Chapter 29 Two jokes

The words were divided into two parts. Mrs. Pei in the hall was talking to Mrs. Pei and the others. The children of the family were peaceful and happy. Zhen Yiyun led Zhen Tingyun and followed a few girls to the "Pillow Fang Pavilion" that Mrs. Pei said.

This Zhenfang Pavilion is a water pavilion in the pool in the back garden of Pei's house. If you stand in the pavilion, look around, surrounded by water, blue waves and sunny days, it is a good place to enjoy the scenery.

It's only now in January, the thin ice on the lake has just melted, and the hillside on one side is not much green, only the water is clear, and you can still see the swimming fish in the pond. think the silt inside had settled down in the cold winter, and a pool of green water had just brewed. It was also because the weather was cold and the wind by the pool was cool. The Pei family was also afraid that these delicate girls would catch the cold, so they ordered Shu brocade to be set up around the pavilion, and then asked two or three girls to burn the stove. Boil tea and simmer on the side.

Occasionally, the fragrance of tea or wine wafts in the wind, and a few girls in willow and yellow jackets and green skirts pass over the stone bridge with things in their hands. It coincides with the warm wind blowing their faces, and the green skirts are fluttering. revel.

And the girls sitting in the pavilion, either drinking hot tea or drinking hot wine, eating some snacks, talking and laughing, didn't feel cold at all.

Zhen Yiyun led Zhen Tingyun to cross the stone bridge without hesitation, seeing Pei Mingzhu, the third girl, sitting in the pavilion, joking with many ladies.

Zhen Yiyun raised his spirits a little, quietly pointed to the ladies present to Zhen Tingyun, and mentioned her softly: "The eldest cousin is already married, and she is not here today... This is the second cousin, this is the third cousin, this is the fourth cousin. Cousin. And the little princess of Prince Yan’s mansion, the second girl of the Marquis of Zhongshun’s mansion…”

While talking, the people in the booth also saw Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun.

Most of them were used to playing with Zhen Yiyun in the past. At this time, when they saw Zhen Yiyun leading her sister over, they naturally laughed, and a girl sitting in the middle raised her hand to greet them.

Zhen Tingyun looked up and knew that the girl beckoning to them was the protagonist of today's birthday; Pei Mingzhu.

Pei Mingzhu was born quite like Mrs. Pei, with a round oval face, plump and white cheeks, just like the snowy cheeks condensing Xinli, her eyebrows and slender eyes, and her appearance was amiable. In addition, she is lively and laughing, and when she speaks, it is like a jade pearl falling on a plate, crisp and tender, which is really pleasing.

Because today was Pei Mingzhu's birthday, she had to dress up carefully. She wore a silk-colored jacket, a rose-purple two-color golden and silver rat jacket, a long apricot red dress, a cloud bun on her head, and a gold hairpin. The tired silk was embedded with red Baobuyao, a pair of bright moon rings beside his ears, a bright red gold coiled necklace on his neck, and even the embroidered shoes on his feet had two pearls the size of lotus seeds.

The splendid splendor and jewels are indeed dazzling.

However, even if Pei Mingzhu dressed like this, she couldn't compare to the young girl sitting beside her.

This girl is slightly older than Pei Mingzhu, with green temples like clouds, snow skin and jade bones, and she is bright and beautiful. In particular, she dresses beautifully, and although she is not arrogant, she also has a noble bearing. From a distance, she looks like a peony that is overwhelmingly beautiful, which is naturally better than Pei Mingzhu, and also better than the other girls present. However, although this girl was born beautiful, her brows inevitably revealed a bit of self-confidence and arrogance.

This is exactly what Zhen Yiyun mentioned earlier, the little county master of Yanwang's mansion. If it is said that the birthday star at this banquet is Pei Mingzhu, the third girl, then the most honorable one is the little county master of Yanwang's mansion.

Emperor Xiaozong had four sons and two daughters, but only three sons and one daughter survived. Therefore, the previous emperor also had only two brothers, King Yan and King Su, but King Su was far away on the border, and he was unmarried and had no heirs. However, King Yan took time to give birth to a son and a daughter with Princess Yan while practising alchemy. The late emperor also had only one son. Although he didn't think much of King Yan's brother, he treated this pair of sons, nephews and nieces very well. In particular, the county owner of Prince Yan's Mansion was also the only daughter of the royal generation. Both the emperor and the queen cherished her, and even thought of conferring the position of princess. It is said that Princess Yan was humble and personally brought her daughter into the palace to resign. That's all.

