The woman opened a mutton soup restaurant, but her business was good, but she was about to die of illness, Lao Gui You didn't collect the right money
During the Qing Dynasty, there was a small shop called Li Ji Mutton Soup Restaurant on the streets of Fengtai County, Fengyang Prefecture, which was located at the back of three rooms and was a family-run business. This mutton soup restaurant is loved for its delicious lamb head meat, fresh and delicious soup, and taste suitable for all ages.
One winter, it snowed heavily and the sky was just dawning. Mr. Li and his family started working early in the back kitchen of the mutton soup restaurant. Suddenly, there was a crashing sound, and then there was silence.
At first, Li Laohan thought that the wind was blowing something, but the sound was too loud. Could it be that someone came to taste the mutton soup so early?Confused, he went out with an oil lamp and opened the door, only to find a young woodcutter lying in the doorway.
Li Laohan took a closer look, and it turned out to be Chen Xiaolong, who was fourteen years old outside the city, and he often sent firewood here. Li Laohan hurriedly called his wife Wu and daughter Meifeng to help wake up Xiaolong.
After Xiaolong regained some of his senses, Li Laohan asked him with concern. In the snow and biting cold wind outside, why did he come here so early?
Xiaolong knelt down in front of Li Laohan and said with tears in his eyes: "Uncle Li, my father died of illness. In order to treat him, our family was penniless. Now I want to bury my father, but I have been able to borrow money everywhere without success. Out of desperation, I came overnight to ask for your help!”
Li Laohan sighed, and Wu's tears flowed non-stop. They knew that the dragon was a poor child and a dutiful son. Xiaolong's mother died in childbirth, and his father's family was in dire straits.
Meifeng, who is the same age as Xiaolong, is also deeply sad. Whenever Xiaolong sells firewood, he always brings some wild fruits from the mountains, such as hawthorn, chestnuts and peaches, to Meifeng to taste. Sometimes I bring some flowers.
Meifeng hurriedly asks her parents to help Xiaolong. Li Laohan glanced at Wu, she went into the house and took some money and handed it to Xiaolong, and told him not to be too sad. At this time, Meifeng brought a bowl of hot mutton soup and a few pieces of cake.
Xiaolong took the money and expressed his gratitude to them for their kindness. After eating the food sent by Meifeng, he said that he would go back to bury his father. After pondering for a moment, Li Laohan suddenly said, "Xiaolong, you can arrange your father's funeral, and then come to my mutton soup restaurant to help." Would you like to?”
Xiaolong burst into tears, and excitedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed again, expressing his willingness to accept Li Laohan's kindness. Li Laohan hurriedly helped Xiaolong up and told him to go back as soon as possible.
Since then, Xiaolong has become the right-hand man of the mutton soup restaurant. With a grateful heart, he is diligent and willing to work, no matter what the job is, he rushes to do it. Li Laohan and Wu's middle-aged daughter are over half a hundred years old, and their bodies are gradually tired, but fortunately, they have the help of Xiaolong and Meifeng.
Meifeng, worthy of the name, looks like a flower, hardworking and kind. There are many suitors who come to propose marriage, but Xiaolong and Meifeng have been together for a long time, and feelings are quietly born in their hearts. However, Xiaolong felt that he couldn't match Meifeng, after all, he was just an ordinary guy.
However, Meifeng is fond of Xiaolong's diligence and kindness, and Li Laohan also intends to promote the marriage between the two. So, when they were eighteen years old, Xiaolong and Meifeng tied the knot.
Although they did not ask Xiaolong to change his surname to Li and become the right son-in-law, Xiaolong insisted that even if he had only one son, he would be surnamed Li to ensure that the sign of the mutton soup restaurant would not be lost.
The husband and wife live a sweet and loving life, and they have always been filial to the elderly Li Laohan and Wu. The two old men became ill from hard work and their health deteriorated, but Xiaolong and Meifeng took care of them, which made the old man feel extremely gratified.
It's a pity that Meifeng never got pregnant, which brought deep regret to the two old people. Before the old man passed away, Li Laohan passed on the secret recipe of mutton soup to Meifeng, and told Xiaolong not to disappoint his daughter.
Xiaolong solemnly promised and vowed to live up to Meifeng. However, half a year later, Xiaolong suddenly left with the secret recipe, claiming that he wanted to go back to visit his parents' graves, but he never came back, and the secret recipe for mutton soup disappeared.
