On the wedding night, the husband and wife prepare the cave house, and the mother-in-law is now running away and there is still a chance of life
During the Tang Tianbao period, a family surnamed Zhao in Shaanxi Province, the ancestors were originally hunters, but in Zhao Gongming's generation, the family style has undergone earth-shaking changes. Instead of relying on shooting and hunting for a living, Zhao Gongming has compassion for the beasts he catches, and often redeems and releases them back to the mountains and forests.
One day, Zhao Gongming went out to make friends, and passed through a mountain forest on the way home. He found a fawn trapped in a trap with its left hoof caught and tears in his eyes, and asked Zhao Gongming for help. Zhao Gongming couldn't bear it, so he personally rescued the fawn and advised it to be more witty so as not to fall into the trap again. The fawn was able to escape, and in gratitude it left. Zhao Gongming sighed with emotion: "It may not be appropriate for interests to set traps for others, but I use the interests of others to satisfy my benevolence." ”
Late at night, Zhao Gongming was outside for treatment, and was lost in the valley on the way back. The roar of the tiger and the roar of the wolf were incessant, which made him feel terrified. In his confusion, he noticed a spark in the distance, and as if he saw life, he followed the light to find a manor. Just as he was about to step in, an old man walked out and unexpectedly said Zhao Gongming's name: "Zhao Gongzi, why are you here alone late at night?"Zhao Gongming was surprised, but did not delve into it. He explained that he was lost in the mountains, and begged the old man to spend the night, promising to leave the next day and not cause trouble to the old man.
The old man clasped Zhao Gongming's hand and said that he was glad that he came back to visit his relatives today, otherwise the situation might be dangerous. The old man thought that although the manor was luxurious, it was not a safe place, so he invited Zhao Gongming to rest in a place where he had a few thatched huts. This kind of mutual assistance made Zhao Gongming very emotional, and he followed the old man to a safe resting place.
As he spoke, the old man unceremoniously pulled Zhao Gongming forward and went straight to the courtyard. He knocked on the door and shouted, "Wife, the benefactor is here, open the door for me." ”
An elderly woman opened the door, and when she saw Zhao Gongming, she was surprised and happy, and hurriedly welcomed her in, lit a candle and said, "Childe is our savior, come in and sit." My wife's legs and feet are inconvenient, so I called Linglong to come over and scald the wine. ”
The old man nodded in agreement, shouted to the back room, and after a while, a young girl came out with wine and food. The woman was exquisite, with a delicate countenance, elegant manners, a high nose, a goose-egg-like face, and a rosy lip gloss, as bright as a peach blossom. Zhao Gongming couldn't take his eyes off it.
Linglong put down the wine and food, and was about to go to scald the wine, Zhao Gongming chatted with the old man and asked, "This is your daughter Miss Linglong, right?"How old is it now?Is there an engagement?”
The old man sighed and said, "Engong, my surname is Zhang, and Linglong is my only daughter, who has just turned sixteen years old this year. I should have found a good family a long time ago, but I ......Alas, don't mention it, it's still a bar. ”
Zhao Gongming was anxious in his heart, and hurriedly asked: "Uncle, this can't be appetizing." If there is anything difficult, as long as I can help, I will not be stingy. ”
Only then did the old man tell the truth: "I have a nephew named Fengjun, who has been around here for many years and has a lot of power. The manor you're going to is his, and he has a crush on Linglong and wants to marry her, but he's violent, and I'm worried about my daughter's future. ”
Zhao Gongming was immediately furious when he heard this, and said: "This feudal monarch is just a relative, and he dares to use his power for personal gain. Although I am ordinary, I am determined to fight and get out of danger. ”
The old man dissuaded: "Engong, don't take risks. In this valley, the Feng family is powerful, even if you are brave of a thousand people, it is difficult to defeat him. For your safety, I'd better leave this matter alone and I'll send you away tomorrow. ”
The old man sighed, and Linglong burst into tears. Zhao Gongming was sad and angry, and had nowhere to vent his anger, and said: "Uncle, although I am young, I am willing to marry Miss Linglong as my wife, please agree." ”
The old man was surprised for a moment and said, "Fate is destined by God. Originally, I was optimistic about you, and I would like to marry my daughter to you. But I'm afraid that you're alone in the valley, and it's hard to resist the wrath of the feudal king. ”
Zhao Gongming was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his determination, and the old man vaguely agreed. The next morning, preparations for the wedding began, and in order not to attract the attention of the feudal monarch, only a few relatives and friends were notified to attend.