However, although this county master does not have the name of a princess, he is not much worse than a princess, and he has the confidence of being arrogant and cold.

Zhen Tingyun only glanced at it briefly and then retracted his gaze. He didn't dare to read more or say more, but secretly complained in his heart: always feel that this little princess and Yuan Hui have a little resemblance, especially the one who doesn't speak with a cold face. When... Could it be said that good-looking people are really the same?

During the ups and downs of their thoughts, Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun had already passed the stone bridge and entered the Pillow House.

Pei Mingzhu got up from her seat, greeted them in person, tilted her head and looked at them, with a smile on her face, her voice was particularly clear: "Sister Yiyun, you are here! We are talking, you are late today. Now, it must be punished by drinking!" As she said that, she rolled her eyes, and her eyes fell on Zhen Tingyun's face, she smiled and pulled Zhen Tingyun's hand, her gesture was natural and intimate, "This Is it Sister Tingyun? It’s better to meet you if you’re famous. Grandmother and my mother never miss you in their mouths and hearts. I’ve seen you today.”

Speaking of which, Pei Mingzhu and Zhen Tingyun are the same age, but her birthday is in January, and Zhen Tingyun's birthday is in April, a difference of three months. Therefore, she can naturally ask Zhen Tingyun to shout her sister.

Pei Mingzhu's name is Mingzhu, which can be regarded as the real Pearl of the Pei family. Her grandfather was the Minister of the Ministry of Housing and the cabinet complemented each other; her mother was the direct daughter of the Houfu of Zhongshun; The elder brother Pei Rusong is the most outstanding son of the next generation of the Pei family. Now he was only seventeen and he has already won the title. He is famous, and he will only wait for next spring to win the title......

If the little princess is someone who Zhen Tingyun can't afford right now, then Pei Mingzhu, the third cousin, is someone Zhen Yiyun can't afford to offend at the moment.

Therefore, when Pei Mingzhu spoke up at this time, Zhen Tingyun would naturally follow suit. After she had spoken to Pei Mingzhu, she went up to greet the other ladies, exchanged names, and greeted them one by one.

Because of Zhen Yiyun's previous introduction, Zhen Tingyun is stable again, and there is nothing wrong.

In fact, since these people were able to attend Pei Mingzhu's birthday banquet, they naturally knew something about the Pei family or the Zhen family, and of course they had heard of Zhen Tingyun. The little girl was quite curious. Now that see these people, although their faces are not obvious, they are also secretly surprised: this girl does not look like a village girl in her earlier imagination, but she has skin that is better than snow, her face is like a hibiscus, and her eyebrows and lips are full of cherry blossoms. , it is graceful and beautiful.

If it is said that Zhen Yiyun is beautiful and refined, her slender and graceful like a magnolia blooming on a branch, which is pitiful; then this girl Zhen Er is fresh and beautiful, like the first ray of spring light falling on a flower branch in March. It was a sight to behold and added a lot of joy.

It is said that people are judged by their appearance, but the first thing people see when looking at them is their appearance. These daughters and daughters first looked at Zhen Tingyun's face, and then looked at her behavior and conversation. The doubts and contempt in their hearts disappeared, but they were very kind and asked about Zhen Yiyun's younger sister.

Everyone saw each other before Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun took their seats.

In front of these people, Zhen Yiyun looked like a good sister, and explained to Zhen Tingyun: "When my father was released, my grandmother's homeland was difficult to leave, so my family had to keep my second sister by my grandmother's side to do filial piety, It's only now that the family is reunited..."

Although there were many reasons for the Pei family to keep Zhen Tingyun at the beginning, but now the Zhen family has a unified voice. It is only said that by leaving Zhen Tingyun by his grandmother's side to be filial, Yu Zhen can also be less troublesome at home. It is beneficial and harmless to say that you can also gain a reputation for being virtuous and filial.

Although everyone knows that there must be a lot of things in it, there is no reason to expose the shortcomings in person, but they say: "I often heard you talk about it in the past, and now I have seen it."

Zhen Yiyun smiled and pulled Zhen Tingyun's hand, intentionally or unintentionally revealing the jade bracelet given by Mrs. Pei, as if to show off: "My sister is the most likable - this bracelet I also shared with me in the past. My grandmother asked for it, but my grandmother just refused, and when I saw my second sister today, she liked something, so she gave it immediately."

