The widowed mother of the red mansion

42. Chapter [-]

On the day before the princess's birthday banquet, Jia's mother and Li Wan each sat in an eight-year-old sedan chair, followed by many maids and servants, and they arrived at the princess' mansion in a mighty way.

There were already two female officials waiting at the side door of the princess mansion, and when they saw the sedan chair coming, they smiled and said, "It's counted, the princess has sent people to ask several times."

Jia's mother said modestly: "Let's pay homage to her old man, and let her miss it."

The female officer knew that Jia's mansion was no better than others, so she was very polite, and led the two of them to change into soft sedan chairs, entered two corner gates, and walked for an unknown amount of time, finally arriving at a large lake.There are several large ebony boats tied to the lakeside, and there are maids standing on one of them, so it must be the one to be boarded.

Everyone rushed to help the two of them into the boat, and the boat girls at the stern pushed their poles lightly, and the boat left the shore and swung towards the center of the lake.Sitting in the boat, Jia Mu and Li Wan watched the scenery on both sides of the river and beyond, and sighed: "Our family talks all day, and today we know what the real scenery in the sky is!"

Coincidentally, a female officer on the boat was brought by the princess to Jia's mansion that day, upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "Old Madam, don't be too self-effacing, the garden in your mansion is not inferior to that here."

When Jia Mu heard this, her heart skipped a beat, and she said with a smile on her face: "The ladies are laughing at you. The garden in our mansion was built with great difficulty after scratching the bottom. It's not for myself. I'm afraid Our mother was aggrieved and lost the royal etiquette. She would rather live on her own than ruin the face of the palace. I don’t know what blessings have been cultivated in our mansion, but it actually caused the princess to descend. The garden is really more and more glorious. I'm afraid the princess still doesn't like it in her heart."

Another female officer giggled and said, "I remember, our princess also praised the Daoxiang Village in your mansion when she returned to the mansion, saying that the rice fields are well-organized, and the chickens, ducks, geese, etc. are very interesting, and she is very interested in opening a place in the princess mansion. where."

Li Wan said with a smile: "It's my residence, very simple, the princess likes it."

The female officer nodded: "So it's the place where the in-laws live, and I don't disappoint."

After the boat arrived at the other side of the lake, a few thick women brought up the sedan chair. Jiamu saw that not far away was the place where the princess entertained them, so she refused to get on the sedan chair and ordered to follow on foot.Sure enough, before walking a few steps, in a unique and elegant Linshui jade pavilion, the filial piety master was sitting at the head in only homely clothes, and a few confidant servants were waiting on the side, and there were some tea and snacks in the pavilion. Very simple and friendly.

Jia's mother and Li Wan rushed to meet, and the filial piety master smiled and sent someone to support them, and then led them to the seat and sat down, saying: "Why don't you come in a sedan chair? The lakeside is a little wet, and the front is very wet." It's raining, I'm afraid the old lady will slip."

Jia Mu laughed and said, "Being invited by the princess, I have to step into the princess's mansion and sit up and feel uneasy. I thought the princess would come after she died, but I didn't want to tire the princess to wait, I was really panic!"

The Lord of Filial Piety waved his hands and said with a smile: "There is no need to be so restrained. We are a very close family, so we don't need to hold hands like those people. In fact, I don't like to join in the fun every year on my birthday. My body is sore all day long." Yes, it’s better to drink a few cups by yourself and be stubborn for a while. It’s just a pity that I was born in the royal family, and I can’t make my own decisions in this kind of private time.”

Both Jia Mu and Li Wan said: "This is the princess' golden branch and jade leaf, a blessing from God."

The filial piety master said: "What kind of blessing, the sadness in the royal family, how can others know."

After a few cups of tea, the filial piety master ordered: "Go and invite the young lady."

Li Wan said with a smile, "Is the girl in good health? I wanted to greet you a few times, but I didn't dare to act rashly."

When the Lord Filial Piety mentioned her daughter, her eyes were full of tenderness: "She has been weak since she was a child. Thanks to the medicine you sent before, the root cause of the disease has been cured, and her body has become stronger. She used to be timid and reluctant to see people, but now she is naughty. It’s exhausting a nanny and maid. I often tell her, if you do this again, that young master will not want you.”

