This sleeve is broken secretly

Chapter 54 Peach Bamboo

It was getting late, and people who were away visiting relatives and friends returned home one after another.The windows of each household were lit up, the smoke rose, and laughter came.On this occasion of leaving the new year and welcoming the new year, people can finally let go of their usual distress and worries for a short time, and enjoy the happiness and reunion of this night to the fullest.

When Shen Bing came home, he saw the little bookboy was running back and forth, splashing water in the yard, carrying a broom that was about the same height as others and sweeping the floor, his forehead was covered with sweat.

"Come here." Shen Yan beckoned to him.

As soon as the little book boy saw him coming back, he immediately ran up smiling, bowed, and said "Happy New Year" loudly.Shen Yan raised his sleeve and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said helplessly: "Didn't you just clean it a few days ago? What are you doing here?"

A few days before the new year, Shen Wei gave the short-term and long-term workers at home a holiday, allowing them to go back and reunite with their relatives.Before leaving, those servants specially cleaned up the big and small houses, the windows were clean, the ground in the yard was swept, and the grass and trees were trimmed, so there was really no need to clean it again today.

However, the little book boy said with a smile: "Grandpa said that what was scanned in the past few days was from the previous few days, and today is different. Today is the last day of this year. We must sweep away the bad luck to welcome the new year."

Shen Bin smiled helplessly, took his little hand and walked towards the kitchen, and finally saw the old servant busy in front of the stove, bursts of mouth-watering rice aromas were wafting.

"My lord is back?" Seeing him, the old servant immediately wiped his sweat with a smile, "Your lord, please sit in the front room, we can have dinner soon."

"There's no need to be busy." Shen Yi stretched his head and glanced at the kitchen, "It's just the three of us to eat, three dishes and one soup are enough."

Now there are only three of them left in the Shen residence.The old servant is a widow, and the little book boy is an orphan bought by Shen Yi. The two of them stayed in Shen's house for the new year because they were homeless.

"How can I do that?" The old servant disagreed, "For the Chinese New Year, there must be too much meat and vegetables. Don't worry, the cook has prepared everything that needs to be marinated and fried before he leaves, and I will return here. Once it’s in the pot, it’s ready to serve in a short while.”

Seeing that he was unwilling, Shen Ting took off the official mansion and hat and put it aside, rolled up his sleeves and said: "Then I should do something, let's eat early."

"Oh, don't...don't!" The old servant exclaimed in surprise, and hurried over to stop him, "A gentleman is far away from the kitchen! What's more, with your status! Don't bully me, you get out—get out quickly!"

Regardless of his age, he is not weak, and pushed Shen Bing out with all his strength.Shen Bing was helpless, but he couldn't force this stubborn old man, so he had to drag the little book boy back to the front hall, preparing to write a few couplets by himself.

Zhengdan paper for writing Spring Festival couplets has already been placed on the table in the front hall, and it looks like the old servant bought it early in the morning and cut it.Shen Yan dipped the ink and held the pen, while the little book boy was rubbing the ink for him, while tilting his head thoughtfully, he suddenly asked after a while, "My lord, why can't men enter the kitchen?"

Shen Yu was writing with a pen, and when he heard his question, he couldn't help laughing and said, "'Gentleman far away from the kitchen' comes from a conversation between Mencius and King Xuan of Qi. King Xuan of Qi couldn't bear it because he saw someone leading a cow and wanted to kill the sacrificial bell, so He asked Mencius how to treat this matter. Mencius said, "A gentleman is like a beast. He can't bear to see his death when he sees his life, and he can't bear to eat his flesh when he hears his sound." , that’s why a gentleman stays far away from the zu’. It means that when a moral person sees an animal, he can’t bear to see it die, and when he hears its dying scream, he can’t put his chopsticks on the meat. Therefore, a gentleman Stay away from places like kitchen slaughterhouses."

The little book boy was dazed when he heard it, and asked curiously: "So, this sentence does not mean to warn men not to enter the kitchen?"

