The maid of the red house

Although Xueyan was surprised, she still had a smile on her face, as if she didn't notice it.

Doumu secretly praised, and returned to her original position after finishing writing.

Xueyan glanced at her, seeing Doumu nod her head slightly, she couldn't help sighing inwardly, no wonder Zhao Yun refused to receive a reward before going to Xihai, presumably he had already expected that once he became an official, the people in the old house would rely on their power and do something. Even if they are not at home, Niu Shi and others will do illegal things. If they are in the capital, they may do many things.

Thinking of this, Xueyan frowned slightly, she and Zhao Yun had worked so hard to earn such a family business, it must not be ruined by others.

Chang and the others didn't realize it, seeing that Xueyan didn't answer Mi's words, they probably understood it in their hearts, and smiled and bowed their heads to drink tea.

Niu wanted to talk to Xueyan again, to continue what Mi said earlier, but was interrupted by Chang: "Daughter-in-law Yun, where are you planning to live when you come to Beijing this time? Do you live in the city or in the city?" In the town? Did you send someone to pack your luggage? You came back in a hurry, it was really hard work, and you didn't rest in one breath. "

While speaking, Mrs. Chang glanced at Mrs. Niu, with a look of disapproval in her eyes. Their old Zhao family finally produced such a promising person. The celebration was like New Year's Eve, and now they have been promoted to the fourth rank , It's really Guangzong Yaozu.The whole family united to urge their children to study. With Zhao Yun present, it would be easier for the family to study and become an official. The whole family made things difficult for the husband and wife.

Mrs. Chang secretly sighed, Mr. Zhao is getting older and more and more confused, what good is it to offend Mr. and Mrs. Zhao Yun?No, it made them feel far away from the clan. Thanks to their sensible husband and wife, they always cared about the clan. In the past six years, because of the money they left to support the clan's children to study, two of them have been selected as scholars, and the prosperity of the clan is just around the corner. .

Not only the Chang family is like this, but eight out of ten men, women, old and children in the clan also think this way. If the clan hadn't watched Zhao Li and the others in the past few years, I'm afraid Zhao Yun has caused many disasters now .

Doumu also laughed and said, "That's right, I've decided on a place to live, so I can send someone to clean it up, so you don't have a place to rest at night."

Xueyan said: "Of course he lives in the town. Our uncle is the grandson of the old lady. He was supposed to live in front of the old lady's grave, so we girls came back with him. In the old years, we never had fun at the old lady's knees. At this time We should do our best. When the old lady passed away, we were not with us. When we come back today, we should stay in front of the spirit tonight."

Zhao Yun had already discussed with her that Zhao's old house had done something wrong, and she must remain invincible.

Mrs. Chang nodded and sighed: "You have a heart, my sister-in-law must remember your interests under the nine springs. Since you want to live here, you should send someone to clean it up early."

Xueyan smiled and said, "Mother Li has been sent to take the people there, and the luggage has also been sent there."

After speaking, he took a look around and asked, "Why don't you see Hui'er's sister-in-law? Let's talk to her first when we come back to live at home. The house at home is enough, so there is no need for them to move out."

Mrs. Chang clapped her palms and smiled: "I heard that Huier's mother will open the door first when you come, and you must have a place to live tonight. Speaking of them, thanks to your blessings, their family is gradually getting better. I became a scholar, although I am not No.1, but I am No.3, I got married again this year, and my family built three new houses, and they are living a very prosperous life."

Xueyan was surprised and delighted when she heard this, she didn't expect that the young man from a poor family had won the prize of a scholar, and she saw Chang waved to a young daughter-in-law standing below, and said: "Daughter-in-law Hui, come here quickly, thank you very much Aunt."

Xueyan raised her head and looked along Chang's family, only to see that the young daughter-in-law was sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing moon white cotton thongs and hair tied with silver hairpins. Slender eyes, very delicate.

The little daughter-in-law stood aside for a long time, also secretly looking at the snow geese.

