Encounter with the Four Great Talents

Today, when Tang Shen came home from his husband, he saw that the house was much more lively, and the steward was taking people in and out to take care of things. He stopped strangely and asked, "What happened?"

When Chen Guanshi saw Tang Shen, he immediately trotted over and saluted: "Second Master is back. Today Grandma Xu sent someone to congratulate him with gifts, and a few nuns came with her, talking to Madam."

Tang Shen hummed, seeing that the servants who were busy moving things did not move.The steward looked around, leaned closer and whispered: "Look at the appearance of those nuns, they are all needed by Grandma Xu. Just now there was a message from the inside that Grandma Xu seemed to want the two relatives to join forces." relative."

Tang Shen raised his eyebrows and smiled, which is normal.Mrs. Xu's daughter is nearly fifteen this year, about one year younger than Tang Yin, and they are a good match in terms of status.Moreover, the Qiu family and her elder sister have always been on good terms, so this marriage seems to be a sure thing.However, Tang Shen hadn't seen that girl a few times, but he left the impression that she was pretty.Forget it, anyway, it's not about marrying him, so he doesn't care so much.

Tang Shen went to see his mother, and sure enough, he saw a few nuns sitting on a few stools opposite the Qiu family.The nuns are all well dressed, the gold hairpins on their heads are quite new, and they also wear gold and silver bracelets on their hands. It seems that the Xu family is becoming more and more dignified now.

Several people greeted Tang Shen, Tang Shen responded indifferently, and let them sit down.Seeing her son come back, Qiu happily talked about the purpose of these people.When Tang Yin was admitted as a scholar, Mrs. Xu sent a congratulatory gift.In addition, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and some nice gifts were sent. Tang Shen also had a copy, and they were all very delicate playthings.It is said that it is the fifth master of the Xu family, that is, Mrs. Xu's precious son's favorite thing. He specially prepared a set for his cousin Tang Shen who is about the same age.Tang Shen glanced at it, frowned slightly, thanked her lightly, and then said goodbye to his mother and went out.

The Tang family has a small number of people, and they have few family affairs, so they are capable of managing things. Although Tang Shen is in charge of the family, he is not very busy. After all, some inner court affairs are still managed by the Qiu family.The steward reported on the arrangement of these guests and the handling of the gifts, and then told Tang Shen about some minor matters.Seeing that there was no problem, Tang Shen nodded in agreement.The next thing to do is to arrange a return gift. The master of the Xu family, Mrs. Xu, the young lady of the Xu family, the fifth master of the Xu family, and the old lady of the Xu family, these are the key points to pay attention to.As for those concubines, concubines and the like, you have to pay attention to how much you give them.Then there are the stewards and nuns who came here, of course, they also have to prepare a copy.

After all the arrangements were made, an hour had passed before Tang Shen returned to find his mother with the gift list.

Mrs. Qiu was serving Tang Guangde who came back to wash up. After finishing their work, the two sat down, took a look at the gift list Tang Shen had prepared, and both nodded in agreement, so the matter of the gift was settled.

At this time, Tang Yin also came back. Since he started preparing for the exam, he would stay and study with his husband until it was almost time for dinner.Such hard work made the Qiu family very distressed, so the Tang family's dinner has always been the most sumptuous.

Of course Qiu knew what the nuns meant today, and she liked it in her heart.Although Xu Xin was really spoiled when she was young, but now that she is older, according to the nuns, she behaves well.Moreover, Xu Xin has been good-looking since she was a child, and she is her own niece. If she can really get closer, it will be better than anything else.

But this remark was outrageous. Tang Guangde was still thinking about it, but Tang Shen objected.

"No."

Tang Yin immediately looked at his younger brother moved, he really didn't want to marry Xu Xin at all!Although the new marriage is said to be a happy event, but he would rather marry a village girl than that girl who is not happy at all and likes to cry, make trouble and hang herself!

Qiu's face was a little restless, although she loved this child, after all, this child did things according to her own wishes.But what's wrong with Xu Xin?Xu's family is so big now, Xu Xin can't marry any kind of person, marrying her own family is already considered a marriage.What's wrong with that?