Shen Yu nodded and said: "Of course not. The original meaning of this sentence is that Mencius is advising King Xuan of Qi to implement a benevolent government. There is also a similar sentence in "Book of Rites", 'A gentleman stays away from the kitchen, and all flesh and blood can practice it' .This is to warn the gentlemen not to kill, and it is also to warn the kings not to practice violence, but to be sympathetic and loving to the people."

"So that's how it is..." The little book boy suddenly realized, "But why did Grandpa quote this sentence just now and tell you not to go into the kitchen?"

Shen Yan smiled helplessly: "Some literary classics are quoted a lot, and then lose their original deep meaning. Once they are passed on to ten or ten to a hundred, the taste changes after being passed on. You see, it was originally a sentence of 'advising the king to practice benevolent government. ', but it has been distorted into 'Men are not allowed to enter the kitchen'. Therefore, when I teach you to read, I always ask you to trace the source and not listen to false beliefs."

He paused, then raised his eyebrows to look at the little book boy and said: "Speaking of which, I have already let you read "Mencius", you should know the allusion of King Xuan of Qi."

Shocked, the little book boy secretly stuck out his tongue, lowered his head to polish the ink seriously and remained silent.Knowing that the child was always sloppy in his studies, Shen Bing wanted to say a few words about him, but thinking about today being a rare holiday, he sighed in his heart and didn't reprimand him again.

After writing two Spring Festival couplets, Shen Bing held the hand of the little book boy and wrote a few words, and just happened to hear the old servant outside asking them to eat.

The two went out to have a look, only to see that the round table of Tuantuan was full of delicacies.The "Flower Blooming Fortune Shrimp" arranged in the shape of a peony is red and festive; the oily and fragrant "Gaosheng Pork Ribs" means rising steadily; the "Pearl Balls" exuding the aroma of glutinous rice and lotus leaves represent roundness; half an arm long "Scallion-roasted crucian carp" is sprinkled with chopped green onion, sauce and boiling oil. It is more than every year, and "crucian carp" is auspicious; there is also the children's favorite "golden corn roast", which is sweet and sticky, implying gold and jade. full house.

The little book boy jumped to the table with a cheer, and reached out to grab a piece of corn to eat, but was severely beaten by the old servant: "You dare to open your mouth before the adults enter the table? Where have you forgotten your identity and etiquette?" ?”

Shen Bing came after him, and persuaded with a smile: "It's okay, the child can eat when he's hungry. Today it's just the few of us, don't stick to these, let's sit together."

The big round table that can seat six or seven people is full of food, but there are only three people around the table, which seems a bit deserted at first glance.However, during the banquet, there was a wolf-eating child and a kind and considerate old man, who whispered and bluffed, making the whole hall lively.Shen Bing was also very moved in his heart, if it wasn't for their company, this year must have been another lonely New Year.

Just when I thought of this, I heard the little bookboy over there gnaw on a pig's elbow and asked vaguely: "My lord, won't Mr. Xie come to see you today?"

The old servant froze and winked at him, but the child didn't notice it.

Shen Yan smiled and said: "Today is the day to reunite with my family. Mr. Xie also has his own family, so he can't come here."

"Thank you sir, he already said that he is your wife, and the others are outsiders." Little Shutong plausibly said, "My wife can't spend the Spring Festival together, so what do you call me a wife?"

The children are innocent and innocent, and they don't understand what marriage, family and unethical feelings between two men mean.Shen Bing sighed in his heart, he wanted to explain, but he didn't want to ruin his innocence, so he didn't know what to say for a moment.

The old servant scolded: "A small mouth is very busy, eating pig's trotters is not enough, what do I have to say? Eat yours quickly."

The little book boy buried his head in grievance, but his big eyes still glanced at Shen Bing's direction.

Children's curiosity is the strongest. If they can't get the answer from themselves, they will try their best to find out elsewhere.When it comes to his relationship with Xie Ling, Shen Bing doesn't want the little book boy to hear dirty words from others.

