The maid of the red house

It has been a few months since Princess Zhongshun told Princess Ning'an to come to Xie Xueyan in person, if someone else would have thought that Princess Ning'an was insincere, but Xueyan had heard Daiyu mention it , Said that since Bao Ge'er returned home, he often woke up every night, and gradually recovered after being ill for more than a month, so Princess Ning'an never came in person.

Thinking of this, Xueyan hurriedly changed her clothes to meet the visitor, and greeted her in person.

The roadside at Zhao’s gate has already been covered with curtains, and there are many guards standing at the end of Zhongshun Palace and Princess Palace, not allowing idlers to approach, there are also many eunuchs, maidservants and servants surrounding a big sedan chair, Xueyan hastily let in the main entrance.

Fortunately, Zhao Yun is a Juren, and the front entrance of their house is much higher than ordinary people according to the specifications, allowing a large sedan chair to enter the door.

Outside the curtain, the people of Bajing Town saw such a scene, and they all quietly talked about it. Some people such as Chang's Doumu knew that Xueyan had a good relationship with Princess Ning'an, but those who didn't know were very surprised. Even Chang'an County The magistrates and wives of the county had heard about it, and hurried over by car, but they were blocked from entering.

After entering the door, there is a servant girl helping Princess Ning'an to get off the sedan chair, and Hou Bao is also hugging Princess Ning'an.

After not seeing him for a few months, Hou Bao lost a lot of weight, showing a pair of huge eyes, which seemed to have recovered after a few months of raising him, but they were also very agile, dark and abnormal, and he grinned when he saw the snow geese.

Xueyan smiled back at him, and Fang stepped forward to greet him.

Princess Ning'an put Hou Bao on the ground, then helped Xueyan up with her own hands, and said apologetically, "Thank you for saying it earlier, but it's been so late, it seems even more dishonest."

Xueyan invited her into the hall, and said with a smile: "The princess's words made me panic. I couldn't afford to be the princess to thank me in person, and now I can't afford to be the princess. First of all, it's a national funeral. How can the princess get away with it?" Empty? Besides, I heard that Brother Bao has been ill for a long time, and I wanted to visit him, but I was afraid of being disturbed, and finally heard Grandma Zhou say that Brother Bao has recovered after being raised for a month, so I am relieved."

Princess Ning'an sat down, and said: "You are really a smart person, and you are still so considerate."

Xueyan pursed her lips and smiled, seeing Xiaolan making tea, she hurriedly brought it to Princess Ning'an herself.

Princess Ning'an took the tea and put it on the table, and said in his mouth: "Sit down quickly, I'll come over, if you bother me so much, if you trouble me to serve me tea, who am I?"

Xue Yan sat down, and saw Princess Ning'an raised her hand slightly, and a servant woman went out immediately, and after a while, many people came in with brocade boxes, big and small, and immediately crowded the hall, Princess Ning'an He smiled and said: "The former empress gave some things as rewards. I picked some exquisite and unique things. You can keep them for fun. Don't dislike them. If you dislike them, I don't know how to thank you."

After hearing her finished speaking, Xueyan smiled and said: "How dare I despise such a good thing, since the princess gave it to me, I will be disrespectful."

After accepting the gift, she accepted Princess Ning'an's gratitude. In the future, Princess Ning'an would not have to worry about repaying her kindness. After all, it was Prince Zhongshun who thanked herself, not Princess Ning'an.

Princess Ning'an showed a great smile on his face, and said: "In the future, when you are free, you will often go to my mansion. Grandma Zhou and Yan girl often go there. You can talk when you see me. I'm not afraid of disturbing you. .”

Xueyan is naturally willing to make friends with Prince Zhongshun. After all, the whole family is very smart people. As a wife, she has no power and influence, and will not be tabooed by her superiors. Therefore, after hearing this, she smiled and said: "When the time comes, Princess, don't shut me out."

Princess Ning'an smiled and said: "Even if you refuse others, you won't be denied entry, don't worry."

Hou Bao sat on Princess Ning'an's lap, looked at Xueyan and said, "Sister, next time you come to our house, I'll give you something good to eat."

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but smile.

But Xueyan smiled seriously at Hou Bao: "That's good, Brother Bao, don't be stingy when the time comes."

