Cousin Chitose Chitose

"Mother, brother, you can't just rely on this little girl's few words to suspect me!" said the second lady.

"Second Aunt is right, but what she says is unsubstantiated, grandma and father should go and find out what the truth is." Wei Jinxuan said.

Marquis Changning issued an order, and the people below began to collect evidence.

This matter itself is not complicated, and the second wife's family didn't think that Marquis Changning would go to war for such a trivial matter, so it was inevitable to show her traces when she acted, and the person who the second wife placed next to the fourth lady suddenly turned against her... …

The second lady couldn't argue with her mouth.

The fourth lady rushed forward angrily and slapped the second lady twice: "Okay, how dare you frame me! You are really my good second sister-in-law. You pretend to be a Bodhisattva on weekdays, but you have a heart of snakes and scorpions! You know how to play tricks behind your back!" !"

Wei Jinxuan looked at the second lady with unfriendly eyes: "Second Aunt, Cousin Jiang and I didn't offend you, did we? Why did you frame us like this? Is it to catch me and my cousin's pigtails so that father can deprive us of our housekeeper?" Can you even disregard your blood and family? You framed us, but you still want to push it to the fourth aunt... You really know people, know your face, but don’t know your heart! It’s in vain that we believed you so much before!"

"Okay, stop pretending. This is basically a trap you set up for me, right?" The second lady is not a fool, she also figured it out: "You and Jiang Yuanwan, you two little girls are really good at filming! Xiao Xiao Age, scheming is so deep, I took the initiative to dig a hole for the elders... Today I am not as skilled as others, and I admit it. In the future, mother and elder brother should be careful, don't be like me, and be fooled by them !"

Mrs. Tai frowned: "You made a mistake yourself, and you still have the face to criticize others? From the second family, you are really disappointing."

It's fine for the second lady to say Jiang Yuanwan, but she doesn't like to hear bad things about Wei Jinxuan.

Chang Ning Hou said: "Second brother and sister are not feeling well, and they will start to recuperate from their illness from now on. Sister Shu has a pure filial heart, so she copied scriptures a hundred times in the family temple to pray for the second brother and sister. When will you copy it, and when will you come out."

When the second lady heard this, she hurriedly said: "Brother, I did this alone. Shu'er was deceived by me, so don't blame her..."

"Compared to you who are full of lies, I believe in the results of my investigation! Second brother and sister, don't take me for a fool! You know what Shu'er has done!"

Mrs. Tai saw that the daughter-in-law she hated was in trouble, and she felt quite relieved: "The second child's family is probably dissatisfied with the result. Boss, why don't you let Sister Shu copy it two hundred times, just to grind her temper."

"Alright." Marquis Changning seldom refuted Mrs. Tai's proposal: "If the second sibling pleads again, the punishment will continue to be doubled."

The second lady didn't dare to argue anymore, for fear that the Marquis of Changning would really punish Wei Jinshu harder, so she was helped back in such a distraught state.

Mrs. Tai took off the jade bracelets she was wearing, and put one on Jiang Yuanwan and one on Wei Jinxuan.

"The butler director must have a normal heart. Even if others wrong you, you have to stabilize your mind and handle things rationally. You must not be emotional and lose the overall situation. You are all good boys. This time, you It was handled very well.”

The elder's gift was irresistible, and the two hurriedly thanked Mrs. Tai.

After the two left, Mrs. Tai sighed and complained to Marquis Changning: "Everyone in the mansion is not worry-free. Your daughter-in-law has a lot of eyes, and the second family is also calculating. The third family His ignorance, the impulsiveness of the four elders, and even the younger ones did not learn well."

"If mother doesn't like someone, just teach her. It's their confidence to get mother's advice." Chang Ninghou said.

Mrs. Tai is a strong temper.At the beginning, in order to prevent the daughter-in-law at the bottom from competing with her, Mrs. Tai had to be strong, and at the same time, to prevent the daughter-in-law from taking advantage of her son, she deliberately avoided those powerful people in the boudoir when her own son and concubine married.As a result, the daughters-in-law who entered the door became more stupid than the last, making the entire Hou's mansion a mess.

