped, and he can't let his elder brother too much.The eldest brother naturally understood, and never made it difficult for anyone.That is, after the banquet, a person sat outside in a daze—it was really in a daze, and Ye Ying would still talk to Ye Hui when he passed by.

However, Ye Hui turned a blind eye to festivals such as Shangsi and Hanshi.

There were two "knock knocks" and the door was knocked, "Second Young Master, it's Tianji."

Ye Hui remembered that this disciple - Ye Tianji, was also the son of his distant cousin.The disciples of Hidden Sword Villa are all the Ye family without exception, but because the Ye family is doing well in business, the eldest daughter of the family business is also expensive, and the son-in-law is basically married.

This is almost the case in Ye Tianji's family.

When Ye Ying went to Tiandu Town last year, he was worried that it would be unsafe for Ye Ying to walk alone. After all, the elder brother was only a 15-year-old boy, and he didn’t like to express his needs. He was really worried that no one would accompany him, so Let Ye Tianji and Ye Yiming follow.This Ye Tianji was the same age as his elder brother, and he was very lively. He looked like a smart person, so Ye Hui didn't think much about it.After the three of them returned safely, he belatedly asked how the two of them behaved.

Fortunately, he is indeed a smart man.

"Come in. What's the matter?"

Ye Tianji pushed open the door, cupped his fists and saluted, "Uncle Sanqing told Tianji to tell Second Young Master that there is a lot more wine this year, and the wine cellar is almost full. What should I do?"

"How much more?"

"Two hundred altars, if we have more fun this year, there will be more than 160 altars."

Is that so, buying too much?But I bought everything, so I can't say that I can't use so much and return it.It's just that the next day when so much wine is used will be the Mid-Autumn Festival, right?The wine cellar is also full, and there is no way to put it down.

"Second son, Tianji heard that this year Yangzhou City will still hold the 'Qushui Liushang Party'. According to Tianji's humble opinion, it is better to deal with the governor? It is also a personal favor, and the two hundred altars of wine can be distributed to the common people. .”

It seems to be the same, Ye Tianji is really reliable. "Talk to Uncle Sanqing, let's do this, and leave the rest to him."

"promise."

Just as Ye Tianji was about to leave, Ye Hui stopped him again, "Remember, the wine was invited by the Ye family."

"understood."

Then he might be even busier this way.Ye Hui sighed, if he was not at home, his elder brother would have to host it, he must be very reluctant.In short, I have to talk to Ye Mengqiu about this matter first. Although he has already made up his mind, his father Ye Mengqiu is the owner of the estate—he is also afraid that Ye Mengqiu will disagree with his own idea. In that case, there is still time to recover the order. .

Unexpectedly, when the old man got older, he would be more lively than when he was young. He was very happy to hear Ye Hui say that, "Hui'er, you and Ying'er are going with me, you understand?"

"The house..."

Ye Mengqiu thought for a while and made up his mind: "Na Huier, you stay at home and let Yinger accompany me."

"..." The eldest brother didn't like such a scene.

"not good?"

"No, very good." He couldn't refuse his father's request.Besides, what he did was very reasonable. His father went as the owner of the villa, so why was the second son not the eldest son who accompanied him?

Therefore, only Ye Ying could go.

After chatting with the old man for a while, Ye Hui left the room and went straight to Jianzhong.The Sword Tomb is located in the north behind the villa mansion, which is quite far away, and it takes half a stick of incense to walk every time.As soon as Ye Hui walked not far from the sword mound, he heard the "rustling" sound of wind-blown leaves. It must be Ye Ying practicing sword.He has only learned superficially and doesn't know the way of swordsmanship, so it's not easy to disturb him, so he just waited outside.

I don't know how long it took, the sound stopped, Ye Hui went in, Ye Ying seemed to be taking a rest.There is no sword in his hand, only a teacup, so he doesn't feel that he was practicing sword just now.

"Big brother."

"What's the matter?"

He concealed that he was the culprit who agreed to participate in the "Qushui Liushang Meeting", and said: "Father asked my elder brother to accompany my father to Yangzhou City to participate in the 'Qushui Liushang Meeting' on the day of Shangsi Festival."

"Ah."

This answer made Ye Hui confirm that his thoughts were correct—see, he really didn't like such a lively scene, Ye Hui could even imagine how the common people were crowded.How can someone who likes to be clean enough to live in Jianzhong for a long time like such a lively scene?

The conversation failed to continue, Ye Hui found an excuse and left.He didn't know what Ye Ying was thinking, he just felt that he was embarrassing his elder brother.

The Ye family is very efficient in handling affairs, and just ordered Ye Sanqing to go down to negotiate with the governor about the "Qushui Liushang Meeting", and in the afternoon, he brought back news that the governor agreed and invited Ye Mengqiu to participate in the "Qushui Liushang Meeting" as a guest of honour. ceremony.Although Ye Mengqiu is a businessman, he is also the owner of the Jianghu sect Zangjian Villa, so it is not surprising that he received such a great courtesy.