Everyone laughed.Li Wan said with a smile: "Lan'er is probably very ashamed after hearing this. He is a little man, but he is shy in this respect."

The filial piety master said: "From childhood to adulthood, it can be seen that brother will also be a person worthy of entrustment in the future."

Just as he was talking, the young lady was ushered over.The girl was born with pink make-up and exquisite decoration, just like the embryo of a little beauty.She looked extremely calm and dignified, not as naughty as Mrs. Xiao said, but there was a hint of wisdom in her eyes that couldn't be concealed.

She saluted Li Wan decently, and Li Wan liked her so much that he couldn't help wanting to hold her hand, but later remembered that something was wrong, and when he was in a difficult situation, the young lady rushed over and said, "Auntie hugs."

Li Wan put his arms in his arms and said: "Dear girl, you are so painful, I don't have anything good to give you. I always carry this bracelet with you. Take it with you." A bracelet was taken off her wrist and given to her.

The bracelet is a sea product, the body of the bracelet is crystal clear, and it is made of the purest azure agate.This agate is nothing more than a lighter color and is not precious. What is rare is the row of opals inlaid on it, all of which are very transparent and full of brilliance.The young lady held the bracelet in her hand curiously and looked at it. She felt that it was like ice and snow but not cold in her hands. It was mysterious and noble in a low-key way, and she immediately liked it with all her eyes.

The Lord Filial Piety hurriedly said: "Don't spoil her, how can a child wear that kind of thing? You have already taken a lot of trouble on my birthday, and if you do this again, I shouldn't ask you to come."

Li Wan said with a smile: "No matter how rare this bracelet is, it can't match my love for the girl." In fact, this kind of bracelet is really not very good in Li Wan's opinion. Although opal is precious in China, it is indeed abundant in several overseas countries very.Jingling Jinbao is a good trader, there are a lot of similar jewelry in the seafood shop, and every time he picks the top ones and gives them to Li Wan.Others that she didn't want because they looked bad and gaudy were sold out by others at high prices, and there was often no market for the price.

Miss Xiao saw that her daughter really liked it, so she said, "Thank you, auntie."

The young lady thanked Li Wan in a childlike voice, and played with the bracelet fondly.When Jia Mu saw that the princess, mother and daughter liked each other, she couldn't help but feel relieved, and said something funny, and the atmosphere became more harmonious.

Before leaving, Lord Filial Piety said to Li Wan meaningfully: "If you have any difficulties in your mansion, just deal with me. This time you are sincere for me. I know the situation in the mansion over there, so it is inconvenient to publicize it. Let's just remember it It’s all in my heart. I have some trivial matters this year, and I’ll see you next spring and summer.”

Li Wan was confused when he heard that, he only thought that the two trees had saved the princess from some urgent matter, and hurriedly said: "I'm a layman, I don't know how to do things, it's fine if the princess doesn't get annoyed."

The Lord of Filial Piety smiled and said, "You don't know, vulgar and vulgar are cute, but those who pretend to be noble are annoying."

On the way back, Mother Jia changed her cheerful expression and said quietly to Li Wan, "Come to my place after you go back and take care of things."

Li Wan was puzzled, but still agreed.

After returning to Daoxiang Village, Wangxi waited for a long time, Li Wan said unexpectedly, "Why are you free today?"

Wang Xi said anxiously: "Back to the master, the person who bet on the princess's birthday gift yesterday came back to make a list, and I realized that the person who sent the message was wrong. He made a lot of gold and silver trees in the past and caused a catastrophe. I also ask the master to forgive me." !"

Li Wan took the list in surprise and looked at it, his face turned pale immediately: "I don't think the princess is so courteous today... Is this a blessing or a curse?"

Wang Xi said: "Master, don't be in a hurry. If the superior really asks, we also have account books to deal with. Public accounts and private accounts are always prepared early. The only thing to guard against is that someone is interested in grandma's property and comes to check."