Meifeng's heart was like ashes, looking for Xiaolong everywhere, and even reported to the official, but all efforts were fruitless. Although she still remembers the secret recipe and the mutton soup restaurant can continue to operate, Meifeng, who has lost her husband, is in great pain.
It was rumored that Xiaolong may have stumbled and fallen into the water by the Huai River, but his body was not found. Some people also said that Xiaolong was disappointed when he learned that Meifeng could not have children and chose to leave.
What's more, Wang San next door to the mutton soup restaurant is jealous of Xiaolong, because Wang San has always been in love with Meifeng. The government launched an investigation but found no evidence.
Meifeng worked hard and found two relatives to help and continue to run the mutton soup restaurant. Although the business is not as good as before, because of Meifeng's appearance and experience, the neighbors still give care and sympathy.
After Xiaolong disappeared, the matchmaker came to the door again and persuaded Meifeng to be in her early twenties and should remarry.
Meifeng said firmly: "A good horse doesn't carry a double saddle, and a good woman doesn't marry a second man." Besides, my husband is missing, but I believe that he is not a merciless person. Someday he will come back. ”
Therefore, Meifeng chose to stay like a jade and did not remarry others. During the day, she was busy with the business of the mutton soup restaurant, and her life was quite fulfilling. However, whenever night falls, she can't help crying alone late at night, missing her husband.
Meifeng misses Xianggong day and night, but her body is getting weaker and weaker. Doctors from all walks of life were helpless, and some doctors even claimed that her time was short.
On the day of Xiaolong's disappearance for a year, it was also the Qingming Festival, and Meifeng felt heavy after going to worship her parents. She came to the Huai River alone, longing for a miracle to come and see Xiaolong again. Someone once said that Xiaolong had appeared, and she walked along the river.
While walking, she accidentally slipped into the river. The river wasn't deep, and she stood up. However, she suddenly realized that her parents were dead, her husband was missing, and she had no children and no daughters.
Mourning is greater than heart death", Meifeng did not go ashore, but walked towards the river, and gradually the river flooded her. Suddenly, she felt something like a stone on the sole of her feet lifting her up. Meifeng thought to herself: "The stones in the river actually float?".Fate is unpredictable. She decided to go with the flow and close her eyes and die.
However, the rocks under her feet carried her steadily to the shore. Meifeng saw clearly that it was an old turtle the size of a millstone. She was taken aback, could it be that this old turtle was a god?In that case, can you ask the whereabouts of the prime minister?
Ignoring the cold clothes soaked by the river, Meifeng said to the old turtle: "Xianyou, thank you for saving me, I think you are always in this river, right?"Have you ever met my Xianggong Xiaolong?”
The old turtle didn't move, and Meifeng was a little disappointed. But she perked up: "Maybe I expected too much. But since you saved me, I decided to live well until I found the trace of Xianggong. ”
As soon as he finished speaking, an old man's voice suddenly came: "Girl, you are right to think so." ”
Meifeng was startled, could someone eavesdrop on her conversation with the old turtle?Looking around, I didn't find anyone else. Could it be that the old turtle is really a fairy and can speak well?She stared at the old turtle curiously.
The old turtle opened his mouth and blew out, and the old man's voice sounded again: "Haha, that's right, I'm the old turtle you are staring at." ”
Meifeng looked at herself again and found that the clothes on her body were actually dry, as if she hadn't gone down the river. She hurriedly knelt down and bowed to the old turtle: "Fairy friend, please give me some guidance and tell me whether my husband is alive or dead!."”
The old turtle turned into an old man, hugged Meifeng and said, "Girl, don't be like this. Speaking of which, you and your father-in-law are my lifesavers. Do you remember once saving an injured turtle?”
The old man's words evoked Meifeng's memories. Thinking back to seven years ago, when she was only thirteen years old, Xiaolong passed by her house with firewood and carried a wounded turtle wrapped in clothing.
Xiaolong said: "Meifeng, this is what I rescued on the way to the city, and I was seriously injured. I have to go back to chopping firewood after selling it, so I'll give it to you, and you can see if there is a way to cure it. ”
So, Meifeng left the turtle, took the trouble to take care of it, ** its wounds, and kept it at home. From then on, every time Xiaolong entered the city, even if he didn't send firewood, he found an excuse to visit the turtle.
As time passed, the turtle was **, and Meifeng said to Xiaolong: "Xiaolong, the turtle is already **, you take it away and release it into the river, that is its real home." ”
Xiaolong took the turtle and released it by the river on the way back. Meifeng recalled this past incident and asked the old man for help again: "Immortal Weng, my fate is bumpy, and my time is running out now. Before I die, I want to see Xiaolong once and know the reason for his life and death, can you help me?”