Xueyan came out of the court at the age of 19, conceived and had a child at the age of 20, and now she is 27 years old. If it is someone else, after getting married and having a child, she will already look old at this age. How can she still have creamy skin, looks like a flower, and she is completely plain like her? But the hairpin made of black hair became more and more elegant and graceful, like a girl in her twenties, so Hui's wife was very surprised.

Mrs. Chang didn't know what Hui's wife was thinking, and said, "Not yet."

Hui Hui's wife hurriedly came forward, bowed deeply, and said with a smile: "Mother often mentions my aunt, and her eyes are full of gratitude. She only said that if there were no uncle and aunt, our family would not have such a situation. I am also grateful in my heart." Auntie, I can't wait to see you, I finally see you today, just like my mother said, it's like a fairy descending from heaven."

Xueyan couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear, and while ordering someone to help her up, she said: "Listen to this mouth, it seems so clever."

Xiang Toon hurriedly sorted out a table gift from the gifts he brought, but it was a ruler head, a gold ring made of red gold and silk, and a small golden curly for the first prize.

Xueyan smiled and said: "It's too simple and thin, don't be disgusted."

Hui's wife quickly thanked her and said, "If you don't like such a good thing, how can there be better things in the world?" No wonder that whenever we talk among neighbors, we often hear Niu's and Mi's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law speak sarcasticly, and only remember Zhao Yun's family. The rich income from year to year really comes from a source, such a precious thing, even the elders of the clan have never given it away.

She didn't know that when Zhao Hui got married, Xueyan's family was far away in the West Sea. Although Zhao Hui's old house presented a gift for her and Zhao Yun, it was only a penny gift, but they never came in person, so the gift was a bit thicker.

Xueyan always likes to hide her wealth and hide it from others. Even though she has accumulated nearly 20 taels of money, she still refuses to sell her wealth.

Thinking of the words written by Dou Mu in her palm, she glanced at Niu Shi and Mi Shi and others, and sure enough, she saw that no one else cared, and each spoke in a soft voice, except for Niu Shi and Mi Shi's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. There was a hint of greed in the eyes of the female relatives of the two natal families. Xueyan couldn't help being startled, and then she was a little ironic. The Zhao family's old house also had several thousand taels of savings, and the old lady Zhao must have left them all. Still like this.

After hearing Hui's wife's words, Niu said with a smile: "Your aunt has always been generous, so you can accept it."

Hui's wife lowered her head and smiled, but said nothing.

Mrs. Chang frowned and said, "What are you talking about? Yun'er and his wife didn't come when Hui'er got married, so it's reasonable to give them a little more generous now. But Li's daughter-in-law, it's your mother-in-law's funeral right now, and even more You should cook without distractions.”

Mrs. Niu said yes, thinking that Zhao Yun and his wife would still be living at home after Mrs. Zhao's funeral, so she was not in a hurry, so she didn't mention it for now.

When Mrs. Chang asked about Xihai Yanzi, Xueyan picked out what she could talk about.

In front of the Chang family, the Niu family, and others, although Xueyan is a junior, she is the only imperial order of the Zhao family, and she is also the important granddaughter-in-law of the Zhao family, so she sits at the top. I went to Xihai Yanzi to report their funeral. I calculated with my fingers that Mrs. Zhao had been dead for more than nine months, she had already been buried, and she was just waiting for her husband and wife to come back for the funeral.

The date of the funeral has been planned before, but it will be seven days later.

Xueyan listened to the news from the front, her brows were calm, she wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, but she still didn't speak, Zhao Qi took Hao'er's hand and followed her mother in, when everyone saw them, they hurriedly asked: "Where is this?" Brother Qi? You’re so old, you’re actually exactly the same as Yun’er when you were a child, you really deserve to be a father and son.”

Xueyan waved to Zhao Qi and Hao'er, and said, "Come quickly and kowtow to the elders in the family."

Zhao Qi and Hao'er approached, Xueyan got up and pulled them to meet everyone, and said to Zhao Qi and Hao'er: "This is your great uncle, this is your uncle, this is your aunt, this is Uncle Feng's house aunt."