Li Wan said: "It's all right if that's the case. Although it's tricky, and the gift is too early, we still need to think in a good direction." It's related. It's okay, I have an idea, you go back and take care of the business. How about doing business with Sirius these days?"

Wangxi said: "It has been going well. According to grandma's instructions, I often find some exquisite gadgets at a low price and give them to Lord Sirius for nothing. The Lord is very happy, and he introduced many brothers to supply. The gold and silver in the storehouse are nearer. Years are endless."

Li Wan nodded: "Take it easy, even though gold and silver are extremely scarce now, don't release a large amount of them, and slowly exile them to the market as I ordered before, so that the yellow and white things will not depreciate."

Wangxi talked about the gold bank again, and Li Wan was very satisfied with it, and rewarded her with many things and asked her to eat before going.After Wangxi settled down, Li Wan dressed up and hurried to Jiamu's place.When Jia Mu saw her coming, she ordered everyone to retreat and leave her alone.

Li Wan waited respectfully for Jia Mu to speak, but she didn't know that Jia Mu closed her eyes for a long time and didn't speak. Li Wan gradually lost his mind and wanted to strike up a conversation. I don't know, you are so powerful!"

Li Wan hurriedly said he didn't dare.

Jia Mu said, "Where did your bracelet come from?"

Li Wan thought for a long time before he knew that Jia Mu was talking about the agate cat's eye bracelet she gave to Miss Heng Guogong, so he could only laugh along with him and said, "That bracelet is just a small thing, it was brought to me by my wife from Yangzhou. She Said that I can't wear things that are too bright, but this bracelet is not too eye-catching. I also resigned bitterly at the beginning, but she said that you are looking down on people from your mother's family, so you have to accept it."

Mother Jia sighed: "If it's from the Li family, that's fine. Do you know the price of cat's eyes today? Take one as big as the bracelet, sell it and put it in ordinary people's homes. It can last for several decades. I know that your Li family has gradually recovered in the past few years. I only advise you not to follow the example of those who are not motivated, do bad things, and try to make money for a while but ruin the long-term foundation. Brother Lang finally took over this relative, you can't let him be said to have a usury mother."

Only then did Li Wan understand that Jia's mother suspected that she was seeking illegal money, so she hurriedly knelt down and said, "My ancestor Mingjian, if you say that I don't have any money, that's also a lie. They are all top-notch, plus my elder brother took pity on me when I was young and widowed, and secretly sent me a share. I saved a share and gave it to Grandma Lou in the mansion over there, asking her to open a few small shops for me. , to save some pen and paper money for Lan'er. Those shops are very legitimate and safe, if the ancestors don't believe it, I will go to the deed to see it immediately."

Mother Jia helped Li Wan up and said, "You are still so honest, child. I just reminded you, how could you be so frightened? In fact, I already knew about the house you want Mrs. Lou to take care of for you." , but I don’t know how many other shops there are, it seems that I am really old and my eyes and ears are not clear.”

Li Wan was terrified when he heard that, how much did Mother Jia know?

Jia Mu said: "In this way, although your property cannot be saved, it will be possible to support you and Lan'er in the future. I also saved the share of Baoyu and Lin girl early, so I am afraid that something will happen to the family in the future. , There is also a step back. Although you may not be rare, I will leave a few boxes here for you and Laner. I only hope that you will take care of my two Yuer in the future and help them stand firm. Close your eyes too." After saying that, the old man burst into tears.

Li Wan comforted Jia's mother and said: "Don't be so discouraged, the old ancestor. How could the family have reached such a level? Now that the empress is favored, and we have formed a family with the princess's mansion, it will be difficult to lose such momentum for a while."

Jia Mu shook her head and said, "The more this is the case, the more disturbed I feel. You don't know, and the full moon will be a loss. Besides, I don't care about what they do. It's not that I don't know. I'm too old, and you are too young. Our family It looks very prominent now, but once those things are revealed, it will be even more dangerous!"

Li Wan was about to ask what was going on, when suddenly Wang Xifeng's laughter came from outside: "What good food did the old ancestor keep for stealing? I'll come to see some of you."