The maid of the red house

But when Li San came home from the city, it was already time to light the lamps, and there were snowflakes outside.

When the cold wind blew on the road, Li San surrounded the wind collar, still feeling like a knife cut his face, only to see the cold wind whipping up countless snowflakes chasing the wheels, like jade butterflies fluttering past the dead branches and old trees by the roadside. It looks beautiful, but as night falls and crows crow, it adds a sense of depression.

Because the wind and snow in the capital was colder than Shanhaiguan, Li San took the long-term workers to set up the mule cart, sent the mules to the shed, added water, and asked the two long-term workers to go back. A bowl of ginger soup to drive away the cold."

With a promise, the two long-term workers went away.

Li San moved his luggage and New Year's goods into the warehouse, locked them, and went to the old mother's room with only a few skins and medicinal materials bought at Shanhaiguan, and said, "Mother, I picked some high-quality ginseng and deer antler outside the customs. Take the tonic, and invite a doctor to mix it up tomorrow, and we’ll be fine for a few years. Make two winter clothes out of leather, warmer than a cotton jacket.”

Mother Li sat up, put on a sheepskin warm jacket covered with green cloth, picked up the lamp wick with the hairpin sideways, and the room became brighter immediately, she asked: "Why did it take so long to go out this time? What happened?"

When asked, his face was full of worry.

Li San lowered his head and said, "I saw that girl again at Fourth Uncle's side."

It took a long time for Li's mother to think of the maid from the big family that Li San had mentioned, and she couldn't help flashing a hint of surprise in her eyes, and said, "I remember you said it was a maid from the Rongguo Mansion, why did you see it at your fourth uncle? I said it earlier, so What's so good about a maid? You just saw that she was more beautiful and you were moved. Do you know her character? What are her means? What is her job? You don't know everything except her looks. Well, I don't agree to marry in and be a god."

Mother Li hated Rongguo Mansion deeply.

Zhou Rui and the village head saw that she was old, sick and weak, and her son was not at home, so they took advantage of their power to occupy their family's fertile land. She was used to it all her life, and her son had managed to earn such a family fortune, and he was still waiting to marry a wife. She refuses to be taken over even if she dies, she doesn't want them to bump her head when they push her, and when she wakes up, the fifty acres of fertile land will already belong to someone else.

It is said that when she was in a coma, Lizheng's wife forcibly took the bet drawn by her finger and went to the Yamen to transfer the account.

She was a widow at a young age, and she managed all the ten acres of land she was married to. Although she couldn't send her son to study and read, she still had enough food and clothing to survive until her son became the director of the family. Rest in rest, just one push and push, not to mention the injury, the illness is also serious, after more than a year of confinement, it has not recovered, so I hate Rongguo Mansion deeply, and I am the first one who is dissatisfied with the maid who came out of Rongguo Mansion, no matter how good she is , just being born in the Rongguo Mansion is enough for her to object.

Moreover, a virtuous wife has few misfortunes. She knows that her life will not last long. She just wants Li San to marry a daughter-in-law who is good-natured, capable and virtuous.

Therefore, Li San only values ​​beauty, and she disagrees.

Li San smiled wryly, and said: "Even if my son wants to marry, he still refuses to accept it! But she is not a servant girl of Rongguo Mansion, but a maid of a relative's family in Rongguo Mansion. Well-behaved, kind-hearted, able to read and write, the housekeeper is good at everything, even the dowry is more than our family property!"

Li's mother was startled when she heard this, and then she asked suspiciously: "How do you know that she can read and write and can settle accounts with the housekeeper? When did you ask?"

Li Sandao: "Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt said it."

Li's mother hurriedly asked about the words and phrases of Li Guanshi and his wife, pondered for a moment, then raised her head and said, "What your fourth uncle and fourth aunt said is, what's so good about you? Just because you only value your beauty, but you don't know your character and rush to admire it, makes others think you are just a womanizer."

Li San muttered and said unconvinced: "How many people in the world don't like beauty? If an ugly woman is in front of you, you don't even take a look at it. How can you inquire about your character? On the contrary, it is only when a beautiful woman is in front of you that you have the heart to inquire. Then understand its human nature."

