The husband's son-in-law

"Ms. Liang, Miss Liang is here."

The housekeeper greeted the guests, bowed and led the way to the engagement court in the front yard.

Mrs. Liang arrived with her aunt, and first saluted Mrs. Gu and Mrs. Chen in the hall, but she was pulled up before she got down halfway. Naturally, Mrs. Chen helped her up affectionately.

"Don't be polite." Li Zhouzhou said.

Mrs. Chen asked why she didn't see Mrs. Liang, and Mrs. Liang explained, saying that her mother-in-law had just arrived in Zhaozhou and hadn't adjusted well. She was a little unhappy when she came back yesterday, and she didn't come today.

Afterwards, Li Zhouzhou introduced the Hou family, and Mrs. Liang did not put on airs as an official wife in front of Mrs. Hou—here, Mrs. Gu and Mrs. Chen did not put on airs, so why should she put on airs?

They greeted each other and sat down.

Chen Youniang was holding her younger sister's hand, "Sister, let's go to see elder brother Yu."

Mrs. Liang looked at her mother, and when she saw her nod her head in agreement, she called out to the ladies and aunts present, saluted and left to play.When Mrs. Chen saw it, she couldn't help boasting, and said: "Your aunt is really good at teaching, such a clever girl is a treasure."

Mrs. Liang smiled slightly, said something, and picked up Chen Youniang.

Talked in the hall, everyone arrived, and now the matchmaker sang the ceremony and went through the process, reading the ceremony in the yard, saying auspicious words one by one, like a pair of wild geese, that is, boasting about wild geese Loyalty, I wish the two of you will be in love for a long time like wild geese, singing lotus root, that is a perfect match.

After singing the ceremony, the parents of the two parties took out the Geng Tie of the younger generation.

The female elders of Su Jiayu's family were not here, and Li Zhouzhou was his cousin and husband, so he was the one to come, and the matchmaker read the Geng post, and naturally finished a series of auspicious words, saying that the two are a good match, and a very good marriage , Yuelao tied it up with a red thread...

Everyone smiled kindly.

There are also many children today, surrounded by their mothers, smiling curiously at the prospective couple in the middle.Chen Youniang is the eldest among the girls, and Li Zhaoxi is the main one among the boys, whether they are divided according to age.

"Brother Yu's clothes are so pretty."

"Isn't the hairpin on my head the flower of our Zhaozhou?"

"So lovely."

"Shy, shy face."

Su Jiayu, who received the blessing of auspicious words in the middle, blushed, and Hou Tong next to him was even more so, even his neck and ears were all red. It's like being scorched by fire.

But when the elders saw it, they were immediately overjoyed. These two children...

For Geng Tie, it means dowry and marriage date.Since the Hou family had already separated, the two elder brothers also gave some silver as the dowry gift for Hou Tong to marry his wife, 50 taels each, and 100 taels for the waiting father and mother.

Wait for the matchmaker to finish reading the dowry list.

The Hou family was still worried, and Hou Tong was nervous for fear that the Li family would feel that he had given it lightly.

After hearing this, Li Zhouzhou knew that this young man Hou Tong probably took out all his savings and family assets to buy Su Jiayu a dowry.

Hou Tong's family background naturally cannot be compared with those present.

"I, I." Hou Tong wanted to explain a few words to Su Jiayu, but he couldn't say anything. He was indeed not rich enough to live in a big house for Jiayu, and he couldn't hire many servants.

Su Jiayu raised his eyes to look at Hou Tong, and just looked at each other, Hou Tong understood and didn't explain anymore, his eyes were earnest, Su Jiayu nodded.

[Is it too much? 】

[Not much, Jiayu. 】

That's it.

Su Jiayu nodded, Li Zhouzhou smiled and said good words after seeing it, the betrothal gift was negotiated, and they talked about the date of engagement.Mrs. Hou wrote down all the auspicious dates for the zodiac, and Li Zhou and Zhou Zhou saw that they were all the most recent months, June and July, so she said: "These two months are a bit hot, and I also want to stay with Brother Yu again." In a few months, don't rush into the marriage."