Marquis Changning has a high status and speaks volumes, but his two wives were chosen by himself. The original wife, Wen Shi, was knowledgeable and reasonable, but unfortunately her temper was too rigid, and she was at odds with the Marquis of Changning;

Marquis Changning looked at his wife and sister-in-law, and then at his children, nephews and nieces, and felt that it was very reasonable for the ancestors to say that it is reasonable to marry a wife and a virtuous person.Their generation is already like this, and the daughters-in-law of the next generation's nephews must be easy to choose.At this time, he couldn't help but rejoice that he didn't welcome the Liu family's daughter into the house. With Liu's daughter's stupid appearance, he might take the next generation into the ditch.

"Forget it, all of them are obedient to me, and I'm afraid it's useless to say more. And that Jiang Yuanwan—she can calculate like this, do you think her temper is really suitable for Brother Chen?" Jiang Yuanwan He caught the handle of the second lady without making a fuss, which made Mrs. Tai very afraid.

"For a family like ours, the mistress must be generous and gentle, able to persuade others with reason, and at the same time have sufficient means and deterrence to not be deceived by the people below. I think Yuanyuan has done a good job. Let's say today's If she doesn't have the means to let the second brother and sister put this matter on the fourth brother and sister, will the mother be satisfied with her?"

The more Marquis Changning looks at Jiang Yuanwan, the more satisfied he is now. She looks good and has a good temperament. She is powerful when she should be fierce, and gentle when she should be gentle. If she can recover her identity, it would be the best...

"Forget it, you always have your reasons, I can't say no to you." Mrs. Tai turned her head angrily.

Even if it was her, she had to admit that Jiang Yuanwan could not be ignored more and more.

I don't know when, Jiang Yuanwan began to show her sharpness little by little, even if she didn't have the status of Tianhuang nobleman, she should not be underestimated.

……

On the day of the flower viewing feast, many women from the clan said that they would be sick in the future, but the ladies of the Duke's family were very proud of Changning's family, except for those who were really sick or unable to come because of something, they all came.But this time, they brought with them one or two maids who knew medicine or had practiced martial arts.Today, Mrs. Marquis of Changning still complained of illness, so Wei Jinxuan and Jiang Yuanwan stood in the courtyard to greet the guests in person.

I saw that Wei Jinxuan was wearing a pink dress with a thousand petals and chrysanthemum pattern today, and a blue belt around her waist, which outlined her slender waist.On her head was a red gold chrysanthemum hairpin inlaid with rubies given by Mrs. Tai, and she also wore two pairs of butterfly ornaments made of tortoise shell, which looked graceful.

All the noble ladies saw that she was full of noble aura, and they were very enthusiastic towards her at first, but after knowing that she was only a registered first daughter, some of the noble ladies showed some disdain on their faces, and they did not want to be with Wei Jin again. Hsuan strikes up a conversation, fearing that she will lose her identity.Regarding this, Wei Jinxuan didn't care too much, she seemed to be quite self-restraining.

Everyone looked at Wei Jinxuan, and couldn't take their eyes away immediately: "Who is that little lady? She is so delicate. Just now that is the registered daughter of the Marquis of Changning, she should be the official wife of the Marquis of Changning." Miss? I just don’t know if it’s the daughter of the Marquis of Changning or the niece of the Marquis of Changning?”

Jiang Yuanwan usually only puts on makeup lightly, and she already looks good, but today she dressed up a bit, which is even more eye-catching.Her long black hair was combed behind her head into a double-circle looking fairy bun, with a golden phoenix hairpin slanted on top of her head, sporadic beads were inserted in the bun, and a plum-shaped ruby ​​brow pendant hung in the center of her forehead.As Jiang Yuanwan moved, the plum blossom-shaped ruby ​​brow pendant swayed and shone on her fair forehead, making her even more glamorous.Her demeanor was even higher than that of Wei Jinxuan.

Some people couldn't see Jiang Yuanwan's limelight, and immediately laughed: "What Miss Di? She is just a relative who lives in the Marquis of Changning, not even Miss Waibalu!"

"What, if she wasn't the young lady of the Marquis of Changning, why would the Marquis of Changning let her come out to welcome guests?" Some people couldn't believe it.

For a moment, everyone looked at Jiang Yuanwan with subtle expressions.

