After the family fell, I wanted to lie down

Chapter 18 Deception

Prefect Liang struck the war drum once again, and the sounds of competition and cheers rang out all around. There were so many people on the platform that it was almost impossible to stand. Most of them stood there to watch the grand spectacle of the competition.

"This scene at this moment should only exist in heaven..."

“There should be a lot of excellent works in this scene today, right?”

The men from the aristocratic families standing on the platform were enjoying the surrounding competition while chatting animatedly. Most of the topics were about the poems published today. Prefect Liang was no exception. As a prefect, if there were outstanding talents in the area under his jurisdiction, it would be his political achievement. Even if it was not a political achievement, he himself was a master of calligraphy and poetry, and he would be eager to recruit talented people if they had good works.

"The few songs I saw before were pretty good." He said with a smile. This was already a high compliment.

When the people around heard him say this, they appreciated the new masterpiece again.

"Well, it's another good poem. Come and have a look."

The paper passed through the hands of various dignitaries, and when it reached the hands of Governor Liang, her husband roughly glanced at the name of the poem.

"A poem about the Dragon Boat Festival race."

"On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Dragon Boat Festival, poplar flowers fly around the river"

Well, this is a description of the grand occasion of the Dragon Boat Race during the Dragon Boat Festival.

The orioles sing in the morning light... The dragon boat races on the river first;

Before the envoy left the county residence, the sound of drums was already stirring his heart.

The harmonious sounds shake the sky, and we celebrate the festival with endless joy.

The river bank is filled with laughter and joy, as people celebrate the festive occasion with great joy.

The customs of the Dragon Boat Festival have been passed down through the ages, and the dragon boat race will live forever.

"After reading it in one breath, Magistrate Liang's smiling face stopped smiling when the poem ended." He stared at the dragon boat in front of him seriously and attentively, but he didn't know what he was thinking about. He could still hear the competition songs sung by the contestants in his ears.

"The drums beat hastily, the flags were hoisted, the two dragons raced with their eyes shining brightly... The shouts from the people on the hill shook the sky, the colorful ribbons on the poles danced in the air..."

"The boat ahead breaks through the waves to win, while the boat behind is exhausted and paddling in vain... The battle is fierce and the heart is burning, and the difference between winning and losing is heartbreaking..."

There were the sounds of poetry, colorful flags blowing in the wind, shouts, calls, and the war song that Prefect Liang sang during the competition.

"The drums beat hastily, the flags were hoisted, the two dragons raced with their eyes shining, the shouts from the people on the hill shook the sky, the colorful ribbons on the poles danced in the air..."

"The boat ahead breaks through the waves to win, while the boat behind is exhausted and paddling in vain. The battle is fierce and the heart is burning, and the difference between winning and losing is heartbreaking..."

When everyone heard Magistrate Liang's singing, they suddenly became quiet for a while. Someone reacted and immediately started singing along. For a while, the sound of Liang's singing on the stage never stopped.

"Good poetry, good poetry."

“It’s okay for this poem to be ranked in the top ten.”

“I think the top six is ​​also good.”

"I just don't know who wrote this poem. How old is he this year? Otherwise, he wouldn't have written such a sentimental poem."

"Let me see, isn't there a signature on it?"

"Gudi Poetry Society... Yingge..."

"Some people still know about the Ancient Flute Poetry Society. After all, some of the children of the powerful families present here are in the poetry society. Who is this Yingge? Which noble family in Mocheng has the surname Ying?"

"Well, the Ancient Flute Poetry Society was founded by the young master Liu of the Fu family, Fu Zijing."

"That's right, that's right. He was originally studying abroad, and then Mr. Zichun accepted students, so he became Mr. Zichun's disciple. Because he liked making friends and writing poetry, he formed a poetry club."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed with his big hand, saying that the person who knew the situation best should be Mr. Fu Si, who was present.