Although Brother Yu wanted to keep a low profile, he could make it more lively without being ostentatious or extravagant.

Hou Tong was a little urgent, but when he heard Boss Li's words, he immediately blamed himself. He only wanted to get married and live with Jiayu early, but he forgot that the sun was shining. Can't help saying: "Then autumn will come."

The big guy smiled kindly again, and now he understands that the two new couples are not married yet, one for the sake of the other, and when they get married, they will definitely have a good life together.

Fortunately, there was a matchmaker, so it was not troublesome to calculate the date, and finally picked October [-]th.

In less than half a year, it took time to make wedding dresses, set up banquets, and invite guests to write posts. Now that I am richer, I am not so rushed.

The engagement is over, I have been busy all morning, the distinguished guests are greeted, the host's house is naturally entertaining, the banquet at noon is rich, because the weather is hot, the banquet is not placed in the yard, but in the side hall, everything has been removed, There are round tables, chairs, and icebergs.

Eat and drink lively pass.

It was after three o'clock that it was officially over. After drinking a lot of wine, Li Da blushed happily, still smelling of alcohol, and personally sent Hou Tong's parents outside the gate.

"They are all in-laws, so we will move around more in the future." Li Dao said.

The Hou family naturally should be.Li Da said again: "You treat my family as ordinary relatives. I am from the village, and I am not as good as your family. Don't be polite and restrained. Let's walk around affectionately."

"Okay, old man."

Gu Zhaotong sent his father off to Hou's family, now he would support his father, and said beside him: "Isn't that right, let's move around more in the future, no matter what officialdom, we are relatives."

"Yes, what Zhao'er said is, don't be afraid of him."

Li Zhouzhou talked to Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Liang, a little slower, and it was still behind, because Mrs. Chen saw that her young mother was reluctant to part with the aunt of the Liang family. This would be holding hands and reluctant to part, so Mrs. Chen and Liang The lady said: "Look at these two sisters, they are like relatives. We met yesterday and today. There is still so much to talk about."

Mrs. Liang laughed and said yes.

Li Zhou Zhou observed that Mrs. Liang was a bit weak and incompetent. To put it bluntly, she just knew how to obey, and the flatterers were also submissive. As others said, when he thought about the scene of the banquet at his house yesterday, he was afraid that it was the Liang family. Mrs. Liang was in charge of the house. Madame is empty air.

It's not that he provokes the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, but Mrs. Liang should be a little tougher, at least when it comes to the children——

Mrs. Liang didn't wear small shoes today, but the education of the children of the Liang family can't always be beaten by outsiders.

"The two little sisters live close to each other, so why don't they visit and play with each other all day?" Li Zhouzhou said.

Mrs. Chen nodded, turned her head and said to her granddaughter: "Did you hear that? Later, you invite the aunt to come to our house to play. It's okay to stay for a few days, and then we can go to school together."

Chen Youniang first cheered and said yes!

But Mrs. Liang was stunned, not knowing whether she should respond or not - she couldn't make up her mind.How can a little girl go to another family's house to stay for a few days, the mother-in-law will definitely be unhappy when she finds out, and will say that the aunt has no rules, and she has no rules.

But for a while, I didn't know how to refuse and interrupt.

Li Zhouzhou saw that Mrs. Liang was in a dilemma. She didn't see it at the time, but said: "The old lady is old, and the journey is tiring. We have a long summer vacation in Zhaozhou. The old man is not energetic and uses too much ice. He is prone to stomach upset."

"Yes." Mrs. Liang began to agree.

Li Zhouzhou saw that Mrs. Liang's face was still confused and confused, so she said more bluntly, "I think Mrs. Liang is filial, and she definitely can't bear to tire the old man. In the future, Mrs. Liang may have to do more housework and don't have time to chat with us. Watching a play."