Wei Jinxuan stepped forward to hold Jiang Yuanwan's hand, and said with a smile: "Cousin Jiang is not named Wei, but my father has said that she is like my own lady in our house. Some sisters don't know Cousin Jiang, so let me borrow today's It’s an opportunity, so let’s get to know each other.”

Jiang Yuanwan also said: "Thanks to my uncle's attention, my eldest cousin and I will entertain all the sisters today. If you have anything you want to eat or play, just come to us."

Her smile is gentle and sincere, and the female guests feel very comfortable talking with her.Although she came from a low background, she was regarded as her own daughter by the Marquis of Changning, so she was qualified to talk with all the women present on an equal footing.In addition, she was young and knew a lot, and immediately, some girls with similar interests chatted with her.

Jiang Yuanwan and Wei Jinxuan worked together to resolve the embarrassing atmosphere deliberately created by someone with a heart.

After a while, Jiang Yuanwan had made friends with the youngest daughter of Lord Wang, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, and the eldest daughter of Lord Cai, Minister of Dali Temple.

The daughter of the Shangshu family of the Ministry of Rites is named Wang Mengying, and the daughter of the Qing family of Dali Temple is named Cai Yueqin. The former is lively and loves to laugh, while the latter is gentle and amiable.For some reason, Jiang Yuanwan actually fell in love with them, and the three of them were able to chat together, and after a while, they called their sisters and sisters affectionately.

"Sister Qin is good at Qin, and sister Ying is good at painting. If you have time to catch up tomorrow, Sister Qin will play a tune for us, and Sister Ying will draw the appearance of Sister Qin playing the piano, and I will write a poem for Sister Qin. What do you think?" good?"

"Okay." Among the three, Wang Mengying is the youngest, and has the most innocent temper: "I often feel bored at home, and I just want to have a good time with my sisters. If I post a post tomorrow, the two sisters are not allowed to come .”

"That's natural. If you don't give face to anyone, you can't help it." Cai Yueqin shaved her face lightly, and Wang Mengying's small face wrinkled, making both Cai Yueqin and Jiang Yuanwan laugh.

The three chatted and talked about the shop.

At the age of Cai Yueqin and Wang Mengying, they have already started to learn from their mothers to be housekeepers.Although they like piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, they can't be eaten as food after all. When they go to their husband's house in the future, they still want to host the middle school.They are still very interested in how to deal with the big and small affairs of the family and how to manage the shop.

"Sister Wan has her own shop, it's amazing!" Wang Mengying's words were full of envy: "Although I followed my mother to our shop for a few times, I haven't really started yet."

After hearing this, others felt that the Marquis of Changning really loved Jiang Yuanwan so much that he could even give Jiang Yuanwan the shop in his house directly, so they didn't dare to underestimate Jiang Yuanwan.Most of them don't have shops in their hands now, at most they can get a few shops as dowry when they get married.

Although Cai Yueqin has a gentle temperament, she is very sincere to her friends: "Your shop has been repaired and reopened later, but you have to tell me that I will take care of your business! If the clothes in your shop can satisfy my father and my brother In the future, our family's clothes for all seasons will be specially ordered from your shop."

Not to be outdone, Wang Mengying took Jiang Yuanwan's arm and shook it: "Me too, I just want to buy some clothes for my elder brother, second brother and third brother, and when the clothes in your shop are ready, you can leave some for me! "As she said, Wang Mengying flattened her mouth again: "However, our family buys fabrics for the sewing people to make the clothes all year round. I'm afraid I can't be like Sister Qin, who can directly make decisions about father and elder brother. Clothes for all seasons are included in your shop."

Jiang Yuanwan's acquaintance with Cai Yueqin and Wang Mengying was originally only because the three had similar temperaments, not to gain any benefits from them.Now that two friends are willing to take care of her business without seeing her shop's ready-made clothes, it is already excellent, how can she be dissatisfied?

Cai Yueqin and Wang Mengying are righteous, and Jiang Yuanwan treats them more and more sincerely.

"When my shop opens, I will give you a few sets of clothes first, and you can wear them for your family members. If you like them, come to me to buy them again, and I will give you a discount; if you don't like them, don't force them."

"How can this be done? How can we take advantage of you?" Wang Mengying asked anxiously.

