Chapter 284 Reunion after a long absence
Yongning is located on the seaside and has the natural chasm of Ailao Mountain here, so that both its economy and agriculture are very backward. It is like a forgotten pearl, quietly embedded in the vast coastline.
The streets here are narrow and winding, and the houses on both sides are slightly dilapidated and made of wood and mud. Even the roof tiles are covered with moss.
Seeing this desolate scene, Xie Fengyue's heart was half cold.
The salty and wet smell brought by the sea breeze made Xie Fengyue's nose wrinkle slightly.
When Xie Fengyue and his party appeared at the gate of Yongning City, their arrival immediately attracted the attention of the locals.
They were wearing coarse clothes, and their faces still bore traces of being exposed to the scorching sun, but each one of them smiled and saluted Lu Mei beside Xie Fengyue.
Their etiquette is very funny, with their hands clasped together and half-crouching, as if they have just learned.
Lu Mei saw her doubts clearly, and after returning the greetings to them warmly, she said: "These talents have only scratched the surface of etiquette after entering the hall, which made the princess laugh."
"Is this a new order from Mr. Lu?" Xie Fengyue asked.
"It's a small and leisurely county. Although it's not as prosperous as Shengjing, it still has a sense of tranquility. I opened a few schools at will so that people who want to study can come and learn on the first and fifteenth day of every month."
Lu Mei said it easily, but Xie Fengyue could tell there was something interesting about it.
This Magistrate Lu was definitely not a son of an aristocratic family. In all her years of living, she had never heard of a son of an aristocratic family who could put down his dignity and open a school for the common people. This method of spreading knowledge would make it less likely to betray the family.
Nowadays, books in Qian'an are monopolized by the nobles. Even wealthy businessmen in Shengjing have to rely on their connections to buy two books at the bookstore, let alone these common people.
The aristocratic families all understand one thing. If they want to be 100% slaves to the people, then don't let them study. Let them stay in ignorance, learn less knowledge and grow a few rebellious bones. Only in this case will there be long-term peace and stability.
"What family does Mr. Lu come from?" Xie Fengyue continued to ask.
Lu Mei looked indifferent: "Lu is just a commoner."
His answer was expected by Xie Fengyue, and Xie Fengyue just nodded: "Master Lu is also a good official who works for the welfare of the people."
"Yeah?" Lu Mei accurately caught the strangeness in her words.
"When I came to Yongning, I visited Yonghe County under Lord Yu's rule. He is also a good official who can do practical things for the people." Xie Fengyue answered calmly.
"This person can be an official, but not a human being."
He replied with such straightforward words, which made Xie Fengyue's expression a little unnatural.
She, Xie Fengyue, is still a princess, and even if she is not a princess, she is still a lady. He, a small official from a commoner background, can actually say such words in front of her. Xie Fengyue has a better understanding of this Lu Mei.
He is an elegant man who is not afraid of power. It may be because of this that he was demoted to be an official in a remote place like Yongning.
While the two were talking, they had already arrived at the county magistrate's house.
Lu Mei bowed her hands in salute and said apologetically: "Yongning is poor and has not yet built the Princess's Mansion. The aggrieved Princess has settled in the County Magistrate's Mansion first. Once the pearl fishing season is over, the lower official will order the Princess's Mansion to be built for the Princess. ”
Lu Mei had said so, and Xie Fengyue was already mentally prepared.
But when she pushed open the door with her own hands, her heart still skipped a beat.
The walls of the mansion are low and dilapidated in some places. Weeds are overgrown among the bricks and stones. It seems that even time has despised its dilapidation.
The copper ring on the door had long lost its luster, and when pushed gently, it made a harsh creaking sound. Xie Fengyue tried her best to suppress the sadness in her heart. It wasn't that she couldn't accept this environment, but it was so different from the place where she lived before. The difference in comparison made Xie Fengyue feel like it was stuck in her throat.
When she walked into the house, she saw grass spreading in the courtyard and the floor tiles were covered with moss. Several dead trees stood in the corner, their branches bent and twisted, as if they had been baptized by countless winds and frosts. The entire mansion was filled with a desolate atmosphere.
The room that Xie Fengyue will stay in is located in the southwest corner of the mansion. The room is simply furnished, although it only has a shabby wooden bed, a mottled table and a few rickety chairs.
But Xie Fengyue somehow felt that the table and bed might have been specially sent by Lu Mei.
If she remembered correctly, the customs of Yongning were mentioned in the account book sent by Yongning. Because it is close to the sea, the temperature is high all year round and there is a lot of rain.
The main thing is that the ground is used as a bed and the sky is used as a quilt. It is considered that the family is particular about having an earthen kang in the house.
Xie Fengyue continued to observe the room silently. Mildew spots and cracks appeared on the dark green walls at the same time. Occasionally, a few rays of light penetrated through the gaps, adding a little more vitality to the dark room.
Although the environment is shabby, Xie Fengyue doesn't care, as long as there is some accommodation.
Lu Mei touched the table that was covered with dust and said with some embarrassment: "All the servants in the house were sent by my general to help the pearl farmers fish for pearls, so it is a little dusty now."
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Xie Fengyue shook her head indifferently: "As the Romans do, it's always good to try new things."
She changed the topic and asked: "Master Lu, where are the people I sent now?"
Lu Mei thought for a moment and then said: "Maybe I went to play with your master. He has been in better health these days, but he always goes to the beach to watch the weaving of fish nets."
Xie Fengyue's temples jumped a few times, and she asked doubtfully: "My master?"
"It's Xie Rong. He has been lying on the bed for too long and always wants to go out. Zhe Zhi can't do anything to him, so he can only do what he wants." Lu Mei said calmly, Xie Fengyue felt in her heart No less than thunder on the ground.
Xie Fengyue could understand every word he said, but when they were put together, Xie Fengyue didn't understand.
Thank you? Lying down for too long? Going out to play?
"It seems that the princess doesn't know. This Xie Rong once attended one of my lectures and I recognize him. I was shocked when he came to Yongning dying."
Xie Fengyue pressed her ears and continued to ask uncertainly: "Who is Xie Rong?"
Halfway through she said it, she felt something was wrong. If it was Xiao Xuanzi, there would be no need to borrow this name.
"Excuse me, sir, please take me to meet "Xie Rong"."
As soon as she finished speaking, the crumbling door creaked.
Xie Fengyue immediately raised her eyes and looked up.
At this glance, Xie Fengyue felt that her heart stopped beating.
Xie Rong, wearing a gray-green gown, stood at the gate with a smile on her face, looking into her eyes.
Her expression froze instantly, as if she was hit by an invisible force. His eyes were widened, with shock and confusion shining in his pupils.
Xie Fengyue's lips trembled slightly. She was about to speak but was choked by the sudden emotion.
In the end, he could only murmur with a slight cry: "Father."
There are no recommendations this week. I want to update the word count to save 0~0