The old man didn't answer directly, but asked Meifeng to stretch out her hand to show him.
The old man frowned after taking the pulse, and said, "Meifeng, your illness is quite bizarre, it seems to have been poisoned, and it is difficult for ordinary people to notice. And I don't know how to detoxify.
Have you noticed anything unusual in your usual life, such as the guys in the store, or the customers who come to the store?”
Meifeng thought for a while and said, "The two guys in my shop are my relatives, and they have been helping me since my parents passed away. You're an immortal, don't you know?”
The old man thought for a moment and said, "I'm not an immortal, I'm just a turtle with a thousand-year-old path. Back then, I was injured by the black fish spirit in the river, and I was rescued by Xiaolong, and you saved me.
Otherwise, you let me help you see if there is anything wrong in your life in your mutton soup restaurant, and I will become younger, you can call me Uncle Gui. ”
Uncle Gui entered the Li Ji mutton soup restaurant and became a buddy, although he was mainly responsible for tidying up the table, but a few days passed, and nothing unusual was found.
However, Meifeng's body is getting weaker and weaker, and she can only barely make mutton soup every day, sit in the store to collect money, and even have some difficulty moving. Uncle Gui also felt anxious.
He said to Meifeng: "Meifeng, you can rest after you prepare the mutton soup, I can use cultivation to temporarily extend your life." Leave the rest to me and my buddies, and you can call me Uncle Gui. ”
Meifeng was grateful, but she couldn't bear to spend Uncle Gui's cultivation. Uncle Gui said that it didn't matter, he didn't care about that bit of cultivation, but it could only last for a month. If he can't find an antidote within a month, there's nothing he can do.
Meifeng persuaded Uncle Gui to stop worrying about his own affairs and let him find a way to find Xiaolong's whereabouts. But Uncle Gui said, "Meifeng, let's solve your problem first." If he really finds your father-in-law, I'm afraid he will be even more sad to see you like this, right?”
In desperation, Meifeng had no choice but to comply with Uncle Gui's request. A few days later, in a hidden and uninhabited place, Uncle Gui suddenly pulled Meifeng and said, "Meifeng, I found the source of the toxin on your body, which seems to be related to some money you received......”
When Meifeng heard this, she quickly interrupted him and said nervously, "Uncle Gui, how is this possible?"We at Li Kee Mutton Soup Restaurant have always been in good faith and fairness in doing business, we never charge money that we shouldn't charge, and we also provide two discounts. How can ill-gotten money be involved?”
Uncle Gui pondered for a moment and then said, "It seems that you do value credibility, but I haven't finished talking yet. Your toxins have to do with the money you receive, and it's about a guest named Dazhu. Does he have a grudge against you?”
Meifeng was taken aback and hurriedly defended: "Impossible!."Dazhu is a filial son, his family only has him and his mother, he will come to my shop every day, although he is reluctant to eat, but always bring a mutton soup back to his mother. How could he harm me?How did you find out about him?”
Uncle Gui explained: "This is strange. I observed that you usually eat with us, and we are fine, but the toxins in your body are increasing. After noticing every penny I received, I found that there was something wrong with the money given by Dazhu, and it had toxins on it. Although he has no enmity with you, why would he frame you?Are you thinking of reporting to the police?”
Meifeng thought for a moment and said, "In this way, report to the official now, it won't be good if you wronged him." Oh, by the way, I remember that since more than a month ago, Dazhu would bring back two servings of mutton soup every time he came. I asked him if his mother could eat so muchHe said that the neighbor knew that my mutton soup was delicious, so he asked him to help bring one by the way. Other than that, there is nothing special about the big pillar. ”
Uncle Gui thought for a moment and then said, "I understand, I know what to do." ”
A few days later, Uncle Gui told Meifeng to report to the official quickly. Dazhu and Wang San were arrested and sent to the county office, and the evidence was conclusive. At first, Wang San tried to quibble, but after some torture, he admitted it all. Because Da Zhu bought two servings of mutton soup as usual and paid for it, Uncle Gui found that the money contained a slight toxin. After Dazhu left, Uncle Gui followed him and found that he had handed over another portion of mutton soup to Wang San.