"Master Fu Si, your Zijing has established an ancient flute poetry society, right?"

"It's just children's play, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning..."

"So he became Zichun's disciple. No wonder."

"Gudi Poetry Society... Yingge..."

Prefect Liang paused for a moment, then started laughing again.

"As expected, he is a student of Zichun. He is a talented disciple."

When everyone heard this, they all burst into compliments and greetings.

"Come, come, let's go and see the winner of the dragon boat race."

This masterpiece of poetry has come to an end.

Everyone followed the footsteps of Governor Liang downstairs. Some of the dignitaries who held lower positions and whose families were not as qualified as them walked behind them and discussed: "The one called Yingge must be the son-in-law of Master Liu, right?"

"Did he become a disciple of Master Zichun? Why don't I remember this happening?"

"The young son-in-law of Master Liu is a boy from the countryside. I heard that he became famous thanks to Master Liu, although it was a negative thing."

"I see. But it's unlikely that his son-in-law can write poetry. I'm afraid he has the same name."

"Do you think Mr. Liu knows about this? I'm afraid he doesn't know. With his personality, he would have publicized it a long time ago."

I heard that Mr. Liu was taking care of his children playing football yesterday. I guess he really doesn't know about it.

Neither Liu Ziheng nor his younger cousin went to watch the dragon boat race. Liu Ziheng stayed at home to recover from his hand injury. Although his injury was not particularly serious, injury was a minor matter, while losing face was a major matter. After the basketball game, he never wanted to go out again.

"Why didn't you tell me that she was going to a football game?"

When Liu Ziheng heard what Master Liu said, he looked a little strange. "Uncle, a football match is not a big deal. It's just a game."

Master Liu felt as if he was choked, and made up an excuse: "It's OK if I lose, but if I win, I have to thank the prefect and the governor. I heard that he even gave me one of his calligraphy works."

"It's too late. You just came back and I haven't had time to tell you yet!"

Liu Wenru asked in surprise: "When did she learn to play Juqiu? How come I didn't know about it? And she plays so well?"

Liu Ziheng muttered quietly, "I don't know if she's good at playing football, but I know she's pretty good at kicking people. Just after she came on the court, she tackled three people from the blue team, and later she even tackled the young master of the Chen family."

"It seems that she is quite amazing."

"Ahem, ahem, Master Liu stroked his not-so-long beard. This is still a bit dangerous. Of course, studying is more important. But this kid...when did he become so brave that he is willing to play with you guys."

He got bolder. Humph, that boy is really bold. How about taking this opportunity to give her a gift?

"Well, that uncle, that Yingge is really brave." Liu Ziheng clenched his hands and thought hatefully in his heart, you little bastard, I will not let you be so comfortable, now you are feeling very smug.

"Oh, how can you say that?"

"Uncle, Yingge didn't go to school with Mr. Zichun at all."

“And she didn’t either.”

When these words came out, Liu Wenru was somewhat surprised and a little bit incredulous.

Liu Ziheng's little cousin called him with some uneasiness in his expression, and nervously shrank into the corner of the conversation hall. He seemed to have a premonition of an impending storm.

Anyway, the words have been spoken, so he might as well make them clearer. Then he added fuel to the fire and spoke eloquently about the information he knew.

"That's unlikely. Yingge isn't that kind of person. Butler Zhang said she goes out every day, saying she's going to school, and she's also received a lot of the finest writing brushes, inkstones, and paper!"

"Uncle, of course it was a lie, just to get free food and drinks from her mother in our house!"

This news had a great impact on Mr. Liu. He paced back and forth in the hall, muttering to himself, and was unwilling to believe that things were like this.

Just as he was about to send someone to invite Yingge over for some questioning, a servant at the door said that Master Yingge was outside asking to see him.

"This is just in time. Let her in quickly. I have something to ask her."

"I already know what you just said. I will ask her later, but if you lie..."