When Zhao Qi was less than one year old, their family went south with Zhou's family. By then, he was already seven years old, and his stature was also taller. He was not as naughty as he was when he was young. He grew up with Zhou Xuan and was taught by Hu Yong for a long time. He is far from being compared with people of the same age. Hearing the sound and seeing this, he hurriedly brought Haoer up to meet them one by one. Everyone saw that his words and deeds were graceful and dignified, as if he was a son of a family, and Seeing Haoer's pink face and peach cheeks, describing her as beautiful, she couldn't help but burst into compliments.

Because Zhao Qi is a man, he and Zhao Yun have met countless guests in Xihai Yanzi, and now he is sensible, and he doesn't show any different expressions to everyone, only Hao'er has never seen him, and his eyes are full of curiosity.

Chang said with a smile: "Look at the appearance and demeanor of these two children, after all, they are not comparable to ordinary people." After speaking, he took off a silver bracelet on his wrist as a gift to Haoer, who turned to look at Xueyan Seeing Xueyan nodding, Fang took it with both hands, and then thanked him.

Seeing her so clever, Chang-shi hugged and kneaded her in his arms for joy, becoming more and more amazed.

After Zhao Qi was born, everyone went to wash three people, that's all right, but Hao'er was not born in the capital, and it was the first time they met, when others saw Chang's gift, they all picked up the accessories on the table to Hao'er. Youhui's wife gave each of Zhao Qi and Hao'er a silver lock, and when they heard that they were going to Beijing, Hui's mother prepared for her early.

Xueyan saw it in her eyes and remembered it in her heart.

At night, Zhao Yun stayed in the old house and couldn't go home, so Xueyan took the two children home first.

Hao'er grabbed the hem of Xueyan's clothes, and said in a sweet voice: "Mom, Mom, I met a lot of people today, and Mommy will keep the things I got. When we go home, I will give them to Auntie and Brother Bai. Follow me Daddy is in the front and got several things, Mom must not forget, keep them for me."

Xueyan smiled when she heard the words, and said: "Okay, I will ask Citron to keep it for you."

Haoer nodded vigorously, very satisfied.

Walking to the door of the house, Hao'er looked up and said, "Mom, brother, is this also our home?"

Xueyan hugged her in his arms and said, "Exactly, this is our home too, we will live here for a year or two from now on, don't be naughty, and don't say that our home is in the West Sea, remember?"

Hao'er was puzzled and said: "Our family and aunt's are in the same place, why can't we tell?"

But Zhao Qi understood what Xueyan meant, and hurriedly said to her: "This is the root of our family. If my sister says that is our home, outsiders will say that we have forgotten our roots. At that time, we will say that our parents are not good. He also said that my sister and I are not good, so my sister has to listen to my mother and must not talk nonsense."

Haoer half understood what she heard, but she was smart since she was a child, but she also remembered it in her heart.

Hui's mother came up suddenly, the house was lent to their mother and son to live in, and someone cleaned it from time to time, even after they built a new house, she often came to look at it, and there was a private school in the front yard, so there were not many people in the house, so Mama Li It was very cheap to wait for someone to pack it up, everything was arranged inside and outside, and meals and hot water were all ready.

Hui's mother was grateful to Zhao Yun and his wife, so she stayed to help out for a while until Xueyan came home.

Xueyan saw that her face was radiant, which was very different from six or seven years ago, so she hurriedly called a pair of children to visit her aunt. I haven't seen you for a few years, my elder brother has grown up to be so promising, and my younger sister is also born like a snow ball, so beautiful." When speaking, he also paid homage to Hao Er, and he acted thoughtfully.

Zhao Hui has already been selected as a scholar, and today is thanks to Xue Yan and Zhao Yun. In the future, Zhao Hui will also take the exams for Juren and Jinshi. .

But Xueyan said: "Sister-in-law is an aunt, why can't she be?"

Hui's mother smiled. Although their family is not what it used to be, Zhao Yun's family is a family of officials. Over the years, Mr. Zhao and Zhao Li's family have regretted it. If they hadn't separated at the beginning, they must have changed their families by now. If the family is separated, Zhao Yun's official position has nothing to do with them, and they can't call it an official family.