He just wanted to marry a beautiful daughter-in-law who could catch his fancy at a glance, and he had seen the young lady of the rich man's family before.

When Li's mother heard this, she was angry and funny, but she couldn't help him with his youthful heart.

What the son said makes sense. To choose a daughter-in-law, of course you have to choose a good-looking one, and then ask about your character, so that your offspring will be good-looking in the future. No matter how ugly they are, Mother Li will not agree. It is said that the appearance of a scholar in the imperial examination should also be counted, and ugly or inferior scholars cannot become officials.

The ancestor of the Li family had a scholar, and it was Li San's father. Li's mother admired the scholar's name and married him at the beginning, but she regretted it. Working in the countryside, for fear of polluting the precious hands of my own scholar, I usually have to treat guests to dinner and talk poetry in bed at night. The [-] mu of land left by the Li family has been ruined by Li Xiucai. Living on the dozens of mu of land that she married as a dowry, she might have starved to death with Li Xiucai, so Li's mother didn't send her son to study and read after her family improved. Of course, there were some accidents at that time, even if she wanted to go.

Today, Mother Li deeply hopes that her children and grandchildren will be successful, but they must have the ability to support their families before they can take the imperial examination. She wants to marry her son a knowledgeable daughter-in-law and take care of her children and grandchildren. I don't want to work and only know how to read, and I read for decades, so it's better to farm at home early.

Li's mother told Li San all her thoughts with all her heart and soul, and told him to find a wife based on this, not just beauty.

After Li San listened, he was silent for a long time and said: "Miss Xueyan is very nice, very capable and knowledgeable, my mother must like it very much when she sees her, but it's a pity that she doesn't like her son!"

Although Sang's mother and Miss Lin only said to wait a few years, but he understood that it was a polite refusal.

The fourth uncle told him not to stalk him, but he finally fell in love with a daughter-in-law, and he really didn't want to give up. People often say that water drips through stone, so I don't know if he is like this, and he will be able to win the heart of a beautiful woman in the future.

Mother Li smiled wryly and said: "It's no wonder. Although our family has these family properties, we can't wishful thinking about the young ladies of the rich family. The family is not right, and the small family is well-off, but they can't let the girl read and write. She is a scholar in the west of the village. The young lady of the master's family doesn't read, and the young lady of the rich man's family doesn't know a single word. A girl who reads seriously and understands the housekeeper's accounts, even if she is a maid, is also knowledgeable. How could she like a vulgar person like you? I forced it."

Li San said in a deep voice: "Mother, I want to invite a gentleman to teach me how to read. It's not for the imperial examination, I just want to know a few words, so that I won't be deceived when I look at the contract and settle accounts. How about you?"

Li's mother was taken aback, then sighed, nodded and said: "That's fine, you don't get married until the New Year, although it's a bit late to get married in the countryside, but it's not impossible to wait a few years, you should read a few books and read some characters , gain more knowledge, more confidence, maybe there is still a chance to achieve what you want. But as I said before, you must carefully inquire about the character of the girl. If you are a messy wife, don't worry about her I don’t deserve to be as beautiful or as knowledgeable as I am.”

Li Sansan was overjoyed and said: "Don't worry, mother, although I admire his beauty, I also care about his character. If I hadn't been tempted, I wouldn't have inquired about it. I will inquire carefully tomorrow. Don't agree yet."

Mother Li couldn't help but instructed again: "If someone doesn't want it, you must not force it."

Li San hummed, and said seriously: "Mother, I'll give myself three to five years, and I'll take advantage of these few years to study and read and accumulate some family property. If the girl still doesn't want to, I'll give up."

Mother Li estimated that her son would be 23 years old in five years, and it would not be too late. If she was really a good girl, it would be worth waiting a few years.After thinking about it, Mother Li nodded and agreed to her son's plan. Looking at the precious ginseng supplements brought by her son at the head of the kang, she only hoped that she could take care of her body and watch her son start a family and start a business.

When Li San saw it, he quickly opened the box and sent it to his mother, saying: "Ginseng is very expensive in the capital, and hairpins are so thick and thin that you can't buy one tael for 30 taels of silver. It's cheaper outside the customs. Look at these ginsengs, wild ginseng." , It only cost 30 taels of silver."