"But there's nothing much to say about this matter. You'll know if you just ask around a little."

Liu Ziheng was gloating. "Oh, I finally got this off my chest. I was almost dying of suffocation. Now that I've said it, it feels so good. Yingge, I can only say sorry. If you are punished by your uncle and kicked out of the Liu Mansion, don't blame me. Just blame yourself for lying first."

"Brother, aren't you afraid of her? Why did I feel that my uncle didn't seem angry when you told me about her just now?"

"What if Yingge finds out that we were the ones who reported it? Then..."

"So what if it's us? Hasn't she done anything like that?"

"We are just stating the facts."

"Didn't you just say that your uncle didn't look angry? Wasn't he angry?"

"Yeah, I don't feel like I'm angry. Isn't that a bit strange?"

"Maybe he still doesn't believe it. You'll know after uncle asks the women in the mansion."

"Brother, don't look at me. I'm scared of your look."

"Humph, if you don't want to watch, then don't watch. I'll just wait and see how she ends up."

……

Yingge didn't know that Master Liu had returned. After she brought Chunqiao and Xiao Taohong back from the canal, she went straight to the mixed residence where they lived. She had already sent Chunqiao back to her aunt in the mixed residence, and she and Xiao Taohong were also preparing to go back to their own place. Unfortunately, when she went back to look for Xue, she didn't find her.

The servant in the yard said that Master Liu had returned and invited Aunt Xue to have a talk.

Yingge nodded in understanding. A few days ago, Mrs. Xue said that her desk was too old and she wanted to replace it with a new one. She would probably go to Mr. Liu to complain and beg for money. It is not good to live under someone else's roof, but Mrs. Xue seemed to enjoy it. She would ask for some things from time to time. She did not regard such things as something embarrassing, but as something that could reflect her ability.

"Come here, Xiao Taohong, let's eat first. We'll save some for mom when she comes back."

"Chunqiao, why don't you eat something at my house first?"

Chunqiao lifted her hair and said, "Is there no food at my house? Let's go to your house to eat. No way!"

Yingge ignored her when she heard her say that, and then picked up a book to read. Whether it was writing poetry or playing badminton, they were just some small auxiliary things. The most important thing was to read good books, learn good skills, and then achieve her goals. Otherwise, it would take too long, and when would she be able to achieve her goals?

In the study room of Master Liu in the front yard, the servants all left and closed the doors and windows. Then I could only hear Xue Shi saying in the room: "She has gone to study. Thank you Master Liu for being so kind to her. Not only did you let her study, but you also hired someone to teach her martial arts to strengthen her body. I will never forget your kindness."

The gatekeeper had been outside the whole time, and heard Xue's chattering, repeatedly expressing gratitude for cooperation and occasionally asking for things. He curled his lips, thinking that they had seen many women like her, and she was just a poor woman who was begging for money.

Having said so much, don’t you still want more benefits?

The conversation in the study finally stopped, and the room became quieter for a while.

There was a person sitting in front of the surprisingly wide desk, stroking the teacup with her hand. It was not the protagonist of the mansion, Master Liu, but the timid Xue who people had always seen. But Master Liu stood in front of her, looking serious and respectful.

Mr. Liu announced to the public that the Ying family was his benefactor, but gratitude was gratitude and thanks were thanks, and even so, he did not dare to sit down. Instead, he stood in front of the benefactor he had always talked about, and since Mrs. Xue did not speak, he did not dare to disturb her.

This kind of scene made it seem as if Xue was his superior.

Xue thought for a while, poured a glass of water and pushed it to Mr. Liu.

"Here, have a drink to moisten your throat."

Master Liu felt a little scared when he saw the cup of tea poured by Xue, and he took a step back. Liu Wenru was a general who had fought against the enemy on the battlefield, but now he had such an expression towards a woman, which seemed inappropriate no matter how he looked at it.

"Master Pei, your tea is too much for me. I'd rather not drink it."