Hou Bao shook his head and said: "I'm not stingy, I have a lot of them, I can't finish them all, rose candy, sweet-scented osmanthus cakes, lotus root flour cake, sugar steamed crispy cheese, they are all delicious, rewarded by the empress, given by grandpa and grandma, mother called Someone made it for me, and I brought a lot for my sister today. Bring it up quickly, and bring it up for my sister to eat." He said loudly to the servant woman who followed into the house, young and very imposing.

Without saying a word, two young servants came over, each holding a box of plum blossoms painted with red lacquer and gold.

The food was delivered, but Hou Bao didn't know what to say, scratched his head, and said, "Give it to sister."

Princess Ning'an watched with a smile all the time, and ordered: "Take the two first and put them in front of Grandma Zhao."

A maid immediately picked four dishes and put them on the table in front of Xueyan, all of them were white dishes of Ding Kiln. There were not many dim sum in the dish, but they were very delicate. .

Princess Ning'an smiled and said: "You don't lack these in your daily life, but brother Bao sent them, you can try it."

Hou Bao stared at Xueyan with wide eyes, and kept saying: "Sister eats, sister eats."

Xueyan smiled and said: "Okay, I'll try the dim sum brought by Brother Bao." As he spoke, he picked up a small piece of sweet-scented osmanthus, lotus root powder and water chestnut cake, which melted in the mouth. It tasted the same as before, except that there was no sweet-scented osmanthus in winter. , I think it is made of sweet-scented osmanthus harvested in autumn.

Seeing her eating, Hou Bao smiled and said, "Isn't it delicious? Grandma gave it to me. I like it the most."

After eating one piece, Xueyan smiled and said, "It's delicious, thank you Brother Bao for remembering me."

After hearing this, Hou Bao was very proud.

Princess Ning'an touched Aizi's head, and asked Xueyan, "The old lady of Rongguo Mansion passed away, have you gone?"

When mentioning Jiamu, Xueyan put away the smile on her face, nodded and said, "Naturally. It's also the court's grace. The Ministry of Rites granted 500 taels of silver for the funeral, and ordered the burial to be ordered by the Duke and Madam."

Jia Daishan was the Duke of the state when he first became a noble, so Jia's mother is still a super-class Duke and wife of the state.

Princess Ning'an smiled and said: "I heard that they broke up after dying. I have been taking care of Brother Bao these few months and I don't go out much. When others come, I don't see them except for a few people I know well. See Grandma Zhou I'm very sad, and it's not easy to ask her, lest I make her sad."

Xueyan didn't want to do too much, and said lightly: "When the family was separated, the Eldest Master also returned a lot of things to our girl."

Princess Ning'an nodded and said: "I heard that there are many people out there who are making jokes, whether they are making fun of Shi Taijun's two sons just after he died, or whether they are making fun of their second wife's lack of greed. Saying that he knows a little better than Erfang is a bit kind, and after being the master of the house, he will return all the things of the Lin family that can be found in the house."

Xueyan listened with her head down, and secretly sighed.

Who said Jia Amnesty was completely confused?She is very shrewd, did she want to accept the mandarin duck as a concubine because she liked the beauty of the mandarin duck?Definitely not.Although Yuanyang is beautiful, he is much inferior to Xiren and others. He has taken a fancy to Yuanyang for taking care of Jiamu's family members, and Jiamu intends to leave all her family members to Baoyu.Rewarding Qiutong to Jia Lian also expressed support for Jia Lian's marriage to Second Sister You, expressing dissatisfaction with Sister Feng.Returning the things now may not have expected such an ending, and all the crimes of embezzling the orphan girl's wealth were all pushed to Erfang's head. After all, he only embezzled some, not as much as Erfang.

Princess Ning'an saw that she was silent, knowing that she was not good at talking about the old master, so he said with a smile: "Ding You of the Rongguo Mansion, it is not easy to go out, just talk outside, but never spread to their family. Take it upon yourself, you go less."

Of course Xueyan didn't want to go there, but her godfather and mother were working in the Rongguo Mansion, so she could only say: "My godfather and mother are working in the mansion, so it's better not to move around, and I have to give gifts next year."