Mother Li was very pleased, nodded and said: "I will ask the doctor to dispense the medicine tomorrow."

In the early morning of the next day, the snow was very thick, but Li San still spent a lot of money to hire a doctor, and he drove to pick him up, and prescribed medicine for his mother's pulse.

At the same time, the person sent by the Zhou family to deliver letters to Zhou Hong also set off.

When the letter from the Zhou family was sent to Shanhaiguan, a bloody battle was going on outside the pass, and the people in the city were panic-stricken. They hadn't experienced a major war in several years. Last year, it was just a few groups of Tartars harassing the border. This year, the movement was much bigger. A few days ago, Zhou Hong discovered the sneak attack of [-] elite soldiers. Fortunately, he had already made preparations and led the troops to fight.

Sang Long was too old to go to the battlefield. He was afraid that he would become a burden to the young generals, which would not be conducive to the war, so he reused the young men and young generals under his command.

The so-called war is not a face-to-face confrontation. They can't beat Jiu Mingjin. Now they are soldiers from both sides hiding in the mountains and forests. If you don't attack, all in all, ghosts and ghosts appear and disappear, and military tactics and tactics emerge in endlessly. It is by no means a confrontation between the two armies.

Xueyan didn't go out, but every time someone came to report whether the battle was successful or not, it was thrilling to hear.

Hearing the sound of killing in the distance, Daiyu's face turned pale with fright, and Sang's mother hurriedly hugged her in her arms, patted her on the shoulder, and comforted her: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, your uncle is so cruel." We have survived these years, and we have experienced hundreds of battles bigger than today, and we will definitely win. Besides, although we live outside the pass, not to mention that the place where they fought is a hundred miles away from us, it is the barracks outside There are still [-] troops stationed in the town, so that the water will not leak."

Daiyu was relieved for a while, and then she was puzzled: "Why don't we live in the city inside the pass, but outside the pass?"

When they first arrived at Shanhaiguan, not only Daiyu, but Xueyan also had this question. They left the pass and lived in the towns outside the pass, not inside the pass. In this way, it can be said that the situation is very dangerous, and it is better to live inside the pass. Safety.

Sang's mother smiled lightly and said: "It's good to live inside the pass, but it's easy to retreat and escape with the Great Wall of the relevant city. However, your uncle led most of the army to station outside the pass, just to calm the hearts of the people and to advance and retreat with the people outside the pass. Wife, of course you have to live outside first, so that the people's hearts are stable, and the soldiers don't have to worry about the chaos behind them."

When Daiyu and Xueyan heard this, admiration flashed across their faces.

Just as I was about to say something more, I suddenly heard news from the Zhou family. Because there was a war ahead, I came to look for Sang's mother. Although the Sang family and the Zhou family had different ways of writing and martial arts, the Zhou family was watched by Sang's mother and Sang Long. Growing up, we have some kind of friendship.

Sang's mother hurriedly ordered someone to pass it in. It was a young man who came and asked through the window.

The Zhou family boy was very worried about Zhou Hong, but he couldn't ask, so he could only honestly tell Sang's mother the news.

Hearing that the decree has been made and the marriage has been decided, Sangmu came here to tell Zhou Hong. Seeing Daiyu's face flushed suddenly, Sangmu couldn't help laughing and said, "Amitabha, the sage's decree came down so soon. I know, You go to rest first, and when the battle is over, I'll ask someone to take you to Brother Hong and tell him." After finishing speaking, he ordered someone to take the boy down.

Before Sang's mother could speak, Daiyu stood up and said goodbye to her room.

Sang's mother knew that she was shy, so she didn't keep her, she just looked at her back and smiled from ear to ear, secretly happy for her, when she saw that only Xueyan didn't go back with Daiyu, she couldn't help being surprised and said: " Why don't you follow and serve your girls?"

Xueyan smiled and said, "I have something to ask my wife about."

With the decree coming down, Xueyan finally let go of her heart, and the imperial decree bestowed a marriage, and this marriage will undoubtedly come true.