But these words sound a little greedy for money, which is not pleasant.So she didn't say that, but said: "Xiner has been beautiful since she was a child, and she has a cute personality, and she is a good match with our family. What can't be done? Besides, marriage is a matter of parents' orders, and Shener doesn't care about it."

Tang Shen put down his chopsticks, and Tang Guangde knew his son was upset when he saw his stern face, and immediately said, "Shen'er, what your mother said makes sense."

Tang Shen shook his head: "Brother is working hard to prepare for the exam now, where did he get married in his spare time? If he delays his career, even ten Xu Xins can't get him." Seeing Tang Guangde, he immediately turned to agree, and said: "And, wait until the elder brother wins the exam. , that is, Master Juren, which Master Juren would marry a merchant woman? Mother's decision is not right."

Tang Guangde nodded again and again: "Shen'er is right, just don't mention this matter."

Qiu was so angry that she couldn't eat, and said aggrievedly: "Isn't there still two years left? Make an appointment first, and then marry after Yin'er is admitted. And how can the Xu family be regarded as a businessman? Both the family and the magistrate It's a kiss!"

"The in-laws who are thousands of miles away can't change the fact that they are merchants. Mother, I have a high heart, and I will never allow the Tang family to have anything to do with the merchant. When the elder brother wins the exam, it will be the restaurant where my father is now. The child must be taken back. Even if our Tang family cannot become an official, we must not have anything to do with Shang. Since ancient times, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen must at least climb to the first level of agriculture, so that the backs of our descendants will be straighter!"

Tang Yin immediately clapped his hands and applauded: "Shen'er is absolutely right!"

Tang Shen laughed: "Why, elder brother doesn't reject studying for the imperial examination?"

Tang Yin rubbed his nose: "As you said, if we win the exam, our Tang family will be able to lose our business registration, and our descendants will be superior to others in the future. Since I am the eldest son of Tang, this matter will naturally fall on my head Besides, the younger brother is proficient in common things, and the elder brother can't help, so we can only try not to hinder the younger brother."

Tang Shen couldn't stop laughing, it was rare for him to be able to think through.

Tang Guangde also laughed, "Our Tang family has you two brothers, so why not grow?" Patting the hand of the already hesitant Qiu family, he said, "You too, no matter how good the Xu family is, unless Xu Wu can do the same. Get someone to come out, otherwise the Xu family will still be a businessman. Our son will be a master in the future, what kind of woman can't marry? And he is still young, so you should worry less."

Mrs. Qiu sighed, nodded and said, "I'm short-sighted. If Xianggong and Yin'er Shen'er both think so, then let's do it. In fact, I also understand what my sister thinks. Our family is close to Xu's family, and the population is simple. I appreciate it." It won't be hard for a son to marry in."

"If you eat hard, you can become a master." Tang Shen spit out the mouthwash and wiped his hands. He always put down his chopsticks and stopped eating. "My aunt thinks highly of our family if she can choose our family. It's just that the family is not allowed to discuss marriage for him before the eldest brother is promoted. Don't talk about delays. If you choose someone who is not worthy of your status, won't you be laughed at in the future?"

Qiu Shi nodded without any further hesitation.But he still flicked his youngest son on the head angrily: "You are the only one with a lot of thought."

"My son is really scheming like this." Tang Shen also admitted, holding barley tea and said: "Although my son doesn't want to, but my son wants to live a better life, so I will use some people and hurt some people, so I won't let you go." It's inevitable."

Tang Yin said with a smile: "Brother, this is considered a conspiracy. It is upright. It will be bad if it turns into a conspiracy." It can be regarded as a reminder to him.

"Yes, brother is right."

Next, when everyone was full, things went down, and Qiu began to talk about her daughter Tang Chen's marriage proposal.After Tang Yin was admitted as a scholar, more people came to propose to Tang Chen, and most of them were of acceptable status.It's just that after listening to Tang Shen's remarks today, it's not easy to betroth Tang Chen to a merchant.This would require fewer candidates, which is why Qiu pulled his son and husband to think of ideas together.