Mrs. Chen smiled like a mirror, "Isn't that right, Mrs. Liang is filial, please work hard. After the summer vacation, your mother-in-law will recover. When it's cold, let's talk and watch a show, and we can have fun." .”

He made a pitiful expression on his face, and said: "You just moved here, and you have to settle in the house, and you have to take care of the two children. Fortunately, the aunt Erlang is well-behaved, but it is convenient and neat to send you to school, and you don't have to be exhausted physically and mentally. In this way Let's go, my young lady will go to school tomorrow, and I will call your aunt, and the two little sisters will go to school together, with a companion."

In fact, there are four young girls in the Chen family who are going to school, and Chen Youniang will naturally not be alone when she goes to school.

Mrs. Liang didn't know how to reply, so she responded in a daze, until she got into the carriage, thinking about what Mrs. Gu and Mrs. Chen said just now. She is either stupid, or she has been controlled by her mother-in-law for decades With strict control, she doesn't need her to come up with ideas and make decisions, as long as she obeys.

At that time, I didn't realize it in my head. After thinking about it in the car, I tasted it a little bit?

Does Mrs. Gu, Mrs. Chen want her to take charge of the Liang Mansion?

Just taking advantage of the time when the mother-in-law is not feeling well, but the mother-in-law is falsely unhappy-but last night, the mother-in-law next to the mother-in-law came to talk in a hurry, and the husband-in-law also heard it, so he went to ask in the morning. For the first time this is not the case.

Then she should be the housekeeper?Mrs. Liang was at a loss and couldn't believe it, and there was a bit of fear and expectation. All kinds of emotions were mixed together. When she reached the door, the aunt called her, and Mrs. Liang regained consciousness and walked down.

She looked at the gate, and was a little afraid to tell her mother-in-law that the aunt was going to school tomorrow.

But when I take the children out to meet guests, when I come back, I will go to see the elders first to say goodbye, so Mrs. Liang bit the bullet and went. The mother-in-law in the main courtyard of the backyard said hello, and the mother-in-law asked carefully. Mrs. Liang said that she will watch the ceremony today , How about the betrothal gift and engagement of the Hou family.

When Liang's mother heard that there was nothing serious, she asked people to go back.

Mrs. Liang breathed a sigh of relief when she left the main courtyard, but her heart was beating fast. It was the first time she had kept this from her mother-in-law.

She was anxious, afraid that the mother-in-law would go to school tomorrow, what if the mother-in-law asked and did not see the child?

In the evening, when Liang Jiang came back from duty, when the couple were talking, Liang Jiang first asked how it was to be a guest today. Mrs. Liang said a few words before turning around: "... Mrs. Chen said that the young lady of the Chen family will go to school tomorrow. The carriage stopped by to pick up Madam, her two little sisters are having a good time..." The voice was a little nervous.

"Go to school tomorrow?" Liang Jiang originally wanted the child to get used to it for a few days, but now he heard that with a smile on his face, he said, "It's not bad, ma'am, she got used to it so quickly, if she wants to go, she can go."

Mrs. Liang felt at ease. If the mother-in-law asked, she would say that the husband had agreed, and the matter was over, and she couldn't help but think about the housekeeper, but she didn't say what she said a few times—it seemed that she was looking forward to the housekeeper's right. Will it be misunderstood that she is disrespectful and disobedient to her mother-in-law?

Who knew that Liang Jiang said first: "How is my mother? She has lived in Chuzhou for many years, and she must not be used to the weather in Zhaozhou. Work harder, and you will take care of the housekeeper first."

Mrs. Liang: "Huh? Okay, I think so too, but I'm afraid—"

"It's thanks to you that our family settled down. Purchasing and arranging servants is a bit cumbersome, but it's all our own business, and we won't make trouble for good or bad. Do it with confidence, and it won't—" Liang Jiang pondered He nodded, "Don't disturb my mother's recuperation, just ask Mrs. Chen and Boss Li."

"Hey, good." Mrs. Liang settled down.