Sang's mother asked what was the matter, Xueyan hesitated for a moment, and glanced at the maids in the room. Sang's mother understood, and waved people to leave, leaving only Xueyan in front of her, saying: "Just talk about what you want, me and the old lady." It must be up to you girls to decide."

Xueyan said in a low voice, "That's how our girl's dowry is prepared."

Sang's mother suppressed the smile on her face, thought for a while, and said: "Naturally, Rongguo Mansion should prepare it. They took so many things from your master, so don't they give you a dowry? What the world knows, I won't give it to you." The girl’s dowry will never pass.”

Everyone is well aware of the Rongguo Mansion's occupation of the Lin family's wealth, and the wealth is touching. No one will not care about this huge property. As long as they do a good job and prepare a generous dowry, Daiyu will have a good time when she gets married. Well, even if others knew that the Rongguo Mansion had taken over the property of the Lin family, they couldn't say anything about the Rongguo Mansion.

Xueyan smiled wryly and said: "Although it is a dowry, it is about using the things our girl kept to make up. What is the value of the things in the three warehouses except for 9 taels of silver? Twenty or thirty boxes of Four Seasons clothes, not to mention how many The patterns and colors of ten years ago, even in terms of size, can’t be used as a dowry for a girl. The furniture is good wood, which is left by the wife as a dowry. They haven’t moved it, but they have to add some new furniture. Nowadays, good wood is rare and rich. There is nowhere to buy, not to mention no money. The few things returned by Lian's second master and Lian's second grandma are worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, but antique calligraphy and paintings are rare, and there are only a few of them."

Those who can make a dowry for Daiyu, that is, 9 taels of silver and a few antique calligraphy and paintings, head jewelry, furniture, Zhuangtian, etc. There are not many things. Silks and satins, medicines, porcelain, four seasons clothes, etc. have to be repurchased, as well as jewelry. Make another batch, do you want to use the 9 taels of silver?That can't work, Xueyan still wants to leave it to Daiyu to make money in the pressing box!

Although Sang's mother heard her say that the things she got were few and mostly flashy last time, she didn't feel anything wrong. Now when she heard her say that, she was surprised and said: "Based on this calculation, the things you girls keep are all empty." It's your wife's dowry that accounts for more than half of it, apart from these, the property of the Lin family is less than 10 taels of silver?"

As soon as the words fell, Sang's mother couldn't help but gasped.

The Lin family has a lot of property, and outsiders are aware of it, and they are all waiting to see how Daiyu's dowry will be. Rongguo Mansion is acting like this, is it possible to treat Jia Min's dowry as the property of the Lin family?In this way, others would really think it was the property of the Lin family.

But Sang's mother knew the truth, so she couldn't help feeling a little bit aggrieved for Daiyu.

Xueyan nodded, and said: "Counting the wife's dowry and a few things from the old ladies, plus 9 taels of silver, the total is less than 20 taels, but the dowry things cannot be counted as the property left by the master. Among the 9 taels of silver, 1 was given by the old lady, and [-] was given by the wife, and the Lin family only left [-] taels of silver for the girl."

Therefore, it is said that the amount of property Daiyu received from the Lin family was very small, not even a cent. The 5% estimated by herself at the beginning was due to the inclusion of these dowry items. There are [-] taels of silver in the box.

After a pause, Xueyan said again: "In addition to these, there are also a few Zhuangzi shops that the master left for the girl when he came to Beijing. They are worth tens of thousands of taels of silver. It is very dignified to be a dowry for the girl, because the master passed them here at the beginning. Under the name of the girl, I also gave me the house deed and the land deed, I don't know what good it is to promise the second master Lian, anyway, the second master Lian didn't sell these."

Mother Sang patted the table hard, her eyes were full of anger, and she said: "This Rongguo Mansion is too greedy! Except for your wife's dowry, even if you keep two or three million things, it will look good for your girls to get married!"

Xueyan smiled wryly, how could they leave so much money for Daiyu?I'm afraid they think that Daiyu's dowry of 20 yuan is very respectable, and they don't care if it is the property of the Lin family or Jia Min's dowry. In comparison, Daiyu is still in the clouds in the sky.