Because Zhen Tingyun's wrist is slender and jade-white, and her wrist is frosty and snowy, such a jade bracelet is placed on it. Eye-catching.

The three girls of the Pei family looked at the jade bracelet and felt a little unhappy: that bracelet is indeed Mrs. Pei's favorite thing, and it's not that they didn't ask for it when they were granddaughters. girl! Although it wasn't a big deal, it was still a little unpleasant, as if she was being compared by a country girl. They are also considered masters, so it's not easy to act stingy.

Seeing that he had drawn enough hatred, Zhen Yiyun also accepted it as soon as he saw it, and changed the subject with a smile: "By the way, what are you playing today?"

Pei Mingzhu blinked and said jokingly: "You haven't come, what's the fun? I'm just talking about you - next month will be your wedding ceremony, so you have to remember to send us a post."

"Naturally, as long as you don't mind, I'll invite you all." Zhen Yiyun and these ladies knew each other, and they were very familiar with their conversation. Only when facing the little county master did he become a little more serious and straighten his expression. Sincerely said, "If the county master is willing to come, my family will be full of glory, and everyone will be honored."

Hearing the words, the little princess also showed a faint smile on his face, and his voice was reserved: "Well, I'll see if I have time later."

Most of the people were also very supportive, and followed with a smile.

Pei Mingzhu followed her palms and said, "Now that everyone has gathered, and asked them to bring wine, let's make the wine order together..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhen Yiyun added another sentence: "Why don't you change it, my second sister just came from the country, and now I just skim through a few books at home, I'm afraid I don't know much about it."

Pei Mingzhu was stunned, and subconsciously looked at Zhen Tingyun. Everyone also turned to look at Zhen Tingyun, his eyes were quite meaningful.

If you were a thin-skinned person and looked at by so many people like this, I'm afraid you would feel blush.

Zhen Tingyun's expression didn't change, he only sneered in his heart: Zhen Yiyun really didn't suffer enough!

However, Zhen Tingyun really has no talent for poetry, she thought about it and then suggested: "Today is the birthday of the third cousin, so it's time to be happy. Why don't you ask someone to break a flower and make the girl If you beat the drum to pass the flower, you only see who the flower falls into. The one who holds the flower must tell a joke, so that everyone can laugh. I will ask the third cousin and the little county master to decide, and if it is not funny, I will punish you with a glass of wine."

"That's a good idea." Pei Mingzhu nodded quickly, turned to look at the little princess, and asked what the other party meant.

The little princess nodded slightly.

So, Pei Mingzhu ordered someone to break a flower, took it in his hand, and asked someone to carry a screen, and the girl beat the drum behind.

The drums sounded for a while, and the flower branches were passed down from Pei Mingzhu. don't know if it was a coincidence or not, when the drum stopped, the flower just fell on Zhen Tingyun's hand.

Everyone passed their eyes and waited for Zhen Tingyun's joke.

Zhen Tingyun didn't refuse, he thought for a while and said, "I just happen to have a joke, so I'll make everyone laugh."

After speaking, Zhen Tingyun thought about it for a while, and then said, "It is said that there is a family with two sisters in the family..."

When everyone heard her say this, they couldn't help laughing, and their eyes turned around Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun - aren't the Zhen family just two sisters?

Only Zhen Yiyun was secretly annoyed, worried that Zhen Tingyun would take the opportunity to speak ill of himself and look at people quietly.

Zhen Tingyun just thought he didn't know, then continued: "...One day, my sister gave a puzzle to my sister, 'There is someone who is neither my sister nor my brother, but is my parents' child. Guess who is she?'. The elder sister thought about it for a long time, but she shook her head. The younger sister smiled and said, 'Sister, you are so stupid, isn't this me?'"

Listening to Zhen Tingyun's understatement in front of everyone, "Sister, you are so stupid", Zhen Yiyun tightened her hand on the skirt, but she still held back her words.

Then I heard Zhen Tingyun continue: "This sister also found it interesting, so she learned this and asked her friend, 'There is a person who is neither my sister nor my brother, but my father and mother's. Child. Guess who she is?' My friend just said I don't know, and the sister laughed at her, 'You are so stupid, isn't this my sister?'."