In fact, the day before, Liang Jiang and his family visited Li Mansion. Although he was chatting with Mr. Gu and Mr. Chen, the atmosphere of Li Mansion was open, and it didn't matter whether men and women were placed together in the front and back yards. Liang Jiang also got used to it in Zhaozhou for several years.

Later, when listening to the play, Boss Li's wife, Mrs. Chen, chatted with his mother's wife, and Liang Jiang was listening, so he could guess one or two. The literati in Chuzhou were at their peak, but the atmosphere was a bit old-fashioned, not as good as Zhaozhou's freshness. He saw the Chen family The little girl's dress is simply not as good as her aunt's, but she has a confident smile on her face, which her aunt can't compare to.

My mother has lived in Chuzhou for half her life, and her roots have been deeply rooted, and she can't correct it for a while. If she is angry and ruins her body, it is because he is not filial.

It is good for Madam to be gentle and obedient, at least she can listen to him.

Liang Jiang thought so, so today he proposed to let his wife be the housekeeper.As for Mrs. Liang's wearing small shoes, Liang Jiang really didn't know - because there was no custom of binding feet in this dynasty, Mrs. Liang's feet were smaller but not deformed.

"By the way, auntie is going to school, it's time to come up with a name for auntie." Liang Jiang asked his wife what's good.Mrs. Liang naturally said: "Your husband should think about it, I am a woman, how can I have a name."

Liang Jiang thought for a while and said, "Take the word 'Chaoyang'."

The word Chao has the same pronunciation as Zhao, which is not only Zhaozhou, but also the taboo pronunciation of Mr. Gu's name. Liang Jiang is grateful for Mr. Gu's kindness.

"Chaoyang, the sunshine of Zhaozhou, endless hope."

Mrs. Liang didn't understand these things, so she just carefully reminded, "I'm afraid I violated Mr. Gu's taboo?"

"I'm sure not, Mr. Gu has a big heart, if you hear our aunt's name, you'd better give her a good name." Liang Jiang affirmed.

Aunt Liang got a new name, Liang Chaoyang.After hearing this, she was very happy. Lying on the bed at night and looking up at the top of the bed curtain, she smiled happily. She likes Zhaozhou, and her feet are comfortable when she arrives in Zhaozhou. Now she has a nice name!

Loei.

Li Zhouzhou helped Xianggong pack his luggage, while Gu Zhao helped him and said, "Bring a few more pairs of underwear. I'm not used to wearing the ones made by the finished product shop outside. They are too small. You are old."

"..." Li Zhouzhou paused, turned his head and couldn't stop laughing, "What are you doing!"

"Laughed?"

Li Zhouzhou was a little bit reluctant at first, but his mood was a little depressed. Knowing that his husband had official duties, it would be good to be able to go home for more than a month, but the reason is understandable, and he still misses others.As a result, I laughed out loud, and my emotions disappeared.

"If I finish my business and come back after collecting enough vacation time, our family lives comfortably in Zhaozhou. We are used to the customs and customs here, and Fubao goes to school. If I move to Mozhou, I don't want you to go there. It's not as good as here."

Urban infrastructure and road construction can be done, but the relationship in Wuzhou is complicated-because there are too many officials, the chief secretary, the state city, officials large and small, and their families move around, and they are used to being free from week to week. Drinking, going to theaters, and socializing needlessly all day long is a waste of time.

"Besides, I don't like the customs of Mozhou. This time I will check the progress of the road construction, and then go to Xinzhou for a while. When the Sancheng Road is repaired, I will come back soon. I will take good care of myself outside. Don't worry." Too worried, think of me, and I also think of you at night."

Li Zhouzhou knew it, so he hummed, "My husband is out taking care of his health, don't forget to eat when you're busy."

"it is good."

After packing his luggage, he went to bed early. Gu Zhao hugged Zhou Zhou. Both of them couldn't fall asleep, and they didn't want to talk anymore. They just hugged like this, quietly.

The next day, the family had breakfast, and Gu Zhaoxi personally sent Li Zhaoxi to school, letting Li Zhaoxi ride a little white flower, and he walked beside him. Li Zhaoxi knew that his father was leaving, but he was able to ride a horse to school. Pulling and pulling, and finally humming and chirping on the horse.