Mother Sang sighed, "I'm afraid these things will never come back."

Xueyan nodded and said: "Girl said, keep it if you give it, and treat it as nothing if you don't give it." Anyway, the Rongguo Mansion has raised Daiyu for so many years, and it is not Daiyu who creates quarrels over these belongings.

Moreover, if this property falls into the hands of others, it will end in the same way, but it depends on whether more or less is left for Daiyu.

After hearing this, Mother Sang glanced at her secretly, seeing that she had nothing else to do, her eyes flickered slightly, and she said with a smile: "What you girl said is that you don't have to worry about it, anyway, it's up to someone to make decisions! Ling Luo silk and satin Four Seasons Clothes Rongguo Mansion must prepare, you still have a lot of skins, I will send people to buy a batch of precious medicinal materials outside the pass tomorrow, it is cheaper here than in the capital. You go back first, and the rest will wait for the old man to come back. Just ask, I have to tell you girls to get married in a good manner."

Xueyan bowed to answer.

When she returned to the house, Daiyu was writing on the kang table. Seeing her coming back, she raised her head and said, "What are you talking to my aunt?"

Xueyan took off her shoes and went to the kang, said with a smile, "Talk about the girl's dowry."

Daiyu put down her pen, her face just blushed, and then she fell silent.

After half a day, everyone in the house was sent out, and Daiyu said, "Those are decent enough."

Xueyan sighed: "Although those are decent enough, but who is not a human being outside? Looking at such a dowry, the Rongguo Mansion looks even worse on the face! I just hope that they will return something to the girl for the sake of face."

Daiyu shook her head and smiled, she didn't pay much attention to these things.

Xueyan looked at Daiyu's poem, and suddenly said softly: "Girl, the things left by the master, should they be added to the girl's dowry after the application period, or should the uncle accompany the girl after she gets married?" Take it back?"

Daiyu suddenly thought of this, and pondered: "What do you mean?"

Xueyan said: "According to my opinion, of course it is the latter. Everyone knows that the mansion invaded the family property left by the master, and we shipped out millions of dollars in a hurry, not to tell others that the master does not trust the old lady. Is it? The Rongguo Mansion is not good-looking, and the girl will easily cause others to suspect that the master is wrong. If the master can hide millions of dollars, he must be able to hide other things." At that time, Daiyu must have a lot of troubles upper body.Therefore, Xueyan tends to make a fortune in silence.

If Daiyu really married with millions of dollars, it would inevitably clear up the Rongguo Mansion's embezzlement of family property. Xueyan didn't want that. Rongguo Mansion embezzled more than one million yuan and wanted a good reputation?Moreover, the reputation of the Zhou family is unavoidably not good, she knows what verbal criticism is best, Zhou Hong abandoned his pen to join the army, and married a daughter of extinct family, who knows what they can say.

Xueyan was just in case at this time, she didn't expect that with the imperial decree, some people in the capital would say that their family had become extremely rich.

Regarding the part of her private possessions, Lin Ruhai asked her to go there before she died, and left her a way out that would not be suspected by others. He told himself not to take it out until Daiyu got married, so as not to take it out early and be embezzled privately.

Xueyan didn't want to act like this, it was cheaper for the Rongguo Mansion, but, instead of adding it to Daiyu's dowry, it was taken out after marriage, and the things hadn't passed through the clear path, so they couldn't be regarded as Daiyu's dowry after all, so Xueyan had to ask Ask Daiyu what she means.

Daiyu heard her worry, frowned and said: "Then what do you think should be done? This will not work, and that will not work."

The dowry is the most important thing in a woman's life, and she can't be negligent at all. Although Daiyu doesn't care whether the Rongguo Mansion returns it or not, she still values ​​her remaining dowry very much. She doesn't want to marry into the Zhou family and be looked down upon by others.

Xueyan pondered for a long time, then suddenly clapped her hands and laughed: "Girl, I have it, and when the time comes, I will add such a sum to the dowry list, for 'dowry to an old house in Gusu and how many things are in the house', it is not just a sentence Described it? When the time comes to pick up the things, let's count them into the register. They are all the girl's dowry. Of course, only the uncle knows, and how to transport them back in a fair manner is the business of the uncle. I don't believe that the uncle is even capable of this. nothing."