Xueyan asked Hui's mother to come in and sit down for a while, and asked: "Just now there were many people in the old house, and it was hard to inquire about anything. Sister-in-law, please tell me, is there anything rare in our town? So that I can remember it." In my heart, so as not to be in a hurry when things come to an end."

Thinking of Doumu's writing, Xueyan became even more depressed.

Although Xihai Yanzi is far away from home, he is very comfortable there and doesn't have to worry about these trivial matters.

Hui's mother thought for a while, and quickly said: "There is really one thing to remind you. In the past, your old lady, third aunt, and Feng's daughter-in-law heard about it from somewhere to make a living. Fortunately, they were known by the clan. After a severe reprimand, she restrained herself a bit, the old lady felt that her face was dishonored, so she couldn't afford to get sick, and she was gone."

Xueyan hurriedly said: "There is such a thing? They didn't let it go?"

Hui's mother shook her head and said: "Don't worry, the clan is watching them, how can we let them ruin the reputation of our clan? The clan is today thanks to you, and we can't make trouble for you anymore. It's just that I look at them It seems that I haven't repented yet, and vaguely heard that my third aunt had promised someone, saying that you will return to Beijing soon, and you can help them settle the lawsuit with your family's post."

Speaking of which, Hui's mother deeply hated Zhao Li's first room. The old Zhao family finally had such a face, they had to make trouble, and their family was not short of money. Come back to suppress them.

Today, Mother Dou wrote in Xueyan's hands about usury and monopoly of lawsuits. Xueyan asked Hui's mother just to confirm. Hearing this, she sneered and said, "Where can our family's posts fall into their hands?" On? I’m only worried that they will write letters in the name of our uncle, even if there is no post, it’s still a big deal.”

Hui's mother said: "That's what I said, you can prevent it for a while, but you can't prevent it for a lifetime. You are back, make a decision earlier."

Xueyan nodded and said: "Thank you sister-in-law for your point, but does our old man know? It's about the future of the family, we can't ruin our reputation. No matter how much the old man loves third uncle and brother Feng, he can't tolerate them doing these things." If old man Zhao knew It's silly to allow them to act like this.

Hui's mother smiled and said: "The patriarch told the old man, the old man knew it, and he was very annoyed, but the old man is old after all, how can he control what his daughter-in-law and grand-daughter-in-law are doing outside? So you still have to be cautious .”

After hearing this, Xueyan took it for granted, and sighed: "Fortunately, I came back today."

Hui's mother looked at her and nodded, and also sighed, if they waited until they had done these things before coming back, it would be over.

After sending Hui's mother away, the mother and son went into the room to freshen up. Xueyan was quite unhappy because she had something on her mind. Hearing Hui's mother said that the clan was dissatisfied with Zhao Li's first house, it could be seen that the clan was reasonable. If that was the case, it would be easier to deal with It's better to have people from the clan watching it than to live far away on the west coast of the West Sea and know nothing about it.

After thinking for a long time, Xueyan finally made up his mind, cheered a little, and asked someone to serve dinner, and the three of them, mother and child, ate together.

Hao'er asked puzzledly, "Why doesn't Daddy go home?"

Before Xueyan could speak, Zhao Qi said: "Silly sister, daddy is a great-grandson, so he can't even stay at home. He is guarding in front of the great-grandmother's spirit at this time. When the great-grandmother is buried, daddy has to live in front of the grave, so naturally he can't come back. "Zhao Qi is well-versed in etiquette through reading, and knowing that Zhao Yunding is worried, he must be very poor, so he won't fall into the shoes of others.

After hearing this, Xue Yan nodded her head in approval, her son was born smart, so she didn't need to worry about it.Thinking of Ding You's various rules, she couldn't help but sighed. She had to observe the funeral for 27 months, and she didn't know whether Zhao Yun could hold it.

It was night, and Zhao Yun did not come back. Xueyan thought that he was sleeping on straw mats and pillows on bricks in front of the old lady Zhao at this moment, suffering from the cold autumn night, and felt very distressed, but she couldn't send him the bedding, and because Zhao Yun didn't take a bath. , don't shave their heads, don't change their clothes, even if they want to send thick clothes, they can't do it, so they have to send their two sons and daughters to rest, and take the maid and mother-in-law there by themselves.

