Tranquility

Tang Ning turned around, but saw that the man was wearing a blue brocade dress with Yunxiang Talisman and bat pattern, and there was only a palm-sized jade pendant on his waist. The jade was warm and exquisitely carved.Tang Ning was surprised that among his best friends, only Xie Baiyun could dress up like this, but he had no impression of the person in front of him.

"Brother, do we know each other?"

"No, you don't know me, but I know you. Ever since I saw your paintings, I have been looking for you. When I heard that you are coming to take an exam, I will send someone to wait for you at the city gate. One of their negligence actually let you in."

Tang Ning frowned. The other party was able to find him within a short meal, which shows that at least he is very powerful in Weihai City. "It's not my brother, what's the matter?"

The man smiled heartily and looked around, "How about we talk upstairs?"

So they went back to the private room upstairs, and the shopkeeper doggedly followed and poured the tea himself. With a wave of his hand, the shopkeeper hurriedly left and closed the door, leaving only Tangning and the three of them in the room.

"I'm Xia Houchun, what is the name of this brother?" Xia Houchun looked at Zhao Qian.

"I'm Zhao Qian, humble and humble."

Xia Houchun greeted her with a smile, then turned to Tangning, his eyes were fiery, which made Tangning's heart shudder, thinking of the love affair between the princes of the family that Xie Baiyun said.

"Brother Tang, since I saw your beauty picture, I have been thinking about it day and night, and I have admired it for a long time. It is a great honor to finally meet you today."

Tang Ning raised her heart and really wanted to say, brother, please make it clear, you still think about my beauty picture day and night, or the person who drew it, it's not my narcissism, it's my face that forces me to be narcissistic .

"Brother Xiahou won the prize. I'm nothing more than a mere talent. If you favor my paintings, I really appreciate it."

"Brother Tang is too modest. Your paintings are really good, and Western paintings are also excellent. I am looking for Brother Tang just to ask you to draw some pictures of beauties."

Hearing this, Tang Ning breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a few paintings, as long as she didn't fall in love with him, she could talk about anything.

Zhao Qian was relieved after hearing this, and picked up the teacup on the table to drink tea to calm down.

"I don't know what kind of beauties Brother Xiahou wants?" Tangning asked with a smile.

"Beauty without clothes."

"Pfft!" Zhao Qian took a sip of tea and stood up abruptly, "Then, isn't that the erotic palace?"

"Hey, brother Zhao, how can you say that, and you didn't draw a man, how can it be considered a erotic picture? Don't worry, I have a sense of propriety, and I will never spread it." Xia Houchun vowed.

"No!" Zhao Qian said angrily, "How can you let Zi'an meet people like this? No matter what, Zi'an is a famous person. How can he paint those messy things? Do you want his reputation?"

Xia Houchun had expected Zhao Qian's reaction, and he quickly comforted him: "I will never spread Brother Tang's paintings, and I don't want Brother Tang to stamp them. Besides, there are many people who draw this kind of paintings now. This kind of picture is very popular in the market, and even the Hanlin Academy has many talented people who draw them. It's no big deal, at most people say they are romantic talents. Liu Yong also wrote lyrics for brothel women, he is still a great poet. "

Tang Ning was about to speak, but was interrupted by Zhao Qian, "Zi'an has just made his mark in the calligraphy and painting industry, and his foothold is not yet established. How can he take risks at this time? Since you said that there are many talented people who also paint this kind of painting, why don't you ask them to do some paintings? , and there is no stamp, I guess you only look at the beauties and not the painting skills, who is not a painting?"

The corner of Tangning's mouth twitched, "Brother Zhao, don't be so blunt, okay? Xia Houchun doesn't look like a small family. We can't afford to offend him. If we get mad, do we still want to participate?" The country test.

To Tangning's surprise, Xia Houchun didn't get angry after being teased by Zhao Qian overtly and secretly, and said generously, "Other people's paintings are not as good as Brother Tang's, and besides, Brother Tang's Western paintings are really good. It’s the same as the real thing, but it’s a pity that they are all landscape animals, it would be great if I could draw people. Besides, I don’t force this matter, it’s up to Brother Tang to say whether it’s successful or not.”