Most of the people here are smart, and feel that the sister in this joke is also a cola because she is smart, and they all laughed. Only Zhen Yiyun has a ghost in her heart and always suspects that this joke is a mockery of her...

Zhen Tingyun ignored Zhen Yiyun, who was on the side, and turned his head to wink at Pei Mingzhu and the little county master: "Forget it?"

Pei Mingzhu couldn't hold back and laughed: "Forget it, you can pass that flower down."

For a while, the sound of drums from behind the screen started again, but this time it was passed to the second girl Pei. Pei Er girl told a joke, everyone just said it wasn't funny, and asked her to drink a glass of wine. Then, Huazhiyou turned around in the hands of everyone, and for some reason, it came to Zhen Tingyun again.

Zhen Yiyun was afraid that his sister would say nonsense again, so he forced a smile on his face and said, "Aren't you guys taking my second sister to blame? How come it's her turn?"

Zhen Tingyun didn't take it seriously, and said casually: "It's the birthday of the third cousin. It's okay for me to make a few jokes as my sister, and my sister doesn't need to mind."

Since Zhen Tingyun, the party concerned, has said this, Zhen Yiyun can't say much, and there are people who follow along, so he has to ask Zhen Tingyun to tell another joke.

Zhen Tingyun didn't want to stab people with words this time. She knew in her heart that all those present were boudoir daughters, and even if she told jokes, she should be more elegant, but she grew up in the country and didn't read much books. After thinking about it, she had to compare the jokes she heard from Fu Changxi with them. These people said it again: "Once upon a time there was an old man who liked to give exams. One day, he published a first-line 'Xing Yan to fly south'..."

There are many talented women present here, most of whom are quick-witted. After listening to this couplet, I pondered in my heart, thinking: If it was me, how should I deal with this couplet.

The little princess sitting beside Pei Mingzhu listened, but raised her eyebrows.

Zhen Tingyun then continued: "It just so happened that this old man happened to meet a jerk that day, and he randomly gave the right link 'Two roast ducks go north'."

When the crowd heard it, they fell to their knees with laughter.

Zhen Tingyun also laughed, and continued: "The old man was angry and laughed when he heard this, and he scolded, 'Which bastard is right? It's really stupid!'. But the bastard was so complacent, he asked him instead. 'Where can't it be done? You are steamed goose, I am roast duck, they are all cooked, and they are all edible. Isn't the upper and lower joints very neat?'"

When everyone heard the words "steamed wild goose" and "roast duck", they really couldn't help laughing, and the one who laughed so hard was covering his stomach and screaming "Aiyo".

Only the little county master's expression remained the same, but instead he pursed his lips: "Where did you hear this joke?"

Zhen Tingyun's laughter paused for a while, feeling that something was wrong, and asked tentatively, "Does the princess think there is something wrong with this joke?"

"That's not true." The little county master's expression was still indifferent, but there was clearly something in his eyes, and his voice was even more meaningful, "It's just that I heard someone say it once before."

Zhen Tingyun relaxed a little, and there were people on the side to join in the fun: "I think there are more people who have heard of it, so let's pass it on to Sister Zhen."

The little county master raised his eyebrows slightly: "This is a joke that Uncle Su told at the palace banquet when he was young - my mother and concubine were also there at the banquet at that time, and I was very impressed and told me a few times. Therefore, I am a little curious. : Where did Miss Zhen learn from?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone paused.

Although King Su became a vassal at a young age, it was just a name for these little girls. But since the late emperor named this younger brother as the regent, the name of the regent, everyone in the capital knows that there will inevitably be some stories about this king in the capital.

It is said that the mother of King Su's mother, Concubine Wu Huanggui, was a stunning beauty, and Emperor Xiaozong fell in love with her at first sight and greeted her as a royal concubine. After she entered the palace, Cheng Huan had no time to serve the banquet, and the spring tour from the spring night made all the concubines and concubines in the six palaces lose their color, and later gave birth to a daughter and a son for Emperor Xiaozong.

It is a pity that the eldest daughter, the eldest daughter of Ningguo, the eldest princess, and the pro-beiman passed away early. Emperor Xiaozong missed his beloved concubine, but he couldn't see his youngest son, so he only kept the youngest son in the place of the queen.

Of course, it was also said that King Su hated Beiman deeply because of his eldest sister.