"father!"

"Why are you so angry, don't you enjoy riding a horse?" Gu Zhaoming asked knowingly.

Li Zhaoxi: "I can't bear to part with my father."

"Then are you happy to go to school on a horse?" Master Gu asked.

"……Happy."

Anyway, there is no parting sentimental here with Mr. Gu, he rode on the horse and looked at Fubao on the pony next to him, and said with a smile: "Just be happy, next time I come back, I will bring you some Xinzhou specialties, you must have never eaten it .”

"What is it?" Li Zhaoxi's angry face also let go, and he became curious.

Gu Zhao made it up, he was busy building roads in Xinzhou before, so he didn’t have time to wander around, it’s different now, when he was a five-rank Tongzhi, he went to the first five prefectures to fear that the strong dragon would not be able to overwhelm the local snake, but now the official position is high Now, with the real power in hand, there is a gap. Dealing with some gentry, local rogues, is a dimensionality reduction blow, and no one dares to be stupid.

Therefore, he acts neatly and does not procrastinate, and does not have to entertain subordinate officials.

These people wanted to flatter him, but Mr. Gu didn't give him a chance.

"I can't say. Anyway, when you see it later, you will know that it is something we don't have in Zhaozhou."

"Okay." Li Zhaoxi turned to look at his father, "When can we see Fufu?"

You brat, you know clichés.Mr. Gu thought for a while, "Depending on the situation, your father will be back in July soon, and it will definitely be the end of July and early August if it is slower."

After getting the answer, Li Zhaoxi felt better.

"Study hard in school, official school, and spend more time with dad and grandpa when you go home."

"know."

"Don't be greedy, let people in your yard secretly make cold drinks for you. This will ruin your stomach and make you feel uncomfortable. It is your father and grandfather who suffered. They must stay by your side and take care of you day and night."

"understood."

"It's okay, let's go in."

Mr. Gu saw Li Zhaoxi into the gate with his own eyes, stopped for a while, and then got on his horse. This time, he didn't go home. His subordinates were waiting for him at the gate of the city, but when he passed by the yamen, he looked in the direction of his home. He said There's no need to send it away, it's so hot, Zhou Zhou went out to deliver it back and forth, but when he got outside the city, Zhou Zhou was waiting.

Get off your horse.

"How long have you been waiting?" Gu Zhao shook Zhou Zhou's hand.

Li Zhouzhou said: "I just arrived, and I haven't waited long. Has Fubao been sent to school?"

"Well, I'll see you off. I'm proud of myself all the way. He's obviously happy. He came back on horseback in the afternoon and asked Meng Jianyun to take someone to pick him up. Don't let Fubao run away. If no one is watching, he has to trot." stand up."

"it is good."

The husband and wife both knew that no matter how much they talked, they had to part ways. After looking at each other for a while, Li Zhouzhou said, "Let's go, before the sun shines so brightly, we can hurry up."

"Success." Gu Zhao didn't say that when I came back, he always felt that his words were poisonous.

He got on his horse, looked at Zhou Zhou, and said to Meng Jianyun behind him, "What Boss Li told you, do it carefully, don't cause trouble, and don't let anyone bully you."

"gone."

Master Gu led the team and headed to the direction of Wuzhou in a hurry. He was going to visit Wuzhou and then go to Xinzhou.

To the north of the city gate, Li Zhouzhou closed his eyes until the figure was gone, and said to Xiaomeng, "Go back."

As soon as Gu Zhao left, the people in the city naturally knew about it and talked about it for a while.Li Zhouzhou got busy after a few days of idleness at home. Minzhang sent a batch of rubber for rubber tires. This is easy to transport, and wooden wheels can be used anywhere.

He wants to explain this matter to Lord Liang.

The government took over the rubber tire business and made the first batch. Ordinary private businesses would wait until later if they wanted to use it. However, Boss Li had the privilege to replace all the wheels of the carriages on land for his Zhaozhou caravan.