He stretched out his chopsticks and picked up a piece of sweet and sour spareribs for the child. He pondered and said slowly: "The Spring Festival is used to accompany family members who usually have no time to meet each other. Like me, I am busy going back and forth between the mansion and the court on weekdays. I seldom have time to have a meal with you. Today I finally had such an opportunity to sit down and reunite. The same is true for Mr. Xie. As a third-rank member, he hardly has time to meet his parents and brothers. , and only today their family can get together.

"As for Master Xie and I, we have a lot of time to spend together no matter whether we are in court or after court. And as long as we know each other's minds, it is not to say that we cannot meet each other on this day. Even for a month, a year, or longer, they are not afraid of separation. If the two loves last for a long time, how can they be in the same day and night. Do you understand?"

Although he tried his best to use common language to explain this truth, but the complex meaning in it is still too complicated for a seven or eight-year-old child.

The little book boy bit his chopsticks and listened ignorantly, and said for a long while: "So you are usually the favorite concubine of Sir Xie, and today you can return Sir Xie to the empress for a day. Is that so? "

"You..." Shen Yan was laughed angrily by him, stretched out his hand and flicked his forehead lightly, and said helplessly, "Well, it's not wrong for you to think so."

This meal was full of laughter and joy.

After drinking and eating, it was completely dark outside, but the heavy snow continued to fall.No one was clearing snow or passing by in front of the hall, and a layer of flawless snow-colored blanket had accumulated for several hours.The little book boy yelled with excitement and insisted on going out to build a snowman, so Shen Yi and the old servant took a bundle of firecrackers and planned to set them off at the door, scaring away bad luck and welcoming the New Year.

As soon as I went out, I saw that one of the red lanterns hanging at the door was crushed by the snow at some point.This is so ugly, the old servant hastily dragged the little book boy to bring a high stool, trying to hang the lantern on it again.

But these two people, the old one and the young one, no matter who stepped on the high stool, it was scary to watch.Shen Bing couldn't see it, so he went up and directed the old and the young to hold on to the legs of the stool, lifted his clothes and held the lantern in his hand, stepped on the stool, and planned to fight in person.

"Hey, what are you busy with?"

Hearing this playful voice coming from behind, the master and servant turned their heads suddenly, only to see a man and a horse appearing on the deserted street at some point, coming against the wind and snow, and they arrived in front of them in an instant .

The tall black horse proudly shook the falling snow on its head.The young man in brocade clothes on the horse was covered in snow all over his head and body, but this did not prevent him from being as deep and handsome as ever, with a smile on his face.But he saw that he was still holding a large bunch of red plums in one hand, and the blossoms were blooming and delicate, making him look festive.

"Thank you, my lord!" The little book boy cheered and jumped on him, "Why are you here!"

Xie Jin laughed loudly, jumped off the horse and stuffed the red plum in his arms to him.Then he strode forward, picked up Shen Bing who was just about to come down to greet him, and lifted up with all his might.

"You——" Shen Bing was taken aback by him, "What are you doing! Cheng He should put me down quickly."

Xie Qin dragged his waist effortlessly, looked at him from bottom to top, and said with a smile: "Aren't you going to hang a lantern? It's dangerous to step on a chair. Hang it up now."

Shen Yan blushed slightly, coughed, and hung up the lantern with a raised hand, Xie Ling then put him down.Standing in the halo of the red candlelight, the two looked at each other, and couldn't help showing deep smiles.

"Why are you here?" Shen Yan smiled.

For a big family like Xie's, there are so many guests to visit during the festival, so it must be very busy.Although Shen Bing also wanted to celebrate the New Year with him, but guessed that he must be too busy to find time, so he didn't say much.

Unexpectedly, he still came.

"I'm here to bring you new plums." Xie Qin put his cold hand into his arms and smiled, "My elder brother is back today. It's enough for the two of them to deal with it. I feel itchy when I don't see you for a day I can't bear it, I want to spend today's festival with you no matter what."

The two looked at each other and smiled, and walked into the gate of Shen's house hand in hand.The little book boy laughed and set off firecrackers outside, and the festive explosion immediately dispelled all the coldness in the flying snow.