"It's too early to call you sir, please stop calling me sir."

Master Liu was silent for a while, as if he remembered something bad, and then he shook his head. "I didn't find Master Du when I went to Shu this time."

"Don't look for it anymore. It will be troublesome if it attracts unnecessary attention. There's no need to look for it deliberately."

"I didn't ask deliberately."

Xue's face showed a trace of sadness because of his words, as if she had encountered a difficult problem.

"Did you arrange for Yingge not to go to school?"

Xue was surprised and asked, "What did you say? You didn't go to school?"

When Mr. Liu saw how surprised Mrs. Xue was, he became even more confused.

"Didn't you arrange this? How come you didn't know about it?"

"I don't know. She comes home every day and reads and writes very hard. I've never heard that she didn't go to school!"

Liu Wenru repeated to Xue what Liu Ziheng had said.

"Since even you don't know, then what's going on? At the beginning, you told me not to ask too much about this matter, so I didn't ask much. If she really didn't go to school, then this is a lie, or one of you has made new arrangements and hasn't had time to tell me yet."

When Xue heard this, she rubbed her head helplessly. At the beginning, Lord Du arranged for someone to follow you, saying that you were a newcomer to the army, and that people could be arranged to join from you later, but those people disagreed. And it just so happened that she herself wanted to study, which was exactly what they wanted. As for how to follow Mr. Zichun to study without being suspected, I don’t know either. I just gave you a name card...

After Xue finished speaking, she felt a little helpless and overwhelmed.

Lord Du has been gone for several years. If he doesn't come back, I won't be able to clean up the situation. As a weak woman, I'm still a little scared.

When Liu Wenru saw the person in front of him who claimed to be a weak woman, his expression was a little complicated, but there was not much sympathy on his face. Instead, he unconsciously took a step back.

Xue was silent for a while and said, "I already know about this matter. I will ask her about it. You...just react as you should."

Master Liu was having a headache. Should he be the kind of person who wanted to gain a good reputation for his benefactor's son, but at the same time really didn't want the young man to have a good reputation? This was really a bit difficult.

"I will not make any arrangements today. I will deal with the normal reactions of those children first and go find out the details. I will wait for your arrangements for the day after tomorrow."

Xue nodded to show that she understood, stood up and walked out. When she was about to reach the door, she stopped and bowed.

"Thank you very much for your kindness, Master. I will take good care of Yingge." She said with a slightly tearful tone.

"Sister-in-law, please don't say such things again. Just treat this place as your own home. Stay here peacefully."

After listening to what he said, Xue bowed again and murmured words of gratitude and great favor. However, the servant was a little disdainful and said that if he was really grateful, he should just leave quickly and stop asking for money here.

As soon as Xue stepped into the door, she saw Yingge sitting on the doorstep with a branch in her hand, teaching Xiao Taohong to write and draw, but she didn't know what she was teaching.

Xue nodded, rolled up her sleeves, and went to the kitchen. "You must be very hungry after waiting so long. I will go and cook for you."

Chunqiao ran out of the kitchen. "Aunt Xue, I have already heated up the rice dumplings for you, you can eat them directly."

"Xiao Taohong also helped wash and cut the vegetables." She was still too young, and usually she just helped out with the chores.

"Mother, what did you do at Master Liu's place?"

Mrs. Xue poked her head out of the kitchen and said happily, "The new desk will arrive tomorrow, and I've also asked for a large antique display stand for you."

Yingge shook her head helplessly and said with a smile: "But mother, my study is not that big, it can't accommodate it!"

When Mrs. Xue heard her say this, she frowned slightly and said, "Then we should move to a bigger place."

Yingge waved her hand, and Xue also laughed. She said, "That's true. You've lived quite well here. It would be difficult to get used to it if you suddenly move to a new place."

After he finished speaking, the courtyard returned to silence for a while, with only Xiao Taohong running around.