Great Imperial Merchant

The head of the Cheng family, Bai Xiaozhu, is the fourth son of the Bai family of Danluo's scholarly family. He has been proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting since childhood. He is always dressed in white and has an elegant demeanor. He is the most famous son of the Danluo family.

The Bai family is famous for generations, and the ancestors once served as the dean of the Imperial Academy, and even an official minister of the Ministry of Rites.It wasn't until the early years of Emperor Wen's reign that the Bai family gradually declined. Although it is a relatively safe place now, it is a family with rich heritage and cannot be underestimated in Danluo.

The marriage between him and Cheng He, the second son of the Cheng family, was also quite tortuous back then, but now the two of them are on the same page, and it has finally become a good story.

As soon as he appeared, Cheng Weizhe held his breath and became fully focused.

Bai Xiaozhu smiled at the three of them, and stretched out his hand to beckon Cheng Weizhe to his side: "Weizhe hasn't come back for a long time, uncle misses you."

Cheng Weizhe lowered his head and smiled, appearing reserved and shy: "Uncle is busy, so don't worry about me all the time."

Hearing what he said, Bai Xiaozhu smiled more kindly. He patted Cheng Weizhe on the shoulder, and then led them into the main hall: "Your father passed away early, we don't worry about you, who will worry about it?"

In the Cheng family, Cheng Weizhe's father, Lin Shaofeng, has always been his taboo. Even Cheng He seldom mentions himself in front of him, the righteous gentleman who died young. Brother Wei Kun put it in his mouth.

Cheng Weizhe silently clenched his fists, took a light breath, and said after a long time: "Well, then thank uncle for worrying."

They walked in front, so naturally they couldn't see the expressions of the two people behind. Before Bai Xiaozhu answered, he heard Cheng He pick up the conversation: "You just don't worry, thanks to your uncle who has taken care of you these years, otherwise you would have been in trouble." It's going to be lawless."

What he said was too careless, just as Cheng Weizhe suppressed his anger, he was provoked by him again, and he squeezed his palms hard to prevent himself from saying anything harsh.

Bai Xiaozhu, who was walking beside him, didn't seem to notice anything, and happily arranged for him to sit next to him, raised his chopsticks and picked up an exquisite shrimp dumpling for him.

It has to be said that the Cheng family's breakfast is extremely rich.The chef of the Cheng family used to be the chef of Mingzhen Building, but because Bai Xiaozhu liked his cooking, Cheng He invited him to his home at a high price to serve his family.

In fact, it was said that their family served, but Cheng He and Cheng Weizhe only had a taste of his craftsmanship when they went to the main house for dinner.In the past, Cheng Weizhe didn't pay much attention to food, although he would still eat more of his favorite foods, but he was not as particular as many gourmets.

But now that he has seen Yang Zhongyuan's miraculous skills, and tasted his private dishes, he realizes that simple rice can be so delicious.

Cheng Weizhe was distracted thinking about the Yujing rice cooked by Yang Zhongyuan yesterday, and suddenly felt extremely hungry.

He ignored the person at the table who was talking with Le Rongrong, picked up the shrimp dumpling by himself, and took a bite.

The skin of the shrimp dumpling is made of lotus root starch and noodles. The thin layer allows people to clearly see the inside. Cheng Weizhe took a bite, in addition to the umami taste of red shrimp, he also tasted the fragrance of mushrooms and winter bamboo shoots. He imitated Yang Zhongyuan He took the first bite slowly as he usually tasted the food, and then stuffed it all into his mouth.

Although Chef Mingzhenlou's craftsmanship is excellent, he feels that there is always something missing. If Xiao Yuan is asked to make shrimp dumplings, it will definitely be much more delicious than this one.

Cheng Weizhe made up his mind, so he began to eat other breakfasts without appetite, while listening to the family's seemingly warm chat.

Their family is thin, and since the two grandfathers and his father passed away one after another, even if it is a family reunion on New Year's Day, there are not enough ten people at the main table.He and his father count as two, and the rest is the second uncle's family of four.

In addition to Cheng Weishu, the eldest son who is already in his twenties, there is also Cheng Wei'an, the third youngest who has just turned fourteen.The two children of the second uncle's family were smart since they were young, and they both inherited the good looks of Cheng Bai's family, and because the second uncle is now in charge of the Cheng family, the neighbors and friends naturally praised these two children a lot.