Princess Ning'an thought about it, so she fell silent.

After a moment of silence, Princess Ning'an said: "Is your godfather and mother the chief executive couple of Rongguo Mansion?"

Xueyan nodded and said with a smile: "Exactly, the old lady's kindness told me to recognize my god-in-law back then."

Princess Ning'an knew in her heart that when Xueyan rescued Bao Geer, Zhongshun Wangfu checked the history of Xueyan's relatives and friends. Yu Liansheng was more intimate, but the relationship with the Lai family was only on the face of it, but the Lai family treated Xueyan very well, as if they were his own, so Zhongshun Wang's mansion saw the signs and stopped thinking.

Princess Ning'an is so intelligent, she naturally saw the Lai family's plan, and at the same time found out that their family had made a lot of money from Rongguo Mansion. , Most of them are money from the Lin family.

The Rongguo Mansion embezzled Daiyu's family property, and the only way for the Lai family to make money was to come out from here.

Thinking of this, Princess Ning'an smiled and said: "They treat you well on the surface, and you can't be too alienated, but it's hard for you. There are so many right and wrong in a good woman's family."

Xueyan smiled lightly, and said: "I also got alms back then, so naturally I can't be ungrateful."

Although the Lai family is far better than the people in the Rongguo Mansion, if they find a housekeeper themselves, they are determined not to be such moths. Fortunately, she has always been intimate with the Lai family, which has never aroused the suspicion of the Lai family, but Princess Ning'an spotted it if she didn't want to.

Princess Ning'an agreed very much, saying: "That's true."

Suddenly the subject changed, and he said with a smile: "Last time you saved Brother Bao, and you borrowed clothes from someone else's house for Brother Bao to wear. I don't know which family it is from?"

Xueyan replied: "It's my nephew, about the same age as Brother Bao. I have already made two sets of clothes to thank him."

Princess Ning'an smiled and said: "We should thank you. I asked someone to prepare two sets of new clothes, a gold collar, and a long-life lock. I brought them here. When I leave, you can hand them over to me and send them to you." Thank you for me."

Xueyan smiled and agreed, and sure enough a servant woman brought the things up.

Princess Ning'an stood up and said goodbye, "I have to go to the palace for a while, so I can't stay any longer."

Knowing that she would not have lunch at her home, Xueyan escorted her to the sedan chair and delivered her to the door herself. She watched a group of people turn and leave, and was about to close the door when she saw a woman from a neighbor's family come to ask what happened.

Xueyan smiled and said: "It's a nobleman in the capital, come and see me, it's just a bit more pompous."

Just as he was talking, he saw a middle-aged woman get off the sedan chair, surrounded by a group of girls and servants, Xue Yan was slightly startled, and then heard the woman smile and said: "Is this Grandma Zhao? It really deserves its reputation. Please don’t take the liberty of visiting here.”

Chang's nearby said in a low voice: "It's the wife of the magistrate."

Xueyan hurriedly stepped forward to salute, and said with a smile: "Madam, your feet are on the low ground, and the next household is full of brilliance. Please come in quickly."

The magistrate's wife laughed and said, "Grandma Zhao is too modest."

Just now the princess came out in the sedan chair, she immediately went forward to greet her, but she was blocked by the guards, and she could only watch the big sedan chair leave. Back then, they caught those kidnappers, although they made meritorious deeds, they were also rewarded by the superiors , and made friends with the defenders above, but the kidnapper was taken away by the Zhongshun Palace, but the magistrate did not get promoted just because of this.

The story of Hou Bao was not publicized at the beginning, even Xiaolan and others did not know about Hou Bao's origin, let alone others.

If the magistrate and his wife knew that the child taken away by Zhao Yun was the son of the princess, they would have to stop him so that they could make meritorious service.

Prince Zhongshun and Princess Ning'an knew this truth, so they ordered the subordinates not to disclose the matter, and charged all the kidnappers to death without revealing any news, fearing that they would retaliate against Zhao Yun and his wife, only Daiyu and Julien were outside Sheng heard that Xueyan mentioned this matter, but no one else knew about it.

Although some people suspected that after Xueyan and his wife came to the door, the palace found Hou Bao, but Zhongshun Wangfu said that Xueyan and his wife found a young boy who played with Hou Bao, and then got clues from it, caught the kidnapper, and found him from other places. Hou Bao.

