Chapter 116 Overthinking(1/2)
With the conclusion of Princess Boyang's poetry meeting, the news of the eighteenth mother of the Chen family's good book spread immediately.
On the contrary, the Chen family only found out about it by listening to others.
Chen Shao looked at the words on the paper that was handed to him. As a strict father, he couldn't help but admire it.
"It turns out that this is what you have been practicing diligently for the past two years." He said.
The sisters kneeling in front of me all burst out laughing.
"Yes, yes, we used to laugh at Shiba Niang practicing meditation in the house."
"Father, you don't know, those people used to laugh at Shiba Niang and laugh at her poor poems. We have been holding our breath for a long time..."
"Yes, so what if the poems are not good? No matter how good their poems are, how can they be so good? It's not like Eighteen Niangs can be evaluated by the Imperial Academy..."
"Yes, father, didn't you see their surprised expressions at that time, their eyes were about to fall off!"
Chen Shao's face darkened.
"If you do this to gain fame and reputation, you have lost the way of a gentleman," he said.
Fishing for fame and reputation! This is a serious statement.
The laughing sisters in the room suddenly became quiet and looked uneasy.
Chen Shiba Niang bowed her head and saluted and said yes.
"Father, Eighteenth Mother didn't do this on purpose. It would be pointless to write at any other time. Only Princess Boyang is successful in writing, so we agreed to go together."
"Yes, father, we don't want to gain fame or reputation, we just want to give everyone a surprise."
The sisters couldn't help but say.
Chen Shao hummed and frowned.
"Don't use sweet words." He said, "If you do something wrong, it's wrong."
The sisters responded but did not dare to say anything more.
Chen Shao lowered his head and looked at the writing in his hand, thinking about what he had just asked Chen Shiba Niang about what his maid had said, the bald pen, the countless papers, the blackened pen wash basin, and the thought that Ba Niang had almost never left the house in the past two years.
He did not slack off in traveling, even during New Years and holidays. The lights at night were always the last to be put out. He studied harder than his sons at home, and his complexion gradually softened.
It is an irresistible temptation for young people to hold their breath and become famous. Without these temptations, it would probably be difficult to persist in those arduous, repetitive and boring exercises.
There are pros and cons.
"Do you practice calligraphy to shock others?" Chen Shao said.
Chen Shiba Niang shook her head.
"Of course not. I practice calligraphy because of my hobby." She said, "I want to do it well because of my hobby. It's not for others, but just for myself and my own heart."
Chen Shao nodded and his expression softened again.
"Don't slack off in the future," he said.
My father was no longer angry, and the atmosphere in the room calmed down.
"Also, Boyang County wants to present your calligraphy to His Majesty on his birthday. You have to write a new calligraphy. You don't need to write a poem, just copy the scriptures." Chen Shao added,
As soon as this was said, the other sisters all laughed again.
"Father, do you think our poems are bad?"
"Why do you think I'm disgusted with this? Don't you know it?"
"Father, you are too partial!"
"We should also regret it. It turns out that we are the most knowledgeable in the family, but now we have to be obscured by the Eighteenth Mother!"
Listening to the joking here, Mrs. Chen who walked in from outside couldn't help but laugh.
It's rare to see a husband and daughters get along so easily.
Mrs. Chen came in, and when she saw Chen Shiba Niang's words, she couldn't help but admire her, and the daughters got up and left.
"Last time you said Mrs. Cheng might have come to Beijing? Why didn't she come to see her? Why don't you find someone to check her out?"
After exiting the door, Chen Shiba Niang stopped and looked back in surprise.
"No, I asked over there a few days ago and they said they weren't there," Chen Shao said.
"She's not here. I haven't heard from her for more than a year. As time goes by, I almost forget what she looks like." Mrs. Chen sighed.
"Eighteen Niang."
A sister called out.
Chen Shiba Niang came back to her senses and hurriedly responded, followed with a smile, and her parents' conversation in the room could no longer be heard.