In order to confirm this situation, Uncle Gui went to the place where Dazhu worked in the rice shop, and when he got off work, he saw that Dazhu had found Wang San, and the latter gave him copper coins. Dazhu then came to buy mutton soup, and then gave one to Wang San. Dazhu was used by Wang San.
It turned out that, as Wang San said, he not only coveted Meifeng's beauty, but also remembered the secret recipe of Li Ji Mutton Soup Restaurant. After learning that the dragon left, he proposed to Meifeng many times but was refused, so he had a poisonous plan. He spent a huge amount of money to buy a poison, smeared it on copper coins, and penetrated into his body through **. Since he had his own antidote, he was not harmed.
He didn't dare to go to the mutton soup restaurant himself, but he knew that the nearby Dazhu was a filial son, and he would bring a mutton soup to his mother almost every day.
So, Wang San found Dazhu, expressed his admiration for his filial piety, and asked him to bring him a copy of the mutton soup when he gave his mother, and the money was paid by Wang San, and there was a discount for buying two copies at a time.
Da Zhu felt that this was just a matter of passing and didn't want to take Wang San's money, but Wang San insisted on paying for it himself, and reminded Da Zhu to pay with the copper money he gave. Da Zhu saw that Wang San insisted, and finally agreed.
Why wasn't Dazhu poisoned?Because every time he gave Wang San mutton soup, Wang San would pour a glass of water for Dazhu to drink to express his gratitude. Actually, the antidote is in the water, so the big pillar is fine.
Wang San had no choice but to give the antidote to Meifeng, and Meifeng's poison was cured, but she immediately told the magistrate: "My lord, my father-in-law Chen Xiaolong disappeared for no reason, presumably it is also related to this Wang San, and please find out." ”
However, Wang San refused to admit it, and refused to confess even if he was beaten. Because he knew that his poison was not fatal, and that his sin was not worthy of death. There was no evidence, the case reached an impasse, and Wang San was temporarily held in prison.
Uncle Gui saw that Meifeng's poison was deformed, and his body gradually **, after saying goodbye to Meifeng, he took care of some housework and went to the river, and decided to help find Xiaolong's whereabouts.
Meifeng continues to run the mutton soup restaurant, and with the help of Uncle Gui, she is confident in meeting Xianggong Xiaolong. However, half a month has passed, but Uncle Gui has not shown up, which makes Meifeng feel a little frustrated.
One day, Uncle Gui suddenly appeared in the store and took Meifeng to a place where no one was. Meifeng said happily: "Uncle Gui, is there any news of my father-in-law?"”
Uncle Gui nodded, but Meifeng's joy quickly turned to sadness. She cried: "Uncle Gui, is there something wrong with my father-in-law?"Is it no longer there?Even if he's gone, I'll bury him, woo woo. ”
Uncle Gui hurriedly comforted her: "Meifeng, don't be sad. Xiaolong is fine, just. Alas!”
Meifeng was even more anxious when she heard this, and she hurriedly said: "Uncle Gui, Xianweng, I can't see each other in my heart, this is too torturous, please take me to see him." What the hell is he a**?What are the dangers?”
Uncle Gui sighed: "The day I left is an important day for the Huaihe Water Tribe, the birthday of the third princess of the Huaihe Dragon King. She was pampered by her parents and had a big party every birthday.
I was also invited to attend and brought a gift to congratulate. At the banquet, the prime minister of the Dragon Palace told me that the third princess was about to get married. Naturally, I was happy for her, so I asked which prince of the Dragon Palace it was
Prime Minister Turtle has a deep friendship with me, and I could have been his prime minister, but I was used to living a free and easy life, so I didn't accept it. He didn't hide anything from me and told me the truth bluntly.
He said that a year ago, the third princess was playing in the river and saw a young man at the bottom of the river and rescued him. The third princess took a fancy to his handsome appearance, and learned that he was hardworking, kind, and filial to his parents, so she decided to keep him in the Dragon Palace. Since his body was not yet fully **, the third princess begged the dragon king and queen to allow them to be together.
At first, the dragon king and queen did not agree, but because the third princess pleaded hard, they finally agreed. Their big wedding is scheduled for a few days away.
Something was a real headache, the man insisted that he had a wife and that the husband and wife were very affectionate, but he didn't agree. It's rare!After learning about this, I hurriedly asked about the identity of the man, and Prime Minister Gui told me that he was your husband Chen Xiaolong!"