In recent years, Cheng Weizhe has rarely been at home, and he has a close relationship with this younger brother. Now he suddenly heard his third brother talking to him at the dinner table, and he didn't answer for a while.

Compared with his elder brother, Cheng Wei'an had a softer personality. Seeing that his elder brother ignored him, he asked in a good-tempered manner, "Brother, is the tea business easy to do?"

Cheng Weizhe heard it clearly this time, so he replied kindly: "Brother's tea shop is very small, so it's easy to do."

Cheng Wei'an nodded half-understood, turned to look at his father, and said, "I want to do my own business, just like big brother."

Bai Xiaozhu took a small steamed bun for him slowly, and said patiently: "Your elder brother is a person who does great things, can you do it? In the future, I will hang around at home with your second elder brother, and you will not be short of a bite."

Hearing what his father said, Cheng Wei'an became a little unhappy, pouted and wanted to refute.But before he could say anything, he was interrupted by his father, Cheng Yao: "Eat well, eat well, sleep without talking, didn't the master teach you?"

Cheng Wei'an was used to being spoiled by his family when he was young, but he was only afraid of his father's cold face, so he was reprimanded by him. Although he was still not happy in his heart, he didn't dare to say anything.

Cheng Weizhe ate with his head down, knowing everything about his second uncle and uncle.The reason why the youngest son was not asked to go out to do business on his own was not to let the two sons firmly hold the control of the Chengjia rice shop. Cheng Weizhe nodded and agreed to open the tea shop back then, so the situation is naturally different.

Bai Xiaozhu saw that his youngest son finally stopped making trouble, so he wiped his mouth with a clean white handkerchief, and said, "Weizhe, you haven't been at home very much these years, uncle is busy with business, so he has neglected you, I hope you don't mind. "

You just don't notice me for the rest of your life!Cheng Weizhe murmured in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face: "Where is it, family matters are the most important thing, besides, I am also an adult, so I can take good care of myself."

Cheng He glared at his son, but said nothing.

Cheng Weizhe ignored him and ate up the last steamed dumpling on the plate, then put down his chopsticks and looked at Bai Xiaozhu seriously.

Although he is usually a very smiling young man, making people feel like a spring breeze, but when he is not smiling, his aura is somewhat like Cheng Yao's when he was young, which makes people feel a little stressed.

But Bai Xiaozhu was not affected at all, he stretched out his hand to invite the servant to serve tea, and then said: "It is true that uncle has neglected to take care of you. Uncle has been very troubled these days. Recently, because your brother is getting old, It can be considered that he has just passed the filial piety period, and he is thinking about finding a good marriage for him."

Cheng Weizhe paused while holding the teacup, and a smile slowly appeared on his face: "Wei Shu is a good boy, and he will naturally have a good marriage with the right family. When he has a partner, the second uncle and uncle will be more relaxed in the future." It’s a good thing.”

Bai Xiaozhu smiled gently, and he also smiled at Cheng Weizhe. The family seemed to be harmonious, and everyone looked comfortable and cheerful.

Although they are both scholars, his facial features, eyebrows, eyes and temperament are not the same as Cheng He's at all.Whenever Cheng Weizhe sees Cheng He, the words pedantic and incompetent will always appear in his heart, and when he sees Bai Xiaozhu, he will feel that he is extremely shrewd.

Yes, it is shrewdness, the kind of wisdom unique to scholars who see things transparently and make people feel that there is nothing to hide.

"Weizhe, as the eldest son of the family and the eldest brother of Weishu, you should be the first to complete the major events in life. But your father passed away early, and your elder brother is obsessed with calligraphy and painting, and you and your uncle are also busy. Uncle is very sad that I have delayed you until today." Bai Xiaozhu's voice was gentle and pure, his words were unhurried, but his logic was clear and not wrong at all.

Cheng Weizhe listened to him very calmly, holding the teacup with a steady hand, and the tea leaves inside swirled and floated in the light blue tea soup, exuding a faint fragrance.

This is the most famous white court in Danluo. Although it bears the word white, it belongs to the green family and has a very light taste.Cheng Weizhe has always disliked this taste, thinking that it is too shallow, not full-bodied enough, and the taste of tea is a bit bland.