Tangning twitched weakly. I don't know if this person is magnanimous, has no limit, or both?Although it doesn't matter if he draws a nude woman in modern times, but now he is in ancient times, he has to follow the ancient rules. Before he has a firm foothold in the literary world, it is best not to touch these things, otherwise his future works will be very easily influenced.

If the erotic palaces he painted go out, even if he becomes a famous person in the future, he will deliberately talk about his erotic palaces when he is mentioned. Even hundreds of years later, people in later generations will be ashamed of him because he is a painter who has painted erotic palaces. Remember him, even if he is not named, the author of "Jin Ping Mei" is not named, but later generations can still deduce it based on many signs, not to mention the style of painting is no different from the name. Thinking of this, Tang Ning shuddered secretly.

So Tangning had no choice but to politely say, "Brother Xiahou can see me like this, it's really an honor for me, but Ning also has her own difficulties, you see, the country test is going to be in three days, even for ordinary painting, Ning is still powerless Ah. I'm really sorry that Brother Xiahou couldn't get what he wanted."

"Oh, that's it." Xia Houchun was a little disappointed, and then said: "Then what happened after Brother Tang passed the rural examination? Speaking of which, the rural examination is coming soon, and now the inns in Weihai are already full, so why don't Brother Tang and Brother Zhao come to me together?" How about staying at the house temporarily?"

"Thank you Brother Xiahou for your kindness. It's just that we have already made an appointment with our friend and we have our own place to go. It's getting late and our friend has been waiting for a long time. I'm afraid it's time to be anxious. Let's take our leave first. I hope Brother Xiahou will be considerate." Zhao Qian said. Then he dragged Tangning out, pretending he didn't hear what Xia Houchun said later.

The two turned left and right, and found a shop to inquire about Jin Yongfu's residence. Fortunately, this area is a place where merchants live, and Jin Yongfu's relative's house is not far away.

Jin Yongfu's relative was surnamed Qian, and Tang Ning and the two found the Qian family and knocked on the door. The concierge of the Qian family knew that they were friends of the second young master of the Jin family, so he immediately turned around and quickly informed.After a while, Jin Yongfu greeted him with a young man smiling, "Why did I arrive at this time? I waited for a long time, and I thought that Zi'an would not want to come out after leaving Ruanrou Township."

As he spoke, he led the two of them in.

Tangning smiled sheepishly, "We arrived at noon, and it looks like the inn is full. I wonder if you have room for the two of us?"

Jin Yongfu said helplessly: "You should stay here. If you want to stay in an inn, you can only stay in the farthest inn in the north of the city. The environment there is not good. Where do you want to live in Zian?"

The words were addressed to Tangning, but Jin Yongfu glanced at Zhao Qian. Tangning glanced at the two of them and sighed, "Let's just stay here. I'm just disturbing the family."

The son next to him said quickly: "Don't bother me, my ancestors never gave birth to a child, and now we can have three scholars living in the house, which is considered a virtuous ancestor, and let our family be blessed by all of you."

Jin Yongfu also stepped forward to introduce: "This is Qian Wenbo, the son of Qian's parents, and this is my good friend Tang Ning and Zhao Qian."

When the three of them were greeting each other politely, Tangning's ears moved suddenly. He looked behind the rockery, and the others followed suit, only to see a bright yellow corner of his clothes protruding from behind the rockery.

Tangning quickly turned her gaze away, "I don't know where Brother Zhao and I's room is, hehe, we've been traveling all the way..."

Jin Yongfu also hurriedly said: "It's next to my room, I'll take you there, cousin, if you have something to do, do it first."

Thinking of his younger sister behind the rockery, Qian Wenbo nodded accordingly.

The three of Tangning left the garden, and the atmosphere was a little awkward. Tangning had no choice but to say, "Brother Jin, we met a man today. His name is Xia Houchun. I don't know his identity?"

"Xia Houchun?" Jin Yongfu's eyes widened, "He is the eldest grandson of Duke Wei."