Ye Ying also had to rummage through her suitcase, and took out the wide-sleeved and straight train that she didn't wear once in half a year.Dislike is one thing, etiquette is another, Ye Ying is never biased.

But in all fairness, these activities should be done as little as possible. Ye Ying knew that Ye Hui had really tried his best.

"That's fine."

The house that Haitang and Hu Ruozi borrowed was a small one.Yangzhou City is similar to Zailai Town. People who do business like to set up stalls on the side of the road instead of in the street, but in this way, the street where they live is much quieter.The house the two live in is not big, there is only one small main room and three rooms. The advantage is that there is a three-way passage not far from the door of the workshop. It is very convenient whether you go to the city or outside the city, or to the pier. .

When they first arrived, the two had just cleaned up the room when there was a knock on the door.Haitang responded and went to open the door. When she pushed open the door, she saw a man in majestic armor, who was naturally a disciple of Tiance Mansion.Haitang welcomed him in: "Brother, please come to the room."

Presumably this person is the brother Hu Ruozi mentioned who helped find a house.

"Who is Haitang here? Hey! Brother Lan!"

Hu Ruozi dashed out from the main room, took that senior brother's arm and turned it around, "Oh, Senior Brother Lan, long time no see!"

"Has it been two years?" Senior Brother glanced at Haitang, "Junior Sister Ruozi, why don't you introduce me?"

"That's right!" Hu Ruozi pulled Haitang over, and introduced: "Haitang, this is Senior Brother Lan Zhiyuan, five years older than me, and he went out for a trip six years ago. Senior Brother, this is Ye Haitang, Tiance The little junior sister of the government."

"Ah...you are Haitang?" I heard that it was quite naughty. When he was in the mansion in the early years, he often saw a short figure who was punished to stand guard. It should be her.

Haitang was embarrassed by the question, a little afraid to watch his realization, "Ah, ah, um..."

"Do you want to go shopping in Yangzhou City?"

"Okay!" Hu Ruozi agreed very quickly, pulling Haitang and Lan Zhiyuan out of the house.

Today's weather is clear and cloudless, and it is still a bit cold in early spring, but the sun is very comfortable when it shines on the body.Lan Zhiyuan has lived here for more than a year, and he is quite familiar with Yangzhou City. He can always find the shop quickly for what Hu Ruozi wants to buy.When they first came out to live, they didn't have a few sets of casual clothes other than military uniforms. Hu Ruozi and Haitang were going to make a few sets of clothes first.It's not impossible to walk outside and wear armored military uniforms all day long, it just feels inconvenient sometimes.

When the two came to the silk and satin village, Haitang saw a piece of yellow cloth.This color is not overwhelming, but very soft, and it looks good when you look at it.She glanced at Lan Zhiyuan and Hu Ruozi, both of whom were listening to the shopkeeper's introduction very seriously.Moved carefully, looking at the piece of cloth in a daze.

"My lady has good eyesight. This is silk brocade. These patterns are all woven, and they are dark patterns. At first glance, they are plain, but they are actually hidden secrets! If my lady made a skirt, no matter what kind of man it is, she would definitely bow down under her skirt." .”

"No, I..." Silk brocade must be very expensive.Haitang knew that cloth could be exchanged for food, and if she wanted to buy such a precious piece of cloth, she would not be able to do without gold.

Hearing the shopkeeper's boastful voice, Hu Ruozi and Lan Zhiyuan's attention were also attracted.Seeing that it was light yellow cloth, Hu Ruozi suddenly became enlightened, and arched Haitang with his elbow, "Why don't you just buy it."

"Where did I get so much money!" Haitang said anxiously in a low voice, "Senior sister, stop joking, hurry up and buy your cloth."

"I've chosen it a long time ago." Hu Ruozi pointed to a piece of cloth on the counter, "Crimson cinnamon cloth, how about it? It's easy to wear a bunt."

"Then I want to do the same."

"It's hard to tell if the color is the same." Hu Ruozi thought for a while, pointing to the garnet red cinnamon cloth, "Why don't you buy the lighter one?"

"Alright." Haitang agreed without even looking carefully.She doesn't have such a detailed distinction on colors, anyway, Tiance Mansion always wears red, no matter what red it is, she doesn't care.

Lan Zhiyuan, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said, "Why don't you buy some more Luo and make a skirt."

Haitang and Hu Ruozi said at the same time: "Farewell?"

They are used to wearing Hufu, a short jacket is enough, and such things as shirts and skirts are rarely worn throughout the year.What's more, Luo is not cheap, so why waste money after making such precious clothes and not willing to wear them?It's just that what they thought in their hearts couldn't stop Lan Zhiyuan from choosing the cloth quickly. He quickly pointed to two red cloths of different shades, and then chose the blue and light yellow cloth. "He asked the shopkeeper to wrap it up, and then he picked up six pieces of cloth and walked forward alone.

Hu Ruozi and Haitang were afraid that he would spend money indiscriminately again, so they hurriedly followed.Sure enough, he really wasted money.

He walked into an embroidery workshop.

Just go to the tailor shop, why not go to the embroidery workshop!