The Chief Historian and others know the method of loyal to the prince, and when asked by outsiders, they always answer like this.

The magistrate's wife entered the hall, and all the things sent by Princess Ning'an were placed in the hall, and they were not removed, almost filling the hall, but the brocade boxes and cages were very precious when she saw it, she smiled and said: "I think it's the end of the year, and the Princess Tete will come to give you something in person? I didn't know that you and the Princess are so good."

Xueyan saw that she knew it, smiled and said humbly: "The princess felt bored in the city, so he came here to relax, no, he also rewarded a lot of things. Speaking of it, it's just the old master's affection, otherwise, how could I have such dignity."

The magistrate's wife heard this and said, "I heard that you saved the princess' son?"

Xueyan went to the city several times, and lived in the capital for a long time. Naturally, she heard the speeches of Prince Zhongshun and was very satisfied, so she was not questioned by the magistrate's wife, and said with a smile: "Where do you start with this?"

The magistrate's wife smiled and said, "Otherwise, why bother the Princess to thank you in person?"

Xueyan smiled and said: "Speaking of it, it's really a coincidence. The last time I recognized the kidnapper who abducted Brother Bao's playmate, it was only then that I recognized the kidnapper. Mr. Guo County. We didn’t know that Brother Bao was lost, so we just sent the child to Zhongshun Prince’s Mansion. The Prince’s Mansion caught the kidnapper and found out the whereabouts of Brother Bao, so the princess looked at me differently.”

The magistrate's wife heard these words, she agreed with the rumors in her heart, and she believed it, and said with a smile: "You are also lucky to have Princess Ning'an treat you like this."

Xueyan agreed: "No, it's really my blessing."

Seeing that she couldn't find anything from Xueyan, the magistrate's wife secretly marveled at her meticulousness, so she got up and said, "I also came here when I heard that the princess is here. It's time to go back. You are free tomorrow, go to my place often, don't be bored at home and have nothing to do."

Xueyan smiled and said yes, and sent it out.

When I came back to pack my things, I had just moved into my bedroom and planned to put them into the anteroom after I counted them. Suddenly I saw a figure shaking in the room, and I almost screamed. After a closer look, it was Zhao Yun, who didn't feel ashamed and angry, and said: "You Why didn't you say anything when you came back?"

Zhao Yun had just changed his clothes, and after hearing this, he bowed his head and said, "Madam, forgive me, it was my fault."

Xueyan chuckled, first ordered Xiaolan to boil hot water, and then dragged him to look up and down. Seeing that he was running all the way, his face became much darker and he became thinner. How to take care of you? You are so thin."

Zhao Yun held her hand behind his back, entered the room together, and said, "Don't blame them, I was in a hurry to come back, so I must be tired."

Xueyan hurriedly said: "Is the trip safe? Did you encounter any problems? There was a heavy snow a few days ago, and the journey will be difficult?"

Zhao Yun said with a smile: "Don't worry, there are so many people, and when Lin Shuren's shopkeeper came to Beijing to pay the rent and send rice, noodles and charcoal, what will happen? I have seen the land you bought, all of them It is a high-quality fertile and fertile land. When the weather is favorable and the harvest is excellent, this year's rent has also been paid, but only in autumn, the total is more than 200 taels, and there are 320 taels of rent for [-] mu of land, a total of [-]. Seven taels, I brought them all back together, you can count them and keep them in a while."

Xueyan wondered: "We only bought the land in July and August, why did we pay the rent back?"

Zhao Yun sat on the kang and said: "Based on the time, we have transferred the ownership here, and the other side has not yet harvested, so it should be paid. They didn't pay the rent last year, and they are already grateful to the court. I have passed, if they don't accept it, Instead, they were terrified."

Xueyan asked suspiciously: "According to what you said, why didn't the ones from the west mountain come here?"

Zhao Yun said: "Didn't it come?"

Xueyan nodded and said: "Our renters have brought us a total of 500 liang of silver, [-] shi of white rice, ten dendrobiums of various colors, three thousand catties of charcoal, wild boar, cured pig, wild sheep, and domestic sheep. Four, waxed pheasants, waxed hares, wind chickens, wind ducks, and wind geese are forty each, live chickens, ducks, and geese are also forty, and there are some dried vegetables and fruits. .”