Tang Ning and Zhao Qian gasped at the same time. The Duke of Wei is a hereditary title, a top honor. This is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that Duke Wei married Princess Anping, the princess with the highest seniority in the royal family. , that is to say, Xia Houchun is the eldest grandson of Princess Dachang.

The number of princesses in Dazhao is very small, but they are honorable, have their own fief, and have their own personal guards. They are more powerful than princes, but they are much more free than princes. Although they cannot participate in politics, they will not go outside the customs to get married. , basically the wealth and splendor of three or even four generations is appropriate.Weihai is the fiefdom of Princess Dachang. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that Wei Guogong is the local emperor of Weihai. No wonder Xia Houchun was able to find Tangning so quickly.

"Why did Xia Houchun seek you?" Jin Yongfu asked in surprise.

Tangning came back to her senses, smiled wryly and told about Xia Houchun asking him to paint a erotic palace.

Jin Yongfu explained: "I heard that Xia Houchun is broad-minded and forthright. He doesn't care about his identity when he makes friends with people. He has friends all over the world. But he is good at everything, but he is too good at women. He has countless beauties in his family, but he still often hangs around brothels Chu Guan, he is twenty-two now, but he insists on not marrying a wife. The Eldest Princess dotes on him the most, and the eldest son has nothing to do with him. Zian, have you promised him? With his generosity, if you promise him, The benefits are indispensable."

Tangning smiled and shook her head, hoping that Xia Houchun was as straightforward as Jin Yongfu said, so that at least he wouldn't care.

Jin Yongfu said regretfully, "It's a pity."

Zhao Qian frowned, "What a pity, I think Zi'an refused well, no matter who he is, even if he is the prince, Zi'an can't agree to such a rude request. Brother Jin, you have been a little impetuous this year, and you have no thoughts. If it is used on the right path, it may go astray if it continues like this.”

Jin Yongfu immediately became angry, "Brother Zhao, why do you speak harsh words when you open your mouth? I am also thinking about Zi'an. It is a good thing to get along with Xia Houchun no matter how you look at it. I, I can't tell with a sour person like you."

Tangning also felt that Jin Yongfu's condition was not right, but now was not the time to talk about it. It was better to put out the fire before saying, "Hey, is the front coming?"

In the three days before the exam, Tangning only occasionally read books and drew a few strokes to adjust her state.

However, he wanted to be leisurely, but he couldn't do it.

"Young Master Tang, this is my pastry, how would you like to try it?" A girl in a light yellow soft silk dress stood shyly at the door, looking at Tangning expectantly.

"Miss Qian, I've already had lunch. This is the front yard. Miss Qian should go back quickly," Tangning said in a hoarse voice.

"But this pastry is made by others..." The big watery eyes were full of grievances.

"Miss Qian, I've already married a wife, and I'll only have one wife for the rest of my life." Tangning didn't have a heart for pity, and didn't care about face issues. This kind of thing should be dealt with quickly.

Miss Qian's family didn't expect such an elegant and handsome young man to say such hurtful words, she didn't want the pastries, she turned around and ran away wiping her tears.

Tangning sighed and turned back to her room, only to see a piece of paper lying on the desk.

Tang Ning picked up the paper strangely and took a look, "Ge Chong, courtesy name Meng Shan, aged 56, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, from the official to the second rank, upright and old-fashioned, honest and fair official, no external experience, presided over the fifth provincial examination, I love block letters..."

It turned out to be the information of the examiners of this year's rural examination. Mr. Ge sent by the capital had the most information, followed by Weihai Xuezheng Shui Mingxuan. The level of detail almost revealed the eight generations of his ancestors.

Tangning looked at the word "Chun" at the end, put down the paper, and rubbed the center of his brows. Unexpectedly, he still hadn't given up. He closed his eyes and pondered for a while, then picked up the paper and studied it carefully again. No matter what, he couldn't go back. Let's go through it first. Let's talk now.

On the ninth day of August, the chrysanthemums first bloom and the sweet-scented osmanthus is fragrant.

Tangning carried the test basket prepared by her beloved wife, and lined up with all the students to enter the test room.