"Didn't she send a letter?" Chen Shao asked again.
Mrs. Chen shook her head.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Do you still remember those deserters who were caught in her shop?" Chen Shao said.
Mrs. Chen nodded.
Of course I remember that although they were a few inconspicuous deserters, they ultimately affected the appointment and removal of military and political personnel in the northwest, and also disrupted her husband's arrangements, which made Chen Shao depressed for a long time.
"Five of them died in the battle." Chen Shao said.
Mrs. Chen was shocked.
"Well, Mrs. Cheng must be feeling uncomfortable," she sighed.
I thought that the lady had gone to great lengths to save these five people, which shows that she must have been very concerned about it.
However, there is nothing we can do about it. We have fought many battles in ancient times, but the poor people by the Wuding River are the ones who came from Chungui's dream. The moment they were sent to the battlefield, everyone understood in their hearts.
But soon Mrs. Chen realized something was wrong.
Wars are frequent in the northwest, and there are countless casualties. Although it is very sad, it is really a trivial matter to the court. At most, we only know the number of casualties. No one even knows the names of the senior generals. Why are these few soldiers?
The matter will be reported to Chen Shao.
"It seems that there was some dispute after their death," Chen Shao said, "because of the issue of merit and rewards."
It is not uncommon for generals to compete for credit and blame, but this is the first time a soldier has fought for credit after his death.
"Then will she come to you and talk about this?" Mrs. Chen asked.
"I don't know." Chen Shao shook his head and said.
Originally, he shouldn't have known about this matter. No one would report such a trivial matter at all. However, Zhou Fengxiang probably remembered that he mentioned these deserters, so he told him about it through a private message.
Down.
But to fight for the merits of these few dead soldiers, he really can't participate in politics. If he really wants to say it, it is not a matter of merits and rewards for just a few soldiers.
What's more, this is a great victory. It is a great victory that the emperor has longed for for a long time and is very happy to see.
At this time, jumping out and saying something may turn this happy thing into an unhappy thing. It is really not something that can be done in a hot head. The stakes are too high.
If Mrs. Cheng really comes to see him, I'm afraid that her answer won't satisfy her again.
It's a bit strange to think about it. Ever since he saved his father and paid her, they always seem to be at odds with each other about other things.
"Master, you are worrying too much." Mrs. Chen said softly, looking at her husband's frown, "There is nothing we can do about this kind of thing. To be fair, those who died in the war all had merit, but how could everyone do it?"
It’s sad to be awarded a reward, and sad to be sad, but I don’t think Mrs. Cheng would be so unreasonable.”
Chen Shao shook his head.
"Who knew that Mrs. Cheng always makes people a little frightened," he said.
Mrs. Chen smiled.
"Just say you are worrying too much. She is a woman, what can she do?" she said.
Seeing that Chen Shao was about to speak, she hurriedly continued.
"I know you are going to talk about the deserter again. The deserter is just a coincidence. It is reasonable to ask for help from everywhere in order to save people. But who would have thought that Zhangjiangzhou would make things worse."
Not only deserting, but she also committed murder and arson...
Chen Shao shook his head. No matter what, he still felt a little uneasy in his heart.
Will the lady really not cause any trouble this time?
At the same time, Mr. Zhou was also interrogating Liu Lang.
"Did she tell you what she was going to do?" he asked eagerly, "Why did she leave again?"
"No." Zhou Lang said dullly.
"How could it not be possible?" Mr. Zhou was pacing back and forth with a worried look on his face. "If we don't do anything, wouldn't the things you did for her in the northwest be in vain?"
"Father, the things I do are my business and have nothing to do with anyone else, and they are not for anyone else." Saturday Lang said with a glare.
"Whether it's for you or for her, you have offended someone anyway." Mr. Zhou also glared and said, "Since you have offended someone, you must eradicate the root. Either others will remove your roots, or you will remove others' roots. Which way?
To be continued...