In the evening, the hall is covered with a red carpet, and the air is filled with strange scents. In the sound of the sheng flute, the bride walked out accompanied by the bride, wearing embroidered clothes and colorful. With each step, the decorations on the body make a crisp sound.
After heaven and earth worshipped, the two walked into the cave room together. Zhao Gong looked at the bride carefully, and saw that her delicate face was like a peach blossom, her eyes were like stars, and she was as soft as snow. Zhao Gongming was excited and began to welcome a bright future.
At this moment, there was a noise outside the door, followed by a thunderous roar, like the roar of a tiger, the guests admonished one after another, Linglong's face was as pale as paper, Zhao Gongming stopped the movement in his hand, and prepared to leave the room to check the situation.
Mrs. Zhang suddenly opened the door, limped in, and said, "Nephew Feng heard the wind and has come to question." The guests stopped him outside, uncle, don't linger any longer, there is still a chance to go now. ”
Zhao Gongming was interrupted about the matter at hand, and he was already very angry, but he was even more angry when he heard this, and said: "Mother-in-law, don't panic, I want to see who this surname is sacred, and dare to make trouble in other people's happy events." I have to compete with him today. ”
Mrs. Zhang hurriedly grabbed him and said, "Originally, we planned to accept you as a son-in-law, so as to save our daughter from the dire situation. I didn't expect my nephew Feng to be so domineering, and now that you annoy him, you may be in danger of your life. ”
Our family is not afraid of him if they stay here, but your safety in the mountains is difficult to guarantee. Our fate has come to an end, and this is also God's arrangement. For your safety, let's get out of here. ”
At this point, Zhao Gongming felt very sad, knelt on the ground and refused to get up, Linglong also cried bitterly, the two hugged each other, reluctant to separate. Mrs. Zhang also shed a few tears and urged: "Uncle, just treat all this as a dream, don't be nostalgic for anything anymore." ”
Mrs. Zhang personally helped Zhao Gongming to leave, and as soon as she walked out of the door, as if she was driving a cloud, her feet gradually left the ground, and in the blink of an eye, she had come to the road outside the mountains and forests. Turning her head to say something, Mrs. Zhang had disappeared without a trace.
Zhao Gongming was in a sad mood and could only leave alone. After returning home, his mother asked him why he hadn't returned for two days, and Zhao Gongming said a few perfunctory words, and then returned to his room to sleep alone.
In the days that followed, Zhao Gongming was depressed and never forgot Linglong. He had returned to the mountains and forests he had passed through many times, and searched back and forth for a long time, but found nothing, so he could only return in disgrace. When his mother proposed, he refused to agree.
A year has passed, and on the day of the Qingming Festival, Zhao Gongming went to worship the ancestral tomb. On the way back, he came across a small roe deer who was being chased by a hound. Seeing Zhao Gongming, the little roe deer meekly ran to him, bowing his head and waving his ears, as if asking for help.
Zhao Gongming felt pity and drove away the hound with the stick in his hand, then took off his coat and wrapped the little roe deer. He took the little roe worm home, put it on the bed, and was about to look for herbs, but saw that the roe deer miraculously turned into a delicate dragon.
Zhao Gongming was in a conflicted mood, and hurriedly stepped forward to hug Linglong, and couldn't wait to ask what happened to her. Linglong looked surprised and sad, and said: "Since you left, I was imprisoned in the courtyard by my cousin, not allowed to go out, and forced me to marry him. I'd rather die on a hunger strike. ”
Fortunately, my parents took pity on me and secretly sent me out. It's a pity that I met a hound on the way, but fortunately you rescued me in time. I just hope you don't dislike me because of who I am as a non-human. ”
Zhao Gongming hugged Linglong tightly and said with emotion: "Since we separated, I have dreamed of meeting you every night, and even calling your name in my dreams. Now that I see you, I am so happy, how could I dislike you?”