Tang Yin felt that his younger sister was only thirteen, and there were still some days in which there was no rush, but it would be better to settle this matter early.Fortunately, he has not lost contact with other students these days, and knows a little bit about big and small things.

Although Tang Guangde was in charge of the restaurant with all his heart, the restaurant was where the news gathered. It was right to ask him who had who, what kind of people, and what kind of children were learning.

Although Tang Shen is small, he manages the family after all, and has experienced some big and small things.

Together, the four of them gave Tang Chen a thousand choices, and then made an appointment to go back and separate to check the situation of some candidates.

The next day, after giving the presents and gift list to those mothers, Qiu sent them away.Not a word about the engagement.It was a little strange for the nanny to see that Mrs. Qiu had changed her mind in just one night.But if people don't mention it, they can't follow up with it. They only mentioned a few words vaguely, and Qiu said that there will be an explanation in the letter to Mrs. Xu.So they stopped asking and went back with presents.

Back in Changzhou, he handed over the gift list and other things to Mrs. Xu Qiu.

Qiu received the gifts first, and asked people to share the gifts among everyone, and the rest were stored in the warehouse.Looking at the letter in his hand, he frowned and opened it.Qiu's literacy is not much, and so is her younger sister, so as soon as she opened it, she knew that the letter was not written by her younger sister.Estimated to be a ghostwriter.The handwriting is quite good, neat and rigorous, but it doesn't seem to be the handwriting of Tang Yin, the son-in-law she is looking for.

Turning to the back, it was indeed written by Tang Shen.Shen'er, that child who is not much different from his own son can already write such a good handwriting. Thinking about his son who can only play now, he couldn't help but sigh.

Don't rush to read the letter, first ask the mother: "How is Grandma Tang? Have the other masters seen you?"

"Grandma Tang looks pretty good, her complexion is also good, and she is fatter than before. The clothes on her body are also brand new, and the precious jewelry on her head is also newly made. She looks much better. Miss Tang's servant I saw it too. She is much thinner and more beautiful than when she was a child. I heard that she is also discussing marriage. Master Tang is also in good health, and the two young masters look stable, no matter their complexion or what. Grandma Tang also asked the slaves to bring a message to Madam, saying that their family is doing well, so you don’t have to worry. The servants see that the house of the Tang family seems to have just been repaired, and the grooms of the servants are also good. I think the Tang family must be extremely rich."

Mrs. Xu nodded: "My sister said in a letter before that Shen'er is in charge of the Tang family's big and small matters. That child is very capable, and he has done a few amazing things for the Tang family. The Tang family is now better than before. days are much better.”

"Yes, my servants see that the whole Tang family listens to Second Master Tang, and those who are in charge will report to Second Master. Even the list of gifts we brought back was prepared by Second Master. The servants also got Second Master. Lord’s reward, the things rewarded are also precious.”

"This kid is really smart." Mrs. Xu sighed more and more. Her son was half as good as him, so she didn't have to worry about it.Otherwise, why she wanted to marry her daughter to her younger sister's family was because she saw that the brothers of the Tang family were capable and promising, and hoped that they could take care of her precious son in the future.

After supporting the hairpin on her head, Mrs. Xu asked the topic: "What did Grandma Tang say about the marriage?"

"Grandma Tang was very happy to hear what the slaves said, and asked many things about the eldest girl, and she seemed quite satisfied. But after that night, I don't know why she didn't talk about it again. The slaves When asked, she only said that she wrote it in a letter and told grandma, but she refused to mention it, it seems to be indifferent."

"Do you know who she talked to that night?"

"I know, Master Tang and Grandma brought the two young masters to eat together."

"Really." Mrs. Xu frowned, opened the letter, and handed it to a servant beside her.This girl can read, so she read the letter to Mrs. Xu.The letter was very long, and all the front part was the same as before, explaining the big and small things in the family, adding some holiday greetings, and writing that some of the things sent were from my own land, and they were sent to Mrs. Xu early adopters.It was only mentioned at the end that because Tang Yin was currently preparing for the provincial exam, he did not discuss relatives before the provincial exam, for fear of delaying the child's studies and his future, so he dared not accept this matter.