Jiang Yuanwan smiled and said: "Don't rush to refuse. When my shop opened, I'm afraid there won't be much business. If your father and elder brother can wear the clothes in my shop and walk around outside for a few times, it's already promoting my shop." .”

Wang Mengying didn't say anything more, she decided in her heart that even if her father and brother didn't like the clothes made by Jiang Yuanwan's shop, she would pester them to buy more sets when the time came, and by the way, those relatives and friends would not be left behind.Cai Yueqin also planned to do the same.

"By the way, sister Wan, do you still open a rouge shop? I don't know if your shop is short of money. I also saved some pocket money on hand. Let me invest in it! There is an old mother next to my mother. I will also make some rouge spices, if you agree, I will tell my mother and send the old mother to the shop to help!" Wang Mengying was full of enthusiasm.

Seeing that Jiang Yuanwan had already started to run her own shop and earn money, she was also moved.She is also very interested in rouge, gouache, spices, etc., but she has no store and no one under her command.It would be great if we could cooperate with Jiang Yuanwan and earn some pocket money.

Of course, she also knew that Jiang Yuanwan's shop was only open for fun, and did not make great efforts to run it like a ready-to-wear shop, so she proposed to buy shares.She would not ask to intervene in other people's important properties.

Jiang Yuanwan's heart moved, and she felt that what Wang Mengying provided was exactly what she lacked, but she didn't respond immediately: "My rouge shop has just opened, and it hasn't made a name for itself yet. You just throw money into my shop like this." Money, be careful to lose money."

Wang Mengying curled her lips: "You are not afraid, what am I afraid of! It is because your shop has not yet made a name for itself, if we manage it together, we can show our abilities, right?"

Cai Yueqin said: "You can't leave me behind for such a fun thing. Although I don't have any capable people, fortunately, I know a lot of people in my family. If rouge and gouache are good to use, I can recommend them to others!"

The three chatted for a while about how to run the store and how to promote it, and the atmosphere was very lively.

Wei Jinxuan who was watching from the side curled her lips.For Jiang Yuanwan's ability to make friends, she can only express her envy.

It's not that Wei Jinxuan doesn't have handkerchiefs herself, but most of those handkerchiefs come from families who asked for something from the Marquis of Changning.When those girls got along with Wei Jinxuan, they were mostly flattering and fawning. How could they discuss with her and help each other like Jiang Yuanwan's two new friends?

Some people on the side couldn't understand Jiang Yuanwan, they had been discussing how to make money, and said bitterly: "Open your shop and keep your mouth shut to make money, what kind of lady is this? She is clearly a philistine businesswoman!"

This statement immediately got the approval of those who did not get along with Cai Yueqin: "As the saying goes, things of a feather flock together, and people are divided into groups. Jiang Yuanwan is an ignorant person, so the people who play with her will naturally..."

As soon as the words fell, Wang Mengying looked over: "What are you talking about? I didn't hear clearly." Although she was cute and cute in front of her friends, she was not so easy to talk to people she didn't know well. The person's eyes are very cold.

The Minister of Rites has a high position and authority, and Wang Mengying is the most beloved young girl of the Minister of Rites, so it would be no good to offend her.The person who spoke hastily changed his words: "We are just saying that Sister Cai, Sister Jiang and Sister Wang really hit it off."

"That's right, the two elder sisters treat me sincerely, so I naturally treat them sincerely. Some people who only gossip can't understand this kind of feeling." Wang Mengying snorted coldly.

Those people knew that she was cursing them around the corner, but they couldn't say anything, so they had to remember Jiang Yuanwan in their hearts.

But at this time, the servants came to report: "Miss Liu's arrival—"

Everyone was taken aback when they heard the words, the Liu family?Which Liu family?Dare to be late at the banquet held by the Marquis of Changning, presumably the other party has a lot of background.Everyone looked carefully, the famous Liu family in the capital had already arrived.

Wait, there is indeed one family that hasn't arrived—the Liu's family, the Empress Dowager's natal family.However, hasn't Cheng Engong's mansion already fallen out with Changning Hou's mansion?

But at this moment, everyone saw Liu Xihui coming in elegant clothes cut from brocade brocade and satin, accompanied by two old mothers.Some ladies present felt that the two old nuns were kind-hearted...