Calculating the time, the one who went to deliver the goods should also come back.

When the caravan comes back, the horses rest, and the wheels are repaired, checked and replaced, all are things.

There was another incident during the period. Li Zhouzhou heard that Mr. Liang invited Chen Jie and Li Chun from the almshouse to write short stories for the Zhaozhou Mansion Newspaper. Writing a story, the two didn't understand at first, but they didn't refuse.

The reason why the public opinion of the people in Zhaozhou can be changed and forgiven in the previous few incidents of reconciliation is that the government took the lead in publishing it in the residence newspaper, and the content expressed was also on the sidelines of reconciliation with the wife, which made the women in the almshouse It’s easier for us—you won’t be scolded by Wanqian.

The two of them naturally knew that this was a good thing, so they didn't say that they couldn't write articles and stories and refused.

Mr. Liang said: "I want some short stories with straightforward language, not stale, praise for learning, and praise for women's self-improvement."

The two of them understood.

Around June [-], the Zhaozhou caravan finally returned.

The common people gathered around to watch, lively and lively. It was Su Shiyi who went by land and entered the north gate of the city. The boat at Jiting Wharf also docked, and Wang Jian also returned safely.

After that, it was to settle the accounts, settle the money, rest the horse team, and change the rubber tires of the carriage.

Li Zhouzhou is busy every day, and only thinks about his husband when it is quiet at night.On the other side, Gu Zhaocai went to Wuzhou to check the progress of the road construction - Wuzhou failed, it was a little slower, and there were excuses, the people wanted to plant and harvest.

Then Mr. Gu showed his authority, leaving only a few petty officials.

For officials below the seventh rank, the Chief Secretary Zuo Zhengsi still has the right to dismiss them.

Mr. Gu's new official had three fires, but they didn't burn at the time, but this time, everyone was terrified, and the master of the yamen reminded him who was behind the small official.

"You make a list, let me see." Gu Zhao asked the master to write it down.

The master immediately heard that something was wrong, and he didn't dare to start writing. He kowtowed and begged for mercy. Gu Zhao didn't even look at it, and said to the yamen servant: "Pull it out, you also pack up and get out, and recruit the master again."

Gu Zhao is not worried about people, the position beside him, there are so many people in Wuzhou City who want to squeeze their heads in, and naturally there are people who want to be placed by his side, don't worry, just take it easy.

"...I heard that Lord Zuo Zhengsi got angry and sent out many people."

"He ran to Zhaozhou for more than a month without making a sound, and thought he was a fool who didn't care about his errands. Why did he come back--did he not take care of it? It doesn't seem to be very powerful."

"How do you know that, I didn't look like a serious airs before."

"Not yet? I put on airs when I took office that day..."

But no matter what, if you should get out, get out, if you should arrange it.Gu Zhao reorganized the progress of road repairs here, and also heard something. In the past, the Fan Kingdom came to attack several times. Rongzhou fought hard and retreated steadily. In one case, the fourteenth prince was seriously injured.

When Gu Zhao heard the news, he groaned.

"Is anyone dead?"

Zhongliu replied: "Not dead." Another hesitant expression.

Gu Zhao asked straight, "Next time, put on a hesitant face and let me ask. You also pack your bags and go back to Zhaozhou, and come over with someone else."

Because of the hot weather and the delay in road construction, Mr. Gu is very strict now.

"My lord, I heard about it, and it may not be accurate—" Zhong Liu saw that the lord's complexion was not good, and he was very cold, so he didn't dare to talk nonsense, and said directly: "I heard that the one who won was the fourteenth prince. Take the lead in the charge, the ones who hurt him are not the people of the Fan Kingdom, but the soldiers of Dali..."

Gu Zhao: This is nonsense, is it impossible?

Now that they have won the battle, why did the soldiers they bring injure the young general?

"Okay, you go down." Gu Zhao waved his hand, stopped listening, and smoothed out the road construction first.