There was no one in front of Mrs. Zhao's coffin, except Zhao Yun, who was leaning on the coffin and resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the footsteps of the snow geese, he opened his eyes and stood up to greet her, saying: "You are not at home, How did you come here?"

Xueyan took a look at the coffin shed, and said softly: "I'm worried that you won't be able to bear it, so come and have a look."

Zhao Yun said with a smile: "Don't worry, I have kung fu, I can bear a little bit of cold, now I have to abide by the rules, so that I can be invincible." If you don't want Zhao Liyi to come and disturb your family, and you don't want Mr. Zhao to oppress others with filial piety, you must preemptively strike.

Zhao Yun has always paid attention to these things in his actions, and does not allow himself any room for gossip.

Hearing this, Xueyan couldn't help her eyes turning red, and said: "Why don't I know this truth? I just feel sorry for you. It's all right now. Although it's autumn, it's not very cold. When it gets colder, the old lady How can you stand living in a shed in front of the tomb?"

Zhao Yun said lightly: "It's nothing important, don't worry."

Xueyan said: "I'll make arrangements tomorrow, it's okay, but there is one thing right now, after the funeral, I have to take care of it first."

Seeing her solemn expression, Zhao Yun knew something was wrong, so he hurriedly asked what was the matter.

Xueyan told him what Mother Dou wrote and what Mother Hui said, then stared at Mrs. Zhao's coffin with a cold look in her eyes, and said: "You said that you would not be an official because you were afraid of the old lady and the third aunt. Doing these things because you don’t have the knowledge to do these things is nothing but right and wrong, I only think that you are worrying unnecessarily, but they really have such courage.”

Zhao Yun said coldly: "Grandfather has already told me about this in secret, I have my own plan."

Xueyan also said her plan, and the two coincided with each other, and they couldn't help but smile at each other, adding some warmth, no matter how angry they were, they had to take care of Mrs. Zhao's funeral first.

Hearing that Zhao Li and his son were coming, Xueyan left first.

That night, she didn't sleep well, and the next day it was still before dawn, so she got up to wash up after thinking about taking the child there, when she vaguely heard a noise coming from outside, she couldn't help asking: "What's going on?"

Xiang Toon came in and said, "The third wife and grandma Feng came here to see grandma."

Xue Yan frowned, and said: "What's the important thing to come here early in the morning? Aren't you going to take care of the affairs in the old house?"

Before he could say a word, he heard Niu strode in and said, "Daughter-in-law Yun, if it wasn't really embarrassing, I wouldn't have come to see you. We only have a few pennies in our account, which is not enough for the old lady's funeral. You What should I do? You need to invite monks and priests to save you, you need to prepare incense sticks, and you also need to prepare banquets, which one doesn’t cost money?”

Suddenly hearing Niu's coming, Xue Yan guessed a little bit, but she didn't expect that she dared to open her mouth. After hearing Niu's words, she smiled lightly and said: "The old lady's funeral is all taken care of by my aunt, and my aunt is in charge of the house." It's up to you, since there is no money in the account, you might as well buy things on credit first, and wait until the funeral is over, and use the funeral ceremony sent by each family to pay the bill." Anyway, she will not take out a tael of silver, old lady Zhao did not No, the ladder has been left to the third room, how can there be no money.

Niu said displeasedly: "The old lady has hurt Yun'er a lot, and Yun'er is the great-grandson. Could it be that the money for the funeral of the old lady is not willing to pay? If outsiders know, what should they think of Yun'er?"

The income of the family is not as good as each year, and Zhao Feng's future expenses have to be taken care of, so Niu made up his mind that Zhao Yun's family must pay for it.

Xueyan glanced at her with a half-smile, and said: "What does Goddess mean is that if we don't pay out money, my aunt will go outside and say that our uncle is not filial? Fortunately, I also want to invite the patriarch and elders to come and decide. How to do things.” The money from their family is helping the beggars, and the beggars can still be sincerely grateful to Dade, giving them just to make them get bigger and take it for granted, why should I spend money in vain?