Suddenly, someone exclaimed: "Those two old nuns... aren't they the nuns next to the empress dowager? I saw them when I entered the palace to pay my respects to the empress dowager! So, this is ——The imperial concubine?”

Although Liu Xihui hadn't officially entered the palace yet, her rank and title had already come down, and all the noble ladies had to salute when they saw her.

Although the Marquis of Changning posted a message for her, no one expected her to come, and there was a moment of silence.

It wasn't until the two nuns next to Liu Xihui coughed that everyone came to their senses and greeted Liu Xihui one after another.With such a concubine present, everyone suddenly became cautious.

Liu Xihui is very satisfied with the current situation.For a long time, Liu Xijia has always been the one with the stars, but now, it is her who stands in front of everyone and receives the attention of everyone. This is the benefit of power.

Liu Xihui was complacent for a while, and said: "I am late, you won't be offended?"

Everyone hurriedly said that they didn't dare.Now that their identities are different, apart from the families of the other three concubines, who would dare to have trouble with Liu Xihui?

"Who is hosting this flower viewing feast today?"

As soon as Wei Jinxuan and Jiang Yuanwan saw Liu Xihui, they secretly thought that something was wrong, and now they had to be the master and follower: "Reporting to the imperial concubine, they are two ministers and daughters."

Liu Xihui's eyes fell on Wei Jinxuan and Jiang Yuanwan, and gradually became hostile: "Why are you? Where's my aunt? Where's cousin Shan?"

Wei Jinxuan said: "My mother is sick in bed now, my father let my mother rest in peace, and my fourth sister went to Huangjue Temple to pray for the elders."

"Even so, it's not up to you, a concubine, and the man with a foreign surname next to you to be the masters of the house, right?" Liu Xihui raised her eyebrows, making no effort to hide her malice towards the two: "It might be a bit embarrassing. The bad things are dangling in front of Auntie, and Auntie's 'disease' will never get better!"

Wei Jinxuan and Jiang Yuanwan were humiliated face to face, Wei Jinxuan wanted to retort, but she was concerned about Liu Xihui's identity, her lips moved a few times, but she didn't speak.

Jiang Yuanwan didn't care so much, she didn't want to suffer in front of Liu!Besides, Liu Xihui made it clear that she was provoking trouble, even if she endured this tone, Liu Xihui might not let her go!

"I don't know if the empress is here as a guest today, or to make a fuss? If you are a guest, our family will naturally treat you as a guest of honor. At the same time, for the sake of aunt, please give us the basics. respect, don’t turn your back on the customer!”

The maid next to Liu Xihui scolded: "You are so brave, you dare to disrespect the imperial concubine, come here, clap your mouth!"

Seeing this, Wang Mengying said anxiously: "You are so courageous, your master didn't say anything, and you, a maid, want to beat someone. I don't know what the rules are!"

Cai Yueqin also said: "In the past, people said that 'one person attains the Tao, and the chicken and dog ascend to heaven'. I still didn't believe it. Now, seeing the concubine and empress, there is a maid with no grades who is tougher than us official girls, but I have to believe it. .”

Jiang Yuanwan was quite moved when she saw that the two friends she had just met were willing to risk offending Liu Xihui to speak for her.

Liu Xihui heard the words and said: "The meaning of the maid beside me is what I mean! You two are so disrespectful to me, do you want me to punish you as well?"

Having said that, Liu Xihui didn't dare to do anything to the daughter of an important official, lest their family would come to her, so she ordered the maid beside her to hold Jiang Yuanwan.

There was so much movement that it finally alarmed the male guests.

Wei Yichen hurried over, and what he saw was the scene where the maids around Liu Xihui restrained Jiang Yuanwan and were about to slap her.

There was a storm brewing in his eyes, and it was obvious that he was extremely angry: "Stop it!"

Seeing Wei Yichen, Wei Jinxuan felt relieved: "Brother, you are here! Quick, someone is going to bully Cousin Jiang!"

Liu Xihui saw Wei Yichen striding over, with a terrifying aura, she couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but she quickly realized that she was now a concubine, and in terms of status, she was on the same level as Lord Hou and Madam Hou, Wei Yichen, the Marquis of Changning The son's status is lower than hers, so is it possible that he still dares to do something to her?

"Your concubine, I don't know what you mean by yelling at my relatives in the minister's mansion!"