Zhao Yundao: "It sounds like this year is a good year, and there are [-]% more things than in previous years. I heard that there was a heavy snowfall in the capital. I think Xishan will send it later, don't worry."

After hearing this, Xueyan said: "That's all right, but Zhuangtou said that this year's snow is heavy, I'm afraid there will be disasters, and I saw that the price of food everywhere has also risen during the day, so I decided not to let them sell these things." Things are sent to grain stores to be sold, and all are stored in the warehouse.”

Having said that, he sighed.

The common people depend on the sky to eat, and if the weather is good, there is food to satisfy their hunger. Once the wind does not adjust the rain, they can only live.

Zhao Yundao: "I'm still worried about you doing things? You decide."

Xueyan suddenly became suspicious again, and said: "Last time I heard from Grandma Zhou that there is no need for the village head under her name to send rice, noodles, charcoal, etc., and it is safe to convert it into silver. Because the Zhou family also rents a lot every year, it is very easy You don’t need these anymore, why do you say that you will also bring your renters to Beijing?”

As soon as the words fell, he thought of it and said, "I'm so confused. Our tenants have paid the land rent for the autumn. Why don't they pay the land rent that was bought under Grandma Zhou's name? I think it's the rent for this autumn, right? Even before, the house and good land and shops that the Zhen family got would cost tens of thousands of dollars a year."

Zhao Yun listened to her words, nodded with a smile and said yes, "For one season alone, there are 6000 taels of silver and countless things this year."

Xueyan said: "Grandma Zhou deserves it too. In order to get back the property of the Lin family, how much money was wasted, but Grandma Zhou is honest. When the second master Lian sold 5 taels to the Zhen family, she spent 8 taels instead. In case you buy it back."

It was all done by the Rongguo Mansion, which obviously belonged to Daiyu's property. Not only did they not get any of them, but they had to pay to buy them back.

Zhao Yun smiled slightly, took out the lease contract to the tenants and gave it to Xueyan to keep, saying: "I rented it for three years at once, and I'm here."

Xueyan looked through it carefully, put away the contract, and looked at the money brought in by the young servant woman, counted the amount, and put it away together, but then said distressedly: "All the money from our family's year is collected. Now, where should I put it? I often go out, and our house is not very big, so I don’t feel at ease keeping the money at home, and I don’t feel at ease just holding the bank notes in the bank.”

Xueyan estimated that she had collected nearly 2000 taels so far, and Xishan could get 600 taels, so she was worried about keeping it at home.

Seeing her frowning slightly, Zhao Yun couldn't help smiling, and said: "Since that's the case, it should be stored in the household department."

Xueyan asked in surprise: "Can it exist in the household department?"

Zhao Yun said with a smile: "Of course, the bank notes are made privately, and the household department issues the household treasure banknotes, which are kept in the household department. I'm afraid the sage would like to do so, but the interest rate is lower than that of the bank."

When Xueyan heard the word Baochao, she suddenly remembered something and laughed.

Zhao Yun didn't understand why, and asked her, but she didn't say anything, just said: "I think it's all right, I plan to buy some more properties, and what to do with the money. Put the money first, and I'll see if I can do it in the spring of next year." What to do."

Zhao Yun couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and said, "Don't worry about keeping the money at home. The warehouse has several floors and is locked everywhere. You keep the keys yourself. Are you afraid that others will steal it? If you are so worried, those big households Aren't people more worried?"

Xueyan shot her a sideways look, and said: "Our family is a small family, how can it be compared to a big family with a deep courtyard and countless servants."

After finishing speaking, he immediately felt amused, and said: "It's me who treats a gentleman's belly with the heart of a villain. I haven't lost a single thing in the past few days. Who doesn't have eyes and dares to come to our house to steal? What's more, every day There are people who look after the house. Tomorrow, you will exchange all the silver for gold. I will ask my brother for two servants. They know the basics and know the bottom line. They are better than those bought. Our family is too small now. Every time I go out, Li My mother drove me off, and I have to come back to look after the house."