Xueyan felt that her method was good, but Daiyu's dowry was not particularly large on the surface, and she was not at all in private.

Daiyu said: "The way you said is good, let's do it like this. Anyway, I don't want to show off the property left by my father to everyone." If you haven't married, you only have one son-in-law.But for some reason, Daiyu felt sweet in her heart, full of anticipation.

Xueyan put this matter aside and had nothing to worry about. Seeing this, she smiled and said: "Then wait for the girl to get married and give it to the girl. In this way, I can spend more time with the girl. Originally, I promised the master that the things will be handed over to the girl." You can only leave after holding the girl's hand."

Hearing what she said, Daiyu was very happy, although she said she wanted to let Xueyan go out, but she was extremely reluctant, if she could keep Xueyan to spend more time with her because of this, it would be a surprise.

Just as a smile was on his brows, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

Daiyu hurried out of the bedroom, and asked the girl outside through the curtain what happened.

Standing on the porch, Danju listened to the voice and replied: "Respond to the girl's words. It's a good news. It's our son-in-law who won the battle." Just now she accompanied Daiyu in Sangmu's room, so she knew that Daiyu had been married by a sage. To Zhou Hong.

Hearing the word aunt, Daiyu immediately blushed, spat, and went back to her room, but she was relieved in the end.

But in the end she was still worried, Daiyu tugged at Xueyan and said, "Go and ask about the casualties."

Xueyan smiled and went.

It was a young soldier who came to report from outside, and was answering in Sangmu's room. Sangmu was getting old, and she didn't shy away from seeing young people. When she saw the snow geese coming, she said, "You came just in time, and I will tell you girls in a while. hurt,"

Xueyan was taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "Is my uncle's injury serious?"

When the soldier heard Xueyan call Zhou Hong his aunt, his eyes flickered, and he said: "Some people got a little too proud in several victories, so they fell into an ambush. Fortunately, Zhou Dusi took action in time and saved a hundred brothers, but Zhou Dusi In order to save the brother below, he was shot by an arrow in his left shoulder, and the wound was very deep, but fortunately the arrow was not poisonous and did not hurt any muscles or bones, so the military doctor has already taken out the arrow."

Xueyan calmed down a little, chanted a Buddha, and asked how the casualties were.

The soldier saw that Xueyan was well-dressed, and that she was Zhou Hong's fiancée's maid, and she was from the Sang family. Seeing Sang's mother nodding, Fang replied: "We killed 3000 people and captured more than [-] prisoners. More than [-] people were killed, and more than [-] people were injured. The wounded are not life-threatening for the time being, but there are about [-] people who have been seriously injured.

Having said that, the soldier's tone was very sad.

Mother Sang sighed after hearing this, "It's really good news. If it spreads to the capital, the sage will definitely reward you."

When Xueyan came back and told Daiyu, Daiyu couldn't help but look sad, and said in a low voice: "With Jun Mo's words, you can make a marquis, and once you succeed, you will be exhausted."

After hearing this, Xueyan deeply felt the same, but without these soldiers defending the country, the Celestial Dynasty would be reduced to the territory of the Tartars, and countless people would suffer instead. Those generals and soldiers are more worthy of respect in her eyes.

Daiyu hesitated for a moment, then said, "He's injured, should we send some things there?"

Xueyan smiled and said: "I've thought about it a long time ago. I will send some high-quality wound medicine and supplements in the name of my wife. Who told me that the skins sent by my uncle are also for my wife!" If so, let's go to Sang's mother, there are not many other things in their room, and there are plenty of medicinal materials and supplements, all of which are of the highest quality, and I will give it to Zhou Hong to let him remember Daiyu's benefits, and add more affection.

Sang's mother smiled when she heard her intention of coming, and at the same time ordered people to deliver wound medicine and supplements, some from Xueyan and some from Sang's family, and at the same time called the messenger to go with them, telling Zhou Hong that the marriage had been decided. news.

Before the messengers arrived at the camp, the soldiers who delivered the good news came back first.