In short, everyone said inside and out that this King Su looked like his mother, and when he was young, his appearance was amazing, and he could be called a jade person. As a young man, he was trained in the military, and he was a rare general.

It's a pity, and for some reason, King Su has never been married, and he is still alone and widowed.

...

Such a young, handsome, talented, high-ranking prince of a country, and yet unmarried, these girls will inevitably have a lot of yearning.

Now, hearing that Zhen Tingyun's joke was actually said by King Su at the palace banquet many years ago, everyone couldn't help but be surprised, and all turned to look at Zhen Tingyun, waiting for her answer.

Zhen Tingyun: "..." It's just a joke, it's all said and done, how can she be full to ask the source of the joke - how does she know where Yuan Hui knew about the joke of King Su?

It's just that the little princess looked at her with burning eyes, and even the others were full of curiosity.

Zhen Tingyun, who was just telling a joke, also had a headache for a while, so he had to find an excuse, and half-truth explained to others: "I heard a businessman on the way back to Beijing - Now that I think about it, it seems that the businessman came from the north, maybe he has been to the northern border, and he has heard about the regent..."

Having said that, Zhen Tingyun raised his hand very happily, poured himself a glass of wine, raised the glass to accuse everyone, "This time I said something badly, I will punish you for a glass of wine!"

When everyone sees this, it's not good to say anything.

It was the little princess, who didn't know if he believed it or not. Hearing Zhen Tingyun's remarks, he just raised his eyebrows and said in a low voice, "You said that, doesn't it mean that Uncle Su said it badly at the beginning?"

Zhen Tingyun: "..." So, should she drink this wine or not?

The little county master didn't seem to be embarrassing anyone. He looked down at the wine glass in his hand and changed the subject: "You probably don't know: Uncle Su will enter the capital tomorrow."

Everyone present was very curious about King Su, but now they are surprised and delighted to hear the little county master talk about King Su's entry into the capital. They can't take care of Zhen Tingyun above, and they hurriedly ask questions, all eyes are on Staring at the little princess.

Only Zhen Tingyun felt so bored: She was blocked by the guard of honor of King Su on her way for several days. Did she say anything? ! Isn't it still pushing the joke to the businessman? ...the people in Beijing are so boring.

The little county master smiled implicitly, glanced at those who didn't know anything, and felt somewhat superior, so Shi Shiran explained: "Actually, Uncle Su has already arrived, but he is the regent appointed by the late emperor. Can't we just enter the city like this? So, these days, the palace and the cabinet are discussing the matter of the suburban welcome."

"Yeah, I don't know if we can take a look when we go down." Pei Mingzhu couldn't help but yearn, and couldn't help muttering, "My grandfather didn't say anything." Since the palace and the cabinet discussed the matter of welcome to the suburbs, Mrs. Pei was also in the cabinet. , it should have been known for a long time.

Pei Er girl has already arranged a marriage, and she was going to get married last year, but it was delayed because of national filial piety. Therefore, she is not as longing as other little girls, and has always been steady: "This is a national event, how can my grandfather tell our little girl's family? That is, the status of the county owner is noble, so I can only know it first."

The little county master nodded slightly, and explained to everyone: "Actually, this time it was because the queen mother prepared to hold a banquet in the palace to entertain Uncle Su. I and the mother and concubine were going to go, so I knew in advance."

The crowd began to ask again and again, chattering about the time, can we go to the street together to see the excitement or something.

Zhen Tingyun just wanted to sigh at the side: It's so boring, so nutritious, it's better to practice calligraphy and flute at home! Didn't you say that Miss Pei San also had to take the women's school entrance exam? Why are you still in the mood to go out to see the regent?

Listening and listening, Zhen Tingyun couldn't help but took out yesterday's math problem, and thought about it again in his mind, just to pass the time.

Zhen Yiyun naturally also noticed Zhen Tingyun's absent-mindedness, and laughed secretly in his heart: Zhen Tingyun has such a personality, he neither pleases people nor knows how to communicate, even if he doesn't stumble, I'm afraid Zhen Tingyun won't be able to get in either. The social circle of the capital girl's daughter...

Thinking of this, Zhen Yiyun was faintly proud, the corners of his lips were slightly raised, and he spoke in a brisk, witty voice.

For a time, the crowd was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

The author has something to say: Fu Changxi: never imagined that a joke that was casually told back then would be remembered by some people for more than ten years. After lost memory and said it again, it was found to be cheating...