Zhao Yun agreed: "It's all up to you, don't ask me."

Xueyan snorted, and said: "You are the head of the family, if you don't ask who you ask? I've ordered someone to prepare hot water, and I'm going to take a bath. The journey is full of dust and dust. After washing, I will greet the old man and the old lady and say hello Safety."

After Zhao Yun took a shower, he went to the Zhao family's old house first.

Xueyan hurriedly gave Douzi the clothes, necklace, and gold lock that Princess Ning'an had given to Douzi. After sending him out, she ordered someone to cook, and then counted the things that Princess Ning'an gave. Desserts and so on. Among them, there is a small Kang Ping Xueyan with red sandalwood openwork, which has been descended from thousands of generations. She likes it very much. She immediately took it out and put it on the table. Outside, I plan to give it as a gift in the future.

After tidying up properly, Zhao Yun had come back from his grandparents, he was taken aback when he saw the screen on the kang, and then smiled at the snow geese.

Early the next morning, Xueyan felt sore all over, lying on the kang, couldn't help but glared at Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun, on the other hand, was infinitely gentle, he talked with her, and talked about going south, and asked someone to sort out the earthen ritual gifts they brought, and deliver them to various places in person in a short while.

All of a sudden, the bean mother came to thank Xueyan, Zhao Yun went out, and Xueyan had to get up.

When Dou Mu saw Xueyan, seeing her full face, she smiled and didn't laugh at her, and said, "Last time you made new clothes for Dou Zi yourself, why did you bring them here again yesterday? You gave them such expensive clothes." gold collar and lock."

Xueyan smiled and said, "It was given to Dou Zi by the princess, you just keep it for Dou Zi."

Mother Dou was startled, and said, "How did the princess get involved? How could we be so decent as to be rewarded by the princess?"

Xueyan explained with a smile, and only said that she had saved Hou Bao's playmate. When Dou Mu heard this, she couldn't help but marvel, and said: "It turned out that you were the first to discover the kidnapper. Fortunately, the county magistrate told the outside that it was his." great merit."

Xueyan smiled and said, "It turned out that the magistrate of the county took people to arrest him. It's not a bad idea."

Doumu said: "That can't obliterate your credit, I really don't know what to say. Now that I know about this, thank you very much, I will go back first, and I will bring Douzi to talk to you when I have free time." , Don’t get up now, saw the new clothes and gold collar yesterday, I was so happy that I didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t sleep until midnight.”

Xueyan wanted to send her out, but Mother Dou smiled and said, "You should rest first, don't come out soon."

As she said that, she left with a smile, Xueyan was so ashamed that she secretly hated Zhao Yun for being too fussy yesterday.

A few days later, the land rent from Xishan was sent over. It was 500 taels of silver, some game, and nothing else.

Zhao's land does not have to pay taxes, so they charge one tael per acre of land, plus livestock and food, etc., but Xueyan pays taxes. Only one tael of silver per mu.

Compared with Zijuan's parents who collected about two taels of silver per mu of land for Zijuan, Xueyan was extremely kind.

Xueyan is very busy in the new year, so he sorted out the annual gifts and sent them one by one. Daiyu and Lai's family must be indispensable, especially Daiyu's is the most important, Zhongshun Palace and Ning'an Princess Palace are also important. I want to give a copy, there are not many things, just send it if you want. There is also the Rongguo Mansion. Recently, the Rongguo Mansion has pardoned Jia Zheng, Ding You, and the whole family keeps filial piety. .It has been sent to various places in the capital, and then the Han family and the elders of the family. The snow geese are all well prepared. In addition, the magistrate's wife has come to give a copy, and there are gifts everywhere. When it is put away, it is another busy.

It was so easy to cook properly, it was already a month later.

Before the snow geese had time to relax, they heard that there were several houses in the outskirts of the capital that were crushed by heavy snow, and there were also avalanches in other places, which not only collapsed the houses, but also injured several people. Placement in the past.

A few days later, Zhao Yun sent Guanyue to tell Xueyan about the snow disaster, which was very dangerous.

Xueyan didn't have time to finish listening, and said: "When anyone is in trouble, he can do his best to help. There are a lot of medicine and food at home. You can take some of them. First, settle the tenants. If anyone needs money When it’s time, just come and tell me, I’m not stingy. If the crops are really bad this year, it’s only natural that some rent will be waived next year.”