But he still drank it seriously. The Baiting tea in the dog days of the new summer should be harvested at the hottest time in summer. As long as the third layer of leaves is under the tip of the tooth, the little Baiting tea should be roasted by the best masters in the tea garden. , The next day, it will be made into small tea cakes and sold to all parts of Daliang.

Because the number is very small, it has the reputation of one or two half-acre gardens. One or two of this tea costs about one or two silvers. In some villages and counties in the north, it costs only two or two silvers to reclaim one mu of land.

What a luxury, Cheng Weizhe lowered his head, sipping tea carefully.

Why don't you ask the housekeeper later, and give Xiao Yuan and Uncle Quan a taste, they will definitely like it.

Cheng Weizhe was thinking of getting some things from home, while Bai Xiaozhu was still talking: "Now at home, I, your second uncle, and your father are all elders of you. It's time to worry about your marriage. , Wei Zhe, tell uncle, what kind of young people do you like?"

"Uncle, I'm not too young now, and I can't find a suitable partner, why not," Cheng Weizhe paused, and put the teacup on the table, "It's better to let nature take its course."

Bai Xiaozhu raised his eyebrows. He made this movement very beautifully, as if the fairy in the ink painting suddenly gained popularity, and his whole person became a little more agile: "How can it be done? Sooner or later, we will get married. Now you give it to me." Uncle said, uncle will help you plan a lot later, we are all a family, so why not be embarrassed. "

Cheng Weizhe shook his head, and said directly: "No, no, I don't have anything to like. It's good to live alone like this."

At this time, Bai Xiaozhu didn't continue the conversation right away, but Cheng He finally couldn't help but said: "How can that be, who doesn't know how to start a family first, and then start a career. You know that one person is not as good as two people, and in the future, two people supporting each other will be better than one person's hard work, right?"

It is rare that Cheng He actually said such a long sentence to Cheng Weizhe. Cheng Weizhe was more or less prepared in his heart, but suddenly sneered at his father: "Really? I have never seen two people getting along well since I was a child. Where are you going?"

What he said was too offensive, Cheng He's face changed drastically, he slapped the dining table, and said angrily: "Presumptuous, is that how you talk to elders?"

Cheng Wei'an happened to be sitting next to Cheng He, and seeing his always kind uncle suddenly get angry, he couldn't help being startled, and hurriedly hid beside his father.

Cheng Weizhe didn't care how his father got angry, he still had a smile on his face and said, "Okay, I made a mistake for my father, I'm sorry father."

He apologized smoothly, but his attitude was not sincere at all. Cheng He was so angry that his already pale face was flushed, but he couldn't say a word.

He was originally a stinky old man who didn't work hard and didn't distinguish between grains and grains. He only spoke some daily vernacular, so he couldn't compete with Cheng Weizhe who had been in the market for a long time.

Everyone in the room, except for Cheng Weizhe who was frightened, Cheng Yao and Bai Xiaozhu seemed to have long been used to their father and son, and they all looked very indifferent.

After a while, Bai Xiaozhu took the initiative to speak: "Brother, don't be angry with Wei Zhe, he is still young, we have to be patient and tell them."

When Cheng He heard it, he couldn't help feeling angry again: "Is he still young? He is twenty-five years old this year. If you look at Wei Shu, he can already help the family with business, but he can't run around all day long. Home, really worthless."

Hearing that his father mispronounced his age again, Cheng Weizhe didn't refute and provoke him this time, he just turned his head to look at Bai Xiaozhu, and said, "Uncle, I'm very sorry, I didn't enjoy the meal very much, I'd better go first Take your leave, and drink your tea slowly."

"Weizhe, don't worry, brother, don't be angry either." Bai Xiaozhu waved Cheng Weizhe to sit down again, and said, "Weizhe, how about uncle telling you about the marriage?"

Cheng Weizhe knew that his words were waiting here, so he said naturally, "Say it."

Bai Xiaozhu picked up the blue and white teapot and poured a bowl of hot tea for Cheng Weizhe himself: "Uncle's family's nephews, there is a fourth-ranked one who came to our house from a young age. You also know him. His name is Bai Yousu. Look at him. how?"

Hearing this name, even Cheng Weizhe, who has rarely shown his weakness in front of the Cheng family, couldn't help being stunned. Before he could reply, he heard an angry shout from the courtyard: "Father!! Why did you break us up?"