Linglong explained in detail what happened. It turned out that Linglong's family were all roe deer who had cultivated to perfection, and the reason why Zhao Gongming was called Engong was because he had released Linglong's mother in a trap.
Cousin Feng turned out to be a tiger in the mountains, which is consistent with the story of the envoy described in "Guangyi Ji". Therefore, later tigers mostly took Feng as their surname.
Zhao Gongming dressed Linglong, took her home to meet his mother, and introduced her as his wife who he married outside. The mother had a very good impression of Linglong, and Linglong also visited her mother-in-law as a daughter-in-law, and began her life in the Zhao family.
More than a year passed, and suddenly one day, Zhang's father came to find Zhao Gongming. Zhao Gongming warmly welcomed him and invited Linglong to come and visit. The family was reunited, and there was a lot of laughter. Father Zhang opened his mouth and said: "Nephew Feng is currently in a predicament, and only if you help him, he can get out of danger." But because of his arrogance in the past, he did not dare to come in person, so he had to ask me to intercede. ”
After hearing this, Zhao Gongming's expression changed, and he said angrily: "That feudal monarch thinks he is powerful, arrogant, and almost makes it difficult for my husband and wife to see each other forever." The shame he gave us is still hard to let go. How could I possibly help him?Father Zhang persuaded: "Nephew Feng is indeed impatient, but he has also ensured our safety over the years. Besides, we are still somewhat related. I hope you can help me for the sake of my face. ”
Zhao Gongming's anger gradually subsided, and he said in a deep voice: "If something happened to Linglong at the beginning, I would definitely not interfere in this matter." Since it was my father-in-law who spoke, I had no reason to excuse myself. It's just, I don't know what I need to do?”
Father Zhang slowly spoke: "Zhao Jinwu, do you know?"”
Zhao Gongming nodded: "That's my cousin, how can I not know him." ”
Father Zhang continued: "He will pass by you tomorrow afternoon, please intercede with him and buy that colorful tiger, which is a gift from his nephew." ”
Zhao Gongming solemnly agreed. The next day, Zhao Jinwu really brought a group of friends to visit. They brought with them a great deal of prey, one of which was clearly badly wounded, its blood staining its colourful fur red, but it looked docile and harmless to people.
Zhao Gongming asked to buy this tiger, and Zhao Jinwu gave it to him without hesitation. Zhao Gongming handed over the tiger to Linglong, and then turned around to prepare to entertain his cousin and his friends.
After the guests left, Zhao Gongming returned to the backyard and found that the tiger was unconscious. He treated the tiger's wounds, and three days later, the tiger woke up and became a sturdy young man. He was wearing a colorful robe, looking exquisite, and his face was full of doubts, as if he was in the underworld.
Linglong recounted the whole story to him, and Feng Jun felt guilty and said, "When you left, I thought you had passed away, and I felt guilty for a long time. Now that I see that you are safe and sound, I am finally relieved. ”
Subsequently, Feng Jun found Zhao Gongming and sincerely apologized: "In the past, I relied too much on courage and offended you a lot. Only now do I realize that my power is insignificant and narrow-minded. I hope you can forgive me for my past mistakes. ”
Zhao Gongming responded with a smile: "Relying too much on courage will defeat in bravery, too much on talent and learning will be defeated in talent, too much on power will inevitably lose in power, and too much on wealth will be defeated in wealth." It's not too late for you to grasp this. Perhaps this calamity was arranged by Heaven to help you turn back in time and avoid making bigger mistakes. ”
Feng Jun repeatedly expressed his agreement, and since then the two have formed a deep friendship like a family. Feng Jun often invited Zhao Gongming and his wife to his home, and established a strong friendship with each other.