Guanyue listened, and spread the word according to her words.

After hearing this, the tenants under Zhao's family were very grateful to Zhao Yun and his wife.

Emperor Changqian ordered people to provide disaster relief, and ordered the household department to temporarily use the money copied from the Rong family and other officials' homes for disaster relief.

All of a sudden, the price of grain in the city skyrocketed, and a liter of rice rose from seven yuan a month or two ago to twenty yuan.

And because many victims had nowhere to settle at home, they flocked to the capital. It turned out that the avalanche disaster was very severe near the capital.

The same goes for Zhou’s family. They are serving porridge on the street. Mrs. Zhou ordered: “Cheer up, the servants’ daughters-in-law will steam steamed buns at home and use this year’s new noodles. With the new rice sent this year, it must be boiled thicker, and it will not fall over with chopsticks inserted, and no one will be seen like a thin soup."

Daiyu said: "This year, the south just sent rice noodles and charcoal. Anyway, our family can't finish it now, so let's use it for disaster relief."

Mrs. Zhou hurriedly said: "That's your wife, how can it be like this?"

Daiyu smiled slightly and said: "Our family is doing our best, and I am also a member of our family. At this time, why should we share our private house? If you have something, you don't have to buy it. Isn't it good? Me too What about Jide."

Mrs. Zhou agreed. Although their family has made a lot of income this year, if they donate regardless of everything, it will be difficult for them next year.

Daiyu said again: "I don't know where all the victims live?"

When Mrs. Zhou heard her question, she didn't know, so she hurriedly asked the daughter-in-law who came to report the letter.

The daughter-in-law in charge replied: "I either huddled up on the street, or lived in a ruined temple, but because it is at the foot of the emperor, how can there be any ruined temple in the city? So most of them huddled up in the street. In such a cold day, many people died of freezing." .”

Daiyu frowned slightly, and said to Mrs. Zhou: "There is no empty yard in our house. Why don't we find a place, order someone to build a shed, and cover it with straw and mud on all sides, leaving only the windows for ventilation. The inside is thick and thick. Spread straw on the ground, and then give a lot of charcoal fire, let them keep warm in it, it is worse than freezing to death."

Mrs. Zhou sighed after hearing this: "Even so, it is too eye-catching, and we have become the target of public criticism."

The higher you stand, the more cautious you have to act. How can your reputation as a courtier overshadow the court?Even when giving alms nowadays, everyone is like this. They put more thought into it. What they donate is solid steamed buns and thick rice porridge. If they are kinder than others, they will not attract attention.

Daiyu Bingxue is smart, so she immediately understood the reason, thought for a while, and said with a smile: "I have an idea."

Mrs. Zhou asked what the idea was, and Daiyu said softly.

After listening, Mrs. Zhou clapped her hands and praised with a smile: "It's a good idea, since it's like this, you can go and do it. It's our good deeds to save more people."

Daiyu immediately posted a post to invite the sisters who are friends with each other to come over, saying that they have important matters to discuss.

Everyone didn't know why Daiyu came, and besides, they were not worried about things outside, so they came here happily, and Xueyan was also invited. Also resettled the wounded people, and the snow geese would not be idle at home. If the tenants were disabled and had no food, they would send medicine and food, and they were very dedicated.

Although she was busy, Daiyu sent someone to post a message, and Xueyan came over immediately.

The snowstorm was so severe that snow geese came all the way, and countless victims could be seen in the streets and alleys, waiting in long queues for porridge.

Xueyan sighed endlessly in her heart, and felt pity again.

When she came to Zhou's house, Daiyu didn't blame others, she said bluntly: "Nowadays there are more and more disaster victims in the city, I don't know if we have any good ways to make a little effort?"

Sang Wan said: "Does Auntie have any good ideas?"

Mo Xin also nodded and said: "Sister Lin, what can you do to be serious? Tell me quickly. I have been out for the past two days. I don't know how many disaster victims wandered the streets. It's really pitiful. But we have nothing to do. We just donate on the street. The porridge is very slow, how can it stand up to so many people asking for it one by one."