The two of them worked together to hold Lan Zhiyuan back, and agreed: "Don't embroider, I'll just wear a skirt!"

"Hey! Let's go." Lan Zhiyuan sighed, exited the embroidery workshop and found a tailor's shop instead.It was inconvenient for him to take the measurement, so he naturally waited outside. Haitang and Hu Ruozi took off their coats and opened their arms inside the house, allowing the tailor lady to make a measurement while sighing: People who have lived in this city for a long time are rich. Just Mailuo, if you say embroidery, you can embroider.

After measuring themselves, the two put on their original clothes and came out.Lan Zhiyuan was negotiating with the shopkeeper. Both of them practiced martial arts, and their hearing was better than ordinary people. Even after such a distance, they could hear clearly: "...Can I do it well before the third year of junior high school?"

"This... This is a bit embarrassing, recently..."

"Another three bolts of satin."

"Okay! Thank you so much, son. Is it because of Shangsi that you are in such a hurry?"

"Otherwise?" He sighed, "Both of my junior sisters are beautiful, I think it's serious to let them find a good family earlier. But they don't know how to dress up, how can they compare with other people? ? The Shangsi Festival is a grand annual festival, bathing to drive away evil spirits also has auspicious meanings, so don’t dare to mess around.”

Hu Ruozi is indeed beautiful, and Ye Haitang is still young and hasn't bloomed yet.Lan Zhiyuan selfishly wanted to dress up for Hu Ruozi, but if he didn't bring Ye Haitang with him, I'm afraid Hu Ruozi would not agree.

Seeing the two came out, Lan Zhiyuan came up to meet them, and said that he would take them to find a market where they could buy vegetables, fruits, chicken, duck and fish.Haitang couldn't help asking: "Is the Shangsi Festival very important? In the mansion, everyone just bathes and freshens, and so does the horse. Why do you need to make new clothes when you come out of Yangzhou?"

"You don't know. The Shangsi Festival is one of the three most important festivals in the Tang Dynasty. If you don't take a good bath, you will easily attract evil spirits, and you will easily get sick this year, so of course it should be more grand. But Yangzhou There is something even more special about this city. Compared with Chang’an, only the city gates are closed after nightfall and there is no curfew. People can still walk on the streets as long as they bring their identity documents, so many people do not close the gates at night, but start to 'Night market'. This day in Shangsi is even more special. The government will also put many wine cups in the river surrounding Yangzhou City, called 'Qushui Liushanghui'. Of course, wine is free to drink, and occasionally rich people I will also make some pastries, which are also floated on the river, and everyone can take whatever they want!"

"That's it!" Haitang understood his painstaking efforts, and thanked with a smile: "Thank you, brother, it really needs to be cleaned up."

Last year, she was also considered sick and disaster-prone.She lay down for more than ten days with a serious illness in Tiandu Town, and even forgot all her memories of Ye Ying. It must be because she didn't pay much attention to these days.Haitang wanted to participate more grandly, but was too embarrassed to take advantage of the excitement alone, so she took Hu Ruozi's hand and begged her to come along.Hu Ruozi couldn't help it, and agreed while sighing.

Lan Zhiyuan thought that Haitang did a good job, so he spent so much cloth and money to buy an extra set of her clothes.

After shopping around for a long time and buying a lot of things necessary for living here, the three of them returned home with big bags.Lan Zhiyuan said that the new clothes will be available before the third day of March, and he will make a trip to deliver them to them so that they don't have to worry.Hu Ruozi thought to herself that she wasn't worried, and she didn't really want to participate in this kind of activity.

It's just that thinking about Haitang's illness last year, it's no wonder she paid attention to it.After all, isn’t the Shangsi Festival just a festival to get rid of evil spirits and bless your health throughout the year?

Haitang tidied up her room, sat happily on the side of the bed, took Ye Ying's gift of "Jian Luoying" to look at it, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.

"Brother Ying should also enjoy the Shangsi Festival."

The author has something to say: ①The Analects of Confucius says: "Those who are in the late spring, the spring clothes are ready, five or six people are crowned, and six or seven boys are bathing in Yi, dancing in the wind, and returning home after singing." thing.Shangsi Festival, Yuan Day and Cold Food Festival were all very important festivals in the Tang Dynasty. Wang Wei wrote in his poem "Qujiang Serving Banquet System on March [-]rd" that, "Wan Cheng's Qin Zhai Festival, thousands of officials are happy to travel in Henan. Welcome from Shang Garden, and the evil spirits flow to the middle.” It shows that the Shangsi Festival is a very important festival for sacrifices.

②Xiuyu: Also known as Yuyu (pronunciation is fine), it is an ancient custom to go to the water to play on Siri, the first ten days of March in the lunar calendar (after the Wei Dynasty, it is fixed as March [-]rd).Directed by a witch, she took a bath in March to ward off disasters and pray for blessings.Later, it evolved into a festival for the upper-class nobles to play, and the famous "Qushui Liushang" was born.Wang Xizhi (Jin)'s "Lanting Collection Preface" was written for a three-month commemoration activity.

The writing is not good, the writing is not in place, please forgive me.