Xie Ling had already eaten when he came.But when he saw the New Year's Eve dinner on the table, he also clamored for something to eat.Shen Bing asked the old servant to make him a bowl of noodles, but Xie Ling turned his back on him.In the end, he directed the little book boy to move a few pieces and turned them around to form an oven, and asked the old servant to chop some vegetables and meat.The last few people moved a few small horses, gathered under the snowy porch, and started to barbecue.

"Oh, it's muddled!" Xie Jin yelled, picked up a chicken leg that was about to blacken and threw it into the little book boy's bowl.The little book boy frowned and bit his mouth, only to find that the skin on the outside was black, but the meat inside was still raw.He frowned and was about to vomit, but Xie Qin stared at him again, "What are you vomiting, why are you wasting food, kid?"

Aggrieved, the little book boy took a mouthful of raw meat, but dared not to spit it out, or swallowed it.

Shen Bing glared at Xie Jin from the side, then stretched out his chopsticks and picked up the half-eaten chicken leg into his own bowl.Seeing that Xie Ling's face changed instantly, he quickly stopped him with a smile: "Don't eat my roast, my roast is not delicious. Don't ask for it, don't ask for it."

The little book boy was sitting next to him with his chopsticks in his mouth, daring to speak out.

Seemingly aware of the child's resentful gaze, Shen Yiqing coughed and put down the bowl and chopsticks, and said to him with a smile, "Come here, and wish me a New Year."

The little book boy didn't know what he was going to do, but he went over obediently, gave him a bow, and said loudly: "Congratulations on the new year, Gong Xi Fa Cai!"

Several people laughed.The old servant laughed and cursed at the side: "You child, you should wish your lord a prosperous career."

"It's okay." Shen Bing smiled, he took out a small red cloth bag from his sleeve, and handed it to him under the surprise eyes of the little book boy, "I wish you a happy new year too."

The little book boy shouted excitedly, and immediately took off the cloth belt, only to find a few golden beans rolled out of it.I'm afraid he hasn't gotten so much money in his life, so happy that he couldn't find the north, he pulled up Shen Bing's sleeve and shook it excitedly.

"Okay, okay..." Shen Yan was shaken almost to pieces by him, and finally stopped him with a smile, "It's a new year, and it's also a year older, it's time to grow up, you know?"

"En!" The little book boy nodded vigorously.

Shen Yan touched his forehead, and said softly: "Let me say a few more words. You are the same as me, and you can be regarded as coming from a poor family in this capital. But you have been with me for a long time, and I hope you will also You know, children from poor families can also have great ambitions. You can’t be my book boy all your life, and when you grow up, I hope you can go out and break into your own world. But now you have to work harder and learn to read Read books and learn the principles of dealing with people, so that you will suffer less in the future. Do you understand?"

The little book boy stood in front of him obediently, and seemed to be moved when he heard it at the end, and wiped the corners of his eyes embarrassingly.He is an orphan that no one wants. If it weren't for Shen Yi, he would have starved to death in the bridge hole.But now Shen Yan actually told him that an abandoned child like him can not only have enough to eat, but also have great prospects in the future.

How big of an impact is this for a child?

"I..." The child was in a hurry and couldn't say anything, and finally stammered with red eyes, "I, I don't like reading, and I don't like learning to read, but I like playing swords and swords! I want to be a general in the future! Protect the adults!"

Shen Bing was slightly surprised.He didn't expect that as a civil servant, the school boy beside him would want to learn martial arts.But after thinking about it again, this child has a light physique and a very high level of understanding. Maybe he is really a good seed for learning martial arts. He immediately smiled and said: "If you really want to practice martial arts, I can ask my master to teach you. But this word, it should be You still have to learn. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to understand the art of war in the future, so how can you become a general?”

Xie Ling laughed beside him again and said: "Also, if you want to be a general, you should give up this little girl's demeanor first. After a few words from your adults, you will drop gold beans. Which general is like this? ah?"

The little bookboy was blushed by what he said, but unable to refute, he flung himself into the arms of the old servant angrily, with his buttocks facing outward.

Several adults were amused by his appearance and laughed.

Although the wind and snow were falling heavily outside, the laughter inside the house dispelled all the cold.