Xueyan was silent at the side. Based on her understanding of Daiyu, Daiyu must have already had a very good idea.

The law does not blame the public, I am afraid that their female relatives will work together to do good, which will not cause any troubles to the family, and will also leave a reputation of benevolence and charity. However, Daiyu does not care about the reputation outside her body, but others do not. won't care.

Xueyan thought of this, and she heard Daiyu say: "I have a way, but it needs to be agreed by everyone."

Everyone hurriedly urged: "Speak quickly, what are you talking about?"

Daiyu smiled and said: "Nowadays, whether it is disaster relief or almsgiving, it is the responsibility of men outside, and alms is the name of the mansion. It turns out that we female relatives have nothing to do. It is said outside that we only know the honor of husbands and wives." , enjoy the rich food and clothing, and don’t know the sufferings of the people. I don’t agree with this. We are also educated and sensible people. How many people are worried about the victims just now? How can we just stand by and look cold-hearted? Therefore, we need everyone’s help to make a sudden plan. It will solve our worries."

Mo Xin said impatiently: "And then? Don't hide it."

Daiyu said with a smile: "I thought, why don't we add up and take out our private houses? It doesn't need to be too much. I know that you all have Zhuangzi as dowry, so I said this. Let's cook porridge and steamed buns for rice noodles. To satisfy their hunger, they may take charcoal and ask someone to build a shed to shelter them from the snow and cold, or give them quilts to avoid the bitterness of winter, and they can take out the old clothes they don’t wear to add clothes to them, wouldn’t it be more considerate than them? At that time, I see who will say that we are mediocre and do nothing, and make fun of us not going out of the door."

When Xueyan heard this, she applauded in her heart.

When Daiyu thought of these things, it was indeed more considerate than the imperial court's disaster relief.

After hearing this, everyone was thoughtful, and Daiyu felt a little more at ease, and said: "We all have companions and servants, and ordering them to take care of this matter has nothing to do with our families and mansions. It's a good reputation, and it won't be taboo. After all, it's our woman's family's small trouble. Ask those servants to distribute things, and at the same time lead people to build sheds everywhere, which are refuges for those victims. Let them contribute, anyway, we have food for them to eat, and they will try their best not to be lazy in order to have a place to shelter from the cold as soon as possible. When the arrangement is settled, and we have servants in all the houses, we will ask them to work, and we will pay the wages , is also better than them wandering around the capital, doing nothing but taking porridge and rice from various families."

Mo Xin nodded, and first agreed: "My sister is very right. I will send someone to take care of it when I go back in a while. I have sent a lot of things from the Zhuangzi I married as a dowry. It is enough to take out a little. Anyway, at home We have our own income from the family. At that time, I don’t think anyone will say that we only know about fine clothes and fine food, but not the sufferings of the people’s livelihood!”

Everyone agreed, Xueyan smiled and said: "Our family doesn't have much charcoal, but we do have white rice. I would like to give fifty stones of white rice."

The remaining fifty stones have to be taken care of by tenants everywhere, and they cannot be donated entirely.

Everyone knew that her family property was not comparable to her own, so Sang Wan said: "I will give 200 catties of charcoal, and then I will ask people to build a few more sheds, and give [-] shi of white rice to cook porridge. The total is only one or two hundred taels of silver, I will do less. A few clothes and two pieces of jewelry can be saved."

Rice was seven taels of silver one or two months ago, one hundred taels was 70 taels, charcoal was six to seven taels a catty a month ago, and ten thousand catties was only four or fifty taels of silver, which is only more than 50 taels, indeed. In the eyes of these people, a small amount is not worth a dime, and it can win a good reputation, so why not do it.

Daiyu smiled and said: "I have discussed with our wife, I will take out all the rice noodles and charcoal sent from the south this time."

After hearing this, everyone gave generously.

Daiyu motioned Xueyan to write it down, the paper was full, and she got busy the next day.

Because the female family members are meticulous and considerate, although they are only doing small things, and they are only in the vicinity of their own homes, they are highly praised. If you don't work with them, you can find another job to do it.

In three to five days, these women's family members gained a great reputation. Seeing this, the mistresses of other high-ranking officials, not to be outdone, rushed to