Hearing this news, Meifeng was both surprised and delighted. The good thing is that her husband is really alive and doing well, and more importantly, he has not abandoned her and is unwilling to marry the third princess of the Dragon King. But she was also worried about whether Chen Xiaolong would be in danger of life and death because of being favored by the third princess.
Thinking of this, she knelt down in front of Uncle Gui and said, "Uncle Gui, I understand that I can't compare with the third princess, but since my husband doesn't agree, it's difficult for her to do this, and it's just breaking up the husband and wife!."If my husband was willing to marry her, that would be fine, but he clearly didn't. I beg you to let me and my husband meet no matter what, and even if I face death, I am willing to live and die with him!”
Seeing that Meifeng insisted on this, Uncle Gui said, "Your relationship is really indestructible." Well, I'm willing to put my life on the line and help you. Come with me to the Dragon Palace. ”
So, Uncle Gui took Meifeng to the bank of the Huai River, lifted her into the water, and covered her with water blisters. Soon they arrive at the Dragon Palace, but the shrimp soldiers and crabs will not let them in. Uncle Gui had no choice but to ask the shrimp soldiers and crabs to invite the turtle prime minister to come out.
Prime Minister Gui was shocked at first when he learned that Uncle Gui had brought Chen Xiaolong's wife to the Dragon Palace. After all, it is a big sin to bring mortals to the Dragon Palace without permission!But as soon as he changed his mind, the reason why Xiaolong didn't agree to marry the third princess was because of Meifeng. Why don't you let Meifeng in and solve the problem as soon as possible, so that he won't be able to explain it when the wedding is in trouble.
The dragon king, the queen, and the three princesses all received Meifeng. Although Meifeng was afraid, when she thought that her husband was in the Dragon Palace, since she came, she must see her husband. Chen Xiaolong was taken to the main hall of the Dragon Palace.
When the two met, they hugged each other and cried, because they both knew that they might soon face the difference between life and death. Because as long as the dragon king is angry, how can an ordinary man stop him?Sure enough, the dragon king was angry and wanted to kill Meifeng.
For the sake of Meifeng's safety, Xiaolong begged: "Dragon King, Queen, and Third Princess, please be merciful, don't embarrass my wife Meifeng." If you are willing to let Meifeng go, I promise you!Meifeng also cried and begged: "Husband, I know that you didn't really agree, it was for my good." But I know you're alive and know you're in the Dragon Palace. How I live after I go ashore is simply worse than death. In that case, let me die. ”
Xiaolong saw Meifeng's resolute attitude, and his mood was very heavy. He pulled Meifeng and said: "Wife, a husband and wife for a hundred days, and a husband and wife for a hundred days are like the depth of the sea." In that case, let us die together and let them know that we are inseparable and loving couple. ”
After speaking, the husband and wife held hands, side by side, and slammed into the pillars of the Dragon Palace. When the third princess saw this scene, she realized that she had made a mistake. She hurriedly cast a spell to stop Xiaolong and Meifeng, kneeling down and begging the Dragon King to forgive them and let them go.
The dragon king agreed, and the couple quickly knelt down and kowtowed to thank him, grateful. Xiaolong and Meifeng were reunited and returned home. Xiaolong immediately took Meifeng to report to the official, who said that he was pushed down the river by Wang San and was later rescued. When Wang San saw Xiaolong come back alive, he was so frightened that he confessed his crime and was willing to be punished.
It turned out that that day, Xiaolong went back to sweep the tomb in a hurry and forgot the secret recipe at home. When he came back, he met Wang San, and the other party pretended to be close to each other, and learned how to make mutton soup. Xiaolong was defenseless and was seriously injured.
Wang San tries to trick up Xiaolong's secret recipe, but Xiaolong swallows it at the last moment. Wang San forced Xiaolong to tell the secret recipe, and Xiaolong swore to death. Wang San was so angry that he knocked Xiaolong unconscious and threw him into the river.
When the dust settles, Xiaolong and Meifeng continue to run their mutton soup restaurant.
Later, Meifeng welcomed three sons and two daughters. The eldest son's surname is Li, and the rest of the children are surnamed Chen. The eldest son of their family has achieved outstanding achievements, won the title of the gold list, and entered the official career. The second son devoted himself to the operation of the mutton soup restaurant, and the business was prosperous. The younger son concentrates on business.
The family was generous and benevolent, and they were passionate about doing good deeds. The Li family's mutton soup restaurant is thriving more and more, and branches all over the country are booming. In the store, you can often see Uncle Gui and the third princess. Xiaolong and Meifeng enjoyed a happy and happy life.