He went to answer Sang Long's words first, and after he finished, he couldn't help but look at Zhou Hong who was sitting here several times. He was quick on his legs and articulate, and he often went back and forth between the Sang family and the camp to report good news, so he was very familiar with the Sang family. , I knew that there was a relative girl living here in the Sang family, but I didn't expect that it was Zhou Dusi's daughter-in-law.The maids are all like gods, and the girls are even more beautiful than others.

The more the little soldier thought about it, the more he envied him, and he couldn't help looking at Zhou Hong more eagerly.

Zhou Hong exposed half of his arms, wrapped in cloth strips, and there were some bloodstains, but he was resolute, and he was still wounded to discuss matters with Sang Long. When he noticed the little soldier's gaze, he raised his head and looked back coldly, scaring the little soldier. jumped.

Sang Long had finished discussing the military affairs with everyone, and said with a smile, "Zhan Xiaohu, what do you think Zhou Dusi is doing?"

Zhan Xiaohu rubbed his head and said with a smile: "I have never heard of Mr. Zhou's engagement. How come there is a maid in the marshal's mansion who looks like a fairy and calls Mr. Zhou uncle in front of the old lady? I'm just curious."

When everyone heard this, except for Sang Long, they all looked at Zhou Hong in unison and said, "There is such a thing? Congratulations, congratulations."

Zhou Hongduan sat still, with no expression on his face, but secretly heaved a sigh of relief in his heart, a little bit of joy, it seems that the will came down, and they were very satisfied, that's why they called him so smoothly.

Sang Long laughed loudly, and said, "Of course there is, Brother Hong is my cousin and son-in-law!"

When everyone heard this, they were secretly amazed and hurriedly congratulated.

Zhou Xiaohu took the opportunity to sneak out, and after a while, everyone in the tent knew that Zhou Hong was engaged.

Zhou Hong couldn't bear the continuous jokes from everyone, so he went back to the camp on the grounds that his wound was hurting. Coincidentally, the messenger who delivered medicinal materials and supplements arrived together with the messenger. He stood up and took the letter from his parents with both hands. The soldiers took the two of them down to have a rest, and after reading the letter, they let out a long sigh of relief.

Zhou Hong was thinking about how to reply to the letter, picked up a pen and wanted to reply, when he caught a glimpse of the different boxes containing medicinal materials and supplements, the ones in the Sang family were usually ordinary, he had seen many, so he didn't take it seriously, but there were a few filigree brocade boxes that were very delicate, Haven't seen it.

Zhou Hong's heart moved, he got up and opened it, and there were all the first-class things inside, including wound medicine and supplements, which were very complete.

After watching quietly for a long time, Zhou Hong raised his voice and called his own soldiers to come over and boil the things in the filigree brocade box and bring them here.

At this time, Sang Long also saw the family who brought the medicine, and he heard that he had sent a lot of things to Zhou Hong, so he had confidence in his heart, and when he got the bill, he saw Zhou Hong's personal soldiers holding the things in the brocade box to cook. Stewed, suddenly smiled knowingly, Daiyu is very particular, and those exquisite boxes are only found in Daiyu's room.

A few days later, Zhou Hong recovered from his injuries, and Sang Long hurried home after the war had just stopped.

Daiyu and others rushed over to congratulate him on his victory.

Sang Long ate with Sangmu and Daiyu, but did not drink because of the current war.

While having tea and gossiping after dinner, Sang Long pretended to be casual and said: "Brother Hong is already well. The tonics I sent back last time, such as longan, red dates, and walnuts, I see him being boiled every day."

Being teased by him, Daiyu blushed unconsciously and bowed her head in silence.

Sang Mu shot him a look, and said: "What are you talking about in front of Yu'er? It's already getting late, so hurry up and rest."

He also asked Xueyan to accompany Daiyu back to her room, and Daiyu left in a hurry.

After Daiyu left, Sang Mu glared at Sang Long, and went back to the room with him, and asked the servant girl to come up to help him change his clothes, wash his feet, and tidy up. he.

Sang Long frowned and said: "Rongguo Mansion is not honest, it's too greedy, if it's 30 to 10 taels for Yu'er, it's fine, but it's less than [-] taels, it really makes people don't know what to say! Yu'er It’s good if you don’t think about these things, if it’s because of something wrong with the Rongguo Mansion, people will only say that she is ungrateful.”

Sang's mother sighed: "I said the same thing, but after all, I'm a bit thin. Marrying into Zhou's family is not enough confidence."

Sang Long said: "You don't have to worry about Yu'er's dowry, Ruhai left one for her!"

Mother Sang was taken aback, and said, "I left another property for Yu'er? Why haven't I heard of it?"

Sang Long smiled lightly, and said: "This is Ruhai's scheming scheme. He only has a little flesh and blood in Yu'er. Now that he knows that Rongguo Mansion's people are unpredictable, how can he not leave a way for Yu'er? He will discuss the funeral. The cooking was done properly, and he wrote to me that even Yu'er didn't know about this property, and I will be the master when Yu'er gets married."

If Xueyan heard these words here, she would definitely break out in a cold sweat, what a Lin Ruhai, she is really scheming!

He handed over her deed of sale to Daiyu, but told Sang Long the secret. If Daiyu could not control her with the deed, then the Sang family was very powerful, and Sang Long would definitely be able to take care of her. a little girl.

Sang Long knew that only Xueyan knew where the half of the property was, not even Daiyu, so he asked his wife several times to find out what kind of person Xueyan was, and he always paid attention to it. I have to say that Lin Ruhai did not entrust the wrong person. Geng Geng didn't say anything, but she was very calm, until now Daiyu's marriage was settled, and she also obeyed Ruhai's instructions, and she didn't reveal any rumors.

Sang Long felt that Lin Ruhai's instructions were very reasonable, and only waited for Xueyan's behavior before Daiyu got married.

Sang Long kept this matter in his heart, unless he died before Daiyu got married, he would not tell his wife.

Sang's mother thought that Lin Ruhai had handed over the property to Sang Long, but she didn't know that only Xueyan knew about it, so she smiled and said: "At first I was worried that Yu'er's dowry was not decent enough, but now I really don't have to worry about it. Ruhai will give it to you." How much Yu'er kept is more than what Rongguo Mansion gave her anyway, so that Yu'er will marry with confidence, and her husband's family will not look down on her."

Sang Long said with emotion: "Ruhai has put in all his heart and soul, just to make Yu'er feel better!"

Sang's mother sighed: "It's a pity that Ruhai I has a great name, but there is no incense to inherit."

Sang Long also felt sorry for Lin Ruhai, but he had no choice but to say: "Life is not satisfactory in this world, and there is nothing perfect. It is better to be clean than to be unworthy of your descendants, and you can still keep a clean name. Look at Ning Rongguo Mansion What the two families have done, I would rather not have such descendants!"

Sang mother very much agrees.

Sang Long asked if someone from Rongguo Mansion came to deliver a letter, or to pick up Daiyu. Seeing that Sang's mother shook her head, Sang Long said: "The Zhou family's news has been delivered, but Rongguo Mansion is gone? Anyway, send someone to send a letter to let Yu'er know, first prepare the needle and thread for Xiaoji."

When this matter was brought up, Sang's mother couldn't help feeling a little annoyed, and said: "That's right. If you ask Yu'er to do needlework now, but the Rongguo Mansion doesn't say anything, we can't do it for you. If you don't ask her to do it, it will be the first month." Can't do needlework. Although people like us don't care whether the female workers are good or bad, but the work by Yu'er appears in the engagement ceremony, how respectable the mother-in-law sees."

Sang Long pondered for a while, and said decisively: "Then it's up to you and me to make the decision. Let Yu'er do the sewing for the wedding ceremony first."

Mother Sang thought for a while, nodded in agreement, and said: "Alright." Then she laughed and said: "Ming'er will send Brother Hong's size over, just return the purse, and the set of clothes must be in his size. "

After Sang Long went back, he sent someone to deliver Zhou Hong's size.

Mother Sang gave it to Daiyu, and Daiyu was embarrassed again, but after Mother Sang left, Daiyu inevitably took out the material to make it.